Caroline Palmer’s smile immediately makes you feel welcome. As a patient registration representative for Radiology at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, her friendly face puts patients and visitors at ease. But Palmer is also the face of something you may not suspect – she’s a survivor of human trafficking.

For many people, their understanding of human trafficking is similar to the 2008 film Taken, starring Liam Neeson. But the reality is very different. Human trafficking occurs right here in Columbus. Society just masks it with a different name – prostitution.

Prostitution has been around for centuries. It’s mired in controversy and has a mixed reputation. Most condemn and criminalize it. Others celebrate it as a form of female empowerment. But the statistics show that the world’s oldest profession is really the world’s oldest oppression.

“85 percent of women trafficked in the United States are our own women and girls,” said Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Paul Herbert. “And nearly two-thirds are victims of sexual abuse.”

That’s how Palmer’s story begins.

“When I was in the third grade, my father started molesting me, and that continued for about eight years,” said Palmer. “I was so scared. He’d threaten to kill my mom and marry me.”

Palmer’s mother denied the sexual abuse for years, but when Palmer told her what he would say to her each time he was ready to have sex, her mom froze. “It was what he would say to her. That’s when the light bulb went off in her head that she had failed me.”

Her mother finally pressed charges and divorced her father, but the trauma he inflicted left Palmer vulnerable to manipulation. When she was 15, she fell prey to Thomas, a 30-year-old friend of her neighbor’s. “He talked nice to me, bought me clothes, made me feel like he cared about me. And then we started having sex,” said Palmer.

Thomas’ behavior is what Judge Herbert calls boyfriending. It’s how traffickers lure women in. “They promise love and stability, but then sex becomes business and they find ways to detain the women.”

One of the most common tools used to maintain control of trafficked women is drugs. Thomas persuaded Palmer to try crack after a fight the two had, telling her it would help her calm down. She was hooked instantly. Over the next few years, Palmer’s and Thomas’ addiction spiraled out of control, costing Palmer her budding career in banking.

That’s when Thomas started selling Palmer.

“The first time it happened, he sold me for $150. At the time, I didn’t know I was being trafficked,” said Palmer. “I was in love with him. But he was conning me. He’d been grooming me since I was 15.”

Judge Herbert says it’s not unusual for a trafficked woman to stand by her trafficker. “Sixty-two percent of women who are trafficked enter prostitution before the age of 18, 33% before they are 15. Abuse, false promises, fear and resignation become all they know. Their trafficker is the steady influence in their life, who is there for them when society has turned its back.”

For 15 years, Palmer was pressured to sell her body for income, continuing to battle the addiction her trafficker used to coerce compliance with his demands. She was arrested more than 23 times and served three felony sentences at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville. She had eight children, five by johns (men who paid her for sex), and lost custody of the first seven. Caroline was raped five times, beaten, branded, kidnapped and nearly murdered twice. At times she was homeless, and often hungry, at one point weighing only 87 pounds.

“People think prostitutes make a choice,” said Palmer. “They think we get what we deserve. But you don’t just decide to be a prostitute. I knew a lot of girls who went through so much at home and in life. Doctors’ daughters, preachers’ daughters, lawyers’ daughters … there’s no discrimination. Anyone can have something happen to them that leads them to prostitution.”

Through the kindness of a landlord who offered her a one-way bus ticket to escape her circumstances, Palmer, then pregnant with her eighth child, fled south to family in Mississippi in 2002 and entered treatment at Region One Mental Health in Clarksdale. Over the next 14 years, she rebuilt her life, becoming a bus driver for the local school, working at the library, writing a book about her story, speaking publicly at schools and prisons, and earning her general education degree with honors from Coahoma Community College.

Palmer returned to Columbus in 2016 when her mother became ill. At a job fair, she learned about Restoration Academy, a rigorous, six-month program provided by the city in partnership with community organizations to reduce the rate of recidivism. Palmer was one of 12 applicants accepted into the program that year. She got placed in a job with VSP Vision Care and received legal aid to have her felony record expunged. New laws allow for the destruction of records related to prostitution if survivors can prove they were victims of human trafficking.

“Expungement is the ultimate fresh start,” says Judge Herbert.

Restoration Academy is just one of many local programs helping victims of human trafficking.

Ten years ago, Judge Herbert founded CATCH Court (Changing Actions to Change Habits), a specialty docket in Franklin County that offers women who have been trafficked a two-year intensive probation program to exit trafficking instead of serving jail time.

“These women wind up in court with charges of prostitution, drug use and other crimes, but they look like victims of domestic abuse, not hardened criminals,” he said.

CATCH partners with Maryhaven and Amethyst, and several other substance use recovery centers in central Ohio, and requires the women to attend weekly meetings that include education and support. He says 72% of the women who graduate the program have no new criminal charges, and 77% are employed, volunteering or enrolled in education programs or vocational training.

CATCH Court director Hannah Estabrook, MA, LPCC-S, founded Sanctuary Night with help from Lower Lights Ministries. Every Monday, from 8–10 p.m., women caught in the cycle of prostitution can visit the center on Sullivant Avenue for a warm meal, clothing, hygiene items and connections to community resources.

“These women have grown up as victims of systemic injustice, and sexual and other trauma in their family system. They turn to prostitution because that’s all that’s available to them,” said Estabrook. “The criminal justice system in Franklin County has done an amazing job helping trafficked women, but it’s a growing burden. Some women need a different way out, one that is more autonomous.” Estabrook hopes to secure enough funding to open a new drop-in center this summer that will be open to women 24/7.

OhioHealth has also taken steps to serve trafficking victims. Through a partnership with United Way, our Wellness on Wheels mobile units deliver women’s health and prenatal care to women at Maryhaven and Amethyst once a week, regardless of their ability to pay. If the women need additional services the unit can’t provide, we connect them with our charity care program at their OhioHealth hospital of choice.

OhioHealth nurses also provide quarterly health education to women in CATCH Court and HART (Helping Achieve Recovery Together), another specialty docket in Franklin County for people with opiate addictions.

“Most of these women have never had evidence-based education about their bodies, let alone information about the opportunity to live the violence- and drug-free life that they want,” said Shannon Ginther, senior director of Community Health Partnerships at OhioHealth. “They’re very engaged in the lectures.”

But Ginther says OhioHealth still has opportunity.

“Moving forward, we need to look at more training for our associates, so they can recognize the signs of human trafficking and immediately connect victims with services,” said Ginther.

Judge Herbert shares staggering statistics that make it clear OhioHealth is likely already caring for trafficked women in our emergency rooms and other care sites:

If you feel someone in your care may be a victim of human trafficking, take the following steps:

• Practice trauma-informed care: Trauma reactions are often misdiagnosed or overlooked as symptoms of mental illness. Victims of trafficking may develop dissociative personality disorder, exhibit aggression or refuse to talk. You can practice trauma-informed care by not casting judgment, looking patients in the eyes and showing genuine concern, listening to what they have to say, and being consistent, transparent and flexible.
• Recognize the signs of trauma and trafficking: Women and girls who are being trafficked may have bruises or other injuries, exhibit submissive or fearful behavior, show signs of drug addiction, act withdrawn or avoid making eye contact, lie or speak evasively, or have an older man with them.
• If you suspect something, say something: You can reach officers in Columbus Police’s new PACT (Police and Community Together) unit by calling 311. Your call goes directly to the unit and will be received by someone who has special training in human trafficking. The details you provide can also help them build cases against traffickers in the area.
• Connect victims with help: The National Human Trafficking Hotline will connect you with a local organization who can come to your care site to talk with patients. Just call 1 (888) 373.7888 or text 233733.
• Volunteer and give generously: Many of the local organizations working to end human trafficking have opportunities for you to donate your time or funds, including Sanctuary Night and Freedom A La Cart.
• Share the message: Talk to your fellow associates, friends, family and neighbors about the realities of prostitution, human trafficking and commercial sex. Share this story.
• Innovate: Seek ways to protect women and other vulnerable people within our system and in your communities.

However you choose to help, you can be part of the solution, says Estabrook. “I have yet to have someone come to me with their skill or desire to give and not been able to use it.”

Today, Palmer is rebuilding bonds with her children, and glows with pride when she talks about them. Her youngest is about to graduate high school. She has straight A’s, is enrolled in courses at Columbus State and plays multiple sports.

“I love my kids. When they took them from me, the world wasn’t the same,” she said. “Parents are supposed to make a way for their kids to have a good life. I didn’t have that as a kid, but God’s giving me the chance to do that now for my kids.”

Palmer is working toward a degree in healthcare and human services, and hopes one day to be a social worker at the hospital. But for now, she finds fulfillment in her current role. “This place is amazing,” she said. “We’re a team, and I love my job!”

Her advice to others is never to assume that you know what someone is going through. And, if you’re facing abuse, ask for help.

“If you’re ashamed, put that mindset aside, especially if you have kids. You have to tell people what’s going on. I was used and abused all my life until I took that first step. And I’m going to keep putting my foot forward.”

After putting her career on hold to raise her daughter, Clifton went to nursing school, earned an OhioHealth care fellowship, and became a Cardiovascular ICU nurse at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital. Recently, she shifted her career to follow her passion for behavioral health.

“I have a daughter with autism,” Clifton said. “It’s a different kind of sickness, and I’ve always had a passion to work in this area.”

But it’s another “secret” passion that has come to light in a big way.

“I love singing, but didn’t have the confidence to sing in public when I was younger,” she said. “When you’re older, you learn to follow your instincts and not to worry as much.”

After hearing her sing karaoke, the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra’s conductor encouraged Clifton to submit a video for an upcoming show.

“I made the top five in online voting and was asked to perform in the Bach to Rock performance,” she said. “I sang ‘Alone by Heart,’ and it was an experience I’ll never forget.”

Her karaoke singing also led to a performance at the Miss Ohio Pageant.

“I was outside my comfort zone, but I’m glad pushed through,” Clifton admitted. “I credit becoming a nurse to my growing confidence and realizing I can do a lot of things.”

Strings and smiles

Mark Pierce, a local pastor at Church Requel, shares that same can-do attitude and a similar love for music while performing inside Mansfield Hospital.

“My granddaughter got a ukulele as a Christmas gift, and I thought it would be a great way to connect with her,” Pierce said.

Although she lost interest, Pierce taught himself to play watching YouTube videos and, within a year, started volunteering his talents at Mansfield Hospital.

“I’m just trying to share a little joy,” he said.

When he walks through the halls with that ukulele under his arms, he’s always greeted with smiles.

“Music lifts the spirit, it does something that medicine alone can’t do,” he said.

Generations of music makers

Two women at different stages of life share the same love for service and music at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital.

Connie Berry, 78, has been sliding up to the Steinway piano in the Blue lobby for nearly 16 years to play old standards like “Night and Day,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” and a mix of show tunes.

“I volunteered by escorting patients before I developed a foot problem,” Berry said. “That’s when I saw the piano and thought, I could do that.”

After a 20-year career at Battelle, she wanted to stay active and engaged with people.

“I was told that music helps people, so I wanted to try it,” she said. “I don’t have any other talent, but I can play. Plus, this is therapeutic for me.”

On the same Steinway piano, while most students are still asleep on Saturdays, Maddie Garner, a sophomore at The Ohio State University, plays jazz and classical music, and even video game and movie themes.

She started as a volunteer greeter while she was still a junior in high school, before transitioning to the piano.

“They asked if I wanted to play for 30 minutes, and I said, ‘No, I want to play all three hours,’” she said.

Playing is her ministry, affording connections with people as they react to the music.

“The response from kids who recognize video game music and older adults seniors who can’t believe a young person knows how to play Claude Debussy is great,” she said. “I love that I’ve been given an opportunity to give back this way, and I experience a lot of joy doing it.”

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

Bethany Kravitz, BSN, RN, administrative nurse manager for the Cardiac Intermediate Unit at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, knows exactly what it's like.

After spending years in an abusive marriage, Kravitz and her 4-year-old son, Bryce, broke free in 2007 to start a whole new life. As the sole provider for her family, she needed to increase her earning potential to make ends meet for the long run.

So Kravitz applied to go back to nursing school, and even found scholarships and grants to help cover tuition costs. But, with a shattered local support system and a very limited income, she didn't know how she would be able to afford childcare so she could go to class. She knew she needed help.

Kravitz's divorce attorney recommended she look into Scholarship Opportunities for Success (SOS), a grassroots nonprofit financial aid program designed to support central Ohio women who want to end the cycle of poverty by furthering their education. The program caters especially to women who have experienced trauma, abuse, addiction and other major life setbacks.

"I'll never forget it," said Kravitz. "The day I got accepted into nursing school was the same day I got into SOS. It was perfect!"

SOS offers more than 20 scholarships annually, helping recipients cover tuition, childcare, computer and technology expenses, books, bus passes, gas cards … whatever is needed to keep the educational journey going strong.

For three years, SOS covered the full cost of little Bryce's childcare so Kravitz could attend classes and earn her nursing degree.

After completing nursing school in 2010, Kravitz wanted to give back through volunteering and fundraising efforts for SOS. In 2015, Kravitz became the first-ever SOS recipient to become a board member. She considers it a privilege to mentor scholarship recipients and share her story of hope and healing with others.

"SOS was there for me when I really needed help," said Kravitz. "They paid for my childcare and helped out with gas. But, most importantly, they believed in me even when I wasn't able to believe in myself."

Kravitz was one of the first SOS success stories. Now happily remarried to husband Robin –who is also an SOS sponsor – with four beautiful children – twin stepdaughters Caitlin and Courtney, 17, son Bryce, now 16, and daughter Sage, 7 – Kravitz balances her OhioHealth career with ever-growing responsibilities at home and in her community.

In the decade since becoming an SOS recipient, giving back and paying it forward have become Kravitz family values, sparked by sincere gratitude.

"My kids love volunteering with me at SOS events," said Kravitz. "It's just something we do."

Kravitz's professional commitment to healing at Grant overflows into her personal commitment to healing through SOS. As a recipient, volunteer, board member, mentor and advocate, she knows what "sending out an SOS" really looks like: Healing hearts. Inspiring growth. Saving lives.

Have you or a woman you know suffered trauma, abuse or a major life setback? You can complete a free scholarship application at SOSGrants.org.

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

But beyond the walls of McConnell, these two OhioHealth associates have turned their own life challenges into published books, sharing the lessons they’ve learned with the goal of inspiring others.

