Thanksgiving Reflections

As I reflect on Thanksgiving, I am reminded of how much we have to be grateful for at GBMC HealthCare. This season offers a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the countless ways our community, our people, and our mission inspire gratitude.

First and foremost, I want to express my deep appreciation for every member of the GBMC HealthCare family. From our clinical and nonclinical staff to our volunteers and community partners, your dedication to serving our patients and each other exemplifies the care we would want for our own loved ones. It is through your tireless efforts that we fulfill our vision and continually strive toward better health, better care, and more joy in our work.

I am also grateful for the privilege of serving our community. It is a profound responsibility to be trusted with the health and well-being of so many, and we remain committed to providing (and improving) access to high-quality, compassionate care for all who need it.

This year, we celebrate the generosity of our donors and supporters, whose contributions make so much of our work possible. From the completion of the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion to countless programs across our health system, their impact ensures we can continue to improve the health of our community.

We are very fortunate to be surrounded by people who care deeply about our mission and are united in our purpose. Together, we continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

I hope you and your loved ones had a joyful Thanksgiving. Thank you for all that you do to make GBMC a special place.

The Sandra R. Berman Pavilion Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

This past Tuesday, GBMC HealthCare proudly unveiled the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion—a 73,000-square-foot home for comprehensive community cancer care. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was a joyful moment for us and represented the completion of the building as we prepare to welcome our first patients in early 2025. 

We were honored to have Maryland Governor Wes Moore join us for this momentous occasion. Governor Moore spoke passionately about the impact the Berman Pavilion will have on our community, connecting the facility’s mission to his vision of leaving no one behind. Drawing from his own family’s experience with cancer, he highlighted the power of innovation, accessibility, and support during life’s most challenging moments. 

Governor Moore eloquently summarized the pavilion’s mission: "Thank you for connecting families to hope and for helping make such a difficult journey just a little bit easier." His commitment to healthcare equity and access resonates deeply with GBMC’s values. 

The pavilion is a testament to collaboration, philanthropy, and dedication. Spearheaded by a transformational gift from Sandra and Malcolm Berman, our new state-of-the-art facility consolidates GBMC’s cancer services under one roof. It ensures patients experience seamless, multidisciplinary care in an environment designed for healing and comfort. Features include an integrative wellness center, a specialized oncology pharmacy, a diagnostic imaging center, and a revitalized infusion center offering serene views and enhanced privacy. 

This project also highlights GBMC’s commitment to health equity. Maryland’s population is aging, and the demand for cancer care is growing. While many institutions have chosen to reduce cancer services due to rising costs, we have chosen to expand our programs – which couldn’t have been done without the generosity of so many donors. 

I am profoundly grateful to the Bermans, Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute staff, and the donors who made this a reality. 

Click here to read more and watch the ceremony. Stay tuned for more pictures from the event! 

Celebrating Our Volunteers 

This month, we hosted our annual Volunteer Appreciation event to recognize the incredible contributions of our GBMC volunteers. It was a joyful afternoon filled with gratitude and reflection, as we celebrated the dedication and compassion that our volunteers bring to our health system every day. The event was a reminder that while technology and facilities play essential roles in healthcare, it’s the people who bring heart and humanity to what we do. 

We were thrilled to have 104 volunteers join us for the event, and several were honored for remarkable milestones in their service: 

• Wendy Ben Debba (Nearly New Volunteer) – 7,500 Hours of Service 
• Roberta Rytter (Greeter and Oncology Volunteer) – 25 Years of Service 
• Ann Bengel (Spiritual Support Volunteer) – 30 Years of Service 

Since 1965, our volunteers have collectively given over 3,038,000 hours of service to GBMC, touching the lives of countless patients and families. The Volunteer Auxiliary has contributed more than $30 million to support our mission. These gifts have helped fund critical projects, improve patient care, and ensure GBMC remains at the forefront of community healthcare. 

To each of our volunteers, thank you for your generosity, dedication, and commitment to our vision. 

Celebrating Our Donors and Honoring Our Commitment to Cancer Care in the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion

Last night, we had the joy of hosting an extraordinary celebration in honor of the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion. This new facility is an accomplishment that could not have been realized without the profound generosity of our donors. During the evening, we conducted tours and shared gratitude for the hundreds of donors who helped bring the concept to life, with special recognition given to Sandra and Malcolm Berman for their transformational vision and gift that made it all possible. 

