We are pleased to announce the promotion of Dr. Stephanie Cha to the rank of Associate Professor in the Clinical Excellence track in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine. This well-deserved recognition reflects Dr. Cha’s regional and national reputation in cardiac surgical critical care, with special expertise in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS). Since joining Johns Hopkins in 2015, she has provided exceptional care to some of our most complex patients while helping advance clinical practice, education, and program development.

Dr. Cha serves as Medical Director for Adult ECMO for ACCM, where she has played a central role in the growth and development of the Johns Hopkins Adult ECMO program. Her leadership has included developing standardized protocols and educational materials for ECMO management, with special emphasis on POCUS-guided bedside care. Her work has contributed to the program’s expansion and recent Gold Status designation by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) and has led to numerous invited national lectures as well as contributions to the writing of international recommendations through her participation with the ELSO Global Education Council and the ECMO Pharmacology Network.

In addition to her clinical and programmatic leadership, Dr. Cha is an exceptional educator and mentor. She has developed POCUS and ECMO curricula, led workshops and educational programs nationally and internationally, and provides hands-on teaching to residents, fellows, faculty, and advanced practice providers. Her expertise and contributions continue to shape best practices in ECMO and critical care both at Johns Hopkins and beyond. We congratulate Dr. Cha on this important achievement and thank her for her continued leadership and dedication to our patients, trainees, and department.