Yousey’s book, which she wrote with her husband, Chris, draws from 27 years of marriage and experiences parenting six children in a blended family. Titled What You Need to Know to Lead a Marriage Support Group: The Guide to Develop Unity in Marriage, the book is designed to help church officials and other community leaders counsel couples on creating strong marriages that can withstand the day-to-day stress of raising children.

Since it published in February, the book has garnered rave reviews and reached the No. 1 spot in Amazon’s “family, relationships and marriage” book category. It also inspired the couple, who are both pastors, to start their own television show titled Real Marriage on the NOW Network streaming service. The book will soon be rereleased online and in bookstores under the title Creating Unity: The Guide to Leading a Marriage Support Group.

“People used to come to us with questions, and we would always sit down and counsel couples,” explained Yousey, whose six sons have gone on to achieve academic and professional success. “We ended up saying, ‘We’ve got to put this information in a book because we don’t have enough appointment spots to reach everyone.’”

Yousey and her husband continue to offer in-person marriage coaching. Their most important piece of advice to couples on keeping a marriage alive, Yousey said, is to make time for each other.

“A lot of couples let the kids come between them,” she said. “We recognized that one day the kids are going to be gone and it’s going to be just the two of us, and we wanted to maintain our relationship and our friendship.”

Alfred's book, meanwhile, offers a personal account of how she coped with the devastating loss of her first baby, who was stillborn, and the weeks she spent in the hospital on bed rest during two subsequent, high-risk pregnancies. Published as an electronic book in 2015, the book is titled Pregnant with Promise: A Spiritual Journey of Pregnancy, Bed Rest, and Childbirth. It’s now available in paperback and can be purchased online and in bookstores.

Much of the book is excerpts from Alfred’s journal entries, where she details her emotional struggles while confined to a hospital bed during her second pregnancy, worried that, at any moment, she might again lose her child. The entries also draw on the scriptures that helped Alfred navigate this difficult time in her life.

Today, she is the proud and grateful mom of two boys, Brandon, 11, and Jalen, 10.

Alfred hopes the book will bring awareness to perinatal mental health. While pregnant, she experienced depression and anxiety that went largely untreated. She believes the book can be an inspiration to those who have experienced pregnancy loss or complications, and undiagnosed mood and anxiety symptoms. She also believes the book can serve as encouragement to others facing different kinds of challenges.

“If the book blesses even one person, then it was worth it,” she said.

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

“I thought this program would be a great opportunity to connect with a child, so I called,” Rolfe explained.

A few weeks later, Rolfe was introduced to Alicia, a bubbly 10-year-old girl who greeted her with cartwheels and a fake mouth mask. Rolfe screamed when she saw the mask, and the two burst into laughter.

“We instantly clicked,” she said. They went to Steak’n Shake and Rolfe immediately felt drawn to this bright, energetic little girl.

Alicia’s story was filled with heartbreak and foster care. Rolfe reached out to this lovely little girl, who seemed undeterred by the challenges life presented her, including going to a new school almost every year. She vowed right then and there to show Alicia a world filled with adventure.

And what adventures they’ve had.

On Alicia’s 13^th birthday, Rolfe and Alicia got dressed up, and together they went to Lindey’s restaurant to celebrate entering her teens. The waiters doted on her and, at the end of the meal, Alicia stood up, curtsied to everyone and said thank you. The bartender was so touched by her charm, he handed her a fresh $20 bill from his own tips. Alicia cried tears of joy on the way home and told Rolfe it was the nicest place she had ever been.

Over the years, they’ve traveled to California and Jamaica and celebrated many birthdays and Christmases together. Rolfe and her husband cheered Alicia from the stands as she played in her high school band and did her cartwheels on the field as a cheerleader. Alicia went on to college at the University of Southern Indiana, and later landed a job with a company selling music equipment.

In October 2019, Rolfe's husband walked Alicia down the aisle at her wedding, as Rolfe and Alicia’s mother, Margie, watched from the front pew. And – because of Alicia embracing Rolfe’s love of travel ­– they all went to Greece for her honeymoon.

“Alicia has given me the desire to share the good in my life, and allowed me to experience what mothers experience,” said Rolfe. “She’s given me lots of laughs, and it’s been amazing to see the impact we’ve had on each other’s lives. I am forever grateful for her, and am proud of the strong, moral, hard-working young woman she’s become.”

Today, Alicia is paying it forward, and—using the love and adventure Rolfe has taught her—now serves as a mentor to a child who is just like the 10-year-old Rolfe had first met over 15 years ago.

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

For Corey McMurray, physician assistant at Kenton Primary Care, the call to serve west-central Ohio goes far beyond a day’s work at OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital. As vice president of fundraising for Table One, a pay-what-you-can-afford community café, McMurray helps create a lunch experience that’s truly priceless.

“What I do at OhioHealth and Table One allows me to care for people at a much larger level,” said McMurray. “I can connect, empathize and live life with my neighbors and community.”

In rural Kenton, Ohio, nearly 1 in 4 people live below the poverty line, unable to afford enough food for themselves and their families. Table One is solving a community problem with a community solution.

Founded in 2016, the ministry’s pay-it-forward approach brings together patrons from a wide variety of backgrounds, family and employment situations, and socioeconomic arenas.

When people come, they pay what they can afford, which, sometimes, is nothing. But all are invited to contribute to the Table One community by washing dishes, clearing tables or wiping down menus. Every contribution, financial or otherwise, is recognized and appreciated.

Regular patrons and volunteers get next-level service and support, with career services, personal and professional references, and a community garden with fresh produce for all. When neighbors help neighbors, everybody eats – and everybody thrives.

Table One patrons have three ways to pay:

1. Pay what you can afford.

2. Pay with volunteer service.

3. Pay it forward for the next patron in need.

Individual, family and corporate sponsorships help make even more priceless meals possible. OhioHealth is a proud Table One sponsor.

Within this thriving nonprofit model, Table One provides lunches Wednesdays through Sundays, plus a free community dinner on Thursdays. They serve an average of 50 meals per day, with 15 to 20 of those meals being entirely complimentary.

But Table One’s café menu goes way beyond the usual spaghetti-dinner charity fare. You’ll find fresh-made soups and hearty salads, craft sandwiches and gourmet burgers, specialty pizzas and kids’ meals. Physical and emotional needs are met as new friends break bread within beautiful exposed brick walls and among fresh-cut table flowers.

“The short time I get with my patients in the office never feels like enough,” said McMurray. “Table One helps me connect with people outside the office, which contributes to their overall emotional health and the health of our community.”

A new way to dine out.

A new way to give back.

A new way to foster hope for Kenton and Hardin counties.

Table for one… and all.

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

But for Jeffrey Krause, MD, DDS, section chair of oral and maxillofacial surgery at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital since 1981, working in the operating room is just one part of his exhilarating weekly routine.

Dr. Krause has helped fight crime and safeguard the public as a sergeant on the reserve unit of the Westerville Division of Police for more than 20 years. When he's not repairing patients' jaws, mouths and faces, Dr. Krause – or Sgt. Jeffrey Krause, Badge No. 835 – might be found accompanying his colleagues on patrol, directing traffic at community functions or collecting fingerprints, among other duties.

Some of Dr. Krause's most memorable moments on the reserve unit include taking part in a high-speed chase of a drunk driver, performing lifesaving CPR on a woman who had overdosed and working with the Secret Service during local visits by former Sen. John McCain and President Trump. Most recently he participated in security for the Democratic National Debate held at Otterbein University.

The thrill of the work keeps Dr. Krause coming back for more.

"It's a desire for an enhanced adrenaline rush, coupled with a great passion to help the general public," he explained. "I'm interested in fighting for the weak, fighting against evil, and using virtue and courage – and a little bit of adrenaline – to get it done."

Dr. Krause developed his enthusiasm for law enforcement while volunteering with the U.S. Coast guard Auxiliary at Alum Creek State Park for 10 years. When he decided to become a reserve police officer, he underwent a six-month background check, and was eventually accepted into the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy. This entailed six months of night school where he received training in criminal law, hands-on tactical training in unarmed self-defense, handcuffing, firearms and tactical law enforcement driving. He became a fully certified Ohio Peace Officer in 1998, and was sworn in with the Westerville Division of Police. He was promoted to sergeant shortly thereafter.

"It was very arduous," he recalled. "But I couldn't wait to get to class every day. You're exposed to a variety of very interesting things that you normally only read about and see on TV. This is the real deal."

Dr. Krause’s experience led him to develop a knack for firearms, as well. He competes in shooting events alongside other first responders, and in June, participated for the eighth time in the Ohio Police and Fire Games in Alliance. The event draws dozens of competitors from across Ohio, the United States and other countries. With years of training under his belt, Dr. Krause earned eight gold and five silver medals. And it was the first time he received a top award in every single game he competed in.

Dr. Krause is still going strong with the Westerville Division of Police even as he approaches his 70^th birthday.

"I like to look at life as a big circle," he said. "I'm coming around the bend now and I want to continue giving back to the community."

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

It’s a question Harris-Muller likes answering. It gives her the opportunity to explain a new way of thinking about how OhioHealth delivers healthcare, and the impact we have on our communities.

But before she answers, she asks a few questions of her own to get people thinking:

What if we could …

• Remove the stress, uncertainty and high price tag of managing a chronic condition?

• End patient anxiety about what to do once they leave us?

• Connect people to care sooner in new and unconventional ways?

What if we could make care more simple, accessible and affordable?

OhioHealth seeks to find solutions to these questions through population health, which we define as: Sustainably meeting the needs of a community by promoting health, preventing disease and addressing inequities.

It’s a lofty goal, but Harris-Muller believes it’s one we can achieve. She draws inspiration from a personal experience with another health provider.

“I took my daughter in for a physical, and while I was sitting there, the nurse practitioner asked if she could pull up my electronic medical record,” Harris-Muller recalled. “She saw I was due for a flu shot and asked if I wanted it right then. They met my needs and my daughter’s in one interaction. It saved me time and another visit.”

Breaking the status quo is what Harris-Muller is here to encourage. It will require a new mindset about how we deliver care, and challenging ourselves to think outside the box. We’ll have to change processes and make connections where they don’t exist today. And it means asking a lot more what if questions.

• What if we offer drive-up flu shot events where people don’t have to get out of the car?

• What if we provide transportation so patients can keep their appointments?

• What if we partner with area shelters so when our most vulnerable populations leave us, they have a safe place to recover?

• What if we could leverage our mobile capabilities and push care into our communities through pop-up clinics?

“We’re trying to provide care and services for patients in the ways that best meet their needs, where they want to have it delivered. That’s unconventional for us,” said Harris-Muller.

Our patients are expecting better care and care coordination, especially because they are spending more on healthcare than ever before. When our what if questions become we provide statements, it will mean OhioHealth is meeting the needs of our communities, preventing disease and addressing inequities.

“Our work has already begun, but there’s a long way to go. Population health is an important priority, and I want everyone at OhioHealth to be excited about and engaged in this shift in thinking,” said Harris-Muller. “When we deliver healthcare in a way that you and your family want to receive it – when we make it simple, accessible and affordable – we’ll create new levels of trust with our patients and make a profound impact on them through our care.”

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

Joe Rice, Phil Holt, Fred Scheltz and John Nolan have been there and done that. Now, they’re redefining the idea of retirement behind the wheel of associate shuttle buses at OhioHealth Doctors Hospital.

Rice, 53, worked for the Columbus Division of Power for 32 years before retiring in 2014. He worked for the public utility since he was in high school, so suddenly not having something to keep him busy every day was a shock to the system, especially for his wife.

“She said, ‘You need something to do, you talk non-stop when I get home.’” he said.

He approached an OhioHealth shuttle driver at a coffee shop and soon found himself cruising around the parking lots at Doctors Hospital, from 5 to 9 a.m. He loves interacting with OhioHealth associates who ride his shuttle to work. “I get to meet a lot of exceptional and driven people who do hard jobs,” he said.

Holt’s daughter is a surgical nurse at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center. She suggested he look into driving shuttles after he retired from a 38-and-a-half year career as a pipefitter.

He knew he wanted a job that provided insurance, but he also wanted something low-stress. “A shuttle driver is not like a pipefitter. It’s not hard on me,” Holt, 59, said, noting he spent much of his former career working on large-scale construction projects, many at OhioHealth care sites.

For about a year, he’s been navigating the parking lots at Doctors Hospital, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. He enjoys chatting with associates and getting to know them day in and day out.

“It really is a stress-free job,” he said. “I get out, but I save a lot of wear and tear on my body.”

For Scheltz, driving is a stress-reducer. The 78-year-old first put his skills to the test while driving various types of trucks serving in the military in Europe. He also drove oversized vehicles from serving as a volunteer firefighter for 20 years and a substitute bus driver.

“I just really love to drive,” he said.

Of the four retirees driving shuttles at Doctors Hospital, Scheltz is the most tenured. He began driving for OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital 15 years ago after being laid off after 27 years of service at National Cash Register in Cambridge, Ohio.

He currently works as a contingency driver at Doctors Hospital.

Before joining the shuttle crew, Nolan, 69, had already driven nearly a million miles during his 36-year career as a dairy products salesman. It didn’t take him long to get back in the saddle. Three months to be exact. That was nearly four years ago.

“I needed something to do, I didn’t like just hanging around,” he said. A friend from school recommended he look into driving for OhioHealth.

“I was tired of driving over the road to other states, but shuttling associates to their parking lots seemed like something I could do,” he said.

Like Holt, he enjoys a job that is stress-free. “Once you leave, it’s done,” he added.

For him, and the other drivers, manning the shuttles made the transition into retirement easier.

“OhioHealth has been a great company. The associates I drive are very nice and appreciative,” Nolan said. “I couldn’t ask for anything else.”

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

"If you would've told me 10 years ago that I'd be where I am now, I never would have believed it," said the amiable 31-year-old.

Cutlip's journey wasn't always easy, but OhioHealth's focus on career growth, continuing education and creating leaders made it possible. She started out as a patient services assistant at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital – the same hospital where the Columbus native was born.

Using OhioHealth's tuition reimbursement program, Cutlip was able pay for the core classes she needed to apply to nursing school, and she relied on the OhioHealth Scholar Program to pay for the two-year nursing program at Columbus State Community College.

Cutlip's nurse manager, Holly Hall, BSN, RN, SANE, also stepped in to offer assistance on several occasions, including when a series of paperwork errors threw Cutlip's admission into limbo. Cutlip honored Hall for her help by asking her to pin her at her nursing school graduation in May 2018.

"She's the reason I actually graduated. Without her putting forth that effort, I wouldn't have been able to go to nursing school," said Cutlip. "She played a pivotal role in my future."

