Six Months Later

Last Sunday was exactly six months to the day of the cyber-attack when criminals brought down all our computer systems. The GBMC HealthCare System rose to the occasion and cared for patients nonetheless.

On Monday, we held a virtual town hall that focused on the impact of the cyber-attack on our staff and our work to rebuild our computer systems. We are doing this which allows for efficient patient care while better protecting out network from another catastrophe. If you could not attend on Monday, you can watch the recorded town hall here (only viewable on the Infoweb) or participate in this coming Monday’s Cybersecurity Town Hall follow-up.

I want to thank Joshua von Rueden, JD, our Director of Information Security & Technology, along with Rodney Graves, our Cybersecurity Manager, and their teams who have sacrificed so much over these six months, to rebuild our data centers and workstations. They have been working non-stop in leading the restoration process of our computer systems by investing heavily in next generation, leading-edge security systems to enhance our security posture. As Josh mentioned during the town hall, we have learned much from the attack and have committed both full-time engineers and financial resources to ensure we are deploying the safeguards we need against constantly changing threats. Josh and Rodney also stressed the addition of new protective capabilities such as processes for constant cybersecurity threat detection and mitigation and the creation of a new cyber defensive posture.

During the update, Neri M. Cohen, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Information Officer of GBMC Health Partners, provided a review, from a clinician’s perspective, of what we have done to rebuild our systems and how people can get information about the on-going improvements. Dr. Cohen also emphasized that our focus remains on system-wide needs before individual needs. These specifically include increasing IT capacity – power, computing, memory rebuilding and adding core infrastructure – that will work safely and securely from anywhere. 

I am grateful for the work of Dave Hynson, our Chief Information Officer, and his team for recreating our efficient computer systems in a new, more secure way. I am also grateful for the hard work and patience of our staff, especially our physicians, nurses, and other clinicians as we rebuild. 

We learned a lot from the cyber-attack and we will become stronger because of it. Please remain vigilant and do not click on links unless you are sure they are safe. The December attack started with a phishing email, so it is critical to report any suspicious emails to IT. If you have any questions about our computer systems or when a tool will return, please ask your manager. He or she will raise the issue with the appropriate work system leader – JoAnn Ioannou for the Hospital, Cathy Hamel for Gilchrist, or John Flowers for GBMC Health Partners. Our work system leaders meet with Dave Hynson and the IT team regularly. If some issue needs to be addressed sooner, they will change the priorities accordingly. 

Celebrating Pride Month
June is Pride Month and I want to take a moment to reflect on the many contributions that members of the LGBTQ community make to our society and to our mission within GBMC HealthCare. I would like to acknowledge the efforts, struggles, and the dignity of all members of the LGBTQ community.

Inclusion has always been part of the GBMC culture. Our policy of inclusion goes beyond employment practices and protections and celebrates the diversity of our workforce. The varied backgrounds of our employees make us a stronger team and move us towards our vision more quickly.  

Please join me in celebrating Pride Month!

Way to go!!!
Congratulations to all members of the GBMC Family who had either their children or grandchildren graduate high school or college this year. Some members of our staff were even graduating themselves. Congratulations on your achievements and my best wishes as you continue to grow and enhance your careers.