• The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium celebrated the arrival of four Caribbean flamingo chicks, using the moment to highlight both animal care and new life.
• OhioHealth’s Fourth Trimester Clinic joined the celebration because of a meaningful connection to flamingos: the clinic gives small pink flamingos to new moms as a symbol of support and “getting their pink back.”
• The flamingo metaphor reflects the postpartum experience - just as flamingos lose some of their pink while caring for their young, moms can feel depleted while adjusting to life with a newborn.
• The Fourth Trimester Clinic helps new moms navigate postpartum challenges, including breastfeeding support, education and emotional reassurance.

Last month, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium celebrated its newest additions: Caribbean flamingo chicks.

“We have four Caribbean Flamingo chicks, 3 boys and 1 girl, and they’re 39 days and 38 days old," said Mallory Seibold, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium zookeeper. "So, we’re doing a fun celebration for them, bringing them out with our flock.”

Also joining the celebration was the OhioHealth Fourth Trimester Clinic team at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital Women’s Health Outpatient Center.

As part of the celebration, OhioHealth received 30 specialty Flamingo ADOPT packages for babies born at Dublin Methodist that day, giving families a unique keepsake tied to the zoo’s newest arrivals.

“It was wonderful to get to go to the Columbus Zoo and celebrate the baby shower for the pink flamingos," said Eleanor Byrum, a nurse practitioner at the OhioHealth Fourth Trimester Clinic. "It is just really cool to get to see people in different fields kind of focused on the same things, helping moms get through that early transition with their babies.”

The connection felt especially meaningful because the Clinic gives pink flamingos to new moms as a symbol of support during those early days.

“Here at the Fourth Trimester Clinic, I give out these small pink Flamingos as a reminder to moms that they will get their pink back,” said Byrum.

The phrase “get your pink back” was popularized by social media influencer Lindsey Gurk, and it quickly resonated with Byrum on a personal level.

“When Flamingos take care of their offspring, they literally give their all to their chicks," said Seibold. “They create something called crop milk. It is the literal pink coloration from their feathers because it has all those nutrients, all those carotenoids, algae, and anything they eat, they will bring it into their body and bring it up for their children. So, their feathers become pale during that time because they’re feeding their young all that crop milk.”
Byrum said the clinic’s flamingo tradition was inspired by social media influencer Lindsey Gurk and the movement of moms “getting their pink back.”

“I started looking around for a small memento that I can give out to families to represent, ‘I see you. I see what you’re doing with your baby, I see how much love you’re pouring into them,'" said Byrum.

“I was working in the women's & reproductive health service line at OhioHealth as a business operations manager when the Fourth Trimester Clinic was launched and began seeing patients,” Lucy Getz, OhioHealth patient, said. “At the time, I saw firsthand the vision behind the clinic and the important role it could play for new mothers. I then had the opportunity to experience that support personally as a patient after having my son last August.”

Getz initially visited the clinic for a prenatal appointment, then returned often in the first several weeks after her son was born for breastfeeding support and reassurance.

“During a season that can feel overwhelming and uncertain, every person I encountered made me feel supported, encouraged, and cared for,” Getz said. “Whether it was my lactation nurse, Amy, Rona the MPT, or the clinicians Dr. Tucker or Eleanor, I always felt like I had a trusted place to turn for guidance and the clinic provided not only expert care, but also reassurance and confidence I needed as a new mom.”

Getz keeps the flamingo on her desk as a reminder that motherhood is a journey, and every stage, even the difficult ones, is temporary. “It reminds me to give myself grace, to appreciate how far I've come, and to be grateful for the support system I had that helped me navigate that fresh season of motherhood.”

Danielle Stinnett first turned to the Clinic in 2024 for help with breastfeeding challenges after her first daughter was born.

“I was having some difficulties postpartum with her breastfeeding, latching multiple areas actually," said Stinnett. “It was a lot of education, even though I do work in the medical field, this is not my area of specialty, so they provided me information to help me get to the breastfeeding journey I was looking for with my first daughter who was unfortunately, tongue-tied," said Stinnett.

Stinnett’s oldest daughter is now 21 months old, and her youngest is three weeks old. When her second daughter was born, she returned to the Clinic for support.

“It just made me feel like I was among other people who are feeling very similar things as a lot of things change postpartum, and that it allowed me to realize the fact that I was not alone that there are other people there and are helping you along your journey," said Stinnett.

For Stinnett, “getting her pink back” means holding onto the hope that hard moments can ease, and finding joy in motherhood along the way.

“To me it means figuring out your new self with your children," said Stinnett. "It just means that before my girls, it was just me and my husband. Now, it’s kind of figuring out what that means as me being a mother and then kind of roping that into who I am myself.”

“Getting to see someone start to feel that normalcy return and feeling like they’re getting their footing of motherhood, there’s no greater joy to see that," said Byrum. “We are doing this to help moms get through this and we’re here to be that restorative function for them to get them back to hopefully getting their pink back."

• OhioHealth patients can now use MyChart to discover clinical research opportunities and indicate interest in participating in studies.
• Patients can manage their research preferences, including opting in or out of being contacted about eligible studies.
• Upcoming enhancements will allow patients to search for specific studies and connect directly with research teams through MyChart.

OhioHealth is making it easier than ever for patients to learn about and participate in clinical research.

Through OhioHealth MyChart, patients can now explore research opportunities, indicate their interests and choose whether they would like to be contacted about studies for which they may qualify. The new functionality helps connect patients with innovative research while making participation more accessible and convenient.

Clinical research plays a critical role in advancing medicine, improving treatments and bringing new care options to patients. At OhioHealth, research spans a wide range of specialties, including cancer, heart and vascular care, neuroscience, neurology, surgery and trauma.

"We do a lot of research here at OhioHealth," said Jennifer Sexton, director of research operations for the OhioHealth Research Institute. "We have a lot of research in our cancer space, our surgical and trauma space, heart and vascular neuroscience, neurology research. Our teams are really the support staff that go along with all of the physicians and help them make sure that the patients are going along on their research journey as they should."

Expanding access to research has been a priority as OhioHealth continues to grow its research capabilities across the state.

"Bringing all kinds of treatment options to our patients is really important," Sexton said. "We want to make sure that we can provide treatment opportunities not only on and off research, but close to where people live. As we grow, we expand those opportunities and give patients additional treatment therapies."

The integration of research tools into MyChart reflects that commitment to patient access. Through the platform, patients can learn more about ongoing studies, manage research preferences and, soon, browse studies and express interest directly through the app.

"For a number of reasons, it allows patients to more easily see the research studies that they're participating in at OhioHealth and how to reach the study team for those studies," Sexton said. "It also gives patients the opportunity to participate in some of our studies that may not have to do with treatment and may be more observational research studies that don't require coming into the clinic but still provide really important data to advancing our medicine and our care."

Patients can access research information in MyChart by selecting the Research Studies section from the menu. There, they can choose whether they would like to be contacted about future research opportunities. Patients who opt out can still discuss clinical trials and research studies with their physicians.

OhioHealth is also introducing additional features that will allow patients to personalize their research interests and connect more directly with study opportunities.

"There are a few different ways that they can find this information on MyChart," Sexton said. "In the Research Studies section, they can either opt in to be contacted about research or opt out. There's also an information card on the main screen where patients can fill out their profile, indicate what kind of research they might be interested in and whether they want to opt in or out."

Sexton said future enhancements will make participation even more seamless.

"Soon there will be some studies that patients can actually search and select to be interested in," she said.

The new MyChart features represent another step forward in OhioHealth's mission to bring innovative care and cutting-edge research closer to patients, giving more people the opportunity to contribute to discoveries that may shape the future of healthcare.

To learn more about research opportunities at OhioHealth and how to update your research preferences in MyChart, visit the OhioHealth Research Institute webpage or log in to your OhioHealth MyChart account.

• Columbus Fire Medic 11/Engine 11/EMS 17 was named Riverside Methodist Hospital’s EMS Unit of the Year.
• The unit was recognized for exceptional clinical skill, teamwork, communication and commitment to emergency patient care.
• The award highlights the strong partnership between Central Ohio EMS agencies and Riverside’s emergency and specialty care teams. 

The OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital Emergency Department has named Columbus Fire Department Medic 11/Engine 11/EMS 17 its EMS Unit of the Year, recognizing the crew’s exceptional clinical skill, teamwork and commitment to delivering outstanding emergency care in the moments when it matters most.

The annual recognition honors an EMS unit that exemplifies excellence in pre-hospital medicine through rapid assessment, sound clinical judgment, seamless communication and unwavering dedication to patient care. Medic 11/Engine 11/EMS 17 demonstrated those qualities throughout the year, providing advanced emergency treatment while working in close partnership with Riverside’s emergency department and specialty care teams.

“EMS professionals are often the first link in a patient’s chain of survival, and the care they provide before a patient ever reaches our doors can make all the difference,” said Tina Solazzo, EMS Outreach Manager at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. “This group consistently demonstrates the professionalism, clinical excellence and teamwork that define outstanding emergency medical services. We are proud to recognize them as our EMS Unit of the Year and grateful for the partnership we share in caring for our community.”

