Celebrating a Milestone for the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion

I am thrilled to announce a significant milestone in the construction of the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion! Thanks to our dedicated teams, the project is progressing on budget and on schedule. We are now about 50 days away from completing construction, with building occupancy expected in early 2025. 

This state-of-the-art facility will house the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute, consolidating all cancer care services under one roof. The new pavilion will improve patients’ experience, with multiple consultation rooms for meetings with clinicians and support staff and infusion options ranging from private rooms to open bays. The design also supports enhanced collaboration among our multidisciplinary oncology team. We recognize that the need for cancer care is only increasing with an aging population and look forward to being able to provide the compassionate, expert care we are known for in the comfort of a more modern, thoughtfully designed facility. 

I encourage you to take a moment to watch this rendered virtual tour video to see what’s to come with the Berman Pavilion. 

Highlighting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Our Construction Projects 

In previous blog posts I have discussed our DEI work in several spaces – such as with our employee resource groups and the various events they host, our educational opportunities, and our health equity efforts in Baltimore City. However, I haven’t yet shared the great work our construction team has done in the DEI realm. Led by Russ Sadler, Senior Director of Planning, Construction, and Energy, the team has integrated Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program participants as part of our major construction projects over the past several years. The Maryland MBE Program is regarded as a national model for minority inclusion and ensures socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners are included in the state’s procurement and contracting opportunities.  

Of our total construction spend for the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute, Sandra R. Berman Pavilion, and the Berman Garage projects, 37.89% has been allocated to MBEs. Additionally, the Louis and Phyllis Friedman Building project concluded with 30% MBE participation. 

This work is another example of how we embed diversity, equity, and inclusion into our culture, making it a core part of everything we do. Thank you to all our staff and leaders who support this important priority.

Have You Used the GBMC Pharmacy?

The new Louis and Phyllis Friedman Building, which opened to the public late last year, was designed with a strong focus on enhancing the patient and staff experience. One of the building's key components is the GBMC Pharmacy, aimed at providing the convenience of filling prescriptions while already on campus. 

The GBMC Pharmacy was designed to offer a seamless experience with the patient’s needs in mind. After an appointment or hospital discharge, patients can easily stop by to pick up prescriptions, eliminating additional trips to other pharmacy locations and saving time and effort. 

Our fabulous pharmacy team is committed to providing personalized service and is always ready to assist with any questions or concerns about medications. In addition to answering common questions, our clinical pharmacists are well-versed in complex disease states and are an important part of a care team that is dedicated to treating the entire patient. 

Some additional offerings include: 

• Specialty and over-the-counter medications to meet various needs – from common to complex. 
• Centralized patient records through Epic and payment through MyChart. 
• Text notifications for updates on prescription status. 
• Curbside pickup as an added convenience for medication pickup. 
• Financial advocacy to help with out-of-pocket costs. 
• Meds to Beds Program, which allows prescriptions to be delivered directly to patients’ rooms before discharge. 

Providing Pharmacy Services for Staff 

I want to take a moment to highlight the advantages our GBMC Pharmacy offers for staff. Employees working at or near the Main Hospital campus can have prescriptions filled and picked up at work, simplifying their routine and reducing extra stops on the way home. Any employee who has an appointment or meeting at the main campus can pick up prescriptions as their schedule permits. 

Additionally, employees on the GBMC medical insurance plan are eligible for a lower co-pay on 90-day retail refills at the pharmacy compared to other in-network pharmacies. 

Employees interested in transferring prescriptions to the GBMC Pharmacy can make the change in MyChart or talk to their doctor about updating their preferred pharmacy during their next appointment. 

Making Healthcare Easier 

The GBMC Pharmacy is part of GBMC’s commitment to providing the care we would want for our own loved ones. This service ensures that every patient and staff member has access to essential medications with ease and convenience. 