Hall said pinning Cutlip was an honor and watching her grow as a nurse has been rewarding. "It's nice to know that someone benefited from something I did and that she cared enough to listen to my advice and move forward with it."

Today, Cutlip is working toward her Bachelor of Science in nursing online through Purdue University Northwest and thriving in her role in the Doctors Hospital emergency department.

"I love the adrenaline. I love not knowing what you're going to get coming through those doors – is it going to be a cardiac arrest or dental pain?" she said. "You just never know what's going to happen."

More than the excitement that comes with the job, Cutlip finds interacting with patients the most rewarding aspect of her new career.

"When they come to us, they are not having a good day. When I can send somebody home with a discharge or to be hospitalized, and they express their gratitude, give me a compliment or they smile, that just makes it all worth it," she said, smiling. "To know that I was able to have an impact and help them have a better day at the end – that's the best feeling."

Even though Cutlip now works at a different care site than Hall the two still share a strong connection. Hall regularly checks in on Cutlip's progress and stands ready to assist with phone calls or reference letters if needed. Cutlip is paying Hall's act of kindness forward by mentoring associates who are navigating the process of tuition reimbursement and applying for the OhioHealth Scholars Program.

"It can be a confusing process if you're not used to it, so a lot of people pretty much have me on speed dial to assist," she said. "I'm happy to share the knowledge I gained to help other people."

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

Only, she wasn't in an emergency room or even a hospital. She sat in the scoring box at an outdoor motocross track in Nelsonville. Her friend owned a local sports promotion company and needed an extra set of hands at the scoring table.

Koons-Petty had never been a part of anything like this adrenaline-filled, outdoor motorcycle racing event. She was a medical billing coordinator in her mid-20s. But as soon as she sat down in the outdoor arena, noise and energy filled her with excitement. She was immediately hooked.

As time went on, she continued to volunteer at events. Koons-Petty found herself drawn even further into this world, eventually leaving her job to commit herself full-time to Arenacross and motocross.

She quickly earned a reputation as an effective "back-of-house" manager, where she was accountable for gathering intel, managing ticket sales and pit passes, as well as race entries and logistics.

She later moved to Fort Worth, Texas, and covered racing events across the country.

"I am proud to say that I've been to 48 states," said Koons-Petty. Alaska and Hawaii are the last on her bucket list to visit.

She spent the next 15 years in the industry and, eventually, her work led her to attend the 2012 and 2013 X Games. There, she was a part of the "Olympics" of racing events, which included skateboarding, freestyle motocross and BMX.

After meeting her husband, the need to be closer to family called her back to Glouster. She was ready to settle down. She applied for a job at O'Bleness Hospital – an attempt to return to her healthcare roots.

Only, she wasn't ready to give up her connection to the racing world. On the weekends, she once again started volunteering at the scoring table. As it had before, one thing led her to another, and to this day she continues to volunteer at events. She even attends the Supercross race every April in Indianapolis and goes to the Monster Cup supercross race in Las Vegas.

"I've experienced a lifetime of doing what I love to do both in the medical field and the racing industry," she said.

"My friends remind me all the time how unbelievable lucky I am to live the life I do, and I have to say I agree with them."

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

For the past 15 years, Fields has led a double life as a volunteer for Asia's Hope. The Columbus-based organization rescues abandoned and homeless children in Cambodia, Thailand and India, placing them in family-style children's homes staffed by local parents and funded by donors in the United States.

As a member of the Asia's Hope board, Fields supports the organization's work from America, communicating with partners and facilitating fundraising efforts. He's also travelled to Southeast Asia more than a dozen times to provide medical care and other support to the children, as well as on-the-ground logistical assistance.

"Before coming to Asia's Hope, these kids don't have parents, and they certainly don't have any opportunity. They don't get to go to school. We're talking kids who are at high risk of sex trafficking and economic slavery," Fields said. "Our goal is to find these high-risk children and give them opportunities."

Fields began volunteering for Asia's Hope in 2005 when he accepted an invitation to participate in a medical mission to Cambodia from a family acquaintance involved in the organization. At the time, Fields knew nothing about the country.

When he arrived, he was shocked by the widespread poverty, corruption, lack of infrastructure and lasting trauma inflicted by the Khmer Rouge regime that ruled the country in the late 1970s. He'd never seen children living in such devastation, and so many people without access to food and medical care. At the same time, he was amazed at the kindness of the Cambodian people and how grateful they were to receive even a simple Band-Aid.

"It changed my perspective on the way I view the world," Fields said. "To go into other countries and cultures where resources are so limited, finances are limited, and not just a little bit, widespread … I felt compelled to say 'what can I do?' even if it doesn't feel like much. That's been my motivation ever since."

Fields returned to Cambodia and began leading teams of medical volunteers, teachers and students. They did health and wellness checks for the children living in Asia's Hope children's homes, taught in schools and helped with infrastructure projects.

Gradually, the organization expanded to Thailand and India, and began partnering with local doctors and hospitals to provide medical care. Fields still travels to the region, but is now more focused on supporting the organization's work in the U.S.

On a recent trip, Fields met two children he'd immunized the first time he went to Cambodia. One is now grown and in college. Another is married with his own children, and works at one of the children's homes. He's able to support himself and his family.

"Those success stories are incredible," Fields said. "That's what keeps me doing this. It's making a difference, it's changing lives."

If you'd like to find out more about Asia's Hope, go to asiashope.org or follow them on Facebook at @asiashope.

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

But, that's not the case for Kathy Francis, RN-BSN, at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital. Eight years ago, Francis was a patient at Dublin Methodist. Before she was discharged to return home, she noticed how comfortable her hospital socks were and how much life they had left in them, and wondered how many of them were thrown into the trash after a single patient use. 

Later, she still couldn't shake her sock feeling. What could be done with those socks? It seemed like such a waste of a wonderful thing. She would later find a solution at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Plain City, where she attended weekly services with her family.

"I asked our deacon if he could help me come up with a need for gently-used socks, and he just about jumped out of his own socks," said Francis.

Her deacon asked how many pairs she thought she could gather, and told her he would donate them to a local soup kitchen where those in need came for comfort and a warm meal.

Francis put her plan into action. Returning to work a short time later, she began collecting gently-used socks from patients. She even started a donation bin in her unit and encourages other associates to gather socks after they are left behind by patients.

"I like to think of myself as the Yellow Sock Police," said Francis.

Today, Francis estimates she collects about 50 pairs of socks each week. She then takes them home, washes them and donates them to her church. From there, they are taken to the soup kitchen where those in need can take a pair for themselves, or several pairs for their family.

To date, more than 15,000 pairs of socks have been donated due to Francis' selfless socks effort!

"I guess it just goes to show you that even the simplest of gestures can make a big impact. All you have to do is think outside of the box," she said. "And, it can start with something as simple as socks!" 

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

Gaining Perspective

Scott Estep, senior advisor of Portfolio Management, knew he needed to make some drastic changes in his life when he found himself in the emergency department with every clinical sign of a heart attack. Fortunately, there wasn't actually anything wrong with his heart, but his blood pressure was extraordinarily high – even with medication. Instead of prescribing him a third medication, his doctor advised him to manage his stress and lose weight.

Estep understood, at 283 pounds, he needed to get his weight under control. "But the whole cut down stress thing?" He said, laughing, "Not in this job."

A month later, Estep heard the same advice, this time from an executive coach he was working with through the High Potential Directors program. "He told me I had the most detailed corporate professional development plan he'd ever seen, but it wasn't what I really needed to work on. He said, 'Man, you need to take better care of yourself.'"

Estep's commitment to losing weight began with swapping meat and refined sugar for more fruits and vegetables. Along with a healthier diet, Estep began riding his bike and using a rowing machine a few days a week. More importantly, Estep acted on his coach's advice, and began meditating with the Headspace app.

"I did the whole Scott 2.0 reboot," he said.

Over the course of 18 months, Estep lost 55 pounds and went from a size 42-inch waist to a size 36. But more important than what he lost is what he gained through his meditation practice.

"It has completely changed my perspective on all things in my life," he said.

Estep meditates for at least 20 minutes each day. No exceptions. If he can't get a session in at home, he carves out time in his schedule at work.

"I've learned to be in the moment," he said. "Happiness is in the now. It's not in the past – that's over; don't dwell on it. You can't think about times you were happy a few years ago. You also have to stop thinking that you'll be happy when you get these six things done. Happiness is in the now."

Prior to taking his wellness journey, Estep admits he wasn't a happy person.

Now, not only does he feel better physically, but spiritually and emotionally as well. "It's made a real difference in my relationships not only at work, but at home with my wife and daughter," said Estep. "And I'm happy. I'm just genuinely happier than I've ever been in my life," he added.

Starting Somewhere

In 2016, Jessica Medina was not looking forward to her annual biometric screening. New to OhioHealth, she estimated that she hadn't been to the doctor for about 10 years, and was concerned that her results would not be good.

"I've been overweight my whole life and could just never find the time or motivation to work on it," she said.

Medina's screening experience was a positive one, made easy by friendly and supportive associates. But learning that she was prediabetic was a major wake-up call, sparking memories from her childhood of a health emergency her father suffered.

"I said, 'let's make this a pivotal moment and focus on yourself,' something I'd neglected for the longest time," she said. "I'm usually the last person on my priority list."

Medina was eager to jump into OhioHealth's wellness opportunities. She enrolled in the online Diabetes Prevention program because of her erratic schedule as a service excellence ambassador at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. But it just didn't click. "I need to interact with people," she said.

A co-worker encouraged Medina to join Weight Watchers at her care site, and on February 13, 2017, her wellness journey entered a new phase.

Medina's weight started dropping, and within the first month or two, she was down 25 pounds. "I was literally taking it day by day, so I just kept asking myself, 'why stop now?'"

Medina's goal was to lose 30 pounds by her 30^th birthday, but by the time it rolled around, she'd actually dropped 60 pounds. When it was time for her annual check-up, she was excited to go to the doctor for the first time in her life. And with good reason – in total, she'd lost 118 pounds.

"I used to come home from work in excruciating pain," she said, adding that her job sometimes requires her to walk as many as 22,000 steps in a single shift. "Now, the pain is minimal, and that feels so good."

The Weight Watchers program at Riverside Methodist made all of the difference for her.

"Before, I was sort of self-reliant, and that would only get me so far. I needed that extra support from my OhioHealth family – people who knew what I was going through," she said.

She has found a similar environment at 9Round Fitness, which offers kickboxing-themed workout classes she attends with her boyfriend.

While there are obvious physical changes, Medina said her wellness journey is much deeper than that.

"The weight isn't everything. I just remember a year ago when I was in so much pain and how much better I feel now," she said. "Just try to be the best you that you can be."

A New Relationship with Food

Roland Tokarski, system vice president of Real Estate, Construction and Facilities, knew he was going the wrong way – from a health perspective, a weight perspective and from a biometric perspective.

He was beginning to notice his energy waning and, more importantly, so were his 12- and 14-year-old children. After viewing photos from a family trip to Breckenridge, Colorado, he decided to make a change.

He'd watched friends within OhioHealth successfully lose weight and regain their health through the Medical Weight Management program at OhioHealth McConnell Heart Health Center, and felt it was the right program for him. He joined in July 2018.

The Medical Weight Management program is designed to help people lose weight without surgery through one-on-one interactions with OhioHealth weight-loss experts. Tokarski's program initially included establishing his baseline biometrics, setting goal biometrics and creating a nutritional diet consistent with his weight-loss goals. Working with a nutritionist, he was restricted to a 1,000-calorie-per-day diet made up of protein shakes and bars, and one meal of protein and vegetables.

"At first I was thinking, oh my goodness, I'm not going to be able to do this," said Tokarski.

As a diet veteran, Tokarski initially believed that this weight-loss effort would end up like all of the others. But then he lost four or five pounds in the first week. That was all it took.

"After that first week, I wasn't really that hungry and I started feeling fulfilled," he said. "And I started thinking, this just might work."

It did. Through the program, Tokarski lost 50 pounds in just over four months.

"I've never really had much self-discipline in the food category – none actually," he said.

The program changed Tokarski's relationship with food by restricting his intake to prescribed shakes and a narrow category of low-calorie foods, as well as educating him about unhealthy ingredients in popular restaurant meals and portion control.

"You certainly begin to pay significant attention to everything related to eating. It's not just mindless anymore," he said.

In September, Tokarski reached a "crowning moment" of his weight-loss journey. At his annual biometric screening, all three metrics – blood pressure, A1C and BMI – were within range.

"That was absolutely staggering to me because I'm not sure I've ever been in range," he said.

Having reached his goal weight, Tokarski is now in a phase of the program meant to help his body adapt to eating a wider variety of foods while incorporating an exercise program. He's not worried he'll revert to old habits. The knowledge he's gained and ongoing support he receives from program managers ensures he'll stay on a healthy path.

Tkarski's transformation is inspiring colleagues, and he's happy to discuss the program with interested co-workers and associates.

"It's been a fun journey," he said. "I'm a walking billboard for it now." 

Take Control of Your Health

OhioHealth boasts a robust Wellness program designed to provide associates, their families and the community opportunities to improve their physical, mental and emotional well-being. For more information on programs, contact your care site Wellness Champion or visit OhioHealthyHub.com. 

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

For associates at OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital in Athens, there's a must-stop spot between work and home – Little Fish Brewing Company. It's a third place, where the sense of community continues late into the evening as associates, family and friends gather to connect over a cold one.

For Keely Stockwell, a Marketing and Communications manager at O'Bleness Hospital, and wife and brand consultant to Jimmy Stockwell, co-founder of Little Fish, the brewery has become more than a family affair. It's a blended approach to work-life harmony that fosters the much-needed community of Athens.

"In a small town like ours, a business like Little Fish is a really important part of the culture," said Stockwell. "People come to gather, celebrate and just be together. It's what we do."

That's why her fellow associates make the one-mile drive from O'Bleness Hospital to Little Fish after work to strengthen team relationships over a craft brew. The family-friendly environment is a perfect place to reflect on the day.

"There's such a benefit to knowing the people you work with outside the office," said Stockwell. "It can help build trust, making for a better work environment by day."

Little Fish Brewing Company opened in summer 2015 during Ohio Brew Week, on more than two acres of lush green space along Armitage Road.

"There's no place like it in Athens!" said Stockwell. "We love our small-town lifestyle, and we really want the business to stay small so we can better serve our community."