The recognition also highlights the close collaboration between Central Ohio EMS agencies and the multidisciplinary teams at Riverside Methodist Hospital, where emergency physicians, nurses, trauma specialists, cardiologists and critical care teams work together to provide timely, lifesaving care.

“Exceptional patient outcomes begin long before a patient arrives at the hospital,” said Warren Yamarick, MD, Medical Director of the Riverside Methodist Hospital Emergency Department. “The skill, preparation and communication demonstrated by our EMS partners are essential to everything we do. M11 exemplifies the highest standards of emergency medicine, and this recognition reflects not only their clinical expertise but their commitment to working as one team with the hospital to provide the best possible care for our patients.”

OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital partners with EMS agencies throughout Central Ohio to advance emergency medical care through education, training, quality improvement initiatives and ongoing collaboration. The EMS Unit of the Year award recognizes the dedication of first responders whose expertise and partnership help improve outcomes for patients across the region.

The Olentangy Liberty High School students recognized a gap in the healthcare supply chain and saw an opportunity to give unused medical equipment a second life. This discovery led them to reach out to OhioHealth, where they connected with Jean Halpin, president of OhioHealth Grant Medical Center. Halpin responded to the students’ initial outreach and facilitated the connection with the system’s supply chain team.

“Glad you are doing this work. It saves the planet and helps others in our world,” Halpin told the Project MedBridge team.

That connection helped transform the students’ idea into a large-scale effort to redirect unused medical supplies to healthcare organizations that could use them.

“The supplies already existed, and the need already existed,” said Ben Kurian, team lead and junior at Olentangy Liberty High School. “What was missing was a way to connect the two.”

OhioHealth donated approximately $250,000 of medical supplies to Project MedBridge, including 9,393 boxes of 3M N95 respirator and 20,736 reusable hot-and-cold therapy packs. The supplies donated by OhioHealth are being distributed through Brother’s Brother Foundation, a Pittsburgh-based humanitarian organization that distributes medical supplies and equipment to hospitals worldwide.

“I was encouraged to learn there was an opportunity for these supplies to be utilized by organizations in need rather than being discarded,” Amy McFarland, OhioHealth senior consultant for supply chain, told the Delaware Source. “It is inspiring to see high school students demonstrate such a strong commitment to addressing both healthcare and environmental challenges.”

The students originally set a goal to collect around 1,000 to 2,000 pounds of medical supplies. With OhioHealth’s donation of more than 30,000 pounds the team quickly surpassed that goal and gained national recognition.

“At that point it wasn’t a hypothetical student project anymore. The biggest hospital system in our city was actually trusting us to figure out what happened next,” Vahin Dubey, outreach lead for Project MedBridge told the Delaware Source.

Project MedBridge was selected as one of 71 teams nationwide for the 2026 Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness class. As one of only two Ohio teams selected, the students received $7,500 in funding, along with access to a national network for young leaders.

“Being in a room with young people from across the country who were already building serious projects in their communities made it very clear that age doesn’t have to determine the scale of a problem you can take on,” Ben Kurian said. “Not even a week later, we were back in Ohio moving a donation larger than anything we could’ve dreamed of.”

With Project MedBridge’s first donation complete, they have set a new goal of redirecting 100,000 pounds of supplies by the end of 2027.

“This is the first,” said Naman Soni, operations lead for Project MedBridge. “The next step is making sure our work doesn’t stop with just one hospital.”

The 25-minute anti-rejection infusion he needs following liver and kidney transplants required a three-hour drive each way to Indianapolis. By the time Everhart made the trip there and back, he could be away from his office for six to nine hours.

Now, the trip takes about an hour.

Everhart now receives the infusion at OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital, just 15 minutes from home.

“It’s just much more convenient,” Everhart said. “I don’t have to pencil out all day at the office. I pencil out an hour and I’m back.”

The change came after Hardin Memorial’s pharmacy and infusion teams worked through the requirements needed to make Everhart’s medication available at the hospital. Because the medication was not initially on their formulary, Jake Abbott, advisor of pharmacy services, worked with care teams to determine what was needed to provide the treatment locally.

Although Everhart’s situation prompted the hospital to explore whether his treatment could be provided closer to home, the goal was bigger than finding a solution for one patient.

“We had the resources to do it,” Abbott said. “And it’s not just him. We want to help everyone.”

That effort is part of a broader push at Hardin Memorial to make more acute and specialty care available locally.

“They don’t need to be driving to Columbus. They don’t need to be driving out of state when they can get their infusion treatments here,” Abbott said.

Receiving an infusion locally can mean more than simply cutting down on miles. A long trip for a short treatment can require taking time off work, arranging transportation or finding someone to accompany a patient. For someone who is already not feeling well, the trip itself can be physically demanding.

“Any way we can get patients to come here and keep care local is a win,” Abbott said.

He encouraged patients who currently travel outside the community to reach out to Hardin Memorial to see whether their treatment may be available. Most patients can continue working with their existing physicians while receiving infusions at Hardin Memorial and the hospital can coordinate with a patient’s provider as needed.

Everhart said receiving his treatment at Hardin Memorial also brings familiarity. He has known many of the hospital’s employees for years and his wife, Kim, works as an administrative nurse manager.

“I have a team who I know personally, and I know they’re advocating for me,” Everhart said. “I’m just so blessed.”

After years of dealing with a chronic disease that damaged his liver, Everhart received a liver transplant in December 2022. He later received a kidney transplant in October 2023. His monthly infusion is part of the ongoing treatment needed to help prevent his body from rejecting the transplanted organs.

Everhart said he’s always been grateful for the care he’s received in Indianapolis. But for a treatment he needs every month, being able to receive it just 15 minutes from home has made a noticeable difference.

“I think it’s more than just convenience,” he said. “I think it actually keeps me healthier because I’m in a better mindset.”

The shorter trip means less time away from his work, his community and his family. Everhart said he hopes more people recognize what their local hospital has to offer.

“You have a lot of talented people working here who want to do good for the community. This is a tremendous facility, and people are missing out if they don’t use it.”

To learn more about Infusion Services at OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital, click here or contact (567) 295-6900.

Listen to our recent episode on WKTN’s Public Eye here.

• OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital has earned Critical Access Hospital designation, strengthening its ability to provide care close to home.
• The designation provides greater flexibility and supports the hospital’s long-term sustainability as a rural healthcare provider.
• Van Wert Hospital successfully completed a comprehensive Joint Commission survey as part of the designation process

OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital has earned Critical Access Hospital designation, strengthening its ability to provide high-quality, patient-centered care while supporting the hospital's long-term sustainability and access to services close to home.

The Critical Access Hospital program was established to help rural hospitals maintain local access to care by providing additional flexibility through a cost-based Medicare reimbursement model.

“This designation helps ensure we can continue providing the care our community depends on, now and into the future,” said Paula Stabler, president, OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. “It strengthens our hospital, supports our caregivers and positions us to meet the healthcare needs of our community for years to come.”

With this designation, Van Wert Hospital joins other OhioHealth rural hospitals operating under the Critical Access Hospital model, including OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital, OhioHealth Shelby Hospital and OhioHealth Morrow County Hospital.

Critical Access Hospitals are designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and must meet specific operational and regulatory requirements. As part of the designation process, Van Wert Hospital successfully completed a comprehensive Joint Commission survey assessing its compliance with nationally recognized standards for quality and patient safety through on-site observations and reviews of clinical and operational processes.

“Our priority is always making sure our patients receive safe, compassionate care," said Leslie Beining, chief nursing officer, OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. "Critical Access Hospital designation gives our teams the flexibility and resources needed to provide that care and support the needs of our community.”

Van Wert Hospital leaders said they remain focused on providing trusted, patient-focused care throughout the transition. 

To learn more, visit jointcommission.org/accreditation/critical-access-hospital.

• O’Bleness Hospital earned U.S. News & World Report’s highest rating- High Performing - for care related to COPD and pneumonia.
• The recognition reflects strong patient outcomes and quality of care for two serious respiratory conditions.
• The ratings are based on objective measures including patient outcomes, preventable complications, mortality rates and patient experience.

OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital has been named among U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 Best Hospitals edition as a High Performing hospital for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Pneumonia. This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn as part of U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings.

Fewer than half of the thousands of hospitals evaluated earned a 'High Performing' designation in the types of care evaluated by U.S. News.

U.S. News’ annual Procedures & Conditions ratings are designed to assist patients and their health care providers in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures.

“Being recognized as a High Performing hospital for COPD and pneumonia reflects the strength of the care our teams provide,” said O’Bleness Hospital president LeeAnn Lucas-Helber. “These conditions can require close coordination and specialized expertise, and our physicians, nurses and clinical teams bring that experience to every patient. We’re proud to provide this level of care for people in our community.”

