The Charitable Healthcare Network (CHN) is honored to recognize Paul Baumgartner, executive director of the Lorain County Free Clinic, for his appointment as president of the CHN Board of Directors, according to a news release.

Baumgartner has served as the executive director of the Lorain County Free Clinic since 1995.

His visionary leadership also helped lead to the creation of the CHN, then known as the Ohio Association of Free Clinics, the release said.

“It is an honor to continue to serve the most vulnerable patients through our state’s network of free clinics and charitable providers,” Baumgartner said in the release. “Charitable health care has come a long way in Ohio since we founded CHN.

“However, one true thing then, remains so today … free clinics and charitable providers are an essential part of the health care delivery system.”

After spending the past year as vice president of the CHN Board, Baumgartner will be tasked with leading the organization as it implements a new strategic direction with a refocused mission to strengthen and ensure high-quality health care for people who are vulnerable, the release said.

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“Paul brings such a wealth of experience in serving those in need to our organization,” said Jason Koma, executive director of CHN, in the release. “His leadership in charitable health care will help us work to meet the growing need in our communities.”

Prior to leading the Lorain County Free Clinic, Baumgartner worked as an assistant director at the Second Harvest Foodbank of North Central Ohio.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University.

The mission of CHN is to ensure high-quality health care for vulnerable individuals through its 56 network clinics and charitable providers in the state, according to the release.

In 2023, CHN members provided nearly $205 million in health care services through over 654,000 clinical services for free or at little to
no cost for the uninsured and underinsured in Ohio, the release said.

Read the full article here on the Morning Journal's Local News.