Ohio Hills Boardroom Dedication
BARNESVILLE – Employees and board members, past and present, gathered on the third floor of the historic Bradfield Building in downtown Barnesville Tuesday, Nov. 10, to dedicate the recently completed Ohio Hills Health Services Board Room, part of the new administrative offices for the 50-year old regional health care provider.
Jeff Britton, current CEO of the health services, is just the second leader for the organization. He followed the first director, Theodore J. Koler, who worked for the health organization for 38 years from its inception in May 1976 until his retirement in December 2014.
Koler was present for the unveiling providing remarks at the dedication.
“Ohio Hills has never had its own boardroom since its 1976 start, and fortunately, we were able to renovate the third floor of the Bradfield Building and include one,” Britton said.
“We are gathered in the historic Bradfield Building to celebrate a milestone that is deeply rooted in the history, the identity and the future of Ohio Hills Health Services. Today, we officially dedicate this space as the Theodore J. Koler Boardroom,” Britton said.
“To understand the profound significance of naming this room after Ted, we have to look back to where the organization began. In 1976, the health center was little more than a visionary idea of Dr. Richard Phillips and a newly secured rural health initiative grant.
“When Ted Koler was hired as its first executive director by William Chaney, John Kirk and Frank Damsel, he took on a momentous task.”
Continuing Britton said, “because of his steady leadership, what started in a single building, has grown into a vital regional healthcare organization spanning Barnesville, Freeport, Quaker City, St. Clairsville, Bellaire and Woodsfield.”
Ohio Hills today is a federally qualified health center providing primary care, dental care, behavioral health care and nutritional care for thousands.
“A boardroom is a place where critical decisions are made, where challenges are met and resolved and where the future of our community health centers is carefully mapped out,” Britton said. “It is only fitting that this room, bears the name of the man who shaped its past. Whenever the board meets in this room, Ted’s name will serve as a permanent reminder to all who enter our core mission.”
“Thank you for your decades of selfless service, your endearing vision and your unwavering belief in what Ohio Hills Health Services could become. It is our absolute honor to dedicate this room to you today,” Britton said in conclusion.
Koler opened Ohio Hills at the Barnesville Medical Center with three administrative employees, the late Polly Mallernee along with Nancy Cozad and Joyce Hannahs, who were both present for the dedication.
Expressing surprise of what he saw when he came off the elevator, Koler said “this is simply amazing. It is a complete transformation, an eye opener. You did a fantastic job.”
“I’d like to express my appreciation to all the board members and the staff, past and present, for all their dedication, commitment and their contributions to Ohio Hills over these past 50 years because one person cannot do it all and I thank them for that,” Koler said. “I wish you all the very best.”
Construction photos
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