Expanding Hospice Access: A Milestone for Gilchrist in Washington County and Franklin County, PA

This week, I’m pleased to share information about Gilchrist’s acquisition of Hospice of Washington County and Franklin County, PA. By combining their resources and expertise, Gilchrist and Hospice of Washington County and Franklin County, PA will build upon each other’s capabilities, enhancing access to care through geographic expansion and scope of services for patients, their families, and communities across Maryland and Pennsylvania. This will strengthen their ability to offer compassionate care to more patients and families throughout Central and Southern Maryland, as well as Washington and Frederick counties, and South-Central Pennsylvania.

This effort is part of a broader vision we've been advancing in recent years. With each partnership—whether it’s our affiliation with Luminis Health Gilchrist Lifecare Institute or this new collaboration—we are working to reshape the way end-of-life care is understood and delivered, ensuring more people receive the care they truly want as they approach the end of life. But why do we put such a strong emphasis on hospice care?

Why Hospice Care Matters

In today’s healthcare system, many patients spend their final days in hospitals, often undergoing treatments that don’t align with their wishes. This happens not because families want it that way, but due to a lack of information and conversations about hospice care. Studies show that most Americans prefer to die at home, surrounded by loved ones. Yet many still end up in hospitals, undergoing treatments that might not improve their quality of life.

Hospice care offers an alternative—a patient-centered, compassionate approach that focuses on comfort, dignity, and respecting the wishes of the individual, while also offering support to the family throughout the process. However, there are still misconceptions surrounding hospice, with some viewing it as “giving up.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Hospice is about living as fully as possible, for as long as possible, with the support of a team dedicated to managing pain and symptoms, and providing emotional and spiritual care. Research even suggests that patients in hospice sometimes live longer than those continuing aggressive treatments.

Educating Our Communities

The key to changing perceptions about hospice care lies in education. Conversations about end-of-life care need to start long before they become urgent. Advance care planning allows patients and families to make informed choices about how they want to live their final days. These discussions lift the burden from loved ones who might otherwise have to make difficult decisions in stressful situations.

Hospice care isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about doing everything to ensure that a person’s final days are spent with peace, comfort, and dignity. The benefits of hospice are not just for the patient; families often report feeling empowered and supported, knowing that they made the right decision for their loved one.

As healthcare leaders, it’s our responsibility to lead these conversations. I encourage primary care providers to openly talk with their patients (while they’re still healthy and well) about advance directives and urge patients to also broach the topic with their physicians. 

By expanding hospice access, we are taking a vital step toward ensuring that more people can have the end-of-life experience they desire—a peaceful, comfortable, and dignified transition in a familiar setting, often at home, surrounded by those they love.

Recognizing Cathy Hamel’s Leadership

None of this would be possible without the extraordinary leadership of Cathy Hamel, President of Gilchrist, and Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning for the GBMC HealthCare System. It is fitting that Cathy has recently been named one of Maryland’s 2024 Most Admired CEOs by The Daily Record. Her vision and commitment have driven Gilchrist’s growth and success. Cathy’s leadership has shaped an organization that not only delivers exceptional hospice and elder medical care but also educates and empowers our community to make informed choices about end-of-life care.

Please join me in congratulating Cathy on this well-deserved recognition!

Advanced Practice Provider (APP Week) and Women in Medicine Month

This week, we celebrated our Advanced Practice Providers for their critical role in elevating the fields of medicine and nursing to ensure our patients and communities receive safe, high-quality, evidence-based care. Thank you to our APPs for all you do! And, throughout September, we celebrated Women in Medicine Month by featuring our very own women in medicine at GBMC HealthCare on our social media channels. I hope you’ll take a moment to visit us on social media to honor these individuals who work to make healthcare more equitable.

