We are honored to recognize our colleagues who demonstrate kindness, compassion, and going above and beyond for our patients and coworkers.
Below are a small snippet of the nominations for this year's award.
| Dr. Syed Abbas | He collaborates and offers advice and orders when needed to meet the needs of our patients. He keeps the patient/family experience at the top of his priority list. He readily will fill in to make sure the patient is taken care of and they do not suffer. For him it always seems to be about the patient and family. |
| Sylvia Alghali | Ms. Sylvia always knows the right words to say to provide comfort to her patients. She goes out of her way to make sure everything is done for the patient. Sylvia is concerned not only with the best interest of her patients but also for the nursing staff. She gives great feedback to help nurses elevate the level of care for the patients. |
| Jeffrey Alvarez | Jeffrey is a quiet, unassuming man who functions in the capacity of Nursing Assistant. He does everything in his power to make each one of his patients feel that he is not only glad to see them but is also ready and willing to provide the highest possible standard of care. One patient conveyed to me “Jeffrey doesn’t just give you a pan of water and say wash up. He bathes you. He washed my feet” She was so touched by his gesture, but such compassion and dedication to care is all in a day’s work for Jeffrey. |
| Timothy Ames | This patient would be at GBMC for 8 months through establishing guardianship and group home placement. Her face would light up when she saw him. She did her best in therapy when they worked together. He treated her with understanding, support and empathy. |
| Symiah Ashurst | Symiah will come to work early just to help when we are double booked, or she will stay late with no hesitation. She comes to work with a smile on her face every day |
| Penny Baker | She meets patients on some of the worst days of their lives and they instantly feel safe and trusting once they meet her. She is calming and reassuring to not only the patient and family but also to the staff caring for the critically ill. |
| Domineik Bell | My wife received cancer treatments during the past three years. Ms. Bell has largely been responsible for scheduling all of our appointments and with check in as well. She is very reliable and a dedicated worker. She goes out of her way to assist patients and is always very kind, helpful and considerate. |
| Stephen Benko | He is an advocate for his staff and his patients and is always willing to try new and innovative things to provide the best care for patients. Steve is positive and looks for the good in people. He is thoughtful and organized and truly means to make a difference. |
| Svetlana Berkovich | It was apparent from my first interaction that Lana is truly passionate and dedicated to providing exceptional care. She would embrace her when she was tearful and hopeless. Lana was truly invested in her and her family’s wellbeing. She was not only able to address her physical needs but also her mental and spiritual needs. During her last days she often asked about Lana and it gave her comfort knowing that Lana and her team were asking about her and keeping her uplifted in prayers. |
| Roz Berkowitz | Roz has a heart for SAFE patients and always works to ensure that they have the best care. Roz will make herself available day or night to her colleagues to help prepare the for their own court experiences. Roz is a true giver: of her time, energy, knowledge and even opening her home to her colleagues and our SAFE patients. |
| Gary Blackwell | Mr. Gary works hard to keep the conference center and the corridors leading to the East Pavilion presentable and safe for patients. Mr. Gary works without complaint. If someone has spilled food, drink or as can happen bodily fluid, Mr. Gary demonstrates his compassion for others and is soon there to address the mess no matter what it is. |
| Latricia Blackwell-Smith | My daughter suffers terribly from fear of needles. She turns into a person I don’t recognize in the depths of her flight or fight reaction. Latricia did not roll her eyes or become short with my daughter. She offered my daughter whatever she needed, whether it was a drink of water or more time. She gently gave her advice on how to make the procedure go smoothly. Latricia was phenomenal. |
| Marie Bridges | My daughter spent 20 days in the NICU at GBMC. Marie took care of her a lot. No matter how many questions, how many times I burst into tears in fear, and the 1 million times I called her a day, she never once acted annoyed or frustrated. Marie would often come hug me, rub my back and explain to me what was going on in detail. You can tell she genuinely cares about her work and the babies and the families she takes care of. |
| Donna Campbell | My husband had to have emergency gallbladder surgery and due to COVID I was unable to be in the ED with him and unable to visit once he was admitted. Donna called me and I was able to FaceTime with my husband before going into surgery and tell him that I loved him. It’s unbelievable what a few minutes of seeing his face and hearing his voice did for me. |
