“Catalysts” and Distinguished Service Award recipients are recognized at the UMB and UMB Foundation’s third annual event celebrating service, philanthropy, and volunteerism.
Photo: Maryland Carey Law Dean Renée Laurent (right) speaks about the school’s Catalyst for Excellence awardee, Tamika Langley Tremaglio. (Photos by Matthew D’Agostino)
From funding foundations to boosting SEM pipeline programs to providing scholarship support to attract medical students to practice on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the power of philanthropy was recognized April 28 at the M&T Bank Exchange.
Eight Catalyst for Excellence awardees and a group of three Distinguished Service Award recipients were celebrated as the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and UMB Foundation, Inc., (UMBF) hosted its third annual “Celebrating Excellence: Honoring Service, Philanthropy, and Volunteerism” event.
“It is my great pleasure to welcome the enormously successful guests we have here tonight,” UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, told the crowd of 200 in his opening remarks. “You volunteered. You’ve given your time to the University. You’ve given your resources to the University. You are our anchor, and without you, UMB would not be nearly as great as it is today.
“We particularly represent a University that relies on philanthropy, because we want to make the next great treatment for cancer or discover a cure for arthritis and other such diseases,” he added. “We also want to support our great city of Baltimore, the area surrounding our city, and the state of Maryland. And all of you who are gathered here make those things happen.”
Read more about the Catalysts for Excellence and Distinguished Service Award honorees.
To cap the event, UMBF honored its annual Distinguished Service Award recipients, three leaders from AstraZeneca, a global biopharmaceutical company that researches, develops, and commercializes prescription medications and partners with the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) on numerous initiatives: Carlos Doti, MD, vice president and head of medical affairs, U.S. oncology business unit; Deepa Lalla, PhD, MS, vice president of evidence generation, publications, and partnerships; and Bob Li, MD, PhD, MPH, global head of medical affairs, oncology.
The award recognizes the outstanding achievements of a volunteer or a group of volunteers who have substantially contributed to enhancing and sustaining UMB. Doti, Lalla, and Li were unable to attend; their colleague, Bengt Liljas, PhD, group director, health economics and payer evidence, oncology at AstraZeneca, accepted on their behalf.
“Drs. Doti and Lalla have championed collaborations with the School of Pharmacy, with the strong support and engagement of Dr. Li at the global level,” Jarrell said. “Through their collective vision and advocacy, AstraZeneca has strengthened its partnerships with the School of Pharmacy by supporting internships for students in the MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences program as well as fellowships for Doctor of Pharmacy students and students in the PhD in Pharmaceutical Health Services Research program.”
Jarrell also praised the group for supporting UMB’s CURE Scholars Program, which guides West Baltimore middle and high school students to pursue college and careers in STEM-related fields, as well as hosting, giving, and participating in lectures and industry panels to help prepare UMSOP students for careers in the pharmaceutical sector.
Photo: Catalyst for Excellence honoree Cherilyn Hendrix (center) is flanked by UMB President Bruce Jarrell (left) and School of Graduate Studies Dean Kenneth Wong after receiving her award.
Eight Catalysts, Enormous Impact
The Catalysts for Excellence were recognized to start the show, including one honored by the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) and one apiece honored by UMB’s seven schools. The awards are presented to those who exemplify powerful advocacy for success, achievement, and philanthropy for their respective institutions while serving as visionaries for future progress:
- Richard E. Armiger, CEPA (UMMC)
- Paul Corcoran, DDS ’75 (School of Dentistry-UMSOD)
- Cherilyn Hendrix, DHEd, MSBME, PA-C, DFAAPA (School of Graduate Studies-UMSGS)
- Tamika Langley Tremaglio, JD ’95, MBA (Francis King Carey School of Law)
- Ludwig J. Eglseder, MD ’83 (School of Medicine-UMSOM)
- Richard Simone and the Shari L. Simone Memorial Foundation (School of Nursing-UMSON)
- Natalie D. Eddington, PhD ’89, FAAPS, FCP (UMSOP)
- Stephen D. Kaiser, MA (School of Social Work-UMSSW)
Bert O’Malley, MD, president of UMMC, presented Armiger with his award, then the deans of each UMB school followed suit with remarks about their honorees. O’Malley praised Armiger for demonstrating deep engagement and leadership with the UMMC community as a member and former chair of the University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital Board of Directors.
“He has provided not only guidance, but true vision — challenging us to think bigger in moments of opportunity and helping to steady our course in times of uncertainty,” O’Malley said, adding that Armiger was a key player in securing the largest philanthropic gift in UMMC history in 2024 — $50 million from the Golisano Foundation.
“Institutions like ours are strengthened by individuals who commit themselves to something greater — giving not only resources, but time, thoughtfulness, courage, and belief in our mission,” O’Malley said. “Rick exemplifies this spirit of service in every way.”
Corcoran, a UMSOD alumnus, was honored for his contributions to the school as a part‑time clinical instructor since 2018 and member of its Board of Visitors, as well as his and his wife’s philanthropy, which includes providing charitable dental care through Dentistry from the Heart and the Mountain Family Health Centers in Colorado, where Paul Corcoran practiced for more than 50 years.
