• Marion-area organizations are strengthening coordination among behavioral health, addiction and developmental disability services to better support individuals and families.
• Community partners are working to connect residents with resources earlier, including peer support, housing, food and other services.
• A community town hall invited residents to share feedback and help shape efforts to improve access to care and promote greater understanding of behavioral health challenges.

Marion-area organizations are working together to strengthen connections to behavioral health, addiction and developmental disability resources. On Tuesday, Oct. 20, they invited community members to help shape the next steps.

The community town hall at Marion First Church of the Nazarene was the third gathering in a series focused on improving coordination among local agencies. The event highlighted progress, shared available resources and gave residents an opportunity to discuss how agencies can better support individuals and families throughout the region.

The summit series is presented in collaboration with OhioHealth Marion General Hospital, The Ohio State University at Marion, Marion Community Foundation, Marion County Courts, ADAMH and the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

“We’re bringing agencies together so we can work more effectively and create a stronger continuum of care,” said Jim Parobek, president of OhioHealth Marion General Hospital. “One of our main priorities at Marion General is behavioral health services for the community.” 

The collaboration is focused on helping individuals and families connect with resources earlier and ensuring they have support throughout their care journey.

“We find many people coming to us through the emergency room when they’re in crisis. We want to make sure people who are starting to experience behavioral health challenges, or their family members, know what support they can access before they need the emergency department.”

That support can extend beyond clinical care to include connections to food, clothing, housing and follow-up services. By improving coordination among organizations, the initiative aims to help people navigate available resources and maintain support as their needs change.

Brad DeCamp, executive director of the Crawford-Marion Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADAMH) Board, said peer support is one way to help bridge gaps between services and build connections with individuals seeking assistance.

“It is a really powerful player in terms of bringing those forces together, because there are things that a peer can relate to. Someone who's walked a mile in their shoes and can build that rapport with people,” DeCamp said.

He also emphasized the importance of keeping conversations about mental health visible and helping people understand that treatment and support can make a difference.

“We collectively just have to keep talking about things,” DeCamp said. “We have to keep it in front of people, making sure that they understand that there are services available and that people can thrive under the right circumstances.”

Community participation is an important part of that effort. The Oct. 20 gathering gave residents an opportunity to hear about the work underway, share their experiences and identify areas where outreach and services could improve. Participants heard presentations from four work groups and had the opportunity to discuss what stood out, what might be missing and how existing efforts could be expanded.

Nicole Bussey, a Marion resident who attended the event through Marion Matters, said she appreciates seeing organizations work together to address community needs.

“Mental health is such a real thing for people. It can change in an instant,” Bussey said.

Having grown up in Marion, Bussey said she has seen efforts to improve the community and hopes those efforts reach more neighborhoods.

“This means a lot, actually, because I see Marion really trying,” Bussey said. “I see everybody trying and I hear about it, read about it. Now the rest of the community needs to get involved to make things better.”

Bussey also said greater understanding can help people feel supported rather than judged and foster a more compassionate approach to those living with mental health conditions.

“There is a lot to do in this space,” Parobek said. “I'm proud of the work that we're doing and how many people have come together, because we all want this to get better and we're all working together.”

“There's always hope when there's a community that cares,” DeCamp said. “There are a lot of people who care here in Marion County for those individuals, for their neighbors, and who want to do their best to help them.”

• 23 Marion-area agencies including OhioHealth Marion General Hospital gathered for the first Mental Health, Addiction and Developmental Disabilities Summit.
• Community leaders are working together to improve coordination and access to mental health, addiction and developmental disability services.
• The summit is the start of an ongoing collaboration, with additional meetings planned to identify solutions and share them with the community.

A broad cross section of Marion area community healthcare, education and governmental agencies gathered at The Ohio State University at Marion’s Guthery Community Room in Maynard Hall, Wednesday, Sept. 9, for the first in a series of discussions to take place over the coming months as part of the area’s first Mental Health, Addiction and Developmental Disabilities Summit.

The event was presented in collaboration with community partners, OhioHealth Marion General Hospital, The Ohio State University at Marion, Marion Community Foundation, Marion County Courts, ADAMH and the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities. According to Marion General Hospital President, Jim Parobek, twenty-three different agencies attended the first meeting of the summit.