Little Fish patrons can enjoy a brew-garden-style patio during the warmer months, overlooking a hops arbor, fruit trees, bike path and city-owned reclaimed wetland. An inviting indoor taproom welcomes customers year-round with more than 30 home brews on tap at a time, sporting cheeky names like Beets on Repeat, Pawpaw Weitzen and Reinheitsgewhat!? Rose.

The brewery's meticulous efforts and unmatched creativity have really paid off. Little Fish has won several prestigious awards, including the:

• 2016 World Beer Cup Gold Award in the Belgian- and French-style Ale category
• Athens News Reader's Choice Award's Best New Business
• RateBeer's 2015 and 2016 Best New Brewery in Ohio

The brewery also distributes to a wide variety of brew houses and vendors in Ohio and Kentucky with ever-expanding reach.

Despite the venture's impressive success in only four years, Little Fish leaders maintain a farmhouse mentality, committed to brewing world-class beer while sustainably supporting local economies.

You're invited! Come tap into the community building at Little Fish Brewing Company.

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

By day, Obert serves as executive assistant to senior vice president and chief medical officer Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA. By night, she can be found camped out with her laptop, planning trips for clients (and herself) through her company, BookIt Travel.

Her work with OhioHealth led her to her part-time gig.

​"Part of the role of an executive assistant is to plan a lot of travel," she explained. When Eric, her husband of nearly 10 years, saw the itinerary she developed for her executives and adopted for personal travel, he suggested she look into becoming a travel agent.

That was just over a year ago. Since then, as a cruise and vacation consultant with Expedia CruiseShip Centers in Columbus, she's booked countless cruises for first-time and seasoned travelers alike.

"I don't do this for the money, which is a good thing because you don't make a whole lot," she laughed. "I do it because I get joy from sending people on cruises."

Obert knows the cruise business well. She's gone on 17 ocean cruises thus far and has plenty more scheduled, including a 10-day trip through the Panama Canal slated for January.

Why cruises?

"My husband likes to say that cruising is the best way to travel because you unpack once, but your destination changes every day," she said.

The pair have cruised to Cuba, Bermuda, Hawaii, Canada, Key West, New England, Mexico, Alaska and various ports throughout the eastern, western and southern Caribbean Sea. Future plans include revisiting some favorite destinations, exploring ports along the Mediterranean Sea and trying out a few European river cruises.

While she admits that the tax write-off she gets for her travels is a great perk, every cruise she takes provides her with valuable research and experience, which helps her serve her travel clients better.

Aside from serving her cruise clients, frequent travel has a big impact on Obert's work at OhioHealth, too.

"I think travel is essential to life. As essential as breathing and eating and drinking," she said. "When I get back from a trip, I can't wait to get back to work. I love going away, and I love coming home."

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

At OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, more than 20 social workers mobilize regularly as part of a comprehensive care management team. These social workers ensure patient and family wishes are heard, respected and carried out to the best of their ability.

The new complex discharge team acts as a subsegment of that powerhouse group, helping reduce total cost and hardship to patients upon discharge. Modeled after similar teams at Northwestern University and the University of Michigan, the team employs one full-time social worker who focuses on one complex discharge case at a time, which enables the social worker to devote their undivided attention to the patient.

Lisa Applegate-Lewis, a seasoned social worker in the OhioHealth system was selected by a steering committee at Grant for this specialized role in February 2018.

Applegate-Lewis hit the ground running. She was poised and ready for the challenge of her first case – one that had global implications.

The case: A Guatemalan man living in Ohio suffered a traumatic brain injury requiring 24/7 supervision. After several months at Grant, the patient wanted – and needed – to get back to his home country for continued care. But the costs for medical transport to Guatemala exceeded $20,000.

Applegate-Lewis sprang into action, unwilling to accept such an expense for the patient or the system. It was already costing thousands of dollars a day to keep him hospitalized, so she knew she needed to move quickly.

Applegate-Lewis began connecting the dots of the patient's story, trying to find a solution. She overcame language, geographical and financial barriers along the way.

"When a patient is visiting from another country, it takes a lot of work to figure out who's where," said Applegate-Lewis. "And since he didn't speak English, it took extra care to make sure we understood what he really wanted."

Although the patient had a handful of friends and family in the United States, they were unable to provide the intensive care he needed. It was clear he needed to go home to his family in Guatemala, but he couldn't fly by himself. Applegate-Lewis searched high and low for affordable medical transport options, but none could deliver the 24/7 supervision the patient needed.

Just when things looked especially grim, Applegate-Lewis landed an appointment with the patient's pastor in Cincinnati.

Expressing deep compassion for the patient, the Hispanic, multilingual pastor partnered with Applegate-Lewis to find the patient's family in Guatemala where he also had extended family.

"He even taught me a little Spanish," said Applegate-Lewis.

Applegate-Lewis finally found a significantly more affordable flight, and the pastor offered to accompany the patient back home to Guatemala and deliver him safely to his family.

Caring for a member of his flock and getting to visit his own family made the trip a double blessing for the pastor.

"Our staff was in tears," says Tricia Mills, Applegate-Lewis' manager. "Seeing someone's pastor – or anyone – step up like that is just unheard of."

Mills applauds Applegate-Lewis' creativity and resourcefulness, and her willingness to think outside the box for solutions.

"Lisa is known for using her experience to shepherd newer social workers and encourage deeper collaboration with ethics and legal teams," she said.

Volume to Value, One Patient at a Time

The complex discharge team at Grant upholds Our Value Journey by redefining our care and payment models in even the most complex discharge cases.

"We just can't live within the walls of our facilities anymore," said Mills. "The shift from volume to value means we have to be willing to stay nimble and work differently."

As healthcare becomes increasingly confusing, stressful and expensive, Mills and her team believe it's part of their role to create simplicity to better serve our patients and their families.

But the benefits of Applegate-Lewis' actions transcended finances to benefit the patient's caregiver team as well. After the patient's successful discharge, Applegate-Lewis and Mills hosted a Schwartz Round to help the patient's bedside team debrief about their experiences. In these powerful sessions, caregiver associates have an opportunity to share their experiences, thoughts and feelings drawn from actual patient cases.

We believe caregivers are better able to make personal connections with patients and colleagues when they have greater insight into their own responses and feelings. Applegate-Lewis' first case as the complex discharge team social worker impacted the lives of so many.

Associates like Applegate-Lewis and Mills are helping us make the critical shift from volume to value, one patient at a time. On behalf of the entire system, thank you for your commitment to doing the right thing for patients and the smart thing for OhioHealth.

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

On weekdays, he oversees a variety of projects as director of operations at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center. On evenings and weekends, he becomes “dance dad” to his two teenage daughters, Ally and Sophie.

Miller’s daughters have taken dance lessons at a studio near the family’s home in Upper Arlington since they could barely walk. They study multiple styles of dance, from ballet to tap, and modern dance to hip-hop. The girls also participate regularly in competitions, traveling across Ohio, and as far away as Los Angeles and New Orleans, to showcase their dancing prowess.

For Miller and his wife, Melissa, this requires schlepping their daughters to and from the dance studio multiple times a week. The family also travels together to dance contests, hauling suitcases packed with elaborate costumes and shoes.

“Sometimes we have to take two cars just to get all their stuff to the competition,” Miller said. “I’m really just trying to be supportive. I like to see them perform and do well in the competitions, and I enjoy being involved from the standpoint of helping out.”

Driving isn’t Miller's only “dance dad” responsibility. He also loads and unloads the dance studio truck, moves props like oversized chairs and faux mirrors on- and offstage during performances, and photographs the dancers.

Although not a dancer himself – “I completely have two left feet” – Miller has come to appreciate the athleticism and dedication of the young dancers he encounters.

“A lot of them are really flexible, and they’re very determined,” he said. “It’s kind of like the Olympics … If they have one little wobble or one turn they don’t land quite right, it’s points deducted.”

Ally and Sophie have won numerous dance awards. Last spring, Ally was third runner-up in the Miss Teen Dance of Ohio competition, and she finished in the top five in Grand National finals in New Orleans at 13 years old.

“It’s always so exciting to see them win because they get called up on stage and the emcee will talk to them and interview them,” Miller said. “It makes me really proud.”

But Miller said winning isn’t the most important outcome. He feels pride just watching how much fun his daughters have dancing, and he loves seeing them make friends with other dancers from all over the country.

“As a parent, you try to teach them that winning’s not the most important thing,” he said. “It’s the relationships, the experiences, the lessons in humility and pride. Those things are what’s important.”

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

In July, Kee's dream came true when he became the first-ever OhioHealth K9 officer and handler of Rudy – a furry, two-year-old Belgian Malinois who immigrated to Columbus all the way from Holland to help detect and deter illegal narcotics at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. Together, Kee and Rudy form the hospital's Narcotic K9 unit.

But, it's more than just Kee's wish.

The widespread reach of Ohio's opioid crisis has created an uneasiness among physicians, nurses and associates at Riverside Methodist who engage with patients and visitors, any of whom might be under the influence of narcotics, carrying needles or possessing illicit drugs.

"We heard from associates last year who shared these concerns and we took them seriously," said Anthony Bando, director of Protective Services at Riverside Methodist. "The safety of our associates, patients and visitors is a top priority, and adding the K9 unit is another tool for our highly-trained team to ensure a safe environment."

The OhioHealth Foundation funded this pilot experience, which has the potential to expand to other care sites, if successful.

Rudy was carefully selected to fit the needs of a hospital environment. In addition to being highly skilled, he needed to be friendly and interact well with people, which can be a rare pairing of personality traits.

"We looked at several vendors across the country who specialize in K9 units and selected a local organization, Storm Dog Tactical, based in Sunbury, Ohio," said Bando. "They looked at our culture, took into consideration our core values and figured out the kind of dog we needed."

"As soon as he hops out of the cruiser, he's working," said Kee. "He's another officer on the job who is highly trained and searching for narcotics."

Rudy's work includes roaming the hallways and entrances of the hospital and engaging people. But when and where you see him may be a surprise.

"We are going to be as random as possible, otherwise people will learn our patterns," said Kee. "We want to be predictably unpredictable."

But sniffing out narcotics isn't Rudy's only task. He also plays an important role in making people comfortable talking about opioids. Sometimes, it begins with a pat on the head.

"Because of Rudy, we're going to be able to discuss the opioid problem in our community and educate people," said Bando.

When Rudy's shift ends, he hops back into the cruiser to share french fries with Kee and talk out their day on the way home. There, he's just another member of the family, joining Kee's wife, two kids, a lazy golden retriever and a German shepherd mix.

"I thought our shepherd was high-strung until Rudy joined the family. He never stops," said Kee.

He says Rudy is a great fit for his family, and their bond is so strong, Rudy won't let him out of his sight.

"I didn't know how in-depth this really was," admitted Kee. "It's so much deeper than what people see. He's my partner and will always have my back, and yet I also get to bring my favorite pet to work. I'm grateful for the experience."

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

Cathy Cannone, director, facilities, OhioHealth Grant Medical Center and OhioHealth Grove City Methodist Hospital, works long hours during the week. She manages a team of about 40 people to ensure all equipment, mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems are maintained and in working order.

Pressure is high because the smooth running of the hospitals depends on Cannone and her team. By the time the weekend rolls around, Cannone's ready for some "me" time.

Luckily, she knows exactly how to relax and recharge. For Cannone, happiness is riding a horse through the countryside near her Hocking Hills home, or jumping on a motorcycle and feeling the wind in her hair as she heads out of town.

It helps that she and her husband, John, own 11 horses and four Harley Davidsons.

​"It's really about leaving behind a functioning facility, knowing that the patients and building occupants are in good care, and walking away from that into a totally different environment," Cannone said. "You're out there, you're going through the hills, you're connecting with yourself, the earth, the wind and the elements, and you're just letting it all go, you're getting your balance back."

Cannone began riding horses as a child. Her family couldn't afford a horse or riding lessons, but some neighbors allowed her to ride their horses in exchange for doing chores. The freedom of riding out in nature, and the connection she felt with the horses, captivated Cannone. She still enjoys the exhilaration of riding and the uniqueness of human to animal interaction.

"The horse is a relationship," she said. "The horse can't talk to you, so you have to learn to communicate with it in a different manner. You have to be patient, observant."

Later in her youth, Cannone became fascinated with a different kind of beast: the roaring motorcycles her dad and brother rode.

Sometimes she'd ride with them on the back of the bikes. But that wasn't enough.

"I wanted those handlebars in my own hands, I didn't want to be on the back," she recalled. "I wanted to ride and master that machine."

​When Cannone was 29, she took a motorcycle safety course and bought her own Harley Davidson. She founded the first "Women in the Wind" motorcycle club in Columbus. It was the early 1990s, and at the time, very few women rode motorcycles. The chapter provided encouragement and camaraderie for female riders.

Today, Cannone relishes in riding scenic routes through Ohio and Kentucky with her husband, following the Ohio River, stopping at restaurants and sometimes staying overnight at a hotel before heading home.

"It's about freedom. Getting out there on the open road and just letting it all go. Having that freedom to just go anywhere, ride anywhere," Cannone said. "It's what makes my heart sing."

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

The Shopping Trip is a unique way WE celebrate our tenured associates — celebrating 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 years — by treating them to an honoree breakfast and shopping experience at Easton Town Center, complete with a red-carpet arrival, lunch and fun-filled program at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. This event is one of the many ways we cultivate a culture of appreciation and recognition for our associates that make OhioHealth a great place to work.

There is always so much to celebrate at Shopping Trip, and this year is no different. Together, our 972 honorees have dedicated 4,820 years of service to OhioHealth. Of these 4,820 years, we recognized two 55-year honorees: Rae Arnold, OhioHealth Employer Services, and Diane Cowan, LPN, RN, OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital. Both Arnold and Cowan have seen OhioHealth grow to become the largest healthcare system in central Ohio and have comforted and cared for thousands of patients in the process.

Behind the magic

Rae Arnold knew she belonged in healthcare the moment she graduated high school, when her guidance counselor advised her to consider nursing at the White Cross Nursing School. Arnold took that advice, and 55 years later, her White Cross nursing uniform still hangs in the back of her closet.

After her graduation from White Cross, Arnold joined the staff of Riverside, where she served as head nurse in the ICU until 1996. When Riverside merged with Grant Medical Center, Arnold took on the added responsibilities of a charge nurse and headed the night shift for several units.

Later in her career, Arnold moved into Community Medicine and helped establish many of their programs. She still considers the opening of the ICU at Riverside Methodist one of her career highlights.

Diane Cowan also entered OhioHealth in nursing as an aide in Mansfield Hospital's nursery, back when there was no such thing as "disposable." Everything — from diapers, to bottles, to bedding — was washed, sterilized and used again.

