Business Briefs: Humane Society hires its first shelter veterinarian

HEATH -- Dr. Tiffany Lane has been named the Licking County Humane Society’s first full-time veterinarian on staff at the shelter in its 54-year history.

Lane brings 25 years of veterinary experience to oversee medical care provided to more than 3,000 animals annually at the shelter, 825 Thornville Drive in Heath.

She received her doctorate of veterinary medicine from Ohio State University. She has previous experience in high volume spay and neuter clinics and most recently worked at Masterson’s Veterinary Clinic.

Lane’s role will help reduce animal homelessness and neglect in the community through low-cost vaccine clinics and spay/neuter clinics offered at the shelter, while providing treatment for homeless animals in the shelter’s care. For information about adopting pets or supporting LCHS, visit lchspets.org.

Carlson appointed to dog breeding advisory board

HEATH -- Lori Ringhiser-Carlson, executive director of the Licking County Humane Society, received an appointment to the Ohio Commercial Dog Breeding Advisory Board by Gov. Mike DeWine.

She was chosen to represent humane society interests and concerns on the statewide board for a term that began Aug. 26 and ends March 12, 2023. The board was created to advise the Ohio Director of Agriculture on the development of administrative rules governing high volume dog breeders and dog retailers.

L Brands hiring distribution center associates for holiday

COLUMBUS -- L Brands, Inc. will hire more than 4,000 seasonal distribution center associates for holiday positions.

Opportunities are available at the L Brands campuses on East Broad Street, Morse Road and Groveport, as well as its new operation in the Easton area. The pay for these positions ranges from $16.50 to $22 per hour with the seasonal peak premium.

Applicants are welcome through mid-December with opportunities for some roles to transition into long-term employment. Applicants can utilize the virtual employment process by applying online at dcjobs.lb.com or visiting one the employment centers at the Broad Street and Morse Road campuses, or texting MGJOBS to 97211 to schedule an interview and make inquiries.

Virtual and in-person candidates can expect an immediate decision about their employment and a start date. For those applying in-person, masks are required.

Benefits include paid holidays, up to 40% discount at Victoria’s Secret, PINK and Bath & Body Works, long-term employment opportunities, associate referral program, climate-controlled work environment, variety of shift options available, and meals program during peak weeks.

The L Brands Employment Centers are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 8455 E. Broad St, Reynoldsburg, and Two Limited Parkway, on the southeast corner of Morse Road and Interstate 270, Columbus.

Hopewell Federal donates $1,500 to Food Pantry

NEWARK -- Hopewell Federal Credit Union supported the Food Pantry Network of Licking County with a donation of $1,500.

The Credit Union welcomed new members who joined Hopewell with a donation of $1,000 on their behalf to the Food Pantry Network. Additionally, each Friday, the team paid $1 to have the privilege to wear jeans. The funds collected throughout the year totaled $500, and were added to the donation. 

The credit union supports the Food Pantry Network with its Operation Feed campaign, which was impossible due to COVID-19. The Operation Feed Campaign generates approximately 35% of the funding and food needed annually by the Food Pantry Network of Licking County.

Newark-Heath-Licking County Airport receives grant

WASHINGTON – The Newark-Heath-Licking County Airport received a federal infrastructure grant to rebuild its terminal building.

The U.S. Secretary of Transportation announced more than $1.2 billion in airport safety and infrastructure grants through the Federal Aviation Administration to 405 airports in 50 states and six U.S. territories, including $110,370 to the local airport.

In 2020, the federal government delivered $10 billion in economic assistance to America’s airports during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Ohio State-Newark professor receives diversity award

NEWARK -- Ohio State University-Newark Dean/Director William MacDonald and Central Ohio Technical College President John Berry presented the 2020 President’s & Dean/Director’s Diversity Award to Associate Professor Tiyi Morris.

Morris, who started at OSU-Newark in 2006, is a member of Ohio State’s Department of African American and African Studies and has an interdisciplinary research and teaching focus that combines the fields of American history, Black studies and women’s studies.

She authored the 2015 book Womanpower Unlimited and the Black Freedom Struggle in Mississippi, which chronicles the integral role of the Black women’s organization in sustaining the civil rights movement in Mississippi.

Morris’s other activities include: Teaching in the Scarlet and Gray Excellence Learning Community for first-year students of color; teaching in the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program to help both incarcerated and non-incarcerated students learn side-by-side key issues in women’s and gender studies; leading education trips abroad to give students an international perspective of ethnic and racial diversity; serving on the ad-hoc Diversity and Inclusion Committee; and helping develop a Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies minor at OSU-Newark.

