Avita Health System Employee Receives Annual Statewide Health Care Worker of the Year Award

(Columbus, Ohio – 43215) The Ohio Hospital Association’s Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year award honoree is Nick Cline, LPN, EMT, EMS & Training Center Manager, Avita Bucyrus Hospital (Bucyrus). The award was presented on May 20 during an awards ceremony event at the Hyatt Regency Columbus.

“Serving as a caregiver in health care is a true calling including the more than 375,000 people working in Ohio hospitals,” said Kelsey Brown, senior director, clinical and member programs, OHA. “As a community we are proud to recognize the dedication and commitment of these hard-working caregivers who impact the lives of so many Ohioans and who help ensure a healthy Ohio.”

Nick also serves as the American Heart Association instructor and clinical educator at Avita Bucyrus Hospital. Nick coordinates the Avita’s STEMI program, serving as the bridge between area EMS and Avita’s Interventional Cardiac Catheterization program. Nick developed the LifeNet EMS ECG transmission program, improving heart attack care by enabling real-time ECG transmission from EMS to the hospital, leading to faster procedures and better outcomes. He also established an interhospital patient transfer program, reducing wait times and ensuring timely care.

OHA’s Health Care Worker of the Year Award is presented each year to one Ohio caregiver who personifies a leader, motivates colleagues, influences others, provides valuable service and contributes, personifies the mission, vision and values of the organization, and has an impact in their community. OHA received 74 nominations for health care worker of the year award.

OHA also announced four finalists for the statewide health care worker of the year award:

• Terry Livengood, Chaplain, Aultman Hospital (Canton)
• John Gabis, MD, family medicine physician and medical director of community partnerships, Adena Regional Medical Center (Chillicothe)
• Shelly Deyhle, RN, director of transplant administration, The Christ Hospital Health Network (Cincinnati)
• Jackie Jones, supervisor – environmental services, Cleveland Clinic Marymount Hospital (Garfield Heights)

Each year, OHA invites member hospitals and health systems to nominate one outstanding professional for consideration for Health Care Worker of the Year. OHA enlisted a panel of outside reviewers to help identify this year’s five finalists and ultimate recipient. The award was established in 1996.

Click here for photo of Nick receiving award from OHA President and CEO Mike Abrams.

About OHA
Established in 1915, OHA is the first state hospital association founded in the United States with a mission to collaborate with member hospitals and health systems to promote a sustainable health care system so that Ohioans have access to high quality hospital care in their communities. OHA represents Ohio’s 250 hospitals and 15 health systems and is based in Columbus. Ohio hospitals and health systems employ 375,000 people and contribute $102.9 billion to Ohio’s economy while providing $5.58 billion in net community benefit. OHA is nationally recognized for patient safety and health care quality initiatives and environmental sustainability programs. OHA website: www.ohiohospitals.org.