Just two weeks after graduating with her LPN degree, Cowan started work in the hospital's psychiatric department and stayed there for 20 years. Cowan then became an RN and worked in neurology and urology, but eventually found her way back in psychiatry working nights, where she's happy to remain today.

"I have so many good memories with OhioHealth, but I think it's been getting to be around my patients and coworkers that's been my favorite part of working here over the years," said Cowan. "I started here when I was just 18 years old, and the people have always remained so encouraging and understanding throughout. It's truly been a great experience."

Over their years with OhioHealth, Arnold and Cowan have become recognized faces within their care sites and departments. However, everyone had the chance to get "up close and personal" with these two associates when they went for a little drive on their way to this year's Shopping Trip. Let's hop along for the ride and get to know these two ladies a little better.

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

She continues to double down on this sentiment as a growing chorus of voices and change-makers across OhioHealth join the fight against the opioid epidemic. What is emerging are new and thoughtful ways to better address pain management, and ultimately, avoid the unintended consequences of opioid addiction.

The Naloxone Pilot, Addiction Fellowship and Project ECHO

Dr. Deppen is using her experience to drive change — both in perception and programming — to combat opioid addiction.

"The Naloxone pilot we established in the Grant emergency department is working, but we still need data for clinical validation," said Dr. Deppen. "It's saving the lives of people who have accidentally overdosed."

The pilot, which also is established at OhioHealth Marion General Hospital, OhioHealth Pickerington Medical Campus and OhioHealth Westerville Medical Campus, provides lifesaving Naloxone to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It has also opened a pathway for real change, particularly the Addiction Fellowship at Grant. The fellowship is not about opiates, it's about treating addiction as a whole. Every year, two fellows will receive an additional year of training that's specific to substance use disorder.

"There is momentum in the hospital setting that we can no longer view addiction and mental health as someone else's problem, that it will get solved in a different silo of care," said Dr. Deppen. "We need to address it as we would any other chronic disease. With the right treatment, people get better."

Another initiative, Project ECHO, virtually connects patients with primary care doctors in areas where there aren't enough resources or expertise. Dr. Deppen said OhioHealth is leveraging the Project ECHO approach to bring primary care doctors together with pharmacists, pain management specialists and addiction experts to create a virtual team that can collaborate and learn from one another with regard to opioids, pain management and addiction.

"We are at a tipping point and there have been disconnects when it comes to addiction, medicine and treatment," said Dr. Deppen. "Communities are watching to see how we're handling this."

Grant Substance Use Disorder Education Program

Fueled by the epidemic, her involvement in the Franklin County Opioid Action Plan, and the Naloxone ED pilot, Paula Kobelt, DNP, RN-BC, clinical outcomes manager in Quality and Patient Safety at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, was tasked as part of a process improvement initiative to lead her team to develop substance use disorder (SUD) education for the hospital.

"We learned a lot of healthcare professionals don't fully understand substance use disorder because it isn't part of their training or education," said Kobelt. "We want to improve knowledge and reduce stigma around this medical condition."

Kobelt and her team surveyed hospital staff in late 2017 to identify knowledge and attitude gaps and what people wanted to know. They learned there was an appetite for greater understanding and a need for clinical resources on substance use disorder and treatment.

They developed a three-pronged approach to address these gaps including:

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• An online learning series "Understanding Addiction" produced by Harvard Medical School Global Academy, which provides eight, free CME credits.
• Monthly "Lunch and CME" sessions featuring presentations and group discussion on a topic covered in the online series.
• A dedicated Addiction/Substance Use Disorder for associates with educational resources, like training videos and more.

"We received feedback that the series helped our healthcare team view addiction as a medical condition that is treatable, with recovery as an outcome," said Kobelt.

"The language we use matters," said Kobelt. "Replacing the terms drug addict or drug abuse that labels people and is demeaning with a person with a substance use disorder is an example of person-first language. People with heart disease or diabetes don't feel shame or judgment about their medical condition and individuals with substance use disorder shouldn't either. More importantly, stigma prevents people with SUD from seeking treatment. We want them to seek treatment just as anyone else would."

It Takes a Village: The Dreamland Effect

In and around Athens, Ohio, the opioid epidemic has taken its toll.

"We were seeing a lot of work happening, but really didn't know how to bring people together as a community in a way that shared best practices and didn't duplicate efforts," said Brittany Jarvis, MHA, BSN, RN, nurse manager, cardiac catheterization lab, pain management program and cancer services at OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital.

Jarvis met with her co-founding member of Athens HOPE, Rebecca Robison-Miller, who serves as senior director of community relations for Ohio University's College of Health Science and Professions, and learned of college dean's desire to do something about the opioid epidemic. Jarvis and Robison-Miller decided to reach out to Sam Quinones, author of Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic, inviting him to speak on how the community could work together.

When the author agreed, a three-day series of talks was scheduled, including community events with opioid awareness and discussion for medical staff and forums in Nelsonville and Athens for frontline professionals. The events, co-sponsored by OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital, Ohio University's College of Health Science and Professions, and the OhioHealth Foundation, reached more than 1,500 individuals and was recently named the Prism System Award Winner for Stewardship in the team category.

"We were dreaming big, but this was bigger than we imagined," said Jarvis. "These events brought medical professionals, educators, police, firefighters, family members affected by opioids, social workers and counselors together. It's been really positive."

"This was a spark for our physician group to take deliberate action," said Brett Kim, vice president of OhioHealth Physician Group's south region. "There is a greater understanding now and our providers think deliberately about pain, addiction and patients who could be prescribed opioids."

Kim said physicians in his region helped initiate four key actions:

• Identifying and sharing best practices for weaning patients from opioids across all practices.
• Securing support for PastRx, a prescription drug monitoring program to help providers understand a patient's history with controlled substances.
• Stocking Naloxone in all clinical offices in the southeast Ohio region and providing training on how to use it.
• Securing grant funding for the first-ever substance and addiction patient navigator.

"For people wanting to know more or who are in a crisis, the navigator will work with providers and help patients get on the right path," said Jarvis. "They also will do important follow-up and step in earlier to help prevent substance issues before they begin."

A New Era for Postsurgical Recovery

For decades, the protocol for patients before and after surgery has been clear — no eating in advance of surgery, ask for pain medication as needed and stay in bed during recovery. But recent research and concern about opioid addiction has paved the way for an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program.

"Dreamland was an eye-opening read and it motivated me to think about how we use narcotics in our pre-operation, in-hospital and post-operation phases," says Anand Satyapriya, MD, quality medical director of anesthesia at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. "I believed we could cherry-pick the best of what was out there in practice and customize it for OhioHealth. I also believed it would reduce the length of stay, provide cost-savings and dramatically reduce narcotic use."

This became Dr. Satyapriya's process improvement project, although it took significant time to present evidence and educate a team on how to employ an ERAS program. He admits it was challenging.

"It goes against what everyone has been taught and trained to do," said Dr. Satyapriya. "The ERAS approach advocates that a carbohydrate-loaded drink before surgery helps with wound healing and insulin resistance after surgery, and that getting up and walking speeds up recovery."

Dr. Satyapriya also said that specific anesthesia techniques are affecting postsurgical need for narcotics.

"Asking, 'What is your pain level?' meant that pain was viewed as a vital sign and treated with narcotics," said Dr. Satyapriya. "Previously, doctors wouldn't want to see you again for six weeks and would prescribe medication to last as long. We need to ask how they feel and exhaust all alternatives to opioids first."

Preparing for ERAS took six to nine months. A group of 30 to 40 colorectal surgery patients without chronic pain were selected during the program's first three months in 2017.

The results were convincing and worth the effort.

"We saw length of stay drop from 3.3 days to 2.9 days with a financial analysis suggesting a quarter million dollar savings across 150 patients," said Dr. Satyapriya. "And among our first 40 patients, only two took an IV of narcotics."

ERAS has already been used with more than 250 colorectal, orthopedic and gynecology patients, and Dr. Satyapriya looks to share the approach across the OhioHealth system.

"We are trying to innovate and use everything in our toolbox to avoid narcotics," said Dr. Satyapriya. "The risk is real. ERAS is making a difference."

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

"I was not a dog fan at all," she said. But a beagle named Baxter changed everything.

She adopted him from her cousin, and that was all it took.

"I fell in love," the 32-year-old said. "Since then, I've gone dog-crazy!"

Neu-Fausnaugh, her husband, Chris, and their three sons now own five rescue dogs. More remarkably, though, they have opened their home to 22 dogs and counting through the fostering program operated by the nonprofit organization Cause for Canines.

While she admits that their fifth dog, Kada, is a "foster failure," a term used when a temporary family adopts a dog they're fostering, she resists the urge to get too attached.

"I tell myself that if I don't get a dog I'm fostering adopted, the next dog in the shelter could be put down," she said. "That's always on my mind."

Neu-Fausnaugh believes that good foster families need to be patient, loving, open-minded and empathetic. And while fostering dogs isn't for everyone, she feels that it doesn't require as much as some people might think. You don't need a big house or a big back yard, she said, "All you need is a leash."

It is through their journey opening their home to loving pets in need that Neu-Fausnaugh and her husband took a bigger step and have recently become licensed foster parents through the National Youth Advocate Program.

"There are so many kids out there who are in really bad situations. Showing them, even in the simplest ways, that there are people out there who care about them and want to care for them can make a world of difference," she said.

She attributes part of that desire to help and provide a safe haven for children in need to her job in protective services. "I'm just doing the same thing in my home life, with children and animals, only at home I don't have to wear a bulletproof vest," she said, laughing.

While they haven't had a child placed in their home yet, Neu-Fausnaugh is looking forward to the day that she can welcome more kids and animals into her brood. She's hopeful that by hearing her story, other people might be inspired to open their homes and lives to fostering as well.

"It really just takes inching out of your comfort zone, and you can accomplish so much."

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

The half-mile-wide tornado with winds up to 125 miles per hour ripped through dozens of homes, businesses and barns, tearing off roofs and siding, downing trees and power lines, and flattening about 30 structures.

Fortunately, no one was killed, but about seven people were injured, two seriously. The storm caused power outages across the county, including for three hours at OhioHealth Shelby Hospital. Associates both in and outside the hospital sprung quickly into action to help their community, even as some grappled with personal losses from the tornado and feared for the safety of their families.

Theresa Roth, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, NHDP-BC, director of critical care for OhioHealth Mansfield and Shelby hospitals, was at her Shelby home sewing a quilt when the storm hit. At first, she and her husband, John, didn't realize their house was in the path of a tornado.

"All of a sudden the sky got dark," Roth recalled. "I turned around and I said, 'John the sky is swirling.' I thought it was hailing, but it wasn't hail, it was actually debris."

Seconds later, Roth received a text from Dr. Gavin Baumgardner, vice president of medical affairs for Mansfield and Shelby hospitals, who'd been watching the storm from Columbus: "Are you OK?" he asked. "Looks like you've been hit by a tornado."

"That's when I knew I needed to call the hospital," said Roth, who immediately got on the phone with Shelby's nursing supervisor Wendy Roop BSN, RN, while walking outside to survey property damage. Roth noticed ripped-off roof shingles, shattered fence and pool equipment that would take weeks to repair. She also noticed that she was lucky compared to some of her neighbors who experienced more significant damage. After checking her property, Roth drove to Shelby Hospital, dodging debris and road closures that turned her normal seven-minute drive into a 30-minute ordeal.

At Shelby Hospital, associates began receiving severe weather alerts on their phones shortly before the building's tornado alarm sounded. They immediately began moving patients into the hallway, closing blinds and doors.

Roop had an ominous feeling. It was a Sunday evening and she had limited staff. What if there were mass casualties and other associates were too busy to come in to help?

Thankfully, she couldn't have been more wrong. Minutes after the tornado hit Shelby, bypassing the hospital, Roop's phone began ringing non-stop. Roth called to say she was coming in and setting up the command center. Off-duty associates and the nursing supervisor at Mansfield Hospital called offering assistance. Soon, Shelby Hospital was filled with double the usual staff.

Roop fielded each call, even as she worried about her own family members who live in Shelby. They turned out to be safe, although a cousin suffered damage to his home.

"When I finally got a chance to go to the basement where we have our command center, I had tears in my eyes when I saw how many people were there," Roop said. "I wasn't alone. I appreciated knowing they had my back."

After the tornado, OhioHealth associates continued to rally around the Shelby community. On Wednesday, April 17, Christina Thompson, media relations and communications senior consultant for Mansfield and Shelby hospitals, coordinated distribution of food and water to residents and workers impacted by the storm with the help of about 70 volunteers – a third of them associates.

"I was struggling with, how can I help? Where do I tap in?" Thompson said. "You know there are people who are really suffering, and you want to be there for them the best way you can."

In total, the volunteers delivered a light breakfast and 400 brown bag lunches to areas with storm damage. Among the volunteers was Wendy, who came in to Shelby Hospital on her day off.

"It was just amazing how everybody pulled together," Roop said of the tornado aftermath. "The only thing you can kind of compare it to is family. Everybody took care of each other."

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

By day, Tarah Briggs, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. Jodi Whittenberger, CST, is a surgical technician at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center. Wendy Bruss, RN, BSN, is a nurse at Riverside Methodist.

Outside of work, they're warrior women on wheels.

Briggs, Whittenberger and Bruss, otherwise known as "Bigg Rigg," "KloverKill" and "BrussKnuckles," are top-level players with the Ohio Roller Derby. On evenings and weekends, they can be found whizzing around a flat-track roller rink in helmets and padding, fearlessly knocking into opposing players as they try to complete laps.

Roller derby has taken them all over the country and beyond, including to tournaments in Wisconsin, Nebraska, Florida, Texas and Canada. They also play regular home games in Columbus and attend practices at least twice a week.

"You dream about derby, you talk about derby, people around you at work get annoyed about how much you talk about derby, and then you go to derby and you travel to derby," said Whittenberger, who joined the league's professional-level team in 2012. "You're just engulfed."

Neither Whittenberger nor Briggs had much experience in roller-skating or contact sports when they tried roller derby, separately, at introductory clinics several years ago. Briggs grew up playing backyard basketball, and had only roller-skated at birthday parties in elementary school. Whittenberger occasionally roller-bladed around her neighborhood as a child. Bruss knew how to roller skate from her childhood, but didn't play any other contact sport.

They attended the clinics at the suggestion of friends, thinking it would be an amusing way to spend an evening.

