New enhancements to better serve Jewish patients and families
Gilchrist Hospice Care, the largest hospice organization in Maryland, is set to launch its latest expansion, which will better serve Jewish patients needing inpatient hospice care. The addition of a Jewish chapel and courtyard, family room and kitchenette, and culturally enhanced patient rooms at Gilchrist Center Towson were conceived to accompany Gilchrist’s new Jewish Hospice Program and were recently opened to all patients and families at the 34-bed facility, located on Towsontown Boulevard. The new space will be dedicated on September 15, and will include a blessing from Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg of the Beth Tfiloh Congregation.
“The new space is simply stunning – with a cascading waterfall and sunlight streaming into the chapel,” said Catherine Y. Hamel, President of Gilchrist Hospice Care. “We know our Jewish families – and Gilchrist Center families of all faiths and beliefs – will find great comfort there. We are thrilled to be able to provide this beautiful space for our patients and families and so thankful to those who helped make this project a reality.”
Gilchrist has partnered with The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore on the $4.2 million fundraising campaign for the Jewish Hospice Program and addition. Steven B. Fader, CEO of MileOne Automotive, has been leading the campaign and has secured commitments from individuals, companies, organizations and leading foundations including the Judi & Steven B. Fader Family Foundation; The Associated; The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc.; GBMC Healthcare, Inc.; Jane and David Smith; Whiting-Turner Contracting Company; The Hackerman Family; The Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation; The Pearlstone Family Fund; and The Lowell and Harriet Glazer Family Foundation.
“Gilchrist provided extraordinary care to my father and to my family during the last weeks of his life,” said Fader. “It was an honor to help the organization raise the necessary funds for this new space knowing that many families to come will be able to find additional comfort during a very difficult time.”
Gilchrist has been providing enhanced care for Jewish patients in its home and inpatient programs through the Jewish Hospice Program, which was launched in January 2016. The program is designed to ensure that the care Jewish patients experience is supportive and mindful of the rich tapestry of customs, rituals and laws around which they have built meaningful lives. The program includes all of the components of Gilchrist’s traditional hospice program, with added enhancements to ensure that the care is compatible with patients’ religious and cultural beliefs. Those enhancements include: a program manager with deep roots in the Jewish community; the newly constructed space at Gilchrist Center Towson; and oversight by a specially-selected advisory committee.
Gilchrist Hospice Care, a nonprofit hospice, provides the finest care through the end of life for patients in Baltimore City and Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard counties. Gilchrist is certified by Medicare, licensed by the State of Maryland, accredited by Community Health Education Partner (CHAP) and is a member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
