<p class="article-body"> 139 Greater Baltimore Medical Center physicians, in 76 unique specialties, were named in Baltimore Magazine’s “Top Doctors” listings for 2017. Several of those medical staff members were recognized in more than one category and some have been recognized many years in a row. <br> <br> GBMC has always had a strong showing in the Baltimore magazine Top Docs edition. This year, Robert K. Brookland, MD, chairman of GBMC’s Department of Radiation Oncology, was one of six eminent doctors, from a pool of over 700 physicians in the Baltimore area, selected to be profiled in the current TOP DOCS issue. <br> <br> In preparing its annual list of “Top Doctors,” Baltimore magazine surveyed nearly 13,000 area physicians and asked where they would send members of their own family for specialized care. This important question is at the very center of GBMC’s vision of providing each of our patients with care worthy of our own loved ones. <br> <br> View the full listing of GBMC “Top Doctors” </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UYfwVFKqRdk" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Bowler Lewis is one of over 100 employees in the housekeeping department of GBMC. Mr. Lewis says his favorite part of the job is interacting with patients and other staff. <br> <br> “Nothing’s ever the same, but it’s great.” There are always different projects to do to keep GBMC running smoothly, and after seven years at the hospital, Bowler Lewis has done them all. <br> <br> After a morning meeting and a supply check, Mr. Lewis is off and running. “I feel so blessed to come in here in the morning and encourage the patients,” says Mr. Lewis. <em>Day in the Life is produced by WMAR - ABC2 Baltimore</em> </p>
<p class="article-body"> Milton J. "Laddie" Dance, Jr. developed cancer of the larynx in 1975. Fearful that his livelihood as a horse auctioneer might be ended, he entered treatment. Five months after completing radiation therapy he developed cervical lymph node metastasis and underwent a radical neck dissection. He remained cancer free thereafter, until he succumbed to heart attack in 2002. <br> <br> While today there are many sources of support groups to aid cancer patients in their search for further education, alternative therapies, hope and comfort, thirty years ago, when Laddie and his wife, Jeanne Vance, discovered that he had throat cancer, there seemed to be little support available. "Back then, you went to the doctor, obtained the diagnosis, had your surgery or therapy and that was about it," explained Ms. Vance. "It seemed so cold. We felt so alone, with no recourse, no support, and no hope. But we accepted it. You didn't ask any questions, you just did what you were told. The realm of our understanding of the scope of the disease, how to deal with it, and the course it could take was so limited back then. We needed more." <br> <br> By nature, Laddie was a mover, a shaker and even a bit of a rabble-rouser at times, many would say. For a man who traveled in the circles of high society, politics and influential people, he was very well grounded — an enigma, several have called him. But that's what made him unique. That's what made him Laddie. He couldn't stop moving. Nothing seemed to stop or dampen his spirit and certainly not a bout with cancer, or so it seemed. Cancer has this way about it, eating away at your heart and gnawing at your soul, unless of course, you do something about it. And that's what Ms. Vance and Laddie did. "No one should endure these feelings alone without understanding and a helping hand," said Mrs. Vance. She founded an endowment that helped open a center in her husband's name. <br> <br> Since 1980, the Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Center at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center has provided comprehensive care to patients with head and neck cancer and their families. Today the Center includes the Head and Neck Surgery at GBMC, a historic practice started in 1924 by Dr. Grant E. Ward, multidisciplinary head and neck rehabilitation services, a full range of speech-language pathology services and a highly specialized voice center. Disciplines of head and neck surgery, laryngology, maxillofacial prosthodontics, oral medicine and pathology, nursing, speech-language pathology, nutritional services, and social work reside within the center. There is close collaboration with radiation oncology, medical oncology, occupational therapy and physical therapy. "We work hard to integrate as many disciplines necessary to offer a full complement of services with the goal of optimizing our patients recovery process and quality of life." Barbara Messing, M.A., CCC-SLP, BRS-S, the center's clinical-administrative director, leads a staff of professionals including speech language pathologists, oncology social workers, nurse specialists and oncology-registered dietitians. The center sponsors cancer research in the areas of salivary gland malignancies, tumor genetics and HPV studies through close collaboration with Johns Hopkins and outcomes research in the area of head and neck rehabilitation. <br> <br> Laddie