Six University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) professors were recognized with the designation of Distinguished University Professor, the highest appointment bestowed on a faculty member at UMB at the Fourth Annual UMB Faculty Convocation, held Sept. 11, 2025. The title is a recognition not just of excellence, but also of impact and significant contribution to the nominee’s field, knowledge, profession, and/or practice.The six will be celebrated and receive their Distinguished University Professor medals during UMB’s fourth annual Faculty Convocation on Sept. 11.Richard P. Barth, PhD, MSW, Professor, University of Maryland School of Social Work, and Deputy Director, UMB Institute for Clinical and Translational ResearchMark A. Graber, JD, PhD, MA, University System of Maryland Regents Professor, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of LawMyron M. Levine, MD, DTPH, Simon and Bessie Grollman Distinguished Professor, Department of Medicine, and Founder, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM)Jay Magaziner, PhD, MSHyg, Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, and Director, Center for Research on Aging, UMSOMAmal Mattu, MD, FAAEM, FACEP, Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, and Vice Chair of Academic Affairs, UMSOMPaula A. Monopoli, JD, Sol & Carlyn Hubert Professor of Law, Maryland Carey LawConvocation also featured three faculty speakers with mini lectures. They included:Jacqueline Mitchell, PhD, MS, CRNA, FAANA, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of NursingMaxwell Stearns, JD, professor, Maryland Carey LawDanya Mazen Qato, PhD, PharmD, MPH, associate professor, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
More from Youtube
- 1:43Army Nurse to Professor | Jacqueline Mitchell “Becoming the Story”Jacqueline C. Mitchell, PhD, MS, CRNA, FAANA, Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, recalls serving in Afghanistan and realizing she was living the dreams she whispered as a child.#JacquelineMitchell #BecomingTheStory #UMBConvocation #ArmyNurse #Inspiration #Shorts
- 13:52UMB 2025 Convocation Remarks by President Bruce Jarrell, MD, FACSUMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, shares that in this high-stakes moment that the university finds itself, the university perseveres as a team focusing on what UMB can control while we search for the light.The president praised the University for its resilience in challenging times, recalling a procedure he and his surgical team performed years ago amid a power failure.
- 0:52Respecting Mothers: Trauma-Informed Birth Care with Rachel Blankstein BremanEvery mother deserves to feel respected during childbirth.Rachel Blankstein Breman, assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, explains how trauma-informed maternity care helps preserve dignity, prevent harm, and keep mothers and families at the center of the birth experience.This research is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).#BreakthroughsCantWaitUMB #SafeBirths #MaternalHealth #FamilyCare #NursingResearch
- 1:24Max Stearns: How Gerrymandering Broke American DemocracyPartisan gerrymandering isn’t new—it goes back to Governor Elbridge Gerry’s salamander-shaped map in Massachusetts. But today’s computer-driven maps take it to another level. In this clip, Max Stearns explains how gerrymanders compress opposition voters, spread majorities across more districts, and leave only a handful of competitive races. In fact, Pew Research Center reported in 2024 that just 40 out of 435 House seats were competitive. The result? Primaries matter more than general elections, states turn redder or bluer, and both parties play the game—though Republicans often do it better. In gerrymandered elections, we don’t choose our representatives. They choose us. #Gerrymandering #Democracy #MaxStearns
- 11:32On the Imperative of Courage | Danya Qato at UMB Faculty Convocation 2025Danya Mazen Qato, PhD, PharmD, MPH, Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, delivered her speech “On the Imperative of Courage” at the 2025 University of Maryland, Baltimore Faculty Convocation.In her remarks, Dr. Qato reflects on the role of courage in science, research, and higher education. She shares a powerful story from a scientific conference where silence could have allowed a harmful narrative to persist, underscoring why speaking up — even when uncomfortable — must be part of the pursuit of truth.Dr. Qato calls on universities and faculty to resist silence, defend inquiry, and model courage for students and society. Her message is clear: silence itself speaks volumes, and courage is essential to protect knowledge, justice, and the future of higher education.🎓 University of Maryland, Baltimore – Seven Schools, One University#DanyaQato #ImperativeOfCourage #UMBConvocation #MarylandPharmacy #SpeakUp #HigherEducation #Courage #ScienceAndJustice #AcademicFreedom
- 0:56Listening to Mothers, Improving Birth CareEvery mom’s voice matters.Rachel Blankstein Breman, assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, is leading research to capture the experiences of mothers during childbirth — whether cesarean, vaginal, induced, or not.By listening to families, we can build safer, more respectful care for every birth.This research is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).#BreakthroughsCantWaitUMB #MaternalHealth #SafeBirths #FamilyCare #NursingResearch
