Ohio
Ohio hospitals are hiring, with a range of career opportunities: Mike Abrams
COLUMBUS, Ohio — As summer recently gave way to fall, hundreds of thousands of Ohio students settled into their high school and college routines. These students now face crucial job and career decisions that will not only shape their futures, but the future of Ohio’s workforce.
Their choices could help remedy one of the biggest issues facing Ohio hospitals – the need for more workers at all levels across a variety of fields. Today, there are nearly 32,000 nursing jobs posted on OhioMeansJobs.com – and that’s just one position of need.
Local hospitals offer significant employment opportunities: Six of Ohio’s largest 12 employers are hospitals or health systems, and two of them – Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals – are right here in Cleveland. Also in Cleveland is the MetroHealth System, the 36th largest employer in Ohio. Across the state, hospitals employ more than 430,000 Ohioans.
Experts predict the need for health care workers to snowball. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a national shortage of 86,000 physicians by 2036. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis forecasts that by 2030, 42 states will experience nursing shortages.
What’s driving the shortages? Chief factors include an aging population (10,000 Americans turn 65 every day), an aging (and retiring) health care workforce and the workforce dynamics challenging most sectors of the economy.
The reasons to begin a career in health care are plentiful: potential for greater job stability; the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your community; and, in many cases, the chance to literally save lives. Competitive compensation, benefits, flexible work options, diverse career paths and growth opportunities are other reasons to consider careers in hospitals.
Doctors and nurses aren’t the only hospital job opportunities. Roles like respiratory therapy, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and clinical laboratory technologists are among the most in-demand health care jobs in 2024.
In fact, many potential positions at hospitals don’t require a four-year degree or clinical expertise. Hospitals need information technology professionals, billing specialists, service workers and many other team members without a health care background. The ever-growing implementation of artificial intelligence, robotic technology and digital health is allowing hospitals to provide care more effectively and efficiently. Expanding service delivery in telemedicine, outpatient and at-home health services, as well as behavioral and preventative health care services, only provides more career options.
Local hospitals offer innovative job solutions to young people: Fortunately, Ohio hospitals – and the three Cleveland systems – are doing their part to provide young people an early pipeline and earn-while-you-learn opportunities.
The Cleveland Clinic recently secured a $13 million grant to fund the expansion of the Howley Aspire Pathways program, designed to give students medical career experience and diversify the health care workforce. University Hospitals recently expanded its UH Future Nurse Academy to provide increased opportunity for high school students to be exposed to nursing careers. In May, the MetroHealth System School Health Program invited local students to help develop projects that addressed food insecurity in the community.
Cleveland’s health systems have also collaborated to develop workforce initiatives, including the Workforce Connect Healthcare Sector partnership, which introduced a new training program aimed at connecting Cuyahoga County residents with job opportunities.
Mike Abrams is the president and CEO of the Ohio Hospital Association.
Ohio hospitals are the backbone of their communities, providing around-the-clock care. As students consider their future career paths, now is a great time to consider the rewarding, essential and opportunity-rich careers that Ohio hospitals offer.
The Ohio Hospital Association encourages students interested in a health care career to explore their options by getting involved in local programs, talking to school counselors or reaching out to hospitals in their area. Visit OHA’s member hospital directory to find Ohio hospitals near you.
Mike Abrams is president and CEO of the Ohio Hospital Association.
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Ohio
Ohio Goes to the Movies announces lineup for free, yearlong statewide film festival
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ohio Goes to the Movies, the statewide film festival launching in February, is coming into focus. Organizers have released the initial schedule for the nearly yearlong event. Part of the state’s America 250 celebration, it will bring more than 280 screenings to all 88 counties. Each film is tied to the Buckeye State in some way, and all screenings are free.
“Ohio has played a significant role in the history of American film and continues to attract talent, productions and storytelling that resonate around the world,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “Ohio Goes to the Movies ensures that residents in every community can participate in the America 250 celebration and rediscover the films that connect us.”
From classic movies starring or made by Ohioans to Hollywood blockbusters shot in downtown Cleveland, the lineup highlights the depth of the state’s influence on the film industry. The festival is also meant to encourage movie fans to explore the state by attending screenings all over Ohio.
Here’s a list of events planned for Northeast Ohio’s seven-county region.
CUYAHOGA COUNTY
“Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” Feb. 12. Phoenix Theatres Great Northern Mall.
“Major League.” March 1. Cinemark Strongsville at SouthPark Mall.
“Draft Day.” March 1. Cinemark Valley View.
“Welcome to Collinwood.” March 12. Cleveland History Center.
“Major League.” April 5. Capitol Theatre.
“Cool Hand Luke.” April 12. Cedar Lee Theatre.
“Draft Day.” April 23. Atlas Cinemas at Shaker Square.
“Toy Story 2.” June 24. Chagrin Documentary Film Festival HQ.
“The Scarlet Letter.” July 11. Cleveland Silent Film Festival at Cleveland Public Library.
“Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” July 11. Great Lakes Science Center.
“More Than a Game.” Sept. 11. AMC Ridge Park Square.
“Superman.” Sept. 18. AMC Westwood Town Center.
“Passing Through.” Sept. 19. Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque.
