September 9, 2021
ROOTSTOWN, OHIO– Northeast Ohio Medical University, which has been conducting a multiphase rollout of its new clinical services, has engaged The Ohio State University to provide systems support and administrative services for Clinical Initiatives, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEOMED.
With plans to offer clinical services to the public in the months ahead, NEOMED physicians, nurses and pharmacists will be providing care to the community within its own facilities. Ohio State University Physicians, Inc. (OSUP), which offers a range of professional and consulting services to health care professional organizations, will provide support and services for billing and collections, regulatory compliance and credentialing, coding, scheduling and electronic medical records (EMR), allowing NEOMED clinicians to focus on patient care.
Both Ohio State and NEOMED see the alignment as a natural fit for two state universities to bring positive change to health equity through their affiliates ― OSUP Community Outreach, LLC, and Clinical Initiatives, Inc.
“NEOMED has been a critical part of health care in Northeast Ohio for nearly 50 years, creating outstanding physicians and pharmacists who delivery expert care to patients and lead Ohio’s hospitals, pharmacies and clinics,” said Dr. John T. Langell, president of Northeast Ohio Medical University. “We’ve made a tremendous impact in harnessing diversity, innovation and collaboration to create transformative health care leaders. And we have set the gold standard for improving health through education, discovery and service as part of the world class medical ecosystem in Northeast Ohio.
“It is time for us to serve the community through the delivery of high quality, individualized care using a cutting-edge approach focused on the whole patient, integrating primary care delivery with the patient’s behavioral health and social needs. In close association with our hospital partners, we are scaling our capabilities through collaboration with state entities and others to increase access to affordable care now.”
NEOMED currently offers the award-winning Student-Run Free Clinic at NEOMED which provides care to the uninsured and underinsured. The University also provides student health services and it will be adding primary care soon. Other health services ― mental health, substance use ― will follow in the near future.
Finding a suitor that offers system support for a practice plan requires a particular kind of alignment, especially given NEOMED’s plans for clinical service expansion.
“As a land grant institution, we feel it is our mission to help others, and being a facilitator for the growth of NEOMED was the right thing to do,” said Dr. L. Arick Forrest, president of OSUP. “NEOMED and Ohio State have aligned missions and values. Both institutions are dedicated to serving our communities and addressing health disparities, as well as educating the future heath care workforce that is collaborative and team based. OSUP has developed a robust and comprehensive infrastructure to provide all the services necessary to run an efficient medical practice. To be able to provide our services to help others is a natural extension and leverages our vast experience and competency.”
Students currently enrolled at NEOMED will also benefit from having access to clinical services on campus for training and experiential work.
“Through our partnerships with over 100 hospitals and pharmacies, our students have access to the nation’s best health facilities and professionals for their clinical training. These experiences provide our students with the mentorship and training needed to become transformational leaders,” adds Dr. Langell. “But it will be wonderful to have such opportunities right on campus as well. The collaboration with OSUP allows us to accelerate the opening of our clinical programs and to have our clinicians focus on what matters most, taking care of patients.”
About NEOMED
Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) harnesses diversity, innovation and collaboration to create transformative leaders and improve health through education, discovery and service. The University values leadership, excellence, advocacy, diversity, equity and respect and offers Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degrees, in addition to master’s and doctoral degrees and research opportunities in other medical and life science areas. www.neomed.edu.
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Media Contact: Serena Smith, Wexner Medical Center Media Relations, serena.smith@osumc.edu, 614-293-3737
Media Contact: Roderick Ingram, Northeast Ohio Medical University, ringram@neomed.edu, 330-325-6673