Pediatrician celebrates 30th UC College of Medicine reunion with a scholarship gift

Chris Peltier, MD, A&S ’91, Med ’95, is a self-proclaimed Bearcat for life

Chris Peltier, MD, A&S ’91, Med ’95, holds down two full-time jobs: pediatrician by training and avid Bearcat.

There’s a vital thread woven into the fabric of Peltier’s life. It’s black and red, and it knits all things Bearcat together into a life that was transformed by the University of Cincinnati and the UC College of Medicine.

Peltier graduated from the UC College of Arts and Sciences in 1991 with a degree in biology and an eye on med school. The Elyria, Ohio native received a full-ride academic scholarship to attend UC as an undergraduate, and after learning as much as he could about the College of Medicine, “knew that was where I wanted to go,” Peltier said.

Finding a great college also meant meeting his wife

Peltier met his wife Marla, A&S ’91, CECH, ’93, at UC, making that 30-year Bearcats union one of the many things that changed the trajectory of his life. After spending time in Indianapolis for a pediatric residency, the couple decided to move back to Cincinnati and look at practices to join.

As luck would have it, “I ended up joining a practice that I spent a month with when I was a fourth-year med student. My wife reminded me that during that month I was so happy, and I would come home and say, ‘this is the exact type of practice I would want to join,’” Peltier notes with a smile. “And I’ve been lucky enough to be at Pediatric Associates of Mount Carmel for 26 years and am a partner in the practice.”

The dual role of practitioner and educator

Peltier and his College of Medicine classmates at an event honoring Iva Dean Lair.

During his year as a pediatric chief resident, Peltier also became interested in teaching and medical education. He began precepting medical students and pediatric residents in his office and eventually became the director of the community section, in the Division of General and Community Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

“With that came a faculty position through the College of Medicine,” said Peltier. “I’m in private practice, but I’m also a faculty member and have been lucky enough to create a dual career and have been doing that for 18 years now. Had I not done that fourth-year rotation, I’d probably would not have ended up at Pediatric Associates of Mount Carmel and would have a totally different career.”

“Chris’ journey through the College of Medicine is proof of the power of education, not just in the classroom, but in the experiences that shape careers and lives,” shares Gregory Postel, MD, executive vice president for health affairs and Christian R. Holmes Professor and dean of the College of Medicine. “His commitment to giving back exemplifies the very best of our alumni. We are grateful that his time at UC and the College of Medicine inspired him to support the next generation of physicians, ensuring that future students have the same opportunities to learn, grow and make a lasting impact.”

Love for UC Athletics grows

Chris Peltier and the Bearcat at Nippert Stadium.

Peltier with the Bearcat.

Peltier also has a deep love for UC Athletics. Blame it on UC’s 1992 trip to the Final Four, Peltier suggests, remembering it as an exuberant time. Basketball season tickets led to football season tickets and things snowballed from there.

“Most of my discretionary entertainment budget is for UC sports,” said Peltier. “It’s fun. I never used to tailgate, but now I am part of a huge Bearcat tailgate family. It’s become such a big part of my life, both entertainment-wise and socially, and I’ve made so many close friends.”

Legacy includes endowed scholarship

With his love of all things UC, Peltier said it was an easy decision when he started thinking of his legacy and of giving back to support what has shaped his life: the College of Medicine and UC Athletics. He and his wife created the Christopher B. Peltier, MD, Endowed Scholarship Fund to support a student who demonstrates an interest in pursuing a career in pediatrics. The gift also supports the UCATS General Scholarship Fund.

When asked why an endowed scholarship, Peltier shares that, “recently, the number of medical students going into pediatrics just plummeted. We’re worried about that. We're worried about the future of our specialty. That’s why I wanted to help somebody who was like me and wanted to do pediatrics.”

Peltier’s passion for scholarship also weighed in the decision of how to support athletics by including the UCATS General Scholarship Fund in his gift.

“I’ve been the ambassador for UC Day of Giving and have been very involved in supporting the IvaDean Medical Student Scholarship Fund,” Peltier noted. “When my wife and I started thinking about what we could do to make a difference, and after discussing with the Foundation’s estate team, I decided a scholarship would provide a legacy impact. It’s not going to be just a one-time thing and it’s going to hopefully impact students for years to come.”

Through a series of interactions that began with him working in the Telefund program, now the Digital Philanthropy Center, as an undergraduate, and culminating in Peltier becoming president of the College of Medicine Alumni Council, he has been very involved with the UC Alumni Association.

“This year is our 30th medical school reunion,” says Peltier, “and I’m so honored to be receiving the College of Medicine Distinguished Alumni Award this year during reunion weekend.”

“I’m so proud to be able to share the details of my endowed scholarship with my fellow alumni. I want to foster and advocate for our medical students. Scholarships are invaluable. We need to make sure that we are recruiting and retaining the best and the brightest. Not just for the college, but for the city and our entire region.”

Featured image at top: Chris Peltier, MD. Photo/Provided.

This is how breakthroughs happen

Your generosity has illuminated what’s next: Student success beyond the classroom. Bearcats winning on the Big 12 stage. The gift of discovery for the health of our community. When you give to the University of Cincinnati and UC Health, you invest in the problem-solvers of tomorrow.

Jenny Hudson

Senior Advancement Writer, UC Foundation

hudsojn@foundation.uc.edu