Why Vaccines Still Matter

As children head back to school and we brace for another respiratory virus season, it’s important to return to something that’s not new but often overlooked: vaccines save lives. 

Vaccines are one of the most rigorously studied interventions in all of medicine. They’ve helped eliminate polio in most parts of the world. They’ve curbed diseases like measles and rubella. And here in the U.S., immunization policies have significantly increased life expectancy by preventing death and disability from once-common illnesses. Simply put, vaccines help us live longer, healthier lives of better quality. 

Below are a few things to keep in mind. 

Lean Into the Science 

It’s healthy to scrutinize medical recommendations, but vaccines are not where the science is weak. Vaccine policy is grounded in decades of large-scale data and peer-reviewed studies. Whether it’s preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in newborns or shielding older adults from complications of RSV, flu, or COVID-19, the evidence supports their safety and effectiveness. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists offer the following guidance as we head into respiratory illness season: 

• Flu Vaccine: Recommended for all children 6 months and older. 
• RSV Vaccine: Pregnant women between 32–36 weeks to protect newborns, or directly for infants under 8 months. 
• COVID-19: Strongly recommended for children 6–23 months and for those ages 2–18 who are medically vulnerable. 

Older adults and those with underlying health issues should also speak with their healthcare providers about the updated RSV and flu vaccines now available. 

Coverage and Communication 

Because of some guidance and recommendation delays at the national level, some vaccine availability and insurance coverage specifics remain unclear. We advise patients to contact their insurance providers ahead of scheduled visits to confirm what’s covered and when. 

As a pediatrician, I’ve seen how serious RSV can be in infants, and our care teams continue to support patients experiencing long-term effects of COVID-19. While no medical intervention is without limits, vaccines remain one of the most powerful tools we have to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our community. They don’t just reduce the risk of illness, they help us achieve longer, healthier lives. 

Caring for Those Who Care

When I say people are what make us great at GBMC HealthCare, I mean it. Every person who walks through our doors brings something vital to our shared vision: to treat every patient the way we would want our own loved ones treated. But to do that well, we need to care for our staff in the same way, fully and holistically. 

That’s why we’ve built a comprehensive framework to support your wellbeing, not just in body and mind, but in all areas of life. Here's a look at the eight interconnected pillars of wellbeing we focus on at GBMC, and the many ways we’re here for our team:

Physical Wellbeing 

From free biometric screenings and flu shots to access to our onsite fitness center and discounted gym memberships, we encourage you to take care of your body. Our health plan and wellness incentives are designed to support your preventive care and overall health. 

Emotional Wellbeing 

Whether you’re navigating personal stress or the emotional demands of health care work, you are not alone. We offer free, confidential counseling through our Employee Assistance Program, mindfulness workshops, crisis support, CARES peer support, on-call chaplaincy and spiritual care. 

Financial Wellbeing 

Financial stability is essential to peace of mind. We provide tools and support for retirement planning, tuition assistance, budgeting resources, and employee discount programs, and even offer access to the Peake Federal Credit Union to help with financial success. 

Social Wellbeing 

Fostering connections and belonging are important to helping staff feel engaged and comfortable in their work environment. Through our Employee Resource Groups, social events, recognition programs, and volunteer opportunities, we aim to create a community where you feel included, supported, and celebrated. 

Professional Wellbeing 

Your growth matters. GBMC is proud to offer opportunities for career development through tuition reimbursement, certification programs, mentoring, leadership training, and support for continuous learning and advancement. 

Environmental Wellbeing 

We are intentional about creating safe, welcoming, and healthy workspaces. From ergonomic workstations to clean, healing-centered environments and efforts toward sustainability, we want every GBMC space to support your health and focus. 

Spiritual Wellbeing 

No matter your faith background or beliefs, we provide space and resources for spiritual reflection and renewal. Chaplaincy services, meditation rooms, and emotional support are available to help you feel grounded and cared for in all moments. 

Intellectual Wellbeing 

We encourage lifelong learning. Whether it’s participating in innovation work, learning through clinical education, attending a lunch-and-learn, seeking higher education, or simply accessing free resources through GBMC University, we support your curiosity and ongoing growth. 

To make it easier to access and explore all these resources, we’ve launched a new Wellbeing Portal, a one-stop hub where you can learn about what’s available in each area of wellbeing. The portal will continue to grow as new offerings are developed, based on our people’s feedback and evolving needs. 

Thank you for all that you do. We’re proud to care for the caregivers. 

Remembering Benita "Bonnie" Kaplan 

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Bonnie Kaplan, President of the GBMC Volunteer Auxiliary Board, a devoted volunteer, and a cherished member of our GBMC family. Bonnie not only gave generously of her time and leadership, but she also formed meaningful connections with patients, offering comfort and encouragement during their healthcare journeys. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her husband, Ken, also a loyal GBMC supporter, her loved ones, and all who were fortunate to know her. Bonnie’s warmth, compassion, and fierce dedication will forever be part of our GBMC story.