COTC provost named to development commission

NEWARK -- Eric Heiser, provost at Central Ohio Technical College, has been appointed to the Commission on Economic and Workforce Development of the American Association of Community Colleges. He will serve a three-year term, ending in 2023.

In his role as provost, Heiser serves as chief academic and enrollment officer at COTC. He is responsible for leading and working with faculty and staff in academic programs, enrollment management, student retention and success, and promoting innovation and educational leadership.

Heiser assumed his duties at COTC in January after a national search to fill the new role. He formerly held the position of dean and director of career and technical education at Salt Lake Community College’s School of Applied Technology and Technical Specialties, where he also previously served as associate dean. Prior to that, Heiser was assistant professor of business at Central Wyoming College and served as director at the college’s Rural Justice Training Center. 

The AACC is the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges. The association represents nearly 1,200 two-year, associate degree-granting institutions and more than 12 million students.

LMHS receives grant for pollinator garden

NEWARK -- Licking Memorial Health Systems’ Culinary Services Department received a grant from the Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District to plant a pollinator garden on LMHS-owned land on Dickerson Street.

The grant helped prepare the land, purchase and plant nectar-producing flowers and shelter-providing plants for pollinators. Butterflies, bees, and birds, along with many other insects and mammals, are known as pollinators, as they transport grains of pollen from plant to plant as they feed. This process helps to ensure the pollination of many flowering species. 

Since 2015, culinary services, in partnership with plant operations, has cultivated and maintained a 1-acre vegetable and flower mini-farm on Dickerson Street. A variety of seasonal produce, herbs and flowers are harvested annually for use in the Licking Memorial Hospital Café.

COTC founding member of College Innovation Network 

NEWARK — Central Ohio Technical College is one of only five higher education organizations nationwide to become a founding member of the College Innovation Network.

CIN connects member educational institutions with educational technology innovations and helps them identify, launch and evaluate tools designed to advance student academic, career and life outcomes.

The organization was launched through WGU Labs, Inc., Western Governors University’s research and development hub for scalable educational technology solutions. Funding for the initial pilot phase comes from the Charles Koch Foundation. CIN members share a passion for improving outcomes for all students and the capacity to execute on this commitment.

In July, the founding network members convened to determine key themes and priorities. Members will continue collaborating throughout the 2020-21 academic year to implement solutions, evaluate effectiveness and share results with the higher education community.

Network member institutions are committed to serving diverse student populations, including traditionally underserved and underrepresented groups, by incorporating innovative solutions to better support their students’ goals of completing their education. Through real-world pilot testing, these students and the educators who support them gain a voice and transform solutions to meet their unique needs.

Other network partners in the initiative’s pilot year include the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Piedmont Community College in North Carolina, Loyola University New Orleans and Rio Salado College in Arizona.

Hartford Fair Youth donates pork to foodbanks

COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Association of Foodbanks received a donation of processed pork from the Hartford Junior Fair youth livestock auction.

The donation, more than 15,000 pounds of pork, will be split among several local charities, including the Food Pantry Network of Licking County, the Ronald McDonald House, Recreation Unlimited, and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.

The donation comes from the annual 4-H and FFA junior fair exhibitors’ livestock auction, where Englefield Oil Company, Heartland Bank and Licking County Farm Bureau purchased livestock from the auction and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction processed the meat. This year’s donation from the Hartford Junior Fair youth livestock auction is the largest contribution to date.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis in March, hunger relief providers have reported a 98 percent increase in demand for food assistance. Due to increased need at all foodbanks in Ohio, the association asks for donations and support during this extended time of need.

Ohioans and companies looking to donate or volunteer, or seeking help with food, can visit ohiofoodbanks.org/coronavirus for more information.

LMHS honors top employees in virtual event

NEWARK -- Licking Memorial Health Systems celebrated the accomplishments of its employees at the annual employee recognition event, modified to comply with social distancing guidelines.

The July event featured a private online live stream for employees to view. Award honorees attended special viewing parties at Licking Memorial Hospital and were individually escorted to receive their awards on-screen.

The Manager of the Year award, which recognizes management employees who demonstrate fair and consistent leadership, went to Lisa Hayes and Denise Matthews.

Hayes began employment at LMHS in 2002 as frontline staff nurse, and in 2005, transferred to radiology. In 2007, she became one of the first clinical coordinators and helped develop the role of the clinical educator at Licking Memorial Hospital. She was named the Clarissa Ann Howard Award for Clinical Excellence honoree in 2008.

The first management role for Hayes was as patient care manager position, and in 2014, she became the director of the medical/surgical units. In 2017, Hayes was named director of acute care and currently oversees all medical/surgical units, critical care units, inpatient rehab, the patient care coordinators, and dialysis. She also serves as the LMH liaison with Lifeline of Ohio.