“When patients face a major surgery or a chronic medical condition, having access to clear, quality data is vital,” said U.S. News’ managing editor and chief of health analysis Ben Harder. “A ‘High Performing’ rating means that O’Bleness Hospital outperformed a national threshold, giving families a reliable starting point as they consult with their doctors to choose the best place for care.”

U.S. News evaluated nearly 4,500 hospitals across 14 adult specialties and 23 procedures and conditions; less than half earned recognition in any of those 37 areas of care. To determine the Best Hospitals, U.S. News analyzed each hospital’s performance based on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and patient experience. The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings methodology and Procedures & Conditions ratings methodology measure patient outcomes using data from over 800 million records of patient care.

For more information, visit Best Hospitals and use #BestHospitals on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok and X.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, insurance, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.

• OhioHealth Physician Group Clinical ENT/ Otolaryngologist Dr. Christopher Selinsky has performed more than 100 Inspire procedures.
• Inspire offers an alternative for patients who can’t tolerate CPAP.
• The device helps keep the airway open during sleep.
• Untreated sleep apnea can raise serious heart health risks.
• OhioHealth patient, Daniel Lee, says Inspire improved his sleep and quality of life.

For people living with obstructive sleep apnea, a good night’s sleep can feel out of reach, especially when continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy isn’t an option.

For Daniel Lee, that search for an alternative led him to OhioHealth Physician Group Clinical ENT/ Otolaryngologist Christopher Selinsky, MD, who recently surpassed a major milestone by performing more than 100 Inspire procedures.

Approved by the FDA in 2014, Inspire Therapy is an implantable hypoglossal nerve stimulator designed to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.

“I’ve now done over 100, probably around 105 at this point,” Dr. Selinsky said. “I’ve refined this and got it down to a bit of an art now. We can do it rather efficiently; I’ve decreased the incision sizes for patients and recovery time is pretty quick.”

During sleep, the device sends a small signal to the nerve that controls tongue movement, preventing the tongue from collapsing into the back of the throat and blocking the airway.

“In simple terms, a lot of people develop sleep apnea because their tongue falls into the back of the throat, creating a physical obstruction,” Dr. Selinsky explained. “The nerve stimulator sends a small signal to that nerve, lifting the tongue so patients can breathe past that obstruction with each breath throughout the night.”

Untreated sleep apnea can repeatedly interrupt breathing throughout the night, causing oxygen levels to drop again and again.

“What happens is through the night, you’ll have these apneic events which means you essentially you stop breathing and your oxygen goes down, and that happens multiple times a night,” Dr. Selinsky said. For some people, it’s 50, 60, 70 times an hour that’s happening where you’re having an apneic event, or even more than that.”

Those repeated drops in oxygen can do more than disrupt sleep; over time, they can put added strain on the heart and increase the risk of serious health complications.

“The long-term consequences of that are higher rates of cardiovascular disease which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, patients tend to have or can get arrythmias in their heart, so you may have heard of atrial fibrillation or AFIB,” Dr. Selinsky said. “That leads to being on blood thinners to prevent strokes and so there’s other health consequences if this is not treated whether it’s surgically or with a more traditional mainstay of therapy is CPAP, but many patients don’t tolerate CPAP which then patients land in an ENT office like myself and we’re talking about alternative surgical options.” 

Lee understands those risks firsthand.

After developing chronic nosebleeds, he visited Dr. Selinsky for treatment. During the appointment, the conversation shifted to Lee’s atrial fibrillation, or AFib, and the sleep apnea that was likely contributing to it.

“My cardiovascular surgeon made the recommendation to see Dr. Selinsky,” Lee said. “While I was there, we started talking about what kind of drives my AFib, which is sleep apnea.”

Lee had lived with sleep apnea for years and struggled to tolerate CPAP therapy.

“Sleep apnea is a life-altering problem for a lot of people, and mine is hereditary,” Lee said. “The CPAP machine just didn’t work for me. I was looking for an alternative, and that’s how Dr. Selinsky and I started talking about Inspire.”

According to Dr. Selinsky, before surgery, patients undergo a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether Inspire Therapy is the right treatment. One important step is a drug-induced sleep endoscopy, known as a DICE procedure, which allows physicians to evaluate how a patient’s airway collapses during sleep.

“We need to make sure patients have the appropriate anatomic findings that Inspire is going to work for them,” Dr. Selinsky said.

Once approved, the outpatient procedure is relatively straightforward.

“This is a minor procedure,” Dr. Selinsky said. “There are two incisions, one goes up under your jaw that allows us to get to the nerve that makes your tongue move and we need to put a small electrode around that nerve. And then wire gets tunneled through the soft tissue in your neck to the incision in your chest. That’s where the battery and the computer go.”

Compared to older surgical approaches for sleep apnea, Dr. Selinsky explained that Inspire Therapy offers patients a significantly easier recovery.

“Some of the more traditional surgeries were very painful,” he said. “This is a more modern technology that’s working better. The surgery is quicker, patients recover better and it’s helped a lot of people.”

Most patients, while not fully recovered just yet, return to work and normal daily activities within about a week.

“From a surgical standpoint, it’s a fairly easy recovery,” Dr. Selinsky said.

For Lee, deciding to undergo another surgery was the hardest part.

“I’m a stage 3 colon cancer survivor,” he said. “The real challenge was coming to grips with doing one more surgery. The surgery itself was a piece of cake.”

The procedure was completed at OhioHealth Doctors Hospital, and Lee said everything happened exactly as expected.

“It was outpatient,” Lee said. “It all went exactly as he told me it was going to. Very little pain.”

About one month after surgery, the device is activated and carefully adjusted over time to provide the best results.

“You have to be patient getting the implant set on the right settings for you,” Lee said. “That takes time. But immediately I could tell it was going to work.”

Today, Lee no longer relies on a CPAP machine.

“Push the button, and you get up and go live your life,” he said. “Getting good sleep is critical to good health.”

Dr. Selinsky said Lee’s experience reflects what he hopes for every eligible patient.

“He’s done wonderful,” Dr. Selinsky said. “It’s treating his sleep apnea, changed his quality of life and he doesn’t have to wear a CPAP anymore.”

Although Inspire has transformed treatment for many patients, Dr. Selinsky emphasizes that not everyone with sleep apnea is a candidate. He encourages anyone interested in alternatives to CPAP to first speak with their sleep medicine physician.

“Just because you have sleep apnea doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a candidate,” Dr. Selinsky said. “Ask your sleep doctor would I potentially be a candidate for this, and if so, getting referred to an ENT doctor like myself to further discuss that.”

• Vicki Vogel has donated handmade hats, blankets, booties and other baby items to OhioHealth Marion General Hospital for years.
• Her gifts are distributed to families in the hospital’s labor and delivery unit, including those with premature babies and those experiencing loss.
• Vicki began making the gifts as a way to thank David Foulk, MD for the care she received over more than four decades.

Before a newborn ever wears one of Vicki Vogel’s handmade hats, the gift has already been made with intention and love.

For years, Vicki has crocheted hats, blankets, booties and other keepsakes for babies and families at OhioHealth Marion General Hospital. Her creations are shared with families in the hospital’s labor and delivery unit, including parents of premature babies and those experiencing the loss of a child.

“With each stitch, I’m praying for the child that gets it,” Vicki said. “Just each stitch, each stitch.”

The idea began as a way for Vicki to give back after years of gratitude for the care she received from David Foulk, MD, OB/GYN and her OhioHealth providers. More than four decades ago, Dr. Foulk became her physician, and Vicki wanted to find a meaningful way to express her appreciation.

“I just wanted to do something to express thanks,” Vicki said. “Forty-one years ago, I became his patient, and he did something surgical that got me back living. How do you repay something like that?”

Vicki asked her sister, a longtime neonatal nurse, what she could do that would be meaningful and useful.

“She didn’t even hesitate,” Vicki said. “She said, ‘Do this. Make baby things, and he’ll give them to people. You’re blessing him, and you’re blessing the babies.’”

Since then, Vicki has filled shopping bags with handmade treasures that Dr. Foulk and the OB/GYN team deliver to labor and delivery. Nurses provide the gifts to families, allowing parents to choose a hat or blanket they love for their newborn.

One of Vicki’s most meaningful gifts was created for Ashley Boldman, surgical coordinator at the OB/GYN office.

When Ashley was pregnant with her son, she shared with Vicki that she had previously lost a daughter due to congenital heart and kidney defects. That experience played a role in Ashley’s decision to work in OB/GYN and support other families experiencing loss.

Vicki was moved by her story and just a week later, Ashley received a special handmade gift from Vicki: a quilt, booties and bibs for her son. The red and blue quilt was designed for a baby boy, but Vicki added one small pink teddy bear in the center as a reminder of his little sister.

“She made sure that someone who wasn’t even born yet would never forget someone he never met,” Ashley said. “That was amazing to me.”

She said the gift brought both tears and comfort.

“You always worry that someone’s going to forget the people that you lose,” she said. “The fact that someone took the time to remember someone so special to me and make sure that my son had a piece of his sister was incredible.”

