Ohio State University Physicians

At a recent Vizient forum on national patient access challenges, Jonathan Parsons, MD of Ohio State University Physicians, and Wesley Milks, MD, of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, shared how our teams work together to advance access through a community-based physician model.  Vizient, a major healthcare performance improvement organization, hosted this forum focused on scalable, operational solutions to shared access issues.  Dr. Parsons described how the OSU Physicians model is helping to expand primary care access across central Ohio by aligning compensation with private practice standards, using team-based staffing with expanded advanced practice provider roles, aiding in rapidly deploying new sites in growth markets and empowering a small operational team to drive execution. Early outcomes of this include reduced wait times, high new-patient throughput, strong provider retention and meaningful downstream growth into the health system.  Dr. Milks highlighted Heart Express Care, which enables rapid access to outpatient cardiology through same- or next-day visits delivered by cardiology advanced practice providers, reducing scheduling lag and increasing timely new-patient visits.  Together, the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center and OSUP, the medical group managing the Wexner Medical Center’s outpatient care practices, remain committed to scalable solutions that strengthen patient access and system performance.   

Yesterday marked another exciting milestone for the Buckeye Community! We’re proud to celebrate the opening of the newest Ohio State Primary Care location on Perimeter Drive in Dublin. This continues our commitment to bringing exceptional, patient-centered care closer to the communities we serve. Like our recent Ohio State Primary Care location in Powell opening, this new site is powered by an incredible team of providers and staff who are dedicated to delivering high-quality, compassionate care every day. Expanding our primary care footprint means more access, more connection, and more opportunities to support the health and well-being of our patients across central Ohio. With each new location, we’re strengthening our ability to meet patients where they are — providing comprehensive services that support preventive care, chronic disease management, and lifelong wellness. As our community grows, OSU Physicians is growing alongside it — investing in people, places, and partnerships that make a meaningful difference. Here’s to new beginnings, stronger community connections, and a healthier future for all!

We’re excited to shine the spotlight on Qwalisha Barfield, recently appointed Director of Clinical Operations for the Department of Dermatology at OSU Physicians! With more than 20 years of dedicated service to OSUP, Qwalisha has built a remarkable career grounded in leadership, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. Throughout her journey—from frontline operations to senior leadership—she has consistently demonstrated an ability to lead complex, multi-site teams while fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Qwalisha continues to invest in her own growth, currently pursuing her MBA in Organizational Leadership, with completion anticipated in September 2026, as well as the development of others participating as a Mentor for others. As Qwalisha states "Over time, I’ve learned that mentorship is so much more than the letters behind your name. It’s about your experiences, your willingness to share knowledge, your dedication to helping others grow, and your desire to see people become the best version of themselves." As she steps into her new role, we are excited for the impact her leadership will bring in advancing high-quality, patient-centered care across Dermatology. Please join us in congratulating Qwalisha on this well-deserved achievement!

Today, we proudly celebrate National Nurses Day and honor the incredible nurses who are the heart of OSU Physicians. Our nurses lead with compassion, skill, and resilience—showing up every day to care for patients, support families, and strengthen one another. Their dedication goes far beyond clinical excellence; it reflects a deep commitment to teamwork, respect, and service. At OSUP, our culture is built on collaboration, trust, and shared purpose. Our nurses embody this culture through their willingness to mentor, advocate, innovate, and lead—often in the moments that matter most to patients and colleagues alike. To every OSUP nurse: thank you for your unwavering commitment, your expertise, and your humanity. Your work makes a lasting impact on our patients, our teams, and our organization every single day. Happy National Nurses Day. #NationalNursesDay #OSUProud

We’re building something special in Powell—and we want you to be part of it.  Ahead of our August 3 opening, our Ohio State University Physicians (OSUP) leadership team toured the new Ohio State Outpatient Care Powell site. One of the tour leaders was Michaela Boyd, Director of Operations for Ambulatory Services, who was recently appointed as director for this location.  This facility is a powerful example of the partnership between the The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and OSU Physicians, the medical group managing our physician practices. Together, we are bringing coordinated, world-class care—including integrated services with The James Cancer Hospital—directly to the Delaware County community.  Innovation is at the heart of this new space. As Alisa Schueneman, our Senior Director of Human Resources, put it:  “I think the general feeling was one of continued awe of what we can accomplish. After opening many of these centers, we still find ways to innovate.”  Why you’ll love working here:   A First for Care: This is our first ambulatory location to integrate specialty cancer care and outpatient services together under one roof.   Built for You: We’ve applied "lessons learned" from previous sites to include intentional design features—like employee respite areas and improved parking.  We’re currently hiring:   Registered Nurses   Medical Assistants   Athletic Trainers   Registration & Patient Services  Join the team and help build something new : https://lnkd.in/gYn5X4NR 