Dance saw life and the world as an opportunity — time that shouldn't be wasted on feeling sorry for oneself. "This was frequently evidenced by the spirit in his voice when he called an auction and the gleam in his eye when he saw a great horse, beautiful women or fantastic business opportunity," remarked his wife Jeanne. <br> <br> Laddie knew horse breeds and lines better than some people know their own relatives. He was good at it because he did his homework. A 45-year employee of the thoroughbred auction firm, Fasig-Tipton, he loved and knew the art of auctioneering inside and out. Auctioneering came to him naturally, probably because his father, Milton J. Dance, Sr. was also a veteran of the profession. Mr. Dance was involved with horses throughout his life but special horses come around once in a lifetime. That occurred in 1999 for Laddie and Jeanne when their horse, Lemon Drop Kid, won all five New York stakes races including the Belmont Stakes in 1999. <br> <br> Laddie Dance knew first-hand what it meant to be a head and neck patient. It was his goal to make it easier for those who would follow his path. <br> <br> Jeanne Vance's and Laddie Dance's dream for cancer patients to see their future as an opportunity for hope and peace of mind is realized every day by the patients at the Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Rehabilitation Center. </p> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<p class="article-body"> Every other Monday morning I spend an hour welcoming new employees and introducing them to our organization during their orientation. This week, I was really pleased to meet nearly 70 new colleagues. There was so much positive energy in the room. <br> <br> My job at orientation is to begin to enroll my new colleagues in our vision and engage them in a conversation about our transformation towards being the healthcare system that treats everyone, every time the way we want our own loved ones treated. Our ongoing metamorphosis from an outstanding hospital into an outstanding system of care, requires people who understand and embrace our vision and their role in helping us achieve it. <br> <br> This orientation was a bit different because preceding me in the program was our new Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Anna-Maria Gonzalez Palmer. Anna-Maria exudes positive energy! She is an accomplished leader who has served in the human resources field with a number of organizations including McCormick and Company and Textron. <br> <br> Anna-Maria will have responsibility and oversight for planning, organizing and providing leadership and direction for the organization’s human resources functions including policy development, interpretation and administration; recruitment, orientation and retention of employees; compensation and benefits programs; performance management and competency assessment; employee relations and labor relations; and training and development programs. <br> <br> Prior to joining GBMC, she was the senior vice president and chief human resources officer of Compass Pointe Healthcare System. Anna-Maria earned her Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia University and her Master’s degree in Administrative Science, Human Resources Development from The Johns Hopkins University. She is a ‘can-do’ person who hit the ground running at GBMC with our successful negotiation of a new union contract and a very successful employee barbecue. She is redesigning our Human Resources Department to be even better than it is today. I am really enjoying working with Anna-Maria as a senior team colleague and as our leader in increasing joy at work. <br> <br> Please join me in welcoming Anna-Maria to the GBMC Family! </p> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vDU1n4noLbU" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> There is no typical day for Crystal Pernasilice, PA-C and part of the advanced practitioner team at GBMC. There’s always something new to do in the fast-paced Internal Medicine department, and the team can be found checking labs, seeing patients, and working with doctors and nurses to provide comprehensive care to GBMC patients. <br> <br> “I really like being able to help people. I like the science behind the medicine.” Her role as an advanced practitioner allows her to do both. Ms. Pernasilice welcomes the opportunity to speak with families of her patients, whether in the hospital or on the phone to explain her position as an important part of the care team. “We want to answer their questions so they know their loved one is being taken care of.” <br> <br> Advanced practitioners cover both medical and surgical patients in every GBMC unit, and they all subscribe to the same care philosophy – take care of the patient like they’re your loved one. An advanced practitioner is accessible 24/7 if a doctor is unavailable. <br> <br> “We like interaction. We like to talk to the patients and hear what they have to say, and that helps us treat them as a whole person.” <em>A Day in the Life is produced by WMAR - ABC2</em> </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A2-l4li7Oeo" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Laura is a Forensic Nurse Examiner where she cares for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. She leads a team of 13 forensic nurses and 5 victim advocates who treat over 400 patients per year. She was named America's most amazing nurse by <em>Prevention</em> Magazine and <em>The Doctor's</em> television show. </p>