| Liselle Cordice-Santana | Liselle identified how much a patient loved the cultural head wrap and told her she had over 20 pieces that she had purchased in Trinidad and would love to give them to her. Liselle explained and showed her many looks she could have with the wraps. Every time the patient comes in for treatment, she is joyful. |
| Melissa Cross | One day when I was on call, we had sisters come in the SAFE department for a report of abuse. Melissa was wonderful and quietly supportive, carrying a gentle smile on her dace, she sat quietly and listened to the girls tell their story. She reassured the girls. She brings calmness to a stressful unbearable situation. Melissa instills a sense of trust and respect for every SAFE patient, leaving them with a feeling of hope for the future. |
| Renee Dennis | My 87-year-old father was admitted with pneumonia. Renee was always positive and happy. Although busy, she continued to pop into my father’s room to check on him, listen to his lungs, and to ask if he needed anything. She was gentle and kind and consistently explained what was happening and why tests were ordered. She displayed compassion and was always upbeat and positive. |
| Jacquline Dixon | I first met Jackie when she was and EVS team member on Unit 38. Jackie was so passionate bout helping others she changed her career path and worked hard getting her CNA. Jackie always goes above and beyond for her patients. She never hesitates to help someone in need and always has the patient’s best interest in mind. She was just recognized by the palliative care team on how well she treated a patient and made him more comfortable and stated, “her touch is magic”. |
| Dr. Timothy Doran | He will call after hours, text message just to follow up and make sure our kids health is improving after they’ve had a sick visit. He’s been our doctor for over a decade, and we will forever be grateful for his care, support and dedication. We have been blessed and very fortunate to have Dr. Doran in our lives. |
| Jessica Eisner | Jessica is someone who has a kind and caring personality and it really shows in her relationships with patients and family members. She is an empathetic individual as well as a true team player. Jessica helps by providing support and lending a hand in educating and assisting her fellow team members. |
| Dr. Sara Eleoff | The Peds ER was swamped. Dr. Eleoff had seen the child’s name on the track board and came down. Not only did she medically clear the child, but she stayed and assisted with the exam. With her help we were able to ensure this child received an expedient, child centered and trauma informed exam. It was the care we would all want for our family members. |
| Ann Emmanuel | Ann treats every patient as a whole person. Ann can help with difficult patients who refuse care or treatment. She engages the patients in conversation and makes sure the patient is safe and their needs are met. She is a role model and is always readily available to step up whenever the need arises. |
| Ann Fabula | Ann Fabula makes an experience of going into an operating room safe and more comfortable. “Ms. Fabula wheeled me into the operating room, and I could feel my blood pressure rising. She came over and held my hand and talked with me. My pressure came down and off to sleep I went. It may not seem much to others but to me it was the world. Thank you so much!” |
| Kristina Farrer | My wife recently had cancer surgery and was on Unit 48. Tina is very calm, reassuring, knowledgeable and encouraging. Her knowledge base and her down to earth and honest style were just what my wife needed to feel secure and to build confidence. She could not have been more supportive. |
| Lauren Federline | Lauren had a 25-year-old patient who was in the hospital for DKA. She was an active listening friend to her young patient and educated him on the process so he could be involved in his own care. Lauren’s biggest strength is patient advocacy. She listens to her patients, advocates for their health, safety and emotional needs. |
| Steffie Feldman | Steffie is a bereavement volunteer. She is a social worker and a widow who attended one of our six-week support groups. One participant wrote: “Peg and Steffie welcomed me with compassionate words and allowed me to speak when I felt comfortable. It takes special people to be able to listen and to understand feelings”. Another said, “The different tasks and readings have helped me to reach a point of calmness and starting my steps to overcome my loneliness after the loss”. |
| Kristin Feliu | The SICU had a patient who was developmentally delayed with no visitors. Kristin was able to make his time in the SICU more enjoyable. She would play music for him and call his friends at his group home so they could talk every day. She set up virtual visits so he could see his friends. She didn’t just focus on his medical care, but on him as a whole. It is nurses like Kristin that bring heart and soul to the bedside. |
