Feeling Proud to be Associated with GBMC

Last Friday, GBMC held its Inaugural Annual Grand Rounds, dedicated to the memory of James H. Dorsey, MD. It was a privilege to host Nadeem R. Abu-Rustum, MD, Chief of Gynecologic Services and Founder’s Chair in Gynecologic Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), who discussed the latest updates in endometrial cancer.  

Dr. Abu-Rustum completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology right here at GBMC in the early 1990s, under the mentorship of Dr. Dorsey and Dr. Francis “Bing” Grumbine. I have always been proud to be part of the GBMC family, but reflecting on his successes amplified that pride. Dr. Abu-Rustum is now flourishing at one of the most renown cancer programs in the country, and he received his foundational training with us. It reminded me that while GBMC is in essence a community hospital, we often have the characteristics of an academic medical center with a community hospital feel. It is the best of both worlds, where we can offer excellent medical education and treatment in addition to the type of patient care experience we would want for our own loved ones. 

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes 

The day after the lecture, GBMC continued its tradition of community engagement through the 9th annual Walk a Mile in Their Shoes event, which brought together more than 500 participants. This annual walk raised over $185,000 for our Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) & Domestic Violence (DV) Program. It was humbling to see such a fantastic turnout, with so many people believing in this cause and understanding that it is a critical need for the community. 

We were honored to have Maryland’s First Lady, Dawn Moore, join us at Walk a Mile as our honorary chair. Additionally, the support from notable figures like Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski and Ravens Coach John Harbaugh highlighted the widespread community backing for our initiatives. I especially want to thank Alexis “Lucky” Thompson, event co-chair and member of our board of directors, for her advocacy; Fred Chan, MD, co-chair and Chief Medical Information Officer, for his leadership; as well as Morgan Varley, Director of Annual Funding, and Alissa Smith, Community Outreach and Events Manager, for their exceptional coordination of the event. 

Click here to view pictures from Walk a Mile. 

Administrative Professionals Day 

April 24 was Administrative Professionals’ Day! To our amazing administrative professionals: thank you for your hard work and dedication. We are grateful for everything you do. 

National Volunteer Week 

This week marked National Volunteer Week, and GBMC is extremely fortunate to have amazingly dedicated volunteers! Over 300 active volunteers provide more than 90,000 service hours to GBMC annually. Please join me in thanking our volunteers, and feel free to comment on this post to recognize one that stands out to you! 

Happy Passover 

On behalf of the entire GBMC HealthCare family, I want to extend best wishes for a Happy Passover to everyone celebrating the Jewish holiday this week.

We All Function a Little Differently – And That’s a Strength!

April is Neurodiversity Awareness Month, which raises awareness and understanding about cognitive differences. Often, organizations will use the time as an opportunity to educate about conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, bipolar disorder and others that impact how the mind works and how one interacts with the world. 

We should always remember that every brain is different, and everyone has strengths and weaknesses. As they mature, humans use their strengths to get around their weaknesses. On Wednesday, our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team hosted an enlightening learning session on Neurodiverse Employees Awareness. The session gave a helpful overview of what neurodiversity refers to (it encompasses all people, acknowledging we are all different in the way our brains function and process information) and explained what other terms such as “neurodivergent” and “neurotypical” mean.  

Perhaps the most impactful part of the session was hearing first-hand experiences from our own workforce family members with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, who shed light on their unique approaches to work and success. The session resulted in great dialogue between the audience and panelists that continued even after it formally ended. It was eye-opening for most and appreciated! 

As an employer, GBMC recognizes that people work differently and thrive in various environments. We should all strive to be supportive and accommodating whenever possible, recognizing that what works for one person may not work for another. This could range from being mindful of light or sound sensitivities to being considerate of social anxieties and more. 

By embracing neurodiversity and making appropriate adjustments, we create a workplace where all can excel. At GBMC HealthCare, we want everyone to have a seat at the table and the opportunity to contribute in ways that align with their strengths. Together, we can build a workplace that honors the unique abilities and contributions of each individual. 

Medical Laboratory Professionals Week 

Medical Laboratory Professionals Week is April 14-20! It is an annual celebration of medical laboratory professionals and pathologists who play a vital role in healthcare and patient advocacy! Be sure to thank a medical laboratory professional today for all that they do here at GBMC! 

Health Information Professionals Week 

April 14-20 is Health Information (HI) Professionals Week. Please join GBMC HealthCare in recognizing our HI Professionals for their continued accomplishments of service. Our HI professionals are responsible for maintaining complete, secure, and confidential health records, in addition to coding health information, which ensures accurate data reporting and reimbursement. Thank you to our HI Professionals for all that you do! 

National Healthcare Decisions Day 

April 16 was National Healthcare Decisions Day. This day is dedicated to empowering individuals to express their wishes regarding healthcare and end-of-life care through advance care planning. I wanted to take a moment to reiterate the importance of advance care planning and recommitting ourselves to ensuring that every patient's wishes are known, respected, and followed.  

This is also a reminder to take a moment to reflect on your personal wishes as well. One way to get an advance directive form is to ask your primary care provider. I hope all will use this observance as an opportunity to engage in thoughtful discussions about their own advance care planning with family and loved ones.  

 

Sharing the Gift of Life

Throughout April, we celebrate National Donate Life Month (NDLM), a time dedicated to raising awareness about the critical importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation. Established in 2003, this observance serves as a reminder of the countless lives saved and transformed through donation. 

