The Health Collaborative

Mental health is a key priority of the Collective Health Agenda. Talbert House House, in partnership with the Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, is raising awareness of 988, the 24/7 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

With support from a recent 988 grant and The Health Collaborative, outreach efforts are expanding to reach young adults and employees. Educational materials and promotional items will be shared with HR departments and community partners, while University of Cincinnati volunteers help assemble outreach packets that bring 988 resources directly into workplaces and communities.

Together, we're making it easier for people to know where to turn when they need support. 💙 Support is just a call or text away: 988

During week two of the Healthcare Academy, participants from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati explored careers in geriatric care and engaged with cutting-edge healthcare simulation technology!

While visiting Twin Towers Senior Living Community, students learned about the importance of caring for people across generations. As part of the event, students enjoyed a career panel where they heard from a Nurse, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), a Physical Therapist (PT), a Wellness Coordinator, and a Healthcare Administrator. They also toured the community and spent time painting with residents in the memory care unit creating individual pieces of art. Special thanks to Dustin Bishop and Jesssica Olis for not only coordinating the Twin Towers experience, but also for sharing their passion for serving older adults.

At Cincinnati State’s Health Simulation Lab, students were immersed in realistic healthcare training experiences led by Rachel Meier, MSN, RNC-MNN, and Ryan Chapman. Participants interacted with advanced patient simulation manikins, practiced using stethoscopes, learned how to properly hold an infant, and even observed and participated in a labor and delivery patient simulator experience. Rachel and Ryan created an engaging, welcoming environment that encouraged students to ask questions and learn new skills.

We are thankful to both of these partners for making these memories with BGCGC students!

🎓✨Congratualtions to the 2026 TAP Health Summer Academy graduates!

After weeks of hands-on learning, career exploration, and unforgettable experiences, we came together to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our students. Throughout the program, students explored a wide variety of healthcare careers, connected with dedicated professionals, developed new clinical skills, and gained valuable insight into the many pathways available in healthcare.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our hosts, community partners, and sponsors for opening your doors, sharing your expertise, and creating meaningful, hands-on experiences for our students. We are incredibly grateful for your investment in the next generation of healthcare professionals. The biggest thank you to our students and their families for making this summer such a success. It has been an honor to be part of your journey, and we hope the connections, experiences, and memories you’ve made will inspire you for years to come.

It feels like Orientation was just yesterday and now Graduation has come and gone! This summer was an incredible journey. Over the past two months, I’ve had the privilege of watching every student grow in confidence, professionalism, and self-awareness. As they explored careers across healthcare, they gained a deeper understanding of how every role contributes to patient care and learned important lessons about the paths that are right for them. I know they leave this program better prepared as students, future college applicants, and future professionals, with curiosity, teamwork, and compassion that healthcare needs.

For any THSA student reading this: I am so proud of each and every one of you. You are more than capable of being excellent healthcare professionals and leaders someday. Watching your growth this summer has been a privilege. On behalf of myself, our interns Jess and Lucy, and everyone at The Health Collaborative, we’re honored to be part of your journey, and we look forward to seeing all that you accomplish in the future.

Congratulations, graduates - we can’t wait to see where your future in healthcare takes you! 💙🩺

Yesterday, our TAP Health students wrapped up an incredible summer of events with an inspiring Neurology 101 experience at Atrium Medical Center! 🧠✨

Students explored the fascinating world of neurology, learned how CT scans play a critical role in patient care, and gained firsthand insight into stroke assessment as Dr. Elizabeth Gilbert demonstrated how healthcare professionals evaluate patients and distinguish stroke symptoms from other conditions. It was an unforgettable opportunity to see clinical decision-making in action!

Our students also had the privilege of connecting with Dr. Robb Snider via Zoom, who generously shared his journey as a neurologist, answered thoughtful questions, and inspired the next generation of healthcare professionals with his knowledge and passion for the field. We also toured the inpatient rehabilitation center, where students experienced the innovative simulation technology and therapies used to help patients regain independence and return to their fullest potential.

A huge thank you to Elizabeth Gilbert, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, ASC-BC, Mikasa T. Veal, M.Ed., Academic Partnership Manager, and Dr. Robb Snider for making this incredible experience possible and for investing your time, expertise, and encouragement into our students.

Thank you Atrium Health, for giving our students such a meaningful look into the world of neurology and rehabilitation. What an amazing way to conclude an unforgettable TAP Health Summer Academy! 💙🩺

Get a behind-the-scenes look at what medical research really looks like! 🩺🔬

Yesterday we attended the Cincinnati Children’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Capstone Project & Research Poster Symposium, where undergraduate researchers will showcase the projects they’ve spent the summer developing.

We were welcomed by Dr. Tara Calhoun, a pediatric hospitalist at Cincinnati Children’s, who introduced the symposium, explained what we would be seeing, and shared what’s okay to ask, discuss, and explore throughout the event.

Thinking about medical school? Many future physicians participate in research poster presentations, whether through a SURF program or later in medical school, making this a valuable opportunity to see academic medicine in action.

