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Diane Forbes Berthoud is the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) first chief equity, diversity, and inclusion officer and vice president (CEDIO/VP), assuming the role July 1, 2021.As CEDIO/VP, she reports directly to UMB’s president and leads and advances the University’s equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) strategy, implementation, and accountability. She oversees institutional change necessary for deepening and strengthening the university's commitment to EDI, and designs and operationalizes a transparent accountability framework to measure and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of UMB’s EDI initiatives at every level of the institution.

Mathew Swinburne is the associate director for the Network for Public Health Law’s Eastern Region, which is housed at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.He brings more than 14 years of legal experience and specifically more than 10 years of public health law experience. He is a recognized national expert in cannabis law and policy.His cannabis work includes advising legislators, state and local agencies, law enforcement, community-based organizations, and non-profits on critical issues related to medical and adult-use policy.In addition to his work at the Network for Public Health Law, he developed and taught the State and Federal Cannabis Law and Policy course for the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics Program.

Leah Sera is the associate dean for recruitment and admissions at UMSOP. She is an associate professor and vice chair for academic affairs in the Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research. She is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist, and her clinical specialties are pain management and palliative care.Additionally, Dr. Sera holds an associate faculty position at the University of Maryland Graduate School.Dr. Sera was the inaugural program director for the nation’s first Graduate Studies in Medical Cannabis program at UMSOP, which includes the MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics (MCST) and Graduate Certificate in Medical Cannabis Science, Therapeutics, and Policy.Dr. Sera teaches several courses in the MCST program, including an introduction to medical cannabis history, culture, and policy and a course introducing students to evidence-based medicine and the clinical uses of medical cannabis; she also mentors students in their capstone projects. Dr. Sera teaches a variety of topics in required and elective courses in the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum.

A signing ceremony on Jan. 10, 2025, marked the announcement of a $10 million joint gift from Edward and Jennifer St. John and the Edward St. John Foundation, which will establish the Edward & Jennifer St. John Center for Translational Engineering and Medicine (CTEM).The new center brings together researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) at UMB and the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP). Occupying the fourth floor of 4MLK at the University of Maryland BioPark, CTEM will foster face-to-face collaboration among clinicians and engineers.Their proximity will ensure that real-world clinical needs inform the creation of new devices, diagnostics, and treatments, accelerating the pathway from research to patient care – resulting in next-generation medical solutions that will benefit patients across Maryland and beyond.Read More: https://www.umaryland.edu/news/archived-news/january-2025/10m-gift-to-power-innovations-for-next-gen-care.php

The $10 million gift from the Edward St. John Foundation for the Edward and Jennifer St. John Center for Translational Engineering and Medicine (CTEM) will open a world of possibilities for collaboration between the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore and the A. James Clark School of Engineering in College Park.CTEM is led by co-directors Giuliano Scarcelli, PhD, of the Fischell Department of Bioengineering in the A. James Clark School of Engineering at UMCP, and Osamah J. Saeedi, MD, of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at UMSOM.Their collaborative work using cutting-edge ophthalmologic imaging to address ocular diseases such as glaucoma illustrates how the center will cultivate new possibilities across bioengineering and medicine.Building on these breakthroughs, the center will expand into diverse areas of translational science, encouraging broader collaborations that accelerate discovery and improve patient outcomes well beyond eye care.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore's 16th Annual Craft Fair is a well-loved event that featured nearly 50 vendors who sold their homemade or handmade goods to members of the UMB community.The craft fair attracted students, faculty, staff, and UMB leaders including President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, while the Staff and Faculty senates set up tables to provide employees with information about their governance roles at the University.Shoppers could choose from a wide range of homemade and handmade items, including the always-popular bottles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, baked goods, T-shirts, sweaters, jewelry, wax candles, dog treats, and greeting cards, not to mention tree skirts, key chains, tabletop Christmas trees, and much more.Read More: https://elm.umaryland.edu/elm-stories/2024/UMB-Holiday-Craft-Fair-December-2024.php

The Community Engagement Center (CEC) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) buzzed with holiday spirit as volunteers and families gathered for the annual Christmas Store. Held at the CEC on Dec. 13 and 14, 2024, it featured tables overflowing with brand-name toys, puzzles, and scooters, all neatly arranged for shoppers to purchase at deeply discounted prices.The Christmas Store is organized in partnership with UMB’s Office of Community and Civic Engagement (OCCE) and Foundry Church of Baltimore. This year, local CBS affiliate WJZ, UMB’s Staff Senate, and the University of Maryland Medical Center joined a Season of Giving campaign to help raise money for the store’s inventory.Read More: https://www.umaryland.edu/news/archived-news/december-2024/holiday-cheer-on-display-at-christmas-store.php

On Dec. 13, children and families from West Baltimore were given tickets to ride the Polar Express at the B&O Railroad Museum through an effort organized by the Office of Community and Civic Engagement (OCCE) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB).The event was funded through the University’s partnership with the University of Maryland BioPark during the Season of Giving Campaign, a joint effort supported by UMB’s Staff Senate, the University of Maryland Medical Center, and local CBS affiliate WJZ. The Season of Giving also allowed participants to enjoy s’mores and Santa Sleigh rides, while Libelle Photos provided complimentary Santa photos to the families.Read More: https://www.umaryland.edu/news/archived-news/december-2024/full-steam-ahead-on-the-polar-express.php

The University of Maryland, Baltimore conducted a town hall on Dec. 3, 2024 to provide an opportunity for UMB researchers to share ideas and concerns regarding research compliance issues. The presenters were Robert Rosenthal, MD, Asst. Provost, Research Compliance and Julie Doherty, DM, MSN, CIP, CCEP, Assistant Vice President, Research Compliance.

The University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing celebrated two years of achievements with announcements of new partnerships with government agencies and biotech businesses based nearby in Montgomery County, Md.Several of the current UM-IHC projects were on display, including a virtual reality-based training tool called Holocamera, a digitally-twinned heart which surgeons can use to plan more effective surgeries, and a data analytics system which allows assessment and prediction of opioid overdose trends.Present at the ribbon-cutting were University of Maryland, Baltimore President Bruce Jarrell, University of Maryland, College Park President Darryll Pines, and University of Maryland Medical Systems President and CEO Mohan Suntha.Read more about the UM-IHC: https://www.umaryland.edu/news/archived-news/december-2024/the-future-of-health-with-advanced-computing.php

Thanks to generation donations from our community, 1,600 West Baltimore families received turkeys during our eighth annual Thanksgiving Drive on Nov. 26, 2024, in partnership with the University of Maryland, Baltimore, UMB Staff Senate, University of Maryland Medical Center and WJZ-TV.

University of Maryland, Baltimore creates the knowledge that cures disease and strengthens communities across the state and around the world. #WeAreUMBLearn more at https://umaryland.edu