Listening at 30,000 Feet (and Everywhere Else)

One of the greatest privileges of stepping into this role has been the chance to hear directly from so many of you. When the Employee Engagement Survey closed, we received 648 pages of comments. Six hundred and forty-eight! Some people collect novels for their winter reading list… apparently, I collect team member feedback.  

In my spare time, I’ve been reading through the comments on my tablet. I’m now 331 pages in, just past the halfway mark. The volume of comments isn’t a burden; it’s a reflection of how much you care about your work, your teams, and this organization. Honestly, if you took the time to write it down, I owe it to you to read it.

I don’t take that responsibility lightly.

I'm on track to finish reading by the end of December. I’m even using AI tools to help check for themes I might miss (not to replace my own reading, but to make sure nothing falls through the cracks and I catch any blind spots I may have).

Even at this halfway point, it’s clear that communication is a major theme. Many of you want more transparency, more consistency, and more connection with what’s happening across the system. That resonates with me, and you will see meaningful steps in that direction in 2026.

In January, once I’ve finished reading and reflecting, we’ll talk openly about what we heard and where we’re going. Your comments will also inform my leadership pledge for the coming year because if I’m asking all of you to grow and evolve, then I need to be doing the same.

Thank you again for the honesty, the effort, and the heart you put into this survey. It matters.

Circle of Advocates: A Morning of Impact, Legacy, and Quiet Heroes

On December 4, we hosted our first-ever Circle of Advocates breakfast, an event that left a lasting impression on me and, I suspect, on everyone in the room.

About 90 people attended: honorees, their families, legislators, law enforcement partners, donors, advocates, and members of GBMC’s SAFE, Domestic Violence, and Child Protection teams. It was a gathering of people united by one mission: to protect, support, and stand with survivors.

One of the most moving moments of the morning came as we honored the late Dr. Rudiger L. Breitenecker, whose pioneering work in preserving forensic evidence fundamentally changed the landscape of cold-case resolution. Long before DNA analysis became standard practice, Dr. Breitenecker had the foresight to save evidence that is now helping bring justice to survivors decades later.

His son was there with us. He shared that while he knew what his father did, he had never fully understood the magnitude of his impact. Watching him hear story after story, seeing his pride grow in real time, was incredibly moving. His father worked humbly, behind the scenes, never seeking recognition. And yet his legacy is monumental.

That theme was everywhere at the event.

Because the truth is: this work only succeeds when countless people, many of them unseen, say “yes” every single day — yes to hard conversations, yes to late-night calls, yes to the emotional weight of trauma-informed care.

The SAFE & DV team doesn’t do this alone. It takes legislators who fight for stronger laws. State’s attorneys who build meticulous cases. Officers who respond with both courage and compassion. Advocates who walk with survivors through every step. Clinical staff who bring evidence-based, survivor-centered expertise. Philanthropic partners who help strengthen and sustain the work.

And it takes a community that refuses to look away.

The statistics on sexual assault and human trafficking in Maryland are sobering. In fact, according to the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA), more than one in four adult women in Maryland has been the victim of rape in her lifetime, and our state’s position along major interstate and transportation routes makes it a high-incidence corridor for human trafficking. The prevalence is far greater than most people realize. But events like the Circle of Advocates shine light on the people and partnerships that are actively, relentlessly pushing back.

I walked away with a deeper appreciation for the quiet courage and persistence required to make real progress in this space and immense pride that GBMC plays such a meaningful leadership role in this work.

I encourage you to take a look through our Circle of Advocates honoree booklet to learn about some of the advocates bringing the mission to life. 

COMMENTS

**Leonard Proctor commented on 12/18/25 at 16:59:**
this is good to see; energizing

    **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
    Thank you Leonard!
 

**Jasmin Phillips commented on 12/16/25 at 10:26:**
I shared this letter personally with my team, as many of our team members do not check the information website on a daily basis. Your words truly resonated with them. The collective response was, "That's a leader who genuinely cares."

On behalf of Patient Transport and SRC, we want to sincerely thank you, Dr. G. Your leadership and commitment are deeply appreciated, and we are proud to stand with you as you continue to push this incredible institution toward even greater success.

    **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
    Jasmin…back at you! I appreciate you taking the time to share it with your team. It shows me you are yourself an authentic leader. Happy Holidays!
 

**Leslie Goldvarg commented on 12/16/25 at 09:30:**
Dr G... I have read every one of your 'Better Together' posts since you began sharing your thoughts.  DR G....'THANK YOU' for being a gentleman of integrity. You said what your intentions were...and you ARE working at fulfilling them. I know I'm not the only one who appreciates your efforts!  Be well and enjoy the holiday with your family!  Thank you... Leslie

    **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
    Thank you for such kind words Leslie. I hope you have a tremendous holiday season.