Although Vicki’s gifts have touched many, she typically does not meet the families who receive her creations.

“I prefer not to,” Vicki said. “Because it’s so much more fun. I like envisioning Dr. Foulk doing it.”

Each handmade gift carries Vicki’s hope that families feel cared for.

“Especially the lost ones,” she said. “I want them to feel comfort.”

Dr. Foulk said Vicki’s generosity reflects who she is.

“She’s amazing,” he said. “I know she doesn’t want recognition, but I thought it was time she got some. She’s an accomplished, gifted and talented artist, seamstress, needle worker, baker, chef and has a poetic flare with words. She’s a strong Christian with a generous servant’s heart.”

And for Vicki, the reason behind the work is simple.

“I guess I want to make the Lord proud of me when I finally get home,” she said. “I just want to hear, ‘well done.’”

• OhioHealth is investing in Morrow County Hospital’s future. The Omnicell upgrade is part of a nearly $13 million, five-year commitment to improve technology, services and patient experience at the county’s only hospital.
• The new Omnicell cabinets help connect Morrow County Hospital with the broader OhioHealth system. Other OhioHealth sites can now see what medications are available at MCH, which improves coordination during shortages, overstock situations or urgent needs.
• The upgrade improves after-hours pharmacy support. Pharmacists at OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital can remotely verify orders, view inventory and help nurses locate medications more easily when MCH’s pharmacy is not staffed onsite.
• Medication safety and security are strengthened. The cabinets provide better tracking, controlled substance documentation, oversight and inventory control, helping reduce risk and support safer medication use.

While every new system takes some time to get used to, the latest upgrade at OhioHealth Morrow County Hospital will be a big help for nurses and doctors during a routine part of their jobs.

 “We’ve recently been on Pyxus machines, and we’re switching to Omnicell machines to align with the rest of the system,” said Holly Trainer RPh, pharmacy manager at Morrow County Hospital.

This next step in the hospital's integration means any OhioHealth hospital can see what's on hand at MCH.

This makes things a lot easier for pharmacists at different OhioHealth care sites supporting MCH's pharmacy in its' off hours. 

“When they're verifying orders, they can direct the nurses to which cabinet has it in stock because they’ll be able to see it now,” said Trainer. “They couldn’t see it when we were on a different system than they were.”

While Morrow County Hospital's pharmacy has had remote support from OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital since joining the system, those pharmacists can now access inventory and see what's available. 

Another advantage to the new Omnicell cabinets is enhanced security. 

The cabinets have stronger controlled substance documentation and oversight, making it easier to track any suspicious activity. 

This latest upgrade is just one of a long list since Morrow County Hospital joined OhioHealth in January of 2025.

In fact, the system has committed to spend nearly $13 million on Morrow County Hospital in its first five years as a full member hospital, and according to Hospital President Mike Hyek, that sends a strong message to the people in the community. 

“That speaks volumes to trying to bring the level of technology and services up to a standard that the community can be proud of,” said Hyek. “Morrow County Hospital serves the needs of patients in Morrow County and surrounding counties and it’s exclusively the only hospital in the county. It’s really important to OhioHealth that if we’re going to be present in the county, we deliver the best patient experience that we can, and part of that is the capital investment that we make into the facility.”

From athletic trainers to orthopedic surgeons, the OhioHealth Southeastern Medical Center sports medicine team works together to prevent injuries, treat on-field incidents, and guide athletes through recovery. For many on the team, the connection runs deeper than medicine. These are their alma maters. This is the town they call home.

A team built on local roots

For this team, coming home to practice medicine is personal.

"I grew up here," says Sara Saft, PA-C. "I've been a Cambridge resident all my life. It's nice to be able to come back home and work in the community that I grew up in."

Lauren Hutcheson, LAT, ATC, has served as the athletic trainer at John Glenn High School since 2019, returning to the very school she graduated from. "It was my dream when I left John Glenn High School to be able to come back," she says.

Foot and ankle reconstructive surgeon Zack Hill, DPM, who grew up in the area and graduated from Bishop Rosecrans High School, knows firsthand what local sports mean to a small town. "John Glenn High School won a basketball championship not long ago. The engagement of the community after that, how much joy sports can bring to little towns like ours: it's what people live for."

Orthopedic surgeon Bill Kumler, MD, grew up playing sports and sees his role as a way to honor the support he received as a young athlete. "It's nice to be able to pay forward all that I got as an athlete myself," he says. Dr. Kumler acts as the team physician for five schools in the area.

Working together for every athlete

Each Friday night during football season, the team coordinates coverage across Guernsey County schools. Athletic trainers are the first point of contact. "If there's an injury, I am the initial one to do the evaluation," says Hutcheson. From there, she connects athletes with the right specialist.

Dr. Kumler sets aside weekly time just for student athletes and often visits school training rooms directly. "John Glenn High School is just two blocks from me," he explains. "It's easy for me to stop by, see the athlete with Lauren in the training room, and save the parents the time it takes to come in for an appointment."

Recovery often happens right at school, too. Rather than traveling to an outside clinic, students can complete prescribed therapy with their athletic trainers. "So now, the kids don't have to leave school to go to therapy," Dr. Kumler says. That setup keeps everyone connected. "The athletic trainers are the ones seeing the students every day, letting us know, 'Hey, they're not progressing like they should be,' or 'They're doing great,'" says Saft.

Expertise when it matters most

When an injury happens, having experts on the sidelines means answers come fast. "You can give them right away on the sidelines," explains Dr. Kumler. "We can say, 'Here's what we think is going on,' and they walk away from the game with a plan."

"It's nice that you can give them answers right then and there. Then, they don't have to wait till the next week worrying about what might be," adds Saft. For athletes hoping to return at the same level or higher, that peace of mind matters.

The team also addresses recovery beyond the physical. Hutcheson focuses on the "mental reps" athletes need to return with confidence. "Mental reps are a big part of what I have to go through with athletes going back into sport. Specifically, we can review what it's like to perform the exact same play or motion the athlete injured themselves during."

Prevention is another priority. Through a preseason roadshow, the team visits schools to cover injury prevention, concussion protocols, and safe training habits. "A lot of what we aim to do nowadays is not just reactive treatments, but also really trying to nail down the proactive stuff," Dr. Hill says.

The heart of the team

Ask Dr. Kumler what makes this team work, and his answer is immediate. "Our trainers are the key, because they get to know the students. They're there every day," he says. "Having them in the schools with the students is probably the biggest piece to sports medicine that's improved care for our student athletes at the high school level." There’s a dedicated OhioHealth athletic trainer in each of the five schools Dr. Kumler provides care for:

·       Lauren Hutcheson at John Glenn High School

·       Lucia Picciano at Caldwell High School

·       Sam Yourko at Cambridge High School

·       Michael Marston at Meadowbrook High School

·       Caleb Heller at Shenandoah High School

·       Kasey Toto at Buckeye Trail High School

That daily expert presence, paired with local roots and genuine partnership, gives area families something valuable: a team behind every athlete. For our sports medicine providers, it's more than a job. It's a way of giving back to the community they love.

Meet the team

Bill Kumler, MD
Orthopedic surgeon | Team physician

Dr. Kumler is an orthopedic surgeon, board-certified in orthopedics and sports medicine.  Inspired by his father, who served as a team physician in his hometown of Bexley, Dr. Kumler not only spent many years as a team physician in Bexley, but now serves as the team physician for five New Concord area schools.

Zack Hill, DPM
Foot and ankle reconstructive surgeon

Dr. Hill is a podiatric surgeon committed to helping local athletes stay healthy and active. A former student athlete and lifelong sports enthusiast, he also provides his sports medicine expertise for five area schools.

Lauren Hutcheson, LAT, ATC
Athletic trainer

Lauren Hutcheson has served as the athletic trainer at John Glenn High School since 2019, returning to the school she graduated from in 2013. As the first point of contact for injuries, she works with student athletes daily, coordinating care among athletes, coaches and physicians across the community.

Sara Saft, PA-C
Physician assistant 

A lifelong Cambridge resident and Cambridge High School graduate, Sara Saft, PA-C, is proud to care for athletes in the community she calls home.

• A $500 donation from FOP Lodge 62 will support Paula’s Pantry at OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital.
• The hospital’s food pantry provides short-term assistance and essential items to patients experiencing food insecurity.
• Community donations help the hospital connect people with immediate resources while directing community members to additional local food assistance.

A donation from the Van Wert Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 62 will help sustain OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital’s efforts to provide food and other essentials to patients and families in need.

The hospital’s food pantry provides short-term assistance to patients experiencing food insecurity. Hospital staff can connect patients with “Paula’s Pantry” when a need is identified, providing them with food to help meet immediate needs and information about additional resources available in the community.

“We’re fortunate to be part of a community that has always supported us as police officers and retired police officers, and we want to be able to give that support back,” said Bruce Showalter, president of FOP Lodge 62. “We just try to do what we think is right for the community.”

