<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uf3FoSOqsEg" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Keionna Carter always wanted to work with people. Straight out of high school, Carter starting working at a nursing home. At first she made beds and passed out water, but when she got the opportunity to start more direct patient care she took the opportunity. View full gallery here. She’s worked in hospitals, mental institutions and now works with Gilchrist Kids taking care of child hospice patients. That’s how Carter met 12-year-old Ian Scher. Scher has Pontocerebella Hypoplasia type 1, a rare genetic condition that impacts brain development. The condition has left Scher bed-ridden, but that doesn’t stop his smile from brightening a room. "I think it betters me as a person," Carter said of working with child hospice patients. "I really do enjoy working with children because I have the chance to just let down my guard and not just do a job, but also go in and help someone who is in need of this type of service at this time." <br> <br> Carter said Scher is a sweet person who takes a little time and support to warm up to strangers. <br> <br> Scher is also a big fan of Spider-Man. The superhero adorns his blue bedroom where Carter cares for him on her visits, and much to his enjoyment, a family friend is working on a book documenting the adventures of “Spider-Ian.” <br> <br> “Especially when it comes to children, you have to just be yourself. Be energetic, be fun, you can't really show emotion and let them see that -- whatever's going on, something's wrong -- you have to hide all that," Keionna Carter said. <em>A Day in the Life is produced by WMAR - ABC2</em> </p>
<p class="article-body"> Greater Baltimore Medical Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary in October by designating 50 remarkable doctors as "Physician Titans of Care." Doctors slated to enter this medical hall of fame have delivered premier clinical care and have made outstanding contributions in the formation and enhancement of GBMC HealthCare’s reputation, as well as the field of medicine. <br> <br> </p> <blockquote> These individuals, recognized as the 50 inaugural ‘Titans of Care,’ represent the many great doctors who have contributed to making GBMC so special throughout its history </blockquote> “When the hospital began planning the celebrations related to its 50th anniversary, it was apparent to everyone that a hospital's reputation largely depends on the quality of its medical staff,” said Harold Tucker, M.D., GBMC’s chief of staff and one of the inaugural Titans. <br> <br> Tucker attributes much of GBMC's success to its ability to attract and retain the best healthcare professionals. “It seemed most appropriate, then, to recognize the most outstanding of these physicians over the past five decades. The name ‘Titans of Care’ was derived from the term ‘titans of industry,’ reflecting outstandingly successful business leaders.” <br> <br> In creating this list, GBMC HealthCare set out to recognize the previous generation of outstanding physicians as well as some of its current medical icons. In addition, the list of "Titans" covers nearly every department within the hospital. <br> <br> “These individuals, recognized as the 50 inaugural ‘Titans of Care,’ represent the many great doctors who have contributed to making GBMC so special throughout its history,” Tucker said. <br> <br> Francis Grumbine, M.D., the hospital's chief of gynecologic oncology and chairman of the Department of Gynecology, said that being selected as an honoree was a humbling experience. <br> <br> “Some truly incredible physicians have served GBMC over the past 50 years," Grumbine said, "doctors who have brought remarkable clinical skills here, as well as a clear passion for the practice of medicine. This is about celebrating all of those doctors and recognizing the role the medical staff has played in making GBMC such a strong and reputable organization.” <br> <br> Tucker said the list shouldn't be viewed as ancient history but rather as an acknowledgment of the hospital’s proud past and an inspiration to current and future physicians. “Many of these Titans have been mentors to the next generation of clinicians at GBMC, and many will want to emulate and surpass their predecessors,” Tucker explained. <br> <br> The list will be updated as new generations of GBMC physicians develop new programs, new therapies and new ways to provide the best care. <br> <br> Paul Leand, M.D., (retired) is one of the doctors tapped for this honor. Leand earned a reputation as one of the finest surgeons at Johns Hopkins before joining GBMC, which rose in stature and prestige simply because he was on staff. Leand was named a "Top Doc" by Baltimore magazine in three different surgical specialties — thoracic, vascular and general. <br> <br> “Not only was he an outstanding surgeon and physician, but he demanded the same degree of excellence from everyone else that he worked with," Tucker said. "He understood that he needed an entire team of excellent physicians to take care of his patients the way he cared for them at Hopkins. His standards did not change just because he was now at a community hospital. He made not only his patients better, but everyone else at the hospital better.” <br> <br> Malonnie Kinnison, M.D., an interventional radiologist at GBMC, also made the Titans of Care list. “She represents, for me, the kind of physician who said ‘I can do at GBMC the very complex but very helpful procedures that normally are only found in the most advanced tertiary care centers,’” Tucker said. “Very ill patients, who normally might need to be transferred elsewhere, or who might