“We have a big crisis in mental health in the community,” said Parobek. “Not just here, but it's nationwide. We have a lot of agencies that are working hard, but I don't think we're working as closely together as we can. Because resources are so scarce, I wanted to try to get all the agencies together, so we can lean on each other and use our services better. If we can gain some efficiencies, we can spread the resources around better.”

Parobek explained, the first meeting of the summit was about getting the agencies together to talk about issues and get feedback from all the agencies involved, looking first at mental health, developmental disabilities and addiction challenges for just adults as a first step. Summit organizers plan to take the information from an agency questionnaire and meet again on Oct. 7 to share results and solutions to potential open-ended problems that still need solved, with the goal of presenting those solutions to the community on Oct. 20 at Marion First Church of the Nazarene.

The group hopes to present collaborative solutions to the community, said Parobek. “Here's how we're going to work better together,” he said. “Here's how they can get information to better care for those who are navigating mental health issues, addiction or developmental disabilities.”

Ohio State Marion Dean & Director, Dr. Jennifer Schlueter shared the importance of what the campus brings to the region in terms of preparing students for careers in counseling, mental health, addiction services and developmental disabilities. “First and foremost, the academic pipeline. We offer psychology, social work, sociology and criminology, and education right here in Marion,” Dr. Schlueter said.

She also emphasized the importance of involving Ohio State Marion students as active participants in the summit. “Several of our students served as scribes and observers, but because the people in that room know things our students need to learn, and the fastest way to learn them is to sit still and listen to professionals do their work.”

Schlueter noted that the summit marks the beginning of sustained collaboration. “This is the first of three gatherings, probably more. What we’re hosting isn’t an event. It’s the start of a working relationship among agencies that serve the same people and don’t always have a table to sit at together,” she said.

Dr. Schlueter described partnerships like the summit as essential to Ohio State Marion’s identity and responsibility. “Because a campus that only serves the people who walk onto it isn’t doing the job a land‑grant university signed up for,” she said.

According to President and CEO of the Marion Community Foundation, Julie Prettyman, the issue of behavioral health and addiction is essential to work on for our community.

“Marion is really collaborating around that issue. The Community Foundation is thrilled to be a part, to be one of the partners that is looking for and working towards solutions,” said Prettyman.

“It’s not going be just the foundation that does that,” she added. “It's going to be numerous agencies that come together and work towards the betterment of our community.”

When looking at the overarching message that came out of meeting one, Prettyman felt it was specifically the act of so many agencies sharing and collaborating toward a common goal.

“Today was really wonderful,” she said. “We got to hear from the agencies, the organizations that meet the needs of individuals in our community. It wasn't one nugget that I heard. It was the opportunity to hear from the people, the businesses, the organizations that are out there working with individuals who are in crisis, who need those mental health services.”

Organizers all echoed the same sentiment, that the best thing to come out of the opening round of the Mental Health, Addiction and Developmental Disabilities Summit at Ohio State Marion was the ability to collaborate and share, with the opportunity to continue this discussion in the future and with the community at large.

• OhioHealth Marion General Hospital earned multiple American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® awards for excellence in stroke care.
• The awards recognize the hospital's commitment to following the latest research-based stroke treatment guidelines, helping improve patient outcomes and reduce readmissions.
• The achievement reflects the dedication of Marion General Hospital's physicians, nurses, therapists, EMS partners and support staff to delivering high-quality stroke care close to home.

OhioHealth Marion General Hospital has received multiple American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines achievement awards for demonstrating a commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of stroke, helping save lives, support recovery and reduce hospital readmissions.

Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death in the United States, respectively, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. Studies show patients can experience better outcomes when care teams consistently follow evidence-based treatment guidelines.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have such an exceptional team of physicians, nurses, therapists, EMS partners, and support staff at Marion General Hospital,” said Melodie Little, RN, Stroke Program coordinator. “Their dedication, compassion, and commitment to excellence make a difference in the lives of our stroke patients. I am incredibly proud of our program.”

Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest science-backed guidelines. As a participant in the Get With The Guidelines programs, Marion General Hospital qualified for the awards by demonstrating a sustained commitment to improving the quality of cardiovascular care.

