Cincinnati Children's COO to Become CEO

Steve Davis, MD, MMM, will succeed Michael Fisher in November.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center announced on Monday that it has chosen a new CEO.

Steve Davis, MD, MMM, who has served as the health system's COO for the past six years, will begin to lead the organization on November 22.

Davis will succeed Michael Fisher, who has served as president and CEO for over a decade, making him the longest-serving CEO of the organization. In April, Fisher announced his plan to retire.

"I’m grateful to have had the privilege of leading the incredible team at Cincinnati Children’s, whose care for kids and commitment to scientific research and education has made this one of the best medical centers in the world," Fisher said in a statement. "I’m extremely pleased that the board has selected an exceptional leader in Dr. Steve Davis as the next CEO. Having worked closely with Steve for the last six years, I can tell you that he has high integrity, an innovative spirit, and a deep caring for patients and his fellow employees."

During his tenure as COO, Davis served as interim CEO for six months during 2018. He also led the construction of the Critical Care Building, the medical center's largest expansion, set to open in November. During the pandemic, he played a significant role in coordinating the response of local hospitals, as well as creating policies and procedures to safeguard patients and hospital workers.

Prior to joining Cincinnati Children's Davis served as COO of Hillcrest Hospital, which is a part of the Cleveland Clinic health system. He also served in numerous leadership positions at Cleveland Clinic between 1996 and 2015.

"I came to Cincinnati Children’s because I want to change the world of healthcare – for children in Cincinnati and beyond," Davis said. "I envision a world where all children can reach their full potential – where racial and economic disparities have been eliminated, and where the ZIP code you were born in doesn’t shorten your life expectancy or quality of life."

He added, "Our clinical excellence, focus on safety and improvement, and deep research experience is unmatched. Our collaborative spirit provides the space for each of us to learn, grow, and thrive. It is a remarkable organization, and I am proud to work here."