GBMC Thanks Dedicated Corporate Sponsor

Like most relationships at GBMC, it all comes down to family – even with event sponsorships.

Shade Construction, a commercial construction company in business for 42 years, has been building with GBMC for at least half that long. The family-owned company, located on East Joppa Road, is a staple in the community.

As one of a handful of companies to support three of GBMC's four annual fundraising events, the Shade family supports the annual Golf Classic, the Father's Day 5K and Legacy Chase, not only with sponsorships, but by actively participating in each event because they have a strong desire to be with the people they are serving.

Bill Shade, president, took over from his founding father, Robert, in 1992. His sister, Donna Verdis, is the accounts payable consultant while her husband, Nick, serves as executive vice president.

Shade began by serving multiple commercial areas – including retail and some government – but found their niche in the hospital industry. One of their first projects with GBMC was constructing the John E. Savage Medical Library inside GBMC's main entrance. More recently, they renovated the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Finney Trimble Associates, and the new triage and front entrance area of the Emergency Department, among other projects.

"GBMC's just a great hospital," Donna said. "Phenomenal, phenomenal to work with, to deal with, the people that work there. It's just totally different, I think, than a lot of the other places. It's a huge difference to do business with [GBMC]."

GBMC isn’t the only recipient of Shade’s generosity. They are heavily involved in the community they serve, and giving is a big part of the company culture.

"We just want to give back. It's a priority," Bill said. "But, we do feel like you are above and beyond some organizations appreciating it as well, and showing it."

With such a family-oriented business, it's no surprise all three executives talk so fervently about their own children – six between them – and grandchildren. But, their most impactful GBMC experience was their parent's respective stays at Gilchrist: Bill and Donna's father two and a half years ago and their mother 11 years prior.

"They were treated so wonderful," Bill said.

"Even the transition from the hospital to Gilchrist was just done very, very well," Donna added.

GBMC is grateful to have such partners in our work and our vision, not only through Shade's generosity, but in the family-oriented and community-based culture they bring to their work with GBMC and beyond.