Helping Patients with a Rare Disease

On Friday, December 7, we announced the naming of a new center that will help patients with Alstrom Syndrome (AS). A rare disorder caused by a genetic mutation, AS has devastating effects including blindness, deafness, and ultimately multi-organ system failure, and premature death.

The Jan D. Marshall Center of Excellence at GBMC is the first center in the nation to focus on AS. It was created thanks to a gift from Alstrom Syndrome International, whose mission is to help those afflicted and to search for a cure for the disease. Clair Francomano, M.D., Geneticist and Director of Adult Genetics at the Harvey Institute for Human Genetics, was close friends with the late Jan D. Marshall, co-founder, long-time board member, and the first Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of ASI, who imagined a better life for children battling AS.

Since 2015, GBMC has been the home of a semi-annual multidisciplinary clinic for AS. Children come from around the world with their families to seek treatment, learn about the disease, and meet others who are living through it. Our partnership with ASI has not only provided comprehensive clinical care for patients, but also professional education for physicians and research regarding the causes of this debilitating disorder. The Jan D. Marshall Center of Excellence will continue to focus on helping those affected and search for a cure for Alstrom Syndrome.

Please join me in celebrating the founding of the center and in congratulating Dr. Francomano for being named the new Chair of ASI’s Scientific Advisory Board.

Nurse Residency Program Recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center

GBMC HealthCare is proud to announce that our nurse residency transition to practice program is now accredited with distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This is the highest level of recognition awarded worldwide for programs that demonstrate excellence in continuing nursing education. GBMC is the only hospital in Baltimore to receive this accreditation, the first in our Maryland state nurse residency collaborative, and only the 61st to earn it globally.

I would like to recognize JoAnn Ioannou, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services, Chief Nursing Officer and the following members of her team for their continued dedication and for earning this recognition: Lynn-Marie Bullock, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Director of Professional Practice; Jennifer Spahn, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Clinical Program Manager-Nurse Residency, Theresa Di Seta, MSN, RN, Education Specialist-Nurse Residency, Roxann Hurkamp, BSN, RN, CCRN, Education Specialist-Nurse Residency; and Lauren Raynor, MS, RN, Education Specialist- Nurse Residency.