Skip to content

 

The Summer 2023 Growing Home Fellows gathering, held at Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County, focused on FAO’s Health and Human Services Pillar. The weekend’s themes were:

  • What’s closest to your heart? Finding and giving your gifts to your community.
  • Understanding health disparities in Appalachian Ohio and how we can help address them.
  • Developing wellness and resilience for our leadership journeys.

Guest speakers included:

 

Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health

In “Health Disparities in Appalachia,” Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, highlighted the Ohio Department of Health’s work to address health disparities in Appalachian Ohio and how we all play a role in public health. Dr. Vanderhoff also shared his experience as a servant leader and what he has learned during his career.


Dr. Amy Acton, director emerita of the Ohio Department of Health

In “The Leader We All Wish We Had is YOU,” Amy Acton, MD, MPH, provided a behind-the-scenes look at what it is like to lead in crisis and how the lessons she learned as director of the Ohio Department of Health and advisor to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine inform her hopes and dreams for the future.


 

Rep. Adam Holmes, representative for Ohio’s 97th House District

In “Values-Based Leadership: Lessons from the Legislature and Marines,” the Honorable Adam Holmes, representative for Ohio’s 97th House District, highlighted how he has evolved as a leader during his service in the Marines, in the business community, and in the Ohio Legislature and how values inform our leadership and provide a strong foundation for what we do in our communities.


Dr. Ken Johnson, executive dean of the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and chief medical affairs officer at Ohio University

In “Authenticity in Leadership and the Magic of High-Performing Teams,” Ken Johnson, DO, FAAO, shared lessons he has learned as a leader, how authenticity is essential to effective leadership and how we can create magic in our communities by building high-performing teams.


Dr. Jeanne Caligiuri, associate professor of medicine at the Ohio State University

We cannot lead effectively when we are not well ourselves. Jeanne Caligiuri, MD, provided an overview of the five pillars of wellness that can serve as a guide as we consider what wellness looks like for each of us.


Panel Discussion: Perspectives on Leadership and Health Equity in Appalachian Ohio and Beyond

Cara Dingus Brook, president and CEO of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, led a discussion among panelists who shared their personal experiences with health and in leadership and how issues of health equity impact communities in Appalachian Ohio and beyond. The panelists are:

  • Ernie Bynum, co-founder of the African American Community Fund and Minority Business Resource Network
  • Eric DeWald, president and secretary of the HealthPath Foundation of Ohio and executive director of the Health Fund of Ohio
  • Chyke Doubeni, MD, MPH, chief health equity officer at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and associate director for diversity, equity, and inclusion at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Center