Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The "Community Meets Clinic" podcast series introduces clinicians and healthcare personnel specializing in rare neuroimmune disorders. In this episode, Krissy Dilger of SRNA was joined by Dr. Cristina Sadowsky from Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Sadowsky shared her journey to become a physician and her focus on spinal cord injury rehabilitation [00:02:26]. She discussed the Kennedy Krieger Institute International Center for Spinal Cord Injury's comprehensive care approach, which includes long-term and specialized treatments for both pediatric and adult patients [00:07:00]. Dr. Sadowsky concluded with insights on what keeps her motivated and her hopes for advancements in the treatment of rare neuroimmune disorders [00:13:51].
00:00 Introduction
00:52 Meet Dr. Cristina Sadowsky
01:35 Dr. Sadowsky's Journey to Medicine
02:41 Focus on Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Care
05:49 Research and Innovations in Spinal Cord Injury
07:32 Overview of the Kennedy Krieger Institute
14:38 Personal Insights and Self-Care
17:09 Advice for Patients and Families
20:49 Hopes for the Future of Neuroimmune Disorders
22:49 Conclusion and Acknowledgements
Born in Romania, Cristina Sadowsky, MD attended the Institute of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest. She completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at Meridia Huron Hospital/Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. From there, she began a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO. Immediately following the completion of her second residency, she began a fellowship in spinal cord injury medicine at Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine. At the same time, she became a clinical instructor in the school’s Department of Neurology and later assumed an assistant professor in neurology in the Division of Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Injury Unit. In October 2004, she moved to Baltimore, joining the Kennedy Krieger Institute as Director of the Paralysis Restoration Clinic in the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury. In March 2005, she became an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
She frequently serves as an invited clinical scientific peer reviewer for the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, Translational Research. She also serves as a section editor for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports. You can view the medical profile of Dr. Sadowsky here: kennedykrieger.org/patient-care/faculty-staff/cristina-sadowsky
The "Community Meets Clinic" podcast series introduces clinicians and healthcare personnel specializing in rare neuroimmune disorders. In this episode, Krissy Dilger of SRNA was joined by Dr. Cristina Sadowsky from Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Sadowsky shared her journey to become a physician and her focus on spinal cord injury rehabilitation [00:02:26]. She discussed the Kennedy Krieger Institute International Center for Spinal Cord Injury's comprehensive care approach, which includes long-term and specialized treatments for both pediatric and adult patients [00:07:00]. Dr. Sadowsky concluded with insights on what keeps her motivated and her hopes for advancements in the treatment of rare neuroimmune disorders [00:13:51].
00:00 Introduction
00:52 Meet Dr. Cristina Sadowsky
01:35 Dr. Sadowsky's Journey to Medicine
02:41 Focus on Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Care
05:49 Research and Innovations in Spinal Cord Injury
07:32 Overview of the Kennedy Krieger Institute
14:38 Personal Insights and Self-Care
17:09 Advice for Patients and Families
20:49 Hopes for the Future of Neuroimmune Disorders
22:49 Conclusion and Acknowledgements
Born in Romania, Cristina Sadowsky, MD attended the Institute of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest. She completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at Meridia Huron Hospital/Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. From there, she began a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO. Immediately following the completion of her second residency, she began a fellowship in spinal cord injury medicine at Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine. At the same time, she became a clinical instructor in the school’s Department of Neurology and later assumed an assistant professor in neurology in the Division of Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Injury Unit. In October 2004, she moved to Baltimore, joining the Kennedy Krieger Institute as Director of the Paralysis Restoration Clinic in the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury. In March 2005, she became an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
She frequently serves as an invited clinical scientific peer reviewer for the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, Translational Research. She also serves as a section editor for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports. You can view the medical profile of Dr. Sadowsky here: kennedykrieger.org/patient-care/faculty-staff/cristina-sadowsky