Reflecting on Our Employee Recognition Dinner

This past Monday, we had the privilege of celebrating some of the most dedicated members of the GBMC HealthCare family at our Employee Recognition Dinner. It was a special evening that highlighted the essence of what makes our organization truly unique—our people. The event gave us a chance to pause and recognize the commitment, hard work, and loyalty of the nearly 500 employees who celebrated milestone years of service. These individuals are the heart of GBMC, embodying our vision of delivering the care we would want for our own loved ones.

One of the evening’s most memorable moments was honoring Carolyn Brice, who reached an incredible milestone—50 years of service with GBMC. Carolyn joined us in 1973 as an admitting officer and has spent five decades contributing to the success of our health system. Today, she serves as the executive assistant to the Chair of Gynecology, having worked with six different department chairs over the years.

Over her tenure, Carolyn has seen remarkable changes, from scheduling surgeries in handwritten logs to documenting in today’s fully electronic systems. Her humility and drive are hallmarks of her character. Click here to watch a video about Carolyn’s 50-year journey at GBMC. 

The dinner wasn’t just about celebrating long-term service, though. It was about acknowledging every individual who contributes to our success. Whether our people have been with us for 50 years or five, they make an important impact. It’s the human touch—those personal connections between colleagues, patients, and families—that truly sets us apart. 

Monday’s event also allowed us to reflect on how much we’ve grown as a team, especially after navigating the challenging years brought on by the pandemic. We’ve come through it stronger, and each of our team members has played a critical role in that progress. Click here to view pictures from the dinner. 

In addition to honoring milestone employees, this week we’re celebrating several other groups within our health system. It’s Clinical Documentation Integrity Week, and we’re recognizing the vital work our CDI specialists do to ensure patient records accurately reflect the care we provide. We’re also honoring our Surgical Technologists, whose behind-the-scenes efforts keep our operating rooms running efficiently and safely. And lastly, we’re celebrating Healthcare Simulation Week, which allows us to recognize the innovative work happening in our Simulation Innovation Learning Center—training that ensures our team is ready for any medical situation. 

As I reflect on the dinner and the recognitions noted above, I am reminded of how fortunate we are to have such a dedicated workforce. Whether you work directly with patients or support our teams behind the scenes, your contributions are invaluable. Thank you for your service, your commitment, and for making GBMC a place where we can all be proud to work. 

Recognizing Compassion Across Our Health System

One of the most meaningful ways we can celebrate the dedication of our staff and volunteers is by recognizing the profound impact they have on our patients and their families. That's why I'm excited to
announce that nominations for the annual Nancy J. Petrarca Compassionate Caregiver Award are officially open! This award is an opportunity for anyone—whether you're an employee, patient, or community member—to recognize a staff member or volunteer across the GBMC HealthCare system who has gone above and beyond in providing compassionate, empathetic care. 

What makes this award special is that it isn't just about clinical skills. We’re looking to honor those individuals who take the time to listen, support, and advocate for their patients—those who truly understand what patients and their caregivers are going through. It's about recognizing the humanity in care. And I want to emphasize that anyone working or volunteering within GBMC HealthCare can be nominated, whether they’re a clinician, administrative worker, or support staff. In fact, throughout the years, we have had winners and runners up spanning a broad range of roles. 

I encourage you to think about a GBMC HealthCare staff member or volunteer whose kindness and dedication have made a difference in your life or someone else’s. Being nominated is a wonderful way to lift someone’s spirits and recognize the incredible work they do, often quietly, without expectation of acknowledgment. 

To submit a nomination, click here and share your story of compassionate care by December 31, 2024. Let’s take a moment to celebrate those among us who embody GBMC’s vision—providing the care we would want for our own loved ones. 

Celebrating Our Team 

It has been a week of celebration at GBMC. On Tuesday, we held our annual Medical Staff Crab Feast
to thank our providers. Then, on Wednesday, we celebrated our hardworking employees and volunteers at the annual Appreciation BBQ. It was wonderful to spend time with team members, share a meal, express my gratitude for their year-round dedication, and of course enjoy annual karaoke traditions! Special thanks to Meredith Britcher, Director of Medical Staff Service, and Alissa Smith, Community Relations and Events Manager, for their coordination of the Crab Feast and to Richelle Tighe, Executive Assistant, and Alissa (again) for organizing successful BBQ events for our day shift and night shift teams.

