Meet Our New Faculty

The Heart Institute continues to bolster its world-class team of faculty and staff. We are pleased to introduce you to the newest faculty members who have recently joined our team.

Michael Gaies, MD, MPH : Medical Director, Acute Care Cardiology Unit

Michael Gaies, MD, MPH, has joined the Heart Institute team as the medical director of the Acute Care Cardiology Unit. He shares his time between patient care and research. Part of his new role involves helping to develop the Heart Institute Data Center and Heart Institute Outcomes Program. Gaies brings experience as founder and past executive director of the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium (PC4) and Cardiac Networks United, of which Cincinnati Children’s is a participating hospital. His research focuses on the use of large datasets to understand variation in and system factors related to outcomes in children with heart disease, particularly those undergoing surgery or catheter-based interventions.

Gaies went to Harvard Medical School where he earned his medical degree and Master of Public Health degree. He completed his residency at Boston Children’s Hospital, and his pediatric cardiology and advanced critical care fellowships at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He is currently a co-director of Cardiac Networks United.

HEART INSTITUTE: What do you most look forward to in your career here?

GAIES: I look forward to playing a role in helping the Heart Institute and Cincinnati Children’s be a world leader in pediatric and congenital heart disease care and research. I also hope to help the Heart Institute innovate in clinical and translational research efforts that have a direct positive impact on patients and families.

Ashley Neal, MD: Pediatric Cardiac Imaging Specialist

Ashley Neal, MD, is the newest member of our cardiology imaging team. She specializes in transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, and also cares for patients in our general cardiology clinic and cardiovascular genetics clinic. In addition, she serves as editor of the Pediatric Cardiac Learning Center within Heart University where she oversees custom content produced for providers and trainees worldwide. Her research relates to general pediatric cardiology, echocardiography and medical education.

Neal received her medical degree from Yale University. She completed her pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and her pediatric cardiology fellowship at Boston Children’s.

HEART INSTITUTE: What drew you to Cincinnati Children’s?

NEAL: I was attracted to the opportunity for continued personal growth and career development as both a pediatric cardiac imager and medical educator. I’m looking forward to the endless possibilities for collaboration locally and on a national and international level in the further development of Heart University.