The GBMC Pharmacy is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on the Main Level (3rd floor) of the Main Hospital, near The Corner Shop and ZIME eatery. 

Special thanks to Yuliya Klopouh, PharmD, Vice President of Pharmacy Services, and her team for bringing this wonderful service to the campus. 

GBMC looks forward to serving patients and staff at the GBMC Pharmacy for years to come!

Thank You
I am grateful to all staff for their teamwork and support as we navigated issues related to today's CrowdStrike software update defect. GBMC is not alone in the challenge, as it is impacting industries worldwide. Thanks to our staff's diligence, we were able to suspend downtime procedures and transition back to normal documentation procedures by early afternoon.

A Remarkable Example of Advanced Primary Care in Brazil

This week, I had the distinct privilege of traveling to Sao Paulo, Brazil, at the invitation of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) to participate in a two-day meeting and the Latin American Forum on Quality and Safety in Health Care. The event was held at the impressive Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, a stunning state-of-the-art facility seamlessly connected to its educational center and medical school. 

Albert Einstein Hospital is renowned as one of the finest healthcare institutions in Brazil. Despite its privileged status, the hospital embraces a responsibility to serve the underprivileged. Their commitment mirrors our own mission at GBMC HealthCare to provide health, healing, and hope to all people. 

During my visit, I was moved by the hospital's dedication to serving the impoverished communities surrounding them. In the neighborhood of Paraisopolis, one of Sao Paulo's largest and poorest favelas, the hospital provides advanced primary care – free of charge. The primary care location is integrated with a mental health facility, ensuring that patients with mental health needs receive immediate, comprehensive support. This collaboration is a partnership with the city, funded by a blend of federal, state, and private resources. It is similar in concept to our collaborative care contract with Sheppard Pratt, which enables us to address both medical and psychiatric needs and link primary care patients to mental health services when necessary. 

One of the most inspiring aspects of the set-up in Paraisopolis was the joy among the staff. Every individual I encountered had a radiant smile, and it was clear that they felt genuine satisfaction from serving their community. 

While GBMC may not match the size or resources of Albert Einstein Hospital, we share a common dedication to health equity and comprehensive care. Both institutions have pledged not to let our positions of privilege hinder our service to the underrepresented and underprivileged. 

At GBMC, we have made significant strides in this direction. Our advanced primary care model is designed to build patient-provider relationships, manage chronic diseases, and integrate behavioral health services, and we have expanded these services to underserved communities in Baltimore City. However, as I saw in Sao Paulo, there is always more we can do. We owe it to the people of Baltimore to continually improve access to healthcare and ensure that no one is left behind. 

Let's continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, ensuring that every patient receives the care, compassion, and respect they deserve. 

Happy Fourth of July!

I hope you enjoy a fun and safe holiday with your loved ones. This holiday is a time to celebrate our nation’s independence, a value that is deeply rooted in the freedom and rights of every individual. As I think of gathering for barbecues, fireworks, and time with family and friends, I'm inclined to also reflect on the broader meaning of independence and freedom in our lives. 

Just as we cherish the freedoms that come with life in America, we should also recognize the fundamental right of all to healthcare. Access to quality healthcare is essential to living a free and fulfilling life. Ensuring that everyone in our community can access the healthcare they need to lead healthy lives is baked into all we do at GBMC, with primary care and health equity at the heart of our mission. We are driven to remove barriers to people receiving quality healthcare and to empower them to live their best lives. 

Our nation's independence was achieved through unity and a shared commitment to the common good. Similarly, our efforts in healthcare require a collective dedication to the well-being of our community. By working together, we can create a healthcare system that provides top-quality care for all, regardless of their background or circumstances. As I have written recently, I see our state and nation slowly but surely moving toward transformation that encourages high-value care, access to care, and health equity. 

As we celebrate this Fourth of July, let's reaffirm our commitment to advancing healthcare for all and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the freedoms that good health brings. Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and safe Fourth of July!