One of the many partners advancing this work is Eva Szigethy, MD, PhD, Lois C. Orr Endowed Chair in Pediatric Psychiatry, Director of the Behavioral Health Service Line at Akron Children's Hospital, and Professor at NEOMED. Through her collaboration with the Ohio Colleges of Medicine Government Resource Center (GRC), Dr. Szigethy has helped expand access to behavioral health care for children and families through initiatives including the Ohio Pediatric Psychiatry Access Line (OPPAL) and Project ECHO.
For Dr. Szigethy, collaboration is one of the greatest strengths of these programs.
"Project ECHO has shown me the incredible depth of expertise and resources that exist across Ohio," said Dr. Szigethy. "Every session offers new perspectives, new ideas, and new opportunities to learn from one another so that we can better serve children and families in our communities."
One of the partnership's most impactful initiatives is OPPAL, which connects primary care providers with child and adolescent psychiatry experts for consultation and support. The program aligns closely with Akron Children's Hospital's commitment to expanding access to behavioral health care while strengthening collaboration between pediatric and behavioral health providers, particularly in underserved communities.
By connecting providers with specialized expertise, OPPAL helps address critical gaps in care and ensures that more children and families can receive timely, high-quality behavioral health services close to home. The program also supports the integration of behavioral health into primary care, allowing providers to better meet the needs of their patients and build confidence in managing behavioral health concerns.
"Programs like OPPAL demonstrate the power of collaboration to extend behavioral health expertise beyond hospital walls," said Dr. Szigethy. "By supporting primary care providers throughout Ohio, we can help more children and families receive the care they need when they need it."
Dr. Szigethy's partnership with GRC also includes Project ECHO, a virtual learning network that brings multidisciplinary providers together to discuss complex pediatric behavioral health cases. Through regular case-based discussions, participants share knowledge, explore treatment approaches, and learn about resources available throughout Ohio communities. The program creates valuable opportunities for providers to learn from one another while building stronger connections across the state's behavioral health system.
Through partnerships like those with Akron Children's Hospital, MedTAPP demonstrates the power of bringing people and organizations together around a shared mission. By connecting expertise, expanding access to care, and supporting healthcare providers statewide, these collaborations are helping build healthier communities and a stronger future for Ohio families.