OhioHealth partners to double healthcare graduates, address staff shortages

Editor's Note

As staffing remains a top point of concern for healthcare leaders, OhioHealth, Columbus, Ohio, and Columbus State Community College, announced a partnership to invest $120 million into training healthcare professionals in five fields on June 27.

The joint venture will double the number of students in nursing, surgical technology, medical imaging, respiratory therapy, and sterile processing over the next 10 years.

The partnership will:

• establish a new 80,000 square-foot academic building, and renovate classrooms and labs.
• provide the Columbus State Community College foundation with a $25 million endowment to expand and sustain academic programs in the five fields of study.
• raise $12 million for student support and specialized medical simulation equipment.

Since 2022, Ohio healthcare employers have advertised nearly 5,000 jobs per month, and are expecting 9,000 additional healthcare jobs by 2028 to meet patient demand.

“This bold partnership will ramp up the talent pipeline within key professions that form the backbone of our healthcare community,” said Dr. Steve Markovich, president and chief executive officer at OhioHealth. “Together, we will increase the pool of home-grown talent, keep regional healthcare strong, and address health disparities by attracting a workforce prepared to care for our diverse community."