A Legacy of Growth: Dr. John B. Chessare’s Tenure and GBMC’s Vision for Cancer Services

After 15 years of transformative leadership, John B. Chessare, MD, MPH, will retire as President and CEO of GBMC HealthCare on June 30, 2025. His tenure has been marked by a dedication to patient-centered care and healthcare innovation, reshaping GBMC’s approach to medicine. Dr. Chessare recognized early in his tenure that with the aging of the population there would be a need for increased capacity for cancer care. He has overseen the continual expansion of GBMC’s cancer services to meet the evolving needs of the community—a legacy that will resonate for years.

An advocate for health equity and access to care, Dr. Chessare has ushered in a new era for oncology services at GBMC with the completion of the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion, set to open for patients in early 2025. This state-of-the-art facility, made possible through gifts from Sandra and Malcolm Berman and the generosity of hundreds of donors, will centralize GBMC’s comprehensive cancer services, providing seamless access to oncology pharmacy services, integrative medicine, and symptom management. It is a bold and compassionate response to the challenges of an aging population in need of accessible cancer care.

While many community hospitals have chosen to scale back cancer services due to the cost of delivering those services, Dr. Chessare has championed an opposing approach. He believes expanding access to advanced, patient-centered oncology care is not only necessary but also the right thing to do.

The Sandra R. Berman Pavilion was part of a broader strategy under Dr. Chessare’s leadership to modernize and expand GBMC’s facilities. This included the construction of the Louis and Phyllis Friedman Building, which enhances inpatient care with modern amenities and efficient services. Together, these facilities are transforming the GBMC campus into a hub of healthcare excellence.

Dr. Chessare’s commitment to expanding cancer services reflects his belief in prevention, early intervention, and comprehensive chronic condition management. His leadership has shifted GBMC’s focus from episodic care to advanced primary care, ensuring patients receive proactive rather than reactive treatment. This philosophy was instrumental in GBMC earning the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2020.

Beyond infrastructure and care models, Dr. Chessare’s legacy is defined by his approach to healthcare, which has always centered on a simple yet profound question: “What if it was your loved one?” This guiding principle has led to innovations that not only improve outcomes but also ensure patients feel supported and respected throughout their journey.

As GBMC prepares for the next chapter, the foundation built under Dr. Chessare’s leadership provides a strong platform for continued growth and innovation. His impact on GBMC HealthCare and the Greater Baltimore community will endure long after his retirement, as the organization remains guided by the vision he helped define: To every patient, every time, we will provide the care we would want for our own loved ones.