| Dr. Kevin Ferentz | Dr. Ferentz has patients that have followed him for more than a decade. He always tries to get anyone who really needs to be seen in for an appointment. He takes time to attend funerals of patients who have passed away. |
| Lolly Forsythe-Chisolm | Over the past year, Lolly has expanded her role to the outpatient Integrative & Palliative Medicine clinic. She trailblazed and implemented televideo/telehealth services due to Covid. Additionally, to reach a broader forum she developed 7 training and support videos that are available to staff, as well as patients and their families on topics such as dealing with isolation, caring for self, guided imagery, etc. The consistent compassionate care across changes in care teams from chemo to radiation to the sudden loneliness of care at home have been a solace to these patients. |
| Anita Freeman | Anytime she sees someone lacking in an area, she jumps right in and assists. She is always supportive, and I always feel comfortable asking her for help. She is always positive and has an uplifting demeanor. Anita brightens everyone’s mood. |
| Anne Marie Gardner | These are words from a family member the day their loved one passed away. “Anne Marie is a wonderful nurse. She spent Thanksgiving with us. She is thorough, genuine, compassionate, showed empathy, she is the best.” |
| Heather Gelatka | Heather works with families and children in their final days. She goes above and beyond to ensure she leaves a lasting impact on the family and the patient. Heather works every day to make her patients and their families feel safe and comforted in the most difficult time anyone could face. |
| Christine Griffin | Christine is a floor nurse and works for the Joint and Spine Center. She will help to calm a patient down, hold their hand, assisting any patient to the rest room, answering questions and is always happy and considerate. Christine’s dedication helps the staff and patients feel welcomed and cared for. She is a role model. |
| Dr. William Hand | I have the privilege of working next to Dr. Hand at FCA and always notice his compassion through the way he speaks to his patients. Her reassures patients on the phone and takes time to listen to all questions and concerns without rushing patients. He is kind and warm to the staff around him and he makes everyone’s day a bit brighter. He is selfless and always willing to support his colleagues. |
| Amber Hart | Amber is always compassionate and professional. I always feel heart, cared for and better after a visit with her and Dr. Uy. She gives her patients the best care and concern. I feel like I am receiving the very best care which is why I drive from DC to be seen. |
| Anna Heffernan | I had given Anna in Child Life a head’s up that I had a 6-year-old coming for an exam. At 11pm as I was still discussing the consent with the child’s mother, Anna came walking into the unit. She said “I wanted to check with you before I left. I will stay and help you”. She immediately began engaging the child and building a rapport. With Anna providing child centered alternate focus we were able to turn an exam which has the potential to re-traumatize a child into a positive, supportive experience. |
| Jerome Hensby | Mr. Hensby and his deceased wife were volunteers for more than 20 years providing more than 10,000 service hours each. The RCC team would like to recognize his dedication and service to the Gilchrist community. |
| Melissa Hinton | Missy goes above and beyond to make sure every possible need of her patients is met. She is the utmost example of giving the care you would want for your own loved one. She gives care with her whole heart. Any family whose lives she has touched during a period of crisis is very lucky indeed. |
| Amanda Icenroad | Mandy id a perfect example of compassionate caregiver. Her interactions with patients, families and colleagues is respectful and professional. She makes every interaction personal and listens with empathy. Patient safety is her priority and she never loses focus of this. |
| Deborah Johnston | Debbie is not only compassionate towards all families in newborn nursery, but also the staff. She continuously checks in on a regular basis to see how the nurses, NP’s/PA’s are doing and provides support whenever needed. Much of Debbie’s work involves patients and their families at their most vulnerable. They often lack support from family and friends. She is never judgmental and always approaches these families with a warm and loving tone as if they were her own family members. |
| Lisa Jones | Lisa is a shining example of compassion. She comes to work with a smile and is always ready to help others. Lisa has helped many frightened children when receiving vaccines. She is a great Lead MA and takes the time to relate to each patient and staff. |
