David Chadwick Outstanding Professional Award

Sarah Perl exemplifies the highest standards of professional excellence, leadership, and dedication in the prevention, identification, and treatment of child maltreatment. A pediatric nurse practitioner and forensic nurse examiner, Sarah has spent her career championing multidisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based practice, and compassionate care for vulnerable children and families.

As Medical Director of the Child Protection Team at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Sarah has led transformative efforts to build and strengthen partnerships across healthcare, child welfare, and community organizations. Her leadership has fostered a comprehensive, trauma-informed approach to protecting children and supporting families.

Sarah’s impact extends beyond the clinical setting. Her educational initiatives, including innovative “Lunch and Learn” sessions, have enhanced the skills of countless professionals, equipping them with the knowledge to distinguish between signs of abuse and medical mimics. Through community outreach, professional mentorship, and national presentations, she has advanced the field’s understanding of child maltreatment and promoted best practices in prevention and intervention.

With a career spanning over a decade in pediatric emergency medicine, child protection, and forensic nursing, Sarah embodies the values of excellence, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to child welfare that define this prestigious award.