Champion of the Year
Recognizing Champions of Pediatric Care
The Champion of the Year Award honors pediatric healthcare professionals whose dedication, expertise, and compassion have profoundly improved the lives of children. Each year, the Aubrey Rose Foundation recognizes up to ten outstanding individuals from any pediatric healthcare discipline whose exceptional service and commitment make a lasting difference for the patients and families they serve.
Nominations close in September each year and finalists are recognized at Let’s Dance For The Heart Of It!
Now accepting nominations for the Champion of the Year, which will be awarded in November 2026.
Past Champions
(listed alphabetically by last name)
Dr. Agenter, Michael, Shine Orthodontics
Dr. Anderson, Pete, Cleveland Clinic-Oncology
Dr. Beck, Andy, Cinci Children's Hosp, Gen. Comm. Pediatrics
Dr. Bennett, Kelly, Trihealth - Finneytown
Dr. Benscoter, Dan, Cinci Children's Hosp, Pulmonology
Dr. Berz, Kate, Cinci Children's Hosp, Sports Medicine
Dr. Blumberg, Wendy, Ohio Pediatrics
Dr. Burch, Michelle, Pediatric Assoc of Fairfield
Dr. Busso, Veronica, Cinci Children's Hosp, Anesthesia
Dr. Callahan, Scott, Cinci Children's Hosp, Complex Care
Dr. Catalanotto, Thomas, Pediatric Assoc of Fairfield
Dr. Grossberg, Richard, Rainbow Babies and Childrens
Dr. Haas, Emily, Crossroad Health Center OTR
Dr. Heydarian, Haleh, Cinci Children's Hosp, Cardiology
Dr. Hirsch, Russel, Cinci Children's Hosp, Heart Center
Dr. Huebi, Christina, Cinci Children's Hosp, Otalarynology
Dr. Kanu, Hazel, City of Cincinnati Primary Care
Dr. Kellogg, Ellen, Springdale-Mason Pediatrics
Dr. Kharofa, Roohi, Cinci Children's Hosp, HealthWorks!
Dr. Leanza, Joe, Springdale-Mason Pediatrics
Dr. Lierl, Michelle B., Cinci Children's Hosp, Allergy & Immunology
Dr. Maloney, Thomas, Tri-Health Physician Partners
Dr. Matusak, AnnMarie, Cinci Children's Hosp, Dentistry
Dr. McAuliffe, John, Cinci Children's Hosp, Anesthesia
Dr. McCann, Thomas, Cinci Children's Hosp, Psychology
Dr. Mowery, Deborah, Dayton Children's Hospital
Dr. Ngamprasertwong, Pornswan, Cinci Children's Hosp, Anesthesia
Dr. Oerther, Monica, Pediatric Assoc of Fairfield
Dr. Patel, Krishna, Northern KY Pediatric Group
Dr. Ramachandran, Ravi, Pediatric Assoc of Fairfield
Dr. Ruck, Patrick, Cinci Children's Hosp, Dentistry
Dr. Rutter, Michael, Cinci Children's Hosp, ENT
Dr. Saker, Denise, Bobbie Sterne Health Center
Dr. Sandrock, Balzer, Northeast Pediatrics
Dr. Smith, Jodi, Goodman Campbell Brain & Spine
Dr. Tarango, Cristina, Cinci Children's Hosp, Hematology
Dr. Thikkurissy, Sarat, Cinci Children's Hosp, Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. VanderBrink, Brian, Cinci Children's Hosp, Urology
Dr. Warrick, Denise, Trihealth Group Health-Anderson
Dr. Welsh, Gwendolyn, The Christ Hospital Physicians
Dr. Wiley, Susan, Cinci Children's Hosp, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics