Honoring Compassion: The 2024 Nancy J. Petrarca Compassionate Caregiver Award

On February 26, we gathered for one of the most meaningful events of the year: GBMC’s 17th Annual Nancy J. Petrarca Compassionate Caregiver Award Ceremony, part of the Dr. John Adams Compassionate Caregiving Rounds. This event is a powerful reminder of what makes our healthcare system extraordinary—the people who go beyond their roles to provide comfort, kindness, and healing.

Compassion is the foundation of GBMC’s vision phrase: To every patient, every time, we will provide the care we would want for our own loved ones. This year's ceremony honored 96 nominees across our system, each of whom has clearly demonstrated their commitment to that promise.

Celebrating Extraordinary Caregivers

The ceremony opened with a moving performance of Seasons of Love by the Owings Mills High School Choir. We then had the privilege of hearing firsthand stories of compassionate care, including patient Jeffrey Judka, who shared how his care team at GBMC Health Partners and GBMC changed his life. Later, Maud Halliday spoke about her family's journey with Gilchrist’s Hospice and Grief Care, reinforcing the profound impact that true caregiving has beyond clinical treatment.

Of the 96 incredible nominees, five individuals were recognized as finalists for the award:

• Suzanne Fontanesi, CRNP – Whose relentless advocacy ensured a young asylum seeker with metastatic cancer could return home to India for his final days.
• Art Grau – A Vietnam veteran dedicated to honoring and supporting fellow veterans in their final moments.
• Amy Kimball, MS, CGC – A genetic counselor who goes above and beyond to support families facing complex diagnoses.
• Cate O’Connor Devlin, MS, RN – A nurse whose unwavering presence and personal support transformed a lymphoma patient’s experience.
• Mya Truax – A member of the GBMC SAFE team who provided extraordinary care and dignity to a young survivor of human trafficking.

Ultimately, Suzanne Fontanesi, CRNP, was named the recipient of the 2024 Nancy J. Petrarca Compassionate Caregiver Award, an honor well deserved for her tireless dedication to compassionate advocacy.

A Sobering Reminder: Supporting Safety in Healthcare

While we celebrate compassion, we must also acknowledge the stark reality of increasing violence in healthcare. Like so many of you, I was heartbroken to learn of the tragic shooting at UPMC in York, Pennsylvania, this past weekend. A hospital is a place of healing, and violence in such a setting is particularly painful. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and the entire healthcare community in York.

This tragedy reminds us of the risks healthcare workers face simply by doing their jobs. At GBMC, we remain steadfast in our commitment to workplace safety, with measures such as ongoing security enhancements, active shooter preparedness, and de-escalation training. I encourage all staff to take advantage of our hands-on safety training programs available in Workday and to reach out if you ever feel unsafe. Our security team is always willing to provide assessments of areas both onsite and offsite and provide preparedness and prevention trainings as needed.

Recognizing Important Observances

As we close out February and enter March, I want to take a moment to acknowledge a few meaningful observances:

• Thank a Resident Day (Feb. 28) – Residents are the backbone of our healthcare teams, balancing long hours and immense responsibilities. Please take a moment to express your gratitude.
• International Cochlear Implant Day (Feb. 25) – A special thank-you to our Presbyterian Board of Governors Cochlear Implant Center of Excellence team, who transform lives through their work with individuals experiencing hearing loss.

Also, I’d like to wish our Muslim colleagues and community members a peaceful and meaningful Ramadan!