Finding a doctor among all the providers available to choose from can seem daunting. Whether you’re looking for a general practitioner or a specialist, it’s difficult to find recommended health care options close to home.
To help with this, Cincy Magazine has launched the inaugural Cincy Best Docs. We asked our readers to nominate and vote for their favorite doctors in 83 specialties. This year’s winners are listed in the following pages. You’ll also find quotes from a selection of these doctors describing why they love what they do, even during such a difficult year.
By no means does this list encompass all of the region’s excellent doctors and omission does not diminish their abilities and expertise. We are excited to celebrate these winners and hope that this list helps guide you as you make decisions for your family.
Cardiac
Cardiac Surgery
Louis Benson Louis IV, MD, FACS
UC Health
3130 Highland Ave, 3rd Floor, Cincinnati,
513-584-7217, uchealth.com
“Working as a team with such high performing and dedicated professionals. I am heartened to see the entire health care system pull together despite the enormous challenges and difficulties of this year. We are so much more than the sum of our parts.”
Cardiovascular Disease
Saad S. Ahmad, MD
UC Health
234 Goodman St, Cincinnati
513-475-8521, uchealth.com
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
Alexandru Costea, MD
UC Health
222 Piedmont Ave, Ste 1000, Cincinnati
513-475-8521, uchealth.com
“I am grateful for the opportunity to take care of patients at all times and making a difference in their lives. Additionally, with COVID-19, we employ novel technologies and approaches designed to advance healing and reduce suffering while ensuring everyone’s safety.”
Interventional Cardiology
Imran Arif, MD
UC Health
222 Piedmont Ave, Ste 4000, Cincinnati
513-475-8521, uchealth.com
“Being able to make a difference in someone’s life, being able to teach the next generation of cardiologists and practice cutting edge technology to help patients with minimal invasive cardiac valve replacement.”
Disease
Infectious Disease
Jennifer Wall Forrester, MD
UC Health
222 Piedmont Ave, Ste 6300, Cincinnati
513-475-8585, uchealth.com
“Obviously, this is an exciting time to be in infectious diseases. The intersection of personal and public health that is evident during a pandemic is what we trained for. The teamwork that always takes place in medicine is highlighted now and is truly why I love my job.”
Pulmonology Disease
Christopher M. Orabella, MD
Christ Hospital Health Network
2123 Auburn Ave, Ste 401, Cincinnati
513-241-5489, thechristhospital.com
Eye
Ophthalmology
Lisa Kelly, MD
UC Health
222 Piedmont Ave, Ste 8000, Cincinnati
513-475-7880, uchealth.com
Medicine
Critical Care Medicine & Anesthesiology
Suzanne Bennett, MD
UC Health
234 Goodman St, Cincinnati
513-558-4194, uchealth.com
Emergency Medicine
Dustin J. Calhoun, MD
UC Health
234 Goodman St, Cincinnati
513-584-5700, uchealth.com
“Emergency departments are often not their definitive care, but we are what they need at that initial moment of distress. That also means that we work very closely and collaboratively with so many specialist and primary care colleagues. We’re truly part of a team at UC Health. Watching our emergency departments elegantly and rapidly adapt to the COVID-19 crisis has been another attestation to that.”
Family Medicine
Sarah Pickle, MD
UC Health
175 W Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati
513-821-0275, uchealth.com
“As a family medicine physician, I am continuously inspired by my patient’s stories of resilience and hope. Their perseverance in the face of adversity drives me to challenge the status quo and do my part to move health care to a place of equity and inclusion.”
General Medicine
Estrelita Dixon, MD
UC Health
3130 Highland Ave, 2nd Floor, Cincinnati
513-584-4503, uchealth.com
Geriatric Medicine
Douglas H. Bauman, MD
Christ Hospital Health Network
2139 Auburn Ave, Room 6166, Cincinnati,
513-585-3488, thechristhospital.com
“I enjoy getting to see the resilience and determination of the older patients I take care of, despite the isolation from friends and family that many are experiencing.”
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Elizabeth Rabkin, MD
UC Health
222 Piedmont Ave, Ste 8000, Cincinnati
513-475-7880, uchealth.com
Internal Medicine
Bradley Mathis, MD
UC Health
222 Piedmont Ave, Ste 8000, Cincinnati
513-475-7880, uchealth.com
“I am very passionate about protecting and improving the health of my patients and the community. I really enjoy the relationships that my patients and I have built together over the years. It is these strong relationships that have allowed us to weather this stormy year.”