Organ donation is often the only answer for those grappling with end-stage organ failure, offering them a second chance at life. However, despite its proven efficacy, access to transplantation remains a challenge due to the shortage of available organs. With nearly 100,000 individuals on the national transplant waiting list, the need for donors is urgent. Tragically, 17 people die each day awaiting transplantation, underscoring the seriousness of addressing this issue. 

Reflecting on my time as national co-chair of the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative in the early 2000s, I gained insights into the complexities surrounding organ procurement and transplantation. While GBMC may not be a transplant center, it is imperative that we amplify the message of organ donation and encourage participation in donor registries. 

One person’s heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and intestines can be donated, giving each donor the opportunity to save multiple lives. Active cancer is the only automatic rule out for organ donation – there is no age limit. Moreover, organ donation transcends cultural and religious boundaries, with all major Western religions endorsing it as an act of altruism. 

As we commemorate NDLM, let us honor those who have given the gift of life and offer hope to those awaiting transplantation. To register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor in Maryland, click here to join the Maryland Donor Registry. Your decision could be the lifeline someone has been waiting for. 

Attention Physicians: Baltimore magazine’s Top Doctors Voting Has Opened! 

Baltimore magazine’s Top Docs honor isn't just about individual accolades; it's about showcasing the collective excellence and expertise that define our healthcare system. Nominating a colleague not only shines a spotlight on the outstanding work of your peers but also underscores GBMC's commitment to providing the care we would want for our loved ones. 

Nominate a colleague you respect and admire by June 3. 

Occupational Health Nurses Week 

April 7-13 is Occupational Health Nurses Week. Join in celebrating our occupational health nursing professionals who create a culture of health and safety in the workplace daily. Make sure to thank our employee health team today! 

National Cancer Registrars Week 

National Cancer Registrars Week is April 8-12! Thank you to our cancer registry professionals for collecting the important data that helps cancer researchers, healthcare providers and public health officers better monitor and advance cancer treatments. 

Reviewing the Leadership System

Last week in the blog, I mentioned that I had the opportunity to highlight the strength of our leaders and use of the leadership system at the Congress of the American College of Healthcare Executives. When I said I’m extremely proud of our leaders, I truly meant it. Our leaders drove such significant financial improvement throughout the health system last fiscal year, and I want to make sure we sustain this work and don’t lose sight of our quadruple aim of better health, better care, least waste, and more joy. 

Embracing the leadership system to inform and empower staff of all levels throughout the organization is the best way for us to achieve our quadruple aim and move faster towards our vision of being the true community-based system of care that treats everyone the way we want our own loved ones treated.   

As a refresher, the leadership system is all about using our vision to set goals and build action plans to achieve and sustain results. As part of the process, leaders continuously role model, enroll, improve, reward and mentor the team. You can see the components of the leadership system in the diagram.

Having this formalized leadership system creates a script of what is expected of leaders. When followed, we make great progress. 

Brian Riemer, Director of Supply Chain, is a great role model in using the leadership system. The efforts of Brian and his whole team have significantly contributed to achieving and sustaining great results under our Least Waste aim. 

Brian and leaders on his team have a strong understanding of our vision, systemwide goals, strategic plan, and how their work ties into each piece. They use their understanding of the big picture to set departmental goals that align with the strategic plan and cascade the goals and information to their teams. This fiscal year, they’ve zeroed in on the Workday implementation, Promise Project, and work around the Lean Management System. 

To keep his team enrolled and engaged in progress and tasks required to achieve the goals, Brian holds regular communication meetings with all his staff to cascade information. During the meetings, he reviews the vision dashboard, reminds the team how their work aligns with the strategic plan, and reviews targets to improve. He and his leaders regularly communicate results, explain where they stand on each goal, and clarify next steps with staff. 

Not only are logistical, business-related details continuously discussed, but staff is regularly celebrated. Recognition is baked into the culture of the team. 

It seems fitting to share that thanks to the work of Brian and his team, healthcare supply chain leader Global Healthcare Exchange (GHX) recently recognized GBMC as one of its inaugural Supply Chains of Distinction Award recipients. GHX has also recognized GBMC multiple times as a “Best 50” healthcare provider for improving operational performance and driving down costs through supply chain automation. These accomplishments have not happened by accident – they have been made possible through dedicated, aligned work cascaded by strong leaders to a fully enrolled and engaged team. 

Patient Access Week 

Please join me in recognizing our healthcare access professionals in honor of Patient Access Week. GBMC’s Patient Access Representatives are the first points of contact for our emergency department, obstetric, and surgical patients. These team members are responsible for the collection of patient demographic information to ensure accurate patient identification as well as insurance information needed for billing. We could not achieve our vision without the work of our patient access team! 

National Public Health Week 

This week, we join the American Public Health Association to celebrate National Public Health Week to encourage everyone to work together to make it easier for communities to access the public health resources they need to make their communities healthier, safer, and stronger. The sentiment of the week directly aligns with our commitment to improving population health and access to advanced primary care in the community. 

Celebrating Our Women for Their Leadership

This week, our Women Leadership Alliance employee resource group (ERG) hosted the second-annual Women of Impact Awards, a tradition I'm grateful to see continuing. Unfortunately, I couldn't attend the ceremony this year, but I heard it was wonderful, featuring a keynote address from Stacey McGreevy, our Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, whose story is truly inspirational. Stacey has been a mentor and motivator to many during her years with us, steadily advancing them into leadership roles. 

Approximately 70 women were nominated for awards this year across our health system. I'd like to extend my congratulations to the winners of each category and share some insights into their nominations: 

Martine Bell, DNP, CRNP, Clinical Manager – Advance Practitioners, received the Inclusion Champion Award for her dedication to diversity and inclusion both at GBMC and in the wider Baltimore community. Martine leads various initiatives and ERG work, volunteering her time to provide healthcare services to marginalized communities. 