The $500 donation is part of the FOP Lodge 62’s ongoing commitment to supporting local organizations and community initiatives. The FOP also made donations to three other local pantries.

Paula’s Pantry includes a variety of shelf-stable foods that can be used to create simple meals, as well as essential items such as personal hygiene products and infant supplies.

“We know that food insecurity can create additional challenges for patients and families,” said Paula Stabler, president of OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. “Support from community partners like FOP Lodge 62 helps us meet people where they are and provide resources that can make a meaningful difference during a difficult time.”

The food pantry is intended for current Van Wert Hospital patients, their families and associates who need assistance. Community members seeking food assistance are encouraged to access other local resources, including the United Way of Van Wert County, Carla’s Cupboard and other community pantries.

“The hospital serves the residents of Van Wert County, and it’s important to us to support that,” Showalter said. “We don’t want to be a community where services are difficult to come by. We hope to continue supporting these efforts in the future whenever we have the opportunity.”

• OhioHealth Marion General’s Grow Your Own Medical Staff program gives local students hands-on experience and mentorship as they explore careers in medicine.
• Several Marion physicians are program alumni who returned to practice in the community and now help mentor the next generation.
• The program’s first participant since its 2023 relaunch has been accepted into medical school, bringing its goal of growing future Marion physicians full circle.

A familiar face can make a difference in healthcare. At OhioHealth Marion General Hospital, that belief is at the heart of the Grow Your Own Medical Staff program, an initiative that invests in local students interested in pursuing careers in medicine.

“The Grow Your Own program is designed for students in Marion and surrounding communities who want to become physicians,” said Kerrie Reinhard, director of Medical Staff Affairs at OhioHealth Marion General Hospital and head of the program. “We offer them an opportunity to work in the hospital setting and gain experience with the hope that eventually they will come back and practice here.”

The program originally existed at Marion General years ago before being relaunched in 2023 to continue that investment in the next generation of providers. Several physicians currently practicing at Marion General were once Grow Your Own participants themselves and now help guide the program as part of the steering committee.

“The greatest feeling is knowing that there’s quite a few of us that have gone through the program and the program works because we came back to our hometown and we’re giving back to the community that gave so much to us,” said Heather Columber, DO, OhioHealth family medicine physician and Grow Your Own program alumna.

Participants work as patient support assistants while also connecting with physicians, shadowing different specialties and learning more about careers in medicine.

For Delaney Tabbert, a Grow Your Own participant who is beginning medical school this August, the experience helped confirm her career path.

“I definitely attribute this program to one of my main reasons for deciding that I wanted to become a physician,” Tabbert said.

As a patient support assistant in the emergency department, she gained experience taking vital signs, performing EKGs, assisting with CPR, transporting patients and learning how hospital teams work together.

Beyond clinical skills, students gain confidence and a better understanding of what it means to care for people in their own community.

“Recruiting to a smaller community isn’t always easy,” Dr. Columber said. “But what we do have is caring for people that you live with or that you go to church with, that your kids go to school with. Medicine is about building relationships.”

That focus on relationships is a key part of the Grow Your Own experience. Each student is paired with physician mentors who help guide them throughout the program. Physician champions provide support within different specialties, giving students someone to learn from and envision as a future example.

The program also creates opportunities for students to connect with medical students and residents, who share their experiences navigating the path to becoming a physician. Students also learn more about physician opportunities and community needs through OhioHealth provider recruitment leaders.

“The personal connections that these students are now making, I think that is what makes it so special and just so different,” Dr. Columber said. “I made great relationships with some of the providers that I worked with, and they are some of my greatest colleagues now and long-term friends.”

For Beth Hardwick, a Grow Your Own participant and aspiring physician, those relationships have helped shape the kind of physician she hopes to become.

Hardwick was mentored by Dr. Columber and said watching her care for patients with a deep understanding of their lives outside the hospital showed her the importance of practicing medicine in a community where you know the people you serve.

One experience especially stood out. While working in the postpartum unit, Hardwick cared for a patient who lived nearby and whom she knew personally. She later saw the patient and her new baby at home in the community.

“Being able to care for her and her new child was really cool,” Hardwick said. “I get to see them doing well, and that was a really cool moment for me. That’s the benefit of working where you live.”

“Finding students in this area that want to become physicians, want to come back, work in their hometown, take care of their neighbors and their friends — that’s something really special,” Reinhard said.

And she’s already seeing that vision come to life.

“We had our first student get accepted into medical school,” Reinhard said. “I’m so proud of her and looking forward to seeing her come back and practice in Marion someday.”

Applications for the Grow Your Own Medical Staff Program open mid-November and remain open through Feb. 1. Students interested in learning more can contact Kerrie Reinhard at 740-383-8671 beginning in November.

Key Takeaways:

• Peter Sandwall, PhD, was named an AAPM Fellow — one of the highest honors from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.
• The recognition highlights nearly two decades of impact in medical physics, including radiation oncology, clinical service, education, research and global health work.
• Sandwall plays a critical safety role at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital, helping ensure radiation therapy equipment works accurately and treatment is delivered precisely while minimizing risk to patients and associates.
• The honor reinforces OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital’s local expertise, with hospital leadership emphasizing that patients in Richland County and surrounding communities have access to world-class care close to home.

OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital medical physicist Peter Sandwall, PhD, has been named a Fellow of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), one of the organization’s highest honors. The national fellowship designation recognizes Sandwall’s outstanding contributions to medical physics through radiation oncology clinical service, education, research and global health work.

The AAPM Fellow designation is a peer-reviewed honor awarded to members who demonstrate exceptional achievement across multiple areas of the medical physics profession. Sandwall, the sole medical physicist at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital, earned the recognition for contributions spanning nearly two decades, including clinical excellence, global cancer care initiatives and extensive educational programs for healthcare professionals.

In his role at Mansfield Hospital, where he has served for nine years, Dr. Sandwall helps ensure radiation therapy equipment operates safely and accurately. He works closely with physicians and clinical teams to direct radiation treatment precisely to its intended target, minimize toxicity and protect both patients and associates.

Dr. Sandwall earned his bachelor's degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College, and his master's degree and PhD from the University of Cincinnati.

Beyond his clinical work in Mansfield, Dr. Sandwall has dedicated himself to medical physics education and improving access to cancer care. He teaches physics at North Central State College and has conducted extensive online training for physicists, physicians and technologists around the world with the nonprofit Rayos Contra Cancer. He serves as a trustee of the nonprofit Radiating Hope and has supported cancer treatment centers in Honduras and other Latin American countries for the past 15 years. His contributions include training clinical associates on radiation planning systems and helping transfer radiation therapy equipment to underserved regions.

“Peter’s recognition as an AAPM Fellow is a tremendous honor, and it reflects exactly the kind of dedicated, mission-driven care we strive to provide every day at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital,” said Curt Gingrich, MD, president of OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital and OhioHealth Shelby Hospital. “This designation affirms what our patients and associates already know: they are in the hands of world-class experts who genuinely care about the people of Richland County and surrounding communities.”

A Mansfield resident, Dr. Sandwall lives just a mile from OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital and remains deeply committed to the community he serves. “Global health and rural medicine are about making sure everyone has access to care,” he said. “Patients should know there is a whole team of competent professionals supporting them, and we’re committed to providing the best care.”

• OhioHealth Marion General Hospital nurses connected with community members while providing first aid support at the Marion Women’s Club’s ice cream social.
• Nurses heard firsthand from neighbors about their positive experiences receiving care at Marion General.
• OhioHealth and the Marion Women’s Club share a longstanding commitment to supporting the health and well-being of the Marion community.

A familiar face at the hospital can mean a lot to a patient. But sometimes, the most meaningful connections happen outside hospital walls.

OhioHealth Marion General Hospital associates found new ways to connect while volunteering at the Marion Women's Club's Olde Fashioned Ice Cream Social, where emergency department nurses Courtney Jorgensen and Haley White provided first aid support.

Held at the Marion Women’s Club property on July 19, the free event brought residents together for an afternoon of history, music and fellowship, featuring Riverside Dairy ice cream, lawn games, special displays and tours of the Club’s historic home historic home and the newly dedicated Women's History Resource Center, which houses the Club's collection of archives.

For Jorgensen and White, the afternoon offered an opportunity to serve the community in a different way, meeting neighbors, hearing their stories and learning more about the impact Marion General Hospital has had on their lives.

“It was really memorable when people came up and shared their stories,” Jorgensen said. “They would tell us about their experiences at the hospital and how well they were cared for. It was nice to be in the community hearing those positive stories.”

Although the first aid station was there in case anyone needed assistance, the afternoon became more about conversations and connections.

“People would come up to us and say, ‘You look kind of lonely,’” Jorgensen said. “We would tell them that’s actually a good thing because we’re here just in case of an emergency, but we’re happy to help in any way that’s needed. It helps bridge the gap between healthcare and everyday life. We’re not only here when you’re sick, we’re also here when you’re healthy.”

White said it was rewarding to meet people in a different setting and hear their experiences at the hospital.

