ONTARIO, Ohio – OhioHealth and Nationwide Children’s Hospital will officially break ground on a new, state-of-the-art outpatient care center in Ontario on May 6, marking a significant investment in the health and well-being of families across north central Ohio.

The 42,000-square-foot facility, located on West 4th Street on the campus of the current OhioHealth Ontario Health and Fitness Center, will bring a wide range of services together under one roof. This partnership will make it easier than ever for families to access high-quality care close to home.

The new center reflects a shared commitment to expand access, elevate patient experience, and meet the growing needs of the Ontario community with more comprehensive care than ever before.

In addition to the new building, OhioHealth will renovate and enhance its existing Ontario facility, further expanding services to meet local needs. Planned updates include the development of a specialty care hub, adding new providers and services to support patients across a range of health conditions.

The Ontario Health and Fitness Center currently offers urgent care, WorkHealth services, a public fitness center, therapy services, imaging, and primary care. Services will continue uninterrupted during construction. These enhancements will build on that foundation, creating a more connected, patient-centered experience across the campus.

Services provided by OhioHealth will include:

· Primary care for adults

· Obstetrics and gynecology

· Advanced imaging, including a new mammography unit

“This groundbreaking represents more than a new building. It’s a promise to this community,” said Curt Gingrich, MD, president of OhioHealth Mansfield and Shelby Hospitals. “We are investing in the future of care in Ontario by bringing more services, more access, and more support for families right here at home. Together with Nationwide Children’s, we’re creating a place where patients can receive seamless, high-quality care across every stage of life.”

Nationwide Children’s Hospital will provide:

· Specialty Clinics

· Laboratory Services · Radiology · Audiology · Clinical Therapies (occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech language therapy) · Primary Care

“This partnership is about meeting families where they are and surrounding them with the care they need,” said Libbey Hoang, vice president of planning and business development at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “By expanding our presence in Ontario alongside OhioHealth, we’re able to deliver coordinated, specialized pediatric care in one location, making it easier for children and families to access trusted, nationally recognized expertise without leaving their community.”

OhioHealth and Nationwide Children’s Hospital already collaborate to provide 24/7 pediatric and neonatal care at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital. That partnership will continue, ensuring continuity of care for families across the region.

Construction on the $38.4 million project will begin following the May 6 groundbreaking, with the new facility expected to significantly expand access to care for the Ontario community.

Hooker