"I thought it was going to be a one-night, girls-hanging-out, oh-this-is-cute sort of thing," said Whittenberger. "I didn't think it was going to be such a huge part of my life. I love it now. I'm totally hooked."

They had to work their way up from recreational players to the professional team over several months. Briggs said it took lots of practice and determination to make it into the league.

"At first it was really hard," said Briggs, who's been doing roller derby since 2009. "You get sore in areas you never knew existed. But people are super encouraging and even when you feel like you're doing a terrible job, people are always helping to build you up."

"It is a team sport, and everyone pushes themselves to their limits for the love of the sport and their teammates," said Bruss, who's been doing roller derby since 2014.

The journey has been worth it. The women said roller derby has given them an athletic outlet, strong friendships, great memories and life lessons that they have carried into their personal and work relationships, as well.

Roller derby has taught Biggs to pick herself up when times get tough. "The first year that I played, the only compliment I ever got was hey, good job getting off the floor," she said. "I think about that a lot, even outside of roller derby. You've got to get back up."

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

This realization led them to create the Physician Diversity Scholars program, which has continued to grow and garner recognition as the only program of its kind in the United States.

"Talent is equally distributed, but opportunities are not," says Program Director Nanette Lacuesta, MD, OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. "We are taking great strides with intentional programming to support underrepresented students. It's also a commitment to living our value of Inclusion."

The program pairs mentors from across OhioHealth with medical students attending Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine and The Ohio State University College of Medicine. The aspiring physicians learn from their mentors about building a career in medicine, and can ask questions to guide their own path.

Dr. Lacuesta, who is a first-generation Filipino-American, has the unique perspective of benefitting from the program as a student, mentor, associate program director and now director the program. She knows firsthand the value of a program helping underrepresented students thrive.

"Medical students value mentors who look like them, but more importantly, students tell us they value a mentor who cares about them," says Dr. Lacuesta.

That's exactly what Isaiah Rolle, DO, PhD, a resident at Riverside Methodist, was looking for in a mentor.

"I didn't know anything about OhioHealth at the time, but I knew I wanted mentorship," says Dr. Rolle, whose interest in neuroscience led to his paring with BJ Hicks, MD, vascular neurologist and co-director, Comprehensive Stroke Program, Riverside Methodist.

Dr. Rolle, who was raised in Harlem by a single mom, has never experienced true mentorship.

"I went from a historically black college to a graduate school program where I was the only black person in class, and that was an adjustment," he recalls. "It's pretty sad, but only a few faculty members took interest in me over five-and-a-half years."

The mentorship program at OhioHealth is what helped Dr. Rolle choose Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine for his medical degree.

"There are not many minority staff physicians who students or residents can automatically hitch their wagon to," says Dr. Hicks. "But as they go through the rigors of medical school and training, they benefit from someone who looks like them, who takes a vested interest in them and who cares about them."

The Physician Diversity Scholars program schedules group events for participants, service projects, and offers the bond of one-on-one engagement as students experience the pressures of medical school and residency.

"Mentorship could be a one-time conversation with a student or, like in the case of Dr. Rolle, it could grow into a long-term relationship," says Dr. Hicks. "I just know I need to make myself available so they can pick my brain and figure out for themselves what they want to do in medicine."

An undeniable impact

The Physician Diversity Scholars program recently hit its growth stride. Applicants from last year to this year more than doubled, from 16 to 35, with the program expanding from nine to 15 accepted students. The program is attracting a class reflecting the diversity of the nation, while also attracting a diverse group of mentors. And no other mentorship program in the nation intentionally pairs a professional development curriculum with a community service component. The program also offers student loan forgiveness for scholars who become staff physicians after residency.

But according to Dr. Lacuesta, none of these metrics or benefits are what drives the program.

"We're doing this for patient outcomes," she says. "When patients identify with their physician, trust goes up and patient outcomes are better."

Roberto Perez, a native Venezuelan and second-year student at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine who is mentored by Carlos Sanchez, MD, an interventional cardiologist at Riverside Methodist, sees this cultural and relational connection play out when shadowing Dr. Sanchez.

"Diversity in healthcare can impact quality of care because there is that familiarity, that ability to better communicate with a patient who shares a similar background and gain more in-depth information that otherwise may not come out or get lost in translation," says Roberto.

As an example, he references how in Latino cultures, consumption of a particular ethnic soup high in salt might trigger a medical decision or diet adjustment recommendation that a provider without that cultural knowledge might not know.

As Roberto sees the intended outcomes of what the program seeks to address long term, he's also a recipient of its immediate intent. The 23-year-old looks after his two brothers, 21 and 19, and is the legal guardian of his youngest brother. They're all pursuing an education while their parents remain in Venezuela.

"Roberto is a passionate young student, and I love that about him," says Dr. Sanchez, who is originally from Guatemala. "I want to empower him to find his own path, to be the best version of himself."

Dr. Sanchez recalls a phone conversation with Roberto's father in Venezuela. He was encouraged and given permission to "do whatever you need to do" to help Roberto.

"Our relationship has evolved nicely outside of medicine," says Dr. Sanchez.

Their shared Latino heritage led Dr. Sanchez and his wife to invite Roberto and his brothers to Thanksgiving and Christmas, times when they would naturally miss being with family.

"We wanted to make the holiday special for them, so we surprised the boys by coordinating a personal note from their parents," says Dr. Sanchez. "It was very emotional."

"To me, the Physician Diversity Scholars program exemplifies the kind of respect, kindness, hope and appreciation for others I wish to see in the world," says Dr. Sanchez.

OhioHealth physicians need only the desire to mentor. The rest will take care of itself with the help of this one-of-a-kind program.

This story was originally published in an internal OhioHealth associate publication.

What a wicked couple of weeks of central Ohio weather it's been in that car. Through the cold, ice, snow and bitter temperatures, many have stayed home. Others, like OhioHealth Home Health teams, they've have been out, and seeing patients each day.

“Just walking, some people can't get out to shovel their sidewalks, sometimes you are trucking through inches of snow, it can be challenging," Donaldson said.

For Shelly, she says bad weather is just part of the job, and she knows the care can't stop for anything, even snow and subzero conditions.

"That’s what I’m here for, that’s what I do. Sometimes I might be the only person they see that week, or their caregiver lives miles away and is unable to get to them because of snow or ice," Donaldson said.

Melinda Briscoe is an OhioHealth Home Health patient. After a couple of procedures, she knew she would need some help.

“When you get home, it can be a little scary, you don’t have support, having them here has been great, took them up on it," Briscoe said.

She knows how brutal the weather has been on her, and those that come and see her.

“I thank them and ask them how it is outside. Encourage them to park in my driveway, use my side door, I know how bad it is for them," Briscoe said.

But behind these voices in the newly established Neurological Choir at OhioHealth are stories.  Each one of these men and women, putting their hearts and souls into this performance at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital has a story. Each suffered a neurological event.

"When we first started this, I was so impressed by the interest. We had many people come out, and they really got into it," Sarah Sheets, Music Therapist at Central Ohio Music Therapy said.

The group started to practice, a few times a week. And during that time, the therapists could see the performances grow.

"I'm so excited, because they were excited, they started picking music we would sing too," Sheets said.

Little did they know, but the choir was asked to perform a few holiday songs at the tree lighting at Riverside Methodist Hospital.

"Even through it was a quick turnaround from where we started to the performance, that was really motivating for them," Sheets said.

There is no doubt, they have overcome a lot to get here, to get in front of this crowd. But they’ve made it, and now they are brining cheer to others, in their very own neurological choir.

To learn more about OhioHealth Neuroscience, click here. And to learn more about the classes, and sessions like Neuro Choir, click here.

Darlene is around 35 weeks pregnant. She had spent time at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital on the high risk obstetrics unit, but knew she needed to be home to help her husband, David, daughter, Gracie, and son, Evan, who has special needs, however she could. So she worked out a plan with medical staff to go home on bedrest.

Lindsay White knows all about being a patient on the high risk unit. She spent time there in the spring of 2016 during her second pregnancy with son, Reagan Michael. The mother to Beckett and the wife to Nathan had experienced a difficult pregnancy. Sadly, Reagan passed away two hours after being born. His parents want his short life to be remembered as triumphant and overcoming. They established a fund in honor of him at Riverside to assist families on the high risk unit.

This year, the White’s decided to “adopt” a high risk OB unit family for the holidays. With the help of a social worker on the unit, the Hackworth Family was chosen. Through fundraisers and donations from family, friends, colleagues and the community, the family was able to purchase gifts, gift cards and a financial gift for the Hackworths. The two families met just before the holidays at Riverside.

“To be able to give back is big for us,” said Nathan.

“We’re just hoping to help bring them a little bit of relief,” said Lindsay. “A moment of joy.”

To learn more about Reagan White’s fund at Riverside, click here.

To read more about the high risk obstetrics unit at Riverside, click here.

But what about when all of that ends? While patients may see their medical team less frequently, they might still have questions as they travel through the next phase of their journey - survivorship.

That’s where the OhioHealth Cancer Survivorship Lecture Series steps in. The series travels to hospitals throughout the OhioHealth system providing education, advice and fellowship to survivors and their families on a variety of topics.

“The opportunity to be able to reconnect with them after they’ve gone through treatment at a time when we consider them to be cancer survivors is really a special opportunity,” said Ronney Abaza, MD, OhioHealth robotic urologic surgeon.

Dr. Abaza was recently the featured speaker at the latest stop on the series, OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital. The topic? “What comes next? Life after cancer.”

“It’s a chance for patients to get not necessarily closure because they’ll always be survivors, but basically, to be able to get some perspective on their life moving forward and hopefully be able to take something positive away from their cancer experience after having gone through the more difficult times,” said Dr. Abaza.

The OhioHealth Cancer Survivorship Lecture Series is held throughout the year. There are a variety of topics presented, including finding your new normal after cancer and cancer prevention and detection.

For more information on Cancer Care at OhioHealth, click here or call OhioHealth CancerCall at (614) 566.4321 or 1 (800) 752.9119.

November 11th is a very special day around the country. Veterans Day is a nationally observed holiday to honor those who have served our country in the United State Armed Services.

Connie Gallaher is the president of OhioHealth Home Care.  Her son, Michael Patrick Gallaher is a 2nd lieutenant, currently serving with the United States Air Force. "When you son comes to you and says he wants to serve the country, there is such a tremendous amount of pride knowing that he wants to serve. At the same time, there is that part of you that knows, in the world we live in today, that he could be in harm's way, and that makes it very difficult," Connie Gallaher said.

At the same time, Connie says she sees the smile on her son's face when he talks about the work he is doing, what he will be doing, and that makes her know that he is in the right place for his life.

"I have people I know, my Air Force friends, who say he will be in the thick of things Connie," Gallaher said.  But she says that all of the branches of the military work hard to care for the men and women in uniform, and to be there for the families too.

"They care for the men and women in the same way that our son's and daughter's care for our country," Connie said.

On this Veterans Day, along with Memorial Day, and the Fourth of July, Connie says that they have always had meaning for her and her family. But now that her son is serving his country, it has special meaning for sure.

"I want to say thank you to all of those that serve, thank you for putting service in front of self," Gallaher said. "And to my son, take care, and know that your Mom loves you."

McKenley Kay McClelland was born the same day as the opener – October 4, 2018 at 1:00 a.m. – weighing six pounds, 10 ounces and measuring 19 inches long according to her father.

“Perfectly healthy, perfect baby all around. She came into the world with a really loud yell,” Mr. McClelland said.

When asked if that yell was a cheer for the Blue Jackets he said she is already a big time Blue Jackets fan and joked they might change her middle name to “Bobrovsky” in honor of the CBJ goaltender.

Stinger had a special gift basket full of goodies from Huntington and the Blue Jackets for McKenley and her family that included stuffed animals, a onesie and tickets for the new family of four to attend a game this season.

Stinger was a hit throughout the hospital, visiting infants in the nursery, giving high fives to the nurses and stopping to pose for photos in the surgery waiting area.

Having a baby at an OhioHealth hospital this hockey season? Keep an eye out for Stinger. You never know where and when he’ll be making a visit next!

About OhioHealth and the Blue Jackets

OhioHealth has been affiliated with the Blue Jackets since the club’s inaugural 2000-01 season. The Blue Jackets-OhioHealth partnership includes a host of in-arena, digital, broadcast and traditional assets, as well as the presenting sponsorship of the team’s training camp, the 5^th Line 5K race and name entitlement to the OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rinks, which encompass the Blue Jackets’ official practice facility, the OhioHealth Ice Haus.

The associates here are similar to a digital start-up company, but under the umbrella of OhioHealth. This creative office works together to create and problem solve new ways of efficiency for OhioHealth patients, physicians and associates through technology.

Salil Verma, OhioHealth digital experience vice president, said, “What we are is the engineering shop that creates some of the really cool and impactful consumer experiences that healthcare customers need to see today.”

This digital laboratory uses 21^st century technology and ideas to make patients’ lives easier. Take the OhioHealth mobile app; Tracey Iles, OhioHealth digital marketing manager, said, “We were able to build an app that allows our patients to access their healthcare, schedule an appointment, see locations, message their doctors and see test results.” The app recently received its 100,000^th download.

This innovative team uses their tech savvy knowledge to create a pathway to convenient healthcare, all the while making the everyday work environment fun. Once they reach a goal or milestone in their creativity they celebrate and continue on to improve the work they have already done.

With access to 3D printing and state of the art imaging, the OhioHealth Digital Solutions team looks forward to changing the way healthcare is provided to patients.

“The world is changing so we know that we have to change with it,” said Verma.

During those five years, Brittany learned a lot about the field of nursing and met many people who made a lasting impact. She remembers her first manager, Nancy Buehler, clinical team leader, who is one of the reasons she fell in love with this profession.

“She knew you, she knew your family, she knew your dogs, and she would come in early and leave late,” says Brittany. “But most importantly, she was the one who gave me the chance.”

Brittany quickly fell in love with the OhioHealth culture, the opportunities to grow, the security and the passion that her coworkers showed.

“Shortly after I started at OhioHealth, I knew I wanted to be a nurse,” says Brittany.

She recalled the moment she knew she was in the right place, when she sat bedside with one of her favorite patients through their last few days and felt she made a difference in their life.

Brittany recently graduated from Columbus State Community College with her associate’s degree in nursing. She accredits that accomplishment to not only hard work and the support of her family, but to OhioHealth. Brittany was one of the recipients of the OhioHealth Scholar Program, which covered the cost of her tuition and provided her with the opportunity to finish school. After missing the deadline to submit her application, Brittany was moved by the actions of her manager, Holly Hall BSN, RN, S.A.N.E., clinical nurse manager, who made all the calls she needed to make on Brittany’s behalf so that she could help her.