“It demonstrates our commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community beyond the walls of Marion General Hospital,” White said. “It was nice to connect with people and show them that OhioHealth is invested in their health and well-being, not just when they’re a patient but every day.”

Jamie Cunningham, chief nursing officer and vice president of Patient Care Services at OhioHealth Marion General Hospital, said associates’ involvement in events like this reflects the compassion they bring to their work.

"Our associates care deeply about the people they serve, and events like this are another way they can connect outside the hospital," Cunningham said. "Those moments help build trust and strengthen the relationships that are at the heart of great patient care."

The partnership between OhioHealth and the Marion Women’s Club is rooted in a shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community. Founded in 1895, the Marion Women’s Club has a long history of supporting public health initiatives, including advocating for the creation of Marion General Hospital.

“Health and public health have been a longstanding focus of the Marion Women’s Club,” said Valerie Wigton, president of the Marion Women’s Club. “We have always looked for opportunities to partner with organizations that care about the health and welfare of our community, and OhioHealth has been a wonderful partner.”

Over the years, Marion General Hospital and the Marion Women’s Club have collaborated on a variety of initiatives, including the Marion Women’s Club Gala, Women’s Wellness Wednesdays and Handbags for Hope, a program that supports individuals served by local domestic violence shelters.

“We feel very blessed and honored to have OhioHealth Marion General Hospital as one of our longtime partners,” Wigton said. “We look forward to continuing to work together to improve our community.”

It's a partnership Marion General Hospital hopes will continue for years to come.

“We’re fortunate to have partners like the Marion Women’s Club,” said Jim Parobek, president, OhioHealth Marion General Hospital. “We want people to know we’re invested in this community every day. Whether we’re caring for patients in the hospital or partnering at events like this, we’re proud to support what makes Marion such a strong community.”

To learn more about OhioHealth Marion General Hospital, click here.

To learn more about the Marion Women’s Club, visit marionwomensclub.org.

• OhioHealth’s Diabetes Education Team is hosting live cooking demonstrations at the North End Farmers Market in Mansfield this summer.
• The demos show community members how to use fresh, seasonal farmers market produce in healthy, simple meals.
• OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital offers additional support through diabetes self-management education, outpatient nutrition therapy and a diabetes prevention program.
• Upcoming cooking demonstrations are scheduled for August 13 and August 27

If you plan on attending the North End Farmers Market this month in Mansfield, don't be surprised if you smell a fresh, summer meal coming together packed with vitamins and nutrients.

OhioHealth's diabetes education team is hosting live cooking demonstrations at the farmers market this summer to encourage the community to make healthy eating choices.

“It’s a good teaching opportunity to show them how to utilize the things they’re purchasing here in a healthy way,” said Fulk.

Fulk says the main ingredients of the dishes are purchased at the farmers market, meaning they're in season and typically lower priced.

“I just want people to learn something new,” said Fulk. “Think about how they can implement something like this for themselves. Maybe they didn’t think they could do that before.”

For those who want to keep learning, Mansfield Hospital offers diabetes self-management education, outpatient medical nutrition therapy, and a diabetes prevention program.

The cooking continues at the farmers market August 13th and August 27th. Fulk says the demonstration will begin around 4:45 PM.

She encourages those attending to bring any questions they may have about the diabetes care programs, as well as an appetite for fresh, delicious food.

• OhioHealth’s 3PL program cuts order volume by 65%.
• The program consolidates shipments to improve efficiency.
• Fewer deliveries help reduce fuel use, emissions and packaging waste.
• Suppliers benefit from more predictable ordering and planning.
• The effort supports OhioHealth’s sustainability goals.

OhioHealth has spent the past two years developing and implementing a third-party logistics (3PL) supply chain consolidation program that delivers measurable results across sustainability, inventory management, and cost savings for the system and its supplier partners.

"The Supply 3PL program delivers three main benefits: sustainability improvements, better inventory management, and cost savings for both OhioHealth and suppliers," said Casey Sattler, director of Supply Chain at OhioHealth. "While we aren't formally measuring cardboard waste reduction as a metric, it is an undoubted collateral benefit. Our collaborative planning with suppliers leads to more consistent, less wasteful ordering."

OhioHealth's supply chain operates through two primary pathways. The majority of products are ordered through Cardinal Health, the primary distributor. A separate segment is purchased directly from suppliers, which historically results in multiple, small less efficient individual shipments being sent to various hospitals across the network. The Supply 3PL program targets those direct supplier orders by consolidating them into a single shipment per supplier, sent to one central location rather than to multiple hospitals.

“As we migrate products from a vendor direct service model to our Supply 3PL program, we leverage our Demand Planning team and tools to reduce inventory variability, improve product availability, and deliver supplies to our front-line clinicians next day vs. waiting several days under the legacy model,” Sattler added. 

Since launch, the program has achieved a 65% reduction in orders placed and a 50% reduction in order lines with participating suppliers. Those gains translate directly to reduced administrative burden for suppliers, who now handle fewer manual order entries, invoicing activities, and customer service interactions, freeing them to allocate resources more efficiently.

"Consolidating shipments leads to operational efficiencies, including reduced order volume, fewer shipments, and associated cost benefits for OhioHealth," said Gregory Diamond, manager of Supply Chain Operations. "It is a strategic move toward greater operational efficiency."

Diamond noted that both the supply chain operations and sourcing teams collaboratively manage the program, overseeing vendor relationships and internal operations.

The consolidation effort is also making logistics more efficient. Instead of sending numerous direct-to-site deliveries, the program uses palletized, consolidated bulk shipments. That approach helps reduce freight variability and makes load and distribution planning more predictable. It also uses existing Cardinal Health routes for last-mile distribution, cutting down on the total number of delivery trucks needed.

Suppliers are seeing benefits as well through greater order predictability. Using advanced analytics, the OhioHealth Demand Planning and Forecasting team provides participating suppliers with SKU-level ordering forecasts and site-level usage reports, helping them plan ahead with more confidence. A consistent ordering schedule improves manufacturing and distribution efficiency, better aligns orders with forecasted demand, and leads to stronger service levels, fewer urgent orders, and fewer returns.

The program also delivers financial benefits. By reducing the number of purchase orders, it lowers administrative costs as well as freight and material-handling expenses. Additional metrics related to administrative and freight cost savings are available for reference. The participation framework is designed to create equitable commercial value for suppliers, supporting long-term collaborative partnerships.

The program also supports OhioHealth’s sustainability efforts and helps meet Joint Commission Sustainable Healthcare certification standards. By consolidating orders through a third-party logistics model, OhioHealth is able to reduce the number of deliveries, cutting fuel use and emissions while creating less packaging waste. The approach also streamlines the supply chain, reduces cardboard waste and helps prevent product damage, which means fewer replacement orders and less material to recycle.

"This program directly supports our Joint Commission Sustainable Healthcare Certification," said Terri Scannell, principal advisor of Sustainability at OhioHealth. "Reduced transportation and waste directly advance the green transportation and waste reduction work streams required for certification, and that connects to our board-level sustainability objectives."

Bracco has emerged as a leading vendor in the 3PL program, embracing the process, realizing sustainability benefits firsthand, and serving as a model for other suppliers considering participation.

• OhioHealth is investing $10.2 million to expand cancer services at Berger Hospital.
• The project will add private infusion spaces, expand pharmacy services and double CT imaging capacity.
• The investment will improve access to cancer care close to home for Pickaway County and surrounding communities.

OhioHealth has announced plans to invest $10.2 million to expand and improve the Bradley Cancer Center at Berger Hospital. The project will enhance local cancer care for residents of Pickaway County and nearby communities, helping more patients receive treatment close to home.

The multi-phase project will unfold over the next two years. When complete, it will grow the hospital’s cancer program, enhance diagnostic imaging capacity and create new career opportunities in the region. The announcement follows a nearly $1.1 million donor-supported investment in 2025 that brought 3D mammography technology to Berger Hospital, allowing more than 4,500 women each year to access advanced breast cancer screenings locally.

The OhioHealth Bradley Cancer Center provides medical oncology, infusion therapy and supportive cancer care, allowing many patients to receive treatment close to home. This investment reflects OhioHealth’s ongoing commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of a growing community by expanding access to high-quality cancer care in Pickaway County and surrounding areas.

The Berger Hospital expansion is part of OhioHealth’s broader commitment to advancing cancer care across the region. OhioHealth is also investing in a new comprehensive outpatient cancer center in Columbus that will provide additional access to specialized cancer services for patients who need more complex care. For Berger Hospital patients, the center will strengthen connections to specialty care in Central Ohio while allowing patients to continue receiving appropriate cancer care close to home.

A Larger, More Comfortable Space for Patients

At the center of the investment is a renovated and expanded cancer center designed with patient comfort and future growth in mind. Cancer services will remain available throughout construction. Key improvements will include:

More private infusion spaces. The infusion center will grow from seven treatment spaces to 12 private infusion spaces, including specialized rooms to support additional patient needs. The additional infusion spaces will provide patients with more privacy and greater scheduling flexibility as demand for services continues to grow.