| Kristen Jubb | Kristen demonstrates complete devotion to our patients. At the office she is often on the first voices heard if a colleague would like to discuss a challenging case. She devotes time comprehensively assessing patient’s physical health and their mental health. She has the unique ability to make someone feel comfortable and removes barriers so she can best address patient needs and facilitate care. |
| Joo Kim | Daily, Joo goes above and beyond to address the needs of the staff and the patients in a timely manner. Joss is on the go from the time she arrives in the office until the end of the day. She multitasks by interacting with patients, staff and affiliated providers all while maintaining her professionalism. |
| Amy LaMoure | Amy helps the patients and loved ones say goodbye with dignity and love. “His life and daily existence were rather pitiful, but because of the care he received at Gilchrist and the special attention he received from Amy, his last days were good and he felt valued.” |
| Caroline Langan | Caroline always shows empathy, not only to the patients but with staff as well. She gives detailed explanations to patients who have questions about their care. She demonstrates confidence in everything she does and always encourages the nursing staff. |
| Loretta Langley | Hospitality, clarity and kindness are important to patients coming into GBMC for surgery. On a day that is likely stressful for patients and family members, Loretta’s listening skills and calm presence are comforting. She is the first person they encounter on their surgical day and she takes the time to ease their anxiety. |
| Dr. Zhuoyan Li | I reached out to Dr. Li about my patient who was found to have metastatic cancer, to review the biopsy result and find out next steps. Dr. Li went above and beyond recommending imaging and scheduling with radiation oncology to help with symptoms. Dr. Li’s response to my inquiry was so compassionate and proactive that my patient was able to get the surgery that she needed in less than one week. |
| Dr. Amy Marks | Dr. Marks is responsive and never makes the patient feel rushed. She makes them comfortable emotionally and physically. She cared for my daughter during an elective surgery. She put my scared, nervous 14-year-old at ease and took wonderful care of her. |
| Dr. Kathleen Mathey | Dr. Mathey is extremely giving with her time and is always looking out for her colleagues to see where she can lend a hand. She will stay late to take care of a patient and is selfless with her time in serving others. She looks for a solution, not a problem and brightens the environment around her. |
| Anastasia Mathioudakis | She is a good team worker, she doesn’t care if the assignment is hers, she is ready to answer the call light and assist. She is respectful to her co-workers and patients. She assists patients who find it difficult to order their meals because she knows how important it is for them not to skip meals. |
| Derica Mayfield | Derica contacts patients to help them get connected to care and services in the community. She meets with patients and has a comforting, nonjudgmental attitude which makes people feel open to receive help. She shares concerns with colleagues if there are patients, she feels need a doctor visit or additional care. |
| Cheryl Miles | Recently on the SICU, Cheryl was seen talking to a deathly ill patient before starting to clean the room. She was confident the patient could hear her. Cheryl would talk to the patient everyday offering words of prayer and encouragement. She was seen providing therapeutic touch to the patient’s hand and leg as she talked with the patient. One day she knew the family was coming in to meet with the doctors to hear difficult news and she placed chairs near the patient’s room with boxes of tissues on each chair. Cheryl made the patient’s two young sons healing blankets to help them remember their mom. The family was extremely grateful for Cheryl’s kindness and compassion towards their family. |
| Dr. Brenton Nash | Dr. Nash consistently allows time for face to face discussions. He listens and is encouraging, empowering people to make informed decisions unpressured. He is very sensitive and able to advocate for the patient’s wishes and the families wishes. He includes and embraces all disciplines when formulating the best plan for the patient. |
| Dr. Yodit Negusse | The patient had reached a point where he was no longer cognitively aware of his wife or his surroundings. Dr. Negusse held his wife’s hands and let her cry in her arms while they made the very painful decision to end his care. Dr. Negusse got to know the wife so well and was able to interpret her emotional needs. Giving her the time to allow her heart and head to catch up with what was clinically happening to her husband. It does not get more compassionate than being someone’s family while they are going through the worst experience of their life. |
