GBMC’s Response to Immigration Enforcement

In the GBMC HealthCare System, we commit to treating every patient, every time the way we want our own loved ones treated. We welcome anyone who will commit to working toward our vision, anyone who treats all colleagues with respect, and everyone who needs our help as a patient. 

The new administration in Washington has begun to take action to remove undocumented immigrants from the country. Therefore, it is important you know what to do if outside authorities confront you regarding a patient or a colleague. We want to ensure all team members are equipped with the proper guidance to respond effectively. 

 The steps outlined below are designed to protect both our patients and staff, to empower you so you understand your rights and your patient’s rights, and to safeguard the integrity of the care we provide. We are also respectful of all federal and state laws so, should any of these guidelines change, we will inform you. 

Per Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, here is guidance for healthcare providers should an immigration officer appear at any of our facilities: 

• Staff should contact hospital legal counsel immediately
• Staff should request and record the officer’s credentials and contact counsel immediately
• Staff and patients may choose not to answer questions
• Staff should not disclose patient information unless presented with a judicial warrant, subpoena, or summons
• ICE has no right to access restricted spaces without a warrant or under narrow emergency circumstances
• Staff should not attempt to bar the officer from public spaces, conceal patients, or take other action to thwart the investigation.

Our collective responsibility is to ensure every patient feels supported and cared for, regardless of their background. Again, GBMC’s vision phrase makes clear that to every patient, every time, we will provide the care we would want for our own loved ones. This statement does not include exceptions on purpose. We trust in your professionalism and discretion, as well as in your commitment to the values that make GBMC a trusted healthcare provider for all. 

If you have any questions or concerns about this procedure, the Administrator on Call is authorized to manage the situation. Contact them directly or go through your immediate supervisor. If you need immediate assistance or guidance, please call HR directly at 443-849-2033, legal directly at 443-849-2514 or security at 443-849-2222. 

Thank you for your ongoing dedication to providing compassionate care to those who need it most.

Building a More Inclusive Future at GBMC

Over the past week, I’ve reflected deeply on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within GBMC HealthCare. On Monday, we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day—a reminder of Dr. King’s passion for equality and justice. This followed our annual MLK celebration, which highlighted the progress we’ve made as an organization and the ongoing journey ahead.

A recent conversation with a team member from the LGBTQIA+ community underscored why this work matters. They shared how welcomed and valued they felt from their very first day at GBMC. They then continued about their work, and it was apparent to me that this colleague was doing an excellent job and that their feeling included had clearly increased their commitment to helping GBMC improve every day. Hearing this filled me with pride because it aligns with the environment we are striving to create—a workplace and healthcare system where everyone feels they belong and are respected.

At GBMC, we know that fostering inclusivity isn’t just the right thing to do; it also strengthens us as an organization. When everyone can bring their authentic selves to the table, we benefit from diverse experiences and perspectives, which lead to better decisions, stronger relationships, and innovative solutions. A community thrives when all voices are heard.

GBMC’s vision—providing the care we would want for our own loved ones—guides us to build an environment where patients, families, and staff feel supported and included. By living this vision, we continue to work toward becoming a true community health system that celebrates differences while uniting behind a common purpose.

Recognizing Our Nurses

As we focus on inclusivity, let’s not forget the importance of recognizing those who exemplify our values. I encourage all staff to submit nominations for the 10th Annual Art of Nursing Awards. This is a special opportunity to honor the dedication, compassion, and skill of our nursing staff across GBMC, GBMC Health Partners, and Gilchrist.

Visit www.gbmc.org/artofnursing to learn more about the award categories and submit nominations. These awards remind us of the profound impact our nurses have on patient care and the lives they touch daily.

Transforming the Dream: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Through Action

On January 16, GBMC HealthCare celebrated our annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration with the theme, Transforming the Dream: Time for Reflection, Celebration, and Action. This event was a poignant reminder of Dr. King’s enduring legacy and the continued work required to honor his vision of equity, justice, and community. 

A Fireside Chat with Calvin Butler: Leading with Purpose 

Our celebration featured a keynote address and fireside chat with Calvin Butler, President and CEO of Exelon. Calvin, a remarkable community leader and a dear friend, embodies the values at the core of this year’s theme – specifically, transformation and action. It was a privilege to welcome him to this special commemoration. 

In a “fireside chat” style conversation with Lisa Walker, GBMC’s Vice President and Chief Diversity & Learning Officer, Calvin shared his inspiring journey. From modest beginnings to becoming the first Black CEO of the nation’s largest utility company, he highlighted the importance of embracing opportunities, finding mentors, and creating environments where others can succeed. 

Calvin’s message was rooted in knowing your “why” and taking decisive action. As he put it: “Be bold enough to ask and committed enough to move.” He also spoke of his responsibility as an African American leader to inspire and open doors for others, emphasizing that helping just one person advance is his “why.” 

