News Briefs

Apothecary Offers Natural Herbal Medicines at a Discount to Employees

The Jefferson Apothecary now carries natural herbal medications at a discounted price for employees. Formulas to manage weight, heart disease and varicose veins, to name a few, are available from two product lines, Pharmacist's Ultimate Health and Pharmaton.

"Natural medicines are not regulated by the FDA because they are by definition dietary supplements, not drugs. Yet, they can cause the same potentially harmful side effects and interactions as prescription medications when used incorrectly or with concurrent medical conditions," explains Ava Arena, RPh, RN, Pharmacist, Jefferson Apothecary. "For these reasons, the Apothecary selected natural medicine companies that follow FDA guidelines, standardize their products, and guarantee potency."

Employees who purchase herbal medicines from the Apothecary get a quality product at a discounted price and benefit from the staff's knowledge of the products. In addition, the Apothecary is incorporating employees' natural medicine purchases as part of their prescription records so potential or established adverse reactions may be monitored.

Employees interested in finding out more about natural medicines can visit the Apothecary and ask for Ms. Arena.

In addition, information about herbal medicines and alternative therapies is also available through the Alternative Medicine Network, Jefferson Health System - Main Line, and at Jefferson's Center for Integrative Medicine. Call 1-800-JEFF-NOW

The 29th season of the Thomas Jefferson University Choir begins with rehearsals on Wednesday, September 9, 1998 at 7 p.m. in McClellan Hall, 1025 Walnut Street. The choir is open to all members of the Jefferson community without audition. Refreshments will be served following the first rehearsal.

The fall concert, on Friday, December 11, will feature J.S. Bach's Magnificat. Instrumentalists interested in playing in the orchestra accompanying the choir are encouraged to call.

For additional information, please contact Robert Sataloff, MD, or Peggy Baroody at 790-5195.

Jefferson is participating in the Joint Commission Satellite Network, which conducts video conferences on various survey topics throughout the year. All employees at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Center City, Ford Road and Methodist Divisions are invited to attend. Reservations are not necessary.

Employees interested in attending can fax related questions ahead of time to 214-416-1261. You may also ask questions during the conference using the videoconferencing call-in feature.

If you are unable to attend a session and would like to borrow its videotape, please contact Theresa MacKale, Quality Management Department, at 5-8131.

Following is the schedule through 1998. All programs are from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

August 11: The Restraint Standards for 1998 - Your Questions Answered, 105 Bluemle

September 22: Improving Patient Care Using Case Management, Clinical Pathways, Practice Guidelines: Examples of Compliance, 107 Bluemle

October 20: Integrating Leadership, Performance Improvement and Information Management, 107 Bluemle

November 10: The Environment of Care Standards for 1998 and Beyond, 107 Bluemle

In addition, 18 conferences from 1997 are available on videotape. For their titles, and all other questions, call Jo-Lyn Brace, Manager, Quality Management Department, at 5-5233.

Gibbon Human Resources Office Makes Changes

Starting Monday, August 3, the Human Resources Department of Employee Services satellite office located at 2160 Gibbon will be regularly staffed with Human Resources Department employees with initial hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. This action is part of a plan to better serve employees who use the office. This month, the hours of operation will be evaluated and possibly changed to better accommodate the needs of all hospital employees.

Blood Donor Center

Blood Donor Center hours are 8:30 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday. Please call 5-7791 to schedule appointment if you are eligible and willing to give blood.

IVF Seeks Egg Donors

The hospital's In Vitro Fertilization Program seeks women under 34 years of age to donate eggs to infertile couples. Donors will undergo screening involving medical and psychological testing. Eligible donors, who must have medical insurance, will be compensated. If you would like to participate in this worthwhile program, please call Carol Goldman, LSW, at 5-5147.

TUNE TO HEALTHWISE ON WPEN

950 AM; Hear Jefferson Health System (JHS) physicians discuss the latest health topics on HealthWise, WPEN's weekly health information radio show hosted by Martin Weisberg, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, JMC. The show, sponsored by JHS, airs Sunday mornings, at 8:30 am. For upcoming topics and speakers, call 1-800-JEFF-NOW.

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