March Is About More Than Brackets...

March is known for a few things... busted brackets, bold Cinderella picks, and, at least in my house, plenty of sports commentary. But at GBMC HealthCare, March also gives us an important opportunity to celebrate Women’s History Month and reflect on the women who have helped build our organization and continue to move it forward.

As the father of four daughters, I think often about the kind of world I want them to grow up in: One where they have every opportunity to thrive, where their talents are recognized, and where they receive outstanding care throughout every stage of life. That feels especially important in healthcare, where listening to women and investing in women’s health matter so much.

That commitment is woven into GBMC’s story.

Part of our roots trace back to the Hospital for the Women of Maryland of Baltimore City, one of the two founding organizations that came together to form GBMC in 1965. Women helped build this institution from the very beginning, and that legacy continues today through the Women’s Hospital Foundation and through the many women whose leadership, compassion, and expertise have made GBMC what it is.

Last year, during our 60th anniversary celebration, we honored 60 Visionary Women of GBMC HealthCare. It was a meaningful reminder that women have not just been part of our history; they have helped lead it. And, later this month, we’ll continue our annual Women of Impact awards tradition, recognizing outstanding women on our staff whose work strengthens our organization every day.

Of course, many people know GBMC as “the baby hospital,” and we’re proud of that. Supporting women and families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period is an important part of who we are. But women’s healthcare must be broader than that.

At GBMC, we also care for women across the lifespan... from gynecology and obstetrics to urogynecology, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, cancer screening, prevention, and oncology care.

That’s one reason I’m so excited about our plans for a more comprehensive Women’s Center in Physicians Pavilion West. Our goal is to bring more services together in one space and create a more connected, supportive experience for women seeking care. As we shape that vision, we are also thinking broadly about women’s health needs, including areas like menopause and perimenopause that have too often been overlooked and deserve greater focus and attention.

We are fortunate to have exceptional leaders helping guide that future, including Dr. Joan Blomquist, Chair of the Department of Gynecology at GBMC. Dr. Blomquist is an extraordinary physician and advocate for women’s health, and it was wonderful to see her recognized this year as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women by The Daily Record. In the coming months, she will also launch a women’s health podcast to help bring important conversations into the open.

Women’s History Month is a chance to honor leadership, celebrate progress, and recommit ourselves to the work ahead. At GBMC, that means supporting women not only with gratitude and recognition, but with excellent care, thoughtful innovation, and a commitment to meeting their needs at every stage of life. If you’d like to learn more about our vision for the Women’s Center, click here.

March Madness, anyone? 
And because no March blog is complete without a little bracket optimism, I’m also sharing my March Madness picks. Feel free to admire them now, before reality sets in. Let me know in the comments: Who’s your Cinderella team, who’s cutting down the nets, and how long does my bracket have before it’s officially in trouble? 

WOMEN'S BRACKET

MEN'S BRACKET

COMMENTS

**Tamara Presti commented on 3/20/26 at 07:37:**
I agree with you Dr. G -- Duke.

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      i was worried after game 1:)
 

**Chris Toth commented on 3/17/26 at 10:17:**
Dr. G, your brackets look good!

Your women's bracket is in trouble when you have UCONN losing. The Huskies and Geno are cutting down the nets again in my opinion. I like your South Carolina upset though- the moment will be BIG for that potential match up.

UCON women's champ is my thought beating UCLA.

For the men's bracket, I like your VCU upset. That team is hot right now. I like McNeese making an upset on their opening day then cooling off against Nebraska. I like Michigan St upsetting UCON then falling to Duke.

Michigan vs Duke in the final for me.
Michigan denies Jon Scheyer & the Blue Devils a championship and the trophy gets on a flight to Ann Arbor, MI.

Happy Women's History month to all the women who impact our world every day. I'm especially excited to see the vision of our women's center and keeping longitudinal, comprehensive care at the forefront at GBMC.

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      It has been a good tournament.
 

**Christina Fitts commented on 3/17/26 at 09:58:**
I am with you all the way for the women's predictions! And you can do no wrong in the eyes of my husband, simply by your choice of Duke! EXCELLENT BRACKET!!!

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      Ha....not a bad first weekend for my bracket.
 

**Ashley Bandurchin commented on 3/17/26 at 08:43:**
DUKE ALL THE WAY for the men's championship--I could not agree more! Coach K was such an amazing coach and mentor, and I think that is what produces excellence among teams. He cared about the person, not just the points. Coach K said, " There are five fundamental qualities that make every team great: communication, trust, collective responsibility, caring and pride. I like to think of each as a separate finger on the fist. Any one individually is important. But all of them together are unbeatable." It is awesome to see Coach Scheyer carrying on the brotherhood.

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      agree completely
 

**Anne Timmons commented on 3/17/26 at 08:19:**
Ha ha - we can tell you are a physician by that handwriting! ;)  Good luck with your brackets! Just remember, the only time someone from Maryland would root for Duke is if they were playing the Steelers...

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      too funny