A Big Day

Today is a day of celebration for GBMC and our community. After years of planning and changes to our master facility plan, with the realization that some of our inpatient beds were no longer meeting our needs, we finally broke ground on The Promise Project. You can watch the video from the ceremony here.

This construction project is necessary to move us towards our vision of being the community- based system of care that can deliver to every patient, every time, the care we would want for our own loved ones. The project exemplifies our commitment to the people we serve. 

The Promise Project will bring two historic advancements to GBMC—the replacement addition for inpatient beds, a new parking structure and the new home of the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC.  These facilities will help GBMC continue to lead the way into the future of patient care in the Greater Baltimore community.

When GBMC opened in 1965, our medical center was marveled at by the community – private patient rooms were unheard of at the time.  Yet, 55 years later, these same patient rooms have lost their wow-factor. Out of a growing need for more spacious rooms on our medicine units that can accommodate team-based care, advanced technology, and visits from loved ones, we began planning for a hospital addition, and the Promise Project  began. 

Throughout the past decades, we have built a true system of care form birth to death, and our healthcare system is thriving. But now is the time for our campus facilities to be modernized. Because of the support of our community and elected officials, we can continue to improve our hospital and increase the services we offer. Now is truly the time for The Promise Project.

The road to today’s celebration, however, has been filled with a few challenges.  Much work and planning had to take place before the shovels hit the dirt.  First, a certificate of need application was created and approved, funding had to be secured, plans had to be developed, and numerous permits had to be filed. Of course, our team had to do this during the pandemic.

There are many people that have made today’s historic event possible.  I want to thank our chair, Frederick M. Hudson, and the Board of Directors who represent all the owners of GBMC, the diverse community cared for by our System.  I would also like to extend my gratitude to Dr. John Saunders, and all of those who have worked on fundraising, as well as longtime supporters Sandra and Malcolm Berman and the Volunteer Auxiliary for their leadership throughout this transformational campaign.  Let me also thank Stacey McGreevy, Vice President of Support Services, and Russ Sadler, Director of Facility Planning, Design, and Construction, for their oversight of the planning and actual construction, and Laurie Beyer and our finance team for their work in accessing the needed capital. I’d also like to congratulate our Vice President of Philanthropy and Marketing, Jenny Coldiron and her entire team for the overwhelming accomplishment of raising over 38 million dollars – 76 percent of our fundraising goal for the project. These funds are crucial in bringing the Promise Project to fruition.

Extending Gratitude Beyond Our Small Piece of the World
While GBMC is celebrating its past, present, and future, we cannot forget the servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our Country and our freedom. Our prayers go out to the families and loved ones of our fallen service members in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers also go out to those who are struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. In times like these, we are all thankful for the support that surrounds us every day.