About
Hope O'Brien, MD, MBA, FAHS, FAAN, is the founder and CEO of Headache Center of Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio. She grew up in Long Island, New York, born to parents of Jamaican descent, both of whom were registered nurses. S. with Honors Distinction in Research in Neuroscience from the University of Rochester College of Arts and Sciences in 1997. She then completed her medical training at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, her preliminary internship in internal medicine at The Christ Hospital, and her neurology residency at the University of Cincinnati in 2009. She followed that with a clinical fellowship and a research fellowship in headache medicine, both at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, completing the latter in 2011. In 2018, she added a Master of Business Administration from Xavier University Williams College of Business.
Dr. O'Brien holds board certifications from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties in Headache Medicine, and the National Board of Medical Examiners. She earned fellowship status from both the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society. Her academic career at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center included directing the Young Adult Headache Clinic and leading the Headache Medicine Fellowship Education Program. She is passionate about pediatric and adolescent migraine, healthcare disparities in migraine care, and the transition of adolescents into adult migraine treatment. The American Academy of Neurology recognized her through its Diversity Leadership Program, and Cincinnati Magazine named her a Top Doctor in 2023. She is married to a physician, is an active member of Solid Rock Church, and enjoys traveling, shopping, and relaxing massages.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
University of Rochester College of Arts & Sciences, B.S. with Honors Distinction in Research, Neuroscience, 1997
Medical School
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Residency
Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 2009; Preliminary Internship, Internal Medicine, The Christ Hospital, 2006
Fellowship
Clinical Fellow, Headache Medicine, Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 2010; Research Fellow, Headache Medicine, Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 2011
Additional Training
Master of Business Administration, Xavier University Williams College of Business, 2018; Post-Graduate Study, University of Rochester College of Arts & Sciences, 2001
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. O'Brien right for?
Dr. O'Brien is a strong fit for adults and children living with chronic or recurrent headaches and migraines. Patients dealing with difficult-to-treat conditions, such as cluster headache, occipital neuralgia, hemicrania continua, or post-concussive headache, benefit from her subspecialty training. She also serves adolescents and young adults navigating the transition from pediatric to adult migraine care. Patients who want a treatment plan that evolves over time, combining conventional medicine with complementary therapies, will find her approach well-matched to those goals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. O'Brien treats the full range of headache and migraine disorders in both adults and children. Her list includes chronic migraine, cluster headache, tension-type headache, occipital neuralgia, cervicogenic headache, hemicrania continua, trigeminal neuralgia, post-concussive headache, abdominal migraine, POTS, peripheral neuropathy, and headaches related to pregnancy, menstruation, or exertion.
Yes. Dr. O'Brien holds board certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and from the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties in Headache Medicine. She has maintained both certifications through recertification, most recently in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Yes. Dr. O'Brien has extensive experience with pediatric and adolescent migraine. She previously directed the Young Adult Headache Clinic at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, focusing on patients ages 15 to 26. At Headache Center of Hope, she sees children of adult members and actively enrolls children ages 6 to 17 in clinical research trials for migraine.
Dr. O'Brien builds individualized treatment plans that combine proven conventional medicine with complementary and naturopathic options. She focuses on identifying each patient's triggers and creating a plan that can evolve over time. Her goal is to move patients toward a headache-free life, not just symptom management.
Dr. O'Brien completed both a clinical fellowship and a research fellowship in headache medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She later directed the Headache Medicine Fellowship Education Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center from 2011 to 2018. Headache medicine is her primary subspecialty within neurology.
Yes. Cincinnati Magazine named her a Top Doctor in 2023. The American Academy of Neurology selected her as a Diversity Leadership Scholar and later recognized her with a feature in AAN News. She also received the National Medical Fellowships Diversity in Clinical Trials Research Scholar award in 2022 and earned fellowship status from both the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society.
Yes. Dr. O'Brien runs an active clinical research program at Headache Center of Hope. She collaborates with pharmaceutical companies on migraine trials for both adult and pediatric patients. gov, and participation does not require a practice membership.
Dr. O'Brien served as an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and held appointments at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center for over a decade. She currently holds an adjunct faculty position in the Department of Neurology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She has published research on migraine outcomes in pediatric and adult populations.
Doctor profile last updated August 17, 2026