Media Contact: Michael Schwartzberg,  Media Relations Manager
(Office: 443-849-2126/Cell: 410-258-3465)

GBMC Names Harford County Resident
As Director of Pharmacy

BALTIMORE – August 5, 2005 – Barbara Ertle, RPH, MS, of Fallston, Md. has been named director of pharmacy at Greater Baltimore Medical Center.  Ertle brings more than two decades of  extensive management experience in hospital pharmacies to GBMC.

“I’m looking forward to working with the dedicated team of pharmacists and support staff to make even further advancements in the areas of medication and patient safety initiatives,” said Ertle, who  will play a significant role as GBMC prepares for a JCAHO reaccredidation inspection in 2006. 

Ertle will supervise all of GBMC’s pharmacy operations, including the inpatient and hospice pharmacies; infusion center; a high volume oncology pharmacy where chemotherapy and other medications are prepared for cancer patients; and an anticoagulation clinic where patients on blood thinning medication are monitored.  Ertle will have responsibility for more than 60 healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and technicians.

Ertle’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from Rutgers College of Pharmacy and a Master of Science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University.  She also holds an Executive Management Certificate from the Wharton School of Business and serves as a preceptor for the University of Maryland Pharmacy School and for Healthcare Administration students from various universities.

A member of the American Society of Health Care Pharmacists, Ertle held prior hospital pharmacy positions in New Jersey and Maryland.

GBMC includes Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC), Central Maryland’s leading community hospital; Hospice of Baltimore, which provides comfort and care to patients with life-limiting illnesses; the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Community Health Center, which offers comprehensive health and family services to the residents of East Baltimore; and the GBMC Foundation, which supports the GBMC mission by managing fundraising efforts.  The 300-bed Medical Center, located on a beautiful suburban campus, serves nearly 22,000 inpatients annually and provides approximately 50,000 emergency room visits. For more information, go to www.gbmc.org.

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