Julie Bonn, MD, is a Pediatric Transplant Hepatologist and Assistant Professor at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where she leverages both clinical expertise and personal experience to advance pediatric liver transplantation. As a liver transplant recipient herself since age 12, Dr. Bonn now provides care and advocacy for children, adolescents, and young adults facing the same journey that once shaped her own.
She was nominated for The Alliance 40 Under 40 by Joseph Hillenburg, Strategy Advisor at Transplant Families. “Dr. Bonn brings unmatched insight and empathy to her patients,” Hillenburg shared. “She is not only a highly skilled clinician but also a tireless advocate, advancing national initiatives that empower young transplant recipients and improve care systems across the country.”
Dr. Bonn serves on the leadership team for the PCORI-funded PARTNER Advance project, which fosters leadership and self-advocacy skills in adolescent and young adult transplant recipients. She has also been an integral leader in the “Patient-centered Research in Pediatric Transplant” initiative, which elevates patient and family voices in transplant-related research. Her scholarly contributions include work in biliary atresia, health disparities, and medication adherence, and she has presented at prominent national conferences, including the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and the American Transplant Congress.
Beyond her clinical and academic work, Dr. Bonn is an active advocate in the transplant community, frequently partnering with organizations such as the American Liver Foundation, Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation, Chronic Liver Disease Foundation, and Network for Hope. She was recognized by the American Liver Foundation during Women’s History Month for her trailblazing work in hepatology and transplant care.
Dr. Julie Bonn’s story and service are deeply intertwined. Her lived experience fuels a practice rooted in empathy, precision, and innovation — making her a transformative force in pediatric transplantation and a beacon for the next generation of transplant physicians and patients alike.