Physician, Assistant Professor
Occupational Medicine, Preventive Medicine
Department: Family Medicine
As the physician lead for Occupational Health and Wellness here at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, my practice is based on a holistic and preventive approach to patient care. I am focused on returning patients to their normal baseline function and helping them avoid further illness and injury. Having spent the last several years working clinically in central Ohio health systems, I have developed a broad expertise of work-related health conditions and best practices for protecting population health using a systems-based approach.
I commonly treat work-related injuries impacting shoulders, backs, necks, knees and ankles, as well as other musculoskeletal conditions. I offer pre-employment physicals and see patients who may have been exposed to infectious illnesses. My patients can trust that I will employ medical interventions appropriately and only when necessary.
My experience includes eight years as an active-duty Navy doctor, during which I received two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals. I also led a Navy medical team on a public health humanitarian mission to Central and South America during the 2016 Zika virus epidemic.
In addition to my clinical responsibilities, I am working to develop a protective headgear prototype for health care workers with support from an Ohio State Innovation Studio grant. I am also a fellow of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.
As of 11/3/2025, Dr. McKenna has reported no relationships with companies or entities.