Happy Thanksgiving from OHA; Stay Safe with Tips from USDA

The Health Collaborative, in partnership with several Ohio workforce and education organizations, will host the 2026 Ohio Healthcare Virtual Career Fair on Feb. 25, 2026 via Zoom. The free statewide event is designed to help middle and high school students explore career pathways in health care and understand future education and training options. Students will hear remarks from Gov. Mike DeWine, watch short career-focused videos produced by Ohio hospitals and participate in live Q&A sessions with health professionals. The event supports Ohio’s workforce development goals by engaging students early in high-demand health careers. School districts must register to receive the event link, and educators…

Submit Health Care Worker of the Year Nominations by Nov. 30 The window to submit nominations for OHA’s Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award is quickly closing. OHA encourages member hospitals to submit nominations by Nov. 30 for the annual accolade, which recognizes a single Ohio caregiver who consistently goes above and beyond in their role, highlighting excellence, dedication and impact in patient care. The award will be presented at OHA’s 111th Annual Meeting & Education Summit, May 19-21, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. Learn more about the award, requirements and submissions here. Presentation Proposals…

OHA President and CEO Mike Abrams this week called attention to the indispensable role of rural hospitals in a special column that dovetailed with National Rural Health Day. More than 2.1 million Ohioans rely on rural hospitals for around-the-clock emergency and inpatient care, and all but five Ohio counties are more than 50% rural. Abrams emphasized that these hospitals are not only lifelines in medical emergencies, but also major employers and key partners in addressing chronic health issues such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. He also underscored the mounting financial pressures facing rural providers and urging continued support for their essential work. Read…

OHA has released workforce strategic priorities aimed at addressing staffing challenges across the state’s hospitals. The priorities, part of our overall 3-year strategic plan, focus on employee burnout, retention and career development, while building the next generation of health care talent through partnerships with schools, universities and regional health systems. Our priorities emphasize innovative solutions, including the use of AI and technology to anticipate staffing gaps and optimize care delivery. Central to the strategy is OHA’s Workforce Advisory Committee, which collaborates with hospitals, policymakers and strategic partners to implement these initiatives. These efforts aim to ensure a skilled and sustainable hospital workforce statewide. View a full…