Dr. Hirsch is a native of South Africa who completed pediatric residency, chief residency,
and pediatric cardiology training at Washington University in St. Louis, followed
by additional training in interventional cardiology at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Hirsch served as a faculty member at the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati
Children’s Hospital for 23 years, with a rank of Professor since 2017. Since 2007
he has served as Director of Cardiac Catheterization and the Pulmonary Hypertension
Service at Cincinnati Children’s, one of the top ranked pediatric heart programs in
the country. Among his most notable accomplishments is the development of the Pulmonary
Hypertension Program, which he built from inception into a nationally accredited Pulmonary
Hypertension Association Care Center. He also spearheaded the creation of the Hybrid
Cardiac Catheterization Facility, a pioneering model now emulated at children’s hospitals
across the country. His contributions have directly enhanced patient outcomes, multidisciplinary
collaboration, and institutional prestige.
Dr. Hirsch’s contributions to academic medicine have been recognized through multiple
honors, including the Peter B. Manning Education Award (2016) and the Aubrey Rose
Foundation’s Doctor of the Year Award (2022). His leadership within national networks
such as the Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Network (PPHNet) further underscores
his reputation as a thought leader in the field. Additionally, Dr. Hirsch has authored
more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and has given about 75 national or international
invited lectures and presentations.