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. 

Passing the Torch

Dr. Paari Gopalakrishnan

After 15 years as President and CEO of GBMC HealthCare, I’m preparing to hand the baton to a new leader. It’s a significant moment for me personally and for our entire health system. 

I’m pleased to share that Paari Gopalakrishnan, MD, MBA, will step into the role this September. I had the opportunity to meet him during the search process, and I left our conversation confident that he understands what leadership in healthcare should look like today. 

Dr. Gopalakrishnan comes to GBMC after serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of Kent Hospital, a 359-bed community teaching hospital in Warwick, Rhode Island, within Care New England Health System. He’s also worked as a hospitalist and as a Chief Medical Officer, so he knows firsthand what it means to care for patients and to lead teams that do. 

He also brings deep operational expertise. In his current role, he’s responsible for several systemwide functions that align closely with GBMC HealthCare’s integrated structure. He’s led innovative programs, taken on complex challenges, and brought teams together around shared goals. Colleagues describe him as a highly engaged and accessible leader. 

Most importantly, I believe he’s someone who truly gets it. He listens and leads with purpose – I’m confident our staff and community are in good hands. 

I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together, and I believe Dr. Gopalakrishnan is the right person to carry that work forward. I look forward to continuing alongside you until he arrives in September and ensuring a smooth and thoughtful transition. 

Click here to learn more about Dr. Gopalakrishnan. 

Celebrating a Culture of Safety: CAUTI-Free for One Full Year

We’re proud to share that GBMC HealthCare is among just eight hospitals in Maryland – and one of only 514 nationwide – to achieve a zero rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) over the past year. 

This recognition, based on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data from July 2023 to June 2024, reflects the intentional, sustained efforts of our clinical teams to challenge assumptions and create a safer environment for our patients. 

In the past, I’ve shared the efforts of CAUTI reduction in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), where our teams questioned routine catheter use, modified order sets, educated staff, and embedded safety checks into daily workflows. This work is an example of the kind of critical thinking and collaboration that defines our culture of safety at GBMC. 

Thanks to every member of our team who played a role in this success. It’s a milestone aligned with our commitment to improving health outcomes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. It’s proof that when we prioritize patient safety, everyone benefits. That’s the care we would want for our own loved ones! 

Click here to read more about our CAUTI recognition. 

Happy 4th! 

As we head into the holiday weekend, I’d like to take a moment to wish everyone a safe, happy, and fun 4th of July with their loved ones! 

Celebrating the Future of Leadership at GBMC: EMERGE Cohort 1 Graduation

Last week, we gathered to celebrate a remarkable milestone in GBMC’s journey of leadership development and continuous improvement: the graduation of our very first EMERGE cohort. 

EMERGE, which stands for "Emerging Leaders," was launched as a leadership development program for high-performing employees not currently in formal leadership roles. The aim was to connect, equip, and empower staff through a competency-based, skill-building experience. It is designed to identify leadership potential, enhance capabilities, and prepare participants for future opportunities within our health system. 

The passion and commitment of this group has been inspiring. 

A Showcase of Talent and Innovation

The capstone projects presented at the graduation ceremony showcased both the talent of our staff and the spirit of continuous improvement that defines GBMC. Project teams tackled topics that are deeply relevant to our organization’s goals and vision: 

Belonging at GBMC: Austin Dillon, Stephanie Amatucci, Tyler Scheff, Hilary Harrington, Gillian Junker, and Shani James explored how we can better foster a sense of belonging across our health system. 

Increasing Awareness of the Facilities Services Request Process: Alexa Oceanak, Danyel Daye, Katie Reisler, Amanda Leonard, Meg Craun, Christana Greene, and Jonathan Palardy identified opportunities to expand knowledge and improve utilization of the SRC process. 

Pathways to Mentorship at GBMC: Erin Reaves, Arielle Blahus, Chelsea Rubin, Caitlin Foarde, Lucy Keefer, and Jamora Price outlined roadblocks and mapped out strategies to better support mentorship across departments. 

Wellbeing Awareness: Lindsay Brooks, Lauren Cooper, Yu Kai Tang, Brittney Jackman, Bing Wang, Jasmine Stokes, and Danielle Clatterbuck emphasized the importance of promoting wellness resources because when employees don’t know, they can’t grow. 

These projects were not only academic exercises; they reflected real-world ideas and innovations that can elevate our patient experience, operational efficiency, and employee satisfaction. 

Our Future Leaders 

I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each graduate. From departments as varied as Quality and Patient Safety, Pharmacy, Security, IT, Finance, Nursing, and more, you’ve shown that leadership can come from anywhere in the organization. You are proof that our vision, To every patient, every time, we will provide the care we would want for our own loved ones, is brought to life not only by those with formal titles, but by every dedicated individual across GBMC. 

To our EMERGE graduates: thank you for your commitment to growth and for modeling what leadership at GBMC can look like. We’re proud of you and excited to see where your journeys take you next.