Our Team - Buckeye Paws Program | Ohio State Medical Center

Mary Justice, MBA

Co-founder, Buckeye Paws

As the Chief Administrative Officer at the College of Nursing, Mary is an active advisor to the Dean, and helps develop and implement the strategic direction of the college. As the college’s CAO, Mary is responsible for the implementation, oversight, and alignment of the business operations for the College, which includes strategic forecasting, developing and maintaining the budget for the college, as well as operational and fiscal reporting. The position participates in development, monitoring, and evaluation of faculty incentive plans with an emphasis on both revenue generation and the educational and scholarly profile of the college. As the director of entrepreneurial initiatives, Mary partners with the Dean and the executive leadership team to expand the college’s revenue base through building new innovative business models.

Mary is also the co-founder of Buckeye Paws, a staff therapy dog program, launched in March 2020. She believes in the healing power of connecting with animals and strives to build innovative programs that support staff who care for patients and their families.

Beth Steinberg, PhD, RN, NEA-BC

Co-founder, Buckeye Paws

As the Associate Chief Nurse for Critical Care and Emergency Services at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Beth was acutely aware of the increasing stress and burnout experienced by nursing staff working in both bedside and management positions. During her administrative nursing career, she collaborated in developing, implementing and evaluating evidence-based interventions to decrease stress, improve resilience, and well-being for nurses and other healthcare workers at the Wexner Medical Center. While many of these interventions were effective, participation was often limited by staff work demands, busy personal schedules, and family responsibilities.

The idea for Buckeye Paws originated while Beth and her work colleague, Mary Justice were taking their pups through therapy dog training. With the goal of developing a program that could be integrated into the workday for busy healthcare workers, they began socializing the concept for a therapy dog program, solely to support the mental health and well-being of Wexner Medical Center staff, faculty and learners, with Medical Center leadership. Launched March 2020, the Buckeye Paws therapy dog-handler teams supported staff, faculty, and learners through the pandemic and continues to provide connection, comfort, and happiness throughout the Medical Center, as well as The Ohio State University.

In her current role as the Associate Director of Research for the Center for Integrative Health, Beth continues to lead and collaborate in research that may support increased well-being for staff, faculty, and students, especially those with Buckeye Paws therapy dog-handler teams.

Aimee Mitchell, MBA

Program Manager, Buckeye Paws

Aimee Mitchell is the Program Manager of an innovative certified therapy dog program called Buckeye Paws at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and The Ohio State University. In her role, she oversees operations within the program, brand management and expansion opportunities. Aimee earned her Bachelor of Science from Franklin University in 2013 and her MBA through the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University in 2023.

Sara Vasko-Bennet, MPH

Program Coordinator, Buckeye Paws

Sara is the Program Coordinator for Buckeye Paws. She received a Master of Public Health degree at The Ohio State University in 2024. Sara is a REACH Suicide Prevention Program Trainer, and a member of the Association of Staff and Faculty Women executive board.

Taylor Casali

Student Research Assistant

Graduation date: May 2025
Major: Biology
Minor: Forensic Science

Lily McMahon

Student Assistant

Graduation date: May 2025
Major: English

Sara Naveh