Correction added: A previous version of this story said the new medical center would be built inside OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital. The story has been updated to say it will be built inside a medical office building.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital has announced that it will open a new medical center on the OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital campus starting in November.
The facility, located in the medical office building at 26 Hospital Dr., will provide specialized medical care for patients up to age 21. It is part of the hospital’s Close-to-Home Care program, providing nationally acclaimed medical care to the Athens community.
According to the 2023 Athens County Health Report, access to health care has been identified as one of the top three health needs in the area, and it’s something OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital President LeeAnn Lucas-Helber hopes Nationwide Children’s Hospital will address for the community.
“This relationship will make family-centered care more accessible than ever before,” Lucas-Helber said in an email. “While OhioHealth provides a full range of services to adults in the area, we know that when children need specialized care that isn’t available locally, parents and caregivers often have to travel outside the area.”
Lucas Helber said the combined strengths and resources of both Nationwide and O’Bleness organizations will create a health care hub in southeast Ohio to ensure families receive support for their medical needs and improve their health and well-being.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital will not provide emergency care but will offer cardiology, gastroenterology, genetics, pulmonology, urology, pediatric surgery and otolaryngology services. It will also open a Family Safety and Healing Center and a Healthy Weight and Nutrition Center in the area.
According to a report by the Athens Foundation, Appalachian Ohio has 30% fewer primary care providers, 41% fewer mental health providers and 65% fewer specialist physicians per 100,000 people compared to areas outside of Appalachia.
The report found that Appalachian Ohio had a 15% higher rate of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a 21% higher rate of deaths from trauma, an 8% higher rate of deaths from diabetes, an 8% higher rate of suicide, and an 18% higher rate of deaths from poisoning (including drug overdose deaths) compared to non-Appalachian areas.
Reports like this one help Libbey Hoang, vice president of planning at Nationwide Children’s and the Close to Home Network, make informed decisions about the health needs of their communities.
“We believe every child has the right to quality pediatric health care and are committed to continuing to improve the lives of children living in Ohio,” Hoang said. “The services we are able to provide include children up to the age of 21.”
While Huang remains focused on announcing current services, he hasn’t ruled out adding to the list of facilities and services.
“We continually evaluate the market and continually evaluate feedback from patients and their families, other clinicians in the market and our partners to determine how we can continue to meet their needs to the best of our ability,” Hoang said.
Olivia Gilliand
From og953622@ohio.edu