| Cristie Nickel | Cristie is the Community Relations & Event Specialist in Marketing. This summer Cristie participated in a wellness day held at Helping Up Mission. Many of the attendees were men who were participating in the Drug and Alcohol treatment program. Some of these men were just starting out on their path to recovery and were noticeably agitated and anxious. Cristie was patient, understanding and encouraging to every person she encountered that day. She took time to answer questions and would personally escort each person to their area of interest, talking to them along the way and providing them a listening ear and plenty of reassurance. |
| Bridget Okoye | Every time I work with this nurse, she always seems to get the combative patient. She has a way with these patients. She talks to them softly and very gentle and her voice is calm and mesmerizing. She can get patients to follow commands. Anytime you talk to Bridget she is there to help. |
| Temitope Oserami | Recently during a code, the ICU charge RN began caring for 2 separate patients that coded in the hospital. Both patients were upgraded to the ICU. Temi made herself available to assist the nursing team with anything they needed during the code. She was assisting with bringing necessary supplies, making phone calls, and getting additional support to make sure that the ICU team felt supported and they had what they needed to provide high level care to the patient. |
| Kayla Pringle | Kayla’s awesome spirit and personality make being a patient well worth it. She totally embodies every one of GBMC’s greater behaviors. I was blessed to experience her as a caregiver on two occasions. Kayla provides more than just great customer service. Her compassion, dedication and persistence make her a cut above the rest! |
| Saundra Rector | A patient had gone drastically downhill, Sandy came down immediately, prayed over the patient, and spoke to the patient as nurses and doctors rushed meds, fluid, IV’s, etc. Sandy spoke to her and reassured her. She prayed, showed love and the most compassion I think I’ve ever seen in such a scary and overwhelming time. Sandy then followed the patient to the ICU. The patient’s family and the staff were blessed and grateful to have Sandy there with us. “Sandy, you are a true angel and we (the staff) are so blessed to know you and have you”. |
| Wendy Riggin-Killian | I am truly grateful for the love and kindness she showed to all of the patients and staff that night. To have someone so caring who understands and is so welcoming and gracious is remarkable. I think most of us felt like we wanted to cry but seeing Wendy with her joyous smile made us feel better about the work of that particular shift. I look forward to nights she is on the same shift. I am grateful for such a compassionate coworker who helps support her colleagues and I. God Bless Wendy. |
| Kathleen Roberts | Kathy is often the first person a patient reaches on the phone when contacting our office. She is immediately reassuring to patients, families and staff. I have heard her on the phone many times providing calm, kind and professional guidance to callers feeling vulnerable, panicked or confused. |
| Jackie Rode | Jackie takes time with every single patient to make them feel welcomed and comfortable at FCA. She will go the extra mile and contact patients after their visit if she feels she can further help or support them with questions they may have had during their visit. She does not see a limit in terms of providing safe care for patients. She will take time to sit with patients to be sure they are reassured – for example, after a vaccine. |
| Sharon Rossi | Sharon Rossi spent so many long hours away from her own family and her own loved ones to take care of all of us during this pandemic. That, we will never forget. She is so kind and giving of herself. To completely give of your time beyond the hours and beyond your role that you work; and to do it all with joy and care for others, is the epitome of giving of oneself. Thank you, Sharon! |
| Amy Schulz | Amy is nonjudgmental, but also provides support and resources. I have witnessed her obtaining placements in rehab facilities when others have not been able to do so. Amy participates in the support group for mothers of addiction. She will go the extra mile to help ensure that a patient has the needed resources for a road of recovery. She is our shining angel! |
| Paul Scott | Paul has a gift of helping patients who are irate and demonstrate psych issues feel more at ease and calm. He is so patient with the patients who need a lot of attention. Patients have called the nurses station to see if he is working because they wanted him to be their nurse. |
| Meghan Shackelford | Meghan consistently goes above and beyond to get to know the staff she directs. In addition to being an active listener and caretaker, she promotes team morale and union. Her email updates not only include facts and statistics but praise for her staff and the work they have done and points out positive outcomes. |
| Roxanne Sharkey | Roxanne will to the extra mile for her patients, always trying to make the patient experience better. When Roxanne finds new practices or information that might be helpful to anyone in either department, she makes sure to share it. She is a pleasure to work with. Her ongoing drive to constantly improve the environment for employees and patient experiences is appreciated. |