Matthews started her career with LMHS in 2009 and was promoted to environmental services manager in her first year of employment. She also oversees housekeeping and related services for more than 30 LMHS locations, including the select specialty space at LMH-Tamarack.

The Clarissa Ann Howard Nursing Award for clinical excellence, which recognizes nurses respected for expertise, professionalism and clinical excellence while providing patient care, went to Dusty Meadows and Connie Beckley.

Meadows, of Frazeysburg, was hired as a staff nurse in 2008, then transferred to the emergency department in 2011. He began a shared role as the emergency department clinical coordinator in 2014 and assumed the position full time in 2017.

Beckley attended Mid-East Ohio Adult Learning Center, where she graduated in 2004 with her LPN degree.  She joined LMHS in 2005, and has worked primarily in family practice with both Dr. Garth Bennington and Dr. Pattye Whisman.

Licking Memorial receives COVID-19 relief funds

NEWARK -- Licking Memorial Hospital will receive $25,000 to support expenses and services related to COVID-19 preparations and resources needed to care for the community during the pandemic from the Licking County COVID-19 Relief Fund.

The hospital recently announced it had sustained significant losses due to the impact of COVID-19 on the hospital’s operations.

The grant brings the total amount distributed to community organizations from the Licking County COVID-19 Relief Fund to $216,000 for critical basic needs, ranging from health care to food assistance, personal care and safety, transportation, shelter, personal protective equipment, and financial assistance. Grants will continue to be made as long as funds are available.

Organizations can learn more about the Licking County COVID-19 Relief Fund by visiting www.thelcfoundation.org; donations continue to be accepted via texting “VIRUS19” to 414-44 or clicking “donate” at www.thelcfoundation.org.

LMHS listed among nation’s best health care companies

NEWARK -- Licking Memorial Health Systems has been acknowledged as one of the best health care organizations to work for in the nation.

LMHS was recognized as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Health Care by Fortune and Great Place to Work as well as Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work in Healthcare.

Fortune and Great Place to Work recognized companies that promote diversity within the workforce, employee engagement and professional growth, while also fulfilling their mission statements, creating outstanding cultures and offering competitive benefits to employees. LMHS was recognized for offering programs that promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle, such as on-site fitness facilities and classes, dietary services, and tuition assistance.

Great Place to Work, a consulting and research firm, evaluated more than 50 elements of team members’ experience on the job including employee pride in the organization’s community impact, belief that their work makes a difference, and a feeling their work has special meaning. The recognition from Modern Healthcare honors workplaces throughout the healthcare industry that empower employees to provide patients and customers with the best possible care, products and services. 

LMH receives top rating in survey for patient safety

NEWARK -- Licking Memorial Hospital received an eighth consecutive A grade in the Leapfrog Group’s 2020 Hospital Safety Grade report.

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit that compares hospitals’ safety performance, assesses more than 2,600 hospitals nationwide on patient safety practices. Earning an A grade recognizes LMH as one of the safest hospitals in the United States.

Up to 28 performance measures are used to assign grades to acute-care hospitals. Using publicly available data in areas such as infection prevention activities and serious patient falls, the performance measures produce a letter grade representing a hospital’s overall performance in keeping patients safe.

LMH received high ratings in staff member’s ability to work together to prevent errors and respond to patients’ needs.

Bressoud honored by Ohio State-Newark and COTC

NEWARK -- Ohio State University-Newark Dean/Director William MacDonald and Central Ohio Technical College President John Berry presented the Julius S. and Joette Greenstein Award to Suzanne Bressoud, director of marketing and public relations for both schools.

Bressoud assumed the role of director in 2017, returning to the office of marketing and public relations after  previously serving in various roles in the department from 2007-2012. She is responsible for development and implementation of the marketing strategy and oversees communication. 

This award is given annually to a staff member, administrator or faculty member of COTC and/or Ohio State Newark whose efforts, attitude, deeds and behavior made a major contribution toward the perpetuation of a genuine spirit of mutual respect and cooperation between COTC and Ohio State Newark.

The award is named for long-time campus chief administrator Julius Greenstein and his wife, Joette.

Regional CPA firm opens office In NEWork Space

NEWARK -- Leaders at the regional accounting and business consulting firm Rea and Associates has established a presence in the community’s NEWork Space, 14 North Park Place.

Due to the county’s economic growth and commercial development, Doug Houser, director of construction and real estate services for Rea, and Chad Bice, regional president of the firm’s Southeast Ohio region, joined together to support an initiative to help the firm build a stronger presence in the area.

Clients who want to schedule an appointment at the new Rea and Associates location in Newark should call 614-314-5937.