Dr. Eugene Chio

Dr. Eugene Chio is an ENT-otolaryngologist in Columbus, Ohio and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. He has been Ohio State University Medical Center’s Director of Sleep Surgery Program since 2009 and its Co-Director of Multidisciplinary Cough Program since 2010.

Nathan and Carrie Bruck were enthusiastic in nominating Eugene for the Hall of Fame. They say, “Eugene was an exceptional student at Greenfield-Central High School. Participating in multiple extracurricular leadership activities, sports, and as the valedictorian for the class of 1996, his high school career was extremely successful. Since his time at G-C, excellence has continued to be a part of his schooling and career. He has accomplished numerous achievements in his field of medicine that have greatly helped patients, fellow doctors and surgeons, and his community.”

Eugene credits his education in Greenfield for laying the foundation for his career. He notes, “Numerous teachers and coaches along the way helped pave my path for success after graduation. I went on to study pre-medicine at DePauw University which was the perfect-sized school for me, coming from a smaller high school.” He finished in the top 10% of his 2004 graduating class at Indiana University School of Medicine. Following his internship at the Mount Carmel Medical Center of Columbus, Ohio, Eugene completed a 5-year residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at The Ohio State University where he continues to serve as Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology.

Eugene won numerous scholarships, awards, and competitions in his undergraduate and graduate studies, including a Student Fellowship Research Award with Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA.

As Eugene developed his skills and medical practice, he claims to have just been, “in the right place at the right time” when new technology was coming to market for obstructive sleep apnea. An alternative to CPAP, it involved placing an implantable respiratory device, called Inspire, inside one’s body that works while sleeping. Eugene is one of the preeminent surgeons in the field of hypoglossal nerve stimulation. In 2020, he received the Center of Excellence Inspire medical therapy designation for top performing implant centers.

A member of the Inspire Medical Excellence Program and the Inspire Medical Physician Advisory Council, Eugene acknowledges that, “I’ve served on the medical company’s physician advisory board, served as a consultant, helped train their staff, and given lectures across the world in this therapy. I have also helped refine the surgical technique, further streamlining the process and improving the duration of surgery and patient recovery.” His expertise is widely renowned as Eugene has completed more surgical implants than any other surgeon in the world.

“Every day as an otolaryngology surgeon I help people to feel better,” says Eugene. “Through expert surgery, we can achieve a wide range of restorative solutions for patients. Whatever the procedure, I believe that all patients should get top-notch care.” That top-notch care includes a wide variety of procedures and conditions beyond sleep apnea. Things like tinnitus, thyroid disease, hearing disorders, head and neck cancer, tonsillitis, vertigo, hearing loss, snoring, otorhinolaryngologic diseases, vestibular diseases, and the list goes on and on. His patients appreciate his knowledge, patience, and ability to articulate clearly. Says one patient, “Dr. Chio is an outstanding physician. He is professional and explains procedures before he performs them. He is patient and listens to my questions and concerns. He is friendly and makes me feel relaxed. He is a credit to his profession and is a positive role model for other doctors and I’m thankful he’s at OSU.” Eugene is a member of the American Gastroenterology Association and American Digestive Health Foundation.

Eugene has received numerous accolades for his professional accomplishments. He has also devoted time to giving back, whether it’s by coaching youth soccer or cycling to raise funds for cancer research. Working as a volunteer physician for Project Ear, he has made several trips to the Dominican Republic as part of a humanitarian effort to help the poor and underserved who suffer from hearing loss and ear disease in developing countries.

Eugene knows that there are many along the way who have helped him. He is thankful for his parents and teachers for, “helping me get to where I am today.” He is also honored to have been nominated by his peers.  “I am humbled to be in the presence of these other individuals being recognized today, and none of this would be possible if not for my time at G-CHS,” says Eugene.

When he is relaxing, Eugene enjoys attending Ohio State football games or taking in a good movie. He also likes traveling, relaxing with family, doing home improvement projects. Eugene and his wife, Sarah, are the parents of Addie, Isla, and Jack.