Greater Baltimore Medical Center Names New Director of Security and Parking Enforcement

BALTIMORE, Md. – May 12, 2006 – Greater Baltimore Medical Center has named Stephen Cohen, a veteran of more than two decades in security management, as its new director of security and parking enforcement.  Cohen, of Rodgers Forge in Baltimore County, will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of both the security and parking departments and the development of comprehensive programs to support these functions of the hospital.

Cohen will also work with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies as well as with colleagues of Sheppard Pratt Hospital, St. Joseph’s Medical Center and Towson University on issues that affect the members of the “Towson Four” partnership.

“I look forward to the challenges of ensuring a secure environment and accessible parking as the campus continues to grow, both in physical space and in numbers of patients,” Cohen said.  “A major reason GBMC continues to be a premier healthcare facility is our focus on customer service, which starts as soon as patients and visitors arrive on campus.”

Cohen will supervise a team of security officers who protect the GBMC campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will also oversee the hospital’s relationship with Standard Parking, the company that operates complimentary valet parking in several locations on campus. 

“Steve’s significant experience in security operations, parking and hospital operations will prove invaluable,” said Michael A. Forthman, GBMC’s vice president of facilities and support services.

Cohen brings more than 26 years of experience in security management, investigation, operations and training experience to his new role. For the last 11 years, he has worked for the Johns Hopkins Hospital in corporate security services, most recently serving as assistant director of security operations. He also holds various volunteer leadership positions with United Way, the Juvenile Diabetes Walk and the Knights of Columbus, and is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of Safety and Security.

Cohen earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Baltimore.

About GBMC
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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