Andrew F. Beck, MD, MPH

I have long loved working with children. I was a camp counselor for many years and that remains a job that I put alongside pediatrician as my favorite ever. I was inspired to be a doctor through my own experiences with having an ill family member — an experience during a formative period in my own childhood. My enjoyment in working with children coupled with a strong interest in public health and disease prevention lead to my becoming a pediatrician.

I care for children in both the primary care and hospital setting. Whether in the clinic or on the inpatient units, my approach is to frame any interaction with a child and family with kindness, openness and collaboration. I believe that we are all working toward the same end goal – helping a child stay well or return to wellness and helping a child to reach their full potential.

My anthropology background links to my interest in understanding the relationship between one's community and one's health. In my research, I seek optimal ways to identify and respond to key social, economic and environmental determinants of health, ideally improving outcomes and narrowing gaps along the way. I strive to do so in partnership with families and community leaders.

I also help to lead Cincinnati Children’s community health initiative which seeks to equitably optimize child health outcomes. I take pride in my teaching, supporting learners be the best clinicians, researchers and advocates that they can be. As a clinician, researcher and educator, I strive to be an advocate for children inside and outside the hospital.

For my work, I’ve been fortunate to have received some meaningful recognitions. I was honored with the Cincinnati Children’s Junior Faculty Award for Service and Advocacy in 2013, and in 2018 for Mentorship. In 2016, I was recognized by the Cincinnati Business Courier as one of the region's 40 under 40, an award that highlighted my contributions to child health in our community.

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife, who is also a Cincinnati Children’s pediatrician, our two children and our dog. We love to explore our city and play outside. We like to travel, too, and I’m still hoping to get to all 50 states — I’ve been to 47 so far. I also recently paired my two favorite jobs, spending a week as a camp physician!