Don Hayes, Jr., MD, MS, MEd

Biography

Lung disease in children and young adults presents a unique challenge in diagnosis and treatment. My own experiences with childhood asthma and my early clinical experiences as a medical student sparked my interest in helping young people suffering from respiratory diseases. We can always improve the care of those with lung disease, and I am passionate about finding how to do that through research.

As the medical director of the Lung Transplant Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, I specialize in treating patients affected by advanced lung disease, end-stage lung failure, pulmonary vascular disorders and cystic fibrosis. I care for children and young adults before and after lung transplant.

My research currently focuses on the role of the immune system in the lungs and how it contributes to the progression of lung disease and affects lung allografts in patients who have undergone a lung transplant. Some of my work also includes trying to identify biomarkers to help diagnose lung diseases and pulmonary vascular disorders earlier so we can start therapies sooner.

I serve on three editorial boards and am also a member of numerous national organizations that focus on lung diseases. To date, I have published over 500 peer-reviewed articles, abstracts and book chapters. I have also delivered more than 130 presentations about lung disease in the United States and around the world.

I am dedicated to delivering the highest quality healthcare with a humanistic approach. My induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society was a particularly special moment in my clinical career.