Congratulations to Dr. Malhotra!

The STARR Coalition has named Dr. Shishuka Malhotra as the recipient of its most prestigious individual honor — the 2025 Lew Yagodnik Award, affectionately known as “the Lewie.” The award recognizes exceptional leadership, advocacy, and unwavering dedication to individuals living with mental illness.

One of The STARR Coalition’s original founding members and an enduring advocate, Dr. Malhotra is the Founder and CEO of Neuro-Behavioral Clinical Research, a leading CNS research site. Over her 20-plus-year career, she has overseen more than 600 clinical trials and contributed to the development and approval of over 10 medications and therapies that have reshaped psychiatric care.

Dr. Malhotra’s site was the first STARR Certified Site to hire an individual living with schizophrenia — a milestone that defined what authentic advocacy looks like in practice. She mentored that employee in both research operations and patient advocacy, ultimately supporting her in founding and leading a peer support group for others living with schizophrenia at the site. The ripple effects of that single act of inclusion continue to inspire the broader clinical research community.

Her commitment extends far beyond the clinic walls. Dr. Malhotra founded the Ohio Center for Hope, a nonprofit delivering free mental-health care to approximately 7,000 patients annually. Her team engages regularly in community outreach — health fairs, wellness education, and, this past Thanksgiving, distributing 50 complete turkey dinners to families in need.

A recognized voice on boards including NAMI, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the CNS Summit, Dr. Malhotra also co-chaired the STARR Diversity Workgroup, championing equity in clinical trials.

The award was presented by Greg Hansch, then Executive Director of NAMI Texas and the 2024 Lew Yagodnik Award recipient — a meaningful passing of the torch between two champions of mental-health advocacy.

Upon accepting the award, Dr. Malhotra expressed heartfelt gratitude to The STARR Coalition, her team, and her colleagues, saying she could not have accomplished any of it without their support.❤