Dr. Rick Ohye has always been driven by a mix of purpose and passion. As a co-director of C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Congenital Heart Center in Ann Arbor, his days are spent helping the youngest and most vulnerable patients—children from across Michigan, the country, and the world—receive lifesaving care. His work is complex, but for him, going to the hospital isn’t just a job, it’s a calling.
“I’m probably one of the luckiest guys in the world,” he says. “Going to work every day is fun for me. The people I work with are very much like a family, and the work we do for kids is incredibly rewarding.”
When he talks about Detroit, he points to its resilience and determination. Having lived in Ann Arbor and the Detroit area for more than 25 years, he’s witnessed its transformation firsthand. “When I think of Detroit, I think of determination,” Dr. Ohye says. “Even in my time here, I’ve seen huge changes—new hotels, incredible food, and a renaissance across the city. Of course, the sports are always a big part of it, and I’ve always been a car guy, so being in Detroit just feels like home.”
What makes the Detroit Auto Show special is that it shines a light not only on the automotive industry, but on everything Detroit has accomplished. To have it benefit our patients at Mott at the same time—that’s just incredible.
That same spirit of determination is mirrored in his own drive. His vehicle of choice is a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck, and for him, it’s more than transportation. “My truck is almost like a tool—it fits my life,” he says. “It’s so easy to throw my hockey bag in the back, and my hockey sticks basically live there permanently. I’ve got two rescue dogs—high-energy herder mutts—and I just throw them in the back on an old piece of carpet and take them out to run on my buddy’s farm in Ypsi. It’s not fancy, but it works for me.”
Of course, he admits there’s a little fun built in too. “It’s not just a stock Colorado. I put a supercharger on it, louder exhaust too—so it’s kind of fast and loud,” he laughs. “It’s a little more fun than your standard pickup.”
Dr. Ohye’s connection to the Detroit Auto Show is deeply personal and professional. As one of six charities supported by the annual Charity Preview, Mott Children’s Hospital benefits from funds that make a tangible difference in patient care, education, and research. “If your child needs heart surgery, insurance will cover the operation,” he explains. But for programs that offer comfort—through care coordination, play, or uplifting approaches like music therapy—philanthropy fills the gap, transforming the patient and family experience, he says. “It also helps us train the next generation of doctors and supports the research that leads to breakthroughs for kids who don’t have other options. That’s what makes the Auto Show so important for us.”
And when it comes to the Auto Show itself, his passion comes through without hesitation.
“The thing I look forward to most is the cars. I’m a certified car nut—I can blame my dad for that,” he says with a smile. “But what makes the Detroit Auto Show special is that it shines a light not only on the automotive industry, but on everything Detroit has accomplished. To have it benefit our patients at Mott at the same time—that’s just incredible.”
Dr. Rick Ohye has always found meaning at the intersection of work, community, and passion. In the operating room, he gives children and families hope. On the road, he finds freedom and joy in the little things—hockey games, rescue dogs, and the open fields outside the city. And at the Auto Show, he sees the power of Detroit on full display, where the cars he loves help fuel the hospital he’s proud to serve. For him, it all comes down to one idea: driving change that lasts far beyond the road.