In Memoriam: Christopher Towe, MD (1980 – 2026)
Post Date: October 9, 2026 | Publish Date:
Remembering a pediatric pulmonologist, clinical investigator and mentor who dedicated his career to children with rare and complex lung diseases
It is with heartfelt sadness that we share the passing of Christopher “Chris” Towe, MD, a pediatric pulmonologist and director of the Rare Lung Diseases Program at Cincinnati Children’s. Towe passed away Sept. 29, 2026, following a multi-year journey with a terminal brain tumor. He was 46.
Towe built his career around caring for children with some of the rarest and most complex pulmonary conditions. As director of the Rare Lung Diseases Program, he provided consultative care for patients referred from across the United States and around the world, with particular expertise in childhood interstitial lung disease, bronchiolitis obliterans, immunodeficiency, and autoimmune and autoinflammatory lung diseases. He also helped establish a dedicated service for children with rare lung diseases.
Towe’s work was driven by a commitment to understanding diseases that can be difficult to recognize, diagnose and treat—and to translating that knowledge into better care for children and families.
CONNECTING RESEARCH AND CLINICAL CARE
Towe established strong research collaborations focused on genetic and developmental childhood interstitial lung diseases, as well as lung disease associated with immune-mediated conditions, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and lung transplantation.
His work took advantage of emerging technologies, including hyperpolarized xenon MRI, to improve the detection and understanding of pulmonary disease in children.
ADVANCING CARE FOR COMPLEX PULMONARY CONDITIONS
For several years, Towe supported Cincinnati Children’s pediatric lung transplant program, caring for infant and pediatric lung transplant candidates and recipients.
Towe also worked closely with the Bone Marrow Transplant team to develop a screening protocol for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. He became an integral member of this multidisciplinary team, whose work had an important impact on patient outcomes and helped create a unique opportunity to secure substantial NIH funding, led by the Blood and Cancer Institute, to investigate the mechanisms of lung injury following bone marrow transplantation.
“Chris was a truly unique person in so many ways,” said Raouf Amin, MD, director, Division of Pulmonary Medicine. “His love for and dedication to his patients were unparalleled. His remarkable intellect and clinical acumen made him an exceptional clinician, colleague and mentor.”
Towe’s commitment to his patients and colleagues extended beyond his clinical expertise. He was known for his thoughtful approach to challenging cases, his willingness to collaborate across disciplines and his dedication to mentoring the next generation of pediatric pulmonary physicians and researchers.
His legacy will continue through the patients and families he cared for, the research he pursued, the programs he helped build and the colleagues and trainees he mentored.
RECOGNIZED FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS
Towe’s commitment to children with rare lung diseases was recognized by his colleagues and peers. In 2023, he was nominated for a Team Daisy Award for his work with the Rare Lung Diseases Program. Earlier, in 2017, he received a Research Team Award from Cincinnati Children’s Center for Pulmonary Imaging Research. He also received the Young Investigator Award from the International Pediatric Transplant Association in 2009.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Towe embraced life with energy and curiosity. He was an avid runner who regularly trained for marathons and enjoyed traveling with his family and for his work. He and his wife, Ariana, opened their home on numerous occasions to international exchange students, and their commitment to service was recognized with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which they received twice.
MEMORIAL INFORMATION
A memorial gathering for Towe will take place Friday, Oct. 9, from 5-9 pm, at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church, 1345 Grace Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45208.
In lieu of flowers, family and friends may honor his memory by sharing sentiments, stories and memories with his family through a card or letter.
Those wishing to honor him may also donate a new, in-package Star Wars-themed toy or LEGO set to Cincinnati Children’s in his name.
Those who would like to support his family directly can contribute through a GoFundMe established to help his family navigate this difficult time.
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The Research Horizons blog features news and insights about the latest discoveries and innovations developed by the scientists of Cincinnati Children's. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Email researchnews@cchmc.org with questions or ideas.
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