need a risky operation, could now be better and more safely managed by Dr. Kinnison's interventional techniques.” <br> <br> As part of the countdown to the 50th anniversary, GBMC will plan and execute a variety of celebratory events and recognitions, concluding with a gala event on Oct. 2, which marks 50 years to the day since GBMC's groundbreaking ceremony in 1965. The Physician Titans of Care inductees will be honored at the gala. <br> <br> "We are truly honored to recognize these amazing 50 doctors from the GBMC HealthCare family as our inaugural Physician Titans of Care,” said Bonnie B. Stein, chair of the GBMC HealthCare Board of Directors. <br> <br> <em>- Joe Yogerst for Greater Baltimore Medical Center</em> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9rZN-SE0DHc" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Wayne Sutter has been volunteering at GBMC for the past 11 years. <br> <br> Sutter started volunteering with the hospital after retirement. He was looking for something to do that would help others when a friend and longtime GBMC volunteer offered the answer. <br> <br> "I think like a lot of people who get involved in volunteer things, I was asked by a friend," Sutter said. <br> <br> At first, Sutter was a little hesitant because he wasn't confident in his ability to tend to patients. <br> <br> "I'm a little squeamish I guess," Sutter said. <br> <br> He ended up driving the GBMC free shuttle car, the same job his friend had. It was a great fit. <br> <br> "Jobs like this you can help people and not be directly involved in their care like some of the other volunteers," Sutter said. <br> <br> Once a week Sutter spends a four-hour shift circling the parking lots at GBMC and offering rides to people visiting the hospital. It's a great help, especially to those with mobility issues. <br> <br> Sutter explained the shift often comes with a burst of activity as well as some down time. <br> <br> "There are times when there are lulls, and basically I just go through the radio here and listen to the sports channels or talk radio or whatever inspires me that day," Sutter said. <br> <br> He enjoyed volunteering at GBMC so much that he got his wife involved. They each have their own volunteer specialty at GBMC. She volunteers with the Nearly New Sale. <em>A Day in the Life is produced by WMAR - ABC2</em> </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AtmBia8wTwE" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> 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. </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vs6DhORCt50" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Sometimes the thought of surgery can be very daunting for kids and parents. This video explains the process to show it's not as bad as you make think. <br> <br> <em>Sherwood Surgical Center has merged with Women's Surgery Center to become the Women's and Outpatient Surgical Center at GBMC. <a href="/node/2609">Learn more...</a></em> </p>
<h4> Pictured L to R: John R. Saunders, Jr., MD; Barbara Messing, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S; Deetzie Walker; Joseph Califano, MD; Gail Cooper, Esq.; Lee Akst, MD </h4> Imagine suddenly experiencing voice issues that affected your ability to communicate with your family and friends. Though conditions causing voice problems often affect those who use their voices professionally, such as singers and actors, they can happen to anyone. <br> <br> To better treat its voice patients, the Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head & Neck Center recently expanded the Johns Hopkins Voice Center located on GBMC’s main campus in Physicians Pavilion West. In addition to a larger and completely renovated space, the Voice Center also houses the brand new Fender Music & Voice Studio, furnished with nearly $20,000 in music equipment generously donated by Fender. The expansion was made possible through a $1.6 million donation from the Milton J. Dance, Jr. Endowment Fund. “When someone is diagnosed with a vocal disorder issue, it is life-altering,” says Lee Akst, MD, director of the Voice Center. “This new addition is essential in assisting vocal disorder patients in the healing for their problems by offering them enhanced treatment options and specialized voice therapy by a team of highly trained voice clinicians.” <br> <br> From speech pathologists to otolaryngologists, the Voice Center is comprised of a variety of specialists that work collaboratively to diagnose and treat voice conditions. Individuals who seek treatment at the Voice Center typically have diagnoses ranging from vocal cord paralysis to head and neck cancers, but individuals seeking education on how to protect their vocal cords will find the help they need as well. <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<p class="article-body"> Living with a life-threatening illness like cancer can be as devastating to the family as it is to the patient. In response and support of cancer patients and their families, GBMC provides two service programs – Spiritual Support Services and the John M. McGovern Oncology Support Program. Staffs from both areas believe in the philosophy of mind, body and spirit, striving to provide comfort, hope and reassurance. <br> <br> If desired, cancer patients can be supported spiritually and through a psychosocial approach with chaplains, counselors, nurses and social workers that can help patients walk the path of life throughout their illness. Both the spiritual support services and oncology support programs work to supplement care, helping families and patients by filling in when there may be no or few loved ones to support patients. <br> <br> </p> <h3> The Spiritual