Compiled by Amber Burtis
Morris Library, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
Rhonda Reimer, the special project coordinator of the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella, Iowa, and Chris Childs, education and outreach librarian at the Hardin Library at the University of Iowa, recently collaborated on an article for the Focus On Patient Safety, the official newsletter of the National Patient Safety Foundation. The article, "Hospital Uses PPECA 'Train the Trainer' Program to Help Community Groups Empower Patients," discusses the PPECA presentation made at the hospital and how the staff uses the knowledge they gained and created a community outreach program on patient safety. The article is available here.
Karen E. Gegner, former medical librarian at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Northwestern University, passed away April 13. A memorial service for Karen was held Friday, April 24, at Dominican University's Rosary Chapel. Originally from Medford, Ore., Karen received her MLIS from Syracuse University. Her obituary is here.
The April issue of The Joint Commission: The Source features an article titled "Spotlight on Success: Laptops Enhance Patient-Centered Care." The article discusses the laptop borrowing program for patients at the Health Sciences Library, Bronson Methodist Hospital, in Kalamazoo, Mich. This program was developed and implemented by MLA member Marge Kars with her IT department. Kars is also co-editor of the recent MLA publication The Medical Library Association Guide to Health Literacy at the Library.
Kate MacDougall joined the University of Michigan Health Sciences Libraries (HSL) as outreach librarian on April 1. Kate is a recent graduate of the School of Information at UM and also received her undergraduate degree from the university. She worked in the HSL as a student assistant and as an intern. She also has worked at the Depression Education Resource Center, MFit Health Education Resource Center, Hatcher Graduate Library and the Internet Public Library. Kate volunteered at the library for St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and is a member of the Patient Education Strategic Planning (PESP) Committee at the UM Health System.
Melissa Rethlefsen, education technology librarian at Mayo Clinic Libraries in Rochester, Minn., was one of the Library Journal's Movers & Shakers for 2009. She was recognized as a leader shaping the future of libraries. Read Melissa's profile here.