Adena Health physician finalist for annual statewide Health Care Worker of the Year award

By Jason Gilham
Director, Integrated Communications
Adena Health

CHILLICOTHE – Adena Health family medicine physician John Gabis, MD, experienced a deeply meaningful moment when he heard his name called Tuesday at the Ohio Hospital Association’s (OHA) Recognition Dinner as one of five finalists for their 2025 Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year award.

“The nomination and now being a finalist has been a great affirmation that my life has made a difference,” says Dr. Gabis, who also serves as Adena medical director of community partnerships.

OHA’s Health Care Worker of the Year Award is presented annually to one Ohio caregiver who personifies a leader, motivates colleagues, influences others, provides valuable service and contributions, exemplifies the mission, vision, and values of the organization, and has an impact in their community.

Each year, OHA invites member hospitals and health systems to nominate one outstanding professional for consideration for Health Care Worker of the Year. OHA enlisted a panel of outside reviewers to help identify this year’s five finalists and ultimate recipient. OHA received 74 nominations for this year’s Health Care Worker of the Year Award.

“I am honored and humbled,” Dr. Gabis says. “I am forever grateful to have dedicated friends who care for our communities. Thank you to my patients who have allowed me into their lives in the good times and the bad. That is a privilege I hold so dear.”

Dr. Gabis is known for going above and beyond the basic care of his family medicine patients, providing home visits when needed and even offering the eulogy at their funeral when asked. However, it isn’t just people he personally sees that benefit from Dr. Gabis’ service, as he considers the entire community his patient. In 2009, after seeing an increase in prescription overdose deaths as the Ross County Coroner, he convened a task force of county and state officials, resulting in what is now the Hope Partnership Project (HPP). In his role at Adena, Dr. Gabis continues to play an important part in the HPP’s efforts to increase treatment resources, foster a peer recovery network, and provide innovative harm reduction initiatives. As a result, the number of overdose deaths in Ross County has dropped by one-sixth, garnering national recognition from the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Also serving on the boards of numerous local organizations, there are very few initiatives that have changed the health outcomes of his community that Dr. Gabis has not been a part of.

“I have lived my life with passion and purpose, on purpose, and that purpose is to do what the Creator put me here to do,” Dr. Gabis says. “I hope I have come close.”

This marks the second consecutive year that Adena has had a finalist named for the OHA’s Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award following licensed independent social worker Cheryl Royster.

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