Honoring Compassion: The 2024 Nancy J. Petrarca Compassionate Caregiver Award

On February 26, we gathered for one of the most meaningful events of the year: GBMC’s 17th Annual Nancy J. Petrarca Compassionate Caregiver Award Ceremony, part of the Dr. John Adams Compassionate Caregiving Rounds. This event is a powerful reminder of what makes our healthcare system extraordinary—the people who go beyond their roles to provide comfort, kindness, and healing.

Compassion is the foundation of GBMC’s vision phrase: To every patient, every time, we will provide the care we would want for our own loved ones. This year's ceremony honored 96 nominees across our system, each of whom has clearly demonstrated their commitment to that promise.

Celebrating Extraordinary Caregivers

The ceremony opened with a moving performance of Seasons of Love by the Owings Mills High School Choir. We then had the privilege of hearing firsthand stories of compassionate care, including patient Jeffrey Judka, who shared how his care team at GBMC Health Partners and GBMC changed his life. Later, Maud Halliday spoke about her family's journey with Gilchrist’s Hospice and Grief Care, reinforcing the profound impact that true caregiving has beyond clinical treatment.

Of the 96 incredible nominees, five individuals were recognized as finalists for the award:

• Suzanne Fontanesi, CRNP – Whose relentless advocacy ensured a young asylum seeker with metastatic cancer could return home to India for his final days.
• Art Grau – A Vietnam veteran dedicated to honoring and supporting fellow veterans in their final moments.
• Amy Kimball, MS, CGC – A genetic counselor who goes above and beyond to support families facing complex diagnoses.
• Cate O’Connor Devlin, MS, RN – A nurse whose unwavering presence and personal support transformed a lymphoma patient’s experience.
• Mya Truax – A member of the GBMC SAFE team who provided extraordinary care and dignity to a young survivor of human trafficking.

Ultimately, Suzanne Fontanesi, CRNP, was named the recipient of the 2024 Nancy J. Petrarca Compassionate Caregiver Award, an honor well deserved for her tireless dedication to compassionate advocacy.

A Sobering Reminder: Supporting Safety in Healthcare

While we celebrate compassion, we must also acknowledge the stark reality of increasing violence in healthcare. Like so many of you, I was heartbroken to learn of the tragic shooting at UPMC in York, Pennsylvania, this past weekend. A hospital is a place of healing, and violence in such a setting is particularly painful. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and the entire healthcare community in York.

This tragedy reminds us of the risks healthcare workers face simply by doing their jobs. At GBMC, we remain steadfast in our commitment to workplace safety, with measures such as ongoing security enhancements, active shooter preparedness, and de-escalation training. I encourage all staff to take advantage of our hands-on safety training programs available in Workday and to reach out if you ever feel unsafe. Our security team is always willing to provide assessments of areas both onsite and offsite and provide preparedness and prevention trainings as needed.

Recognizing Important Observances

As we close out February and enter March, I want to take a moment to acknowledge a few meaningful observances:

• Thank a Resident Day (Feb. 28) – Residents are the backbone of our healthcare teams, balancing long hours and immense responsibilities. Please take a moment to express your gratitude.
• International Cochlear Implant Day (Feb. 25) – A special thank-you to our Presbyterian Board of Governors Cochlear Implant Center of Excellence team, who transform lives through their work with individuals experiencing hearing loss.

Also, I’d like to wish our Muslim colleagues and community members a peaceful and meaningful Ramadan!

The Power of Data: Making Decisions That Truly Improve Healthcare

In healthcare, every decision—whether a shift in policy, a change in clinical practice, or an investment in new technology—has consequences. The complexity of our healthcare system demands that we make these decisions with careful consideration, using data to ensure that the changes we make truly improve outcomes rather than create unintended consequences.

At GBMC HealthCare, we firmly believe that data and leadership must go hand in hand. As I wrote in a recent blog, achieving our vision to provide the care we would want for our own loved ones requires more than good intentions—it depends on thoughtful leadership and informed decision-making. Every decision should start with the question: Why are we doing this? And the answer must be rooted in both our vision and the data that informs it.

Using Data to Make Better Decisions

We see the power of data in our daily work. I’ll share just a few examples below to illustrate my point, although I know there are so many more.

