Our History During the founding meeting in August 1915, Ohio hospital leaders examined the effects of the Harrison Narcotic Act, a federal statute that became effective the year before. The Act required hospitals to keep records of opium and coca leaf compounds given to patients, register the drugs with the federal government and pay taxes accordingly. OHA developed the logistical and accounting tools hospitals used to comply with the Act. Since its founding, OHA has represented hospitals’ common interests, crafted health care policies, secured reimbursement for patient care, implemented patient safety and quality improvement initiatives, offered workforce staffing solutions, implemented an unemployment payroll tax program, championed energy efficiency and environmental programs, offered educational events for health care workers and served as the united voice for Ohio’s hospitals and health systems.
Centennial Celebration OHA celebrated the 100th anniversary of our founding in 2015 by collecting stories and images of the history of our member hospitals. Check out the video.
Learn more about Ohio Hospital History Can you name the first hospital in Ohio? Hint, the doors opened in 1823 in Cincinnati. Read more here about the history of Ohio's hospital community and learn about many firsts achieved by the medical professionals in Ohio.