Occupational Medicine
Anne Like, MD
Information not listed.
Palliative Medicine
Phillip Diller, MD
UC Health
234 Goodman St, Cincinnati
513-558-7581, uchealth.com
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Jennifer Y. Chung, MD
Christ Hospital Health Network
11140 Montgomery Rd, Ste 1100, Cincinnati
513-792-7441, thechristhospital.com
“I most enjoy the long-standing relationships I have formed with my patients. To witness their quality of life and mobility restored through non-surgical treatments— that is undeniably the most rewarding aspect of my job.”
Preventive Medicine
Sara O. M. Kleinschmidt, MD*
Christ Hospital Health Network
2123 Auburn Ave, Ste 235, Cincinnati
513-585-3238, thechristhospital.com
“I like it when the patient and I arrive at a correct diagnosis, which then allows my care team to get the patient the treatment they need to live as well and long as they can. Fortunately, I work for a health system that has worked hard to make telehealth available for patients, so even during this challenging year my team has still been able to do that important work.”
Sleep Medicine
Ann Romaker, MD
UC Health
200 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati
513-475-7500, uchealth.com
Sports Medicine
Brian Grawe, MD
UC Health
200 Albert Sabin Way, Ste 1007, Cincinnati
513-475-8690, uchealth.com
Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine
Kevin Dell, MD
UC Health
234 Goodman St, Cincinnati
513-558-7581, uchealth.com
Mental Health
Addiction Psychiatry
Chris J. Tuell, EdD, LPCC-LICDC
Lindner Center of HOPE
4075 Old Western Row Rd, Mason
513-536-4673, lindnercenterofhope.org
“As a doctor in the field of mental illness and addiction, what I enjoy most is how I have the privilege to guide people through personal challenges, help ease emotional burdens and empower people to achieve a healthier mind and body. With a new mindset, patients can pursue new ways to live in both their professional and personal lives.”
Psychiatry
Tracey Skale, MD
Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services
1501 Madison Rd, Cincinnati,
513-354-5200, gcbhs.com
“Every day I get to work with patients who are some of the most vulnerable among us. Although we have thousands of patients, we are touching lives one person at a time. Helping people who are in distress to move forward with their lives is meaningful and rewarding. This year has been challenging because many of our patients are already so isolated. Our organization has rallied to make sure our clients get the care they need even with COVID restrictions.”
Oncology
Gynecologic Oncology
Marcia C. Bowling, MD, FACOG
OHC
71 E Hollister St, Cincinnati
888-961-4131, ohcare.com
“As a gynecologic oncologist, I thoroughly enjoy the technical aspects and challenges of surgery. That being said, I appreciate the patient interactions most. I have learned so much about my patients from my patients. I so admire the resilience of my patients in dealing with the unknowns of a pandemic and then, just when it seemed things couldn’t get any worse, the addition of a new, traumatic diagnosis.”
Hematology/Oncology
Rekha Chaudhary, MD
UC Health
7675 Wellness Way, Ste 201, West Chester
513-475-8500, uchealth.com
“What I enjoy the most about practicing medicine is meeting all different kinds of people from all walks of life. I get to meet police officers, teachers, CEOs of companies, stay-at-home parents, etc. My patients and their strength when going through a cancer diagnosis inspire me and gives me strength in return.”
Medical Oncology
Trisha Wise-Draper, MD, PhD
UC Health
234 Goodman St, 2nd Floor, Cincinnati
513-475-8500, uchealth.com
“Being diagnosed with cancer is some of the most devastating news a person and family can ever receive. I personally find helping someone through this very difficult time in their life fulfilling. During such a challenging year, being able to support my patients who are uniquely susceptible to COVID-19 has been extremely important.”
Radiation Oncology
Natalie B. Geier, MD
Christ Hospital Health Network
2139 Auburn Ave, D-Level, Cincinnati
513-585-2940, thechristhospital.com
“Radiation oncology requires a team approach, and I have been fortunate to be on exceptional teams during my training at UC and currently at The Christ Hospital. I enjoy getting to know my patients on a personal level, which has become even more important during the pandemic with people feeling more isolated from family and friends.”
Surgical Oncologist
Syed Ahmad, MD
UC Health
234 Goodman St, Cincinnati
513-584-8900, uchealth.com
“In normal times, dealing with the diagnosis of cancer is difficult. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the stress for the patient and family members has increased by several magnitudes. Despite this, patients continue to show their bravery as they tackle two life-altering events at the same time. Their bravery inspires me to work hard for them and to make progress with research to improve treatment paradigms.”