Dimension </h3> “Through our staff and volunteers, patients come to see that they are not alone. They come to benefit from a spiritual dimension of healing and care,” says Chaplain Joe Hart, GBMC’s Director of Spiritual Support Services. <br> <br> Hart and his staff of on-call clergy, Bikur Cholum volunteers, Eucharistic ministers, and spiritual support volunteers make over 500 visits to oncology patients each month. They visit them at the bedside and in treatment areas. <figure class="image-right"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/6566d3f6b42b75fbd906b95ea207269e.jpg"> <figcaption> Chaplain Joe Hart counseling a family member </figcaption> </figure> <br> <br> Shortly after a patient’s admission, an assessment is made to identify spiritual needs. Patients are helped to deal with various dimensions of their illness through spiritual support and reassurance. <br> <br> Patients can practice religion in their own traditions - perhaps the observance of the Sabbath, taking communion or finding comfort in prayer and devotional materials. <br> <br> In addition to providing spiritual support through companionship and religious expression, the program’s staff encourage patients to explore whatever else brings them happiness and calm – be it music, gardening or other reflective experiences. <br> <br> Music is one of the most effective means of relaxation. Patients and families experience this form of comfort therapy during the patient’s hospitalization. “We believe that music is an excellent means of healing the human spirit and body,” says Chaplain Hart, who brings in local, volunteer musicians to sing, play at the bedside, or to perform in a concert series held in the Chapel. <br> <br> Whether through companionship, song or prayer, patients realize they can find comfort and joy in life, even when they are sick. <br> <br> <h3> Psychosocial Services </h3> “Supporting patients in their journey means looking at the patient as a spiritual, physical and emotional being. You have to see the whole person to help enhance quality of life,” explains Donna Lewis, a nurse, pastoral counselor and Manager of the John M. McGovern Oncology Support Program. <br> <br> The team at the Oncology Support Program focuses on psychosocial issues that impact patients and families by emphasizing both physical and emotional health and resource referral. Anxieties are diminished and new perspective is gained through education, one-on-one counseling and, for men with prostate cancer, a support group. Services are open to all GBMC oncology patients and there is no fee. <br> <br> <figure class="image-left"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/d374608feb36f9b4ffe935db5184f18e.jpg"> <figcaption> Donna Lewis, Oncology Support Services </figcaption> </figure> Another way that nurses and social workers help patients is by addressing educational aspects of the illness. This is done through discussions as well as referrals to a wealth of information located in the program’s Cancer Resource Center. Literature there explains treatment, answers other medical questions and provides additional educational materials. <br> <br> Focusing on emotional needs is as important as addressing a patient’s physical health. Lisa Shusterman, PhD, a psychologist at the Breast Care Center, says, “I believe that if a person has a sense of emotional stability, they will be more likely to live the best life that they can.” <br> <br> With this in mind, Oncology Support staff counsel patients and families, listening open- mindedly, and help them to develop coping skills. The team offers emotional support in such areas as dealing with diagnosis, coping with side effects and living life to the fullest. <br> <br> Speaking of the combined psychosocial and spiritual programming offered at the hospital, Chaplain Hart explains GBMC’s role with regard to its support program. “GBMC strives to provide whole life care to its patients and families, embracing the fullness of body, mind and spirit. This philosophy is respectful of the patient’s belief system in such a way that encourages the fullness of healing and restoration of health.” <br> <br> <h3> Spiritual Support Services at GBMC </h3> <ul> <li> The GBMC chapel was dedicated in February 1966 to support prayer and worship. The Spiritual Support Services Department officially began in March 1996. </li> <li> 117 staff support the program, which includes community clergy, volunteers who provide spiritual support and lay ministers. </li> <li> In addition to having the Spiritual Support Services staff, the program facilitates the GBMC advisory board, composed of local clergy and lay representatives who come together and contribute to the spiritual well-being of patients within the hospital and hospice. </li> </ul> <h3> The John M. McGovern Oncology Support Program </h3> <ul> <li> The program originated with the support of Dr. and Mrs. John M. McGovern, hospital administration, oncology physicians and other staff. Launched in 1984, the program was originally geared toward assisting terminal patients. The focus has since expanded to include services for cancer patients at any stage of the illness so services will be available when desired. </li> <li> The program’s primary services and components include one-on-one counseling, a prostate cancer support group, referrals to additional support such as Spiritual Support Services, and assistance in securing financial support, such as with medication and transportation expenses. </li> <li> With the exception of medications and other services and commodities secured through vendors, all program services are free. </li> </ul> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
