David Nevins Interviews Daniel Blum, President of Sinai Hospital and Grace Medical Center

Daniel Blum joined LifeBridge Health in April 2020 as the president of Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and Grace Medical Center.

Blum began his career as a paramedic and emergency management system supervisor before transitioning to hospital administration in the New York City area. He has experience in management in both urban and suburban hospitals. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s degree in healthcare administration, both from New York University.

Blum joined LifeBridge Health from Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, NY, where he was president and CEO.

In his new role, Blum serves as senior vice president of LifeBridge Health, along with being president of Sinai Hospital and Grace Medical Center.

Interview Questions:

Q1: Dan – you are a year into your tenure as President of Sinai Hospital and what a year it has been. We have a lot to talk about, including Sinai Hospital and Grace Medical Center and LifeBridge Health’s response to the pandemic, but let’s start off by having you tell us a little bit about Sinai and Grace and also about LifeBridge Health for our viewers who may not be familiar with the health system.

Q2: LifeBridge Health has been such a nimble community resource throughout the past year. What are the biggest challenges you are facing right now related to COVID-19?

Q3: What lies ahead for communities throughout central Maryland both short term and long term when it comes to COVID-19? What will life be like and how do you anticipate health care delivery changing due to COVID?

Q4: If there is a silver lining to come out of the COVID-era, it is a greater – and much deserved – appreciation and reverence for frontline health care workers. Tell us about the amazing team you have at Sinai and Grace and what stands out for you working alongside them this past year?

Q5: Outside of COVID, one of the big initiatives your organization has made news for over the past year has been rejuvenating medical services and care for challenged areas of Baltimore City. Grace Medical Center is a shining example of community investment and you recently opened a new emergency department and clinic spaces at Grace. Can you give us the big picture rundown on what you did and why you did it and the positive impact it has had on the community?

Q6: While the work at Grace Medical Center is a recent development, LifeBridge Health and Sinai have long been known for numerous centers of excellence within your continuum of care. Tell us about some of those areas of specialization that feature world-class practitioners offering world-class care.

Q7: LifeBridge has established a well-earned reputation as both an innovator and a collaborator on a regional and national level. How are your partnerships with CareFirst and GetWellLoop helping to revolutionize care for your patients and revolutionizing health care as a whole?

Q8: Population Health is an important part of what LifeBridge Health and Sinai and Grace Medical Center do each day. Can you explain what Population Health is and in practical terms the activities your organization is undertaking to improve the health of the communities you serve?

Q9: I understand you will be rolling out two new mobile care vans in a few weeks that are a follow up to a successful pilot program from earlier in the summer. Tell us about that.

Q10: Dan, we are certainly glad to have you as part of the business and civic community here in central Maryland. Is there anything else you wanted to talk about or share with our viewers today?

Connect with Dan on LinkedIn

David Nevins is president & CEO of Nevins & Associates, a highly regarded strategic communications company and proactive public relations partner. The firm’s regional and national client base is a unique mix of organizations across a variety of industries including: healthcare, professional service firms, finance, not-for-profits, distributors, state agencies, national media companies, technology, political and grassroots campaigns, real estate development, sporting events, and more.

With more than 30 years of experience in marketing, public relations, and community and government relations, David is a talented and seasoned executive. Prior to founding Nevins & Associates in 1983, David served as the Director of Marketing for both Towson University and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. In 2001, he was tapped by the CEO of Comcast to employ his marketing expertise as President of the company’s regional sports network, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. David is a Past President of the Board of Governors for the Center Club and is a former Chairman of the Board of Regents for the University System of Maryland, a position to which he was appointed by the Governor of Maryland. David has chaired the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission and the Maryland Higher Education Loan Corporation, served as President of both the Jewish National Fund and the Towson Business Association and was a member of the PNC Bank board.

David is highly involved in the business, civic, and political communities, and his many years of active leadership in numerous organizations have built a network of contacts that he regularly puts to use for the firm’s clients. For more information, visit www.nevinspr.com.

Recent press releases:

Healthworx and LifeBridge Health Launch Startup Incubator: 1501 Health

LifeBridge Health Opens Brand-New Emergency Department and Specialty Clinics at Grace Medical Center in West Baltimore

LifeBridge Health Raises Minimum Living Wage for Hospital Team Members to $15 An Hour

LifeBridge Health Begins COVID-19 Vaccinations of Front-line Caregivers

Dr. Jonathan Thierman, LifeBridge Health Chief Medical Information Officer, Named to the Baltimore Business Journal’s Inaugural “Leaders in Healthcare” List