A New Year’s Pledge from Your Leadership Team

When I was growing up, my mom had a tradition. Every New Year’s Eve, she’d sit us down at the kitchen table and ask us to reflect. She’d tell us to write a resolution that would help us become the kind of person we wanted to be. I didn’t love it back then, but I’ve kept that habit my whole life. And over time, it evolved into something more meaningful.

As I stepped into leadership roles, I started writing an annual pledge to the people I serve. A way to be conscious and intentional about how I show up. A way to accept what I’ve come to call radical responsibility for the culture I help create, for the decisions I make, and for earning your trust.

This year, that pledge is not just mine. After reading every single comment from our Employee Engagement Survey (and asking our executive team to review comments that relate to them), we decided to write this together. From your feedback, we co-created a leadership pledge for 2026.

Here’s what we’re committing to:

1. We Will Relentlessly Pursue Quality and Safety

• We pledge to relentlessly improve quality and live a Zero Harm mindset.
• We pledge to make GBMC HealthCare one of the safest places to work.

2. We Will Show Up and Listen with Intention

• We pledge to be approachable, present, and visible across units, shifts, and locations.
• We pledge to truly listen and act on your feedback to shape decisions together.

3. We Will Communicate Honestly and Transparently

• We pledge to communicate more proactively and clearly about decisions and changes.
• We pledge to face our financial realities with honesty and resolve, making disciplined decisions that sustain our mission.

4. We Will Lead with Trust, Respect, and Dignity

• We pledge to champion a culture of mutual trust and respect.
• We pledge to treat you with the kindness, dignity, and respect you deserve.

5. We Will Hold Ourselves Accountable and Empower You

• We pledge to apply one standard of accountability for everyone, including ourselves.
• We pledge to empower you to act when you see things that must be addressed.
• We pledge to make GBMC HealthCare a great place to work.

We won’t just be hanging this list on a wall. It’s our standard to live up to.

This is how we intend to lead and earn your trust, and we look forward to your partnership in making it all a reality. We won’t be perfect all the time. But we will own it, learn from it, and get better. Thank you for the honesty you’ve shown us and for being part of a culture where growth is possible.

On behalf of me and our senior leadership team, cheers to 2026! We look forward to a year of conscious leadership and shared success.
 

Photo caption: 
Front Row (Left to Right) - Samantha Crandall, Cathy Hamel, Joshua Campbell, Angie Feurer, Anna-Maria Palmer, Jack Flowers, Meghan Chan, Carl Jean-Baptiste
Back Row (Left to Right) - Michael Stein, Peter Ostasewski, Jenny Coldiron, Paari Gopalakrishnan, Jason Cole, Lisa Walker, Brian Riemer
Not Pictured - Yuliya Klopouh, Robin Motter-Mast
 

COMMENTS

**Nancy Radebaugh commented on 1/8/26 at 09:19:**
I Thank You And The Entire Team For This 2026's Resolution.

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      You are welcome. Now we have to work to ensure we keep them!
 

**Razia Khan commented on 1/7/26 at 18:01:**
I have a question about the Berman building.  I was wondering why a ramp wasn't put in the building.  I know there is 2 elevators, but they would not be able to be used in case of a fire or an emergency. I believe that it would be hard for patients that are receiving treatment on the 2nd floor to leave the building during these types of situations. They would have to wait for someone to come and get them.

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      Thanks for the question. I have shared this with our COO and facilities leader to respond to your email.
 

**Bayley Barwick commented on 1/7/26 at 15:10:**
Hi, I'm wondering if anyone is aware of any health insurance issues? The new portal is not fully functioning, cant look up claims shows claims still in process from November. It also seems like some of my claims aren't even being paid to providers for services.

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      I will share with our HR team asap.
 

**Shelley Steiner commented on 1/7/26 at 08:59:**
Thank you!  I appreciate your time in reading and acting on the comments.   Thanks especially for responding to the needs of the Hospice of Washington County employees and the medical insurance. I was impressed that you addressed those comments with an intervention in the middle of a benefit period.  Thanks for sharing your leadership commitment with us.

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      The HR team is terrific.
 

**Melanie Dowell commented on 1/6/26 at 15:19:**
What thought out pledges. I would love to see these included within the yearly competencies. 
Healthcare is not just with the care we provide or how we provide it. As a representative of GBMC, how we project that care on and off campus has a tremendous impact within the community.

It would be a nice reminder for employees to incorporate these pledges as new hires and during those times we need encouragement to shine a little brighter in our personal and professional lives.

Well done and achievable!!!

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      Thank you for the feedback. Totally agree with your thoughts.
 

**Leslie Goldvarg commented on 1/6/26 at 09:16:**
Dr G
It is a PLEASURE to be working With/For you. All of the itemized pledges are quality characteristics that we all belong having as a person of integrity. The most meaningful to me are items #4 & #5. These Foundational principles are what I was raised by and continue to 'try' to apply in my daily relationships. THANK YOU, for accepting your position with GBMC and bringing/applying your principles with US!

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      Thank you Leslie. I feel fortunate to be here.

**Shawntrice Butler commented on 1/6/26 at 09:16:**
I would like to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for GBMC's continued efforts to cultivate a safe and supportive space for employees, as well as for truly listening to and acknowledging staff feedback. It is refreshing and meaningful to work in an environment where employee voices are valued.

I am reaching out with a question that I see as an opportunity for growth and collaboration. I genuinely enjoy working at GBMC and hope to continue my career here long term. I am currently enrolled in the BSN program at Chamberlain University and will soon begin my clinical rotations. I recently inquired about completing my clinical hours at GBMC and learned that Chamberlain University is not currently included in the active affiliation agreements.

I wanted to ask if this is something that could potentially be explored further. I have already communicated with Chamberlain, and they have a significant number of students in the Baltimore area who are in need of clinical placement sites. I truly believe GBMC would be an excellent environment for hands-on clinical experience, while also serving as a valuable opportunity to engage and recruit future nurses who are eager to learn and grow within the organization.

Thank you for taking the time to read my message and for continuing to foster such a positive and supportive workplace. I would appreciate any guidance or consideration regarding this matter.

Kind regards,
Shawntrice Butler

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      Shawntrice, thank you for your message. I have shared it with our nursing leadership. They will close the loop with you.