Expanded pharmacy services. A second pharmacy hood will help the hospital prepare more cancer treatment medications for patients close to home.

A second CT scanner. Berger Hospital currently operates the only CT scanner in Pickaway County. The additional scanner will double the hospital’s CT capacity, expanding imaging access for cancer patients while also supporting outpatient and emergency care.

Investing in People and the Community

“As our community grows, so does the need for high-quality cancer care,” said Casey Liddy, president of Berger Hospital. “This investment is the next step in a vision we are building together, one that puts our patients first and keeps exceptional cancer care right here in Pickaway County.”

“From advanced mammography to expanded infusion services and imaging, every investment we make is driven by a simple belief: that our neighbors deserve world-class cancer care close to home,” Liddy added. “We are proud of how far we have come, and we are even more excited about where we are headed.”

The $10.2 million project is funded by OhioHealth and is expected to create new positions in nursing, pharmacy and imaging as the cancer program continues to grow.

• OhioHealth’s North Market Mobile Mammography Unit expanded access to preventive care by providing mammograms at Richland Public Health’s Free Community Health Day in Mansfield.
• The unit completed 13 mammograms, including four baseline screenings, meaning those patients received their first-ever mammogram.
• Mobile mammography helps more people take the first step toward screening, with OhioHealth noting the mobile unit performs about 2.5 times more baseline mammograms than hospital locations.
• The event highlights the importance of early detection, as mammograms can help identify breast cancer earlier, when treatment is often more effective.

OhioHealth’s North Market Mobile Mammography Unit completed more than a dozen mammograms at Richland Public Health’s Free Community Health Day Friday. The mammograms were part of a variety of health services offered at the event as an effort to bring preventative care to those who need it most. In total, the mobile mammography unit completed 13 mammograms. Of those, four were considered “baseline,” meaning it was that patient’s very first mammogram.

“We perform approximately two and a half times more baseline mammograms on our mobile unit than we do at our hospital locations,” said Elisa Bryant MSML, BSN, RN, business project manager of oncology services at OhioHealth Mansfield and Shelby Hospitals. “That tells us something important. When we make screening more convenient and accessible, more people take that first step. It speaks volumes about the value of community outreach, education, and collaboration in helping our community prioritize their health.”

This was the North Market Mobile Mammography Unit’s third time partnering with Richland Public Health for Community Health Day. Patients with access to the patient portal have already received their mammogram results. Patients without portal access will receive their results by mail this week. If additional imaging is needed, a breast diagnostic health navigator will contact the patient directly.

“Early detection saves lives,” said Bryant. “Every mammography screening creates an opportunity to find breast cancer earlier, when treatment is often more effective, and outcomes are improved.”

Organizations interested in hosting the OhioHealth North Market Mobile Mammography Unit for a screening event may contact North Market Mobile Mammography at (567) 309-2512 or OhioHealth-Mobile-Mammography-NorthMarket@ohiohealth.com. The mobile unit serves businesses, community organizations, churches, and other groups that coordinate pre-registered screening events. Individual mammogram appointments cannot be scheduled directly through the mobile unit.

• OhioHealth has opened a Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Clinic
• The clinic is designed to help reduce uncertainty by helping patients with concerning symptoms, abnormal imaging or lab results, or provider referrals get answers sooner.
• Patients receive coordinated support in one place, with a team that helps organize testing, referrals and next steps instead of leaving patients to navigate multiple appointments alone.
• An appointment does not mean a cancer diagnosis; the goal is to investigate concerns, determine the cause and connect patients to appropriate care using evidence-based national guidelines.

When cancer is suspected, waiting for results can feel like a lifetime. The new OhioHealth Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Clinic helps shorten that wait time by connecting patients with coordinated testing and specialists sooner.

The clinic, which is located inside the Bing Cancer Center, opened on July 6 and serves as a centralized point of access for patients who have experienced abnormal image or lab results, a new lump, mass, or swelling, unexplained weight loss or a referral from a provider. Rather than scheduling multiple appointments through many websites and facilities, the team at the clinic helps organize further testings and referrals to streamline the process.

“One of the hardest parts for patients isn’t always the diagnosis itself, but the uncertainty that comes before it. The clinic will help shorten that period of waiting by giving patients one team to guide them through the process and help find answers as quickly as possible,” said Meghan Newman, PA-C, Director, Advanced Practice Providers.

It is important to note that having or creating an appointment at the clinic does not mean you have cancer. The clinic investigates symptoms or previous findings to determine if cancer is the cause, and facilitates the next steps of finding appropriate care.

If the test results find that the patient does have cancer or another condition, the team will create a personalized care plan as quickly as possible and connect you directly to the treatment team. The clinic follows evidence-based guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) to give trustworthy evaluations and access to care.

“Every patient's situation and experience is different, which is why our team makes sure that we use a thoughtful and evidence-based approach during evaluations,” Newman said. “We want patients to know they can trust that their care is guided by national standards and supported by experienced specialists every step of the way.”

The Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Clinic is now accepting referrals from healthcare providers, and patients can also contact the clinic directly to schedule an evaluation.

Click here to learn more information about the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Clinic.

• A Wellness on Wheels visit connected Tonya Hall with a care team that helped her begin rebuilding her health and life.
• Family medicine physician Dorvan Byler, DO, focused on Hall’s potential rather than her circumstances, helping her build trust in care and in herself.
• OhioHealth Wellness on Wheels brings primary care and other essential health services directly into communities, serving nearly 1,000 patients each year.

For Tonya Hall, the first step toward rebuilding her life began with a visit to an OhioHealth Wellness on Wheels mobile unit during her stay at the Van Buren Shelter. It was there she met family medicine physician Dorvan Byler, DO — a relationship she says changed her life.

"About three years ago, when I stepped into the Van Buren Shelter, I was a mess," Hall said. "I was homeless. I was into my addiction. I had so many health issues.”

Wellness on Wheels brings OhioHealth providers into neighborhoods and community locations where access to healthcare is limited, providing primary care and other services — including women’s health, prenatal and postpartum care and preventive screenings — while connecting patients with additional resources.

Like many people without consistent access to care, Hall said she expected Dr. Byler to see only her circumstances.

“When I met him, I had this idea that I'm going to step on this bus,” she said. “I'm just going to have him fix what I'm coming here for."

Instead, she found a physician and team who saw beyond her circumstances.

"The way Dr. Byler looked at me, I still have that picture in my memory," Hall said. "It kind of struck me and stayed with me. To this day, I have never missed an appointment. He changed my whole life."

That’s the same approach Dr. Byler brings to every patient: focusing on the person, not just the challenges in front of them.

"It is really easy to kind of put patients into buckets of the patterns we've seen in the past with patients who are in those places," he said. "If you do that, then you miss a lot."

After just a few visits, he recognized Hall's determination.

"It was pretty apparent after even just a couple times meeting Tonya that she has a thing in her that's ready to overcome," he said. "She's saying I fixed her, but really I just believed her, convinced her to trust herself and helped her through a couple things. Then she figured her life out."

When Hall left the shelter, her relationship with Dr. Byler didn’t end. He continued caring for her as she found stable housing and transportation, regained her health and built the life she has today.

"We worked it together because I didn't know that was my change. I didn't know that was the beginning of me and my new life," she said. "This is my lifelong doctor."

For Dr. Byler, seeing Hall's transformation is one of the most rewarding parts of caring for patients through Wellness on Wheels.

"She's one of the reasons that I do this job. Watching someone come out of a space where everything's kind of falling apart, and then you just help them a little bit. You just have to trust them a little, show them a little bit of care,” he said. “Now look at her. It's really rewarding."

Today, Hall says she has a renewed sense of purpose and a future she once couldn't imagine.

"You have changed my life," she told Dr. Byler. "I love who I am today. I love it."

For those facing barriers to healthcare, a visit to Wellness on Wheels can be the first step toward building a relationship with a healthcare team. Each year, the program serves nearly 1,000 patients across central and southeast Ohio, helping ensure that cost does not prevent them from getting the services they need. The mobile units operate much like traditional primary care and women's health offices and connect individuals with additional resources when needed.

To learn more about OhioHealth Wellness on Wheels, click here.

If you want to support mobile healthcare in your community, visit OhioHealth Community Outreach - OhioHealth Foundation.

• OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital awarded 22 Mary Lou Johnson Scholarships to local students pursuing healthcare careers.
• Recipients include graduating seniors and college students studying nursing, physical therapy, pharmacy, radiology and other health-related fields.
• The scholarship program honors Mary Lou Johnson's legacy while helping build the future healthcare workforce in Hardin County and surrounding communities.

OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Mary Lou Johnson Scholarship. This annual scholarship supports students from Hardin County and surrounding areas who are pursuing degrees in healthcare and related fields.

This year, 22 students have been awarded $500 scholarships — 12 graduating high school seniors and 10 returning college students — as they continue their education and prepare for careers in healthcare.

