In projections released this October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has forecasted a 10-year employment increase of 11.5 million through 2026 with a large share of those new jobs occurring in the healthcare industry and associated occupations.

In an effort to help Ohio University students majoring in various academic areas discover potential career opportunities in this growing profession, OHIO’s Career and Leadership Development Center is hosting its first Healthcare Industry Panel. 

One of three industry panels the CLDC is debuting this year, the Healthcare Industry Panel is scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, in the Amanda J. Cunningham Leadership Center on the third floor of Baker University Center. During the event, OHIO students and alumni will learn about how their major can be applied within the healthcare industry and the myriad career opportunities available within the industry and have an opportunity to interact with healthcare professionals.

The first hour of the event will be devoted to the panel, which will feature:

• Jack Pepper, administrator for Athens City-County Health Department and an Ohio University alumnus who earned a degree in cartography. Pepper started his public health career at the Athens City-County Health Department as a staff sanitarian. He’s been successful at moving into leadership roles at the health department, first as the director of environmental health and most recently as the administrator. As a lifelong resident of Athens County, he takes great pride in having a small part in protecting the health interests of Athens Countians—and says it truly is a great place to live.
• Sherri Oliver, executive director of Community Health Programs and the Area Health Education Center at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine who earned a master of public administration degree from Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. Oliver became the executive director of Community Health Programs and the Area Health Education Center at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in August 2017. Previously, she has served as executive director of Live Healthy Appalachia, as public relations and community events coordinator for Athens County Children Services, and as an AmeriCorps VISTA member at ReUse Industries.
• Crystal Jones, public health nurse at the Athens City-County Health Department. Jones has 23 years of experience as a registered nurse. Prior to public health nursing, her experience included hospital-based clinical services, home- and community-based health care services. Currently, she is responsible for planning and implementing public health nursing programs that deliver services and interventions to improve community health and prevent the spread of disease.  
• Tara Huffman, volunteer coordinator for the Athens CASA/GAL Program and an Ohio University alumna who earned a degree in child and family studies. Huffman joined the CASA staff in 2013. She worked in direct child protective services for more than six years. She has vast experience working with children and families in crisis. Huffman spends the bulk of her workday supporting volunteers and empowering them to advocate on behalf of children’s best interests. She also carries a caseload herself. Huffman lives in Athens with her family.

The panel will be followed by 30 minutes of networking and light refreshments.

This event is free and open to all Ohio University students as well as alumni. Online registration is required and is available here. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24. 

The Healthcare Industry Panel follows the CLDC’s first-ever Event Management Industry Panel held in November. The last industry panel of this academic year, the Creative Jobs Industry Panel, will be held Thursday, March 8.

For more information on the Healthcare Industry Panel, as well as other CLDC events and programs, click here.