Rebecca “Becky” Stover, MSN, RN, PMP, Director of Project Management, was honored with the Leadership Award for her transformative leadership at GBMC, characterized by strategic thinking, adaptability, and collaboration. Her inclusive leadership style fosters a supportive environment where every team member is valued, contributing to our organization's success. She’s held many roles with increasing levels of responsibility during her career with us, and her leadership within the Promise Project has been critical. 

Sharon Augustine, CRNP – Gilchrist Greater Living, earned the Lifelong Learner Award for her commitment to ongoing learning and mentorship within palliative medicine. Her dedication to education, patient advocacy, and volunteerism benefits both her team and the broader healthcare community. 

Lauren Schnaper, MD, FACS, received the Mentor Award for her impactful guidance and expertise, particularly in breast cancer treatment. She is a trailblazing surgeon and mentor at GBMC, who has significantly influenced the careers of many medical professionals, particularly women.  

JaRee Walker, Organizational Development Manager, was recognized with the Unsung Hero Award for her mission critical behind-the-scenes contributions, characterized by dedication, attention to detail, and commitment to inclusivity. Her work has been vital to the success of various Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, educational opportunities, and events at GBMC. 

I'm extremely proud of each of these amazing women, and these are just very high-level summaries of the impressive stories told about each during the nomination process. It’s a privilege to work alongside them. Please join me in congratulating our winners and all this year’s nominees on their accomplishments. 

Sharing Success Stories about Our Leadership System 
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to present at the Congress of the American College of Healthcare Executives and highlight the strength of our leaders and how we use our leadership system to generate aligned, integrated, and sustained change. I’m so proud of our leaders, who have helped see us through incredibly difficult times in recent years, and who continue to embrace the leadership system to inform and empower staff of all levels throughout the organization to move us faster towards our vision of being the community-based true system of care that can treat everyone the way we want our own loved ones treated. 

National Doctors’ Day
National Doctors' Day is celebrated annually on March 30. We are incredibly fortunate to have such talented medical staff making a difference to the lives of patients. I’m thankful to all our doctors, who, despite a challenging and ever-changing healthcare landscape, help carry out our vision through their work each day. Doctors’ Day is just one day of the year where we recognize the extraordinary work of our physicians, knowing they deserve year-round recognition for their commitment to providing all those we serve with the care we would want for our own loved ones. 

I look forward to celebrating our medical staff during a special event in honor of Doctors’ Day on April 3. 

Anesthesia Tech Week is celebrated March 26-April 1. Please join me in thanking our anesthesia
technologists and technicians for their contributions toward anesthesiology and healthcare. Our anesthesia techs are vital in supporting our anesthesiology providers in delivering safe, quality care to our patients. 

International Transgender Day of Visibility 
Each year on March 31, the Human Rights Campaign honors International Transgender Day of Visibility, a time to celebrate transgender and non-binary people around the globe and acknowledge the courage it takes to live openly and authentically. Please join us as we honor the joy and resilience of transgender people everywhere. 

Happy Easter and a Peaceful Ramadan 
We are currently in a time of ongoing religious observances, with calendars filled with deep significance, spiritual introspection, and celebration. To all who celebrate Ramadan or Easter, I wish you happy holidays. 

Thinking of Those Impacted by Tragedy 
The GBMC HealthCare community is deeply saddened by the news of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse following a cargo ship incident earlier this week. 

Our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragedy, and our thoughts are with all who continue in recovery efforts and experiencing grief. To staff who may be experiencing difficulties, please do not hesitate to utilize the free and confidential resources available to you through GBMC, including our Employee Assistance Program, Spiritual Support Services, and CARES program. 

Concluding Our Triennial Joint Commission Survey

Today, we wrapped up our triennial survey by The Joint Commission, an independent, non-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs in the United States.  

The purpose of these visits every three years is to assure that we (and other healthcare organizations) are safe places for people to get care. Survey times can be stressful, but at GBMC HealthCare, we typically feel well prepared, as the purpose of the visits is consistent with our highest aim of better health/best patient outcomes and our vision of treating patients like our loved ones. We have implemented many measures to become a high reliability organization and maintain a “preoccupation with failure” to assure that we are dealing with operational issues before they can line up to create a poor patient outcome. That is, we focus on making sure what should happen, happens and what should not happen doesn’t. Studies have shown that organizations at high risk of catastrophic events who have a preoccupation with failure actually have low rates of catastrophe. That is because their leaders and staff are constantly reflecting and are very mindful about things that could go wrong and how to prevent them. 

I want to thank all our staff for their support during this successful Joint Commission survey and for their dedication to standard work and safety year-round. The survey is just another reminder for us to keep our better health/best patient outcome aim as our highest priority and to consistently focus on and reinforce standard work and improvement. 

Kudos To GBMC HealthCare’s Top 100 Women Honorees 

I am so pleased that four of GBMC HealthCare’s outstanding leaders have been recognized as “Top 100 Women” in 2024 by The Maryland Daily Record! 

This prestigious award acknowledges the remarkable achievements of Maryland women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, community service, and mentoring.  

It is my privilege to work alongside each of the honorees highlighted below: 

Stacey McGreevy, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of GBMC HealthCare: Stacey has been instrumental in shaping and modernizing the healthcare landscape in Baltimore. Her financial acumen and visionary leadership have significantly contributed to the success of The Promise Project, a historic transformation of the GBMC campus, ensuring the highest quality of care for the community. 

