GBMC Unveils Tribute Wall To Volunteers Of GBMC HealthCare

GBMC HealthCare recently held a dedication ceremony of a tribute wall that recognizes the historic and significant impact of its volunteers.

The tribute wall, located in the Emergency Department corridor at Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC), provides a glimpse of the unique history of the GBMC Volunteer Auxiliary and how a community of volunteers helped bring the organization to life in the early 1960s. It celebrates the role of volunteers in the growth of GBMC HealthCare through the decades, including the creation of Gilchrist in 1994. Tribute is also payed to those volunteers who have reached significant milestones in their individual volunteer journeys.

In 1963, a small group of women from the Baltimore community joined together to officially create the GBMC Volunteer Auxiliary. Many of these women went door-to-door gaining the support of the surrounding community and soliciting funds to help with construction of the Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC). Today, their legacy is a system of care that includes more than 1,000 volunteers who donate their time and talent to GBMC HealthCare. Since 1963, the volunteers of GBMC HealthCare have given more than 3,376,000 hours to support the patients of both GBMC and Gilchrist.

“Our volunteers give selflessly to others, and they understand the value and importance of a friendly smile and the comfort of kind words in the healing process,” said John Chessare, MD,

President and Chief Executive Officer of the GBMC HealthCare system. “The efforts of our volunteers are rewarding for them, in addition to being of great service to our patients and our employees. I’m extremely grateful for their dedication and hard work and for the wonderful job they do.”

The volunteers of GBMC and Gilchrist also play a unique role in the delivery of care. Many of them have loved ones who received care, or they have been patients themselves. As patients and volunteers, their voices are represented in every aspect of care delivery. They serve on numerous committees, to include Patient Family Advisory committees, Quality and Safety, Medical Ethics, Spiritual Support, Philanthropy, and many others.

“Our volunteers get a lot of satisfaction helping the people who visit our hospital. They feel like their time spent here and in the community, is truly valued,” said Carmen C. Baeza, GBMC Director of Volunteer Services. “This tribute wall is a testament of our volunteers’ integral role in the history of GBMC HealthCare. I want to thank everyone who helped to make this wall possible and to our Philanthropy Department for providing the funds to make it a reality.”

In the early days of the GBMC Volunteer Auxiliary, volunteers created multiple fundraising venues, including a coffee shop, The Corner Shop gift store, and The Nearly New Sale. The funds raised provided much needed financial support to the hospital as it became established. Throughout the years, the Auxiliary has contributed to nearly every area of the healthcare system including, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Oncology Support Services, the Center for Neurology, Gilchrist Kids, and many more. Today, the GBMC Volunteer Auxiliary raises approximately $500,000 a year and partners with GBMC’s leadership to determine the best way to use the funds. Over the last 56 years, the volunteers of GBMC HealthCare have contributed nearly $30,000,000 to support patient care.

For over 50 years, GBMC HealthCare has galvanized the community to deliver the best care leading to health, healing, and hope. The volunteers have played an integral role in the delivery of that care. They serve as greeters, family liaisons, bereavement volunteers, patient ambassadors, fundraisers, and doulas caring for people in their last moments of life. Most of the volunteers will say that they get more out of volunteering than they give, but they play a key role in helping GBMC HealthCare achieve its vision of caring for every patient, every time, as we would want for our own loved ones.