Michael Lawson

Michael Lawson is a president at OhioHealth responsible for OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, the OhioHealth Pickerington and Westerville Medical Campuses and the future OhioHealth Grove City Methodist Hospital. Mr. Lawson is also responsible for leading the strategic development and operations of OhioHealth’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program and the freestanding Emergency Departments throughout central Ohio. Mr. Lawson is the accountable executive for the OhioHealth Quality and Affordability initiative linked to Workforce Innovation.

Michael Lawson has 33 years of healthcare leadership, operations and strategic clinical program development experience. He joined OhioHealth in 2009 as Grant’s chief operating officer. He was named president in 2013. He has been instrumental in partnering with physician medical staff, management and associates to improve and integrate patient care services, increase access and market share, strategically reduce cost to make care more affordable, promote efficient hospital operations and serve the community.

Before joining OhioHealth, Mr. Lawson worked at the Cleveland Clinic for 24 years.  He served in senior level vice president roles overseeing a community hospital and health system service line. Prior to that, he was an administrator and assigned to the health system CEO for strategic initiatives. In this dual role, he was responsible for surgical services, emergency medicine, clinical program development, community relations, system integration and radiology.  Before Mr. Lawson began his management career, he had a clinical role performing x-rays in the cardiac and neurologic intensive care units. 

Mr. Lawson has published several books and articles on healthcare and leadership. He received a bachelor’s degree from Baldwin Wallace University and earned his master’s degree in Business Administration from Cleveland State University.

Mr. Lawson serves as chairman of the board of trustees for the Med-Flight Corporation. He is also an advisor and board member of the Med-Care Corporation and Franklin University. His other diverse board service has included Columbus Metropolitan Library, Westerville Endoscopy Center, Eastside Surgery Center and Downtown Endoscopy Center.

He is a member of American College of Healthcare Executives, Medical Group Management Association and National Association of Health Service Executives. He enjoys reading, exercising and spending time with family and friends.