Cincinnati Children's: A Premier Institution for Rigorous Research
We have a storied history of fundamental research that has transformed neonatal medicine. In the 1980s, Dr. Jeffrey Whitsett and Dr. Timothy Weaver were instrumental in understanding lung surfactant proteins, leading to the development of surfactant replacement therapy. This innovation has saved countless premature infants suffering from respiratory distress syndrome. Prior to this, Albert Sabin developed the lifesaving polio vaccine here, which has saved countless lives over the decades.
Our fellows have access to a broad spectrum of research opportunities, encompassing clinical, translational, and basic scientific investigations. The Perinatal Institute emphasizes collaborative research to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Fundamental discoveries occur daily here, driven by a collaborative environment that spans multiple disciplines.
Superb Mentorship from Leading Experts
We are committed to providing exceptional mentorship, pairing fellows with primary research mentors and collaboration with experienced clinicians. This mentorship model ensures comprehensive guidance in both research endeavors and clinical practice. Our fellows are supported from day one by fellowship program leadership and divisional leadership to assist with identifying a primary research mentor.
Our institution’s collaborative culture fosters interdisciplinary mentorship, enhancing the fellows’ professional development and positioning them for success in academic and research-focused careers. In addition to a primary mentor, our fellows will draw from the vast expertise of Cincinnati Children's researchers to form a Scholarship Oversight Committee that monitors and assists with each fellows’ scholarly research project.
By joining our Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship, fellows become part of a legacy of innovation and excellence, contributing to advancements that shape the future of neonatal-perinatal medicine.
Training Pathways for Physician-Scientists
For fellows aspiring to careers as physician-scientists, the Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship offers structured training pathways that provide the necessary skills, resources, and mentorship to develop independent research careers.
Our fellows have successfully competed for prestigious NIH-funded F32 Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellowships, which provide funding and protected time for mentored research training during fellowship. The institution also maintains numerous T32 training grants that can support fellowship research. This strong foundation enables our graduates to be highly competitive for NIH K awards, such as K08 and K23 grants, during their early faculty years.
Our fellows gain the experience, mentorship, and support necessary to secure independent funding and establish themselves as leaders in academic neonatology and perinatal research.
Primary Contact for Physician-Scientist Track Fellows: John Erickson MD/PhD
Master of Education and Certificate in Medical Education
Cincinnati Children's, in partnership with the University of Cincinnati College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH), offers graduate-level accredited programs for physicians and other healthcare providers involved with or interested in medical teaching and learning or educational research.
Those in clinical fellowships may also seek the MEd degree as an alternative to the traditional MPH or MS degrees. The emphasis of these programs is on adult learning, curriculum and teaching methods, and medical education evaluation and research. These programs are exclusively online with no onsite requirement – everything from orientation through final project defense are conducted via internet and telephone using web-based course management and conferencing applications.
Masters: 30 credit hours (2-5 years)
Certificate: 12 credit hours (can be transferred into master’s degree program)
Faculty and Recent Fellows with Master of Education: Jennifer Brady, Beth Ann Johnson, Eric Raynal, Morgan Hill (certificate; anticipated MEd Spring 2026)
Showcasing Research and National Presentation Opportunities
Scholarly work is a cornerstone of fellowship training, and Cincinnati Children’s provides multiple opportunities for fellows to present their research at both institutional and national levels.
A key event is our Second-Year Fellowship Research Showcase, where fellows present their ongoing research projects to faculty, peers, and invited guests from the Midwest region, receiving valuable feedback from leading experts across disciplines. This event highlights the breadth of research conducted within the division and fosters collaboration among fellows and faculty.
Beyond our institution, fellows have the opportunity to present their work at premier national conferences, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference & Exhibition (NCE) and the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting, where they engage with researchers and clinicians from around the world. Many fellows also present at additional specialized meetings.
These experiences provide fellows with critical networking opportunities and prepare them to become future leaders in neonatal research and clinical innovation.
