Presented by UMB Council for the Arts & Culture
Stop 16
The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) and R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center (Shock Trauma) are closely connected medical facilities located near the south end of the UMB campus. Both facilities focus on cutting-edge medical care, education, and research. UMMC is a comprehensive academic medical center that serves as a major teaching hospital and medical research facility and is part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS). Shock Trauma is one of the busiest and most advanced trauma centers in the United States. It is renowned for its expertise in treating critically injured patients and has a survival rate of about 98 percent for patients who arrive in critical condition, a rate that is among the highest in the nation for a trauma center.
In front of UMMC’s Gudelsky Entrance, at the corner of South Greene and West Lombard streets, stands “The Heart of Baltimore,” a 6-foot-by-8-foot mosaic heart sculpture. Unveiled on Nov. 4, 2021, the 1,000-pound artwork was created by the nonprofit organization Art with a Heart to commemorate its 20th anniversary and honor the resilience of Baltimore’s health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The sculpture incorporates 18 colors of glass, mirror, and recycled, glow-in-the-dark tiles. More than 950 volunteers contributed to the project, crafting about 2,500 ceramic hearts adorned with messages of love and encouragement.
This collaborative public art piece serves as a testament to the unity and strength of the Baltimore community.
UMMC, meanwhile, is committed to advancing sustainability in health care through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship. From earning LEED certifications and converting to LED lighting, to implementing single-use device reprocessing and reducing landfill waste, UMMC continually strives to improve its environmental impact. The hospital also features rainwater harvesting systems, rooftop honey bee hives, and daylight harvesting in its three multistory atriums to enhance sustainability and connect with the natural environment.