Samuel P. Hanke, MD, MS, MBA

My path to becoming a pediatric cardiologist started just after high school when I got to work with kids who had heart surgery. Seeing the lifelong impact a cardiologist can have on children inspired me to pursue a career in medicine, then pediatrics, and ultimately, pediatric cardiology.

I now have extensive expertise in pediatric cardiology, specializing in complex congenital heart disease both in the hospital and in clinic. I also treat common pediatric cardiac conditions such as new heart murmurs, as well as chest pain and fainting in children.

The diversity of diseases I get to care for is very rewarding to me, and I enjoy getting to know the families and watching kids grow into adults. I believe that each patient and family should be treated with dignity and respect. I strive to learn what is most important to them and help them understand the condition that brought them to me.

In addition to practicing medicine, I serve as the chief patient experience officer for Cincinnati Children’s. In this role, I have the opportunity to address the needs of patients and families when they experience our care. We use scores and metrics, but the real measure of success is in the stories we hear from families. That’s what inspires me.

My research spans diverse areas, which all relate to improving how care is delivered and improving the experience of patients and families.

When I’m not helping patients, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two children. I’m also president of Charlie’s Kids Foundation, which my wife and I founded after the loss of our first son Charlie to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). We are committed to educating families about SIDS and safe sleep for babies – to help prevent other parents from suffering the unthinkable loss of an infant.