The Ohio Department of Insurance's mission is to provide consumer protection through education and fair but vigilant regulation while promoting a stable and competitive environment for insurers.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is responsible for developing and supervising the state’s public assistance, workforce development, unemployment compensation, child and adult protective services, adoption, child care and child support programs. ODJFS also is the single state agency responsible for the administration of Ohio’s Medicaid program.

The ombudsman acts as a problem-solving liaison between the agency and those affected by its rules and processes. For example, the ombudsman assists consumers who have gone through the agency’s consumer services process and are not satisfied with the outcome.

Ohio’s Advisory Council on Aging includes 12 governor-appointed members plus four from the legislature and directors of the state departments of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Health, and Job and Family Services. The advisory council reviews plans, budgets and issues that impact older Ohioans and advocates specific administrative and legislative actions. The council generally meets in person or by conference call on the fourth Tuesday in January, March, May, July, September and November.

The mission of the Department of Health is to protect and improve the health of all Ohioans by preventing disease, promoting good health, and ensuring access to quality health care.

The Office of Communications in the ODJFS informs and explains the agency’s programs, services, policies and related information to the news media and other interested parties. It also develops brochures, public service announcements, and other marketing materials to promote agency initiatives and inform the public about programs and services.

This program helps people eligible for Medicare who have limited income and assets get help in paying the cost of one or more of the following: Medicare premium(s); Medicare deductibles; and Medicare coinsurance. To qualify for MPAP, applicants must be eligible for Medicare and meet basic requirements. Applicants must provide proof of income, resources, age or disability, citizenship (if not a U.S. citizen), and other health insurance when applying for MPAP.

The Office of Public Affairs is responsible for the development of all ODH internal and external communication strategies. Its primary functions include media relations, public relations and marketing. The office leverages mass and social media channels to ensure that the general public has immediate access to critical public health information.

The Ohio Department of Aging is the designated State Unit on Aging, as required by the Federal Older Americans Act. The department is a cabinet-level state agency with a director appointed by the governor. It receives and administers funding from a variety of state and federal sources and oversees several programs. The Ohio Department of Aging serves more than 2 million older Ohioans.

Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) is a single-issue organization advocating for a universal, comprehensive single-payer national health program. PNHP has more than 18,000 members and chapters across the United States. Since 1987, it has advocated for reform in the U.S. health care system. It educates physicians and other health professionals about the benefits of a single-payer system, including fewer administrative costs and affordable health insurance for the 50 million Americans who have none.

Founded in 1975, Pro Seniors is a nonprofit organization that provides free legal and long-term care help to older adults. Pro Seniors offers Ohio residents ages 60 and older the advice and information they need to solve their legal, nursing home, adult care facility, and home health care problems. Pro Seniors is dedicated to helping older adults maintain their independence by empowering them, protecting their interests, and helping them access resources. Ohio contracts the federally funded Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program through Pro Seniors Inc.

AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that advocates for people ages 50 and older. Since 1958, AARP has lobbied for senior issues, including the passage of Medicare in 1965. AARP offers support from staffed offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Ohio Association of Senior Centers enhances the ability of Ohio's senior center network to effectively serve older adults by providing support. Through its many programs and events, it has been a successful and vital part of life's process.

The Ohio Coalition for Adult Protective Services is the membership organization for Ohio professionals involved in the fight against elder abuse. Members include Adult Protective Service (APS) practitioners, geriatric social workers, law enforcement personnel, elder law attorneys, legislators, academicians and other professionals. Membership is open to professionals and advocates interested in elder abuse issues. Members include those in both rural and metro areas of Ohio.

The mission of the Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice is to provide advocacy, information and education for home care and hospice providers so they may in turn better prepare their staff in serving thousands of Ohioans in their homes every day.

Ohio KePRO is the quality improvement organization (QIO) for Ohio. QIOs are private, mostly not-for-profit organizations, staffed by doctors and other health care professionals, who are trained to review medical care, to help beneficiaries with complaints about the quality of care and to implement improvements in the quality of care available throughout the spectrum of care. QIOs are required under Sections 1152-1154 of the Social Security Act. Ohio KePro is designed to protect the rights and improve the health of Ohio’s 1.8 million Medicare beneficiaries. The organization works with providers to improve the care they deliver in support of the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Quality Strategy to transform America’s health care system.

The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) were established under the Older Americans Act (OAA) Comprehensive Services Amendments in 1973 to respond to the needs of Americans 60 and older in every local community. The amendments added a new Title V, which authorized grants to local community agencies in every state. The AAAs provide a range of options that allow older adults to choose the home- and community-based services and living arrangements that suit them best. In Ohio, the offices are administered through a nonprofit organization, the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging.

The long-term care ombudsman advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The office resolves complaints and educates seniors and long-term care providers about their rights and good care practices. The ombudsman also provides information to the public on nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and services, residents' rights and legislative and policy issues. In 1978, an amendment to the federal Older Americans Act required every state to have an ombudsman program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long-term care system. The ombudsman program is administered by the Administration on Aging (AoA).