“Marion General Hospital is committed to delivering high-quality care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely, appropriate care for strokes,” said Jim Parobek, president, OhioHealth Marion General Hospital. “Get With The Guidelines programs help our teams put proven science into practice every day, supporting better outcomes so more people in our community can live longer, healthier lives.”

This year, Marion General Hospital received these achievement awards:

• Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• Get With The Guidelines®-Rural Stroke Gold

“These awards reflect OhioHealth Marion General Hospital's commitment to caring for people in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, chair of the American Heart Association Quality Oversight Committee. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, Marion General Hospital can help advance our shared vision of better patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for patients, families and health care systems.”

About Get With The Guidelines

Get With The Guidelines^® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 18 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

“Donor families and their extraordinary gifts remind us why we do this work,” said Jim Parobek, president of OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital and OhioHealth Marion General Hospital. “We are proud to honor their legacies and the lasting impact they have on our patients, our hospital and the community.”

The event focused on this year’s Donate Life Month theme, “Leave a Legacy,” and the lasting impact donation can have across generations. One individual can save the lives of as many as eight people through organ donation, heal up to 75 others through tissue donation, provide approximately 25 healing grafts through placenta donation and restore sight to two people through cornea donation.

Within the last two decades, Hardin Memorial Hospital has supported 18 tissue donors and 17 Heroes in Spirit, representing the potential to help heal up to 1,350 people.

The ceremony included remarks from Brieanne Sullivan, who shared the story of her niece, Chloe, who became an organ donor at 17. She donated five organs and her corneas, and her tissue contributed to research advancing bone marrow procurement.

“Organ donation can bring blessings out of tragedy and hope out of a hopeless situation for donors, recipients and their families,” said Sullivan. “I encourage everyone to register and to share that decision with your loved ones so they can honor your choice.”

The ceremony concluded with a prayer, a moment of silence and the raising of the Donate Life flag.

Jamie Cunningham, chief nursing officer and vice president of Patient Care Services at OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital and OhioHealth Marion General Hospital, said the flag will remain on display throughout the month as a tribute to donor heroes.

“This flag will fly with gratitude to honor the decisions made by our donor heroes and their loved ones,” Cunningham said. “It also serves as a promise to continue honoring their legacies. We are grateful for their selfless gifts of donation.”

The event concluded with a reception and special thanks to donor and recipient families.

To learn more about Lifeline of Ohio, visit lifelineofohio.org.

In recognition of National Donate Life Month, the hospital partnered with Lifeline of Ohio to host a flag-raising ceremony honoring organ, eye and tissue donors, recipients and the families whose decisions have created lasting legacies of healing.

“Donor families and their extraordinary gifts remind us why we do this work,” said Jim Parobek, president of OhioHealth Marion General Hospital and OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital. “We are proud to honor their legacies and the lasting impact they have on our patients, our hospital and the community.”

Over the past decade-plus, the hospital has supported 21 organ donors and 89 tissue donors, Janelle Hafer, RN, nurse educator and Marion’s liaison for organ and tissue donation, shared.

One donor’s decision can touch countless lives. A single individual can save up to eight lives through organ donation, heal as many as 75 people through tissue donation and advance research that benefits generations to come.

This year’s ceremony included remarks from sisters Jodie Haas and Nikki Malo, whose mother, Kathy, was an organ donor.

“In the midst of the worst days we’ve ever faced, our mom gave something really special; a gift to people she had never met,” Haas said. “She gave them more mornings, more birthdays, more random Tuesday afternoons none of us fully appreciate until we’re at risk of losing someone we love.”

Malo shared that the family felt supported throughout the process, describing how the hospital and Lifeline teams guided them with compassion and honored their mother’s gift with care.

This year marked the hospital’s first full year supporting Lifeline of Ohio’s placenta donation program, a lesser-known opportunity that can help patients with burns and complex wounds recover. Since the program began, the hospital has supported three placenta donations.

The ceremony concluded with a prayer, a moment of silence and the raising of the Donate Life flag.

“The flag is a symbol of hope, unity and healing,” said Charity Coffman, RN, director of nursing at Marion and Hardin. “It represents our commitment to supporting donor families, providing exceptional care to donors and inspiring conversations that may one day save a life.”

