UM BWMC Celebrates 60 Years Of Caring For Community

At the beginning of July, the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UM BWMC) celebrated two milestones: 60 years of caring for Anne Arundel County and 25 years as a member of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS).

On July 4, 1965, UM BWMC, then known as North Arundel Hospital, first opened its doors. With just four patient care areas, the community hospital became a dedicated center for healing residents, seeing 7,466 patients in its three-bed emergency department within the first six months.

UM BWMC has since grown into a 310-bed medical center committed to improving health outcomes for people in the communities it serves. Today, UM BWMC maintains one of the largest emergency departments in the state, with more than 66,000 visits annually. In addition to the emergency department, the hospital cares for nearly 18,000 people admitted each year and has more than 264,000 outpatient care visits annually.

Over the hospital’s six decades, UM BWMC has continued to transform health care in the region, providing more access for individuals in Anne Arundel County and the surrounding area.

From expansions that grew the emergency department and critical care capacity to building an eight-story patient care tower and opening centers focused on cancer, women’s health and outpatient care, UM BWMC's impact is vast and has connected residents to expert care when and where they need it.

“For 60 years, UM BWMC has been committed to delivering high-quality, accessible care,” said Kathy McCollum, president of UM BWMC. “Thanks to our dedicated teams, we’ve grown in size and scope while staying true to our mission of always caring for our community. We’re proud of our history and are equally focused on our bright future – embracing innovation and strengthening partnerships that advance the care we provide and enhance the health and well-being of all those we serve.”

A major turning point came on July 1, 2000, when the hospital officially became a member of UMMS, a nationally recognized academic-focused health system that includes some of the most advanced clinical services available. This connection brought cutting-edge treatments including access to clinical trials and the benefits of academic medicine to Anne Arundel County. Today, UMMS provides more than 25% of all hospital-based care in Maryland due in part to the vast service offerings of UM BWMC.

“UM BWMC has played a pivotal role in connecting our mission to all Marylanders,” said Mohan Suntha, president and CEO of UMMS. “Together, we’ve built a nationally recognized medical system grounded in academic excellence and community-focused care. We’ve strengthened our commitment to discovery-based medicine and elevated patient care across the region. This positive impact is felt every day in Anne Arundel County and beyond.”

Having grown up in Glen Burnie a few miles from the hospital, Christine Coursey has watched UM BWMC evolve over the years. Last year, she was diagnosed with lung cancer and sought care at the Tate Cancer Center at UM BWMC.

“I’m here today, one year after my cancer diagnosis, disease-free, thanks to the incredible team at UM BWMC,” Coursey said. “The specialists in medical oncology, pulmonary medicine and thoracic surgery came together to create a treatment plan personalized just for me. They collaborated closely, presented my case to multiple experts across UMMS and kept me informed every step of the way. I am incredibly grateful for the excellent care I’ve received so close to home.”

In addition to providing expert patient care, UM BWMC has invested time and resources into workforce development programs that build career pathways for the community into the health care field. UM BWMC currently works with more than 90 volunteers comprised of community members and high school students participating in internships.

Additionally, UM BWMC has worked closely with community organizations to develop professional pathway programs to support career advancement and education pathways for key nursing and allied health positions.

Stephanie DiRubbo, a Glen Burnie resident and quality improvement manager at UM BWMC, started her career at the hospital when she was just 15 years old as a dietary aide, and has been promoted through many areas of the hospital, including patient care, nursing and clinical education.

“At every step of the way, I’ve been supported and encouraged by incredible leaders,” she said. “I’ve also sought expert care for my family here. UM BWMC is not only my employer – it’s my community, and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Over the years, UM BWMC has been honored with numerous state and national recognitions that highlight its ongoing commitment to clinical excellence, patient safety and a positive work environment. To learn more about UM BWMC’s legacy of always caring, including key milestones and photos from its history and information about its expert care services and available career opportunities, visit www.umms.org/bwmc/about.

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