A strong health care system is vital to supporting a vibrant and diverse community. So it’s no wonder that with four nationally-recognized hospitals and clinics located within minutes of each other, Athens County boasts one of the strongest networks of medical facilities in the country.
Troy Miller, Director of Holzer Clinic Athens, agrees. “Our biggest asset is a medical community that compares against any other place in the country.”
Holzer Clinic
Holzer Clinic is a privately-owned physician clinic that specializes in over 40 areas of expertise, including gastroenterology, orthopedics, cardiology, endocrinology, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. The clinic also provides both personal care and medical excellence, and offers treatment ultilizing state-of-the-art technology couples with experienced physicians specializing in an array of fields.
“We have the history of physicians combined with the luxury of technology,” says Miller. “Our patients are excited to go to the new facility because everything is under one roof. Our physicians also go through a tremendous amount of training.” When asked about the impact of the Holzer Clinic on the community, Miller says, “We continue to grow every year, so we must be doing something right.”
O’Bleness
O’Bleness Memorial Hospital has been providing health care services to Athens County for almost a century. Besides providing maternity care and emergency services, O’Bleness also provides a wide range of services, including pediatric, medical, surgical, and critical care patient units. O’Bleness also works with the Athens Cancer Center to provide comprehensive cancer care for patients, families, and caregivers.
“O’Bleness is a community hospital that provides 85% of the general needs to the community,” says Larry Thornhill, CEO of O’Bleness. “The other 15% is upper care that you don’t normally find in a community hospital.”
O’Bleness also works closely with the Ohio University Medical School, providing residents with critical hands-on medical experience. According to Thornhill, this type of experience is invaluable and unique for both doctors and patients. “You don’t usually find a residency program in a community hospital,” he adds.
Doctor’s Hospital
Doctor’s Hospital in neighboring Nelsonville is a small community hospital staffed by more than 50 physicians. Doctor’s Hospital provides a wide range of much-needed services, including ophthalmology, internal medicine, and a sleep care clinic. The hospital also offers an on-site outpatient clinic specializing in cardiology, urology, nephrology, podiatry, and hematology/oncology. In addition, the hospital’s 24-hour emergency services and medical helicopter provide critical care when it is needed most.
According to Greg Long, CEO of Doctor’s Hospital, the hospital is an important asset to the region. “The hospital provides a much-needed service,” says Long. “There’s a need for acute primary care and a critical care hospital in the area.”
University Medical Associates, Inc.
University Medical Associates, Inc. (UMA) is a nonprofit physician’s group with several locations in Athens County. UMA’s goal is to provide quality health care services while also training physicians, nurses, and medical assistants in areas such as family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, diabetes, endocrinology, osteopathic manipulative medicine, pathology, geriatrics, urgent care, acupuncture, and student health.
According to Steven Davies, CEO of UMA, what sets UMA apart from other medical practices is that it’s a physician’s clinic. “UMA is a faculty practice, so they’re the experts behind the experts. The level of skill at UMA matches any clinic in a bigger city.”
UMA also operates a free clinic and a health service van that acts as a portable examination room. According to Davis, the free clinic and health service van access underserved areas in Athens County. In addition, these services also make sure that patient medical needs are met quickly and efficiently before health issues progress. “They take the pressure off of the emergency rooms,” adds Davis.
Human Touch
Athens County is also among the leaders in physician-to-patient ratio, with 1.74 physicians for every 1,000 patients. That’s better than the national average. That means patients in Athens County can look forward to personalized care, where they’re treated as an individual, and not as just a number or a name on a chart.
Among the Best
Athens County has a long tradition of providing quality health care to its residents. The network of hospitals and clinics has deep roots in the community, and combines state-of-the-art technology and services with experienced medical professionals. For a community as small as Athens County, that type of medical service is rare.
Miller, CEO of Holzer Clinic, is amazed by the talent in the clinics and hospitals in Athens County. He sees tremendous potential in the health care system and on its impact in the community. “All of these medical professionals exist in a community of 60,000 people,” he says. “It really is a gem that’s undiscovered.”
