OHA Staff

The OHA Staff Directory is intended to help you become acquainted with the OHA team.

Find an associate alphabetically by last name:

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N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V   W   X  Y  Z

Also please find a separate list of who to call at OHA, arranged alphabetically by subject.

OHA staff can be reached at:
Ohio Hospital Association
155 E. Broad St., Floor 15
Columbus, OH 43215
614.221.7614
614.221.4771 (fax)
www.ohanet.org

Valerie Adams
Executive Assistant, Federal Policy
Ext. 130
vala@ohanet.org
As an executive assistant to Berna Bell, Jonathan Archey, Charles Cataline, Ryan Biles and John Callender in OHA’s policy department, Valerie prepares HMO annual financial statements and researches government Web sites for health care-related articles, studies, reports, testimonials and publications. This information allows OHA state and federal team staff members to monitor various health-related issues that may impact Ohio hospitals and health care industries. Valerie joined the OHA staff in 1990. She is from Worcester, Mass., and has studied at Columbus State University and PSI Computer Science Institute.

Dorothy Aldridge
Project and Database Manager
Ext. 162
dorothya@ohanet.org
Dorothy manages corporate information and data services in support of business units, to include accumulating, understanding and leveraging information for the benefit of OHA and OHA Solutions as well as their clients and business partners. She also directs, evaluates, develops, reviews and manages databases from hospitals participating in the OHA statewide clinical/financial database. Included in this role is the development, implementation and oversight of database policies and procedures to ensure the integrity and availability of these databases and their accompanying software. Dorothy joined the OHA staff in 1995. Her hometown is London, Ohio.

Paula Almendinger
Manager, Personal Membership Groups
Ext. 148
paulaa@ohanet.org
As a manager in Membership Organizations, Paula works with all OHA professional affiliated societies. Paula also serves as the OHA representative to the Hospital Volunteer Services Organization and graphically designs society newsletters and publications for OHA's Center for Education. Paula’s hometown is Columbus, Ohio, and she been part of the OHA team since 1970.

Jonathan Archey
Director, Federal Relations
Ext. 161
jonathana@ohanet.org
Jonathan serves as OHA’s federal lobbyist and helps keep hospital advocates apprised of the changing winds of federal health care legislation. Managing OHA’s interaction with Ohio’s Congressional delegation, he coordinates grassroots advocacy and representation efforts on federal issues and is a liaison between member hospitals and national health care organizations. Jonathan also coordinates the efforts of the OHA’s Council of Teaching Hospitals. Prior to joining the OHA team in 2000, Jonathan served as a legislative aide in the Ohio House of Representatives and as a public policy intern in the Parliament of Ireland. Originally from Delaware, Ohio, Jonathan holds a degree in political science from Wittenberg University.

Amy Bangert
Manager of Workforce Initiatives, OHA Solutions
Ext. 120
amyb@ohanet.org
Amy coordinates education and training programs about OHA Solutions' Staffing Program and OHHealthJobs.net for participating member hospitals and contracted agencies. Originally from Grove City, Ohio, Amy received her bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Cincinnati and attained a PHR (Professional in Human Resources) certification in May of 2002. She is currently a member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM). Prior to joining OHA in 2006, Amy was employed for six years in the human resources department of the Ohio attorney general and the state auditor’s office.

Berna Bell
Director, Federal Policy
Ext. 179
bernab@ohanet.org
Berna develops advocacy and economic reports on HMOs, Medicare, Medicaid, national health expenditures and Ohio Hospital Financial Performance, and works with state agencies on Medicaid and behavioral health policy. A member of the OHA staff since 1996, Berna is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Originally from Columbus, she has a bachelor’s degree in government from Smith College and a master’s degree in business administration from the Ohio State University Fisher College of Business.

Ryan Biles
Director, Health Policy
Ext. 160
ryanb@ohanet.org
Ryan works with the OHA Board of Trustees and Ohio legislature on the Hospital Care Assurance Program as well as other Medicaid and budget issues. Ryan joined the OHA team in 2001 and previously served as a health policy analyst with the association. He graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in economics and history and is originally from Tampa, Fla.

Julie Browning
Executive Assistant, Quality Institute
Ext. 106
julieb@ohanet.org
As an executive assistant to David Engler, Rosalie Weakland, Mary Drake, Virginia Swan and Chanda Dicke in OHA’s Quality Institute, Julie maintains and updates contact lists for all OHA quality collaboratives and related committees and task forces. She also assists with preparation of reports for OHA's quality collaboratives and prepares data file CDs for member hospitals. Julie joined OHA in 2008 after previous experience with Nationwide Financial, Deloitte & Touche and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Originally from Grove City, Ohio, Julie has attended Columbus State.

