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Ohio State University Extension

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Empowering Rural Ohio: Award-Winning Toolkit Guides Health Care Decisions

Nov. 1, 2025

When the first COVID-19 vaccine rolled out in late 2020, discourse around vaccines exploded like never before.  

As the safety and efficacy of the vaccine were called into question, health care professionals faced a new challenge. How could they promote the vaccine in a manner that resonated with everyday Ohioans? 

This is where an interprofessional team from The Ohio State University Extension and College of Pharmacy came into play.

Since 1914, Ohioans have leaned on OSU Extension for education, resources and community support. Throughout Ohio’s 88 counties, OSU Extension maintains a network of educators tied to the university. Their expertise covers a broad range of topics, from agricultural science to fine arts. These educators live in Ohio communities, tuning in to how university research and resources can advance solutions to local problems. 

“OSU Extension is truly the heartbeat of Ohio State,” said Myriam Shaw Ojeda, PharmD, MPH, assistant professor at the College of Pharmacy and OSU Extension. “As a land-grant institution, the university is committed to pouring back into our communities. OSU Extension is the outreach arm that gets that done.” [Read entire article...]