Ohio University’s Academic Health Sciences Center to improve health outcomes, access across Southeast Ohio and beyond

During their January meetings, the Ohio University Board of Trustees learned more about the University’s plans to establish the Ohio University Academic Health Sciences Center (OHIO-AHSC), a coordinated partnership across OHIO’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and College of Health Sciences and Professions that will more formally integrate each college’s ongoing work to advance health outcomes in Ohio and beyond.

“The Ohio University Academic Health Sciences Center strengthens how we prepare Ohio’s health workforce and serve our communities,” said Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez. “By aligning our health-focused colleges, we can expand access to care, advance research, and improve health outcomes—especially in rural and underserved areas.”

Ohio University continues to serve as a state leader in preparing the region’s health workforce and addressing community health needs. The Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine is Ohio’s largest medical school and has the most graduates practicing primary care in the state. The College of Health Sciences and Professions (CHSP) is one of the largest health-focused colleges in the country with leading programs in nursing, physical therapy, athletic training, public health and more. Together, the colleges educate thousands of students each year while partnering with hospitals, clinics, public agencies and community organizations throughout the state to improve public health.

The OHIO-AHSC will build on this existing work by providing a shared framework to align health-focused education, research, clinical training and community engagement across the University. It will be a strategic collaboration that preserves the distinct identities of each college while amplifying their collective impact.

“For many years, faculty, staff and students across our colleges and throughout the University have worked together on research initiatives, training and community-focused efforts,” said Ken Johnson, D.O., vice president of Health Affairs and senior strategist for Health Partnerships at Ohio University. “The AHSC formalizes those partnerships and provides structure to support and amplify the important health-focused activities already underway. Experience has shown that we are stronger and have greater impact on health outcomes when we work together. Each of us brings unique strengths, and aligning those strengths allows us to do more for our students, our communities and our state.”

Modeled after modern Academic Health Sciences Centers nationwide, the OHIO-AHSC will emphasize partnership-based approaches, integrating health professions education, medical education, research and clinical partnerships to improve population health. Its goals include · supporting faculty and staff through stronger research collaboration and infrastructure; expanding interprofessional education and experiential learning opportunities for students; enhancing partnerships with hospitals, clinics, and community organizations; increasing OHIO’s ability to attract research funding, philanthropic support and statewide investment; and deepening OHIO’s impact in rural and underserved communities across the state.

During the Board of Trustees meeting, Johnson and CHSP Dean John McCarthy emphasized the urgency of this effort by discussing broader trends in health across Ohio. They noted that the state faces ongoing challenges in achieving strong health outcomes despite significant health care spending, and that workforce shortages continue to limit access to care for many residents. These challenges are particularly pronounced in Appalachian Ohio, where communities often experience poorer overall health, higher prevalence of chronic conditions, and longstanding gaps in access to primary care services.

“The OHIO-AHSC aligns directly with Ohio University’s institutional priorities and offers a scalable, integrated model to strengthen research, clinical education, workforce development and community engagement while expanding the University’s statewide and national impact,” McCarthy said.

Implementation of the OHIO-AHSC will be gradual and guided by shared governance, ensuring Ohio University’s health mission remains strong, collaborative and sustainable for the future.

Through the OHIO-AHSC, the colleges and health units will expand interprofessional education and simulation, ensuring students learn together in environments that mirror real-world healthcare delivery. Clinical partnerships with hospitals, clinics and community organizations will be coordinated across disciplines, helping stabilize training pipelines and maintain access to care in rural and underserved areas.