<figure class="image-right"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/8f57e8c2c80c2977bc69b5a5a6a21d5a.jpg"> <figcaption> Joe Henry, RN </figcaption> </figure> In a unit filled with postpartum mothers, breast pumps, and newborn babies, Joe Henry, RN may not be the nurse you’d expect to see. But Joe isn’t fazed by his surprised patients, or by being the only male nurse in GBMC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, because he is unabashedly passionate about taking care of babies. “It’s amazing to hold these preemies and satisfying to know that with God’s help, I did something to help them live,” he said. <br> <br> Every day in the NICU presents stressful situations, and Joe relies on his calm demeanor and glass-half-full attitude to keep families optimistic. He takes it one step at a time and reassures parents by focusing on the good things — the baby is breathing, the heart is pumping. If the situation turns tragic, he makes it his mission to give families as much of “the baby experience” as he can in whatever short time they have left. <br> <br> Thankfully, the amount of happiness and positive outcomes far outweigh the heartbreak on the unit. Throughout his NICU career, Joe has witnessed rapid developments in medicine and technology to help early babies survive. <br> <br> <blockquote> “This unit is helping to create families that wouldn’t have been possible 20 years ago. When I first started, 27 weeks was the earliest babies could live — now we’re up to 23, or 22 and 6 (days),” he said. “These days, it’s very rare that babies don’t make it once they get into the NICU.” </blockquote> <br> <br> Feeding babies, when they can finally take a bottle rather than being tube-fed, is Joe’s favorite part of caring for NICU babies. He oversees the Donor Breast Milk Program for the unit, which is a complex operation, as Maryland considers donor milk a tissue. The process involves coordinating deliveries, ordering an ample supply, completing paperwork for each baby, and more, but it’s all worth it. “I can finally feel like I’m giving them some comfort when they get to come off of an IV and start taking breast milk. It’s a real bonding experience.” <br> <br> Currently, Joe is working towards his Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Though he plans to continue his education, there’s no career change in sight. He considers himself “NICU for life.” “This is just a happy place to work because everyone keeps a positive outlook,” he said. “Yes, there can be problems, but we can work through and solve most of them. There’s always good there if you look for it.” <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wFSKuOEj9qU" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Dr. Maria Pane didn’t set out to be a neonatologist, but during her last medical school rotation, she fell in love. Now her days are spent treating and caring for some of the “sickest and tiniest patients” at GBMC. <br> <br> Dr. Pane takes a cohesive approach to pediatric patient care – she often invites parents to join her on rounds so they can be included and up to date on their child’s treatment. <br> <br> “I try to put myself in their shoes”, she says of the parents. It helps her understand what new moms and dads are going through on the unit, and how to best care for both patient and parents. <br> <br> <a href="http://www.abc2news.com/news/news-photo-gallery/gbmc-neonatologist-dr-maria-pane" target="_blank">PHOTOS: GBMC Neonatologist Dr. Maria Pane</a> <br> <br> Dr. Pane looks forward to the Father’s Day 5K every year, a fundraiser that contributes to the neonatal intensive care unit. <br> <br> “I couldn’t be more proud of the members of this team. Everyone works together, and we value everyone’s input.” <em>Day in the Life is produced by WMAR - ABC2 Baltimore</em> </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qCes-bEcU6U" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> It’s official! Laura Clary, BSN, RN, FNE-A/P, SANE-A, CFN, CPEN, manager of GBMC’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) & Domestic Violence Program, is the Prevention magazine and The Doctors "America's Most Amazing Nurse" winner! <br> <br> The news was announced during a festive event in GBMC’s Yaggy OB Atrium on Friday, May 12. Prevention magazine and The Doctors TV show joined efforts in November to search the country for America’s Most Amazing Nurse. Each entrant or nominee had to have an active RN license or advanced nursing credential and must have been working in the nursing field at the time of nomination. Laura was nominated by her husband and was then selected over hundreds of applicants and four other finalists because of her compassion, commitment and expert skills as a caregiver. <br> <br> Under Laura’s leadership, the GBMC SAFE program expanded to not only care for adult victims of sexual assault but also victims of child abuse, human trafficking, intimate partner violence and non-fatal strangulation. <br> <br> Barbara O'Dair, editor-in-chief of Prevention magazine, said this about Laura: "Her extraordinary work embodies the true spirit of nursing." A devoted and comforting caregiver who advocates for her patients’ best interests, Laura is a shining example of both the nursing profession and of GBMC’s vision. Congratulations Laura! </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cgueLAlrKCc" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> GBMC tried out a little carpool karaoke with volunteer, Don Scott! </p>