Dr. Theresa Nguyen, Chair of Pediatrics at GBMC HealthCare: Dr. Nguyen has been recognized for her tireless dedication to children's health and wellbeing. Her leadership in pediatric care and advocacy for mental health services have had a profound impact on Maryland communities, making her an invaluable asset to GBMC and beyond. 

Alexis “Lucky” Thompson, a member of the GBMC HealthCare Board of Directors and Philanthropy Committee: Alexis is a champion for the community who has played a pivotal role in raising millions for essential hospital services, including the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination and Domestic Violence Program and the Pediatric Emergency and Inpatient Department. Her inspiring commitment to philanthropy exemplifies GBMC’s mission of providing compassionate care to all. 

Erlene Washington, CPA, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of GBMC Health Partners: Erlene has been recognized for her exemplary leadership in advancing health equity and access to primary care in Baltimore City. Through her leadership of the GBMC Pathways program, Erlene has made significant strides in addressing health disparities and improving health outcomes for underserved communities. 

Congratulations to Stacey, Dr. Nguyen, Lucky, and Erlene for earning this prestigious honor! Their dedication, leadership, and commitment to serving others embodies our vision of treating every patient, every time like our loved ones. 

Recognizing Teams Across GBMC HealthCare 

March is National Social Work Month! We are so fortunate to have such a strong team of social workers across our health system, serving as the link between our patients’ care during their time with us and beyond. March is also Child Life Month, and I’m thankful to our child life professionals for their ability to reduce fear, anxiety and pain for our pediatric patients. 

March 17-23 is Gastrointestinal (GI) Nurses and Associates Week! Thank you to our GI Nurses & Associates for the important work you do! Remember, March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, so if you're 45 or older, talk with your primary care physician about screening options! 

Certified Nurses Day was March 19, and I want to share my appreciation for our certified nurses who contribute to improving our patients' outcomes through national board certification in specialty areas.  

LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week 
March 19-22 marked LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week, which aims to address health disparities and barriers to accessing services for the LGBTQ+ community. At GBMC HealthCare – including GBMC Hospital, GBMC Health Partners, and Gilchrist – we are committed to understanding the needs of our LGBTQ+ patients and utilizing best-practice strategies to create affirming care experiences for them. 

Recognizing our Commitments to Patient Safety and Supporting our Workforce

This week is National Patient Safety Awareness Week. Although we provide education and activities in observance of the week, patient safety is woven into our culture year-round. I often highlight our four aims of better health, better care, least waste, and more joy. You’ll notice we always lead with the “better health” aim, which focuses on achieving the best health outcome as our highest priority. 

When a patient sees a healthcare provider or a person entrusts someone with their loved one’s care, safety should be a given. “Do no harm” is part of our Hippocratic Oath and is really what the patient safety movement is all about. 

In 2010, we built a robust quality improvement system and we have been measuring incidents of patient harm, studying their causes, and implementing improvement strategies since then. This involves analyzing hospital-acquired infections, complications, and serious adverse events, such as falls and pressure injuries. We encourage early and frequent reporting of safety incidents, adhering to the principles of just culture, where our goal is improvement rather than blame. 

I’d like to thank Carolyn Candiello, who has been our Vice President for Quality and Patient Safety since October 2010, as well as our entire Quality and Patient Safety team, for leading our efforts in patient safety. And, to reiterate the important message of this year’s national Patient Safety Awareness Week theme, “Safer Together,” I want to emphasize that ensuring patient safety isn't solely on the shoulders of individual healthcare professionals, but rather a collective responsibility of the entire healthcare system. 

I appreciate everyone on our team prioritizing patient safety and better health! 

Recognizing Our Human Resources (HR) Team 

The healthcare landscape has faced significant challenges in recent years, notably due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in workforce shifts. Some individuals opted out of the healthcare industry, while others pursued alternative career paths, such as travel nursing rather than being employed by a specific hospital or health system. 

In recognition of Healthcare Human Resources Week, I want to thank our HR team, led by Anna-Maria Palmer, Chief Human Resources Officer, for their perseverance during the unprecedented changes in our market. Despite the difficulties, they, alongside organizational leaders, have positioned GBMC HealthCare as an attractive employer, which is evidenced by reduced turnover rates and decreased agency nursing. Our HR team has implemented various retention strategies, including structured interviews, a comprehensive onboarding guide, new-hire check-ins, and ongoing market evaluations for appropriate pay adjustments. 

Thank you to our entire HR team for your dedicated work in recruiting, retaining, training, and supporting healthcare professionals in this highly complex and evolving industry. 

I’d also like to take a moment to recognize a couple of additional departments and disciplines within our healthcare system. This week is National Pulmonary Rehab Week, so please be sure to thank our pulmonologists and respiratory therapists for their work to help patients who are suffering from lung disease acquire increased endurance, strength, and a better quality of life. March 13 was Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day, and I’m grateful to all our dietitians for their vital roles promoting health and wellbeing, addressing medical conditions, and supporting patients on their journey to recovery.

The Importance of Accurate Documentation in Tracking Hospital-Acquired Conditions

At GBMC HealthCare, we have made it a priority for many years to track and reduce rates of hospital-acquired conditions as part of our quality and safety initiatives. These conditions can include infections like urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, pneumonia, and other complications like pressure ulcers or falls that were not present at the time the patient was admitted. They are considered preventable in many cases through proper infection control measures and patient safety protocols. 

Proper documentation is critical to our ability to accurately identify incidents of hospital-acquired conditions and take the necessary steps to investigate how they happened and how to prevent them in the future. 

