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.

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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In one of the first showdowns during midweek MACtion this season, Ball State and Miami (Ohio) will be vying for one of the top spots in the conference standings.

Miami (Ohio) has certainly had an interesting journey up to this point. Going into the year as a preseason favorite to win the MAC, the RedHawks lost their first three games, all against Power Four competition. But they have won four of their last five since then and are in a tie for second place in the conference standings with a 3-1 mark against league foes.

But they’ll want to continue this upward trajectory if they want to still have a shot at defending their conference crown, and going on the road this week to take on Ball State won’t be easy. The Cardinals are 3-5 overall and 2-2 in MAC play, so they still have an opportunity to appear in the league title game or at the very least earn a bowl bid.

Miami (Ohio) vs. Ball State Betting Odds

Miami (Ohio) is a -11.5 college football betting odds favorite against Ball State, with the Over/Under being 48.5.

The moneyline for Miami (Ohio) is -500, while it’s +360 for Ball State.

Miami (Ohio) vs. Ball State On TV

The matchup between Miami (Ohio) and Ball State will be televised on ESPN.

The game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The contest is taking place at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.

Miami (Ohio) vs. Ball State Prediction

I predict Miami (Ohio) will win but Ball State will cover the spread at +11.5. I also project the game will go Over 48.5 total points.

Listen, I don’t think Ball State is a bad team at all. The Cardinals have been in close contests all season. Except for their losses against the Miami Hurricanes and JMU, they’ve either lost by 10 or fewer points or have won. That includes their 24-14 loss at Vanderbilt a few weeks ago. They most recently beat Northern Illinois 25-23.

But I ultimately believe Miami (Ohio) is well equipped to make another run at a MAC Championship. The RedHawks have been scoring at a high clip recently, having put up 30 or more points in each of their last three games. They’re coming off a 46-7 win over Central Michigan.

I think Ball State will find a way to keep this game close at home. But I also believe Miami will put up too many points for the Cardinals to keep up.

On Election Day, you must cast your ballot in your precinct at your designated polling place between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

If you are in line by 7:30 p.m., even if the polls close, stay in line, you can still cast your ballot.

If you do not know where your designated precinct or polling place is located, please contact your county board of elections or click here to search for your polling place online.

Voter ID

All voters will need to bring an acceptable photo identification to the poll in order to verify their identity. Click here for a list of acceptable forms of identification.

Absentee ballots

Absentee ballots returned by mail must be post-marked by Nov. 4.

If not returned by mail, absentee ballots may be personally delivered to your county board of elections. They must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5

Nonpartisan voter helpline

If you have any questions or concerns about voting, or poll worker challenges to your voting status and registration, a nonpartisan helpline has been created.

Call or text 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) to speak with a trained Election Protection volunteer in English.

The hotline also comes in different languages

Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)

Asian languages: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)

Arabic: 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)

Marking your ballot

Instructions for marking and casting your ballot are posted in each polling place. If you have any questions about how to mark or cast your ballot, or if you have incorrectly marked a ballot, immediately contact a precinct election official for instructions before you continue.

Voting assistance

A voter with a physical or mental disability, or a voter who is unable to read or write, may be assisted by anyone of the voter’s choice, except a candidate who appears on the ballot in that precinct, the voter’s employer or the employer’s agent, or an officer or agent of the voter’s union. A voter may also be assisted by two poll workers (each of a different political party). No one who assists a voter may disclose any information about how that person voted. For more information about access for voters with disabilities, please click here.