A New Era for Women's Health at GBMC

Women have always been at the center of GBMC’s story. From our earliest days, when the Hospital for the Women of Maryland, of Baltimore City cared for patients who too often had nowhere else to turn, to the present, our mission has been the same: to listen, to care, and to provide exceptional support for every woman who walks through our doors. 

That commitment is why we are creating the new Women’s Center in the Founders Pavilion (formerly Physicians Pavilion West). For too many women, the path to care has been frustrating and fragmented—long waits, conflicting opinions, and the painful feeling of not being heard. Too many have been told to simply “live with” symptoms that disrupt their lives. This new Center says: no more 

Under the leadership of Dr. Joan Blomquist, Chair of the Department of Gynecology, the Women’s Center brings together experts in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, urogynecology, menopause care, and pelvic floor physical therapy. Here, women will find coordinated care in one place, delivered by clinicians who combine extraordinary skill with deep compassion. 

The timing is urgent: In Baltimore County, women over 65 are the fastest-growing part of the population. Nearly three out of four postmenopausal women experience symptoms that impact their quality of life. Gynecologic cancer rates are climbing. And nationally, women continue to be diagnosed later than men across hundreds of diseases and remain underrepresented in clinical research. 

Inside the Women’s Center, care will be personalized and empowering. Minimally invasive surgery will allow faster recovery. Menopause specialists will offer real, evidence-based solutions rooted in science—not quick fixes or gimmicks. Pelvic floor therapies will help women regain dignity and confidence. Preventive strategies, like removing fallopian tubes during other surgeries, will reduce lifetime cancer risk. 

Dr. Blomquist has spent nearly three decades at GBMC helping women navigate some of life’s most personal health challenges. Her leadership has been instrumental in building a Center that is not only clinically excellent but also emotionally supportive—a place where women feel truly seen, heard, and cared for. 

The Women’s Center is more than a new facility. It is a reflection of GBMC’s past and a promise for the future. By creating this space within our new Founders Pavilion, we honor our history while ensuring the next generation of women has access to the care they deserve. Together, with the support of our community, we are shaping a future where every woman is cared for with respect and compassion.