The Maryland Hospital-Acquired Conditions (MHAC) program is a state initiative aimed at reducing the incidence of preventable hospital-acquired conditions. It incentivizes hospitals to improve patient safety and quality of care by implementing strategies to prevent specific adverse events, such as infections and injuries occurring during hospital stays. Hospitals are financially rewarded or penalized based on their performance in preventing these conditions, encouraging continuous improvement in patient safety measures.  

In some cases, a condition is deemed an MHAC not because of the clinical care of the patient, but rather, because of lack of efficient documentation that the issue was present before the patient was admitted to the hospital. In these situations, the MHAC is not truly reflective of the quality and safety of our patient care and is more indicative of incomplete documentation. 

To make sure our data reflects true hospital-acquired conditions and not ones that were already present on admission, our teams have been working hard toward documentation improvement. This work includes identifying trends with both documentation and clinical practice by our Quality and Coding Collaborative, chart reviews to validate clinical conditions, documentation that best defines the patient condition and associated questions to providers if further definition of a patient condition is required. Education to clinicians and resources to support their documentation is available to further assist our efforts for improvement. 

Although it is too early to share specific data, the collaboration of our coding and quality teams to promote education, communication and documentation support have shown promising preliminary results. 

Thank you to the team leading this charge, including John “Jack” Flowers, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer; Joseph M. Fuscaldo, MD; Medical Director of Quality Improvement; and Denise Kosmas, RN, Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist. 

Your efforts help us ensure we investigate true cases of hospital-acquired conditions while not being penalized for those present on admission. 

A Piece of History
Yesterday morning, I was surprised by a visit from Tracy Hickman, LPN, CHPLN – Gilchrist, who brought a very unique gift. While browsing a church sale, she came across a framed invitation for the original ribbon cutting of Greater Baltimore Medical Center in October of 1965! The piece invited the intended recipient to join former President Dwight D. Eisenhower and his brother Milton Eisenhower for the dedication of the hospital. Thank you, Tracy, for sharing this piece of history! We look forward to displaying it on campus in the future, alongside other items from GBMC’s past. 

National Hospitalist Day
March 7 was National Hospitalist Day! Hospitalists provide comprehensive, general medical care to hospital patients 24/7 during their stay. Thank you to our hospitalists for all you do to care for our patients and their families.

International Women's Day
Today (March 8) is International Women's Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. Join GBMC HealthCare in recognizing International Women's Day and Women's History Month throughout March!

Defining and Honoring Compassion

Each year, GBMC HealthCare presents its Nancy J. Petrarca Compassionate Caregiver Award to an employee or volunteer who listens to, supports, advocates for, and understands what patients and their caregivers are going through. During this year’s ceremony on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, Compassionate Caregiver Award committee member Diane Sancilio, Director of Counseling and Support at Gilchrist, reminded us of the definition of “compassion.”

She explained it comes from the Latin word “compati,” meaning to suffer with. Compassion is to recognize the suffering of others, and then, to help. As she put it, “Compassion wraps its arms with love around those who are suffering and makes things better. Compassion rolls up its sleeve and gets to work. Compassion lets no one leave without feeling better and happier.” 

This year’s theme was “superheroes” because all the nominees are superheroes to us and our community. 

I’d like to extend my congratulations to Stephanie Boblooch, MSW, LCSW-C, cleft lip and palate clinical program manager (pictured above), for being named the winner of the 2023 Compassionate Caregiver Award! I can attest that Stephanie embodies our vision of providing the care we would want for our loved ones, always advocating for and going above and beyond for our Cleft Lip and Palate patients and their families. 

Congratulations also to award finalists Eric Battenfeld, RN, BSN; Danielle Nickles, MS, LCPC; Heather Suss, MD; and Latasha Witherspoon, CCMA; as well as all those who were nominated. Click here to view a listing of all nominees or here to view a recording of the ceremony. 

We are fortunate to be in our 16th year giving this award. I am always inspired by the stories submitted about our incredible staff and volunteers and am moved by the spirit of recognition throughout our workforce. I’m grateful to all who took time to submit nominations, as well as to the award selection committee, and all those who planned this fabulous recognition event. 

Raising Colorectal Cancer Awareness 

March marks the beginning of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Association for Cancer Research, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It's a staggering statistic because colorectal cancer can usually be cured when diagnosed early or even prevented if pre-cancerous polyps are detected and removed during routine screenings. 

If you’re 45 or older, I encourage you to talk with your primary care physician about screening options for colorectal cancer. Screening is truly lifesaving! 

Another Fantastic Black History Month Celebration

The GBMC Black History Month celebration continues! Last week, I shared that the Black Alliance
Employee Resource Group had been hosting activities and education throughout the month. This week, the group invited Naomi Mooney – a talented young pianist – to play classical and current tunes in a special live piano performance. 

Then, on Wednesday, they held the annual Black History Month celebration, which I – as well as so many across the organization – look forward to each year. Those in attendance enjoyed great food (as usual!) as well as enlightening entertainment including the vocal talents of the Owings Mills High School Concert Choir; intriguing spoken word poetry honoring the legacy of Henrietta Lacks by David Ross, Co-Founder of the 5th L; employee spotlight features on esteemed colleagues Bowler Lewis, Facilities Project Associate, and Ericka Easley, Primary Care Service Line Administrator; and a thought-provoking keynote address from our very own chair of the Department of Medicine Dr. Melvin Blanchard, who spoke eloquently about black pioneers in medicine.

In case you missed it, we will be posting a link to the recording on the Infoweb. Thank you to everyone who came together to put on this fabulous event for our staff! 

