CMA Physician Running for Ohio Legislature

Dr. Beth Liston, hospitalist and pediatrician, CMA President-Elect

On November 6, 2018, Ohioans will vote to fill 99 seats for the State House of Representatives. Dr. Beth Liston is among the candidates in this election.

Actively practicing physicians who can serve in the Legislature are very rare.  And in recent memory, no CMA physician has held a seat in the Ohio House or Senate.

“I believe we need a voice of knowledge about the health impacts of policy in our state government,” Dr. Liston said. “This relates to healthcare and the practice of medicine, but it also relates to education, financial security, local services, and other topics.”
 

Dr. Liston, a hospitalist and pediatrician at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, has focused largely on issues concerning public health. She hopes to advocate, on behalf of physicians, for improved patient care within medical communities.

“All of us have had experiences when we were frustrated because we were unable to care for patients effectively. I want to make this better,” Dr. Liston said.

In a region afflicted by numerous “health crises,” Dr. Liston aims to address the growing medical concerns that many Ohioans share.

“Our state ranks 46th in terms of health value. We need someone to take an evidence-based holistic approach towards addressing these issues,” Dr. Liston said. “I will bring this expertise to our state government.”

(Left) Dr. Anita Somani, Immediate Past President of the CMA, (Right) Dr. Beth Liston, current CMA President-Elect

Dr. Liston holds both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees, and over 15 years of experience in clinical medicine. In addition to caring for her patients and her family, Liston also serves the *Columbus Medical Association as President-Elect.

“I work a lot of nights and holidays.  My husband Denver has been very supportive at home.  My two children, Madeline (age 14) and Adam (age 12) have been great helpers and are learning a lot about the government, campaigns and state policy,” she said.

Dr. Liston is a Democrat running for the 21st Ohio House district, in the northern part of Franklin County, including Worthington and Dublin.