Pain
Chiropractor
Robert Balza, DC
Airrosti Keystone Parke
2135 Dana Ave, Ste 425, Cincinnati
airrosti.com
“I love helping people get their lives back. When a patient tells me they can’t do something they love because of pain, I will do everything I can to help them.”
Interventional Pain Management & Pain Medicine
Laura DeVita, MD
UC Health
234 Goodman St, Cincinnati
513-475-8282, uchealth.com
“My goal is to treat the whole patient and I try to incorporate a multimodal approach to the management of pain. I advise my patients to get involved with physical therapy, medication management, interventional injections for pain and with our pain psychologist. Pain is processed through many different pathways, and I try to employ a balanced approach in my treatment plan. I most enjoy helping patients engage in these therapies and seeing their improvement over time.”
Orthopaedics
Michael Donaworth, MD
UC Health
200 Albert Sabin Way, Ste 1007, Cincinnati
513-475-8690, uchealth.com
“I enjoy seeing a wide variety of patients, from high school and college athletes, to the weekend warriors and everyone who is looking to get back to their highest level of activity. During the current pandemic, it has been very interesting to see how my patients are continuing to find ways to be active in a safe and healthy manner.”
Pain Management
Marc P. Orlando, MD
Mayfield Brain & Spine
3825 Edwards Rd, Ste 300, Cincinnati
513-221-1100, mayfieldclinic.com
“I love seeing patients who follow up to tell us that they have gotten a little piece of their life back with pain relief when everything else seems uncontrollable. Patients have not been able to get into gyms or do their normal workouts. Our interventional procedures and medical management re-energize them to find ways to be active, while reducing suffering.”
Pathology
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
Sajini Mathew, MD
TriHealth
375 Dixmyth Ave, CincinnatI
513-862-3229
Pediatric/Adolescent
Adolescent Medicine
Laurie A. Mitan, MD
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
7777 Yankee Rd, Liberty Township
513-636-3200, cincinnatichildrens.org
“I treat patients in the Eating Disorder Program. I love helping families on their journey back to health, helping them discover their inner strengths, and allowing adolescents and young adults to meet their life goals despite having to walk that path with a chronic illness.”
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Tracy Suzanne Cummings, MD
Lindner Center of HOPE
4075 Old Western Row Rd, Mason
513-536-4673, lindnercenterofhope.org
“Working primarily with adolescents, I am reminded daily that change is not only inevitable, but it is also within our power to harness the momentum of that change so that it manifests not as chaos but as growth. Watching patients empower themselves by directing the trajectory of their own lives, even by incremental degrees, is a privilege I hold dear.”
Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
Stephanie Riddle, MD
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati
513-636-3200, cincinnatichildrens.org
“It has been my privilege to care for sick infants at Cincinnati Children’s for several years, and it’s particularly rewarding because of the long-term relationships that we form with families through ups and downs in their child’s course. I am especially proud this year of the new developments in the Fetal Care Center, where we have rolled out a Special Delivery Unit to allow moms and babies to be close to each other during a challenging time for families.”
Pediatric Allergy
Steven A. Sutton, MD
Allergy & Asthma Associates
10597 Montgomery Rd, Ste 200, Cincinnati
513-793-6861, allergic1.com
Pediatric Cardiology
Colleen Pater, MD, MS
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
7777 Yankee Rd, Liberty Township
513-636-3200, cincinnatichildrens.org
Pediatric GI
Joseph J. Palermo, MD, PhD
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati
513-636-3200, cincinnatichildrens.org
Pediatric Gynecology
Lesley L. Breech, MD
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati
513-636-9400, cincinnatichildrens.org
Pediatric Hematology
Joseph S. Palumbo, MD
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati
513-636-3200, cincinnatichildrens.org
Pediatric Internal Medicine
Joseph M. Bailey, MD
TriHealth – Queen City Physicians
6350 Glenway Ave, Ste 300, Cincinnati
513-246-8900, trihealth.com
Pediatric Oncology
Brian K. Turpin, DO
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati
513-636-3200, cincinnatichildrens.org
Pediatric Otolaryngology
Charles M. Myer III, MD
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 2018, Cincinnati
513-636-3200, cincinnatichildrens.org
“I enjoy the intellectual and technical challenges associated with otolaryngology while building longitudinal relationships with patients. The privilege of training the next generation of physicians is a bonus!”
