Harmony in Healing: The Transformative Power of Gilchrist’s Music Therapy Program Lacy Kidwell, Gilchrist’s first board-certified music therapist (MT-BC), pioneered its music therapy program nearly 12 years ago. This program leverages clinical music interventions to enhance patient well-being, targeting physical and mental improvements by stabilizing heart rates, alleviating anxiety, stimulating cognitive functions, and bolstering learning. Lacy discovered music therapy at The Baltimore School for the Arts during a career day encounter with a music therapist. From that first introduction to m ..read more

Navigating Grief with Compassion: Recognizing Our Gilchrist Counselors In the heart of every loss lies a unique journey of grief and healing. At Gilchrist, we recognize the profound impact of losing a loved one and the myriad emotions it can evoke. In the month of April, we celebrate Counselor Awareness Month. We want to take a moment to honor our dedicated counselors who provide solace and guidance through one-on-one counseling, support groups, workshops, and special events tailored for those navigating the complexities of grief. Personalized One-on-One Counseling Understanding that each grie ..read more

From Baltimore to Texas: Gilchrist’s Inspiring Salute to Service Program Over the last year, Michele Houck has undertaken an incredible journey, laying the foundation for a Salute to Service Veterans program in Wichita Falls, Texas. Her inspiration? A profoundly moving ceremony in February of 2023, orchestrated by the Veteran’s program at Gilchrist, honoring her father. As part of Gilchrist’s “We Honor Veterans” initiative, the Salute to Service program organizes volunteers who served in the U.S. military to host special ceremonies for seriously ill or dying veterans to show appreciation for a ..read more

The Journey of Love from Nurse to Foster Parent March is Child Life Month, a time to recognize the impact child life specialists have on hospitalized children, including those in hospice. The word hospice typically conjures images of adult patients- contemplating the idea of a child facing end-of-life care may seem unfathomable. Yet, there exists a profound need for this service among children, the reason Gilchrist Kids was established in 2010 and has evolved into one of the nation’s largest pediatric hospice programs serving families across nine counties in Maryland. Gilchrist Kids understan ..read more

A Final Salute: Honoring Our Veterans Through Gilchrist Tributes Gilchrist Salute to Service Tributes are ceremonies hosted by volunteer veterans, to honor seriously ill or dying veterans as a gesture of gratitude for their service to the country. These ceremonies are a meaningful way to acknowledge the sacrifices veterans have made and to express appreciation for their contributions to maintaining freedom. The tributes involve the collaboration of Gilchrist staff, volunteers, and the veteran’s family to create a personalized and respectful celebration, often including patriotic elements such ..read more

When Hospice Becomes Home: A Gilchrist Manager’s Personal Journey With a career spanning 27 years at Gilchrist, where she now serves as the Inpatient Business Manager, Nickie Carroll-Smith recently encountered a personal transition when both her grandmother and mother came to need hospice care. The journey began in April of 2023, when Nickie noticed her 95-year-old grandmother’s health was declining. A few months later, Nickie faced another challenging decision regarding her mother’s deteriorating health. “I knew we needed some extra support and resources. Just working at Gilchrist for the tim ..read more

Black History Month: Spotlight on Gilchrist’s Employees This Black History Month, join us in celebrating the outstanding contributions of our Black professionals throughout Gilchrist’s 30 years. Their dedication and expertise enrich our organization, reflecting the diversity and excellence that define our team. We’re excited to shine a spotlight on each of these individuals, recognizing their vital roles in our commitment to compassionate care. Jaamal Keith’s journey with Gilchrist began at the young age of fifteen. As fate would have it, Jaamal lived on the same block as the Joseph Ritchey H ..read more

Patient Recognition Week At Gilchrist, Patient Recognition Week is a time when we pause, reflect, and celebrate the heart and soul of our mission—our patients. This week amplifies our dedication to providing care that respects the dignity, goals, and wishes of our patients, celebrating their lives and legacies. In celebration of Patient Recognition Week, we are honored to spotlight Patricia McGill and Liz Loomis, both residents of Gilchrist Baltimore. Patricia McGill received an aggressive cancer diagnosis in Charlotte, North Carolina, and chose hospice care over chemotherapy. Her decision to ..read more

Navigating Your Future: The Essential Guide to Advance Care Planning Advance care planning is not just about making plans for the future; it’s about taking charge of your healthcare narrative today. Did you know that 80% of individuals express a desire to discuss their medical treatment preferences with their doctor when facing serious illness, yet only 7% report having had such a conversation? Or that while 90% acknowledge the importance of talking to loved ones about end-of-life care, only 27% have actually engaged in these crucial conversations? Or how about that 60% of people prioritize un ..read more

Happy New Year- A Toast to 30 Years I hope this holiday season, you were able to find moments of joy, laughter, and priceless moments with family and friends. As I sit down to reflect on the past year, I’m reminded of our current “Live every moment” campaign you may have recently seen. There have been significant moments at Gilchrist for which I’m grateful and proud: Gilchrist’s Expansion of Luminis into Prince George’s County: This year, Luminis Health Gilchrist Lifecare Institute – Gilchrist’s joint venture with regional healthcare provider Luminis – began to offer elder care and hospice car ..read more