John Callender
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Ext. 134
johnc@ohanet.org
John oversees OHA's activities for all fiscal matters affecting Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance, federal relations with Congress and the executive branch, Hospital Care Assurance, OHA's Data Services Program, OHA's Center for Education and financial operations. He is also responsible for the finance objective of the OHA Strategic Direction. He serves as chair of the Ohio Hospital Capital and OHA Solutions and chair of the Ohio Health Council. He is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and the American Society of Association Executives. Prior to joining OHA's staff in 1980, John worked at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for 10 years. John’s hometown is St. Joseph, Mich., and he is a graduate of Michigan State University

James Castle
President and Chief Executive Officer
Ext. 108
jimc@ohanet.org
As president of OHA since 1989, Jim regularly travels across the state speaking to community and business groups about issues of importance to Ohio hospitals and the communities they serve. A native of Ludington, Mich., Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Michigan’s School of Business Administration and a master’s degree in labor and industrial relations from Michigan State University. In January 1999, Jim was appointed an American Hospital Association commissioner to the Joint Commission’s Board of Commissioners. He is also an ex-oficio member of the OHA Board of Trustees. Jim belongs to the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Ohio and American Societies of Association Executives. Before joining OHA, Jim served as president of the Maine Hospital Association for four years and worked for 15 years with the Michigan Hospital Association.

Charles Cataline
Senior Director, Health Policy
Ext. 173
charlesc@ohanet.org
As part of the federal policy staff, Charles is responsible for Medicare, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation policy and reimbursement, Medicaid reimbursement and all finance, admitting and patient financial services policies and procedures. He is also involved with other health care organizations such as the Outpatient Medicare Technical Advisory Group, the Editorial Advisor Board for the American Hospital Association’s Coding Clinic for HCPCS and the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Prior to joining OHA's staff in 1980, Charles was the business office manager at Mount Carmel East and held financial service jobs with Mount Carmel Medical Center. Charles is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from the Ohio State University.

Stacey Conrad
Grants Manager, Foundation for Healthy Communities
Ext. 131
staceyc@ohanet.org
Stacey coordinates grant cycle activities and manages interim and annual reporting for OHA's Foundation for Healthy Communities. She is responsible for both the foundation's grants as well as those administered for other agencies. An OHA associate since 1997, Stacey earned her associate of applied business degree from Bradford School and her bachelor’s degree in business administration at Otterbein College. Originally from Johnstown, Ohio, Stacey worked at Huntington Bank before joining OHA's staff.

Sharon Corkrean
Administrative Assistant
Ext. 155
sharonc@ohanet.org
Sharon assists the administration department, including President and CEO Jim Castle and his assistant Mary Woodring, and Chris Weyand and Erin Reimer in OHA's accounting department. A native of Ontario, Ohio, Sharon has a wealth of experience as an administrative assistant, specifically having been employed by WD Partners and working as office manager at the Columbus Guardian newspaper and at WWCD 101.1 FM Radio Station. Sharon joined OHA’s staff in 2008.

David Engler
Vice President, Quality Institute
Ext. 152
davide@ohanet.org
David is the vice president of quality institute and the liaison to the Ohio Patient Safety Institute. David has a bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University, a master’s degree in preventative medicine and a Ph.D. in economics from the Ohio State University. Before joining OHA in 1981, David taught epidemiology and biostatistics at the Ohio State University’s dental school. David is from the South Bronx, N.Y.  

Nancy Engbers Falk
Associate General Counsel
Ext. 125
nancyf@ohanet.org
Nancy assists OHA and its members on health policy and legal issues, with an emphasis on labor and employment law. Originally from Grand Rapids, Mich., Nancy earned her bachelor’s degree in English, with honors, and her juris doctor from the University of Michigan, where she also served as associate editor for the Journal of Law Reform. Prior to joining OHA in 2005, Nancy served as an attorney with the Columbus law offices of Baker & Hostetler and Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur. 

Stephen Flaherty
Manager, Quality Initiatives
Ext. 163
Steve works with David Engler and Rosalie Weakland on the collaborative across the state and on the issue of transparency in reporting. Prior to joining OHA in 2009, he previously worked as a research assistant at MIT’s Whitehead Institute, University of North Carolina (UNC) Hospitals and Columbia University, and as a research associate at Harvard Medical School and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Steve earned his BSc in biochemistry from Union College and his MPH in Public Health Leadership from UNC Chapel Hill. He is originally from Weymouth, Massachusetts.
 