“The Corcorans’ shared commitment to direct service has expanded access to care and positively impacted countless lives,” said UMSOD Dean Mark A. Reynolds, DDS, PhD, MA. “Through generous support, they continue to strengthen our school’s mission and expand our ability to serve our students and communities.”
UMSGS Dean Kenneth H. Wong, PhD, noted that the recently retired Hendrix led the transfer of UMB’s Physician Assistant Program from Anne Arundel Community College and launched a collaboration with the University of Maryland, College Park on creating holographic virtual reality teaching cases and demonstrating their positive impact on student learning.
“Moving an established program is a major undertaking, but there was also a larger, strategic goal of how to expand this program from a regional workforce mindset to the mindset of a national leader,” Wong said. “Dr. Hendrix has created an inspiring pattern for physician assistant-led biomedical research that will be a distinguishing feature of our program in the future.”
Tremaglio was recognized by Maryland Carey Law Dean Renée Laurent, JD, for her work as a longtime member and current chair of the school’s Board of Visitors who provided guidance and support through the law school’s bicentennial celebration and Laurent’s early years as dean.
“Tamika’s efforts helped to usher a wave of renewed alumni and community engagement for the important work we are doing today,” Laurent said. “And last year, Tamika, a few of her classmates, and fellow board members established the Class of 1995 Scholarship, a further reflection of her generosity and commitment to ensuring that our law school’s doors are open to outstanding students now and for generations to come.”
Shore Support, Foundation Funds, and More
UMSOM Dean Mark T. Gladwin, MD, thanked Eglseder, an alumnus, for his leadership and dedication to expanding opportunities for medical students, particularly on the Eastern Shore, where Eglseder grew up and practiced for decades. Gladwin said Eglseder’s support has helped raise $6.7 million to fund the Rural-MD Scholars Program, which offers full scholarships to student who commit to practicing on the Eastern Shore.
Photo: Dean Mark Gladwin (right) honors Ludwig Eglseder with the School of Medicine’s Catalyst for Excellence award.
“We honor Dr. Eglseder for his personal generosity and supporting our efforts with the Rural-MD Scholars Program,” Gladwin said. “His support reflects a deep belief in health care access, excellence, and the transformative power of education — these values align powerfully with our mission as an institution.”
Simone, a Maryland businessman, was recognized for creating the Shari L. Simone Memorial Foundation in honor of his late wife, a UMSON alumna who was an accomplished nurse practitioner and educator. Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD, NNP, FNAP, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of UMSON, praised Simone for leading with “generosity, integrity, and purpose” in his philanthropic pursuits.
“In his moment of profound loss, Rich chose remembrance through action,” Ogbolu said. “He led a remarkable effort that brought together more than 200 supporters who contributed more than $150,000 to UMSON, endowing a scholarship in Shari’s name to support future pediatric intensive care nurse practitioners. What began as a tribute evolved into a philanthropic movement and the Shari L. Simone Memorial Foundation, which honors Shari’s compassion, dedication, and humility every single day.”
UMSOP Dean Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, honored Eddington, her predecessor who led the school as dean for 16 years before stepping down in May 2023.
“As dean, she led the creation of transformative centers and programs that continue to shape research, practice, and community engagement, including the PATIENTS Program, the Bio- and Nano-Technology Center, and the Maryland Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation,” Michel said of Eddington, who was unable to attend the ceremony. “She also championed the school’s Pharmapreneurship initiative, preparing students and faculty to lead and innovate in a rapidly evolving health care landscape.
“Through her visionary leadership, mentorship, and service, Dr. Eddington advanced education, research, philanthropy, and community engagement — strengthening the University, enriching Baltimore, and elevating Maryland.”
UMSSW Dean Judy L. Postmus, PhD, ACSW, recognized Kaiser, a strategic communications expert who is chair of the school’s Board of Advisors, noting with a smile that he was neither a native Baltimorean nor a social worker.
“And yet, his commitment to our profession and to this school reflects one of our core beliefs: ‘Social Work Is Everywhere,’ ” Postmus said. “From schools to hospitals. From City Hall to nonprofits across Maryland. In boardrooms and corporations. Or at 525 W. Redwood St. in our classrooms with faculty and aspiring practitioners. Steve Kaiser embodies that truth.
“When I arrived in Baltimore to serve as dean in July 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Steve was one of the first people I could count on,” Postmus added. “He has been a trusted advisor and ambassador, an indispensable thought partner, and a true friend to me and to this institution.”
Jarrell pointed out special guests in attendance such as Jay A. Perman, MD, chancellor of the University System of Maryland, and Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, president and CEO of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), and thanked UMMC and UMMS for sponsoring the event.
“What a group of award winners we celebrated tonight — phenomenal achievements,” Jarrell said. “Of course, all of you are UMB supporters, and I want to thank you for being here, for making this a successful event, and for making our University all that it can be.
Photo: From left, UMB President Bruce Jarrell, Catalyst for Excellence awardee Richard Simone, and School of Nursing Dean Yolanda Ogbolu.