Midwestern University Professor Named “Best Advocate” in PHOENIX Magazine’s Best of the Valley 2025
Kathleen Muldoon, Ph.D., recognized in annual local rankings for her local and national advocacy efforts
- AZ - Glendale
Kathleen Muldoon, Ph.D., Professor of Anatomy in the College of Graduate Studies at Midwestern University’s Glendale Campus, has been recognized as “Best Advocate” in issue, which celebrates influential people making a difference in Arizona communities.
A noted researcher, educator, and public health advocate, Dr. Muldoon has dedicated her academic and professional life to understanding and communicating the dangers of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) - a common but underrecognized virus that can cause permanent disabilities in infants. Her efforts have been shaped in part by personal experience: her own child was affected by cCMV-related microcephaly, a condition that can impact brain development and result in developmental disabilities.
In addition to her role at Midwestern University, Dr. Muldoon is the co-founder of , an organization that educates Arizona families and healthcare providers about CMV prevention and advocates for sustainable systems of care. She also serves as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the , where she helps guide national efforts to advance CMV research, education, and policy.
“Only about 14 percent of women have even heard of CMV,” Dr. Muldoon noted in a past interview. “Even among healthcare professionals, awareness is surprisingly low. That gap in knowledge can have life-changing consequences.”
Dr. Muldoon’s scholarly work reflects her deep commitment to maternal and child health. She has published research exploring CMV’s effects on child development and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, led a study examining potential risks of neonatal infection by SARS-CoV-2. That research, published in the Journal of Clinical Virology, called for targeted public health strategies to protect pregnant patients and newborns during global viral outbreaks.
At Midwestern University, Dr. Muldoon is widely respected for her interdisciplinary approach to anatomy and public health, and for mentoring the next generation of biomedical scientists and healthcare professionals. She has received the Faculty Award from several graduating classes of the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine and was named the 2023 Northup Educator of the Year by the national Student Osteopathic Medicine Assocation.
spotlight individuals and organizations whose work reflects excellence, service, and leadership in their respective fields. Dr. Muldoon’s recognition as “Best Advocate” underscores the impact of her advocacy at both the state and national level.
