Advocacy Awards feature image OHA 2019 Advocacy Award honorees Tim Teynor (Aultman Health Foundation) and Dan Bucci (University Hospitals) at the OHA Advocacy Luncheon. Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, MD, and OHA President and CEO Mike Abrams join honorees during OHA's 2019 Annual Meeting Advocacy Luncheon.

Advocacy Awards

The OHA Advocacy Awards honor those individuals, organizations or groups who make exemplary contributions to the health and well-being Ohioans through their leadership in the political or policy arenas.

OHA presents the awards at the OHA Advocacy Luncheon during the association's annual meeting.

Leadership Through Advocacy Award

The OHA Leadership Through Advocacy Award recognizes a person or hospital that has demonstrated consistent dedication in carrying hospitals' advocacy messages to lawmakers and forging positive working relationships with elected officials.

  • 2018: Jean Halpin, RN, president, OhioHealth Mansfield and Shelby Hospitals

  • 2015: Tim Colburn, MBA, FACHE, president and CEO, Berger Health System and Ray Chorey, president and CEO, Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center

  • 2014: Jon Allison, partner, Carpenter Lipps & Leland LLP and Virgina "Ginni" Ragan, advocate, Eldercare

  • 2013: John Corlett, vice president, Government Relations, MetroHealth

  • 2011: Phil Ennen, president and CEO, Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers

  • 2010: Tom Breitenbach, CEO, Premier Health Partners; Julie Liss-Katz, director of Public Affairs, Premier Health Partners; and Pat Martin, FACHE, president, Fisher-Titus Medical Center

  • 2009: OHA Maternity Licensure Task Force

  • 2008: Ohio Organization for Nurse Executives

  • 2007: University Hospitals

Friends of Ohio Hospitals Most Valuable PAC Player

This award honors a person or hospital that in the previous year raised the highest dollar amount for OHA's Friends of Ohio Hospitals political action committee. 

  • 2019: Dan Bucci, director of Government Affairs, University Hospitals
  • 2018: Fred Manchur, CEO, Kettering Health Network

  • 2017: Mike Keating, president and CEO, The Christ Hospital Health Network

  • 2016: Premier Health and Memorial Health

  • 2015: Phil Ennen, president and CEO, Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers and Jim Pancoast, CEO, Premier Health Partners

American Hospital Association Most Valuable PAC Player Award

The American Hospital Association Most Valuable PAC Player Award is given to individuals who understand the value of a robust political action committee. These individuals take a leadership role to develop a strong PAC base in their organization to ensure Ohio hospitals have a meaningful voice in the legislative arena.

  • 2016: Chip Hubbs, president and CEO, Memorial Health

  • 2015: Fred Manchur, CEO, Kettering Health Network and Chip Hubbs, president and CEO, Memorial Health

  • 2014: Jim Pancoast, president and CEO, Premier Health Partners

American Hospital Association Grassroots Champion Award

Selected each year by the American Hospital Association, the AHA Grassroots Champion Award winner effectively educates elected officials on how major issues affect the hospital’s vital role in the community, has done an exemplary job in broadening the base of community support for the hospital and is a tireless advocate for hospitals and patients.

  • 2019: Tim Teynor, vice president, Aultman Health Foundation
  • 2018: Bruce White, CEO, Knox Community Hospital

  • 2017: Kristen D.W. Morris, chief government and community relations officer, Cleveland Clinic

  • 2016: Chip Hubbs, president and CEO, Memorial Health

  • 2015: Randy Oostra, president and CEO, ProMedica

  • 2014: Jim Pancoast, president and CEO, Premier Health

  • 2013: Thomas F. Zenty, III, president and CEO, University Hospitals

  • 2012: Pat Martin, president and CEO, Fisher-Titus Medical Center

  • 2011: Julie Liss-Katz, chief government affairs officers, Premier Health Partners

  • 2010: Howard Rohleder, president and CEO, Salem Community Hospital

  • 2009: Mina Ubbing, president and CEO, Fairfield Medical Center

  • 2008: Scott Malaney, president and CEO, Blanchard Valley Health System

  • 2007: Tim Jakacki, president, Fostoria Community Hospital

  • 2006: Frank Perez, chief executive officer, Kettering Health Network