Come curious, ask questions, and get inspired by the future of medicine! ✨

Programs such as the expansion of Project Heart ReStart in Butler County are incredible examples of community health work and emergency preparedness & response work happening in our region. Through the Community Health Agenda, our community identifies heart disease as one of its top 3 priorities. We applaud members of the Cardio Collaborative and The Christ Hospital Health Network for this initiative.

Yesterday’s TAP Health Summer Academy workshop at the Health Collaborative was a day full of hands-on learning, meaningful conversations, and life-saving skills! 🩺🩸

Our students became Stop the Bleed® certified through an interactive training led by Rebecca Lemaster, BSN, TCRN from UC Health West Chester, gaining the confidence to recognize and respond to life-threatening bleeding emergencies. We were also honored to welcome Network for Hope, who shared the incredible impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation and inspired students with the many ways they can help save lives beyond the bedside.

We hosted two workshop sessions—morning and afternoon—giving both groups the opportunity to learn these invaluable skills. During our afternoon session, students also had the opportunity to tour the Network for Hope offices, located in the same building as The Health Collaborative. They heard from several team members about the wide variety of career opportunities within the organization and were inspired by powerful stories highlighting the life-changing impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation.

A huge thank you to Rebecca Lemaster for providing such an engaging certification course, to Network For Hope for sharing your important mission, and to The Health Collab for hosting us and making this experience possible. We appreciate everyone who invested their time and expertise in inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals! 💙

Earlier this week, our TAP Health Summer Academy students got an inside look at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine! Students heard from inspiring healthcare professionals, participated in a Q&A with current medical students, and toured the medical school campus alongside the incredible MedCats, gaining firsthand insight into life in medical school.

A few fun facts about UC College of Medicine:
📚 The oldest medical school in Ohio
🔬 Ranked among the Top 40 medical schools nationally for NIH research funding

A huge thank you to the amazing Cincinnati Medical Students (MedCats), Dr. Donald Batisky, Associate Dean for Medical Student Admissions, and his wonderful assistant, Jill Holsapple, for hosting such an engaging experience. We’d also like to thank Dr. Bi Awosika from the Department of Medicine, Sue Roth from UC Pre-Professional Advising , and Alcy Barakat from the UC College of Medicine Undergraduate Programs for sharing their knowledge, experiences, and encouragement with our students.

We are so grateful to University of Cincinnati University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and everyone who helped make this memorable day possible. 🩺❤️ MedicalSchool HealthWorkforce

What happens when innovation meets collaboration? 💡🤝

Our recent Hackathon brought together incredible students from TAP Health Summer Academy to collaborate intensively, think creatively, and develop solutions in a fast-paced environment. It was inspiring to see their teamwork, dedication, and fresh ideas come to life!

A huge thank you to our judges for sharing their expertise and helping make this event a success:
✨ Zachary Sage, MHA, FACHE; Medical Center Executive Director, Cincinnati VA Medical Center
✨ Jennifer DeFrancesco, DHA, FACHE; Medical Center Executive Director, Dayton VA Medical Center
✨ Dr. Barb Tobias; Professor – Clinical Emerita, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
✨ Joi Lindsay, Director at TriHealth
✨ Tiffany Mattingly, VP of Clinical Strategies at The Health Collaborative

We’re also incredibly grateful to our mentors for guiding and encouraging our participants every step of the way:
👏 Jennifer Martin, OTA/L; Occupational Therapy Department, Xavier University
👏 Rebecca DeBra; MSN, RN, CPN, CHSE; Simulation Center, Cincinnati Children's
👏 Jill Collett, MPH; Vice President, Operations, The Health Collaborative
👏 Frank Riegler MSN, RN; Chief Nurse, Procedural Services & Specialty Clinic, Cincinnati VA Medical Center
👏 Denise Trice; Blind Rehabilitation Chief, Louis Stokes DVA Medical Center Cleveland Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center

And a very special thank you to Dr. Lindsay Riegler, Director of the Digital and Remote Health Center for Innovation and her entire team at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center for organizing this amazing experience from start to finish, and for hosting and providing the perfect space for innovation and collaboration.

Congratulations to all of our participants (and the winners!) of the hackathon for embracing the challenge—we can’t wait to see where your ideas take the future of medicine.

Check out these photos, with additional images from Cincinnati VA Medical Center to come!

Yesterday, 22 of our TAP Health Academy students had an awesome experience visiting the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center in the Barrett Building to learn more about the important world of oncology! 🧬🎗️

Throughout the day, students explored undergraduate pathways and the journey into graduate school, toured the facility, and gained an inside look at groundbreaking cancer research.

A huge shoutout to University of Cincinnati, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Medical Sciences Ambassadors - University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Thank you so much Zoe Wagner and Kathleen Fulton for coordinating such an engaging experience; Alcy Barakat, Assistant Director of Admissions, for sharing information about academic pathways such as the Medical Sciences & Public Health Bachelor’s Programs; the amazing UC College of Medicine Ambassadors who offered advice and led our tour, and the Cancer & Cell Biology Graduate Program students who shared their experiences and hosted a thoughtful Q&A session. Our students always look forward to asking questions and hearing firsthand perspectives from those currently pursuing their goals!

Thank you again to everyone who made this inspiring day possible and for helping our students explore the future of cancer research and healthcare. 💙🔬