Cincinnati Children's Office of Academic Affairs and Career Development

Congratulations to Carrie Romano DNP, CPN,CNL on her appointment as Chief Nurse Executive at Cincinnati Children’s! Her exceptional leadership, dedication to nursing excellence, and longstanding commitment to children and families will continue to shape the future of healthcare. We also extend our sincere gratitude to Barbara Tofani, MSN, RN, NEA-BC for her remarkable service and lasting impact on nursing leadership. Wishing both leaders continued success in their next chapters! 👏 🎉

Junior Faculty Boot Camp 2026 brought together early-career Cincinnati Children's faculty for two days of learning, reflection, networking, and career planning at The Freestore Foodbank. Through sessions on promotion, mentorship, professional identity, resilience, and strategic career development, participants gained practical tools for success while making meaningful connections with colleagues across the institution. The experience also included a hands-on service project, reinforcing our shared commitment to serving and strengthening the community beyond the hospital walls. A heartfelt thank you to our faculty facilitators, speakers, partners at the Freestore Foodbank, and participants for making this year's Boot Camp such an energizing and impactful experience. Read the full story on our blog: https://lnkd.in/eFAxsZFb

Congratulations to the Hidden Gem Awardees! These faculty & staff physicians/psychologists are known among colleagues for making exceptional contributions to Cincinnati Children's or the community. Christopher Anton, MD – Radiology Kate Berz, DO – Sports Medicine, Emergency Medicine Ian Brett, MD – Emergency Medicine Roger Cornwall, MD – Orthopaedics Lara Danziger-Isakov, MD, MPH – Infectious Diseases Nick DeBlasio, MD, MEd – General and Community Pediatrics Michelle Ernst, PhD – Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology Meghan Fanta, MD, MSc – Hospital Medicine peter farrell, MD, MS – Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Marie-Dominique Filippi, PhD – Experimental Hematology & Cancer Biology M. Katherine “Katie” Kerrey, MD – General and Community Pediatrics Pooja Khandelwal, MD – Bone Marrow Transplantation and Immune Deficiency Brea Lauer, PhD – Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology Joanna Rosing Paquin, MD – Anesthesia Kristen Reilly, MD, MSW – Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine Nicole Sheanon, MD, MS – Endocrinology Sarah Tarai, MD – General and Community Pediatrics Darcey Thornton, MD – Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine Katherine VandenHeuvel, MD – Pathology Karla Wyatt-Thompson, MD – Pain Management (Anesthesia) Read more about this quarter’s awardees here: https://lnkd.in/efDskGgy Do you work with a Cincinnati Children’s faculty member or staff physician/psychologist whom you consider a "Hidden Gem"? We are now accepting nominations for the August – October 2026 quarter of this award! Please submit your nom: https://lnkd.in/e_Uk-b-Y

Congratulations and thank you to Dr. Sherry Thornton on an extraordinary legacy of leadership, mentorship, and service through the SURF program at Cincinnati Children's! For 20 years, Dr. Thornton has helped shape the next generation of scientists by creating meaningful research experiences and fostering a culture of curiosity, discovery, and growth. Her commitment to mentorship and creating opportunities for aspiring minds has left a lasting mark. Congratulations also to this year's Cincinnati Children's SURF cohort and thank you for bringing your enthusiasm and passion! Wishing Dr. Thornton the very best as she closes this chapter, and wishing the next SURF director, Dr. Patrick Ryan, continued success as he leads this outstanding program forward!

Congratulations Daniel Starczynowski, PhD, on this appointment!

Congratulations to Maisam Abu-El-Haija, MD, MS, on this outstanding recognition from CAPER! 🎉

Congratulations to Michael Lacagnina, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesia at Cincinnati Children's, on being named a 2026 Rita Allen Foundation Scholar. Lacagnina is one of seven scientists selected to receive the Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award in Pain, which provides up to $110,000 annually for up to five years to support innovative biomedical research. His research will investigate how pain-promoting B cells develop across peripheral and central tissues and whether tissue-specific autoimmune B-cell responses contribute to neuropathic pain. The findings could help identify new targets for improved pain therapies and advance our understanding of chronic pain mechanisms. Read the full announcement: https://lnkd.in/ecMpCh32 #Research #PainResearch #Neuroscience #BiomedicalResearch

Join us in congratulating Dr. Robert Shapiro, who recently received the Robert Denton Special Achievement Award. Each year, organizers present this statewide award recognizing the exceptional work that helps and empowers crime victims and survivors in Ohio. As he approaches retirement at the end of June, he spent decades advancing the protection and care of vulnerable children, pioneering child abuse pediatrics in Ohio and leading the development of our Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children, the nation’s first hospital-based Child Advocacy Center. Watch as his colleagues share insight into his empathy and collaboration: https://lnkd.in/eDmU46vh, and learn more about the Mayerson Center: https://lnkd.in/e2wJ8Tf3. #WeAreCincyKids

We’re proud to share that Dr. Emily Miller has been selected to serve on the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative Advisory Board! This is a meaningful reflection of her expertise and leadership in advancing maternal and infant health across the state. Read more on the OAACD Blog: https://lnkd.in/e_krfrx2

FLIP Cohort V came together at Camp Joy for a meaningful retreat focused on connection, reflection, and courageous leadership. Experiences like this highlight the heart of FLIP: developing resilient, authentic leaders who support one another and lead with purpose. We’re energized by this cohort and proud to support their continued growth as leaders. Special thank you to the Camp Joy Venture Out staff for creating such a welcoming and impactful experience! Read more on the OAACD Blog: https://lnkd.in/efXbGDh2