Emergency Department

Treating patients with health concerns from minor issues to more serious injuries and illnesses

All of our physicians in the Emergency Department (ED) at GBMC are board-certified in Emergency Medicine and many are double or triple board-certified, with additional credentials in Pediatrics and/or Internal Medicine. Many of the nurses in the department are certified in emergency care. GBMC's ED is also a primary stroke center, certified by The Joint Commission and the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems.

Patients in the ED are first evaluated by a "Quick-Look" nurse, who helps route them to the appropriate area within the ED. This process assists with improving the flow of patients through the Emergency Department and the admission process, as well as providing an environment that is favorable to caring for the more seriously ill patients as quickly as possible. Forty private examination rooms feature televisions, telephones, and bedside computers for patient registration and improved medical care.

Jeff Sternlicht, MD

Chairman, Emergency Medicine

Dr. Sternlicht is board-certified in Emergency Medicine and serves as Chairman of Emergency Medicine at GBMC. He received his medical degree from State University of New York Downstate Medical Center School of Medicine and completed his residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

Our Services

GBMC’s emergency department is staffed by a team of board-certified emergency medicine physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and patient care technicians. It offers an array of acute emergency services, as well as specialized emergency services including:

Diagnosis and treatment of patients with less serious medical issues
Rapid stabilization and evaluation of patients in critical condition
Care for patients who require extended monitoring, but not inpatient hospitalization
Emergency psychiatric services

A Day in the Life: Emergency Department Nurse

Mason Wurzburger says he loves being a nurse in the GBMC emergency department because it means he gets to do a little bit of everything.

Watch the Video

Frequently Asked Questions

How does GBMC's Emergency Department rank as far as quality of care?
All Emergency Department physicians are board-certified and many are double or triple board-certified, demonstrating how quality of care and expertise is of utmost importance. Our patients consistently rate GBMC's ED physicians and staff highly in randomly given satisfaction surveys. GBMC ED physicians rank in the top 10 percent of similarly sized emergency departments across the country who participate in the patient satisfaction surveys.

What could be causing longer wait-times?
Wait times can be affected by a variety of factors, including the volume and complexity of cases. Patient rooms in the ED also may serve as overflow rooms if maximum capacity has been reached in other units. These cases could also potentially affect wait times.

Where do I park if I'm coming to the Emergency Department as a patient?
While there is no valet service at the Emergency entrance, patients and visitors who wish to utilize that service can be directed to the OB entrance.

Will I have phone access during my hospital stay?
Telephones are available for use in each patient room. Each room also has a television to ensure a more comfortable experience.