The Tri-State is quickly becoming a hub of medical technology, making it a perfect fit for a facility with ties to one of the country’s best pediatric hospitals.

And Ironton — situated perfectly between five medical centers and having a variety of medical clinics of its own — would be the perfect central location for Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s expansion.

We welcome this facility that would be a ChildLab center, a pediatric reference laboratory that allows lab tests to be conducted for patients not only in the Children’s Hospital system, but a variety of health care centers and hospitals.

In addition to its main Columbus campus, Children’s Hospital operates a variety of regional care and health centers. But this one would be a gateway to southern Ohio.

And who knows? This could be the beginning of an even larger presence.

The health care industry, and all the spin-off careers tied to it, continues to be among the fastest growing fields. Lawrence County and the Tri-State has continued to develop its educational opportunities for those interested in these careers.

Couple that with the convergence of medical technologies, a variety of specialty care facilities and an exciting future that could include a full-fledged medical facility returning to Lawrence County, and the sky is truly the limit.

Children’s Hospital makes a difference in the lives of so many families, providing care that is truly the difference between life and death.

We hope to see Children’s working with our existing medical centers to make a difference right here close to home.