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Keep Your Bones Healthy as You Age |
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Our bones give us movement — helping us to walk, run, and jump. But as we age, our bones lose density, and can cause problems like osteoporosis, which can increase the risk for falls, breaks, and fractures. During winter months, limited sun exposure can reduce natural vitamin D production, which is critical for absorbing bone-supporting calcium. Snow and ice can also heighten the risk of slipping and falling. You can support your bone health at any age and in any season with the following lifestyle tips: |
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Exercise. Weight-bearing exercises, like walking, dancing, or lifting weights, are especially good for bone health. Lower-impact activities done indoors such as yoga and Pilates can also supplement your routine. |
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Get enough calcium and vitamin D. Older adults need 1,200 mg of calcium daily. Sources include dairy, leafy greens, nuts, and fish. For inspiration, join a free BMC Teaching Kitchen class to learn easy, budget-friendly recipes with these ingredients. |
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Reducing smoking and alcohol use. These substances can weaken your bones. |
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Orthopedic Surgery Helps Patient Get Her Life Back |
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Cheryl Gillis-Smith had been living with back pain for several years before she considered surgery. But when the pain got so bad that she couldn’t continue the job she loved — working as a nurse at BMC — she turned to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Chadi Tannoury, the medical director of Orthopedic Surgery Department, for help.
“Dr. Tannoury was very honest. He told me I would need a 12-hour surgery over two days, where they would replace all the discs in my lower spine.” |
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Cheryl realized living in pain was not possible. “I had to take a medical leave from work because I couldn’t stand up. The pain was excruciating. I knew surgery was my only option to stay active.”
Now, a year after surgery, Cheryl feels great. “I can walk four miles and don’t have pain,” she says. “Dr. Tannoury gave me my life back.” Cheryl credits the excellent care she received at BMC for her successful recovery and where she is today. Learn more about Cheryl’s story.
The BMC Orthopedic Surgery Department offers a complete range of orthopedic services for acute injuries and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, helping patients like Cheryl get back to the activities they love.
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| Explore the innovative care options at BMC’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery → |
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HealthCity – Embracing Anti-Racism in Addiction Treatment |
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January marks the inaugural Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about the effectiveness of evidence-based treatments and breaking down the barriers to recovery.
Evidence has shown us that addiction treatment is not working for everyone, and to truly combat the opioid epidemic, we need new solutions. |
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Say Hello to the First Baby Born at BMC in 2025! |
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We are thrilled to introduce you to BMC’s first baby of 2025! As we kick off the new year, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating Noah, born at BMC at 12:30 a.m. on January 1st, 2025. A huge congratulations to Noah’s proud parents, Alexandra and Sain. Here’s to healthier starts and wonderful moments in the coming months (see 10 Reasons to Choose Boston Medical Center for Labor and Delivery).
We look forward to helping all our BMC babies grow and thrive in 2025. |
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Congratulations to DAISY Award® winner nurse Carline Benoit! |
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Join us in congratulating BMC's Carline Benoit on receiving the DAISY Award®! This award honors nurses who go above and beyond to provide compassionate care to patients and their families.
Nurse Julie Gilbert nominated Carline after observing her compassionately sitting with a patient and explaining the patient’s life-threatening medical condition in their primary language of Haitian Creole. Carline’s diligence and care helped to guide the patient in deciding to pursue treatment. “I truly believe Carline saved this patient's life,” said Julie in her nomination. “I will remember this for the rest of my life... it is a reminder of just how important our job is to make certain patients can truly understand the situation that they are in.”
We celebrate Carline’s commitment to excellent and equitable care for our patients. See how BMC nurses make a difference every day.
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Congratulations to DAISY Award® winner nurse Carline Benoit! |
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Join us in congratulating BMC's Carline Benoit on receiving the DAISY Award®! This award honors nurses who go above and beyond to provide compassionate care to patients and their families.
Nurse Julie Gilbert nominated Carline after observing her compassionately sitting with a patient and explaining the patient’s life-threatening medical condition in their primary language of Haitian Creole. Carline’s diligence and care helped to guide the patient in deciding to pursue treatment. “I truly believe Carline saved this patient's life,” said Julie in her nomination. “I will remember this for the rest of my life... it is a reminder of just how important our job is to make certain patients can truly understand the situation that they are in.”
We celebrate Carline’s commitment to excellent and equitable care for our patients. See how BMC nurses make a difference every day.
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Walk to Support Unhoused Neighbors |
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Join Team BMC on Sunday, February 9 for The Winter Walk, an annual 2-mile walk to end homelessness in Greater Boston. Create a team, join a team, or walk as an individual to raise funds for BMC initiatives that help unhoused patients.
Housing is key to health. Patients can’t prioritize their wellbeing when they don’t know where they will sleep tonight. Team BMC fundraising supports BMC’s Living Well at Home program that prevents evictions, secures housing, and helps folks maintain stable housing. Each day, case managers, social workers, and housing clinicians like Louvelin Vasquez are beside our patients in their housing journeys.
“Housing services are important to our patients because a safe place to live impacts medical health, emotional well-being, and financial security. With your support, we are meaningfully impacting lives and improving health outcomes.”
Your generosity makes this work possible. Learn more and register today!
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Walk to Support Unhoused Neighbors |
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Join Team BMC on Sunday, February 9 for The Winter Walk, an annual 2-mile walk to end homelessness in Greater Boston. Create a team, join a team, or walk as an individual to raise funds for BMC initiatives that help unhoused patients.