Investing in Our People: The T. Rowe Price Education Fund

Last year's T. Rowe Price Education Fund recipients

At GBMC HealthCare, we believe our people are our greatest asset. And to that end, we are committed to helping every team member reach their full potential. Whether our employees are at the start of their career or pursuing an advanced degree, we want them to have the resources to grow. That’s why we are proud to offer the T. Rowe Price Education Fund, which supplements our existing tuition prepayment/reimbursement program and gives employees extra support to achieve their educational goals. 

If you’ve been with GBMC for at least six months, work 20+ hours per week, have a strong performance record, and have used tuition reimbursement in the past year, you may be eligible for additional funding for tuition, books, and fees.

The deadline for applications is September 1, 2025, at midnight. 

Please check your employee email for additional guidelines and to learn how to apply.  

Last year, 37 employees received more than $133,000 in additional funding through this program, and hundreds of employees have utilized the fund since its inception. I’ll highlight a couple of examples within nursing here today, although the benefits span departments and roles across the entire health system: 

• Emma Schneider, DNP, RN, AGACNP-BC, has used GBMC’s tuition support to advance her nursing education and bring even greater expertise to her patients.  
• Kate Jones, DNP, RNC, shared that her journey is one of resilience and lifelong learning, which were supported by GBMC's commitment to continuing education. 

Our strategic plan calls for us to be the employer of choice in our market. Programs like the T. Rowe Price Education Fund are one way we bring that goal to life. It helps us make sure our team members have access to the training, credentials, and degrees they need to thrive in their careers. 

I encourage our staff to explore not only our opportunities with this fund but our tuition benefits overall (in addition to our no-cost GBMCU opportunities available in Workday). The investment GBMC makes in your education is an investment in you... and the health and future of our entire community.

Gilchrist and Inova: Expanding Access to Compassionate Hospice Care

This week, I’m pleased to highlight a new chapter in Gilchrist’s growth and impact: a strategic joint venture with Inova Health System to expand access to expert, compassionate hospice care for patients and families in Northern Virginia. 

Inova is Northern Virginia’s premier nonprofit healthcare provider, caring for more than a million patients each year through a vast network of hospitals, primary and specialty practices, emergency centers, and outpatient services. Consistently ranked among the top systems in the country for quality, safety, and patient experience, Inova shares many of the same values we hold at GBMC HealthCare – most importantly, a commitment to treating the whole person with dignity and compassion. 

This partnership is a strong alignment of mission and expertise. By combining Inova’s expansive healthcare network with Gilchrist’s deep knowledge in serious illness and end-of-life care, the collaboration will bring high-quality, home-based hospice services to individuals across the region. Care will be available in private homes, senior living communities, and Inova hospitals, with services expected to begin in early 2026. 

What makes this collaboration unique is its shared vision: to create an integrated care model that supports not only the medical needs of patients, but also their emotional and spiritual well-being, especially during life’s most vulnerable stages. This approach aims to close care gaps, reduce avoidable hospitalizations, and ensure families receive support in the settings they call home. 

Just two weeks ago, we celebrated Gilchrist’s receipt of the American Hospital Association’s prestigious Circle of Life Award, recognition of its national leadership in person-centered care. Now, we mark another proud milestone. In recent years, Gilchrist has significantly expanded hospice services throughout Maryland, into southern Pennsylvania, and now, through this partnership with Inova, into Northern Virginia. 

It is an honor to join forces with health systems like Inova to meet one of the most critical needs of our aging population and to ensure more patients and families receive the best care and support possible at the end of life. 

View more information on the partnership. 

Honoring Carolyn Candiello's Legacy of Quality

Colleagues came together to honor
Carolyn during her workforce
retirement celebration.

This week, we celebrate the remarkable career and retirement of one of GBMC’s influential leaders: Carolyn Candiello, Senior Vice President of Quality and Patient Safety. After more than four decades in healthcare and nearly 15 years at GBMC, Carolyn is beginning a new chapter, leaving behind a legacy defined by innovation and continuous improvement.

I’ve had the privilege of working with Carolyn across two organizations. Our journey began at Caritas Christi in Massachusetts, where I witnessed firsthand her brilliance and commitment to doing what’s right for patients. When I arrived at GBMC in 2010, I reached out to Carolyn to ask if she’d consider taking on a challenge and helping us build a true quality program aligned with our vision. 

Thankfully, Carolyn said yes, and her husband Marco was supportive and willing to relocate to Baltimore. That decision changed the course of our health system.

Upon her arrival, Carolyn partnered with then-Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Saunders to develop the Quality and Patient Safety program that would come to define us today. What started as a vision became reality through initiatives like public-facing dashboards, Patient and Family Advisory Councils, and the inclusion of patients and staff in Board Quality meetings. She championed meaningful ideas like Just Culture and the CARES peer support program. These systems emphasize accountability, compassion, and respect for the workforce. 

Under Carolyn’s leadership, GBMC became the first healthcare system in Maryland to earn the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, a national symbol of excellence that reflects the culture she helped create: one of transparency, Lean thinking, and relentless learning from safety events. This is a significant accomplishment that we could not have achieved without her.  