A Necessary Program for Our Community 

Recently, our team from the Randolph B. Capone Cleft Lip and Palate Program hosted its annual pizza party for patients and families. This growing event has been a tradition at GBMC for many years and provides patient families the opportunity to connect with each other, make new friends, and see their medical providers in a more comfortable, casual environment. Cleft lip and palate programs are not typically available in a community hospital setting. We are fortunate at GBMC to be able to offer this critical service to those who need it. I’m grateful to our cleft lip and palate team, under the leadership of Stephanie Boblooch, clinical program manager, and co-medical directors Drs. Antonie Klein, Patrick Byrne, John Caccamese, for the necessary services they provide. 

Click here to learn more about the program. 

Thank a Resident Day 

The Gold Humanism Honor Society has designated February 23 as “Thank a Resident Day.” Although my days as a pediatrics resident have long passed, I distinctly remember the challenging hours, responsibilities, and stress associated with post-graduate training. However, residency is a key component of medical training, and our residents are an integral part of our healthcare team. I am grateful for their dedication and am happy that GBMC gets to guide them during part of their career journeys. Be sure to take a moment to thank a resident today! 

Highlighting Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

I often talk about the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within our health system, and today, I’d like to highlight some of the work in this realm that is being carried out by our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). ERGs are key to creating an inclusive culture that helps to foster a sense of belonging. These employee-led groups help to build community and provide a safe space for colleagues to network, advocate for what matters, and provide feedback for key business solutions. 

Our Black Alliance ERG has been hard at work with engaging activities for Black History Month, including trivia (pictured above), virtual listening parties featuring African American musicians, a live piano performance, weekly historical facts, and its annual Black History Month Event, which we look forward to each year. Stay tuned to the blog next week for a recap of this year’s event. 

Just last month, the Black Alliance ERG hosted a wonderful Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemoration with guest speaker Chrissy Thornton, President of the Associated Black Charities. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to offer her a tour of our new Louis and Phyllis Friedman Building this week! 

On Wednesday, our Greater Pride ERG hosted a Valentine’s Day Social (pictured below) to bring staff together for fun activities, crafts, and camaraderie. Attendees also had the opportunity to decorate hearts to add to a garland to share that we are proud of who we are at GBMC. 

Next month, we’re looking forward to all the activities being hosted by our Women Leadership Alliance ERG in honor of Women’s History Month. There will be great learning and networking opportunities as well as the chance to recognize our very own women of GBMC HealthCare during this year’s Women of Impact Awards. 

Although our ERGs are often known for the fun events they host, they are important reminders of our work culture, which fosters the sense of belonging and inclusivity that defines them. We look forward to developing even more ERGs in the future and welcome additional employees to join the three existing ERGs I highlighted above. If you are a GBMC HealthCare employee and are interested in joining an ERG, I highly encourage you to reach out to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team by emailing LOD-Diversity@gbmc.org. 

National Phlebotomists Recognition Week 

National Phlebotomists Recognition Week is February 12-16. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the phlebotomists for the vital role they play in maintaining patient health and promoting lab efficiency and effectiveness. Please join me in sharing gratitude for their critical role within our healthcare system. 

Witnessing the Impressive Work of our General Surgery Team

At GBMC, we are extremely fortunate to have a strong and long-standing general surgery practice known as Finney Trimble Surgical Associates. The senior members include John “Jack” Flowers, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, President of GBMC Health Partners; Laurence Ross, MD; Francis Rotolo, MD, Division Head - General Surgery; and Joel Turner, MD, Chair - Department of Surgery. They are all outstanding surgeons and they have grown the practice and paved the way for success and positive patient outcomes throughout the years. Our next generation of general surgeons – Beatriz Briones, MD; Shauna Costinett, MD; Timothee Friesen, MD, Medical Director - GBMC Comprehensive Obesity Management Program, Director - Obesity Medicine Program; SaAda Seidu, MD; and Emily Watters, MD – continue to reshape the program to keep us at the forefront of surgical care for years to come. 

Last week, Emily invited me to observe a surgery that utilized GBMC’s brand-new robot, which we procured thanks to lead funding from the Kahlert Foundation and the Presbyterian Board of Governors, with additional support from individual grateful patients and advocacy of Chesapeake Urology surgeons Ronald Tutrone, MD, and David Goldstein, MD.  

To say I was impressed during my visit would be an understatement! I am used to hearing that our surgical team does fabulous work but seeing them in action took my understanding of their expertise to the next level. 

Every step of the case was expertly choreographed – from the presurgical time-out, when the team huddled to discuss the procedure and ensure patient safety, to the very end. It is the skill, attention to detail, and compassion of our team that makes our program stand out. I am happy that this incredible team now has more modern equipment to assist them in safely and seamlessly executing their work. The new robot is an impressive technology that juxtaposes my experience as a medical student – when I was helping to hold retractors during surgery but not able to see much. The robot is equipped with a console for the surgeon and the learner (which, in this case, was me), and the 3-D visualization was remarkable. Emily and her team demonstrated their skill and teamwork and were very kind in educating me along the way. 

Thank you to all involved in the procedure for delivering exceptional care to the patient and for teaching me more about the Robotics OR – Emily, Bing Wang, PA-C, first assist; Eliana Daniel, scrub tech; Heather Schmitt, RN, and Jennifer Gall, RN, circulators; and anesthesia staff Sanjay Trivedi, MD, and Ian Mores, CRNA. 

As I discuss our general surgery program, it seems fitting that February 4-10 is Perianesthesia Nurse Awareness Week! Thank you to our nurses working in pre-anesthesia and post-anesthesia care, ambulatory surgery, and pain management for caring for patients and their families. 

