Aziza Shad

Samuelson Children’s Hospital at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore

Dr. Aziza Shad, chair of pediatrics and chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Samuelson Children’s Hospital at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, has spent more than three decades building a model of pediatric care rooted in equity and compassion — driven by the belief that every child deserves outstanding medical care regardless of where they were born or live.

Since arriving in Baltimore in fall 2015, Shad has succeeded in changing the culture at Samuelson Children’s Hospital, earning it recognition not only for clinical excellence but for the welcoming, compassionate, respectful and personalized care it provides to children and families from across the mid-Atlantic and around the world. She introduced an expansive range of psychosocial services — among them Child Life programming, art therapy, music therapy, pet therapy, yoga, meditation, cooking lessons and superhero parties — extending these offerings to children visiting for everything from emergency room care to diagnostic procedures. She championed reduced-pain protocols for blood draws and minor procedures, and every room in the Children’s Hospital carries a poster giving parents and children the choice of how they want pain managed. An autism-friendly room in the Pediatric Emergency Department, featuring low lighting, reduced noise and Child Life support, reflects the same commitment. More recently, her team introduced advanced outpatient electroencephalogram technology, investments in pediatric gastroenterology care and a video-based communication program that allows families to receive information about their child’s care in their language of choice.

She describes her leadership as an evolution from early decisiveness toward a deeply collaborative approach grounded in trust and mutual respect, having learned that lasting impact comes not from having all the answers but from building strong teams and creating space for others to lead and innovate. A clear sense of purpose — expanding access to cancer care for children in low- and middle-income countries — has guided her throughout, paired with the resilience and flexibility to adapt without losing sight of the goal. A turning point came when she recognized the cost of moving too quickly to solve problems without fully bringing others along; learning to rely on her team, ensure members felt heard and invested and make decisions collectively strengthened both outcomes and culture.

If Shad could offer one piece of advice to her younger self, it would be this: “I would tell my 20-year-old self to believe in myself and worry less about getting everything exactly right. Leadership is about listening, building trust, and bringing others along in a shared vision. Growth comes from asking for help, learning along the way, and having the confidence to take on challenges that you may feel you are not ready for; they are often the ones that shape you the most. The path may not always be straightforward, but if you stay true to your values, remain resilient, and surround yourself with people you trust, you will achieve your vision and goal.”

Shad was recently chosen as one of eight women leaders featured in the 2026 SIOP Almanac of Women Leaders in Pediatric Oncology.

This is an honoree profile from The Daily Record’s Top 100 Women awards. Information for this profile was sourced from the honoree’s application for the award. The honoree profiles were written using an artificial intelligence program and supported by honoree nominations, applications and letters of recommendation. Each profile was reviewed, fact-checked and edited for accuracy by The Daily Record’s editorial staff.