One year ago, this week, the GBMC HealthCare System was attacked by cyber criminals, and we found ourselves without our telephones and all our computer programs. Our people rose to the occasion – in the middle of the pandemic – and got the job done, serving those who needed us.
We learned a lot from the attack and we have made significant improvements to our technology because of the learning. We built a new network with state-of-the art protection and an external company now monitors our systems 24 hours a day. Attackers are frequently trying to get into our systems. This is not a rare event, and it is truly unfortunate that we must constantly keep our guard up against cybercriminals.
In another reminder that these types of attacks are on-going: Earlier this week, we learned of a network security incident involving the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). We can sympathize with our colleagues at MDH and we stand with them as they investigate what happened and work to get back to normal operations.
To this day, I am grateful for the tenacity, dedication, and tireless work of our staff members who helped us get through the huge challenges of the pandemic and the cyberattack simultaneously. Many team members stepped into new roles, like runners and safety nurses. Our leaders staffed the command center 24 hours a day implemented downtime procedures while redesigning care on the fly. Watching our nurses and clinicians, with the help of our support staff and IT, go above and beyond their normal duties and deliver the care that we want for our own loved ones to every patient, every time was inspirational. The level of dedication and commitment to our patients was truly moving, and I will always be appreciative of the support from our patients, their families and our community.
Cyberattacks on hospitals and health systems will continue until the United States and its allies have a cohesive plan to combat cyber threats with the same resourcefulness they use to address other threats from abroad.
Most of the repairs on our systems have been completed, but there is still work to do. Dave Hynson, GBMC’s Chief Information Officer, and his team have been doing a fabulous job in making sure that our network is meeting the challenge in protecting the privacy and security of information that our patients have entrusted to us.
Again, I would like to thank our nurses, physicians, advanced practitioners, other clinicians, IT professionals, and support staff for everything you have done.
Nursing is often referred to as the art of science, knowledge, and caring. At GBMC HealthCare, we celebrate the Art of Nursing and each of its components through our Nursing Recognition Program.
The pandemic has really shined a spotlight on the selfless efforts of the many talented nurses throughout the GBMC HealthCare System, and I want to thank them for their dedication to serving others. Their expertise, hard work, and caring drives us closer to our vision every day. Our nurses make a huge difference!
Nursing staff throughout the GBMC HealthCare system, whether serving in the hospital, in our ambulatory practices, or with Gilchrist, are encouraged to apply or nominate a colleague for one of our Art of Nursing recognitions by visiting here. Non-nursing staff members are also encouraged to submit nominations to recognize a nursing colleague. New this year is an 8th category - the Nightingale Award - as an additional opportunity to recognize a teammate.
Please submit your nominations as soon as possible! The deadline for submissions is Friday, January 14. Let’s show our nurses, who work so hard every day to make sure others receive the care they need, our appreciation. Thank you and stay tuned for more information on our 2022 Art of Nursing event.
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