The honorees, who exemplify powerful advocacy for success, achievement, and philanthropy for their respective institutions, will be recognized at the UMB Foundation’s “Celebrating Excellence” event.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) Catalyst for Excellence honorees exemplify powerful advocacy for success, achievement, and philanthropy for their respective institutions while serving as visionaries for future progress. Exemplars of excellence and inspiration, they have accomplished meaningful progress in their lives and careers, in addition to devoting meaningful time, talent, and resources to numerous worthy causes. UMB, UMMC, the city of Baltimore, and the state of Maryland are made much better through the impactful efforts of these extraordinary individuals. The 2026 honorees will be recognized April 28 during the UMB Foundation’s “Celebrating Excellence: Honoring Service, Philanthropy, and Volunteerism” event at M&T Bank Exchange.
Read more about the Catalyst for Excellence Award winners.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER
Richard E. Armiger, CEPA, is a senior vice president and financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with more than three decades of experience advising high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and nonprofit organizations. Beyond his professional work, Mr. Armiger is deeply engaged in community and philanthropic leadership. He is a founding member, former chair, and active member of the University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital Board and serves on the University of Maryland Medicine Foundation Board of Directors. A Baltimore native, Mr. Armiger holds a Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University and is an accomplished Ironman triathlete, having competed in endurance events around the world — a reflection of his personal commitment to discipline, resilience, and service.
SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
Paul Corcoran, DDS ’75, a School of Dentistry (UMSOD) alumnus, has spent 51 years in clinical practice, education, and community service. Dr. Corcoran earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland, College Park, before attending UMSOD, then, in the early 2000s, completed several years of intensive continuing education training at the UCLA School of Dentistry. He established a long-standing practice in Vail and later Eagle, Colo. Dr. Corcoran and his wife, Jean, have supported UMSOD for many years through endowed funds that assist faculty and students. Since 2018, Dr. Corcoran also has volunteered as a part‑time clinical instructor and continues to mentor students while contributing to efforts that expand access to dental care.
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
Cherilyn Hendrix, DHEd, MSBME, PA-C, DFAAPA, is a respected leader in physician assistant/associate (PA) education whose career has been defined by her commitment to developing future clinicians and advancing the profession. She serves as assistant dean for PA education at the University of Maryland School of Graduate Studies and is an associate professor, leading the coordination and advancement of PA education at UMB. A graduate of the Anne Arundel Community College PA Program (which is now the UMB PA Program) with a postgraduate residency in general surgery at Duke University Medical Center, Dr. Hendrix has earned national recognition for curriculum innovation. Through her teaching, mentorship, and leadership, she has helped shape generations of clinicians and educators.
FRANCIS KING CAREY SCHOOL OF LAW
Tamika Langley Tremaglio, JD ’95, MBA, is a Maryland Carey Law graduate and chair of the school’s Board of Visitors. Since simultaneously earning her JD and MBA degrees, Ms. Tremaglio has built a trailblazing career at the intersection of law, business, and sports. She was managing principal for Deloitte’s Greater Washington area, overseeing 15,000 professionals across 17 offices, and served as the National Basketball Players Association’s executive director for two years. Today, as managing director of Secretariat, she brings a unique combination of sports industry leadership and business transformation expertise into leading the company’s global sports consulting practice. A Board of Visitors member since 2013, Ms. Tremaglio has been a champion of law students’ wellness, mentorship, and excellence.
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Ludwig J. Eglseder, MD ’83, is a lifelong resident of Talbot County, Md., and an alumnus of the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM). Upon completion of his residency at the University of Maryland Hospital (now Medical Center) in 1986, Dr. Eglseder returned home to Easton to practice internal medicine. Forty years later, he continues to actively practice and serve the people and community that have always been his home. Today, Dr. Eglseder — or “Ludy,” as he is known — is a driving force behind the campaign to endow the Rural-MD Scholars Program, a scholarship initiative designed to attract and retain young physicians to the medically underserved rural areas of Maryland.
SCHOOL OF NURSING
Richard Simone is a dedicated philanthropist and advocate for nursing education who founded the Shari L. Simone Memorial Foundation to honor the legacy of his late wife, who was an internationally respected pediatric critical care nurse practitioner and University of Maryland School of Nursing alumna (DNP ’11, MS ’96). In 2024, Mr. Simone mobilized 
family, friends, and colleagues to establish the Shari L. Simone Memorial Scholarship, raising more than $150,000 to support pediatric acute care nurse practitioner students. He later founded the Shari L. Simone Foundation to sustain this work and expand its impact. Through his vision and generosity, Mr. Simone has strengthened scholarship support, inspired new donors, and ensured Shari Simone’s enduring influence on future generations of nurses.
SCHOOL OF PHARMACY
Natalie D. Eddington, PhD ’89, FAAPS, FCP, a University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) alumnae, has dedicated her career to the school, serving as professor of pharmaceutical sciences, chair of the department, and dean. In 2025, she was honored at her retirement with the title of Dean Emerita. Dr. Eddington led nearly 16 years of strategic growth, innovation, and collaboration before stepping down in 2023. She is a nationally recognized expert in drug delivery and pharmacokinetics whose research has strengthened regulatory science and public health. During her UMSOP career, Dr. Eddington significantly expanded academic program portfolios, launched pioneering research and practice centers, led creation of the innovative Pharmapreneurship initiative, and enhanced global engagement, creating a positive impact for UMB, Baltimore, and Maryland.
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
Stephen D. Kaiser, MA, chair of the University of Maryland School of Social Work’s Board of Advisors, has worked in government and the private sector for over 40 years as a strategic communications professional, in addition to performing extensive nonprofit, association, and community work. His client experience includes a deep focus on STEM education, health care, community engagement, and alliance-building. Mr. Kaiser is the founder and principal of Kaiser Associates Strategic Communications in Baltimore, consults with a broad network of leaders across all spectrums, and has demonstrated an ability to build cross-discipline teams to execute ideas that have social and financial impact. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.