Maryland’s aging population means that our need for comprehensive cancer care is growing—and GBMC HealthCare has taken a decisive stance to meet this demand. While many institutions are making the choice to reduce cancer services due to financial constraints, we are doing the opposite. Thanks to our donors we are expanding our cancer programs and making care even more accessible to those who need it most. The Sandra R. Berman Pavilion not only consolidates cancer services under one roof, but it also enables new efficiencies and supports a collaborative approach that directly benefits our patients and their families. 

In previous posts, I’ve shared information about many of the space’s features we are excited about. One additional area I’d like to mention is that the Sheila K. Riggs Radiation Oncology Center now integrates fully with the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute, which minimizes the need for multiple trips across campus and easing a challenging journey for patients. And, the Berman Garage connects to the new pavilion, so patients have improved access to parking, making it much easier to get to and from their appointments. 

Together, we have raised over $20 million to make this vision a reality, with special thanks to our capital campaign co-chairs, Dr. Geoffrey Neuner and Jason Berman, who brought their leadership to the campaign and inspired support from our community. As we celebrated this milestone, we looked forward to continuing the important work of completing renovations to Radiation Oncology and enhancing the facility’s capabilities even further. 

Thanks also go to Heidi Kenny-Berman, chair of our Philanthropy Committee, and to the Philanthropy and Marketing departments, whose efforts helped bring this project to life and make last night’s event a success. 

Veterans Day at GBMC  

This week, we also honored our veterans and active-duty service members at our annual Veterans Day ceremony. Keynote speaker Col. (Dr.) Jeffrey Scott Woolford spoke on the strength and resilience of our veterans, inspiring all who attended. Thank you to all who contributed to this event and to our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning Committee for organizing this moving celebration. 

Recognizing Genetic Counselor Awareness Day and Nurse Practitioner Week  

A couple of healthcare recognitions are being observed this week. November 14 was Genetic Counselor Awareness Day, and I'd like to thank our genetic counselors, who help guide patients through complex medical decisions with care and expertise. We also recognize our nurse practitioners during National Nurse Practitioner Week from November 10-16. Please take a moment to thank our NPs for their compassionate service and the expert care they provide to our patients every day. 

Great Save Story

We’re celebrating a recent “Great Save” at our Gilchrist Center Baltimore, where Security Officer
Kesha Rogers’ quick thinking ensured a patient’s safety during an alarm malfunction. Officer Rogers’ attention to detail and teamwork highlight our culture of reliability and safety at GBMC. Thank you, Officer Rogers, for your vigilance and dedication to our patients. 

Maryland’s Commitment to Transformative Healthcare: The AHEAD Model Agreement Signed

I’m excited to share a pivotal development for healthcare in Maryland and beyond: the formal signing of the AHEAD Model agreement. This is a transformative step that could set new benchmarks for improving health outcomes while containing costs. Let me walk you through why this agreement matters, both for our community and for the broader healthcare landscape.

The AHEAD Model, officially known as the “States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development” initiative, is an effort launched by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and is tailored to Maryland’s existing healthcare infrastructure. It builds on the successes of the Maryland Total Cost of Care (TCOC) Model, which GBMC has long supported. At its core, the AHEAD Model seeks to extend these gains with even greater focus on health equity, population health, and improving health outcomes and care experience while reducing the cost of care

What Does the AHEAD Model Mean for Maryland?

With the signing of this agreement, Maryland continues to lead the nation in healthcare innovation. Our state’s approach remains unique: rather than reimbursing hospitals on a fee-for-service basis, which incentivizes more treatments rather than better outcomes, we use a global budget system. Under this model, hospitals receive a fixed amount of revenue annually, encouraging efficiency and proactive patient care.

The AHEAD Model elevates this concept with new, statewide strategies focused on three essential pillars:

1. Constrained Healthcare Cost Growth: By aligning public and private investments with common population health goals, the model ensures that cost control remains a top priority, benefiting all Marylanders.
2. Advanced Primary Care: The program calls for increased investment in primary care, supporting practices across the care continuum, including behavioral health and preventive medicine.
3. Health Equity and Community Empowerment: Perhaps the most compelling aspect is the commitment to addressing social drivers of health. By empowering local communities and elevating their voices in decision-making, Maryland aims to build capacity and overcome deep-seated inequities that have plagued our healthcare system for too long.

