• 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.

Christopher Meyer, DO, an addiction medicine specialist for OhioHealth in Athens, said he saw an ongoing need for medically supported addiction care both at OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital and throughout the community. Vinayak Shukla, MD, co-project director with Paula Kobelt, DNP, RN-BC, for OhioHealth’s Addiction Medicine program, agreed and worked with the OhioHealth Research Institute to secure funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Impact Awards program to develop a program based in Athens.

The program is modeled after successful OhioHealth Addiction Medicine comprehensive treatment programs operating at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, OhioHealth Doctors Hospital, OhioHealth Marion General Hospital and OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital, but is designed to address the unique challenges of treating substance use disorders (SUD) in a rural region. It integrates hospital-based consultations, outpatient treatment, telemedicine, counseling, withdrawal management, medication-assisted treatment, care transitions and community outreach into a single coordinated approach.

“This program fills a critical gap in treatment resources for the region,” said Dr. Shukla. “We now have the ability to provide comprehensive care that connects hospital services with community support organizations, eliminating gaps in care and helping individuals access treatment and recovery services.”

Strong Community Ties 

An innovative part of the program’s design is its integration with community partners that regularly interact with individuals facing addiction. The program team works closely with: 

• John W. Clem Recovery House (men’s recovery residence) 
• Serenity Grove (women’s recovery residence) 
• Timothy House (shelter for unhoused adults) 
• My Sister’s Place (domestic violence shelter) 
• Recovery Connections of Southeast Ohio 
• Athens County Children Services 
• Athens County Public Libraries 
• Athens City-County Health Department 

“These partnerships allow people to access care from multiple points, not just through the Emergency Department, but from community agencies where many individuals first seek support,” said Meyer. “People don’t always just walk into a clinic when they need help.”

 The program’s community-based nurse practitioner and community substance use navigator regularly meet people where they are, including shelters, recovery centers, public health sites or through secure virtual meetings.

Care Across Settings

Inside OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital, patients admitted for overdose, withdrawal or other complications from substance use disorder receive immediate assessment, treatment and a plan for follow up care.

“About 20 percent of patients admitted to any hospital in the country are struggling with substance use disorders, oftentimes under the radar,” Dr. Meyer said. “We’re here to offer treatment and a path toward recovery.” 

After stabilization, the team arranges follow-up care, which, depending on a patient’s needs, might include partial hospitalization, rehabilitation, or outpatient treatment. “We also reach out to all our patients after hospital discharge to address any barriers they may face in connecting with follow up care,” noted Shukla.

Outpatient clinic patients can access counseling, medication-assisted treatment and ongoing support through in-person visits or telehealth.

Members of the OhioHealth Addiction Medicine team pose outside of O’Bleness Hospital. L to R: Shari Blackwell, Community Healthcare Navigator, Cheryl Taylor, Emergency Department Substance Use Navigator, Christopher Meyer, D.O.. Monica Dunfee, CNP, Haylee Sprouse, Clinical Nurse Manager, Bethaney Carroll, Inpatient Substance Use Navigator

Patient-Centered Support

In addition to evidence-based treatment, the program emphasizes patient-centered care and addresses barriers that can prevent people from accessing services. Staff provide personal care items, such as clothing and dental hygiene products, as well as harm reduction supplies including naloxone and fentanyl test strips. A free community naloxone distribution table is also available on the O’Bleness Hospital campus. The program offers transportation assistance to help patients attend appointments and, starting in 2026, will provide medication vouchers for uninsured or underinsured patients to obtain treatment for substance use disorders at no cost.

Robust Staffing 

The grant funds seven employees dedicated solely to addiction treatment and care coordination: 

• A part time Addiction Medicine physician 
• Two nurse practitioners (one hospital-based, one community-based) 
• Two substance use navigators (one hospital-based, one community-based) 
• A counselor 
• A nurse manager 

The breadth of this staffing is uncommon in most communities and is especially significant in a rural region like Athens County, according to Meyer.

“A Huge Step Forward”

“This program greatly expands resources available in Athens County to serve individuals and families who struggle with substance use disorders,” Dr. Meyer said. “The county has never benefited from such an accumulation of resources. It is a huge step forward and the only program of its kind in southeastern Ohio.”

LeeAnn Lucas-Helber, president of O’Bleness Hospital, said the launch represents a meaningful investment in the health of the region. “By combining hospital care with strong partnerships across the region, we can provide hope, resources and a path to recovery for those who need it most,” she said. “Our community deserves this level of support.”