Director of Health - Bruce T. Vanderhoff, MD, MBA

Bruce T. Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, was appointed director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) in August 2021. Dr. Vanderhoff joined the agency after being named chief medical officer in November 2020. He is a key leader in planning, managing, and executing Ohio’s response to a wide range of public health issues, from communicable diseases, including the COVID-19 pandemic, to environmental health threats, healthcare delivery, and other public health challenges. Dr. Vanderhoff also leads ODH’s effort to transform the landscape of public health in Ohio through programs and policies that strive to improve health, healthcare access, and clinical outcomes.

Before joining ODH, Dr. Vanderhoff had amassed years of experience leading large teams in successfully dealing with important healthcare issues in Ohio. He served more than a decade as a senior vice president and chief medical officer at OhioHealth, where he prepared the healthcare system to manage the threat of Ebola and H1N1. He also addressed pressing healthcare issues affecting Ohio from rural Appalachia to metropolitan Columbus.

Dr. Vanderhoff’s service has made him a nationally recognized physician leader with an impressive track record of managing large-scale healthcare initiatives, addressing disparities, and improving population health.

His deep commitment to public service has been recognized through both the Phillips Medal of Public Service from Ohio University and an honorary Doctor of Community Leadership in Healthcare degree from Franklin University.

Dr. Vanderhoff holds a doctorate in medicine from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration degree from Franklin University. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.