Housing is key to health. Patients can’t prioritize their wellbeing when they don’t know where they will sleep tonight. Team BMC fundraising supports BMC’s Living Well at Home program that prevents evictions, secures housing, and helps folks maintain stable housing. Each day, case managers, social workers, and housing clinicians like Louvelin Vasquez are beside our patients in their housing journeys.
“Housing services are important to our patients because a safe place to live impacts medical health, emotional well-being, and financial security. With your support, we are meaningfully impacting lives and improving health outcomes.”
Your generosity makes this work possible. Learn more and register today! |
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Join us for our 2nd annual Together for Hope conference for addiction experts and people with lived experience |
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Please join us at Together for Hope 2025: Shaping the Future of Addiction Care at the DCU Center in Worcester on April 16 and 17, 2025. Hosted by Boston Medical Center’s Grayken Center for Addiction, our second annual conference will bring together people who work in the addiction field and people with lived experience from across Massachusetts to focus on critical issues around treatment, harm reduction, recovery, and youth & families.
Take advantage of early-bird pricing by reserving your seat by Friday, February 14! For more information and to register, please visit the Together for Hope 2025 website. |
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Join us for our 2nd annual Together for Hope conference for addiction experts and people with lived experience |
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Please join us at Together for Hope 2025: Shaping the Future of Addiction Care at the DCU Center in Worcester on April 16 and 17, 2025. Hosted by Boston Medical Center’s Grayken Center for Addiction, our second annual conference will bring together people who work in the addiction field and people with lived experience from across Massachusetts to focus on critical issues around treatment, harm reduction, recovery, and youth & families.
Take advantage of early-bird pricing by reserving your seat by Friday, February 14! For more information and to register, please visit the Together for Hope 2025 website.
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BMC Partners with Community to Honor Dr. King’s Legacy |
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We were proud to sponsor and attend the 55th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast on January 20. Themed “Freedom Isn’t Free,” this special event remembered Dr. King’s life and legacy, recognized the contributions of community leaders in justice and equity, and awarded scholarships to Boston students. We are honored to partner with The Martin Luther King Memorial Breakfast Committee to support the programs and services they provide to benefit vulnerable communities across Greater Boston.
We are also thrilled to share that Dr. Thea James and her spouse, Rev. Irene Monroe, have been named 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King Honorees by Embrace Boston. This prestigious award recognizes their exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing equity and justice in healthcare and beyond. Dr. James and Rev. Monroe were celebrated at the Embrace Honors MLK event during their Signature Series MLK Weekend. See a recap and photos from events. |
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Celebrating Dr. King’s Legacy – MLK Memorial Breakfast and Embrace Boston Award |
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We were proud to sponsor and attend the 55th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast on January 20. Themed “Freedom Isn’t Free,” this special event remembered Dr. King’s life and legacy, recognized the contributions of community leaders in justice and equity, and awarded scholarships to Boston students. We are honored to partner with The Martin Luther King Memorial Breakfast Committee to support the programs and services they provide to benefit vulnerable communities across Greater Boston.
We are also thrilled to share that Dr. Thea James and her spouse, Rev. Irene Monroe, have been named 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King Honorees by Embrace Boston. This prestigious award recognizes their exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing equity and justice in healthcare and beyond. Dr. James and Rev. Monroe were celebrated at the Embrace Honors MLK event during their Signature Series MLK Weekend. See a recap and photos from events.
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Reminders for Your Next BMC Visit |
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Flu and upper respiratory infection season is upon us. While universal masking is not currently required, if you have a cough or symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, we recommend wearing a mask to help protect others. Masks are available in lobbies, clinics, inpatient units, and the Emergency Department. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe.
Also, as a reminder, if you have a co-payment for your visit, it may be requested at the time of check-in, depending on your insurance plan. You can make payments at the front desk using a credit card, cash, or check. For telemedicine visits, please make your payment via MyChart, or MyChart Guest Pay. Paying your co-pay upfront can help streamline your visit. If you have questions or need assistance with paying your bill please contact 888-489-0169. We are here to support you and ensure you receive the care you need. |
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Reminders for Your Next BMC Visit |
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Flu and upper respiratory infection season is upon us. While universal masking is not currently required, if you have a cough or symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, we recommend wearing a mask to help protect others. Masks are available in lobbies, clinics, inpatient units, and the Emergency Department. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe.
Also, as a reminder, if you have a co-payment for your visit, it may be requested at the time of check-in, depending on your insurance plan. You can make payments at the front desk using a credit card, cash, or check. For telemedicine visits, please make your payment via MyChart, or MyChart Guest Pay. Paying your co-pay upfront can help streamline your visit. If you have questions or need assistance with paying your bill please contact 888-489-0169. We are here to support you and ensure you receive the care you need. |
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I'd have to say from beginning to end, each visit, and particularly this last visit, went very well. From the person who did the x-ray to the doctor's assistant, to the doc himself, it's just a terrific experience. |
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I'd have to say from beginning to end, each visit, and particularly this last visit, went very well. From the person who did the x-ray to the doctor's assistant, to the doc himself, it's just a terrific experience. |
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“In Your Words” features patient comments from patient experience outreach surveys. We appreciate your time completing these surveys and for sharing your thoughts with us. The information gathered in these surveys is used to learn where we can improve, to continue to provide exceptional care to all. |
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