“And if it wasn’t for that program or Holly, I would not have been able to pursue my dream in nursing,” says Brittany.

She decorated her graduation cap, “OhioHealth believed in me, now I believe in WE,” which when asked what that phrase means to her, responded, “It’s so much. It’s family here. People who don’t need to take a chance on you, do take the chance on you. They believe in you and push you towards your goals. You come out on the other end after accomplishing something you never thought you would accomplish or get to.”

Brittany recently applied for an OhioHealth fellowship, where she will now be a critical care fellow at Riverside Methodist while in pursuit of her bachelor’s degree. Congratulations, Brittany! WE are proud of you.

The objectives of the conference are to discuss current trends in the early management of critically ill or injured patients and to discuss care and treatment modalities of critically ill or injured patients.

In addition to keynote presenters, educational tracks and a trade show, this year’s conference included something different – three simulation set-ups in the areas of trauma, heart and neuro.

For example, attendees had the opportunity to take part in a recreated trauma scene that would allow them to take a patient simulator from an ambulance to a simulated trauma bay. There was also a simulation center that took attendees into a heart catheterization laboratory and another that took them into a simulated neuro intervention suite.

“It allows for learning, education, experiences, and sharing of information,” said Rob Lowe, MD, medical director of OhioHealth EMS. “It gives providers a chance to see what we do and also interact with the specialists. It allows them to build that rapport and that knowledge and that relationship. We want them to be comfortable with what we’re doing to care for their patients.”

“It’s always important to have as realistic of an approach as possible,” said Vic Graymire, with Central Ohio Trauma Systems. “When you get out there in the trenches and you’re doing your work, it’s not the time to think about how we’re going to train and practice.”

The 2019 EMS Conference presented by OhioHealth will take place on May 20- 21, 2019 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. For more information on next year’s conference, click here.  

It is well-known that the most effective type of learning is hands-on or interactive in some way.

There are thousands of doctors with unique experiences and specialized knowledge practicing all over the world. Tapping into the experiences of others establishes a culture of collaboration, innovation and new research.

OhioHealth Heart and Vascular physicians and OhioHealth’s Visual Media Services recently worked together to broadcast live cases to the 2018 American College of Cardiology conference in Orlando, FL.

“We are hopeful that we are able to bring some new ideas and new techniques to the audience. We would also like to learn from the audience, what they think of what we are doing and give us advice during the case also,” explained Steven Yakubov, MD.

Receiving audience feedback is an exciting and unique feature of live cases. The room is set up with loud speakers as well as headsets so that the audience may ask questions, make comments, and get a better understanding of what is going on during the procedure.

These live cases are time consuming for the Visual Media Services team requirting two months of planning and preperation. Setting up all the wires, scheduling the live shoots, and making sure everyone on production is on the same page takes strategic communication.

The production team suits up for the procedure the same way the doctors do, as they are tableside, filming everything from prep to the procedure itself.

“It helps bring in new clinical research, which is why we do these,” said Gary M. Ansel, MD.

Creating new opportunities for research is one of the ultimate goals for sharing these live cases. With the talent of a media team who can pull off the production matched with the expertise of the physicians, it allows for those research collaborations to happen.

For the very first time OhioHealth Neuroscience hosted a special dinner for stroke survivors and their families.

A beautiful room with tablecloths, amazing food, smiles and plenty of hugs. Patients, their doctors and surgeons along with emergency department teams and paramedics all in the same room for the very first time.

But for each person to get here, to this day, there had to be some panic, where seconds counted, and life was not guaranteed.

For Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Sebastian, that day and time was the afternoon of December 21^st.

“I noticed my arm, would lift it and it would go right back down, couldn’t lift my leg either, and had trouble speaking,” Sebastian said.

She was watching her grandkids, and was rushed to OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. She was having a stroke.

Soon after, Dr. Peter Pema of Riverside Radiology and Interventional Associates was called in for a procedure.

“With her case, she’s a miracle. I tell them that, they are all miracles. Leave it in God’s hands, and the team,” Dr. Pema said.

After the procedure to remove a clot in the brain, Betsy was on the road to recovery. Now, months later, she is here. This stroke dinner is meaningful for her. A chance to see everyone, from the nursing staff, to EMS crews, to once again seeing Dr. Pema.

“I had my 3 month checkup with Dr. Pema. He took a picture with me, I cried. It’s emotional, it was a miracle,” Sebastian said.

And special for those that helped save her life too.

“You don’t get to enjoy things in the moment, but an event like this. You see how special it is. You see that getting up at 2 in the morning, or whenever, this is why we do it, it’s worth it,” Dr. Pema said.

That is certainly true for this quilt. The story behind this quilt goes back more than ten years. That’s when Karen Leidel, MS, RD, LD, clinical dietician at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, got the news that no one wants to hear. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.

While the news was devastating and her treatment was grueling – both chemotherapy and radiation, Karen credits her OhioHealth family for helping her get through it. “OhioHealth was wonderful to me. The whole staff was so supportive. I was off work forever and my manager was so supportive. I was told not to worry about my job, just focus on getting better.”

The experience also sparked her dedication to the annual Komen Columbus Race for the Cure. Karen participates each year and is proud to wear the special pink “survivor” t-shirt. She was compiling quite a collection until she knew what to do with them.

Her fellow associate at Riverside Methodist, Margaret Hughes, RN, was now in the midst of her own battle with breast cancer. Karen made a quilt of her survivor t-shirts and presented the quilt to Margaret while she was in the hospital for her own treatment. Margaret holds back tears when she describes that moment, “Words can’t describe how I felt. It was such an incredible gift. I was so grateful for her support.”

Margaret now wears her own pink survivor shirt at the race each year. “I may be cured now, but to see fellow pink 

shirts at the race each year, that means a lot to me.” Margaret even changed jobs so she can pay it forward. She’s 

been with OhioHealth for 35 years, and recently started a new job at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital, where she is a nurse for radiation/oncology. “I am blessed to be able to help these patients. I know what many of them are going through and can share my own story with them.”

Being a breast cancer survivor, Karen also has a new perspective when it comes to her patients. She’s worked at Riverside Methodist for more than 30 years and now, she is able to make a connection with many of them. “Now when they tell me they can’t eat because they have no appetite, I know what that means now. I experienced that exact same thing.”

Looking back on their breast cancer journeys, both women have new perspectives.

Margaret says, “Every day I pray for a cure.” While Karen reflects, “I live my life different now. I don’t worry about things that you can’t change and I take things as they come.”

Click here to support the fight against breast cancer by signing up for the Komen Columbus Race for the Cure or consider donating to Team OhioHealth, Karen and Margaret will both be there!

"I have a huge amount of passion for what we are teaching our youngsters, kindergarten through high school, personal finance, how the economy works," Gossett said.

On this day, these leaders teamed up with local kids from area schools. They teamed up, built a business strategy, and talked about how they execute things; from the branding to the customer experience.

"We have an engaged group of business professionals that partner with educators teachers, counselors to prepare kids for the business of life," Mike Davis, President, JA of Central Ohio.

To pull off something like BIZTOWN, JA recruits businesses to put their name on the walls, and then recruits business professionals, like those from Dublin, to come and show what it’s like to run the show.

"To come together and model how we do this and grow our future workforce, economic development we need in the future because we have great partners for the different sectors," Davis said.

It’s obvious when you listen to the ideas, the discussion, and enthusiasm that the kids are getting plenty from an event like this.

"The kids are our future, going to be associates of future healthcare. If we can make a difference in one of these kids because we help them," Gossett said.

But this does just as much for the business professional community, coming together, working hard outside the walls of the hospital, and giving back to the next generation.

"I put out the call, and they all answered the call with a yes. It’s the togetherness of being outside the work environment learning more about each other and what makes us tick," Gossett said.

And growing business leaders of the future.

"What we are seeing is more companies are bringing young professionals in through their development arm," Davis said.

The laser treatment worked, but unfortunately, it was too late. The cancer had spread from her tongue to her throat and lungs. That’s when she met Prudence Hudson, a former counselor at Grant.

Prudence grew close with Linda and Chris as well as their two-year-old daughter, Kylie. She learned that Linda’s final wish was to return home to California to live out her final days. That’s when the care team sprang into action, trying to round up a private plane (Linda was too sick to fly on a commercial plane). After reading a story in the Columbus Dispatch about the team’s efforts, shopping center developer Herb Glimcher called and donated his company’s private plane for the journey home.

A team from Grant and LifeFlight worked together to turn the plane into a medical aircraft and Linda and her family were able to travel back home, where she soon passed away.

29 years later, Linda’s daughter, Kylie, was able to connect with a member of her mother’s care team. She asked if she could come to Ohio to meet the people who took care of her mother and learn more about her trip home.

One recent Saturday, the group reunited at Grant to each tell Kylie about their role in caring for her mother and helping her get back home. Many of their stories are in the video player above.

“I didn’t realize how hard these people really worked to try and get my mom home,” says Kylie. “I think about everything these people have done and I feel so appreciative that I was able to meet them.

Kylie said it was an emotional experience. “It was unbelievable. When I left and got on the road I finally broke down in tears after trying to hold it in (all) weekend. My parents would have been happy that I made this trip.”

10TV covered the story of the Kenyon family’s story in 1989. You can watch the story below. In regards to the news story, Kylie said “I finally got to see the video and now that’s the only footage I have of my mother. It was really emotional.”

“The Grant team and everyone involved – they are important to me – what they did, they are really amazing men and women, they are kind of like my heroes,” says Kylie. If they hadn’t done what they did my mom would have not made it back to California, she would have died at Grant. They helped my mother live out her last days with me and my dad in LA which means a lot to me.”

Video Courtesy: WBNS-10TV

Earlier this year multiple OhioHealth departments and teams participated in a simulation at Riverside Methodist Hospital.

The Simulation Scenario

The simulation started with paramedics from Norwich Township fire bringing in a simulated patient. The patient was a third-trimester pregnant woman who had been involved in a high-speed rollover crash.

As part of the simulation, OhioHealth simulation teams are able to control the breathing, speaking, vitals of the robotic patient.

Fire medics brought the simulated patient to the Riverside Methodist trauma bay where the surgery and emergency physicians started resuscitation attempts. As part of the simulation, they also contacted obstetric doctors to assist with the evaluation and treatment of the simulated patient and unborn child. 

Additionally,  ER nurses,  medics, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and radiology techs all participated - practicing their usual care for Level 1 trauma patients.  The OB team included Labor & Delivery nurses, a Labor & Delivery nurse anesthetist, and surgical nurses. The team also included members of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians. 

Ultimately, despite the resuscitation efforts, the simulated mother died from her injuries and the teams moved on to perform a perimortem cesarean section, which included resuscitation of the baby.

The Results

"This training was a great opportunity to practice recent advances made between the emergency departments and labor and delivery with regards to supplies and communication with personnel", said Dr. Brad Gable, System Medical Director, OhioHealth Simulation. "To that end, it was an excellent use of simulation for low-frequency high-risk scenarios. All of the team members felt that there was improved communication and crisis resource management as a result of the training," Dr. Gable added.

A Culture of Continuing Education

OhioHealth Simulation does small and large-scale exercises throughout the year at multiple locations. Many of those scenarios play out in spaces like the hospitals, but often these men and women do simulation scenarios in the field.

Joyce Merrick is a nurse at OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital. Last December she was working an evening shift when she was approached by another nurse.

"She told me there were brothers at the hospital for treatment. They had a dog at home, and were hoping someone could help them," Merrick said.

Joyce is known throughout the halls at Grady as the resident animal lover. She volunteers at the Humane Society in Delaware County.

Merrick went to the home of the patients and found Sally the dog there, alone.  She took Sally to the human society and started to talk to the brothers about the next step for Sally.

Knowing the brothers would likely need treatment for several days, and then some outpatient care following the hospital stay, Merrick offered to foster Sally until the brothers were better.

"I took Sally home and cared for her. We had lost our own dog, and we had so much love to give to another dog," Merrick said.

After the brothers learned they would move to an assisted living facility, and wouldn't be able to take care of Sally completely, Merrick said it was time to have a talk.

"I knew that Sally could be put up for adoption, and that would mean the brothers would never see her again," Merrick said. "I told them that I would be willing to adopt her, and bring her to visit the brothers a few times a month if they would like."

The brothers agreed to that, and Sally stayed with Merrick. After weeks of obedience training, Sally is loving her new life and still enjoying visits to her previous owner.

"I know it was tough for them, but the brothers told me, they weren't losing Sally, their family just got a little bigger," Merrick said.

If you would like to read the story from the Columbus Dispatch, click here.

To read the story from the Delaware Gazette, click here.

Since arriving at Riverside Methodist in August, Wesley has become a sought-after member of the healthcare team. His host mom — Casey Hudnall, RN, manager of quality accreditation and patient safety, Riverside Methodist — drops Wesley off at the Volunteer Services office every weekday morning. Trained handlers then take him to patient rooms and common areas to share his unconditional love.

“He has the sweetest personality,” says Carol Conner, director of volunteer services. “He’s like a magnet for people. It’s such a joy to watch the smiles he puts on people’s faces, the happiness they get when they see him.”

It was Carol who came up with the idea of having a facility dog at Riverside Methodist. The hospital already had a pet therapy program, but it relied on volunteers to bring in their own dogs. That meant most of the dogs only come in on weekends when their handlers are off work. During the week, Carol often had to turn down patient and nurse requests for therapy dog visits.

Carol approached Brian Jepson, president, Riverside Methodist, about her idea, and he jumped on board. She put together a proposal for acquiring Wesley from a trainer in Indianapolis and worked with Anita Laterro, vice president of philanthropy with the OhioHealth Foundation, to raise funds.

Establishing a facility dog program required a significant investment of time and money. In addition to purchasing, training and micro-chipping Wesley, the hospital had to recruit and train 12 volunteer handlers and 10 dog walkers to care for the labradoodle while he worked. Carol also had to find a host family and a backup host family to look after Wesley in the evening and on weekends.

Peter George, MD, MBA, system vice president, OhioHealth Heart & Vascular Services, and his wife, Jodi George, stepped forward with a $26,000 donation to get the facility dog program up and running. Dr. George said he and Jodi were inspired by the joy they’ve experienced from their own dog, Maggie, and by the power animals have to promote wellbeing.