Recognizing Those Who Embody Dr. King’s Spirit 

This year, we honored members of the GBMC HealthCare team who embody Dr. King’s values of equity, service, and justice: 

• Martine Bell, DNP, CRNP, Clinical Manager of Advanced Practitioners and co-chair of the Black Alliance ERG, was celebrated for advancing health equity through initiatives like the Pathways Project and fostering inclusivity within GBMC. 
• Jodie Bell, MSN, RN, IBCLC, Assistant Director of Nursing in Maternal Newborn Health, was recognized for her leadership in maternal health equity, helping reduce disparities in severe maternal morbidity. 
• Jenora Parker BS, PharmD, Manager of Specialty and Outpatient Pharmacy Services, was acknowledged for her commitment to diversity in the pharmacy department, mentoring students, and ensuring culturally competent care. 

Congratulations to Tochi Ezeonu, RN, from Unit 42 – Medicine, Telemetry, Oncology, who received the Spirit of King Award for her work with the Chinyere-Florence Emmanuel Foundation, offering resources and hope to marginalized communities. I’d like to also recognize Halle Sheehan, Medical Assistant Lead for Medical Oncology, for being nominated for the award. 

Gratitude to Our Planning Committee 

This impactful event was made possible by the dedication of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning Committee. A special thank you to Lisa Walker, Angela Wu, and everyone else who contributed to this meaningful celebration. 

Together, let's reflect, celebrate, and most importantly, act. We can continue to honor Dr. King’s dream through bold action and a commitment to equity.

Leveraging Leadership and Data to Guide Our Mission

With the start of 2025, we have an opportunity to reflect on our mission, renew our focus, and explore how we can better serve our community. At GBMC HealthCare, our vision to provide the care we would want for our own loved ones continues to guide our work. Achieving this vision, however, requires more than good intentions—it depends on thoughtful leadership and informed decision-making.

Defining the "Why" and Engaging Stakeholders

Every decision we make should begin with asking, “Why are we doing this?” For GBMC, the answer lies in our commitment to meet the needs of our community while ensuring the sustainability of our organization.

Our leadership system helps us answer this question by encouraging us to consider the perspectives of our key stakeholders—patients, families, other members of the GBMC team, and community partners. By understanding their needs, we can better prioritize initiatives and align our efforts with both care quality and financial responsibility.

Using Data to Make Better Decisions

Data is an invaluable resource that helps us move from purpose to action. Through tools and reports available to us in Epic (our electronic health record system), we can access critical insights to inform decisions. For example, physician referral reports allow practice managers to identify stakeholders such as their top referral sources, better understand their business, foster collaboration, and improve continuity of care.

We also recognize that not everyone has access to the same reports or knows how to use them effectively. The Analytics Catalog in Epic is a good place to start, allowing users to find available reports relevant to their role. Leaders and staff are encouraged to reach out to their Epic reporting contacts for guidance. Whether through department analysts or Epic’s training resources, there are many ways to access support. These tools are here to help us work smarter and to ultimately improve outcomes and experience for the people we serve.

Integrating data into our leadership practices is key to driving progress. When leaders use these insights to set goals, cascade information to their teams, and connect their work to our broader vision, we create a culture of improvement that benefits everyone. Whether we’re improving access to care, managing chronic conditions, or making care more convenient and equitable, the intersection of leadership and data drives better decisions.

To our GBMC leaders and staff: As we enter this new year, I encourage you to focus on the "why" behind your work and on the resources available to help you achieve it. Together, we can make 2025 a year of growth, collaboration, and impact!

Reflecting on a Year of Achievements and Looking Forward to the Year Ahead

As we step into a new year, it’s a perfect moment to reflect on the accomplishments that shaped 2024 and the milestones that have brought us closer to our vision of providing every patient, every time with the care we would want for our own loved ones. 

To celebrate these achievements, we’ve created four special videos, each spotlighting impactful moments within Gilchrist, GBMC Health Partners, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, and GBMC HealthCare. I invite you to watch these videos as they not only showcase the past year but also set the stage for the bright future ahead. 

A Year in Review: Key Highlights from 2024 

• Gilchrist 
• GBMC Health Partners 
• Greater Baltimore Medical Center  
• GBMC HealthCare 

Looking Ahead: Celebrating 60 Years of GBMC 

As we embark on 2025, we also prepare to celebrate yet another momentous occasion: our 60th anniversary on October 2, 2025. This important milestone for our staff, volunteers, and community gives us a chance to honor our history and renew our commitment to innovation, equity, and excellence in care. 

Stay tuned for upcoming events and initiatives as we mark this incredible journey together. Let’s continue to build on our successes, guided by our vision and our shared mission to improve health and well-being for all. 

Thank you for being a vital part of our story. Here’s to an impactful year ahead!