Media Contact: Michael Schwartzberg, GBMC Media Relations Manager

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

 GBMC Promotes Lutherville Pediatric Emergency Physician  

BALTIMORE, Md. –   May 8, 2007 – Melissa M. Sparrow, M.D. of Lutherville has been appointed to the newly created position of clinical director, pediatric inpatient and emergency services, at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. The position was created to respond to the needs of GBMC’s growing Pediatric Emergency Department (PEDS ED). Dr. Sparrow joined GBMC in 2003 as a hospitalist and was promoted to assistant director of pediatric emergency and inpatient services in 2006.

GBMC’s PEDS ED operates with a “Continuum of Care” model, combining urgent, emergency, observation and inpatient care services, one of several such models in Maryland.  Nurses and physicians specializing in pediatric care follow children along their path of care, and a board-certified pediatrician is on-site around the clock.  “This environment creates a continuity of care that provides for good medicine, less chance for error, and a sense of trust between the family and caregiver,” said Dr. Sparrow.

GBMC provides emergency medical care to more than 13,000 children annually.

Dr. Sparrow stresses the importance of the physician/nurse relationship, placing great emphasis on working as a team.   PEDS ED staff “set high expectations for the unit and ourselves, and share a common vision – to treat every patient the way we would want our own children to be treated. We’re always looking at how we can make things better.”

“How closely the doctors and nurses work together is one of the strongest parts of our unit and one of the greatest patient safety measures,” she added.

In her new role, Dr Sparrow is charged with a multitude of responsibilities including staff support and development, protocol development, Press Ganey survey review and response, quality assurance, physician relations, pediatric triage and fostering positive physician/nurse relationships. 

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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