The event concluded with a reception and special thanks to donor and recipient families.

To learn more about Lifeline of Ohio, visit lifelineofohio.org.

This shift brings together primary care and same-day, immediate care in one convenient location, making quality healthcare more accessible and affordable. Patients will benefit from both scheduled and walk-in access for urgent, non-life-threatening needs, as well as ongoing health management through the primary care office.

Convenient Access and Lower Costs for the Community

The transition addresses key community needs by expanding access to walk-in care when it is needed most. The new location will offer extended hours to accommodate busy schedules:

• Monday through Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m
• Saturday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

*Hours are subject to change

“Bringing urgent care and primary care together reflects our continued commitment to providing convenient, high-quality care close to home,” Jim Parobek, president of OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital and OhioHealth Marion General Hospital said. “Keeping our trusted urgent care team in place while integrating them with primary care helps ensure patients experience seamless care, whether it’s an immediate need or ongoing health management.”

The walk-in clinic is a great choice for common illnesses and minor injuries, including:

• Colds, flu and sore throat
• Earaches and pink eye
• Rashes and minor cuts
• Sprains and strains
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Continuity of Care with Familiar Faces

Patients can rest assured that they will continue to receive the same exceptional care they trust. The current urgent care providers and associates will relocate to the new site, joining the existing primary care team. This partnership allows for a smoother transition if you need both urgent and ongoing care, giving you and your family continuity and peace of mind.

New and existing patients can walk in for immediate care or schedule same-day appointments online. You can also call the OPG Primary and Walk-In Care Practice to make an appointment at (419) 673-8689.

The current urgent care space within OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital will be repurposed for clinical space based on local needs, ensuring that hospital resources continue to serve the community effectively.

The new Forbes Top Hospitals rating system evaluates general acute care hospitals across the United States using independently validated data and nationally recognized quality measures. Approximately 5,400 hospitals were eligible for consideration. Of those, only 259 hospitals earned a 5-star overall rating.

The methodology places the greatest emphasis on clinical patient outcomes, including mortality, survival, infection and readmission rates, as well as hospital best practices, value and patient experience.

“This 5-star recognition from Forbes reinforces the commitment and compassion our associates bring to their work every single day,” said Jim Parobek, president of OhioHealth Marion General Hospital. “Our physicians, nurses, and support teams show up for patients and one another with excellence and heart.”

The ranking is designed to help patients and families better understand hospital performance using unbiased, data-driven information.

“For our community, this honor reinforces that they can count on Marion General Hospital for exceptional care, delivered by people who are deeply invested in the health and well-being of the place so many of the associates and leaders call home,” Doug Strine, Chairperson of the Marion General Hospital Board said.

For Marion and surrounding communities, hospital leaders say the designation underscores the strength of local healthcare close to home.

“Our nursing teams and care partners work tirelessly to make sure every patient, and family feels supported, informed and cared for from the moment they walk through our doors,” said Jamie Cunningham, chief nursing officer and vice president, patient care services, Marion General Hospital. “This recognition affirms what our patients already know. They can expect high-quality, compassionate care right here in their community.”

Forbes developed ratings in collaboration with healthcare measurement experts and an advisory panel of clinicians, scientists, health policy researchers and patient advocates.

To view the full list of Forbes Top Hospitals 2026, click here.

This month, Krystal Bowen will graduate from Tri-Rivers Career Center’s LPN-RN program – helping to meet a significant need for more nurses in the Marion community. While juggling school, work, and family responsibilities -- Bowen was able to cross the finish line thanks, in part, to support from OhioHealth. 

One year ago, OhioHealth announced a $100,000 commitment to TRCC – over the course of five years -- to help offset some of the financial burden for students and to help remove barriers. 

So far 60 students have benefited, including Bowen. She says this support made all the difference. 

“OhioHealth’s grant money has been a tremendous blessing during my time in nursing school,” Bowen shared. “Without assistance from government agencies, and while working part-time and helping care for my family, the financial strain has often felt overwhelming. This grant has provided crucial support, allowing me to focus more on my education and less on financial stress. I am deeply grateful to OhioHealth for investing in my future and helping make my dream of becoming a nurse possible.” 

