The Central Ohio Healthcare Landscape

Columbus is the state capital of Ohio and is deemed the most populous city in the state and is the second most popular city in the Midwest. As of 2024, roughly 900,000 people considered Columbus home. As of 2024, the Columbus, Ohio Metropolitan area which comprises 10 counties had an estimated population of 2.1 million people. As of 2024 African Americans made up 28.5% of Columbus’ total population. Many people of color gravitate to the Columbus Ohio Metropolitan area because of its thriving industries, modest cost of living, safe neighborhoods, and healthcare infrastructure. Columbus is home to several healthcare systems which include major hospital systems, managed care organizations, research institutions, academic institutions, government agencies, associations, and pharmaceutical companies. Some specific examples of major healthcare organizations within the Columbus metropolitan area include:

• The Ohio Department of Medicaid

• The Ohio Department of Health

• Columbus Public Health

• Franklin County Public Health

• PrimaryOne Health

• Nationwide Children’s Hospital

• The Ohio State University Wexner

Medical Center

• OhioHealth

• Mount Carmel Health System

• CareSource

• Battelle

• Cardinal Health

• Columbus State Community College

• Franklin University

• The Ohio State University

• Capital University

• Ohio Dominican University

• Otterbein University

• Denison University

• CoverMyMeds

• McKesson

• Centene

• Anthem

• Aetna

• MaryHaven

• United Health Group

• Abbott

History: N.A.H.S.E. Central Ohio Chapter was founded in 2019.

Solution: The implementation of the N.A.H.S.E. Central Ohio chapter has created a pipeline for African American healthcare leaders while developing their skills and expertise to utilize new and innovative approaches to solving complex healthcare and systemic issues that are prone to underrepresented communities. Members of the chapter are represented by major healthcare institutions.