Looking Back, Moving Forward: Gratitude, Excellence, and Innovation at GBMC

As I stood before colleagues, friends, and family during my retirement celebration this week, I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and shared memories. The evening at the Accelerator Space was beautifully organized by Jenny Coldiron, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy and Marketing and her team, and it offered a moment to reflect – not just on my 15 years at GBMC HealthCare, but on what we’ve accomplished together as a system committed to our community. 

When I began my tenure at GBMC, we were united by a shared vision: To every patient, every time, we will provide the care we would want for our own loved ones. That vision has guided every strategic decision, every initiative, and every innovation. Together, we created a true community-based health system – one accountable for better health outcomes, a better care experience, lower costs, and more joy in the delivery of care. 

I extend my deepest thanks to our Board chairs who have served throughout my time with the health system – Charlie Fenwick, Harry Johnson, Bonnie Stein, PJ Mitchell, Fred Hudson, and Faith Thomas – for their guidance. To my senior team leaders; all clinicians; staff; boards, committees, and volunteers across our system: You are the heartbeat of GBMC HealthCare. Your compassion and excellence are what our patients rely on every day. Additionally, I’m forever grateful to our patients and donors for trusting in us and believing in our vision. And to my family, my wife, Tracey, and our children Michael, Matthew, Patrick, and Caroline: thank you for your love and support. 

While I am stepping away, the work continues, and I am confident it is in extraordinary hands. 

Celebrating the Art of Nursing 

This week also marked the close of Nurses Week and the announcement of our final 2025 Art of Nursing Award winners (I announced several others in last week’s blog): 

• Christine Guercio, NST, received the Clinical Assistant Support - Inpatient Award for her tireless work in the SICU. Her nominator recalled a three-hour code where Christine provided continuous chest compressions, exemplifying her strength and commitment to every patient. 
• Brian Fikes, CRNP, was honored with the Patient- and Family-Centered Care Award. Brian’s persistence in supporting a deaf patient and arranging hospice care on short notice reflects his profound compassion and dedication to preserving dignity in care. 
• Victoria Niller, BSN, RN, earned the title Nurse Clinician of the Year for her leadership in oncology, quick response in emergencies, and advocacy for equitable care. 

To Christine, Brian, Victoria, and all nominees and finalists: Thank you for modeling the best of GBMC’s nursing excellence. 

View pictures from the celebratory Art of Nursing Award cavalcades and Nurses Night.

National Recognition for Innovation in Equity 

I am also thrilled to share that the GBMC/Gilchrist Community Health Resources Commission
(CHRC) Pathways to Health Equity Team has received the CRISP Patty Brown Innovation Award. This prestigious honor, awarded at the CRISP Summit, celebrates impactful healthcare transformation across Maryland. 

Led by Co-Directors Cathy Hamel and Erlene Washington, our team (including Karen Thompkins, Martin Raffel, Cole Herbst, Martha Sylvia, and Wayman Scott) has made tangible strides in reducing disparities and increasing access to care in Baltimore’s underserved communities. 

With a $1.5 million CHRC grant, the Pathways team: 

• Reduced health disparities 
• Increased access to primary care 
• Delivered high-impact community engagement 
• Lowered healthcare costs by $10.5 million over two years 

Thanks to this success, GBMC has now been awarded an additional $3.5 million to expand this work over the next five years, a testament to our ongoing commitment to health equity and community wellness.