The Appalachian and Rural Center for Health (ARCH) is committed to helping people in rural and Appalachian Ohio live healthier lives by strengthening care closer to their homes.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is committed to improving the health of Ohioans as part of its Impact 2035 plan. ARCH will champion the plan's goals in rural and small-town Ohio.
We’re working side by side with local health care organizations and community leaders to:
- Build partnerships and learn from local residents to identify health care opportunities.
- Develop and retain a strong health care workforce through local career pathways.
- Share knowledge, training, technology and best practices to area health priorities.
- Co-create innovative care models tailored to community needs.
- Support research to improve health outcomes.
- Advocate for rural and Appalachian health services and needs at every level.
Why Appalachian and Rural Center for Health (ARCH) matters
Ohio has one of the largest rural populations in the country, and some of the toughest health challenges. Many communities are faced with limited access to care, fewer resources and not enough health care workers.
Here’s why addressing these issues matters:
- Strong local health care resources can help community members stay healthy and can also support local businesses for a thriving economy.
- Rural and Appalachian regions of Ohio have incredible strengths to build on – community pride, engaged leadership, natural beauty and rich traditions.
- ARCH enhances our commitment to patients across Ohio and builds on long-standing partnerships with health care providers across the state.
- Annually, more than 23,000 admissions to Ohio State originate from outside the seven-county central Ohio region.
- Local providers can use existing rural health programs such as The James Cancer Network, Ohio State Health Network, the Telestroke Network, the Ohio State Heart and Vascular Network and other collaborative programs for patient treatment.
- Robust research projects, such as the State of Ohio Adversity and Resilience (SOAR) Studies, help to strengthen our understanding of underlying health issues within our communities.
Ohio State's rural health program is meant to enhance local care, not replace it
The Appalachian and Rural Center for Health (ARCH) is here to support, not compete with, local providers and programs. As we listen to and follow the community’s lead, together we’ll build a reliable presence in Ohio’s rural and Appalachian counties.
- To ensure community needs are clearly represented, the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center hires local residents to serve as “health care extension agents.”
- Because these agents live and work in the same communities they represent, they can be more engaged, accessible and aware of area needs and opportunities.
- In this role, agents meet regularly with health care providers and their partners to continually evaluate and update community needs.
- Armed with this information, they can then connect community providers to the appropriate Ohio State resources and ongoing support to sustain and evolve existing programs or co-develop new solutions.
Contact Us
If you're interested in partnering with ARCH as a health care provider or community leader, or if you'd like to learn more about potential health care careers facilitated through ARCH, please send an email to ARCH@osumc.edu.