• Our Epic electronic health record system gives us powerful insights into patient care, referral patterns, and quality metrics. However, data is only useful if leaders and teams know how to access and apply it. That’s why we encourage staff to explore tools like Epic’s Analytics Catalog and seek guidance from data analysts and reporting specialists. These resources help us work smarter and ultimately improve outcomes and experiences for the people we serve.
• We use the data and information shared during our Lean Management System (LMS) rounds to identify opportunities for improvement and quickly address barriers in work flows and patient care.
• When we transitioned anesthesia services from a contracted model to an employed team, we did so because the data showed that staffing instability was leading to canceled surgeries—negatively impacting patient care and operational efficiency. By analyzing the root cause, we made an informed decision that has resulted in better care, more reliability, and a stronger health system.
• When we designed and opened our new Louis and Phyllis Friedman Building and Sandra R. Berman Pavilion, we used data to determine what our community needs and what would enhance the care and experiences of patients, their loved ones, and our staff.

When leaders use data to set goals, cascade information to their teams, and connect their work to our broader vision, we create a culture of continuous improvement. Whether we’re improving access to care, managing chronic conditions, or making healthcare more convenient and equitable, the intersection of leadership and data drives better decisions.

A Responsibility to Make Thoughtful, Data-Driven Decisions

Healthcare is an incredibly intricate system, and making changes without fully understanding the data can lead to disruptions in care, financial inefficiencies, or even harm to patients. But this principle extends beyond healthcare—it applies to business, public policy, and even personal decisions.

At GBMC, we remain committed to using data to drive decisions that truly enhance patient care. Whether implementing new initiatives, redesigning processes, or refining our strategic vision, we take the time to ask:

• What does the data tell us?
• How will this change impact our patients, our community, and our future?

As we continue our work to transform healthcare, let’s hold ourselves—and each other—to this standard. Thoughtful, evidence-based decision-making isn’t just a best practice; it’s a responsibility. And when we get it right, we don’t just make changes—we make progress.

A Valentine’s Day Social

Last Friday, Valentine’s Day, I attended the “Love is Love Social” hosted by our Greater Pride employee resource group. Staff were invited to come together for fun crafts, treats, and socializing. Thank you to all those who planned this event and attended. We really value these opportunities to get to know each other better!

Celebrating a Great Team and Their Patients

This past weekend, we hosted our largest-ever Annual Pizza Party for the Randolph B. Capone Cleft Lip and Palate Program. This event, a longstanding tradition at GBMC, brings together patients, families, and care teams in a setting of joy, support, and celebration. From the tiniest babies to thriving adults, our cleft community came together for a fun-filled afternoon featuring pizza, BINGO, crafts, balloon animals, and a photo booth. This year, our Patient Family Advisory Committee (PFAC), in conjunction with Stephanie Boblooch, clinical program manager, took the lead in planning
and securing an impressive selection of BINGO prizes from local businesses. It was an inspiring example of how our patient families not only receive care here—but also give back and strengthen our community.

I always look forward to seeing so many familiar faces, reconnecting with families, and watching the joy this event brings to our patients. This year, I enjoyed getting to call a round of BINGO, and I was truly touched when the team surprised me with a gift to mark my upcoming retirement and to thank me for my support of the Cleft Program over the years. It has been an honor to witness the dedication of this team and the strength of the families we serve. This program represents what healthcare should be—compassionate, community-centered, and focused on the whole person.

The Randolph B. Capone Cleft Lip and Palate Program is a critical resource, offering specialized, multidisciplinary care that is not commonly found in community hospital settings. It was founded in 2006 by Dr. Tonie Kline, Dr. Patrick Byrne, and Dr. Randy Capone, and it was renamed in Dr. Capone’s honor in 2022. Our program is committed not just to surgical and medical care but to fostering a true support system for our patients and their families, ensuring that no one feels alone in their journey.

We also want to take a moment to congratulate Dr. Patrick Byrne and Dr. John Caccamese, our Cleft Program’s co-medical directors, on their national leadership roles. Dr. Byrne now serves as President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Dr. Caccamese as President of the American Academy of Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons. Their expertise and dedication continue to elevate the care we provide at GBMC.

Addressing Our Emergency and Inpatient Capacity Challenges

Like all healthcare providers across Maryland, GBMC is experiencing unprecedented demands on its facilities and staff resources due to a significant increase in flu, RSV, and COVID-19 cases. Please only come to the Emergency Department (ED) if you are experiencing a true medical emergency. MASKING IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

For non-life-threatening concerns, please contact your primary care provider or if you don’t have one, go to an urgent care center to help alleviate ED congestion. If you have a GBMC Health Partners primary care provider, you can access same-day acute care at Padonia Plus via MyChart. 

