ATHENS — Ohio University is moving forward with plans to establish the Ohio University Academic Health Sciences Center (OHIO-AHSC), a coordinated partnership between the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and the College of Health Sciences and Professions.

The initiative aims to improve health outcomes and expand access to care across Southeast Ohio and beyond, according to a community announcement.

The OHIO-AHSC is expected to provide a shared framework for integrating health-focused education, research, clinical training and community engagement across the university.

OHIO-AHSC designed to better prepare Ohio’s health workforce

The announcement said the center is intended to formalize and amplify existing collaborations between the two colleges, which collectively educate thousands of students each year and partner with hospitals, clinics, public agencies and community organizations throughout the state.

The Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine is Ohio’s largest medical school and has the most graduates practicing primary care in the state, according to the announcement. The College of Health Sciences and Professions is one of the largest health-focused colleges in the country, with programs in nursing, physical therapy, athletic training, public health and more.

“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,” Dr. Ken Johnson, vice president of Health Affairs and senior strategist for Health Partnerships at Ohio University, said in the announcement. “The AHSC formalizes those partnerships and provides structure to support and amplify the important health-focused activities already underway.”

Partnerships to play a key role

Modeled after modern Academic Health Sciences Centers nationwide, the announcement said the OHIO-AHSC will emphasize partnership-based approaches, integrating health professions education, medical education, research and clinical partnerships to improve population health.

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 University’s ability to attract research funding, philanthropic support and statewide investment; and deepening the university’s impact in rural and underserved communities across the state.

During the January Board of Trustees meeting, Johnson and College of Health Sciences and Professions 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.

How the OHIO-AHSC will be implemented

The implementation of the OHIO-AHSC will be gradual as colleges and health units 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, according to the announcement.

This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: New health sciences center to improve care in Southeast Ohio