A New Dynamic Dyad

The GBMC HealthCare System gets better every day at delivering on our four aims and the areas where we make the most improvement are where we have our best leaders. I have been teaching our leadership model in GBMC University classes a lot recently.

During our last GBMC HealthPartners meeting, Shannon Littleton, the Joppa Road Patient-Centered Medical Home Practice Manager, and Dr. James Baronas, the Physician Lead, presented some of their most recent results in patient engagement scores. This dynamic duo took over the leadership of the practice in the summer of 2017. Since then, they have reviewed the GBMC mission, vision, and values with their team and shared performance data. They redesigned their work to improve scheduling, the use of MyChart, phone answering, and office flow. At every step, they thanked their people and encouraged them to make further improvements.  Their results are remarkable!

We are so fortunate to have smart, caring, young leaders in our organization. Thank you, Shannon and James!

HELPING THE HOUSE OF RUTH…

This year, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are teaming up with WMAR 2 News (ABC – Baltimore) as a proud sponsor of the Fill the House for House of Ruth initiative to collect everyday necessities for this partner in care.

House of Ruth provides services to nearly 9,000 women annually who are victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). The work that the House of Ruth performs is closely aligned with our work in the community. Our Domestic Violence (DV) Program has provided services to more than 800 individuals such as support, education, safety planning, referral to community resources and follow-up.

Various drop-off boxes (see picture) have been set up throughout the GBMC campus including the GBMC Pediatric Group, Human Resources, Oncology Support Services, Spiritual Support Services, Volunteer Services, and Family Care Associates. They are also at each of our 10 off-site primary care locations along with Active Life & Sports in Nottingham and Karma Consignment Group in Timonium. Another way to donate is through our Amazon Wishlist. All items purchased through this link will be shipped directly to the GBMC Marketing department, so you don’t have to worry about dropping anything off.

Some of the House of Ruth's greatest needs include diapers, women's and children's undergarments, pillows, twin-sized sheets, comforters, and blankets along with personal care products — deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, etc...The drive will run through Monday, October 15 and all items must be new and unopened.

Again, your donations meet the basic needs of victims — things we often take for granted — so please help the House of Ruth and victims of IPV.

Fun in The Sun for A Great Cause

The 18th annual Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs was a huge success! Approximately 8,000 attendees came together for great weather, beautiful horses, and time spent with family and friends. The more than $200,000 raised will go toward oncology services at the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute.

Hats, Horses, and Hope was the theme again this year to celebrate cancer survivors. Many of the annual crowd-pleasing traditions continued— such as the G. Leslie Grimes Memorial Stick Pony Race for kids — and GBMC added some exciting new components to help make the event a success. Brand new this year, was the Archway of Hope, which allowed volunteers and friends of our Cancer Institute to decorate and personalize wide-brimmed hats, which they placed on the arch. Each of the hats create a sense of comfort and strength for cancer patients and their families. Children also came dressed as their favorite superhero to show their support for the fight, while some guests boasted their best hat to show support for oncology patients.

Legacy Chase gives us an opportunity to engage with the community, employees, donors, and local businesses in the work of our healthcare system. We are proud to receive tremendous support from the community-at-large and our family here at home. 

I also want to thank the more than 150 volunteers who helped make this such a great event.