UC Unveils New Leadership Program Honoring Cohen Legacy

The Harvey D. and Janet G. Cohen Leadership in Clinical Medicine Program aims to cultivate empathetic, reflective leaders in healthcare.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 4:17am

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A highly detailed, ghostly X-ray image of a human heart, its intricate structure and veins illuminated from within against a dark, shadowy background, conveying the program's mission to develop technically skilled yet compassionate medical leaders.The new Cohen Leadership in Clinical Medicine Program aims to cultivate empathetic, reflective healthcare leaders who will transform the industry with a focus on patient-centered care.Naples Today

The University of Cincinnati has launched a new honors course called the Harvey D. and Janet G. Cohen Leadership in Clinical Medicine Program, designed to develop the next generation of healthcare leaders who combine technical excellence with empathy and humanity. The program was inspired by UC student Pano Mavridis, who was motivated to improve the bedside manner of physicians after a personal injury, and was developed with the support of Dr. Gregory Rouan and funding from the Cohen family's charitable trust.

Why it matters

The program aims to transform the healthcare industry by ensuring future clinicians and administrators lead with both technical expertise and a focus on patient-centered care, honoring the legacy of philanthropists Janet and Harvey Cohen who were known for their compassion and commitment to human wellbeing.

The details

The new honors course introduces undergraduate students to the vital role of leadership in the healthcare industry. It was developed by Mavridis, Dr. Rouan, and Dr. Haworth, with help from the Warren Bennis Leadership Institute's framework. The program is funded by the Cohen family's charitable trust, which saw Mavridis' vision and passion as aligned with Dr. Rouan's mission to elevate leadership in medicine.

  • Over a year ago, Pano Mavridis, a UC student, severely injured his knee during a soccer game.
  • The Harvey D. and Janet G. Cohen Leadership in Clinical Medicine Program launched in 2026.

The players

Janet Cohen

A no-nonsense, passionate woman who cared deeply about the well-being of others, and was known for her philanthropic endeavors in Naples, Florida as well as the Greater Cincinnati area.

Harvey D. Cohen

Janet Cohen's husband.

Pano Mavridis

A UC student who, after suffering a severe knee injury, was motivated to improve the bedside manner of physicians and developed the initial structure for the new leadership program.

Gregory Rouan, MD

A professor emeritus and past chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at UC, who supported Mavridis as both a physician and a trusted confidant.

Jim Nathan

A Cohen trustee who was impressed by Mavridis' maturity, vision, and passion, and believed the program aligned with Dr. Rouan's mission to elevate leadership in medicine.

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What they’re saying

“Pano's maturity, vision and passion made an immediate impression on us. He is clearly aligned with Dr. Rouan's mission to elevate leadership in medicine. Developing clinicians who lead with both technical excellence and humanity isn't just an idea we support - it's one we believe in deeply.”

— Jim Nathan, Cohen trustee

“The students are all very inspiring and that allows us as educators to really understand how the next generation of leaders and health care providers are going to be transforming both the practice of health care and interactions with patients. We are helping to prepare students so they themselves can become future department chairs, deans and other leaders throughout the nation.”

— Gregory Rouan, MD, Professor emeritus and past chair, Department of Internal Medicine

What’s next

The Harvey D. and Janet G. Cohen Leadership in Clinical Medicine Program is designed to continue shaping the healthcare field for generations to come by cultivating empathetic, reflective leaders.

The takeaway

This new program honors the legacy of philanthropists Janet and Harvey Cohen, who were known for their compassion and commitment to human wellbeing, by ensuring the next generation of healthcare leaders combines technical expertise with a focus on patient-centered care.