Sandra and Malcolm Berman Name New Cancer Building at GBMC
August 10, 2021
Sandra and Malcolm Berman have made a transformational gift to GBMC HealthCare to build a new cancer care building on its main hospital campus in Towson, MD. The Sandra R. Berman Pavilion will become the new home of the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC.
"This gift is a profound statement about Sandy and Malcolm’s commitment to helping those in need. Their generosity will ease the burden for people dealing with cancer and dramatically improve the patient and family experience," said John B. Chessare, MD, MPH, President and CEO of GBMC HealthCare.
The Berman family has long been known for their philanthropy, and Mrs. Berman has served on the GBMC board for more than a decade. “This has been on my mind and in my heart for some time,” Mrs. Berman said. “Members of our family, close friends, and many people we care about have been successfully treated at GBMC. Now, we want to make a difference for people throughout the community who are on this difficult journey. My dream is to make it as easy as possible for people to get better.”
The Sandra R. Berman Pavilion will consolidate cancer care services at GBMC, allowing patients to see all of their cancer specialists in one place. The building will include a spacious infusion therapy center, centralized symptom management, a dedicated oncology pharmacy and lab as well as space dedicated to integrative medicine including acupuncture, meditation, and music therapy. Wellness rooms, a healing garden, a nutritious café, and a yoga studio are planned.
Fred Hudson, Chair of GBMC HealthCare’s Board of Directors, praised the couple’s generosity. “I am overwhelmed by the Bermans’ philanthropic leadership and their investment in our community,” he said. “It has been my privilege to work with Sandy, a board member who truly leads by example. It is wonderful to name this building, designed so fully to meet our mission of health, healing, and hope, in her honor.”
Construction on the two-story 70,000 square foot building, which will sit on a four-story parking garage, is expected to begin in Spring 2022. The building will be linked to the current Sheila K. Riggs Radiation Oncology Center and will accommodate the full range of oncology programs, including the following: The Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Center; The Johns Hopkins Voice Center at GBMC; The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Comprehensive Breast Care Center; The Lois Harvey Miller Infusion Center; Integrative Medicine; Clinical Genetics; Colon and Rectal Surgery; Medical Oncology/Hematology; Surgical Oncology; Orthopaedic Oncology; Thoracic Surgery; Oncology Support Services; Clinical Trials; Cancer Institute Administration and Tumor Registry.
About the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute
The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute, led by Paul Celano, MD, FACP, FASCO, Herman and Walter Samuelson Medical Director, is a nationally recognized center of excellence at GBMC. With its expert providers, thriving survivorship program, and more clinical trials than any other community hospital in the region, it marries innovative medicine and research with a personalized approach to care. Among other accolades, The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute’s Clinical Trials Program has been designated as a high-performing site by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Center.
In November, GBMC HealthCare achieved the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest presidential award for performance excellence. GBMC is the only healthcare system in Maryland to ever be recognized by the Baldrige program and one of only 29 health care recipients in the country.