Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel have issued a proclamation declaring September as Sepsis Awareness Month in Ohio. The observance underscores the urgent need to combat sepsis, a deadly and costly condition, with early recognition and early intervention. For the past decade, OHA has led a statewide initiative to reduce sepsis mortality and support hospitals in implementing best practices. Resources and more information can be found at OHA’s Sepsis Initiative webpage here.

Gov. Mike DeWine recently joined local leaders and students in New Philadelphia to celebrate a $6 million expansion at Buckeye Career Center, adding 13,000 square feet of instructional space for health care training. The project, supported by state and local funds, includes new labs for nursing, pharmacy and medical assistant programs. With enrollment at its highest level in a decade, per a state release, the Buckeye Career Center continues to expand opportunities across more than 30 career-technical programs. Learn more here.

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel is teaming up with the Ohio Department of Health to launch the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge in schools this fall. The 90-day program encourages students to build healthy habits in exercise, sleep and nutrition through a goal-setting system with Bronze, Silver and Gold achievement levels. Tressel discussed the initiative with ODH director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, on the agency's “Healthy Perspectives” podcast, sharing lessons from his career as a national championship football coach. The challenge is designed to make health fun while helping students form lifelong wellness routines. Learn more about the challenge and find links to watch the…

Beginning Oct. 1, the Ohio Department of Health will require hospitals to report all hospitalizations related to COVID-19, influenza and RSV. To make this process easier, CliniSync will automatically submit the required data on behalf of member hospitals. OHA was a founding partner of the Ohio Health Information Partnership which runs CliniSync. If an organization prefers to do its own reporting, it can opt out by completing a form and notifying CliniSync in writing. Hospitals that take no action will have their reporting managed by CliniSync. Please contact Phil Ennen with questions.