Bethesda Notebook

Joint Commission President Lecture

President of The Joint Commission, Dr. Mark Chassin, will speak on "Overcoming Obstacles to High Reliability Healthcare" on Friday, June 8 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in Building 10's Laurel Clark Memorial Auditorium. All staff are invited and encouraged to attend.

Upcoming Lean Six Sigma Courses

Lean Six Sigma courses are scheduled over the next several months at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). The Green Belt Course for Lean Six Sigma is scheduled for next Monday through Friday, Aug. 6-8, and Oct. 29-Nov. 2. The five-day course is worth 40 Continuing Education Units (CEU)/Continuing Medical Education (CME), and open to all military and civilian WRNMMC employees. The 15-day Black Belt Course, worth 120 CEU/CMEs, is also scheduled for next week. To be eligible for the Black Belt Course, participants must be current Green Belt practitioners with two completed projects. For more information, contact Lt. John Gardner, a National Capital Area Regional Black Belt, at john.gardner2med.navy.mil or (301) 295-2037.

New Roots Music Performance

Walter Reed Bethesda's Stages of Healing (SoH) next presentation will be held Wednesday at noon in the courtyard next to the Galley with featured performers Herb & Hanson, New Roots Music. Herb Manila (mandolin and guitar) and Michael Hanson (guitar) began performing at venues in 2000, leaning heavily on their influences ranging from The Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan, to Robert Johnson and Bill Monroe. They released their first album in 2001, and incorporate a variety of genres in their music, from blues, bluegrass, ballads, folk rock and more. Stages of Healing events provide a respite for patients, families, visitors and staff at Walter Reed Bethesda. For more information, call Dr. Micah Sickel at (301) 295-2492, or Sara Barrett at (301) 295-1083.

New Employee Assistance Program Coordinator

Amanda Maher is the new Walter Reed Bethesda Employee Assistance Program (EAP) coordinator. Maher is available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Occupational Health Clinic, Building 7, second floor, Room 2131. She can be reached at (301) 400-0077 during normal business hours or (301) 461-6252 after business hours.