Today we’re spotlighting Kerri Shaffer, an Executive Health patient service associate (PSA) who has been with Ohio State University Physicians since 2023. As part of the Executive Health team, Kerri supports a population of patients that focus on wellness and maximizing good health. The team provides primary care through a membership-based model designed to deliver highly personalized attentive care. The team takes pride in creating an exceptional patient experience that reflects the program’s mission and values. Kerri’s path to OSU Physicians started with a nudge at home. Her third and last child was leaving for college and encouraged her to do something new after she had been working from home for a time. She learned more about Executive Health and its mission, found a role that fit her strengths and applied. She says supportive and hardworking colleagues make work easier and have helped her feel welcome to share ideas from the start. “Knowing that my team and I make a difference—whether it’s supporting patients, helping the team succeed or just improving someone’s day in a small but meaningful way,” Kerri says when asked what the most rewarding part of her job was. Kerri’s focus on people and partnership helps strengthen the day-to-day work of the team and creates moments of connection that matter every day.

OSUP had the incredible opportunity this week to attend the Central Ohio Healthcare Summit 2026, a hands-on, immersive experience hosted by the Healthcare Career Collaborative of Central Ohio. This event is designed to introduce high school students to in‑demand healthcare careers through interactive stations, real-world demonstrations, and direct conversations with professionals working in the field. OSUP is so proud to be able to engage with these curious students to build excitement about their future of healthcare. A highlight for our team was sharing information about our Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program—a true pathway into healthcare. This program offers individuals the opportunity to train on the job with no prior healthcare experience, earn while they learn, and build a meaningful career supported by hands-on experience and education. From exposure to medical equipment and simulated environments to conversations about education pathways and next steps, the Summit creates impactful moments that help students envision their place in healthcare—and we’re honored to be part of that journey. Thank you to the organizers, educators, and students who made this such a powerful experience. The future of healthcare is bright!

The OSUP LPN Upskilling Class of 2026 is approaching the halfway point of their program—a meaningful milestone and the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with their why - Why they chose nursing, why they committed to growth, why they show up every day, even when the journey is challenging. At OSUP, we believe deeply in investing in our people. Our LPN upskilling program allows employees to continue in their current roles while advancing their education and become nurses with no cost to them. It’s one of the many ways we’re committed to creating clear pathways, developing our own talent, and building long-term careers—not just filling roles. This program is more than education. It’s opportunity. It’s support. It’s community. We’re proud to partner with Stepful to make this program possible and to walk alongside our learners every step of the way. Together, we’re creating access, removing barriers, and empowering the next generation of nurses from within. To our LPN upskilling cohort: we see your dedication, your resilience, and your commitment to your future and to patient care. Keep going—and never lose sight of your why.

OSUP Employee Spotlight - Welcome, Darcie! We’re excited to welcome Darcie as our new Nurse Manager at The Ohio State University Outpatient Care Center in Powell! Darcie brings a strong passion for patient-centered, continuity-driven care and team collaboration. Darcie joins OSUP after years of progressive nursing leadership within The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where she was known for advancing quality, safety, and staff development. She is deeply committed to ensuring patients receive exceptional care before, during, and after every visit, and we are thrilled to have her leadership as we continue to grow services in Powell. Interested in joining Darcie's team or one of our other Powell positions? As we expand, we’re actively recruiting talented team members who want to be part of a collaborative, innovative, and patient-focused environment. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing team and work alongside leaders like Darcie who are dedicated to excellence and professional development. Explore our open nursing or clinical positions and be part of something meaningful.

This week we celebrate National Volunteer Week, which recognizes the profound impact volunteers make and encourages all of us to get involved where we live and work. At OSUP, community involvement is woven into the very fabric of our culture. Through our wellness initiatives and our partnership with BESA, we intentionally create opportunities for employees to give back through curated volunteer events, team‑based departmental activities, and meaningful service experiences within their local communities. This commitment reflects and supports The Ohio State University mission of fostering a culture of engagement and service. This month, we celebrate the volunteers who inspire connection, compassion, and positive change—and we’re proud to support pathways that make service accessible, impactful, and part of everyday work life. #NationalVolunteerMonth #NationalVolunteerWeek #ServiceMatters #CommunityEngagement #OSUPCulture #WellnessAtWork #FosteringService #BESA #GivingBack #OSUP