NEOMED Launches Pathway Program to Address Mental Health Workforce Shortage

The American Hospital Association in a recent letter urged the Department of Education to expand its proposed federal student loan limits for graduate and professional programs. In the letter, the AHA praised the inclusion of physicians, pharmacists and clinical psychologists but warned that students in nursing, social work, physician assistant, physical therapy and occupational therapy programs would face lower borrowing limits. The AHA said the narrow definition of “professional student” could increase out-of-pocket costs and discourage applicants amid ongoing health care workforce shortages. Read the full letter here.

Ohio emergency departments are encouraged to participate in the 2026 National Pediatric Readiness Project National Assessment, which opens March 3 and provides a once-every-five-years opportunity to evaluate pediatric readiness. The voluntary assessment, administered through Emergency Medical Services for Children at the federal and state levels, takes 30-45 minutes to complete, with results remaining confidential. Ohio EMSC will host informational webinars and office hours throughout the spring to support participation, with the first webinar scheduled for March 4 and open to all ED personnel. Learn more or take the assessment here.

The annual OHA Recognition Dinner, which celebrates Health Care Leadership Award recipients and honors Health Care Worker of the Year nominees, will be held Wednesday, May 20, in the Regency Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Columbus. While the event takes place during the OHA Annual Meeting, attendees must register for the dinner separately from the main conference this year. Find a separate registration link for the dinner on the 2026 OHA Annual Meeting events page or on the OHA Recognition Dinner information page. OHA member hospitals are encouraged to register their Health Care Worker of the Year award nominee for this event.

OHA invites leaders, employees, medical staff and trustees of member hospitals and health systems and OHA Corporate Partners to register for our 111th Annual Meeting & Education Summit. The conference, held May 19-21 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus, will feature interactive education sessions, dynamic national speakers and awards events. Packed into three days, the 2026 OHA Annual Meeting offers national speakers, statewide awards and more than 70 educational sessions organized in 10 tracks specific to various hospital and health care topics. The third and final day of the conference will feature our new Energy, Infrastructure & Innovation Summit. Continuing education credits will be offered for many disciplines at no cost to member hospital…