06/04/2026
Many thanks to Avila's partners at GBMC - Greater Baltimore Medical Center and Gilchrist Cares for an extraordinary Community Benefit Annual Meeting yesterday. As nonprofits, GBMC and Gilchrist work in collaboration with MedStar Health, University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center, Norwest Hospital of LifeBridge Health and the Baltimore County Department of Health and Human Services to survey and interview several thousand residents of Baltimore County's 850,000 population via the Community Health Needs Assessment in order to better understand and address health care needs in our community. GBMC's President and CEO Dr. Gopalakrishnan emphasized that health begins at home, and the belief that healthy meals, help with medications, transportation, access to care and social support (all of which Avila provides for our clients!) are all vital factors in ensuring that every person has the opportunity to achieve their best health. For the State of Maryland, which has THE HIGHEST incidence of dementia in the entire United States, there is tremendous power in partnership for us all to work together to ensure our most vulnerable and underserved residents, including seniors and their families, are well cared for. An incredibly helpful Resource Fair followed yesterday's meeting, where us partners in care organizations exchanged ideas and information to share with our clients. Special thanks to Baltimore County Department of Aging, Ulman Foundation, Associated Black Charities, Alzheimer's Association Maryland Chapter, Moveable Feast and all the other organizations who serve our community so well!