Established in 2018, the Rhodes State College Alumni Circle of Excellence recognizes Associate Degree graduates of Rhodes State College and Lima Technical College who are doing exceptional work in their career field, community and for the College. In addition to the 2022 Outstanding Alumni Award winner, Dr. Ann J. Pohl, announced in an earlier release, the 2022 Alumni Circle of Excellence Inductees include:
Joy Bischoff, Nursing (1995) – President, OhioHealth-Hardin Memorial/Chief Nursing Officer, OhioHealth-Marion General Hospital and Hardin Memorial Hospital
“Joy is an extraordinary example of how, through a lifetime of service and compassion, one person can be a force for positive change.” – Curtis Gingrich, MD, President, Marion General Hospital
In her newly-expanded role as President of OhioHealth – Hardin Memorial Hospital, Ms. Bischoff leads the only hospital in Hardin County; her focus is on bringing emergency and specialty services to the community to ensure residents can receive the appropriate levels of lifesaving care they need closer to home. A familiar face within the community, Ms. Bischoff is deeply embedded in a number of organizations throughout the greater Marion and Kenton area. She is known for putting on scrubs and working alongside her teams to connect with frontline workers, be a mentor, provide support, and help problem solve. In addition to her degree from Lima Technical College, Joy also holds a BSN from Ohio Northern University and an MSN from Walden University.
“Rhodes State prepared for me a lifelong commitment to learning and service. I entered the practice with all the needed skills and knowledge to perform with excellence and with the expectation that I would continue to grow in my career with formal education,” she said.
Wes R. Barnt, Radiologic Technology (1985) – Vice President of Operations, Midland Memorial Hospital, Texas
Wes Barnt has become a lifelong learner, continuing his education with additional clinical certifications and business degrees. Since graduation, he has obtained the Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) certification and then earned a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education, a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Management all from Wayland Baptist University.
Today, Mr. Barnt is the Vice President of Operations at Midland Memorial Hospital. He has also served his community for as a volunteer with the Buffalo Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He has volunteered at the Midland Soup Kitchen, Championship Hearts, and Dress a Live Angel.
“Lima Tech started me on a career path that has exceeding my own expectations for my life. Likely due to my career in healthcare, my son has decided to become a nurse. My degree from Lima Tech is influencing the next generation in my family,” he said.
Jennifer J. Truman, Nursing (2017) – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Lima Memorial Health System - Next Chapter Mental Health
Jennifer Truman began her educational journey at age forty, while raising a family. While in school, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but it never slowed her down from her end goal. At Rhodes State, she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, served as Student Class President, and received several scholarships including the Borra Family Foundation Scholarship. From there, she continued to advance her education with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ohio University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Most recently, she graduated from Walden University with a Master of Science in Nursing, specializing as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
After her time at Rhodes, Ms. Truman began working in the Heart and Vascular Unit at Lima Memorial Hospital as a cardiac critical care nurse, where she also served on the Donation Counsel, the Emotional Harm Committee, and as a Care Coach. In 2022, Ms. Truman took a leadership position with Lima Memorial Health Systems NextChapter Mental Health.
“The Associate's degree that I received from Rhodes State College was the catalyst to my dream career, even before I realized it. Rhodes was local, affordable, and the scheduling was practical for this mother of four. Now I am able to provide psychotherapy and medication management for the mentally ill population in my hometown of Lima, Ohio,” she said.
Josette R. Brinkman, Computer – Multimedia Option (1999) – Owner, FastSigns of Findlay
“Greatness is an internal quality of a person’s character, which emerges in their actions. True greatness is achieved by making a difference in other people’s lives. There are people from all walks of life who turn their talents, efforts, and energies toward the uplifting of other people. Josette Brinkman is one of them.” – Craig Brown, Business Advisor, Ohio Small Business Development Center
Josette has an entrepreneurial spirit, which afforded her the opportunity to start her own business, Signed by Josette, with just $350 in her pocket and a loan for a laptop from her mother in 2006. Her drive allowed her to grow this business until 2019, when she became an Owner/Operator of FastSigns of Finday.
Josette was awarded the Small Woman Business Champion of the Year in 2009, the Notable Networker Award for Flag City BNI Chapter in 2005 and 2009, and Rookie Center of the Year for Fastsigns Conversions in 2021. She has also served as a member of the American Red Cross, the Fremont Toastmasters, the International Sign Association, the Findlay/Hancock and Bowling Green Chambers of Commerce, the Findlay Area Downtown Design Review Board, and the VanBuren Local Schools Athletic Boosters, among many more.