Why This Matters to GBMC

Our health system has been a pioneer in advancing the principles of population health and accountability in patient care. The work we’ve done through the Maryland Primary Care Program and our patient-centered medical homes working with our outstanding specialist physicians, has laid a solid foundation for succeeding under the AHEAD Model. From reducing unnecessary hospitalizations to actively managing chronic illnesses, our strategies are in perfect alignment with AHEAD’s mission.

We know that providing care when a person is acutely sick is essential, but it is equally vital to maintain their health over the long term. That’s why we’ve also been focusing on non-medical needs like transportation, housing, and food security in underserved areas. The AHEAD Model will amplify these efforts by providing structured resources and more coordinated policies across the state.

Looking Forward

AHEAD is a complex, long-term plan that will roll out over several years. Currently, we are in the “pre-implementation period,” in which statewide accountability targets are being defined for primary care and population health/health equity. The model is expected to launch in 2026. 

Our journey with AHEAD will not be without challenges, but the possibilities are great. It is my hope that this model will help bring us to a better future, where healthcare delivery is more equitable, costs are reined in, and health outcomes improve for everyone—not just a privileged few. Maryland is poised to set a new standard, and I am confident that GBMC HealthCare is well-positioned to lead this transformation.

Thanking More of Our Teams

We often recognize November, and the holiday season in general, as a time of gratitude. We can never truly thank our team members enough, so it is always nice to take a moment to acknowledge the roles within healthcare being honored at a national level during recognition weeks. This week, in line with several national observances, I want to give a big thank you to our radiologic technologists, patient transporters, medical staff services professionals, forensic nurses, and ophthalmic technicians. It takes a broad range of expertise and talents to ensure we meet the needs of our health system as well as our patients, and these teams work hard behind the scenes and on the front lines to enhance patient care, safety, and overall experience.

Beyond Clinical Care: Holistic Support for Our Cancer Patients

Cancer is more than a physical diagnosis—it touches every aspect of a person’s life. We understand that while medical excellence is critical, a patient’s overall well-being also depends on compassionate, comprehensive support. Our Oncology Support Services team has always placed an emphasis on providing practical and emotional resources. From counseling to integrative medicine, our services are designed to support the whole person, enhancing the quality of life for both patients and their families. Integrative wellness and palliative care have been longtime components of our program, as we recognize that these evidence-based holistic approaches complement our treatments for cancer. 

One of the many special offerings we have for patients and their families is The Boutique, which is more than just a store—it’s a sanctuary where cancer patients and their families can find comfort, healing, and even a little joy. It stocks a thoughtful selection of items to address specific needs, from mastectomy pillows and post-surgical bras to medical adaptive clothing for those undergoing chemotherapy. There are also supportive products like creams for radiation burns and cozy items that make infusion appointments a bit more bearable. 

Our Boutique team, led by Carmen Baeza, Volunteer Services Director; Jessica Schlee, Assistant Director of Volunteer Services; Lisa Palmer, Boutique Manager; and newly joined cosmetologist Karen White, understands that restoring self-confidence can be as healing as any medication. This is why we offer personalized hair services and carry beauty products that make patients feel like themselves again. 

In the coming week, from November 4-8, The Boutique is hosting a Fall Promotion, featuring 10% off fall clothing, jewelry, and gifts, and even salon services. I hope that if you’re on campus, you’ll take a moment to stop by and see what is offered. Although we tailor many products and services to cancer patients, there’s something for everyone, and ANYONE can take advantage of our low-cost salon services. 

As an aside, next year, The Boutique will fittingly be moved into a new home in the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion, where it will become known as The Marion G. Thompson Boutique. Marion Thompson has been a dedicated board member and supporter, and we are pleased to honor her in the naming of The Boutique’s new location. In line with our philosophy to cancer care, the Berman Pavilion has been designed with the whole patient in mind as well. We look forward to welcoming patients and visitors into this new space. It is truly a privilege to provide this level of care to those with cancer.