Southeastern Ohio is home to an emerging health care corridor that is bringing the finest medical care and mental health care--as well as addiction recovery and physical fitness services--to the citizens of the region.

     Originally opened as Sheltering Arms Hospital in 1921, O'Bleness Memorial Hospital is committed to comprehensive patient care. Opened at its current location in 1970, the hospital recently focused on a multi-phased modernization project to expand its facility. The project included construction of a new emergency department, a new patient registration area, an expanded outpatient center, larger surgery wuites, an expanded radiology department, a new medical records complex, and a new Medical Office Building that houses offices for more than 20 physicians. These facilities and an outstanding medical staff ensures that the hospital's Southeastern Ohio patient population--more than 2,800 inpatients and 57,000 outpatients annually--can receive the care they need without leaving the area.

     Holzer Clinic Athens is located at 2131 East State Street. This full service multispecialty clinic opened in November 2008 with approximately 68,000 square feet. Complete medical care and numerous services are available in one location and convenient parking. Physicians provide coverage in gastroenterology, orthopedics, cardiology, endocrinology, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. Urgent care services and a sleep laboratory clinic are also available, as well as general laboratory and x-ray services.

     University Osteopathic Medical Center (UOMC) is staffed by physicians who also serve on the faculty of the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. More than 100,000 patients are seen annually at the UOMC, which since its founding in 1976 has rapidly grown to become one of the leading health care providers in the region. In addition, the UOMC serves the community through a close association with O'Bleness Memorial Hospital, supplying physicians to staff its Emergency Department and Urgent Care Service.

     Southeast Psychiatric Hospital (SPH) opened its door in 1993, the first new facility to be built by the Ohio Department of Mental Health in more than two decades. It currently operates 40 beds for adults and works as a partner with several other mental health care providers to offer an outstanding acute-care mental health facility. Its expanded role as a teaching hospital also continues to develop.

     Occupying the east wing of SPH is Tri-County Mental Health and Counseling, where local patients have access on an outpatient basis to phychiatrists, counselors, psychologists, and community-based case managers. These professionals provide a total package of quality behavioral health care. In addition, Riverview Associates recently opened at Tri-County, providing another local alternative for persons covered by insurance and managed care contract that want to see a psychiatrist or counselor.

     A part of the Athens community since 1975, Health Recovery Services (HRS) moved to the second floor of the new SPH in 1996. Their mission is to improve the health of individuals, families, and communities through the efficient delivery of substance abuse treatment services. Among the continuum of care that HRS provides, one can find education, intervention, treatment, and outreach programs.

     A recent addition to the Health Care Corridor is WellWorks, a wellness program sponsored by the Ohio University College of Health and Human Services. Located in The Tower adjacent to Peden Stadium, WellWorks offers campus employees and community members a variety of fitness classes, and weight training, as well as education and special events that help members achieve lifelong goals of regular exercise and weight management.