A Meaningful Doctors’ Day and Our First Physician of the Year Winners

On Monday night, I had the pleasure of attending GBMC HealthCare’s Doctors’ Day and Speed Networking event. It was a meaningful evening for two reasons: it gave us a chance to celebrate our physicians on Doctors’ Day, and it created space for physicians across specialties to build stronger relationships with one another.

I was happy to get a chance to speak during the event – and as I thought about what to say, I kept coming back to this thought: Physicians are not always thanked in a way that fully reflects what this work asks of them.

Medicine is a profession built on sacrifice. Physicians go into it knowing there will be missed holidays, evenings, weekends, and family moments. They make those tradeoffs because patients need them, because the work matters, and because they have made a commitment to be there when it counts.

That is worth pausing to recognize.

When I was considering coming to GBMC HealthCare, I spoke with people in the Baltimore area who knew GBMC not as employees, but as patients or family members. I kept hearing the same thing: this is a place people trust. A place that delivers excellent care. A place that matters to the community.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll reiterate it today... that kind of reputation is earned. And our physicians are a big part of that.

This year, we marked Doctors’ Day by also unveiling the winners of our new Physician of the Year Awards. The response was incredible. We received 102 nominations, and nearly 1,000 people — employees, volunteers, and members of the medical staff — took the time to vote. That level of enthusiasm says a lot.

It says people wanted to honor physicians whose work has made a lasting impression on patients, families, and colleagues.

I’m pleased to congratulate this year’s honorees:

• Ambulatory Physician of the Year: Mohammed Rashid, MD: Colleagues describe Dr. Rashid as kind, calm, and diagnostically sharp... someone who steps up during staffing shortages and high-pressure moments. In the Emergency Department, that kind of steady presence matters a lot.
• Inpatient Physician of the Year: Michael Asike, MD: One nominator described Dr. Asike as an “unsung hero,” which says a lot. He has built deep trust over time through quiet excellence, generosity, and the kind of consistency that colleagues never forget.
• Surgery Physician of the Year: Sara Fogarty, DO: Dr. Fogarty was recognized for her responsiveness, compassion, and surgical excellence. One nomination described how quickly she stepped in to help an elderly patient with a serious breast condition, guiding the patient and family with great clarity and care.

What stood out to me across all the nominations was this: people were not just praising clinical skill. They were describing physicians who build trust, stay steady under pressure, step in when needed, and make patients and colleagues feel supported.

Congratulations to the winners and finalists. I look forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come.

That brings me to the “speed networking” part of the evening. Yes, you read that right – think the format of speed dating, but with a different goal. The intent was to help providers build connections that make referrals easier when patients need another specialist.

When physicians know one another better, good things happen. Collaboration improves. Referral relationships get stronger. Patients experience more seamless care.

So Monday night was about appreciation, but it was also about building something. Recognizing excellence. Strengthening relationships. Creating momentum.

To all of our physicians: thank you for what you give to this work, and thank you for the role you play in making GBMC HealthCare such a trusted source of care for this community.

Employee Spotlight

Roseann Gartner

Volunteer - GBMC Hospital

Clinical Pathology (Microbiology lab); Infusion Center, Berman Pavilion

How long have you been at GBMC HealthCare?

Approximately 15 years

What is one key way you support a zero harm/safety culture?

GBMC focuses on protecting patients from errors, injuries and infections, which engenders a culture of safety and zero harm. As a volunteer with patient-facing activity in the Infusion Center, good hygiene is important to me. Part of the volunteer duties as an Infusion Center volunteer is maintaining the cleanliness of the Nutrition area such as cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and appliances. We also have to keep the food and beverage inventory up to date and follow food safety rules. In addition, I follow the hand hygiene protocol before serving food and whenever I have patient contact.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

As an Infusion Center volunteer, I am in constant contact with patients undergoing treatment. Part of my job is to offer them beverages and snacks throughout my shift along with conversation, if they want it. I like to hope that what I do will give them a sense of normalcy and comfort. The best part of my job is when it seems that I've made that connection.

What is your favorite food?

Coconut cake and butter pecan ice cream (but not together!)