Sharing Our Work and Feedback with CMS

Earlier this week, we had the privilege of hosting several members of the iQuality Improvement and Innovation Group (iQIIG) in the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality (CCSQ) at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 

Thank you to Anita Monteiro, Group Director; Paul Rosen, M.D., Medical Officer; and Scott Lawrence, D.C., Senior Policy Advisor, for taking time to talk with our staff and better understand our health system. During this visit, they were particularly interested in learning about challenges our staff face with supply chain, revenue cycle, and drug shortages.  

Our visitors joined us for our Lean Management System (LMS) rounds and shared their appreciation for our vision of whole system quality improvement. We accompanied them to our Maternal Newborn Health (MNH) Department so they could learn about the great work our MNH team is doing to reduce maternal morbidity and ensure equitable care, regardless of race. 

I always appreciate visits like these because they not only give us an opportunity to showcase our hard work, but they also give us a chance to have a voice in reshaping and improving healthcare delivery in our country. 

Reminder: Our New Berman Garage is OPEN! 

I know I mentioned this last week, but I’m so excited to have additional parking options that I want to
say it again – the brand-new Berman Garage is now open, adding ~400 more parking spaces to campus. Patients and visitors are welcome to park in the new garage regardless of where they’re heading on campus, but it likely offers the most convenience to those visiting the new Louis and Phyllis Friedman Building, Main Hospital, Physicians Pavilion West and radiation oncology. It is also an alternative for patients with appointments in Physicians Pavilion East if Iris Garage is nearing capacity. 

I’d also like to remind staff that, at this time, the Berman Garage is for patients and visitors only. Please continue to follow the employee parking policy and your regular parking assignments to ensure our patients and visitors have ample parking options. 

National Women Physicians Day 

National Women Physicians Day is February 3! I just wanted to take a moment to share my gratitude for all the women physicians on GBMC HealthCare’s medical staff.  

Enhancing the Experience of Our Workforce Family

There’s been a lot of work going on to make GBMC HealthCare a top employer in Baltimore. Thanks to the incredible work of our leaders, employee turnover rates are decreasing, we are using far fewer agency nurses as we have more nurses on-staff as part of the GBMC HealthCare family, and our employee engagement scores have risen year-over-year. 

One way we are continuing to improve our employees' experiences is by implementing Workday. This enterprise resource planning (ERP) software brings together many business programs that have historically functioned within separate systems. With Workday, we will manage and streamline various aspects of day-to-day business activities, such as human resources, finance, payroll, and supply chain. 

For our staff, this means that rather than going to multiple different systems to view their paystubs or complete common tasks such as performance reviews or required learnings, they can easily access within one system. Gone are the days of needing to remember multiple passwords for multiple platforms. 

Workday is just one example of the many ways we are investing in enhancing employee experience. We are excited that we’re rapidly approaching our launch date of February 1. As a reminder, I encourage all staff to stay up to date with their emails, as we are sending many communications with helpful tips and action steps to prepare for Workday. I’d like to thank Robert Schmollinger, Internal Audit Director, for his leadership of the implementation, as well as the multidisciplinary teams within HR, finance, payroll, and supply chain for the very detailed planning and effort taken to make this complex improvement possible. 

Our New Garage Is Opening! 

We’ve officially passed our inspections, and I’m excited to announce that the brand new ~400 space Berman garage is opening for patients and visitors on Tuesday, January 30 at 7 a.m.! This is a long-awaited enhancement to campus that will help alleviate many of our recent parking challenges. 

Let’s Go Ravens! 

It’s an exciting time for our Baltimore Ravens! Let’s go Ravens this weekend as they take on the Chiefs for the AFC Championship. And for all those Taylor Swift fans out there, I hope you get a sighting of Taylor watching from the stands too! 

Honoring the Legacy of the Late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Last Friday, we had the opportunity to come together to celebrate the life and legacy of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

This year’s theme was “Remembering the Dream, Creating Equity for the Generations to Come,” and
we had the pleasure of hosting guest speaker Chrissy M. Thornton, President and CEO of Associated Black Charities. Mrs. Thornton gave a wonderful and thought-provoking talk that contrasted equity versus equality. To sum up the difference, equality means everyone gets the same thing, while equity means everyone gets what they need to be successful, addressing individual differences and promoting fairness. 

We recognize the importance of equity at GBMC HealthCare – one notable example (which I know I’ve discussed many times recently) is our work in Jonestown. We didn’t just physically put a primary care practice in an underserved part of Baltimore City and then say our work was done. Instead, we also looked at social determinants of health and barriers to accessing care at that practice. We worked with local partners to get patients to and from appointments, get healthy groceries, critical medications like insulin, and more. We are providing the additional resources needed to address individual needs and ensure true health equity. It is this approach to equitable care that has helped us reduce our rate of uncontrolled diabetes in our Jonestown practice by 50%. This data really strikes me, as just yesterday I was listening to an NPR report noting that the number of amputations due to uncontrolled diabetes is on the rise nationally. Our work in advanced primary care and health equity is a part of the solution. 

I’m grateful for the work and sacrifices of people like Martin Luther King, Jr., who stood up so boldly for the marginalized people in our society. I feel incredibly fortunate to live in a city as diverse as Baltimore but recognize the harsh reality that there is much work that needs to be done to reach equality (and even more to guarantee equity). We still live in a divisive time, and it so important that we rally around each other as a society, recognizing our differences as strengths, and embracing all people of goodwill. 

