Brigham and Women's Hospital
Genetics Division, Department of Medicine
Harvard Medical School New Research Building
77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02115
BWH Family History Project
In November, 2005 BWH launched its employee-focused Family History Project. This effort is supported through funding from the NHGRI, the HPCGG, and the hospital's BRI (BWH Biomedical Research Institute). It consists of a year-long effort to encourage and support over 12,000 hospital employees in their voluntary efforts to collect and organize their family health history.
Our preliminary survey performed in March 2006 suggested that 48% of survey respondents had gathered and organized their family history data using the Surgeon General's "My Family Health Portrait" tool. Of those employees who participated in the Family History Project, over 90% said that they would encourage others to use "My Family Health Portrait" The motivations cited for participation included interest in maintaining personal health and the health of family members.
Upon completion of our first project year in November 2006, we plan to: [1] disseminate our model for engaging employees within a health care institution in the process of gathering family health history, [2] provide feedback to the Surgeon General's team on insights toward improving the web-based tool, [3] direct 'Phase Two' of our BWH Family History Project toward the thousands of patients that we serve at BWH.
Dr. Moritsugu's Visit
The US Deputy Surgeon General, Rear Admiral Kenneth P. Moritsugu, M.D., M.P.H. visited BWH in support of the Family History Project. To learn more about Dr. Moritsugu, click here.
Interactive Center Launched on May 19, 2006
Launch of the Brigham and Women's Hospital Family History Project's Interactive Center, where BWH employees can be guided through "My Family Health Portrait" or enter their family health history information with FHP staff assistance.
WBUR Story
National Public Radio's Boston affiliate WBUR featured the BWH Family History Project. Click here to listen to the broadcast.
Our Team
Michael F. Murray, M.D.
Clinical Chief, Division of Genetics
Department of Medicine
Director, BWH Family History Project
77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, NRB 455
Boston, MA 02115
Monica A. Giovanni, M.S.
Genetic Counselor, Division of Genetics
Department of Medicine
77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, NRB 455
Boston, MA 02115