The commitment reflects OhioHealth’s continued dedication to growing and sustaining the local healthcare workforce. With strong partnerships like this one, OhioHealth and Tri-Rivers are building a brighter future for both students and patients in the Marion community. 

“This was never just a donation — it was an investment in people,” said Jim Parobek, president of OhioHealth Marion General Hospital. “We are proud to celebrate this milestone with Tri-Rivers and the incredible students who are working hard to care for others.” 
 

The Pack-A-Sack events, organized by The Salvation Army and supported by OhioHealth, provide essential food items to individuals and families in need. Following two events held in February and March, there is a third Pack-a-Sack event scheduled for April 11th. 

“It’s great to see the power of collaboration,” said Jim Parobek, president of OhioHealth Marion General Hospital. “By partnering with The Salvation Army for the Pack-a-Sack initiative, we are helping to address food insecurity and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.” 

Details for April’s Pack-a-Sack event: 

• When: April 11, 2025, at 10:00a (volunteers, please arrive by 9:30a). 
• Where: 317 W. Church Street in Marion. 
• Participants must call ahead of time: 740-382-2156. 

You can learn more about how OhioHealth combats food insecurity with the Salvation Army here: OhioHealth Marion General Hospital Leaders Lend Support to The Salvation Army’s Mobile Food Pantry
 

Rain or shine, the food drives are held once each month from noon to 2 p.m. at Home Run Memorial Park in Kenton. In 2024 the monthly events proved to be imperative to the community, providing hundreds of Hardin County residents access to fresh, healthy food and household supplies. 

According to the West Ohio Food Bank, the food distribution events in 2024 served an average of 7,944 individuals. That amounts to 226,884 total meals distributed to date. 

“This partnership is vital for our community,” shared Jim Parobek, president of Hardin Memorial Hospital. “Access to healthy food is key to improving the lives of those we serve. By working closely with the West Ohio Food Bank, we’re building a healthier community.” 

“It’s great to see our team at Hardin Memorial Hospital show up each month and roll up their sleeves to lend a hand,” said Jim Whitaker, senior advisor of operations at Hardin Memorial Hospital. “We could not do this without our associates and community partners who volunteer their time to makes this happen every month.” 

Together, Hardin Memorial Hospital and the West Ohio Food Bank are continuing to build a stronger future for the community. 

Below is a complete list of the 2025 distribution dates: 

January 28 
February 25 
March 25 
April 22 
May 27 
June 24 
July 22 
August 26 
September 23 
October 28 
November 25 
December 16

For additional photos, cleared for media download/use click here: OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital Teams up With West Ohio Food Bank

OhioHealth announced today, effective December 1st, Jim Parobek will lead both Marion General and Hardin Memorial Hospitals allowing Hardin Memorial’s current president, Joy Bischoff, to focus her full attention on the integration and strategic alignment of OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. 

Bischoff has been passionate about serving Hardin County, where she began her career nearly 30 years ago. She was named president of Hardin Memorial Hospital in 2021 and then also became president of Van Wert Hospital when OhioHealth acquired it in March of 2023. 

“It has been my absolute honor to serve patients in Hardin County and work with a team who feels like family,” Bischoff said. “I am focusing on strategic growth in a new market for OhioHealth. At OhioHealth, we have been working towards a combined Hardin and Marion leadership team for over 6 years and I feel confident that the team will continue to deliver the highest quality of care to the Hardin County community.” 

Parobek currently serves as president of OhioHealth Marion General Hospital. He joined OhioHealth in March 2024. 

“In my first few months at OhioHealth, I can already tell this is a healthcare system like no other when it comes to leading with heart and empathy,” Parobek said. “I am committed to serving the patients and communities of both Hardin and Marion Counties and surrounding areas with the highest level of care and safety.” 

Bischoff’s passion for community helped launch resources to provide a lifeline for others beyond the walls of the hospital. For example, she helped start the hospital’s monthly food distribution event in Kenton, in partnership with the West Ohio Food Bank, often rolling up her sleeves and jumping in on the distribution line – delivering healthy food and necessary household items to those in need. 