R. Reed Fraley
Senior Vice President
Ext. 186
reedf@ohanet.org
Reed works to enhance OHA’s relationships with the various health systems throughout Ohio and develop programming for hospital trustees. Prior to joining the OHA staff in 2004, Reed served as vice president for health services and CEO of the Ohio State University (OSU) Health System. He has also held the position of executive director of the Ohio State University Hospitals. In addition, Reed is a previous chair of the OHA Board of Trustees and of the University HealthSystem Consortium Board of Trustees. He is the treasurer for the Access Health Columbus Board and is a member of the OSU Self-Insurance Board. He also serves as chairman of the board for University OptionCare , LLC. Reed earned his master of science in health services administration at the Ohio State University and his bachelor of science in engineering from the U.S. Military Academy (West Point, NY). Reed is originally from Tiffin, Ohio.

Rick Frank
Director, Policy and Advocacy
Ext. 136
rickf@ohanet.org
Rick works with Bridget Gargan and Charlie Solley and lobbies the general assembly and the executive branch for OHA. He has 17 years of experience working in state government and public service. He previously served as director of government affairs for the state auditor, assistant director and legislative liaison for the Ohio Department of Administrative Services and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and senior executive assistant for the Ohio Department of Health. He also worked for Governor George Voinovich's office. A native of Rocky River, Ohio, Rick earned his bachelor's degree from Purdue University in political science and history.

Mary Gallagher
Senior Vice President, Chief of Staff
Ext. 142
maryg@ohanet.org
Mary coordinates legal issues, litigation activities and health policy for OHA and its members. She is also a member of the American Health Lawyers Association and the American, Ohio and Columbus Bar Associations as well as several community and charitable causes. Mary also serves as OHA's chief of staff. An OHA associate since 1997, Mary earned her bachelor’s degree in English, cum laude with honors, and her juris doctor from the Ohio State University. Her hometown is Columbus, Ohio.

Bridget Gargan
Vice President,  State Policy and Advocacy
Ext. 126
bridgetg@ohanet.org
Bridget is responsible for state level advocacy and representation with the legislative and executive branches. She joined the OHA team in 1992 after working with the Ohio House of Representatives and at Prentice Hall, Inc. A native of Kent, Ohio, Bridget graduated cum laude from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in rhetoric and communications and political science.

David Grunwell
Manager, Distance Education
Ext. 104
davidg@ohanet.org
David works with the Member Development team. He oversees audio and video production of curriculum, seminars and special events for DVD and Web delivery. Before joining OHA in 2007, David worked for Franklin Computer Consulting Group as a designer, Web site, marketing and IT consultant. David also spent nine years working in educational television. He earned an associate’s degree from Delta College in Michigan and a bachelor of arts from Saginaw Valley State University. He studied film and video at the University of Michigan and received accreditation for his participation in an immersion program while studying abroad in Denmark. David’s hometown is Saginaw, Mich.

Tiffany Himmelreich
Manager, Media and Public Relations
Ext. 128
tiffanyh@ohanet.org
Tiffany is responsible for media relations and also works closely with hospital public relations professionals throughout the state. She also oversees content and design for all Web sites managed by OHA. Tiffany manages the annual OHA Recognition Dinner and the OHA awards. Tiffany joined the OHA team in 1999 after earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University. She is originally from Columbus, Ohio. 

Ellen Hughes
Project Coordinator, Solutions for Patient Safety
Ext. 137
ellenh@ohanet.org
Ellen's responsibilities include working on blood stream infection and MRSA improvement projects with David Engler and Rosalie Weakland. Before coming to OHA, she worked as the senior risk management consultant for Risk Management Solutions in Columbus. Ellen previously worked with as the Northeast regional manager for the Doctors Company and as director of risk management and patient safety for Kaiser Permanente of Southern California. Ellen attended New Mexico State University and the Providence Hospital College of Nursing, and is originally from Ashland, Ohio.

Carol Jacobson
Director, Emergency Management
Ext. 184
carolj@ohanet.org
Serving as both a consultant and an advisor, Carol is responsible for emergency preparedness in hospitals and health care delivery systems throughout Ohio. She is instrumental in the coordination and education of these organizations regarding mass casualty preparedness. A native of Mountoursville, Pa., Carol joined the OHA staff in 2002 after serving as hospital director of safety at the Ohio State University Health System, formerly known as OSU Medical Center.

Paula King
Mailing Services Coordinator
Ext. 165
paulak@ohanet.org
Paula purchases and maintains an inventory of all OHA office supplies and coordinates catering services. She is responsible for the education department program mailings and all other mailing generated by OHA. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Paula joined the OHA team in 1978.