<p class="article-body"> Better health and better care for our community. Our commitment to the neighborhoods we serve is echoed through the work our primary care teams do each day. Providing health education, guidance and patient-centered, evidence-based care to individuals and families across the region, we are here to help our patients take charge of their health and serve them throughout their lifetimes. <br> <br> GBMC is honored to have Baltimore put their trust in us and we congratulate Dr. Sarah Whiteford for being named Best Family Physician in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/best-of-baltimore/bal-best-of-baltimore-readers-choice-services-20170403-photogallery.html"><em>The Baltimore Sun’s Best of Baltimore Readers’ Choice poll</em></a>. </p> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Noyk-bDp5rA" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> GBMC Critical Care and Telemetry Clinical Nurse Educator Chelsea Woodell started out caring for patients. <br> <br> For her, the transition from bedside care to to being an educator was a challenging but rewarding one. <br> <br> "I loved caring for very sick patients, I love advocating for my patient, making recommendations, but I also loved teaching," Woodell said. <br> <br> When she started in the educator role, working with new nursing graduates was her favorite part of the job. <em>A Day in the Life is produced by WMAR - ABC2</em> </p>
Growing up in a family of nurses, Ashley McAree, RN, FNE-A/P, CFN, knew from a young age that she was interested in a nursing career. But it wasn’t until she was working as a psychiatric nurse on GBMC’s Medical Psychiatric Unit that she made an eye-opening connection: many of her patients had a history of being sexually assaulted or abused in childhood. The issues seemed so pervasive that Ashley wondered if working with patients during their healing process, right after an attack, might prevent future victims from ending up in a psychiatric unit down the road. “My supervisor at the time was a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) nurse and she encouraged me to go through SAFE training myself,” Ashley said. “That’s when I knew it was my calling and it truly became my passion.” Ashley is one of seven forensic nurses in GBMC’s SAFE program who specializes in pediatrics, a field she was initially anxious about, as she worried working with children would be too emotionally demanding. Program Manager Laura Clary, RN, FNE-A/P, SANE-A, CFN, CPEN, who suggested she be certified in pediatrics, helped her feel more comfortable. “Laura is very supportive. She goes at your pace – she doesn’t push,” Ashley said. “I started attending different trainings with her and seeing the great work we can do for kids and the important evidence we collect.""It took a little while, but seeing the rewards and the impact on the kids and parents was significant.”That doesn’t mean working with children who have been sexually abused gets any easier. Ashley cries with her patients and often thinks of them when she’s not at work, but she doesn’t view this as a flaw. “I’ve begun to think that being such an emotional person, which I initially thought would be a drawback, actually helps,” she says. “I am able to get on a patient’s level, show how much I care, and most importantly, that I believe them. They may not have been believed by others in the past; showing that I accept and believe them really helps them begin to heal.”Despite the emotional difficulty, certain moments make it all worthwhile. Ashley recalls a particular young patient whose story sticks with her: “She was terrified, understandably so – of the hospital, the police, and really scared of me,” Ashley says. “She wouldn’t speak or even look at me. I gave her a lot of time and tried to make her as comfortable as possible. During the exam, I let her put on her favorite music, and we chatted – about friends, about school, and I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. She wasn’t sure. Later, as she was leaving, she stopped me and said, ‘I know what I want to be now – a forensic nurse.’ She gave me a huge hug. I will remember her forever.”Join Ashley and the rest of the SAFE team as they shatter the stigmas of rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and intimate partner violence on April 21, 2018 at GBMC’s third annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®.
