Media Contact: Michael Schwartzberg, GBMC Media Relations Manager

(O): 443-849-2126/Cell: 410-258-3465eMarch 2:]

GBMC Appoints Executive Director of Oncology Services

BALTIMORE, Md. –  September 28, 2007 –  A veteran healthcare professional with more than three decades of diverse experience has been named executive director of oncology services at Greater Baltimore Medical Center.  Brian McCagh of Silver Spring, Md., had been serving as interim director since May 2007.

McCagh and Gary Cohen, M.D., Medical Director of GBMC’s Cancer Center, are responsible for the leadership and direction of the oncology service line. 

Among McCagh’s goals are: Optimizing outpatient throughput, implementing an electronic medical record specific for oncology patients, and planning renovations and expansions to oncology space.  Additionally, McCagh is establishing an Oncology Patient & Family Advisory Council comprised of patients, caregivers and GBMC staff, which will assess patient needs across the cancer care continuum, evaluate how to improve patient care and enhance services, and examine developing a cancer patient guidebook. The Oncology Patient & Family Advisory Council will hold its first meeting in October.

“Brian’s diversified healthcare management background and experience will have a significant positive impact on our oncology service for patients and physicians,” said John Ellis, GBMC’s senior vice president of corporate strategy and business development.

“Joining GBMC’s senior leadership team and the oncology service line is a highlight of my career in healthcare administration,” said McCagh. “GBMC’s cancer program has an exceptional reputation as one of the most respected community hospital cancer centers in the country.  By providing the best comprehensive, integrated, and compassionate care to each cancer patient, every day, we are on target to become the cancer center of choice for patients, physicians and staff over the next few years.”

Greater Baltimore Medical Center’s oncology program has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” in 2006, 2005, and 2001 and received a ‘Three-Year Approval With Commendation’ from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer in 2006. The GBMC Cancer Center is home to one of Maryland’s busiest community hospital oncology programs, with nearly 1,900 new cancer cases in 2006; typically has 60+ active research and treatment clinical trials ongoing at any one time; and participates in several national cooperative groups including the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Groups, National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project and Clinical Trials Support Unit.

GBMC’s oncology program includes a dedicated 23-bed     Joseph Keelty Oncology Care Unit; Lois Harvey Miller Infusion Center;   Milton J. Dance, Jr.   Head & Neck Rehabilitation Center; Sandra and Malcolm Berman Comprehensive Breast Care Center; Sheila K. Riggs Radiation Oncology Center; and The Boutique at GBMC.  The program also offers services of an American Cancer Society Patient Navigator through the     John M. McGovern, M.D. Memorial Oncology Support Programand provides many free cancer screenings annually. 

Prior to joining GBMC’s senior management team, McCagh most recently served as vice president of oncology and neurosciences at Washington Hospital Center.  He has also held administrative and executive positions at Montgomery General Hospital, Laurel Regional Hospital, and Prince George’s Medical Center; and with a healthcare consulting firm and a major managed care organization. He also served with the United States Army in Germany.  McCagh earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and business from Wheeling Jesuit University, a master’s in business administration with a concentration in health services administration from The George Washington University; and a certificate in executive leadership from Georgetown University’s Center for Professional Development.  McCagh is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a past president of the Association of Cancer Executives.

 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; and the GBMC Foundation, which supports the GBMC mission by managing fundraising efforts.  The 292-bed Medical Center, located on a beautiful suburban campus, serves nearly 22,000 inpatients annually and provides approximately 60,000 emergency room visits. For more information, go to www.gbmc.org

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