OSHIIP is funded by a federal grant and by the state of Ohio. The program is part of the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), a national program that offers counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and to their families. Coordinators provide counseling on Medicare benefits, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D), Social Security, Medicaid and veterans' benefits. SHIP, formerly the Information, Counseling and Assistance (ICA) grants program, was created under section 4360 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. This act authorized the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to make grants to states for health advisory services programs for people with Medicare. The Ohio Department of Insurance in Columbus administers the program, which started in 1992. OSHIIP also administers volunteers and information sites in local communities, hosts a speaker’s bureau, and provides free and easy-to-read literature — including Ohio shoppers’ guides.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program helps Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries avoid, detect and prevent health care fraud. The goal is to protect older people and to preserve the integrity of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The federal program was created in 1996 by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and amended in 2006 by Titles II and IV of the Older Americans Act.

David Blom is president and CEO of OhioHealth, a nonprofit, faith-based health system in Columbus. He joined the health system in 1983. He was named CEO and president in March 2002. Blom holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in health care administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Steven Gabbe joined The Ohio State University in July 2008 as senior vice president for health sciences and CEO of The Ohio State University Medical Center. Gabbe chaired the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Ohio State from 1987 to 1996. He is associate editor of the “American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.”

Thomas J. Strauss, president and CEO of Summa Hospital, joined the Summa Health System in 1999. Previously, he was president of Meridia Health Services in Cleveland. Strauss, a pharmacist by trade, earned his doctor of pharmacy from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Penn.

Donald S. Sheldon was appointed president and CEO of EMH Regional Healthcare System in April 2009 after serving as its interim chief operating officer. Previously, Sheldon served as vice president of medical affairs for the health care system since 1998.

W. Brian Gibler was appointed president and CEO of University Hospital in September 2010 after serving as professor of emergency medicine and chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine since 1995. Gibler holds a medical degree from the Vanderbilt University Medical School.

Thomas F. Zenty III has served as CEO of University Hospitals since March 2003, after serving as executive vice president for clinical care services and chief operating officer at Cedars-Sinai Health System in Los Angeles. Zenty holds a bachelor’s degree in health planning and administration from Pennsylvania State University, a master’s degree in public administration from New York University, and a master’s degree in health administration from Xavier University.

John Prout is president and CEO of TriHealth, an integrated health system that encompasses the Good Samaritan Hospital. Prout also serves as chairman of the Uptown Consortium and the local chapter of the American Heart Association. Prout holds a master’s degree in Health Care Administration from Washington University in St. Louis.

Mark Shaker was named president and CEO of the Good Samaritan Hospital in June 2008 after serving as the facility’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. Previously, he spent 14 years at Miami Valley Hospital in various management positions. He served five years as the president and CEO of Fidelity HealthCare. Shaker holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in health administration from Washington University.

Fred Manchur has been president and CEO of the Kettering Health Network (KHN), which includes seven hospitals and 60 satellite health centers and joint ventures, since December 2010. Previously, he worked as president of Kettering and Sycamore Medical Centers and as KHN executive vice president and president.

Robert Shroder joined Humility of Mary Health Partners in January 1997 as administrator and chief operating officer of the region’s St. Joseph Health Center. Previously, he was the chief operating officer at Barberton Citizens Hospital in Barberton, Ohio. Shroder holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a master’s degree in hospital and health administration.

Robert Shroder joined Humility of Mary Health Partners in January 1997 as administrator and chief operating officer of the region’s St. Joseph Health Center. Previously, he was the chief operating officer at Barberton Citizens Hospital in Barberton, Ohio. Shroder holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a master’s degree in hospital and health administration.

Vincent J. McCorkle became Akron General Medical Center’s president and CEO in July 2010 after serving as CEO of Sisters of Providence Health System in Springfield, Mass. McCorkle received his bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and an MBA from Widener University in Chester, Penn.

Bobbie Gerhart has been president and CEO of Miami Valley Hospital since January 2011. He previously served as the hospital’s chief operating officer. He’s been in the Premier Health Partners, which oversees the hospital, for 31 years. He holds an associate degree in nursing from Sinclair Community College, a bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s College in Maine, and a master’s degree in health care administration from Kennedy Western University in Wyoming.

Imran A. Andrabi was appointed president and CEO of the northern Ohio medical center in December 2008. Previously, Andrabi served as chief academic officer for Mercy Health Partners, chief operating officer for St. Charles, and senior vice president of operational transformation at St. Vincent’s. Andrabi graduated in 1990 from King Edward Medical College in Lahore, Pakistan. He is a diplomat on the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Managed Care Medicine.

Imran A. Andrabi was appointed president and CEO of the northern Ohio medical center in December 2008. Previously, Andrabi served as chief academic officer for Mercy Health Partners, chief operating officer for St. Charles, and senior vice president of operational transformation at St. Vincent’s. Andrabi graduated in 1990 from King Edward Medical College in Lahore, Pakistan. He is a diplomat on the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Managed Care Medicine.