Carolyn’s impact reaches far beyond GBMC. She has contributed to national progress through her roles with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the National Patient Safety Steering Committee, and the Baldrige Program. Her daily emails served as insight on our progress toward patient safety goals and consistently reminded us about our shared purpose. Carolyn has guided us in our work and helped us become better leaders, colleagues, and care providers. 

The quality program she built is a foundational part of who we are, and her legacy will continue to touch the lives of patients and families for generations to come.  

On a personal note, Carolyn has been far more than a trusted colleague: She’s been a wise advisor and a dear friend. I often joke that I wouldn’t let her retire until I decided to also retire. 

Carolyn: Thank you. We wish you joy, health, and plenty of time to enjoy your grandchildren and family in this well-earned next chapter. 

Gilchrist Honored with 2025 Circle of Life Award

I am proud to share that Gilchrist, GBMC HealthCare system’s leader in serious illness and end-of-life care, has been honored as one of two organizations in the country, to achieve the 2025 Circle of Life Award from the American Hospital Association (AHA). Our team officially accepted the award on Tuesday during the AHA Leadership Summit in Nashville, TN. This is the second time that Gilchrist has achieved this national recognition, which is one of the most prestigious in healthcare, given to programs that demonstrate exceptional innovation and leadership in delivering care to those with serious illness. It is a well-deserved achievement reflective of the vision, compassion, and expertise that define the Gilchrist team.

Receiving this award illustrates the importance our health system places on end-of-life care. It must always be that the patient has the right to choose to keep receiving potentially curative care. However, too often in our country, patients spend their final days in the hospital, undergoing intensive interventions that may not align with their wishes. This approach is not only emotionally and physically taxing for patients and families, but it is also one of the most costly and inefficient parts of our healthcare system. The truth is, most people would prefer to die at home, in peace, surrounded by loved ones. Hospice and palliative care make that possible. They allow us to shift the focus from curing to caring and providing comfort. 

By meeting patients where they are physically, emotionally, and spiritually, Gilchrist helps them live their final days with dignity and on their own terms. It also relieves stress for families, giving them the support and guidance they need at a deeply vulnerable time. In a healthcare landscape that often emphasizes volume and procedures, Gilchrist reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful care we can offer is simply presence, comfort, and connection. 

This is why we continue expanding high-quality end-of-life care to more communities across the region and focus on removing barriers for those who might otherwise go without. We believe every person, regardless of income, background, or geography, deserves the opportunity to receive care that honors their values at life’s end. 

This honor is the result of the fabulous work of the entire Gilchrist team, whose commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care continues to make a lasting impact. It also speaks to the leadership of President of Gilchrist Cathy Hamel, and Gilchrist’s Chief Medical Officer Mark Gloth, DO, who have guided this work with purpose and passion. Congratulations to the entire Gilchrist team on this well-deserved recognition. They are demonstrating what it means to provide the care we would want for our own loved ones and helping to reshape how our nation approaches the final chapter of life with dignity, empathy, and respect. 

Putting People First: A Path Forward for Healthcare

In a 2023 JAMA article, Dr. Don Berwick – a national leader in healthcare improvement – issued a heartfelt call to action. He warned of the growing influence of profit motives in American healthcare, suggesting that the system risks losing its moral compass when financial gain overshadows the mission to heal. His insights serve as a timely reminder: healthcare must be more than a business. It must be a public trust. 

At GBMC HealthCare, we are driven by a clear and simple vision: to provide the care we’d want for our own loved ones. That principle reminds us that good healthcare is built not just on clinical excellence but on compassion, accessibility, and accountability. 

Today, we see the consequences when people lose health insurance or access to preventive services. Chronic diseases go unmanaged. Children fall behind on vaccines. Emergency departments fill up with patients who could have been treated earlier, more affordably, and more effectively in the community. These challenges are largely preventable. But only if we align our healthcare system with the long-term health of the population, not just short-term revenue streams. These are symptoms of a broader challenge: how we prioritize and invest in our collective well-being. 

In Maryland, we are fortunate to operate under a model that encourages preventive care and system-wide accountability. The Maryland Model and new AHEAD initiative promote value over volume, rewarding organizations for keeping people as healthy as they can be and not just waiting until they must be hospitalized. At GBMC, we’ve embraced this model fully, investing in advanced primary care, behavioral health integration, and services that address the root causes of poor health like food insecurity and housing. 

Transformation isn’t easy, but it’s necessary, and we’re still waiting for reimbursement models to catch up. We must ensure that health systems are not only financially viable but also socially responsible. This means resisting the status quo and instead designing care that is equitable, accessible, and driven by what our communities truly need. 

We believe the true measure of a health system’s success is not how full its hospitals are, but how many people it can keep healthy and out of the hospital in the first place. Let’s continue to move toward a future where every person, regardless of income or background, has access to the care they need, when they need it. 

Because every preventable illness is a missed opportunity. And every life saved through timely, compassionate care is a reminder of what matters most.