What to Expect if You Come to the ED: 

• Expect longer wait times as we prioritize patients based on medical urgency. 
• Please bring a mask to protect yourself and others from possible infection. 
• Seating in the ED waiting room is limited. Patients may have one adult support person to accompany them in the waiting area. When that capacity is reached, visitors may be asked to temporarily relocate for safety reasons. Our alternate waiting area is the nearby ED Corridor. 

GBMC is committed to serving the community to the very best of its ability. While we navigate these challenges, we ask you for your patience and support. 

Please take a moment to review these “Know Before You Go” guidelines that outline when to use the emergency department.

Honoring Our Phlebotomists

This week, we also recognize National Phlebotomists Recognition Week (February 10-14). Phlebotomists play a vital role in healthcare, helping to acquire lab results that are critical to diagnosis and treatment. At GBMC, our phlebotomists are an essential part of the patient experience, providing compassionate, efficient care every day. Thank you for your dedication and expertise!

Welcoming Patients to the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion

This past week marked a transformational milestone in cancer care at GBMC as we moved into the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion, our new comprehensive, multidisciplinary home for oncology services. This move is more than a change of location—it represents our commitment to providing seamless, patient-centered cancer care in a setting designed for convenience, comfort, and collaboration.

The Move: A Carefully Coordinated Effort

The transition began with Breast Imaging and Advanced Radiology, which began seeing patients last week. Patients now have the convenience of parking in the Berman Garage and taking the elevator straight up to the pavilion—making access easier than ever.

On February 3, we welcomed Clinical Trials, Oncology Support Services, and the Boutique & Salon into their new homes. And in a truly monumental effort, on February 6, we completed the move by transitioning the rest of our oncology services, including:

• Infusion
• Infusion Pharmacy
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Medical Oncology/Hematology
• Thoracic Oncology

These services are now under one roof, creating a centralized hub where patients can receive coordinated, world-class cancer care with fewer barriers.

A Team Effort

A move of this magnitude would not be possible without incredible teamwork. Our volunteers and security teams have been working tirelessly at the front desk to ensure a smooth transition for patients and families. The Marketing, Environmental Services, Epic, PM Operations, and Information Technology teams have gone above and beyond. These groups have provided onsite wayfinding assistance, kept the building clean for inspections, provided clear communication through MyChart, and set up computers and phones in this truly collaborative effort.

The team’s morning strategy meetings and afternoon check-ins have helped us stay ahead of any challenges—this is a true example of closed-loop communication and the Baldrige framework in action, ensuring that we continuously assess, adapt, and improve throughout the process.

A special thank you is in order for the entire Oncology crew and Oncology leadership team, led by Michael Stein, Senior Vice President of Clinical and Support Operations; Walter Benton, Executive Director of Oncology Services; and Connie Herbold, Ambulatory Practice Administrator. Thank you also to Stacey McGreevy, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; Rebecca Stover, MSN, RN, PMP, Director of Project Management; Russ Sadler, Senior Director of Facility Planning, Design, & Energy Management, and so many more.

A Fitting Opening on World Cancer Day

As fate would have it, coinciding with our move, February 4 was World Cancer Day. While advancements in screening and prevention have made a significant impact, cancer rates continue to rise in our aging population. This makes our new facility and our commitment to delivering exceptional cancer care more important than ever.

The Sandra R. Berman Pavilion was designed with patients in mind, offering an environment that fosters healing, collaboration, and innovation. We are incredibly proud to take this next step in our journey to provide the care we would want for our own loved ones.

Celebrating Our Women Physicians & Perianesthesia Nurses

As we mark this milestone, we also want to take a moment to recognize two important celebrations:

February 3 was National Women Physicians Day – Join us in honoring the incredible contributions of female physicians at GBMC and beyond! Visit our social media pages to hear from some of our inspiring physicians about what drives their passion for medicine.

February 3-9 is Perianesthesia Nurse Awareness Week – A huge thank you to our pre-anesthesia and post-anesthesia care nurses, ambulatory surgery nurses, and pain management teams for the expert and compassionate care they provide to our patients every day.