Reflecting Back and Looking Ahead to a New Year

As 2010 winds down and we gear up for 2011, it’s important to look back at some of the events that have impacted us as a team before we look forward to a new year. Internally, as we continue our focus on the Greater Values, one event in particular stands out as a prime example of teamwork.



The GBMC sign at the entrance to the gatehouse is almost covered in snow
 during one of the February 2010 blizzards




Staff members in the hospital's command center



 Hailing from Massachusetts, I’m no stranger to snow, and I’ve heard so many stories about how the staff rallied together during the blizzards of 2010 to ensure the hospital remained operational to serve those in need of our very best care. Employees and volunteers from GBMC, and even in our community, who had four wheel drive vehicles picked employees up to get them to work and drove them home after their shifts were over. Staff members manned the hospital’s command center, answering phones, coordinating accommodations for employees who stayed overnight and ensuring that all units had the proper coverage to care for our patients. Crews were out day and night clearing snow from GBMC roads and walkways. GBMC ran like a well-oiled machine in the midst of one of the worst winter weather events Maryland has seen in a long time. I can’t think of anything that exemplifies teamwork more than this. Here’s hoping that 2011 brings much less in the way of snow and more of this kind of team effort!

"Snow drivers" with 4x4 vehicles helped get employees to and from the hospital
 during the snow events of 2010

What 2011 will bring us is a renewed focus on doing what is best for our patients. We must continue to dedicate ourselves to treating all patients the way we would want our own loved ones to be treated, every time.


A number of new executives joined the leadership team in 2010, myself included. GBMC’s Dr. John Saunders was named the new Chief Medical Officer and we welcomed Carolyn Candiello to the role of Vice President for Quality and Patient Safety. They have some exciting plans for redesigning a new quality and patient safety system at GBMC in 2011.


And, the strategic planning process for 2011, which is already underway, will be rolled out in February. Planning for healthcare reform is also an ongoing process and I have been meeting with many physician leaders throughout the organization for their insights on how to make GBMC even stronger than it is today. In 2011, we will take another step toward being more accountable for the care we provide as we continue to move ahead with the Greater Baltimore Health Alliance partnership and the roll-out of electronic medical records in our employed and community-based practices.


There’s much to look forward to in 2011 and I wish to thank everyone – from our Board of Directors and leadership team to all employees, volunteers and physicians – for your commitment to GBMC in 2010. As we look ahead, let’s continue to achieve the best possible health outcomes, have our patients experience a higher level of satisfaction with the care provided, create less waste and take joy in our jobs and in caring for our patients.

Merry Christmas and best wishes to you and your loved ones

for a Happy and Healthy 2011!