The scholarship honors the legacy of Mary Lou Johnson, a longtime advocate for healthcare access and education in Hardin County. This year's recipients are:

High School Recipients

• Paige Courtad, Riverdale High School – University of Findlay, Nursing
• Mekaylah Creamer, Kenton High School – Rhodes State College, Nursing
• Emori Criner, Kenton High School – Rhodes State College, Physical Therapy
• Kaiden Gammon, Kenton High School – Apollo Career Center, Nursing
• Alexander Scott George, Ridgemont High School – Ohio Northern University, Biochemistry
• Kimberly Heberling, Kenton High School – The Ohio State University at Lima, Radiology
• Kasey Luikart, Riverdale High School – University of Toledo, Nursing
• Adalyn Manns, Kenton High School – University of Findlay, Physical Therapy
• Quinlyn Spearman, Kenton High School – Tiffin University, Nursing
• Kolbie Stanfield, Ridgemont High School – The Ohio State University, Nursing
• Presley Wilson, Kenton High School – Miami University, Biomedical Engineering
• Amelia Young, Ada High School – Ohio Northern University, Medical Laboratory Science

Returning College Recipients

• Chloe Hattery – Ohio Northern University, Biology (Pre-Physician Assistant)
• Angelica Forester – Otterbein University, Nursing
• Caitlin Defibaugh – Rhodes State College, Nursing
• Leah Harder – Ohio Northern University, Nursing
• Mackenzie Kugel – Rhodes State College, Radiographic Imaging
• Morgan Lyons – Bowling Green State University, Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Kennedy Phelps – University of Findlay, Occupational Therapy
• Brailyn Thacker – Rhodes State College, Nursing
• Karley Wagner – Bowling Green State University, Applied Health Science (Pre-Physician Assistant)
• Ramzie Whitaker – Ohio Northern University, Pharmacy

"These students represent the future of healthcare in our community, and it is inspiring to see their commitment to caring for others," said Ryan Newland, senior advisor of operations at Hardin Memorial Hospital. “The Mary Lou Johnson Scholarship honors a legacy of service and celebrates the compassion and dedication each recipient brings as they begin their healthcare journey.”

Successful candidates for Foundation scholarships must be accepted or currently enrolled in health career programs such as nursing, pharmacy, respiratory therapy, radiologic technology, laboratory technology or other hospital-based undergraduate degree programs. Qualified students must be accepted as full-time students, demonstrate a strong aptitude for health service, and exhibit scholastic achievement, character, good citizenship and financial need. Applicants must reside within the Hardin Memorial Hospital service area.

"There's a growing need for healthcare professionals, and supporting students who want to serve in those roles is one of the best investments we can make," said Jim Parobek, president of Hardin Memorial Hospital. "We're proud to help these students as they work toward careers that will make a difference for patients and families in our community.”

The Hardin Memorial Hospital Foundation established the scholarship in 1988 to encourage students to pursue hospital-based healthcare careers and support local students who may be interested in seeking employment within Hardin Memorial Hospital's scope of services after graduation.

For more information about future scholarship opportunities, contact the Administration Office at Hardin Memorial Hospital at (419) 675-8151.

• Christopher Johnson, DO, of OhioHealth Family Medicine, is educating the community on symptoms, risks and when to seek care.
• People should wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly to help reduce infection risk.
• Symptoms can come and go in waves and may last more than a month without treatment.
• Higher-risk groups include older adults, children, pregnant women, people with chronic illness and those with kidney issues.
• Hydration and electrolyte balance are especially important during illness and recovery.

As cases of Cyclosporiasis continue to rise across Ohio, OhioHealth Family Medicine Physician Christopher Johnson, DO, is helping educate the community about the outbreak, its symptoms and when to seek medical care.

The Columbus Dispatch recently spoke with Dr. Johnson as Ohio ranks among the states with the highest reported cases of cyclosporiasis. While the illness is not typically life-threatening, it can still cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms. The most common include stomach pain and cramps, intense diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss and fatigue.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite cyclospora and is most commonly spread through contaminated fresh produce or untreated water. While health officials are still investigating the source of the current outbreak, experts recommend washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly to reduce the risk of the infection.

Dr. Johnson told the Dispatch that individuals who believe have the illness should seek medical care so they can be tested and receive appropriate treatment. Without treatment, symptoms come and go in waves and can last for more than a month.

“Elderly people, children, pregnant women and those with disabilities or chronic illness can be more severely impacted by cyclosporiasis. People with kidney issues should be especially careful and seek medical care right away, as dehydration can be particularly detrimental,” Dr. Johnson told the Dispatch.

Because hydration is one of the biggest concerns with cyclosporiasis, people with existing kidney disease may be at greater risk for complications. The kidneys play a vital role in keeping the body balanced by filtering waste and regulating fluid and electrolyte levels, making proper hydration especially important during recovery.

“Even if you are cured of the illness,” Dr. Johnson said, “you should still prioritize rest and hydration as your body recovers from fighting the parasite. Don’t plan on being at work the day after the diarrhea stops.”

Cyclosporiasis is typically treated with the antibiotic trimenthoprim-sulfamenthoxazole, commonly sold under the brand names Bactrim, Cotrim and Septra. Along with the antibiotic, Dr. Johnson encourages patients to stay well hydrated.

“Anyone with the illness should be vigilant about hydrating, resting and keeping electrolyte levels up,” Dr. Johnson said.

As public health officials continue to investigate the outbreak, OhioHealth encourages anyone experiencing prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms to seek medical care for evaluation and treatment.

• Weapons-free screening begins Aug. 3 at OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital to support a safe, secure environment for all who enter.
• Patients and visitors will enter through entrances #1 or #2 and complete a brief screening, including metal detectors and bag checks.
• Emergency care remains the highest priority, and screening is designed to minimize delays.

Beginning Monday Aug. 3, 2026, OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital will implement weapons-free screening at designated public entrances as part of a systemwide effort to support a safe, secure environment across OhioHealth care sites. While weapons have long been prohibited at OhioHealth facilities, screening helps reinforce that policy at the point of entry. 

Healthcare organizations across the country are facing increased safety challenges. In response to these evolving risks, OhioHealth continues to evaluate and enhance security measures to help maintain safe environments for care and healing. 

"Everyone who walks through our doors deserves to feel safe," said Chris Blaney, director, OhioHealth Protective Services. "As violence in healthcare settings continues to rise nationwide, we're taking proactive steps to better protect our patients, visitors, associates and providers. Weapons-free screening is one way we're helping create a safer environment while ensuring our communities continue to have access to the care they need close to home." 

Beginning Aug. 3, patients and visitors can expect: 

• Screening at designated entrances, including metal detectors, bag and purse checks, and support from OhioHealth Protective Services officers, with a process designed to minimize delays.
• Entry through Door #1 or Door #2 only:
  • Door #1: Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Door #2: Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Patients who receive cardiac rehabilitation may continue to use Door #6 and will be contacted with additional information.
• Around-the-clock onsite coverage by OhioHealth Protective Services officers.
• Emergency treatment and life-saving care to remain the hospital's highest priority at all times. 

Van Wert Hospital is working closely with local emergency medical services and other partners to support the implementation of the new screening process. Beginning Sept. 1, all OhioHealth associates entering the hospital will also participate in weapons-free screening. 

"At OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital, maintaining a safe, welcoming environment is central to our responsibility to the community," said Paula Stabler, president, OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. "Weapons-free screening reflects our ongoing commitment to providing a safe place for those who come here for care and those who provide it." 

• OhioHealth joins American Heart Association national PE care initiative.
• OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital is one of 20 participating hospitals.
• According to the Association, each year, PE leads to over half a million hospital visits in the U.S and contributes to the deaths of one in five high-risk patients.

OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital has announced its participation in a national effort to enhance care for patients with life-threatening blood clots, known as pulmonary embolism (PE). This initiative is part of the American Heart Association's new Target: Pulmonary Embolism quality improvement initiative, supported by Stryker Peripheral Vascular.

“OhioHealth is honored to be one of just 20 hospitals in the country invited to work with the American Heart Association in this important initiative,” Michael Jolly, MD, FACC, OhioHealth Cab Lab Medical Director, said. “This opportunity reflects the deep expertise of our clinicians and teams, as well as our ongoing commitment to advancing high-quality care for patients with pulmonary embolism and other complex cardiovascular conditions.”

According to the Association, each year, PE leads to over half a million hospital visits in the U.S and contributes to the deaths of one in five high-risk patients.

OhioHealth is proud to join this initiative, which adopts an 'all teach, all learn' approach to share crucial data, insights, and models. The aim is to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities across systems of care.

"Our participation with the American Heart Association on this vital initiative underscores our commitment to enhancing patient care and outcomes,” Joseph Campbell, MD, MBA, OhioHealth interventional cardiologist, said. “By sharing knowledge across institutions, we strive to make substantial advances in the treatment of pulmonary embolism."

For further details, visit heart.org/PEQualityImprovement.