“I can tell you from having spent 17 years seeing patients, a lot of time in the hospital people just want to get home to their animals, they miss them, they’re comforted by them,” Dr. George says. “This is great to be able to bring a dog like Wesley right into the patient room and have them get a little bit of what they’re missing from home.”

Casey says she and her family — especially her four-year-old daughter, Sydney — are delighted to be Wesley’s caregivers. They’re also glad they don’t have to leave their lovable new pet at home.

“He pulls me into work every morning,” Casey says. “He jumps out of the car, he’s so excited. His tail is wagging, and he can’t wait to get inside.”

Carol says Riverside Methodist may consider getting another facility dog in the future, and OhioHealth Grant Medical Center has expressed interest in acquiring a therapy dog, too.

“I have a feeling Wesley might be the first of many facility dogs at OhioHealth,” Carol says.

To give back to all the men and women that keep our country safe every day, Alex Bear, OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital patient support assistant, Surgical Trauma Internal Care Unit (STICU), came up with an idea — to create an American flag out of carved wood that can be set on bedside stands in patient rooms in the STICU. Patients who are veterans are then able to take the wooden flags home when they are discharged or transferred to another unit. “I love working with the patients every day and I do a lot for the veterans that come through our unit… I love to give back to the men and women that have risked their lives to keep our country safe,” said Alex.

Each flag Alex makes is hand cut and carved with a hammer and chisel to give it a rustic look.

This Summer in Dublin, it was about some friendly competition. OhioHealth served as a proud sponsor of the first ever Dublin Chamber of Commerce Corporate Challenge.

18 different companies participated in 16 different events. The event took place at various locations around Dublin with competitions ranging from volleyball and kickball, to bingo and soccer skills.

Here is a full list of the events this year:

• Minute to Win It Challenges
• IGS Energy Cornhole Competition
• Basketball Shooting Competition
• Football Toss
• Indoor Volleyball Tournament
• Soccer Skills Course
• OhioHealth Obstacle Course
• Kickball Tournament
• Paper Airplane Throw
• Bingo
• Wendy's Frosty Cup Stacking Competition
• Cardinal Health Glove Pop Competition

"In addition to serving patients, and visitors, we also want to serve our community, business partners and everyone who is a part of this community in which we are involved," Athena Sidenstricker, OhioHealth Marketing Manager said. "Doing healthy activities is a great way to be part of that mission," she added.

For those who participated, it does a great deal - win or lose.

"Makes it a great place to work. Getting healthy, doing some team building," Michael Udom, OhioHealth Associate said.

To learn more about the event click here.

It’s Mother’s Day, a day to honor those special ladies in all of our lives.

For Lisa Gossett and Sam Valentie, this bond between mother and daughter has taken a very special career turn. Nursing runs in the blood!

“I did a project in the 3^rd grade, they asked what do you want to be when you grew up? I said a nurse just like my mom," Samantha said.

For Lisa her passion for nursing allowed her to achieve the title of Chief Nursing Officer, most recently named to that position at Dublin Methodist Hospital and Grady Memorial.

To see her daughter take that 3^rd grade dream, and turn it into a reality and a career, well that’s beyond special for this mom.

“Just really super proud moment too." Lisa Gossett said.  "It’s so much fun having a daughter who is a colleague in the profession to get to talk about this language we have in common.”

They had something else in common until recently. Lisa was the Chief Nursing Officer at Riverside Methodist Hospital for 4 years, at the same time Sam was starting out, also at Riverside.

“Just knowing she was down there was comforting, having your mom there you know, but very excited for the change in her career,” Sam said.

To earn her own stripes, she didn’t tell managers, or fellow nurses who her mom was.

Now at separate hospitals within OhioHealth, they are always talking about this passion for nursing, helping patients and their families, and wondering what might be next, like in Sam’s daughter Ava.

“She is going to do amazing with whatever she does, if that is 3 generations of nursing, I’ll be just as proud of her as my mom is of me,” Sam said.

And that certainly is the case here.

“When you were younger, I always said, God gave me you to teach me things," Lisa said. "You taught me a lot about what it is to be a mom.”

QUESTION: You’ve held numerous leadership positions. Have you always seen yourself as a leader?

JEAN HALPIN: No. I’m very experience-driven versus title-driven. I’ve always seen what I’ve done every day as leading, but I’ve not worried about what the next job is or the next title. It’s about how can I lead? How can I learn from an experience to give better patient care, to work with the community, to make changes or identify opportunities for improvement?

Q: What skills or qualities make for a successful leader?

JH: Three things: relationships, communication and follow-through. When I first started leadership way back in high school and ran for student council, my campaign slogan was “Things Happen with Halpin.” That’s truly what’s been my success. Physicians, the community and our associates know that they can count on me, and I will help to drive our mission.

Q: We hear a lot about the glass ceiling for women in the workplace. What’s been your experience as a female leader?

JH: OhioHealth has put a true emphasis on diversity and inclusion — whether that is gender, race or sexual orientation. That is a great testament to our company’s culture. That being said, healthcare is 70-percent female at the associate level, and it’s the flip at the leadership level — we’re 30-percent female. We need to continue our focus to develop and mentor young leaders, both women and men.

Q: Do you have any advice for others about leadership?

JH: What I try to instill is, how can you be a leader in whatever role you’re in? If you’re a nurse, how are you a leader at the bedside? If you are a patient care assistant, how are you leading the way to take care of our patients and families? You don’t have to be president to be a leader.

Q: Turning to personal leadership, what inspired you to begin your weight-loss journey?

JH: I wanted to feel better overall, and I wanted to be healthier. No one has a guarantee for tomorrow, but you can set yourself up for success for tomorrow. I took advantage of all of our OhioHealthy tools. At first, it felt overwhelming. How was I going to walk 10,000 steps in a day? But, I broke it down into smaller goals.

Q: What steps did you take to accomplish your goal?

JH: I was struggling with food allergies and not feeling well. This led to looking for the right “recipe” for success. I wanted to find balance, learn to take care of myself and control my food allergies. The toughest part of the lifestyle change was not seeking perfection and unrealistic expectations.

Q: What was your exercise and eating regime before, and what does it look like now?

JH: Before it was much more carb-based. I never ate unhealthy, but it was more quantity and definitely more carbs. Now it’s less quantity, higher protein, more vegetables. Exercise before was just minimal walking. Now, I exercise three days a week, both strength training, as well as cardio. I’m also very intentional about getting my 10,000 steps in throughout the day.

Anna started as a volunteer hospital advocate for the sexual assault prevention and intervention program in January 2014. Her first case: a 25-year-old woman who’d been raped by an ex-boyfriend. Anna met with the survivor in the hospital and stayed with her throughout the forensic medical exam.

“It had a huge impact on me,” says Anna. “When she left, the woman asked me for a hug. I knew then that my support really meant something to her.”

Today, Anna co-coordinates SARNCO’s Aftercare Advocacy service, providing follow-up support to survivors after they’ve been to the hospital or called a helpline. SARNCO operates the 24-Hour Rape Helpline for sexual violence survivors in Franklin County and the hospital advocacy program in which Anna was a part of, providing support to sexual violence survivors who show up at Columbus-area Emergency Departments. In addition, SARNCO has a sexual violence prevention educational program for schools, colleges and the community at large.

With funding from the Ohio Attorney General, OhioHealth recently launched the first statewide, 24/7 helpline for sexual violence survivors. The Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline is staffed by trained, contingent sexual assault survivor advocates who offer emotional support, crisis intervention and resource information. The helpline works in collaboration with local hotlines currently in operation elsewhere in the state and serves as the primary resource for residents living in counties without a local, 24-hour helpline.

“The people we serve often reach out for support immediately following a sexual assault,” says Heather Herron Murphy, manager, OhioHealth behavioral health outpatient services. “We want to empower survivors with information and options so they can make decisions about how best to move forward in their recovery process.”

SARNCO depends largely on volunteers. The program has eight paid coordinators, 16 paid staff advocates and about 100 volunteer advocates. Some, like Anna, volunteer out of personal interest and a passion for helping women. Others are survivors themselves. Some are students pursuing courses in counseling or social services.

Volunteers work at least three, eight-hour shifts a month and undergo 40 hours of training, which includes strategies for self-care to help volunteers withstand the emotional nature of the work.

Anna says her time with SARNCO has taught her that support for sexual assault survivors can take different forms.

“It’s important to approach them in an open way and support them however they need supported,” she says. “Sometimes that’s being quiet or leaving the room if preferred. Sometimes, it’s holding a hand. Every survivor is different.”

More information

Visit ohiohealth.com/sexualassaultresponsenetwork for information on how to become a SARNCO volunteer.

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault, call the SARNCO 24-Hour Sexual Assault Helpline at (614) 267.7020 or the Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline at (844) OHIO-HELP.

It would be easy to assume David Applegate II, MD, has enough to do as vice president of medical affairs for OhioHealth Physician Group. But not only does Dr. Applegate help oversee more than 600 physicians and hundreds of other care providers, he also serves as coroner for Union County.

Dr. Applegate got his start in 1995 as a deputy coroner. In 2000, voters elected Dr. Applegate as county coroner. He’s now in his fourth term and says he enjoys serving the community.

“I’m working with other people who also are driven to help improve our community. That’s been very meaningful to me,” says Dr. Applegate. The coroner investigates all deaths that are not natural or that occur in suspicious or unusual circumstances. It might be a car accident, an unexpected Emergency Department death, a suicide or a murder. When a case comes in, Dr. Applegate or one of his investigators goes to the scene. They may request an autopsy and collect evidence, analyze medical records and interview people involved.

Dr. Applegate’s cases have included teen suicides, a drowned newborn, a man who murdered his bedridden wife and a hoarder who killed herself and left behind $600,000 in cash.

Sometimes, the coroner identifies a trend, such as a rash of drug overdoses or accidents at an intersection. That information can help authorities prevent future deaths, he says. “How we can learn from someone’s death is also part of the job,” says Dr. Applegate.​

A photographer for the mobile age

To practice her “secret” hobby, all Eliza Villasenor has to do is pull out her phone.

When she’s not busy working as an executive assistant at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, Eliza likes to experiment with mobile photography, snapping artistic photos and editing them using nothing but a mobile phone.

“It’s interesting to use only your mobile phone,” Eliza says. “It limits certain things you can do, but that’s what makes it great.”

Eliza got involved with mobile photography about five years ago after a friend asked her to follow him on the photo-sharing app, Instagram. At first, Eliza used the app to take regular photos of everyday life: her friends, outings, cute animals, food. But, after getting involved with a growing community of mobile photographers, Eliza began to get more creative.

Today, Eliza likes to experiment with unusual shots highlighting different aspects of the Columbus area and its people. She frequently attends “Instameets,” where she gets together with other mobile photographers to take photos.

Eliza particularly enjoys taking portraits of friends against interesting backgrounds, such as buildings and outdoor scenery. Her all-time favorite place to take photos is the Columbus Museum of Art.

In the past year, Eliza’s photos have even been displayed at the Columbus Museum of Art during its annual “Wonderball” gala. Check out Eliza's photos by following @e.darling on Instagram.

Making a museum from scratch

Eleven years ago, when Christie Truly and a friend noticed that Athens needed more activities for children, they didn’t sit back and complain about it. Instead, with a group of other parents, they launched a children’s museum.

“At first, it was just meeting and having this dream … this vision of what we wanted,” says Christie, volunteer coordinator at OhioHealth Home Care in Athens. “We had no space, we had no staff. We were a museum without walls.”

Fast forward to today and that vision has become the thriving Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery. The museum provides hands-on activities and rotating exhibits on science, the arts and humanities.

The museum is located inside the Market on State Street Mall in Athens. Thanks to its growing success, the board is working to move the museum to a bigger space on Columbus Road in 2017.

Exhibits have explored themes around weather, medieval times, eye health, detective work, engineering, puppetry, green energy and the science of music. There are also permanent features, including an “imagination playground” made of foam blocks and regular “messy art” and “messy science” programs that allow kids to experiment with art and science concepts.

“What we’ve done on such a shoestring is really, really fabulous,” says Christie, who currently serves as vice president on the museum’s board. “When you see how excited kids are about something we put together or get a letter from a teacher about experiments they’re doing because they saw something at the museum, we know we are really touching lives.”

Secret Lives is an ongoing series that shares the unusual past careers and unique hobbies of OhioHealth associates, physicians, and volunteers.

“When you’re upset and don’t know what’s going on, it’s nice to have a furry friend who wants you to pet them,” says Amy Hanes, volunteer, OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. That furry friend is one of the things that got Amy and her husband, Tom, through the roughest time of their lives.

In September 2014, Tom came to Riverside Methodist for a pinched nerve in his neck. The couple expected a fairly routine treatment, but received a much different diagnosis: Tom had Stage IV Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Tom’s physician explained that his cancer was so advanced and aggressive, he needed to take immediate action. Every week for six months, Tom received week-long inpatient treatments of powerful chemotherapy.

“God was in control, and we were at peace with his diagnosis,” says Amy. “But, we still had hope Tom would recover.”

During his treatments, Tom says, “It felt like a family.” And, part of that family included a golden doodle named Charlie, who visited Tom every week with his owner, as part of Love on a Leash.

“Charlie would walk in the room and put his head in your lap and let you pet him. He was so kind,” says Tom.

The Love on a Leash program allows volunteers to share the healing power of their pets with patients — a therapy proven to lower anxiety and stress levels, in addition to other health and wellness benefits for patients, families and associates they visit.

“I’m amazed at our patients’ and visitors’ reactions when the therapy dogs are here,” says Carol Conner, director of volunteer services, Riverside Methodist. “The dogs provide happiness and comfort to every person they interact with.”

Because of Tom and Amy’s love for traveling, they hadn’t been able to get a dog. But, due to his recent diagnosis and the joy it brought him, Amy suggested they get a golden doodle, just like Charlie.

“From the minute we got our golden doodle, Toby, we knew he would be a therapy dog,” says Tom.

Toby needed to be at least one year old, trained, tested and approved through Therapy Dogs International. After approval, they began the process of having Toby approved to be a therapy dog for Love on a Leash.

Fast forward two years since his diagnosis and Tom is not only stronger, but in complete remission and looking forward to sharing Toby’s healing powers with other patients.

“I’m sure the staff have bad days too, but they put that aside and took care of me. I received excellent care. Through Charlie’s visits and having Toby by my side, I am grateful to be in remission and able to give back to other patients,” says Tom.

*Pet therapy programs are also offered at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital, OhioHealth Doctors Hospital, OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital, OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital and OhioHealth Marion General Hospital.