| Lisa Shehan | Lisa has a passion for serving. There is no job that is too big or too small for her. Lisa will often visit a patient twice in one day just to ensure their comfort. Lisa Shehan is a gentle soul who is always there for others. She is humble and quiet in her actions and interactions, never seeking attention or praise for her actions. Just a pure and genuine being with a big heart! |
| Susan Shultis | Susan is a nurse on Unit 36, the Integrative Care Unit. This is the with mental health and behavioral health patients. Susan shows an enormous amount of compassion. She speaks with the patients at length and can get them to comply without involving security. She takes the time to explain the same thing in many ways so that the patients can fully understand. This allows the patients to keep their dignity and feel respected. Susan also has a very holistic approach with her patients, she will have them practice deep breathing while she talks them through the process of calming down. |
| Wayne Silver | As the acting manager of Unit 35 Wayne has blessed the staff and patients with his compassion. He asks the staff if there is anything he can do to make their day better. He will remove a dirty tray from the patient’s room after chatting with them. He instituted “Rate Our Day” on Unit 35. He asks for feedback from staff to improve the unit and satisfy the staff. |
| Jennifer Sniadach | Jennifer works tirelessly to ensure her staff have what they need and feel supported. When we had a shortage of MA’s she put scrubs on and helped room patients. She reaches out to staff when someone is having a hard day. She is supportive and we are blessed to have her as our leader. |
| Eman Soliman | Mona cares so genuinely for each patient and family she speaks to as deeply as if they were her own family. I’ve listened to her advocate for families and patients with hospitals time and time again to ensure the patient gets the most timely and best care for their transition to Gilchrist, whether it be our Inpatient Units, a facility or their home. |
| Kelly Truax | As the Victim Advocate at the Baltimore County Child Advocacy Center (CAC), I visit the SAFE suite often to accompany and support victims and families involved in both Child Protective Services investigations and Crimes Against Children Unit criminal investigations. Kelly Truax is dependably creative and compassionate and makes an enormous difference in how the families experience GBMC. Whenever a family comes in, Kelly drops everything she is doing to welcome the family, offer them coffee, water, or a snack. She is pleasant and has a tremendous ability to comfort the family and make them comfortable during the most difficult times in their lives. As a child abuse victim advocate, she makes my job easier. |
| Peggy Walton | Peg is a bereavement volunteer who is an educator and Peace Corp volunteer. One participant wrote: “Peg and Steffie welcomed me with compassionate words and allowed me to speak when I felt comfortable. It takes special people to be able to listen and to understand feelings”. Another said, “The different tasks and readings have helped me to reach a point of calmness and starting my steps to overcome my loneliness after the loss”. |
| Amanda Ward | Dr. Ward goes above and beyond for her patients. On a day to day basis Dr. Ward checks in with her patient’s nurses when she comes to the floor, taking a multidisciplinary approach to caring for her patients. She advocates for the patient and communicates with the family. |
| Kim Wiltshire | Our son was born extremely premature at 24 weeks and 6 days, we were scared, confused, unsure, exhausted and defeated. The first time we met Kim she did all that she could to make us feel like parents. When Kim was out on leave our son fell very ill very quickly with sepsis. When she returned to work and I saw her I immediately started to tell her all about sick he was. She stopped me and said “Oh, I heard, I was very worried about him”. When I asked how she knew she assured me that she always checks on her babies. Someone who finally had some much-deserved time off from work still calls in to check on the babies she cares for. That is a level of compassion that goes unmatched. She went on to say that she had been praying for him and our family. Ever since that day, I felt peace whenever I had to leave my son knowing that Kim was watching out of him whether she was assigned to him or not. |
| Krystal Wouldridge | Krystal goes above and beyond for all patients. Her bubbly presence help ease patients who are nervous. She’s always smiling and ready to assist at any time. Patient’s come in scared, nervous and anxious. To have that welcoming person calling your name ready to help goes a long way. |
| Juanting Xu | Ting gives exceptional care to our patients. Anytime she works all of her patients are happy. She provides emotional, moral and nursing support to the patients. She works night shift and she always makes sure her patients have ordered breakfast before she leaves. |