Under her leadership, Bischoff has deepened community engagement in additional ways through investment into the Hardin County YMCA and a sponsorship at Rhodes State College to enhance the local pipeline for vital careers in healthcare. 

“Joy has been an integral leader in the Hardin County community and has shown so much dedication. We know she will continue to do great things leading OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital – as we continue our integration efforts,” said Chris Clinton, OhioHealth’s president of regional markets. “We welcome Jim Parobek to Hardin County and are confident that with over thirty years of healthcare experience, he will continue to make a positive impact on our organization and the communities we serve.” 

Before joining OhioHealth, Parobek served as president of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. During his presidency, Parobek successfully established the hospital as a Level 1 trauma center, initiated multiple DE&I initiatives as well as community engagement projects including establishing a respite unit at a local homeless shelter. 

Parobek originally joined Texas Health in 2014 serving in various leadership roles where he had a significant impact on the operations by unifying the oversight and coordination of all physicians contracting, workforce development and recruitment. 

Before his career at Texas Health, Parobek was the president of St. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital and the Jewish Hospital Physician Group, both in Louisville, Kentucky. He was also the president of Gateway Rehabilitation Hospital in Louisville. 
 

1. Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus 
2. Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite 
3. Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll 

To achieve this recognition, Marion General Hospital demonstrated its commitment to providing quality care for stroke patients by following treatment guidelines and educating patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home. To qualify for the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite award, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke. 

This is the 10th year OhioHealth Marion General Hospital has received a Gold Level recognition award from the AHA Get With The Guidelines Program. 

About OhioHealth  
Based in Columbus, Ohio, OhioHealth is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit, charitable, healthcare outreach of the United Methodist Church.  
Serving its communities since 1891, OhioHealth is a family of 35,000 associates, physicians and volunteers, and a network of 15 hospitals, three joint-venture hospitals, one managed-affiliate hospital, 200+ ambulatory sites and other health services spanning a 50-county area. For more information, visit ohiohealth.com. 

About the American Heart Association 
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.  

About Get With The Guidelines 
Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 12 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org. 

 

Today, OhioHealth announced Marion Women’s Health Center has joined the OhioHealth family of healthcare providers, effective June 30, 2024. 

The practice will remain at its current location at 960 S Prospect Street and the name will change to OhioHealth Physician Group Obstetrics and Gynecology. Patients’ medical records will transfer to OhioHealth Physician Group and remain accessible to their physicians. 

“At OhioHealth we are honored to be able to bring Marion Women’s Health Center into our family of health care providers,” said Jim Parobek, president of OhioHealth Marion General Hospital. 

“Providing this type of care close to home is important to us,” said Deepi Bathini, MD, vice president of clinical affairs at Marion General Hospital. “This acquisition allows us to provide our patients with the best care in a way that’s comfortable, convenient, and close to home.” 

Jay Moodley, MD, a veteran who served 3 years in the Army before going to medical school, has been providing care in Marion for 30 years. He said he is looking forward to joining OhioHealth. 

“I’m excited to join the OhioHealth family of physicians and to continue to be able to provide the same quality of care that my patients are accustomed to while supporting the Marion community and surrounding areas,” said Dr. Moodley. 

Moodley is one of four providers at the practice who include Allie Branham, CNM, Qin Huang, CNM, and Emma Trusty, CNM. 

 

OhioHealth Marion General Hospital announced today a partnership with Tri-Rivers Career Center & Center for Adult Education which will include a $100,000 commitment to support health education and safety programs. The money will be distributed over the next five years. 

“We are proud to support organizations that align with our mission, culture, and values, like Tri-Rivers,” said Jim Parobek, president of Marion General Hospital. “For several years, Marion General has served as a location for clinical training and experiential learning for the Tri-Rivers students. This will help restore the pipeline of students interested in taking on vital roles in the health care industry.” 

The funding is a supplement to the tuition support already provided through OhioHealth. This additional funding will enable Tri-Rivers’ health education and safety programs to increase enrollment. It will also help with retention efforts by removing financial barriers for students. 

