Cincinnati Children’s selects Dr. Robert Kahn to lead new Michael Fisher Child Health Equity Center

Monday, September 26, 2022

Robert Kahn, MD

Cincinnati Children’s has selected Robert Kahn, MD, to oversee the new Michael Fisher Child Health Equity Center, which was established to address social, environmental and health care factors that influence child health so that all kids can reach their full potential and thrive.

Kahn’s promotion to vice president in charge of the Fisher Center will be effective Oct. 10. The center will anchor Cincinnati Children’s equity related efforts and enhance collaboration with families, community members, schools, social service agencies, businesses and governments – all in service to improved health equity for children.

“Health equity is a fundamental part of the community aspiration of Cincinnati Children’s, and Dr. Kahn brings years of expertise to his new role with the Fisher Center,” said Tina Cheng, MD, chair of Pediatrics, chief medical officer and Research Foundation director at Cincinnati Children’s. “He will oversee our efforts to help make certain that the health outcomes of the kids we care for are both excellent and equitable.”

The Fisher Center will be committed to measurable impact and continuous improvement while serving as a catalyst for new knowledge and innovations, Cheng added.

Nerissa Morris, senior vice president, chief human resources and diversity officer for Cincinnati Children’s, said the aspirational goals of the center include eliminating disparities by race and ensuring that a child’s ZIP code is no longer a predictor for health outcome. “This is an opportunity to identify and leverage cross-organizational efforts, as well as collaboration with external partners, to support children and families through equitable care delivery, community focused support, advocacy and research,” Morris said.

Kahn currently is associate chair for Community Health at Cincinnati Children’s as well as executive lead for Community Health initiatives.

“This is a significant expansion of my current duties,” Kahn said of his new role leading the Fisher Center. “Cincinnati Children’s Community Health efforts have catalyzed health equity efforts across clinical teams and deepened results-oriented partnerships with families and community organizations. In the last couple years, Cincinnati Children’s has established HealthVine to coordinate care for children who rely on Medicaid, and we have new strategic plans focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as well as Community Relations. The Fisher Center is the next big leap forward in bringing together key elements of those initiatives for greater impact on community health and health equity. The Fisher Center will also partner to strengthen our diverse talent pipeline focused on child health equity.”

The name of the center recognizes the former president and CEO of Cincinnati Children’s, Michael Fisher, who championed the effort to ensure that all of the region’s kids can be the healthiest in the nation. Fisher retired in 2021 after serving 12 years as chief executive and before that for five years as a member of the board.