Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State College, was honored by the Dayton Business Journal as a 2022 Health Care Hero in the Innovator category. She was also named to the Dayton Business Journal 2022 Power 50 List of women leaders.
The Dayton Business Journal said the Health Care Hero awards shine a light on those who have made an impact on health care through their concern for patients, their research and inventions, their management skills, their innovative programs for employees, their service to the poor and uninsured and their community engagement.
Blondin was honored on behalf of Clark State’ work for innovations in Addiction and Integrated Treatment Studies.
“This honor represents teamwork- between healthcare providers, faculty, students, and those who know that the addiction crisis must be addressed with dignity, respect, and best practices,” said Blondin. “The real heroes are those in recovery who have overcome their addictions, and that is who all of our social works aim to help.”
Clark State was approved in July of this year to offer an applied baccalaureate degree in Addiction and Integrated Treatment Studies; the third, 4-year degree added by the College.
Blondin said Clark State has a strong track record of responding to industry needs, and no need is more critical now than training skilled individuals in the field of Addiction and Integrated Treatment Studies.
“The need for skilled addiction professionals has only become more acute during the pandemic, and Clark State is here to provide the training and education necessary to assist in this critical healthcare need,” she said.
The BAS-AITS degree is aligned with and builds upon Clark State’s Associate of Applied Science in Addictions and Recovery Services and the Associate of Applied Science in Social Work Technology degrees, as well as short-term certificate programs in related fields.
Clark State proposed the BAS-AITS degree based on research conducted over the past decade that showed nearly 80% of individuals in need of treatment for addiction issues were also in need of mental health treatment. As a result, treatment providers must be proficient in both areas.
“Other programs in addiction studies do not have an emphasis on the mental health component,” said Blondin. “The Addictions and Integrated Treatment Studies Baccalaureate degree will be the first of its kind to educate and train future treatment providers to be proficient at both of these areas to better serve clients.
Clark State will also seek accreditation from the National Addictions Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC).
Each year the Dayton Business Journal also recognizes the Dayton region’s most influential women in the business community. From business owners to high-level executives and elected officials, the Dayton area has many invaluable female leaders. The Bizwomen Power 50 list — compiled by the DBJ Editorial Board — features women from a variety of industries, including education, health care, manufacturing, defense, law, government and more.
This marks Blondin’s eighth year as a BizWomen Power 50 honoree.
“I am truly honored and humbled to be included with such incredible women in the Dayton region,” said Blondin. “Without a doubt, a strong Board of Trustees and dedicated faculty, staff and students are the keys to Clark State’s leadership.”