The $2 million Endowed Chair was established in 2017 to support The Christ Hospital’s Heart and Vascular program in its continuing role as a national leader in cardiovascular care. The gift ensures that the region’s premiere heart program will continue groundbreaking work in the area of Heart Failure.

Dr. Egnaczyk moved to Cincinnati in 2011 to help establish an LVAD Center at The Christ Hospital, which has since treated more than 250 patients. His research experience spans investigating the molecular pathways of cardiac regeneration to clinical trials in new medical and device therapies in heart failure. He completed his undergraduate training at Yale University; finished his MD/PhD program at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; received internal medicine training at Massachusetts General Hospital; and completed general cardiology and advanced heart failure/transplant training at Duke University Medical Center.

Walter “Chip” Homan is the Executive Trustee of the Frank and Margo Homan Family Foundation. He and the Homan family remain so committed to the Heart and Vascular Program that they gave an additional $1 million in 2021 and look forward to many more years of innovative cardiovascular work.

"People know that The Christ Hospital is Cincinnati’s Heart Hospital. Our neighbors, friends and others in the region depend on the groundbreaking research and exceptional heart care provided by these world-class physicians and nurses. We want to ensure that Dr. Kereiakes and his team have the resources they need to provide this care now and long into the future,” says Mr. Homan.

“Philanthropy plays a crucial role in advancing patient care. We are so appreciative of Chip and the Homan family’s generosity and know that Dr. Egnaczyk will continue to bring innovation, compassion and groundbreaking research to the Heart Failure Program,” said Heart and Vascular Institute President Dean J. Kereiakes.

“I am humbled and honored to be named the newest Homan Family Endowed Chair. I’m excited about the future of care for heart failure as well as the technologies and innovations we are able to introduce. I look forward to exploring and implementing new ways to help people with heart failure live long, fruitful lives,” says Dr. Egnaczyk.

The endowment gift provides a permanent, self-sustaining source of funding, enabling Dr. Egnaczyk to conduct comprehensive heart failure research, including clinical trials, in addition to developing and expanding the heart failure program.

About The Christ Hospital Health Network

The Christ Hospital Health Network is an acute care hospital located in Mt. Auburn, with a remote hospital location in Liberty Township, five ambulatory outpatient centers, and dozens of offices conveniently located throughout the region. More than 1,300 talented physicians and more than 6,000 dedicated team members support the Network. Its mission is to improve the health of the community and to create patient value by providing exceptional outcomes and the finest experiences, all in an affordable way. The Network has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report—for the seventh consecutive year as the #1 hospital in Greater Cincinnati for cardiology and heart surgery—and awarded Healthgrades “America’s 50 Best Hospitals” for being in the top 1% in the nation for providing the highest clinical quality year after year. It is also a Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award recipient, which recognizes top-performing healthcare organizations that achieve the 95th percentile or above for performance in patient experience. The Christ Hospital is among a select number of hospitals in the nation to be awarded Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. For more than 130 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to those it serves.