Sarah M. Kattakuzhy, MD, MPH is the 2025 UMBrella Person of the Year- On the Rise awardee

Sarah M. Kattakuzhy, MD, MPH, is the 2025 UMBrella Person of the Year- On the Rise awardee. As an ongoing effort to shine a light on talented and dedicated University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) employees, UMBrella sponsors the award to recognize the contributions made by individuals who support the success of women at UMB. Nominees for this award are in the early stages of their careers, have achieved growth in their careers, or overcame personal/professional challenges with the utilization of mentorship, coaching, and/or professional development opportunities. 

Dr. Kattakuzhy is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), where she also serves as Associate Director of the Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine and Co-Director of the Research Initiative on Infectious Disease and Substance Use Disorder alongside Elana Rosenthal, MD and Rachel Silk, RN, MPH. Her research focuses on novel therapeutic strategies, including implementation-based improvements in the care of individuals with substance use and associated infections, with a special interest in polysubstance use. Notably, she serves as Principal Investigator on a NIDA R01 and R24, alongside Dr. Jessica Magidson, focused on improving polysubstance care and engagement in rural populations. Recently, Dr. Kattakuzhy was named UMSOM Site Principal Investigator for the NIDA Clinical Trials Network Appalachian Node.  In recognition of her significant contributions, Dr. Kattakuzhy was also named among the 2023 Women to Watch by The Baltimore Sun.