An advance care plan is a valuable document that provides an individual the opportunity to make your health care wishes known, when you cannot speak for yourself, and provides your family and loved ones a blueprint about the care you would like to receive should you become seriously ill. During the COVID-19 pandemic, advance care planning took on a sense of urgency for those who were older and most vulnerable to becoming seriously ill from the coronavirus.
It is very important for all of us to select a health care representative to speak on our behalf when we cannot express our wishes. You should make sure that this representative, your family and physicians, know how you wish to be treated should you become very ill. An advance care document is an excellent way of assuring that physicians in all sites of care know the extent of care you would like to receive under certain circumstances.
Studies show that 75% of Americans would prefer to die at home surrounded by their loved ones. However, 75% of Americans are currently dying in the hospital. This suggests that many people are not making their wishes known to their family and their care providers. Creating a written document, an advance care plan, is a way to make your wishes known.
For those who need healthcare decision maker forms, or Advance Directives (Five Wishes), or need help creating their living wills or information on how to appoint healthcare representatives, please email Tracie Schwoyer-Morgan, DNP, MS, ANP-BC, Manager of Advanced Care Management (middle) at tschwoyer-morgan@gilchristcares.org
Recently, we held a dedication ceremony honoring Dr. Randy Capone’s legacy of hope and his passion for others. As part of the commemoration, we officially renamed GBMC’s Cleft Lip and Palate Program The Randal B. Capone Cleft Lip and Palate Program.
Prior to his passing in early 2019, as medical director of the program, Dr. Capone led the efforts of our cleft lip and palate team in being recognized by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA), thus making us one of four hospitals in the state to receive this endorsement. The ACPA sets industry standards and optimizes the interdisciplinary care of persons affected by craniofacial abnormalities. This well-deserved recognition is only given to teams with the highest level of training.
For those of you who knew Dr. Capone, you can understand the significance of renaming the program as he brought smiles and joy to his patients via his unique combination of warmth, intelligence, and surgical skill.
Thanks to all who joined us in honoring Dr. Capone.
April is Donate Life Month, which brings awareness to the need for organ and tissue donors and honors those who have donated.
In tribute, we joined our partners from The Living Legacy Foundation of Maryland for a virtual flag-raising ceremony in honor of the donors and to celebrate their gifts of life to others.
According to recent statistics, more than 170 million people are registered organ, eye, and tissue donors; however, more than 100,000 people are waiting for life-saving organ transplants. In 2021, over 41,000 transplants from 20,300 donors brought renewed life to patients and their families and communities.
Please remember that you have the power to save lives. Those wishing to register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor can do so at your local MVA or here.
In March, we celebrated Women’s History Month, and late last week, we saw the milestone confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court, making her the first Black woman in U.S. history to reach the high court. This is a significant moment in our nation’s history that was long overdue. This is a major step forward our country has taken in making our Supreme Court more representative of the diversity of our nation. Congratulations to US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson!
Happy Easter, Passover, and a Peaceful Ramadan
We have arrived at a time of year for religious reflection and celebration, and I would like to extend best wishes to our Christian staff members celebrating Easter this Sunday as well as our Jewish staff members observing the eight-day festival of Passover starting this Friday.
I also want to extend those wishes to our Eastern Orthodox Christian colleagues who are celebrating their Holy Week starting this Sunday and our Muslim colleagues for a prayerful and peaceful Ramadan.
For GBMC staff members working during their spring holiday, special thanks for taking care of our patients. I am grateful for all your efforts.
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