2 OHA Members Named Among 2025’s 50 Most Influential Clinicians

With temperatures expected to reach the 90s and heat indexes topping 100 degrees across Ohio, the Ohio Department of Aging, or ODA, is reminding residents to take precautions to protect older adults from heat-related illness. Older Ohioans are especially vulnerable to extreme heat due to factors like diminished thirst reflexes and certain medications, according to ODA officials. The department advises regular check-ins on elderly loved ones and encourages hydration, cool environments and awareness of warning signs for heat stroke and exhaustion. More tips and emergency preparedness information are available here.

The Ohio Society for Health Care Facilities Management, or OSHFM, has earned the Bronze Award from the American Society for Health Care Engineering for its achievements in 2024. The ASHE Chapter Awards recognize chapters that demonstrate exceptional partnership and impact in optimizing the health care physical environment. Bronze-level recognition highlights OSHFM’s commitment to excellence and collaboration within the field. The award will be presented during the 2025 Chapter Leadership Forum, held July 27 in Columbus, as part of the Health Care Facilities Innovation Conference.

The deadline to complete radio authentication for Ohio’s Multi-Agency Radio Communication System, or MARCS, has been extended from July 1 to Dec. 31. While more than 100,000 radios have already been authenticated, the system requires full participation to move forward with enhanced security protections. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, entities with unauthenticated radios will face fines that increase every 30 days. Radio authentication ensures only authorized users can access the MARCS network, protecting Ohio’s emergency communication infrastructure. MARCS customers are urged to begin the process immediately and contact the program office at MARCSRadioAuthentication@DAS.Ohio.gov with a timeline to ensure compliance.

OHA's Energy & Sustainability Program this year brought back its Sustainability and Energy Cup awards, and winners of the 2025 honors were announced Friday. This year's winners include: The John Chapman Award for Environmental Leadership: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center for outstanding campus-wide efforts in energy, waste and procurement. Named in honor of Johnny Appleseed, the award recognizes a hospital or health system for excellence in initiating or supporting pollution prevention programs. Melvin Creeley Awards: Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Henry County Hospital, Wright-Patterson Medical Center, Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital, OhioHealth System and Akron Children’s Hospital for innovative and impactful sustainability improvements.…