Spirit of King Awards 
I would be remiss if I didn’t also recognize our employees and volunteers who were nominated for our annual Spirit of King Award for their service in the local community and for embodying the spirit and life’s work of Dr. King. Congratulations to this year’s winner, Deborah Cole, Gilchrist Chaplain, who was honored for her work with Living Classrooms. And kudos to each of this year’s nominees: 

Martine Bell, Clinical Manager - Advanced Practitioners 
Eyerusalem Hagos, Eligibility Coordinator - Gilchrist 
Devin Hopwood, Quality Assurance Administrator 
William “Bill” Hill, Volunteer - Gilchrist We Care 
Wayman Scott, Associate Director of DEI and Community Relations 

Honoring Dr. Kuldip S. Uberoi 

Last night, we gathered to honor Dr. Kuldip Uberoi, who passed away in November 2022. Dr. Uberoi performed general surgery at GBMC for many years and was highly regarded. Thank you to his colleagues and loved ones who came together in celebration of him, his long career, and the legacy he left through all those he influenced. We are grateful to Dr. Uberoi for the time he dedicated to patients. 

Art of Nursing Awards 
We’re collecting Art of Nursing Award nominations through Tuesday, January 30! I encourage all members of the GBMC HealthCare staff – whether you work in the hospital, GBMC Health Partners, or Gilchrist – to nominate a nursing staff member for one of the awards. It’s a great opportunity to recognize their outstanding skill and commitment to patients. Click here to learn more about each award or to nominate your nursing colleagues. 

An Update on COVID-19 (and Respiratory Viruses in General)

As locally and nationally we hear more about cases of COVID-19 (and a plethora of other respiratory viruses including RSV and the flu) rising, it felt like a good time to share an update on COVID on behalf of GBMC. 

Although we all tend to get a little worried when we hear about increased cases of COVID-19, it is important to note that we are in a different scenario than when this was a brand-new virus. Back in 2020, none of us had immunity to COVID-19 since it was novel. Now, years later, most of us have built some level of immunity to it through either having gotten the virus or through being vaccinated against it, or both. That means that if we do get infected with COVID-19, our immune system will get in action and we will probably experience it as we do other respiratory tract infections, with relatively minor symptoms and a full recovery. Those with certain risk factors may still experience more severe symptoms if they get COVID (or other viruses, for that matter). 

With that said, it is never a bad idea to wear a mask to help prevent the spread of the numerous respiratory viruses currently circulating in the community. This is a simple measure anyone can take to protect themselves and to help protect those who are more susceptible to complications from respiratory illness. And of course, the importance of vaccination is paramount. I encourage all people get their flu shots, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters as recommended, and RSV vaccines as appropriate. If you haven’t yet received your vaccinations, I encourage you to talk to your primary care physician. These vaccines are available at each of our GBMC Health Partners primary care practices. 

GBMC is carefully monitoring the situation, paying special attention to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health, to make decisions about any necessary protective measures – such as masking in certain situations – that need to be taken. Currently, we have not re-instituted universal masking, but we are recommending that staff wear a mask to prevent the spread of respiratory illness when caring for a patient and when in patient-facing settings. We will keep everyone updated if our recommendations or requirements change.

An Update on the Construction of Our New Cancer Center

We finished phase 1 of our Promise Project with the grand opening of the Louis and Phyllis Friedman Building last year. Now, we look ahead to phase 2 – the opening of the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion and garage. I wanted to share a brief update on where we stand with phase 2 of the project. 

First, I’m excited that we’re on track to open the new ~400-space garage at the end of January. This will certainly help to alleviate some of our campus parking difficulties – but please remember the valet and shuttle services we offer to help make patients’ visits a little less stressful. 

Construction of the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion is running according to schedule, with expected building completion at the end of 2024 and welcoming of first patients in early 2025. The Berman Pavilion will be the new home of our Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute. Cancer care is critical now more than ever as we consider our aging population and the increase in cancer diagnoses that occur with age. While the demand for cancer care increases, we are grateful to be able to not only meet the needs of our cancer patients but also consolidate all cancer care services for their convenience in this state-of-the-art facility. 

Over the years, our multidisciplinary oncology teams have been great collaborators, but often had to do so while physically separated. The new pavilion with teams co-located will enhance this collaboration. In addition to a more cohesive approach to healthcare, the new pavilion will help make treatment easier for patients. For example, virtual focus groups were held during design planning to provide insight on what patients wanted in the new Infusion Center. Some desire more privacy, while others prefer open spaces for treatment, so the GBMC team designed a center with 10 private rooms, two isolations rooms, and 14 infusion stations in more open areas. This allows for greater flexibility when patients need or want to be separated from other patients during their treatment. 

I look forward to sharing Berman Pavilion progress updates and photos with you throughout the year.

If you’re curious, click here to view renderings to better visualize what is to come. 

Welcoming a New Leader 

I am thrilled to announce the newest member of our executive team, Carl S. Jean-Baptiste, J.D., who will be joining the GBMC HealthCare System as General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Services. With a remarkable career spanning over two decades in the healthcare legal sector, Carl brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and leadership to GBMC. 

Carl has an impressive track record in healthcare, law, and in the community. His experience in legal affairs, strategic planning, and corporate governance will be invaluable as we navigate the complexities of Maryland’s unique healthcare environment. Please join me in warmly welcoming Carl to the GBMC family! 

I would also like to thank Allyson J. Abernathy, J.D., for assuming the role of Interim General Counsel over the last several months. Ally has been an excellent member of the senior team, and I look forward to her continued contributions to GBMC HealthCare.