Six of GBMC HealthCare’s outstanding nurses have been recognized in Baltimore magazine’s 2018 “Excellence in Nursing” issue! Nominations were collected from across the region and 50 winners in 21 specialties were selected by a panel of nurse advisors. GBMC is extremely proud of all its caregivers and congratulates the following nurses on their well-deserved honor:
Karen Bartosz, MSN, RN, CHPN, Gilchrist – Hospice/Home Health/Palliative Care
Renee Ennis, BSN, RN, Gilchrist - Hospice/Home Health/Palliative Care
Hospice / Home Health / Palliative Care - Gilchrist Hospice Home Care Nurse
Karen has worked as a Gilchrist hospice home care nurse for five years. Prior to joining Gilchrist, Karen worked for 26 years as an intensive care nurse. Karen earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Maryland. She achieved certification in hospice and palliative care nursing in 2017.
“Karen, in her daily work, has the natural ability to convey compassion to those she cares for – she exhibits honesty, respect, wisdom and sensitivity. Karen everyday has a warm-hearted smile, treats her colleagues with respect and does not hesitate to sing the praises of her co-workers. Karen always has a story to share with team members – speaking of a patient and family, telling how the family has gone from anxious and overwhelmed to calm and accepting, or sharing a story that exhibits human nature at its best or worst, often complimented by Karen’s soft and hilarious sense of humor. Karen often, without knowing, reminds us all that the human spirit should not be underestimated.”
Deborah L. Duhnke, RN, BSN, CHPN
Hospice Clinical Manager
Gilchrist Howard County
Hospice / Home Health / Palliative Care - Gilchrist Hospice Nurse
Renee joined Gilchrist in 2017 as a hospice nurse, working bedside with patients at Gilchrist Center Baltimore. Prior to coming to Gilchrist, she was a nurse case manager with Season’s Hospice & Palliative Care. Her nursing experience spans public health, substance abuse, hemodialysis and internal medicine. Renee earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Winston Salem State University.
“Renee is one of a kind, both professionally and personally. She genuinely cares about each one of her patients and colleagues as if they were family. Her vibrant laugh and positivity is contagious. In the ever-changing, chaotic, high-speed profession that nursing can be, these qualities that she possesses are unparalleled by anyone I’ve ever met. By far she is one of Baltimore’s best!”
Women's Health - Director of Women and Children's Services
Lisa is the Director of Women and Children’s Services at GBMC. Prior to serving in her current role, Lisa worked as a Clinical Innovation Specialist, a Perinatal Education Specialist, a Labor and Delivery Educator, and a Labor and Delivery Nurse at GBMC. She is passionate about continually improving the working environment for her team as well as bridging the gap between millennials and more experienced nurses. Lisa earned a Doctor in Nursing Practice Degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing.
“What is most inspiring about Lisa is her challenge of the status quo. She does not let her team get stuck in how things have always been done. She tells us to dream what it could be like first and then take steps to make it happen! Lisa is committed to excellence in our division and across GBMC, whether it be in patient care, team collaboration, customer service, or quality improvement.”
Jodie Bell, BSN, RNC, IBCLC
Assistant Director
Women’s and Children’s Services, GBMC
Deborah is the RN Simulation Coordinator for GBMC’s Simulation Center, a position she has held for the past six of her 28 years with the organization. Deborah previously served as an Emergency Department clinical staff nurse, charge nurse, preceptor, and clinical partner, as well as nurse educator. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Maryland, Baltimore County, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from Fairleigh Dickenson University, and a Master of Science in Nursing Degree from Towson University. She also earned a Certificate in Nursing Education from Towson University and a Certificate in Simulation Education from Bryan College of Health Science.
“Deb’s energy, enthusiasm, and passion for healthcare education are unparalleled. Her devotion to simulation and teaching is infectious to all those Deb interacts with. Deb is dedicated to improving patient outcomes through her interdisciplinary work in simulation and through coaching and mentoring staff to deliver high quality care. Healthcare is stronger with Deb Higgins involved and without a doubt Deb Higgins is well deserving of Baltimore magazine’s Excellence in Nursing Award.”
Chelsea N. Woodell RN BSN CCRN
Critical Care/Telemetry Nurse Educator
Greater Baltimore Medical Center
Center for Nursing Excellence
Management/ Nurse Executive - Senior Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer
Dr. Ioannou joined GBMC HealthCare as Senior Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer in September 2015. She previously served as Director of Neurosciences/Psychiatry Nursing at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. In addition, Dr. Ioannou has held various leadership roles in the Department of Medicine at Johns Hopkins, including Nurse Manager and Assistant Director of Medical Nursing. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Towson University, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Villa Julie College, and a Master of Science Degree in Nursing, a Master of Business Administration Degree, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree from The Johns Hopkins University.
"JoAnn is a fabulous healthcare leader. She is knowledgeable, passionate, hard-working and results-oriented. She is a dear friend and colleague. I love working with her!"
John Chessare, MD, MPH, FACHE
President and CEO
GBMC HealthCare, Inc.
“JoAnn is that rare leader who champions clinical excellence while demonstrating passion for growing our leaders at GBMC. She is the ultimate business partner, and I am especially proud to work alongside her.”
Anna-Maria Gonzalez Palmer
Vice President of Human Resources/Organizational Development and Chief Human Resources Officer
Alexis has worked in GBMC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for three years. She began as RN, and was promoted to the role of RN 4 in November 2017. Additionally, she is co-chair of the NICU’s family-centered care committee. Before joining GBMC, she was a staff nurse at Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital. Alexis earned her Associate of Science in Nursing Degree from Carroll Community College and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from Stevenson University. She will complete her Master of Science in Nursing Degree with a Clinician to Administrator certificate from Towson University in May 2018.
“Alexis is an amazing Neonatal Intensive Care nurse with high integrity and superb clinical skills. She is the embodiment of the patient- and family-centered care nurse because she sees beyond the diagnosis and treatment for her patients. She sees the patient as a human being and the family’s loved one. She is truly present for her patients and her patients’ families. I am quite impressed with how well Alexis communicates with her peers in nursing, the various ancillary staff, and the many disciplines, including physicians, to improve the care of the patients in her charge. She sees the families, especially the parents and grandparents, as extensions of the NICU patient and spends much time getting to know them and hearing what they have to say. In the NICU where she works, it is really important for our patients that the caregivers and healthcare workers collaborate to work for the good of the patient for the best possible care. Alexis is a great advocate for parents. She listens with a most caring heart and makes sure that she voices the parents’ concerns and fears and even their joys to the medical team. NICU patients stay in the hospital longer than all other patients and it is very important to establish a trusting working relationship with all involved in the patient's care, especially the parents. On rounds, she presents her patients to the rest of the healthcare team and not only reviews the diagnosis and interventions, she voices the parents’ questions and even presents her own. She is always thinking about how she can make her patient's stay better and always keeps it family focused. She works very well with other disciplines, especially with the social workers, the charge nurse, the nurse manager, and across all disciplines and is actually a role model for others.”
Maria Pane, MD
Neonatologist, GBMC NICU
Vice Chief of Staff