Maria L. Padilla
CCNY Class of ’70

Associate Professor of Medicine
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care

Dr. Padilla was born in Honduras, Central America. She immigrated with her family to the United States in 1963. After initial challenging years adjusting to a new country and culture, learning a new language and striving for academic excellence, she entered City College and earned a B.S. in 1970. She pursued a medical degree at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She garnered many honors there and was inducted at graduation into Alpha Omega Alpha.

She remained at the Mount Sinai Medical and for her postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and for her fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine under the mentorship of Dr. Alvin Teirstein. Her research fellowship was in pathology in models of pulmonary disease under the guidance of Dr. Jerome Kleinerman. After completion of her training, she joined the staff of the Mount Sinai Medical Center. She has received the prestigious NIH Pulmonary Academic Award as well as other awards and honors in teaching and clinical areas.

Dr. Padilla is a graduate of the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Fellowship. She is also a very active clinician who has been recognized by her colleagues as an excellent physician. She has been listed in Who’s Who of American Women and other distinguished rosters. She has served as the Medical Director of the Mount Sinai Hospital lung and heart-lung transplant program since its inception.

Dr. Padilla is involved in clinical research in Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sarcoidosis, and Cystic Fibrosis. She has contributed to these fields particularly in the area of Transplantation in Sarcoidosis. She is also active in many international, national, and local associations and committees, holding positions on several boards. Her interest in health education and medical care, especially among Hispanic and minority populations, has made her a spokesperson for their needs.