Researcher Recognition, December 2024
Post Date: January 2, 2025 | Publish Date:
Congratulations to these Cincinnati Children’s scientists who have recently been recognized in their fields of expertise.
Becker’s Names Tina Cheng an Exceptional CMO to Know in 2025
For the second year in a row, Tina Cheng, MD, MPH, chair of Pediatrics, chief medical officer and director of the Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation, has been recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review among 180-plus “exceptional chief medical officers in health care.” The article says Cheng “greatly contributed to Cincinnati Children’s clinical outcomes and culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, which in part led to the hospital being named the No. 1 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report in 2023.”
Nancy Ratner Honored for Career Contributions to NF1 Research
Nancy Ratner, PhD, co-director, Rasopathy Program, program Leader, Cancer Biology and Neural Tumors Program, and Beatrice C. Lampkin Chair, Cancer Biology, received the prestigious “Head and Heart” award from NF Forward for her groundbreaking work on neurofibromatosis (NF). Her research on MEK inhibitors laid the foundation for KOSELUGO®, the first FDA-approved treatment for NF1 tumors in children, transforming care for those living with the condition.
Watch a video about the award.
Dan Benscoter, Roohi Kharofa Named Aubrey Rose Foundation Doctors of the Year
Dan Benscoter, DO, director of both the Pediatric Home Ventilator Program and Transitional Care Center, and medical director, Division of Respiratory Care, and Roohi Kharofa, MD, MPH, Center for Better Health & Nutrition/HealthWorks, were named Aubrey Rose Foundation Doctor of the Year Awardees, in addition to Andy Beck, MD, MPH, and Scott Callahan, MD.
Benscoter also was chosen as the Aubrey Rose Foundation Above and Beyond Doctor of the Year for 2024.
Watch a video about the awardees.
Theresa Alenghat Appointed to National American Gastroenterological Association Scientific Advisory Board
Theresa Alenghat, VMD, PhD, professor, Division of Immunobiology, was appointed to the national American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) scientific advisory board. The board is comprised of world leaders in computational biology and metagenomics, microbiome animal models, microbiology translational research, nutrition, and pertinent regulatory and policy issues.
Brain Coley Named Society for Pediatric Radiology Gold Medalist
Brian Coley, MD, radiologist-in-chief, was selected to receive the Society for Pediatric Radiology’s (SPR) 2025 Gold Medal at its annual meeting this spring. This honor is awarded to pediatric radiologists and others who have contributed greatly to the SPR and pediatric radiology as a scientist, teacher, personal mentor and leader.
Jim Anderson Named a Great Living Cincinnatian
Former Cincinnati Children’s CEO Jim Anderson has been named a 2025 Great Living Cincinnatian by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Anderson, who led the health system from 1996 to 2010, transformed Cincinnati Children’s into a global leader in pediatric care, spearheading quality improvement initiatives and launching impactful programs like Every Child Succeeds. His legacy continues through the James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, which advances innovation in child health outcomes.
Cincinnati Children’s Awards
Trustee Grant Award Recipients
The goal of the Trustee Grant Award is to provide research funds for junior faculty to aid in the rapid achievement of independent, sustained extramural funding for their research program. The recent award recipients are Michael Lacagnina, PhD, member, Department of Anesthesia, and assistant professor, and Ty Troutman, PhD, assistant professor, Allergy and Immunology.
Place Outcomes Research Awards
The Place Outcomes Research Award supports and accelerates outcomes, health services, and implementation research at Cincinnati Children’s by funding studies to improve health and healthcare service delivery. The recent recipient is Karen Harpster, PhD, OTR/L, associate professor, Patient Services Research, occupational therapist III, Division of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy, and member, Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disability (LEND) Program.
Place Outcomes Young Investigator Diversity Research Award
The Place Outcomes Young Investigator Diversity Research Award is directed toward senior fellows and junior faculty conducting research focused specifically on health disparities and equity as well as senior fellows and junior faculty from groups under-represented in medicine conducting all types of health services, outcomes, implementation, and learning health system research. The recent recipient is Carolina Bejarano, PhD, pediatric psychologist, Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, and assistant professor.
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