The following programs will be directly impacted: 

• The Gateway Success Program - Financial assistance for paying fees related to admission (application fee, testing fee, acceptance fee, or pre-requisite course fee) 
• The Finish Line Success Program - Students with financial difficulties to assure program completion (supplies, subscription fee, licensure or certification fee, review fee) 

“This partnership allows us to invest in our community and strengthen our relationship with a program that has a long history of successfully training students who are interested in healthcare careers,” said Jamie Cunningham, chief nursing officer, and vice president of patient care services at OhioHealth Marion General Hospital. “It also enables us to assist a program that could help us expand our talent pipeline and help fill staffing gaps to better serve our patients now and into the future.” 

"We are immensely grateful for OhioHealth's generous sponsorship and continued partnership,” said Charles Speelman, superintendent of Tri-Rivers Career Center. “This contribution not only enhances our health education and safety programs but also fortifies our shared commitment to cultivating the next generation of healthcare professionals. Together, we are making a significant impact on the healthcare landscape of our community.” 

There will be a check presentation and celebration on Wednesday, June 26th at 5:00 p.m. at Tri-Rivers Career Center located at 2227 Marion Mt. Gilead Road, Marion. 
 

With an additional $11,900 in capital support, the total cost of the garden refresh was $189,900. The garden refresh included constructing pergolas and adding all new plants except the roses, which were maintained throughout the project and put back in the new raised beds. 

“We are excited to reintroduce this cherished space to our patients, visitors, and OhioHealth family of associates,” said Jim Parobek, president of Marion General Hospital. “The garden has always been a symbol of healing and peace and thanks to support from donors we have been able to refresh it for future generations to enjoy.” 

“We want our community to know that the commitment is there to maintain this space as a place of respite and reflection and to honor the legacy of colleagues, friends and loved ones for decades to come,” said Beth Meadows from the OhioHealth Marion General Hospital Foundation. “We are immensely grateful to the associates, physicians, and community members who generously supported both the original garden as well as the renovation.” 

On Thursday June 13, 2024, the Marion General Hospital Foundation and the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony to honor those who gave gifts in support of the project in a small, private ceremony. 

The Memorial Walkway and Garden is located at OhioHealth Marion General Hospital, 1000 McKinley Park Dr, Marion, OH, 43302. 
 

Under clear blue skies a team of volunteers set up tents and tables and got to work packing box after box of kitchen pantry staples and self-care supplies. In its latest community initiative, leaders from OhioHealth Marion General Hospital joined The Salvation Army for its mobile food pantry event, on Friday May 31st, providing Marion residents access to nutritious food and necessary household supplies right where they live. 

To eliminate the barrier of transportation that many face, The Salvation Army’s mobile food pantry was parked right in the green space of a Marion apartment complex so that residents did not have to walk far from their front steps to access the resources they need. Five leaders from Marion General Hospital were on hand to help pack up the supplies and carry them straight to residents’ homes. Those leaders included the hospital’s new president, Jim Parobek. 

“At OhioHealth Marion General Hospital, we really want to be a part of Marion and improve the health of the community,” Parobek said. “Assisting local resources, like The Salvation Army, with providing access to food and helping deliver it right to our neighbors’ homes, is another way we are helping to do this.” 

The collaboration comes at a time during the summer months when schools are closed, and families face heightened challenges in securing access to nutritional food on a regular basis. According to The Salvation Army, mobile food pantries bring essential food to locations that are considered “food deserts,” meaning they lack access to food pantries, grocery stores, and an adequate selection of healthy foods. 

“The support from OhioHealth this year is allowing us to purchase more food, to add additional sites, and to be able to provide our free lunches as well which is super important now that schools are out,” said Kristin Price of The Salvation Army. 

Price also described the recent increase in need. 

“When the pandemic hit, we went from ordering just a few truckloads of food here and there every few months to ordering truckloads every week. Now we are seeing an increase once again with inflation taking place in the economy. People just can’t afford to buy a $4 or $5 box of cereal,” Price explained. “That’s why we are really grateful for our community’s support.” 

At Friday’s mobile food pantry event, OhioHealth volunteers handed out 178 food boxes and 429 bagged lunches. 

In addition to lending physical support from volunteers for the mobile food pantry, OhioHealth donated $5,000 to the Salvation Army in Marion this past spring.