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GBMC Names Two Prominent Community Members
and Civic LeadersTo Board of Directors
The Honorable Vicki Ballou-Watts and Stuart O. Simms To Serve Three-Year Terms

BALTIMORE – August 30, 2005 – GBMC HealthCare announces the appointment of two community leaders as new members of its board of directors, which governs the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, GBMC Foundation and Hospice of Baltimore.  Appointed to three-year terms are The Honorable Vicki Ballou-Watts, an associate judge with Baltimore County Circuit Court, and Stuart O. Simms, an attorney and partner with Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP.

“GBMC is a true community asset,” said Ballou-Watts, who experienced GBMC from a patient’s perspective following surgery several years ago.  "I hope to use the perspective I've gained through professional, civic and community service in a way that contributes to the institution's continued success in providing the highest quality of medical care."

“An institution’s ability to provide quality care is critical, as is ensuring access to quality care,” said Ballou-Watts, who has prior experience as legal counsel in the healthcare arena. Ballou-Watts, 47, resides in Reisterstown with her husband and three children.

“I was introduced to GBMC over 10 years ago when one of my parents required care and I am honored to be associated with the organization,” Simms said.  “I was impressed with the response of the staff, their dedication, attention to patients and courtesy.”  A former member of the GBMC Foundation Board of Directors who will continue as a member of the Foundation’s board development committee, Simms said, “Over the past year, I have learned that patient care and the patient experience is part of the core values of GBMC.”

Simms, 55, a resident of Baltimore City, has served as secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correction Services and as secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, and served two terms as Baltimore State’s Attorney. 

“We are proud to add these two distinguished professionals and civic leaders to the GBMC board and look forward to their contributions as we strive to be the leading community medical center in Maryland,” said Laurence M. Merlis, GBMC’s president and chief executive officer.

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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