Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation creating Certified Mental Health Assistants to work under physician supervision in Ohio’s shortage areas.
CLEVELAND — Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) announced support for Gov. Mike DeWine’s decision to sign Senate Bill 95 into law, officially creating the Certified Mental Health Assistant profession in Ohio.
The legislation, signed on January 8, 2025, establishes a graduate degree program developed by NEOMED to address the state’s shortage of mental health professionals.
“This is a historic endeavor that will ultimately save lives,” said NEOMED President Dr. John Langell. “Certified Mental Health Assistants will transform the landscape of mental health treatment by providing greater access to care.”
The program development began several years ago. State Senator Theresa Gavarone, a Republican from Bowling Green, supported the legislation since 2022.
“Ohio is leading the nation by creating this first-of-its-kind profession,” Senator Gavarone said. “We hope this new program grows the workforce in this critical field and helps address our mental health crisis by providing access to care for all people in every corner of our state.”
Under the new law, Certified Mental Health Assistants will work exclusively under physician supervision. While the supervising physician will make the original diagnosis, the CMHA will carry out the prescribed treatment plan.
The data shows the scope of Ohio’s mental health workforce shortage. According to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, Ohio currently has 138 Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas. Additionally, 16 Ohio counties are designated as Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Dr. Langell said NEOMED developed the program through collaboration with Senator Gavarone and other legislative leaders. The program aims to expand access to mental health care across the state.
“We understand that your mental health matters,” Dr. Langell emphasized, highlighting the program’s focus on expanding access to mental health care across the state.
Randon Welton, M.D. is the Margaret Clark Morgan Endowed chair and professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NEOMED. On Monday morning, he discussed the program and it’s potential impact with WKYC Senior Health Correspondent Monica Robins.
Prior to his arrival at NEOMED, Dr. Welton served as residency program director at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine. He has spent over 20 years in psychiatry resident and medical student education, which include roles as a residency outpatient supervisor at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center and deputy residency education director at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.
Dr. Welton served as a member of the United States Air Force for 24 years. During his service, he held the position of psychiatry consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General and was selected for the Department of Defense/Department of Veteran Affairs work groups to create clinical practice guidelines for post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder.
Dr. Welton earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, and completed his psychiatry residency at Wright State University School of Medicine.