MWPH CMO and VP of Medical Affairs Retires after more than 20 years of Dedicated Service

BALTIMORE, MD (October 23, 2024) - Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital (MWPH) recently announced the retirement of its Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Vice President of Medical Affairs, Richard Katz, MD, MBA, FAAP. His more than 20 years of dedicated service has enabled MWPH to evolve from a long-term nursing facility for children to a state-of-the-art, pediatric post-intensive care and multidisciplinary rehabilitation center of excellence.

“Our hospital’s success in providing high-quality, advanced care to children coming out of the ICU, is due in large part to the innovative medical leadership of Dr. Katz,” said Scott Klein, MD, MHSA, president and CEO of MWPH. “Because of him, MWPH’s Feeding Programs are internationally recognized and a leader in diagnosing and treating a variety of feeding disorders. His research and important work have helped hundreds of patients over the years and led to clinical trainings around the world, including China and the Middle East.”

Dr. Richard Katz, retiring after 22 years

As CMO, Dr. Katz has worked to elevate the hospital’s reputation generally but more specifically has grown the hospital’s feeding program into an internationally recognized exemplar. As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, he fought tirelessly to keep patients and staff safe. Overall, he has enjoyed working with the medical staff, expanding and diversifying the hospital’s capabilities. He is honored to have worked alongside each of them. 

In addition to his tenure at MWPH, Dr. Katz has spent more than 30 years on faculty at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where he has served on numerous hospital-wide committees over the years. He has worked closely with pediatric leaders at the University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins Medicine to enable a seamless continuum of care. Dr. Katz has been integral in ensuring strong collaborations with clinicians throughout Maryland.  

“Dr. Katz has been the essence of medical care at MWPH,” said Margaret Moon, MD, MPH, associate professor of pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “He always sought to promote the very best interests of Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, its staff, and its patients. Plus – we both grew up loving southwestern Michigan and especially Lake Michigan summers. Those are strong ties!”

Throughout his career, Dr. Katz has been the hospital staff’s champion, believing that his role was to give the staff the tools and support they need to provide seamless pediatric post-acute care – from inpatient or trauma centers to outpatient programs – that minimizes a child’s disability and maximizes independence. 

“When I consider my career, what stands out to me is how proud I am of our doctors and nurse practitioners for doing what they do each day. We all care about each other and the work we are doing for these kids,” Dr. Katz said. “I am thrilled to have played a role in developing a diverse medical staff of dedicated doctors, any of whom I would let take care of my baby in a heartbeat.” 

After retirement, Dr. Katz will maintain a consultative role in his new position as Medical Director Emeritus of the hospital’s Feeding Program. 

About Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital

Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital has provided more than 100 years of family-focused, integrated care to children with serious, chronic, or complex medical needs. MWPH was founded in 1922 by Hortense Kahn Eliasberg, who sought to open a home where children could safely recover from illness and surgery. Today, the hospital treats over 9,000 patients each year and provides nearly 60,000 outpatient visits to help children heal, grow, and learn the skills that lead to happier, more independent lives. The 102-bed hospital is a jointly owned affiliate of the University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins Medicine with locations in Baltimore City, Prince George’s County, in the community in Harford County, and via telehealth. For more information, please visit mwph.org.

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