Norma Ferraro, MA Norma Ferraro, MA, always knew she wanted to fight for justice. After earning a bachelor’s in sociology from Loyola University and a master’s in public anthropology with a concentration on gender violence from American University, she began working with victims of domestic violence. She found that the consequences of domestic violence are so far reaching, the effects so profound, and yet, it is deeply misunderstood by society. “There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to domestic violence,” Norma says. “Though it’s often about power and control, there is so much in play. First and foremost, my job is to assess the individuality of each situation.” Norma has been an on-call advocate for GBMC’s Domestic Violence program and a SAFE (Sexual Assault Forensic Examination) interventionist since the inception of the program in 2014. She knew right away that working in a hospital environment was a good fit for her background and essential for comprehensive patient services. “Everyone here understands the issues and knows that victims of domestic violence are at a high risk of having long-term health problems as a result,” she says. “They are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors like drug and alcohol addiction and may find it more difficult to control anxiety, depression, or chronic illnesses.” Norma sees many women who have been strangled. “The long term consequences of strangulation can be very debilitating, even resulting in brain injuries,” she says. “There’s not a lot of awareness outside the field.” That awareness, or lack thereof, is Norma’s passion. She frequently sees victims being blamed by society for a variety of reasons, including putting themselves in a dangerous situation or wearing the wrong thing. The stigmas are pervasive. “We tend to focus on what the victim did or didn’t do instead of shifting the dialog to be about the perpetrators,” she says. “It’s always, ‘She should have left,’ instead of ‘He shouldn’t have chosen violence.’” This misplaced blame and ingrained guilt, Norma feels, is what gets victims into even more dangerous positions. That’s where she comes in with safety planning, crisis counseling, resource linkage, and emotional support. One of her specialties has become forming relationships with Hispanic patients. As a native Spanish speaker born in Peru, Norma can immediately connect with people who are not comfortable with English, making them feel less vulnerable. She prides herself on her ability to help the program’s immigrant population not feel like “others.” It can take the edge off of a stressful situation. “I help them express themselves in Spanish, which makes them more comfortable,” she says. “When they hear their own language spoken back, there’s a connection – there’s trust. They feel understood and believed. I keep them from losing hope.” Join Norma and the rest of the SAFE team as they shatter the stigmas of rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and intimate partner violence on April 21, 2018 at GBMC’s third annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®.
<p class="article-body"> Palliative Medicine in the Greater Baltimore Medical Center was established in 2007 and continues its mission of providing symptom management; facilitating and offering counseling about goals of care discussions; and providing support for patients with chronic, serious, incurable, and life-limiting medical illnesses. <br> <br> The program, currently led by Marian Alessandroni, MD, provides its services for patients hospitalized in GBMC and in six residential community care centers in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Howard County. In addition, the program serves patients who would benefit from consultation in outpatient clinic in two locations on the GBMC grounds: Gilchrist Counseling and Support at 6701 N. Charles Street, Suite 4106; and the Sandra and Malcom Berman Cancer Institute, 6569 N. Charles Street, Suite 201. <br> <br> While Palliative Medicine services are beneficial to patients with cancer at all stages of their illnesses, recently an initiative was undertaken to specifically serve patients with advanced and metastatic cancer, as well as those diagnosed with cancer at age of 85 and older. The goal is to maximize the support these patients need and focus on maintaining and/or improving their quality of life as they undergo cancer treatment. <br> <br> In an effort to continue to integrate with the cancer center, Palliative Medicine works closely with Oncology Support Services in the Sandra and Malcom Berman Cancer Institute in order to explore the psychosocial needs of patients with cancer and to maximize psychosocial support as patients navigate their journey from diagnosis through treatment and onto the advanced stages of cancer. <br> <br> </p> <figure class="image-right"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/56935aa5732811eacd5dcfb62b404444.jpg"> <figcaption> Philip Shaheen, MD </figcaption> </figure> Outpatient consultation with a Palliative Medicine specialist is provided by Philip Shaheen, MD, and Marian Alessandroni, MD, both Board-certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Referrals to the Palliative Medicine Clinic have increased year after year, and the Clinic strives to meet the ever-growing needs of the GBMC oncology patient population as well as those with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. During fiscal year 2017, the Clinic handled 71 new outpatient referrals, with a total of 387 visits during the same time period. <br> <br> Palliative Medicine continues to develop and enhance policies and procedures for providing services and referrals, and for managing acutely ill patients with terminal diagnoses. Palliative Medicine is proactive in assisting GBMC in providing comfort care for actively dying patients. Its mission, scope of services, and collaborations are overseen by the Advanced Care Management Committee chaired by Harold Tucker, MD. <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
