A photo of Sara O'Hara.

Sara M. O'Hara, MD, FAAP, FAIUM


  • Chief, Section of Ultrasound
  • Radiologist, Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging
  • Professor, UC Department of Radiology
As a mother myself, I try to imagine how I could best help my kids get through some of our tests. I understand why parents ask a lot of questions while advocating for their kids.
Sara M. O'Hara, MD, FAAP, FAIUM

About

Biography

For me, pediatric radiology is the perfect mix of technology, cutting-edge imaging, physics and problem-solving. Imaging is often used to narrow diagnoses and get answers about myriad symptoms. I enjoy helping solve these puzzles, especially for children who cannot clearly explain what they are feeling or experiencing. I have a degree in physics, so that side of imaging is also fascinating to me.

I practice pediatric radiology, especially ultrasound, and to a lesser degree nuclear medicine. As a mother myself, I try to imagine how I could best help my kids get through some of our tests. I understand why parents ask a lot of questions while advocating for their kids. We also monitor disease treatment and being able to see children grow and thrive as their health improves with therapy is very rewarding.

The Radiology Department at Cincinnati Children’s is truly amazing. Our doctors are brilliant, continually learning and conducting innovative research. As a team, we work closely with referring doctors and other Cincinnati Children’s physicians to provide expert care.

My research interests center on using ultrasound to answer clinical questions. I hope to replace more invasive tests or biopsies with gentler ultrasound scans.

I grew up in a small coastal town south of Boston and always loved walking along the beach in every season. The beach is still my favorite place to visit, even if only for a few minutes in my memories.

BS: Georgetown University College of Arts and Sciences, Washington, DC, 1980-1984.

MD: Georgetown University, Washington, DC, 1984-1988.

Internship: Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, OH, 1988-1989.

Residency: Diagnostic Radiology, Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, DC, 1989-1990; Diagnostic Radiology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 1990-1993.

Fellowship: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 1993-1994.

Diplomate: National Board of Medical Examiners, 1989.

Certification: American Board of Radiology, 1993; Certificate of Added Qualifications, Pediatric Radiology, 1995 initial, 2005 recert, 2015 recert.

Services and Specialties

Radiology

Research Areas

Radiology

Additional Languages

French

Publications

Stroke Prevention with Hydroxyurea Enabled through Research and Education: A Phase 2 Primary Stroke Prevention Trial in Sub-Saharan Africa. Smart, LR; Ambrose, EE; Balyorugulu, G; Songoro, P; Shabani, I; Komba, P; Charles, M; Howard, TA; McElhinney, KE; O'Hara, SM; Lane, A; Latham, TS; Makubi, AN; Ware, RE. Acta Haematologica. 2023; 146:95-105.

Variation in imaging outcomes associated with individual sonographers and radiologists in pediatric acute appendicitis: a retrospective cohort of 9271 examinations. Gilligan, LA; Trout, AT; Davenport, MS; Zhang, B; O’Hara, SM; Dillman, JR. European Radiology. 2021; 31:8565-8577.

Predictors of Clinical Outcomes in Pediatric Appendicitis: Role of the Individual Sonographer and Radiologist When Using a First-Line Ultrasound Approach. Gilligan, LA; Trout, AT; Davenport, MS; Zhang, B; O'Hara, SM; Dillman, JR. Journal of the American College of Radiology. 2021; 18:1128-1138.

Pilot Study to Assess the Use of Ultrasound in Evaluating the Abnormal Pediatric Airway. Bell, JR; Cohen, AP; Graff, JT; Fleck, RJ; O'Hara, S; de Alarcon, A; Hart, CK. Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. 2020; 162:950-953.

Patient Ratings and Comments

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4.6
Overall Patient Rating