Pomerene Hospital adds family care provider, strengthens internal medicine team

Pomerene Hospital has added two clinicians to its Millersburg care teams, announcing the immediate arrival of Jodi Swihart, MSN, APRN, FNP, to family care and the upcoming addition of Brayden Chaney, a certified physician assistant, to its internal medicine roster in early 2026. The staffing moves increase primary care capacity at a community hospital that employs more than 325 people and supports a medical staff with over 80 physicians.

Swihart brings 14 years of experience as a certified nurse practitioner serving patients in Wayne County and neighboring communities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Malone University and a Master of Science in Nursing from the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing. She is now accepting new and existing patients at Pomerene Family Care in Millersburg. Patients may contact the clinic at 330 674 3333 for appointments and information.

Chaney is a lifelong Holmes County resident and a West Holmes High School graduate who completed the physician assistant program at Ashland University in 2025. He is scheduled to care for patients primarily at Pomerene's Millersburg internal medicine offices beginning in early 2026. The internal medicine office can be reached at 330 893 1318 for scheduling and inquiries.

For residents who rely on local access to primary and internal medicine services, these additions can mean shorter travel times for routine visits, improved continuity of care for chronic conditions, and more timely appointment availability. Primary care capacity is a cornerstone of public health, helping to prevent avoidable emergency room visits and enabling ongoing management of conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. In rural and semi rural communities like Holmes County, building and sustaining that capacity depends on recruitment of experienced clinicians and the development of local training pipelines.

The hiring of a clinician who grew up in the county underscores the role of local education and workforce development in health care access. Bringing graduates of regional programs into community practices supports retention of talent and strengthens ties between health systems and the populations they serve. Pomerene's announcement highlights institutional efforts to maintain a broad medical staff while responding to community needs.

Residents seeking more information may call Pomerene Hospital at 330 674 1015 or visit pomerenehospital.org. As Holmes County faces the common challenges of rural health care access, continued investment in primary and internal medicine services will be critical to promote equity in health outcomes and ensure that local families can obtain timely, culturally competent care close to home.