In May 2024, GBMC HealthCare received a $3.5 million grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) to become a Health Equity Resource Community (HERC) and continue our work to expand healthcare access and address health disparities in Baltimore City. The grant allows us to partner with community organizations to tackle social drivers of health and ensure residents receive equitable, comprehensive care.
Today, I’m excited to announce the next phase of this initiative, which includes the introduction of community health workers, who will become invaluable resources in the neighborhoods we serve.
Our community health workers are trusted liaisons between GBMC and Baltimore’s underserved
neighborhoods, representing the communities they serve. They’re our “boots on the ground,” breaking down barriers that prevent people from accessing care.
Windell Saunders, Lakesha Roberts, and Ethel Wyman, MS, RN, bring diverse experiences and strong community ties to their roles, enabling them to make lasting, meaningful connections. Working closely with Wayman Scott, MS, MTS, LGPC, Associate Director of DEI and Community Relations, and Healthcare Made Easy Outreach Manager, and Karen Thompkins, Director of Community Partnerships, these community health workers help residents navigate healthcare with empathy and support.
Their work includes scheduling primary care appointments, conducting health assessments, connecting residents to critical social services, and attending local events to raise awareness about our programs. Windell, Lakesha, and Ethel are essential to building trust, especially in communities with historical distrust of the healthcare system. Their steady, caring presence reflects our long-term commitment to Baltimore—showing up consistently to listen and provide real support.
Last week, I had the privilege of participating in the Taste of Howard County fundraiser. More than
$230,000 was raised to benefit the Gilchrist Center Howard County—the county’s only inpatient hospice center—thanks to the generosity of attendees and sponsors. Special thanks to our Premier Presenting sponsor, Maryland Oncology Hematology, and presenting sponsors, Harry H. Witzke's Family Funeral Home and William “Sonny” Richardson, who also served as event chair. It was inspiring to see the community come together to support compassionate end-of-life care.
I’d also like to thank Cathy Hamel, President of Gilchrist and Executive Vice President of Continuing Care at GBMC, for her leadership in expanding hospice and palliative services, as well as our Gilchrist philanthropy team—especially Shannon Wollman, Chief Philanthropy and Marketing Officer, and Diane Daniels, Director of Development Gilchrist Howard County, and Julie Kolankiewicz, Associate Director of Special Events and Annual Giving—for making this event such a success.
Click here to view more pictures from the event.
Recognizing Our Healthcare Teams
October brings several healthcare worker recognition weeks, highlighting the diverse specialties that are crucial to our mission. I want to recognize our medical assistants for their patient care skills, versatility, and compassion; our respiratory therapists for their life-saving work; our facilities and engineering teams for maintaining a safe and welcoming environment; and our spiritual care team for offering solace and support to patients and families. I’d also like to acknowledge our dedicated inpatient and retail/specialty pharmacy teams, who provide personalized service and work to ensure the best outcomes for our patients.
Congratulations to Our “Top Docs”
Baltimore magazine recently released its annual Top Docs listing, and I’m proud to share that 68 members of our medical staff, across 33 specialties, have been recognized this year. Congratulations to our incredible physicians for this well-deserved honor! Click here to view the listing.
In additional Baltimore magazine news: the publication is now accepting nominations for its 11th annual Excellence in Nursing honor. We all know our GBMC nurses stand out—they are essential members of the care team, problem solvers, and compassionate mentors. Please take a moment to nominate one of our outstanding nurses by November 15.
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