After 23 Years, OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital’s Jim Whitaker Takes on New Role at Wilson Health

Jim Whitaker, senior advisor of operations at OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital, has spent more than two decades with OhioHealth, playing a key role in the hospital’s operations and in the local community. He will soon take on a new opportunity as vice president of operations at Wilson Health in Sidney, Ohio. 

Looking back on his years at OhioHealth, Whitaker has played a significant role, leaving a lasting impact both inside the hospital and in the community.

Whitaker has been with OhioHealth for a little over 23 years, starting his career as a nurse, in the emergency room at Hardin Memorial. He left Hardin Memorial for about five years to work with a physician corporation in Lima before returning as director of operations at the OhioHealth transfer center. He was later approached to return to Hardin Memorial as director of nursing, a role he held briefly before transitioning to his most recent position as senior advisor of operations.

“Jim has made an incredible impact on Hardin Memorial and the community we serve,” Jim Parobek president of OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital and OhioHealth Marion General Hospital said. “His leadership, dedication, and deep connection to the county have helped strengthen our hospital and the care we provide. While we will certainly miss his presence here, we are grateful for the many contributions he has made over the years and wish him the very best in this next chapter.”

Over his years Jim has seen the hospital grow as technology and healthcare services have continued to evolve. “For a critical access hospital like Hardin Memorial, being part of OhioHealth has been incredibly valuable, offering resources and support of a larger system,”

“There’s been so many changes and being at a critical access hospital like Hardin, it has been so valuable for them to be part of OhioHealth, to be part of that big system and to have those resources available,” Whitaker said.

In his role as senior advisor of operations, Whitaker oversaw all operations at Hardin Memorial, including the balanced scorecard approach, which evaluates finances, service, culture, and quality to ensure success in each area. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he took on additional responsibilities at OhioHealth Marion General Hospital while continuing his duties at Hardin Memorial. He also helped lead culture initiatives including associate engagement and was known for frequent rounding and remaining visible to the departments.

“I’m from Hardin County, and very passionate about the hospital and community – I was actually born at Hardin Memorial a long time ago,” Whitaker said.

Whitaker has been able to share his knowledge and experiences as a Hardin native, helping OhioHealth understand how small-town communities differ from urban areas.

He is proud to have a voice both inside the hospital and outside its walls. Over the years, he has served in numerous community roles, including the chamber of commerce, economic development, Rotary, United Way, and other local initiatives.

“While I’ll still be in our community, I’ll miss being a part of it on a daily basis,” Whitaker said.

A couple of years ago, Whitaker helped lead an initiative to create a food distribution program.

“We noticed that there was a big food disparity within our county, and so we partnered with the West Ohio Food Bank to create a monthly food drive. “Over the past two years we have served about 300 families monthly.”

The food drives are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month at Home Run Memorial Park in Kenton. Volunteers include Hardin Memorial and Marion General Hospital associates, community members, food bank volunteers, students from local schools and volunteers from local businesses.

Some of Whitaker’s other key initiatives were focusing on pipeline work with local schools.

“It has been a privilege to partner with all of our schools, both high schools and local technical colleges,” to educate students on the types of healthcare careers available. It is important to develop that pipeline for OhioHealth, so we have students staying local to serve in those roles.”

As Jim moves on to a new opportunity, Whitaker reflects on his time at Hardin Memorial and OhioHealth.

“I hope our community continues to embrace what OhioHealth and Hardin Memorial is doing to keep care local, and really just providing the healthcare that they need in the county. I’m particularly proud of our infusion services, which allow patients with serious illnesses to stay local and receive care and not have to travel.

“My hope is that we continue to serve the community and being a strong partner, making sure the residents of Hardin County have access to the care and services they need” Whitaker said.

Hospital leadership will begin a search for Whitaker’s replacement in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition and continued support for ass