Pediatric Pulmonology
Barbara Chini, MD
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati
513-636-3200, cincinnatichildrens.org
“Pediatric pulmonology is the perfect fit for me. I enjoy tackling diagnostic dilemmas, discovering clues in the patient’s history and developing treatment strategies that are logical and tailored to each individual patient.”
Pediatric Radiology
Manish N. Patel, DO
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati
513-636-3200, cincinnatichildrens.org
Pediatric Surgery
Maria H. Alonso, MD
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati
513-636-4371, cincinnatichildrens.org
Pediatrics
Andrea Silvia Rinderknecht, MD
TriHealth Queen City Physicians
7829 Laurel Ave, Cincinnati
513-936-2150, trihealth.com
Plastic Surgery
Plastic Surgery
Shalini Gupta, MD
The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center of Cincinnati
9505 Montgomery Rd, Ste 201, Cincinnati
513-815-3667, cincinnatiskinandlaser.com
Plastic Surgery within Head & Neck
Allison M. Holzapfel, MD, FACS
Holzapfel & Lied Plastic Surgery Center
8044 Montgomery Rd, #230, Cincinnati
513-984-3223, renewyourlooks.com
Radiology
Diagnostic Radiology
Rifat Wahab, DO
UC Health
234 Goodman St, ML 0772, Cincinnati
513-558-2041, uchealth.com
“Breast cancer does not stop for a pandemic. As a breast radiologist, taking care of my patients, diagnosing early treatable cancers and being a partner during their difficult journey, no matter what the circumstances (pandemic or not) is what means the most to me as a physician.”
Radiology
Shaun Wahab, MD
UC Health
234 Goodman St, Cincinnati
513-584-2146, uchealth.com
Vascular & Interventional Radiology
Ross Ristagno, MD
UC Health
234 Goodman St, Cincinnati
513-585-8247, uchealth.com
“As an interventional radiologist, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to contribute to many patients’ care at UC Health, particularly in areas of cancer. I find gratification in being a member of our team in interventional radiology.”
Specialist
Allergy & Immunology
Heather Hartman, MD
Cincinnati Allergy Associates
10495 Montgomery Rd, Ste 24, Cincinnati
513-791-6006, cincyallergy.com
Dermatology
Kristine Zitelli, MD
The Dermatology Group
5298 Socialville-Foster Rd, Mason
513-770-4212, thedermgrouppartners.com
Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism
Amanda M. Denney, MD
Christ Hospital Health Network
4440 Red Bank Expwy, Ste 210, Cincinnati
513-272-0313, thechristhospital.com
Gastroenterology
Steven Gay, MD
Ohio Gastroenterology & Liver Institute
2925 Vernon Pl, Ste 100, Cincinnati
513-389-7300, ohiogi.com
Hepatology
Nadeem Anwar, MD
UC Health
222 Piedmont Ave, Ste 6300, Cincinnati
513-475-7505, uchealth.com
“Getting a patient successfully through a liver transplant process and to see them thrive and reclaim their lives is the most satisfying and gratifying experience.”
Neurology
Sheetal Malik, MD
UC Health
3113 Bellevue Ave, Ste 3000, Cincinnati
513-475-8730, uchealth.com
“I enjoy being able to connect with my patients and care for them consistently over many years. Since epilepsy is a chronic disease, we have the ability to form long-lasting relationships with our patients as we guide their care–and this is very meaningful to me.”
Otolaryngology
Chad A. Zender, MD, FACS
UC Health
234 Goodman St, Cincinnati
513-475-8400, uchealth.com
Pathology
Dani Zander, MD
UC Health
234 Goodman St, Ste 110, Cincinnati
513-584-7284, uchealth.com
“I am so pleased that our team in the UC Health Clinical Lab was able to make COVID-19 testing available for so many people in our community. Our lab has completed more than 180,000 COVID-19 tests since March of 2020.”
Pulmonology
Jean M. Elwing, MD
UC Health
200 Albert Sabin Way, Ste 7000, Cincinnati
513-475-8523, uchealth.com
“I find it extremely rewarding that we quickly adapted our health care delivery and expanded visit options through telemedicine to ensure that we safely and effectively care for our patients despite all the challenges we have faced this year.”