Check out pictures from this year's events:

• Crab Feast
• BBQ
  
  

Honoring Environmental Services Week 

I’d also like to give a special shout-out to our Environmental Services (EVS) team as we celebrate
EVS Week from September 8-14. Our EVS team members are critical, ensuring that our facilities are clean, safe, and comfortable for our patients and visitors. They are important stewards in infection prevention, patient safety, and patient satisfaction. I am grateful to our entire EVS team for their contributions and commitment to our health system!

Honoring Our Legacy: The Founders of GBMC HealthCare

This week, I had the privilege of meeting with the Presbyterian Eye, Ear and Throat Charity Hospital Board of Governors. The discussion led me to reflect on our history, as the Presbyterian Eye, Ear and Throat Charity Hospital, along with the Hospital for the Women of Maryland, of Baltimore City, were the two founding institutions that came together to form GBMC. These organizations not only played a critical role in our founding, but they continue to support and influence the services we provide today and will offer in the future.  

The Presbyterian Eye, Ear and Throat Charity Hospital  

The Presbyterian Eye, Ear and Throat Charity Hospital was founded in 1877 by Dr. Julian J. Chisolm, a renowned Civil War surgeon. Its mission was simple yet profound: to provide charity care for patients with diseases of the eye, ear, and throat. These roots are evident in the care we provide today, with robust ophthalmology and otolaryngology services for both children and adults. 

We are grateful to the Presbyterian Eye, Ear and Throat Charity Hospital, its Board of Governors, and its Board of Lady Managers for years of faith and support, which is reflected in over $11.6 million in lifetime giving to assist numerous important programs and projects. These include the Presbyterian Board of Governors Cochlear Implant Center of Excellence, which continues to pioneer treatments for hearing loss, and an endowment for the Advanced Primary Care Center at Jonestown. The Board of Governors also made a lead gift toward the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion, the future home of cancer care at GBMC. Additionally, their generosity helped us acquire a second DaVinci robot, enhancing our surgical capabilities. 

The Women’s Hospital Foundation 

It is fitting that one of our founding institutions was dedicated to women's healthcare, as GBMC has earned a reputation as “the baby hospital” for our exceptional maternal newborn health services. Our offerings for women extend far beyond obstetrics and include general gynecology, urogynecology, gynecologic oncology, and more. 

The Women’s Hospital Foundation, with its commitment to "always putting the patient first," has made contributions totaling more than $20 million to GBMC. The Foundation was instrumental in establishing and supporting our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) milk bank, which provides essential nutrition to our tiniest and most vulnerable patients. Their support also extended to the development of the Louis and Phyllis Friedman Building (which houses the Women's Hospital Foundation Conference Center) and the Simulation Innovation Learning Center—a state-of-the-art facility where our clinicians, as well as those from other institutions, refine their skills to deliver exceptional care. 

In addition, the Women’s Hospital Foundation established the Baetjer Fund for Nursing, which funds the continuing education and professional development of our nursing staff, ensuring that our patients receive care from highly skilled and knowledgeable professionals.  

A Legacy of Generosity and Vision 

Together, the Presbyterian Eye, Ear and Throat Charity Hospital and The Women’s Hospital Foundation represent the beginnings of GBMC HealthCare’s legacy. With more than $30 million in combined lifetime giving, they have fueled critical advancements in patient care and enhanced the overall patient experience. 

As I reflect on our founders, I am reminded that their legacy of generosity and dedication to patient care is alive in everything we do today. Their vision continues to guide us as we strive to provide excellent, compassionate care and continually improve our services for the community. The impact of these institutions is not only felt within the walls of our hospital but also in the countless lives of patients who have received transformative care because of their support. 

As we look ahead to GBMC’s 60th anniversary on October 2, 2025, we are excited to honor this remarkable legacy in a special way.