“Kill the Irishman.” Oct. 6. Atlas Cinemas Lakeshore.
GEAUGA COUNTY
“A Christmas Story.” June 11. Mayfield Road Drive-In Theatre.
LAKE COUNTY
“White Boy Rick.” March 11. Regal Willoughby Commons.
“Superman.” April 8. Atlas Cinemas Great Lakes Stadium.
“Air Force One.” July 7. Atlas Cinemas Diamond Center.
LORAIN COUNTY
“The Princess Bride.” April 22. Apollo Theatre.
“The Hunger Games.” Sept. 18. Regal Cobblestone Square.
MEDINA COUNTY
“Major League.” March 7. Hickory Ridge Cinema.
“Draft Day.” Sept. 12. Regal Medina.
PORTAGE COUNTY
“Unstoppable.” Feb. 22. Atlas Cinemas Barrington.
“Dog Man.” March 8. The Kent Stage.
“The Philadelphia Story.” March 19. Kent State University Museum.
“A Christmas Story.” June 10. Midway Twin Drive-In Theatre.
SUMMIT COUNTY
“The Big Short.” Feb. 21. Regal Hudson.
“The Avengers.” April 12. Akron Civic Theatre.
“Howard the Duck.” May 21. The Nightlight Cinema.
“Down by Law.” June 13. Akron–Summit County Public Library Main.
For a complete guide, go to ohiogoestothemovies.org.
Ohio
Multiple homes destroyed by fire in Meigs County, Ohio
POMEROY, Ohio (WCHS) — A fire destroyed one home and damaged two others Wednesday evening, but then rekindled early Thursday morning and destroyed another home, police said.
The fire was first reported just after 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday night in the 300 block of Wetzgall Street in Pomeroy, according to a press release from the Pomeroy Police Department.
According to police, the fire spread to the two homes on either side of the original home on fire. Firefighters contained the fire and saved the two surrounding homes, but the home that first caught fire was deemed a total loss.
Then, just after 3 a.m. on Thursday morning, the fire rekindled and spread to one of the other homes, resulting in a total loss of that home as well, police said.
Pomeroy police said both homes were occupied at the time of the fires, but all occupants of each home were able to exit their homes safely. Police also said that there were no reported injuries, though both families lost everything they owned due to the total losses of the homes.
The cause of the fire has not been determined, and the incident is still under active investigation by the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office, according to police.
Ohio
DOE aims to end Biden student loan repayment plan. What it means for Ohio
What we know about student loans and the Education Department
Will Education Department restructuring affect your student loans? Here’s what we know know.
Student loan borrowers under the Biden-era student loan repayment plan, Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), may soon have to select a new repayment plan after the U.S. Department of Education agreed to a measure to permanently end the program.
A proposed joint settlement agreement announced Tuesday between the DOE and the State of Missouri seeks to end what officials call the “illegal” SAVE program, impacting more than seven million SAVE borrowers who would have to enroll in another program. The settlement must be approved by the court before it can be implemented.
Ohio borrowers carry some of the nation’s highest student loan debt. Here’s how the proposed change could affect them.
What is the SAVE plan?
Originally known as REPAYE, the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan was created to deliver the lowest monthly payments among income-driven repayment programs. Under the Biden administration, it became the most affordable option for borrowers.
According to USA TODAY, the SAVE plan was part of Biden’s push to deliver nearly $200 billion in student loan relief to more than 5 million Americans. It wiped out $5.5 billion in debt for nearly half a million borrowers and cut many monthly payments down to $0.
But officials in President Donald Trump’s administration claim the Biden plan was illegal.
Why does the Department of Education want to end the SAVE plan?
The DOE says the SAVE plan aimed to provide mass forgiveness without congressional approval, costing taxpayers $342 billion over 10 years. In a press release, the Department said the administration promised unrealistically low payments and quick forgiveness without legal authority.
“The Trump administration is righting this wrong and bringing an end to this deceptive scheme,” Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent said in a release. “Thanks to the State of Missouri and other states fighting against this egregious federal overreach, American taxpayers can now rest assured they will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for illegal and irresponsible student loan policies.”
If the agreement is approved by the court, no new borrowers will be able to enroll in the SAVE plan. The agency says it will deny any pending applications and move all SAVE borrowers back into other repayment plans.
Borrowers currently enrolled in the SAVE Plan would have a limited time to select a new repayment plan and begin repaying their student loans.
The DOE adds that it is working on the loan repayment provisions of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, which created a new Income-Driven Repayment plan called the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), that will be available to borrowers by July 1, 2026.
How many people in Ohio have student loan debt?
Numbers from the Education Data Initiative show that there are about 1.7 million student loan borrowers in Ohio, carrying over $60 billion in debt. The average student loan debt is approximately $35,072.
Ohio also ranks No. 10 among the states with the most student debt, according to personal finance site WalletHub.
How much money does Ohio get from the Department of Education?
The DOE budget for Ohio for fiscal year 2025 is estimated to be more than $5.65 billion, The Columbus Dispatch previously reported.
President Trump announced his intentions to eliminate the Department of Education earlier this year, meaning that Ohio could lose more than $5 billion in annual funding.
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