Healthy State Alliance Hosts 'COVID-19 For The Long Haul' Symposium

COLUMBUS, Ohio – To further educate the health care community, Bon Secours Mercy Health and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are hosting COVID-19 for the Long Haul, a continuing medical education event about how to care for patients in post-COVID recovery. The collaboration is a direct result of Healthy State Alliance, a strategic initiative between the two organizations to work together to improve community health. 

 

The virtual event is April 10 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with Gov. Mike DeWine providing opening remarks to the more than 1,100 health care workers from 19 states registered to attend.  

 

Physicians from both organizations will speak on topics such as COVID-19 risk factors and symptoms, the role of exercise, therapy, pain management and nutrition as well as the community health impact and community resources available to assist with recovery. 

The event is open to all clinicians but is specifically designed for physicians, advanced practice clinicians, nurses, medical assistants and social workers.  

 

“Through the experiences of managing the ongoing care of our patients diagnosed with COVID-19, we have gained great insights,” said Dr. Andrew Thomas, chief clinical officer for The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “This event provides us the opportunity to share our knowledge with clinicians throughout the United States so they can incorporate the learnings into the care of their patients.” 

 

During the event, there will be a moment of silence for those who have lost their lives to COVID-19. A patient will also share her experiences of living with the long-term effects from the virus.  

 

“COVID-19 has had a tremendous effect on our communities,” said Dr. Herbert Schumm, vice president and medical director of education and physician engagement for Bon Secours Mercy Health. “Events such as COVID-19 for the Long Haul bring together health care workers to not only learn about clinical care but also learn how to best address the social and financial concerns that can follow a COVID-19 diagnosis.” 

 

COVID-19 for the Long Haul is part of a series of continuing medical education events offered through Healthy State Alliance. The annual Healthy State Alliance Opioid Symposium will take place Oct. 16. Clinicians can register at https://bsmh.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_L1XcArB0ReKAhTDm-4z1Gw.

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Media Contacts:

 

Amy Colgan, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Amy.Colgan@osumc.edu

 

Carol Billingsley, Bon Secours Mercy Health, carol_billingsley@bshsi.org 

 

Healthy State Alliance, a strategic initiative between The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Bon Secours Mercy Health, is investing resources and providing tangible solutions to tackle Ohio’s most critical health needs. The alliance is committed to transforming the health of the communities served while making health care more affordable and accessible for all. 

 

Bon Secours Mercy Health is one of the 20 largest health systems in the United States and the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the country. The ministry’s quality, compassionate care is provided by more than 60,000 associates serving communities in Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia, as well as throughout Ireland. Bon Secours Mercy Health provided care for patients more than 11 million times in 2020 through its network of more than 1,000 care sites, which includes 50 hospitals, as well as home health agencies, hospice, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Consistent with its commitment to serve each patient with dignity, Bon Secours Mercy Health provides more than $2 million per day in community benefit. The Mission of Bon Secours Mercy Health is to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of its communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. For more information, visit https://bsmhealth.org/. 

 

One of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center offers health care services in virtually every specialty and subspecialty in medicine. Thousands of patients come to us each month for treatments and services they can’t find anywhere else. Providing access to health care information is central to our research, education and patient care mission. At Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, we’re dedicated to improving health in Ohio and across the world through innovation in research, education and patient care.