Reproductive Endocrinology
Dr. Michael D. Scheiber, MD, MPH, FACOG
Institute for Reproductive Health
3805 Edwards Rd, #450, Cincinnati
513-924-5550, cincinnatifertility.com
Rheumatology
Soha Mousa, MD
Arthritis & Rheumatology of Southwest Ohio
7116 Sennet Pl, Liberty Township
513-779-0777, rheumatologyohio.com
Surgery
Bariatric Surgery & Weight Management
Mohamed I. Dahman, MD
Mercy Health
7502 State Rd, Ste 2210, Cincinnati
513-682-6980, mercy.com
“I personally feel honored and enjoy being part of this amazing transformational journey our patients go through. This year has definitely been very stressful on everyone, with the added medical risk of severe illness that we have learned that obese and overweight patients face due to COVID-19. That made us work diligently to continue to safely provide care to our patients with telemedicine and resuming surgeries once deemed safe.”
Breast Surgeon
Jaime Lewis, MD
UC Health
7675 Wellness Way, 4th Floor, West Chester
513-584-8900, uchealth.com
“I truly enjoy the patients I am privileged to see. While I often meet a patient during one of the darkest times of her or his life, I can often provide a plan of action and hope of better days. Seeing so many of these individuals survive and thrive through the following years bring me great joy.”
General Surgery
Amy Makley, MD
UC Health
222 Piedmont Ave, Ste 7000, Cincinnati
513-475-8787, uchealth.com
Hand Surgery
Mohab Foad, MD
Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
500 E Business Way, Sharonville
513-354-3700, beaconortho.com
Mohs Surgery
Jennifer Mary Walker, MD
TriHealth Group Health Associates
379 Dixmyth Ave, Cincinnati
513-246-7000, trihealth.com
Neurological Surgery
Rani Nasser, MD
UC Health
3113 Bellevue Ave, Ste 4100, Cincinnati
513-475-8990, uchealth.com
Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery
Deepak G. Krishnan, DDS
UC Health
222 Piedmont Ave, Ste 7300, Cincinnati
513-475-8783, uchealth.com
“Being an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Cincinnati is a privilege. To be a teaching physician is an honor. In the pandemic year, we have been in the eye of the storm, working in the oral cavity and oropharynx, where the virus resides. We have been working through it all to ensure UC Health OMS practices are available for those who seek our attention.”
Orthopaedic Surgery
Haleem Chaudhary, MD
Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
500 E Business Way, Sharonville
513-354-3700, beaconortho.com
Thoracic Surgery
Geoffrey A. Answini, MD
Christ Hospital Health Network
2123 Auburn Ave, Ste 201, Cincinnati
513-206-1170, thechristhospital.com
Transplant Surgery
Shimul A. Shah, MD, MHCM
UC Health
3130 Highland Ave, Cincinnati
513-584-9999, uchealth.com
“I am very proud of our entire team at UC Health and UC College of Medicine for joining together and working towards solutions to not only care for patients affected during the pandemic, but also those suffering from other medical problems who we will be able to provide safe and efficient care for.”
Vascular Surgery
Andrew Hearn, MD
The Vein Center of Cincinnati
7426 Beechmont Ave, Ste 212, Cincinnati”
513-232-2400, cincyveins.com
Urology/Nephrology
Nephrology
Amit Govil, MD
UC Health
234 Goodman St, Cincinnati
513-584-7001, uchealth.com
“Being a doctor is a privilege to be able to serve my patients and raise awareness of the kidney disease in the community at large. The COVID-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented challenge to health care systems. We promptly utilized telehealth and converted our transplant outreach and other clinics to a virtual platform in April and continued to move patients through the transplant evaluation process. This resulted in minimal disruption in the transplant listing process and we saw more patients being referred and listed for kidney transplant despite the pandemic.”
Urology
Stephen Bennett, MD
The Urology Group
7529 State Rd, Ste B, Cincinnati
513-841-7795, urologygroup.com
Women’s Health
Gynecology
Heather L. Hilkowitz MD, FACOG
Hilltop Obstetrics and Gynecology
990 Belvedere Dr, Ste C, Lebanon
513-424-1440, hilltopobgyn.com
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Mounira A. Habli, MD
TriHealth
375 Dixmyth Ave, CincinnatI
513-862-6220, trihealth.com
Obstetrics
Colleen F. Swayze, MD, FACOG
Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates, Inc.
3050 Mack Rd, Ste 375, Fairfield
513-221-3800, cincyobgyn.com
