Sixth Annual Art of Nursing Celebration, a Rockin' Good Time

It is a priority at GBMC HealthCare to recognize the hard work, commitment, leadership, and compassion of our outstanding nursing workforce.

Especially following a year of managing a global pandemic and a system-wide cyberattack, we were proud to be able to host Art of Nursing on May 6 in a safe, outdoor setting at Bengie’s Drive-In Theatre for 300 festive guests.

The 50s-themed event was a touching, engaging, and fun way to acknowledge the dedication of our nurses. Special guest Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh made a virtual appearance to share his heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for nurses.

Noting that nurses are the “true heroes of the community," Coach Harbaugh expressed that “the entire community and everyone at the Ravens are so grateful for you and everything you have done for us.” He concluded by presenting the first award.

Below is a full list of award winners, messages from leadership, and a powerful story which serves as just one example of our nursing workforce's commitment.

For those interested in listening to the pre-show radio show from the evening, watching the event itself, or a recap, please visit www.gbmc.orghttps://www.gbmc.org/artofnursing.

Messages from GBMC Leadership to Nurses

“Let me express my gratitude for your resilience. For not only weathering all the events of the past year – a pandemic, a cyberattack, a snowstorm, a power outage – but for redesigning care on the fly.”- John B. Chessare, MD, MPH, President & CEO of GBMC HealthCare

“It has been quite a year. We have never been tested, as a profession or as an organization, like we have this past year. There were some moments when it felt like everything was working against us. But we are nurses. We were trained for this.”- JoAnn Z. Ioannou, DNP, MBA, RN, NEABC, Executive Vice President of Hospital Operations and Chief Nursing Officer for GBMC HealthCare

“The GBMC HealthCare Nursing staff has always made us proud, but during COVID-19, you have shown a new level of strength and dedication. . . I know many of you are weary of being called heroes. You say you are ‘just doing your job.’ To me, that is what makes people who have dedicated their lives to caring for others true professionals.”- Fred Hudson, Chair, GBMC HealthCare Board of Directors

Nurse Spotlight

Cate O’Connor-Devlin, BSN, RN came to work every day of the week for months after the initial COVID-19 lockdown, helping communicate with patients and families as Performance Improvement/Innovation and Patient Experience Administrator.

During the cyberattack and loss of access to online records, Cate obtained studies for a family with an ill child seen in the Emergency Department. On Christmas Eve, she personally delivered needed medical information to their home so they could be prepared for a critical consultation, resulting in an emergent procedure and positive outcome.

When families were not allowed in the hospital, Cate put her personal safety at risk, entering isolation rooms so patients could FaceTime with their families during difficult decisions and end-of-life moments. Cate witnessed the grief, tragedy, and challenges this pandemic caused and dedicated herself to patients and families when they needed it the most. Name any patient and Cate would be able to explain their needs, experience, and outcomes in detail. She takes each and every case to heart.

2021 Art of Nursing Winners

Clinical Assistant Support Award – Inpatient


Linda Dardozzi, General Operating Room

Clinical Assistant Support Award – Outpatient


Ronnie Goode, CMA, GBMC Health Partners Primary Care - Owings Mills

Mrs. H. Norman Baetjer Nursing Graduate of the Year Award


Alexandra Fockler, BSN, RN, Pediatrics

Evidence-Based Practice Award


Elenor Scheide, BSN, RN and Emily McCall, RN, Labor and Delivery and Medical Oncology/Telemetry

Diversity in Nursing Award


Mary Sebastian, BSN, RN, Medical/Telemetry

Patient- and Family-Centered Care Award


Cate O’ Connor Devlin, BSN, RN, Patient Experience

Nurse Leader of the Year Award


Roel Tiberio, BSN, RN, CGRN, Endoscopy

Nurse Clinician of the Year Award


Tracy Hickman, LPN, CHPLN, Gilchrist