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

GBMC Announces Plans For Primary Care Practice
In Northern Baltimore County

“Greater Baltimore Medical Center at Hereford/Hereford Primary Care” To Open In January Offering Comprehensive Care From “Pediatrics to Geriatrics”

BALTIMORE – December 12, 2005 – Greater Baltimore Medical Center will open a satellite practice in Hereford in January 2006, with two primary care specialists providing medical care to the growing northern Baltimore County and southern Pennsylvania communities.

Robert Hsiao, M.D. and Julie Ann Wagner, M.D., both local residents and graduates of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, will staff Greater Baltimore Medical Center at Hereford/Hereford Primary Care and “offer exceptional care for residents in their backyard – from pediatrics to geriatrics,” said Jim Hursey, GBMC’s senior vice president of business development.

“This area is a quickly growing and expanding market and a key service area for GBMC,” Hursey said.  “We already serve many patients in this community at the main medical center and at our physician practices, and this location will give us a hub serving the residents of this area.”

Dr. Hsiao, a Timonium resident and primary care physician in the Baltimore area for two decades, is joining GBMC “because of the medical center’s long and proud tradition of excellence in healthcare.”  He has a strong belief in preventive medicine and promoting exercise and fitness to improve health and quality of life.

“I chose to practice medicine because of a deep interest in biological sciences, a desire to help others and work with people from all walks of life,” said Dr. Hsiao, noting he chose to focus on primary care because “it allows a greater involvement with patients’ lives and is especially rewarding to often be the first to make a diagnosis.”

Dr. Wagner has lived in Sparks for a decade and “has long wanted to serve the local community.”

“Medicine has been an excellent way to combine my interests in biological sciences and working closely with people,” said Dr. Wagner, noting getting to know her patients and the challenge of diagnosing and solving medical problems are the most enjoyable aspects of practicing medicine.  “I chose to specialize in primary care because it places a strong emphasis on physician-patient continuity and the development of a long-term relationship.” 

“Having the opportunity to build a practice from the ground-up and be a true community-based healthcare provider and extension of GBMC’s care is a wonderful opportunity,” Dr. Wagner said.

Greater Baltimore Medical Center at Hereford/Hereford Primary Care will occupy a 6,000 sf building at Mount Carmel and York roads.  GBMC plans to occupy 4,000 sf at opening and plans to expand with additional care providers as needed, including rotating various specialists to the site to meet community demand.

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 as well as providing approximately 50,000 emergency room visits. For more information, go to www.gbmc.org.

###