LIVING AND WORKING AT TRINITY WEST IN STEUBENVILLE, OHIO

Steubenville, Ohio, nestled on the Ohio River, is a town where the air is fresh, the community is tight-knit, and the possibilities for outdoor exploration are endless. It is a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life and truly immerse yourself in nature.

Plus: Pittsburgh is just a great city. “It’s a great place to live,” says Dr. John Columbus, who was born in Pittsburgh, grew up in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and has been a part of Trinity West’s journey for nearly three decades. “Look up any rating of best cities anywhere in the U.S. and Pittsburgh is going to be right up there. The school system is top-notch, and you can do anything: skiing, biking, hunting, fishing, you name it.

There are also cultural offerings galore, including concert halls, opera, theatre, and of course sports. “Last night I went to a Pirate’s game—I left the parking lot of the game at 9 pm and was in my own driveway by 9:15,” said Dr. Columbus.

THE HOSPITAL

A beacon of high-quality health care in the region, Trinity West Medical Center stands out from other community hospitals. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services, offering an impressive range of specialties from open heart surgery to a recently launched, fully accredited EM residency program. It operates as a tertiary center, receiving patients from critical access hospitals in the area.

Dr. Columbus, originally an Airforce flight surgeon, started working at Trinity (then called St. John Medical Center) back in 1995. He speaks highly of the hospital’s commitment to quality and safety. “I would describe it as very quality-focused right now,” he says. Trinity is also backed by Common Spirit Health, the largest Catholic hospital organization in the country, adding to its reputation, resources, and ability to provide top-notch healthcare.

Undergoing extensive expansion, the hospital will open a brand new facility, attached to the current one, which is slated to open in September 2023. It will feature 88 new beds, and a brand-new registration area, among other improvements. A new, state-of-the-art emergency department, with a dedicated Fast Track area and an Observation Unit, is scheduled to open in 2024. Furthermore, there are plans for an affiliated community hospital in St. Clairsville, OH, with a 10-bed ER and a 10-bed hospital featuring a Cath lab, set to open in December 2024.

In addition, Trinity West boasts a robust team of dedicated professionals. Dr. Benson Yeh, who moved to the area from Long Island, NY two years ago, says: “Everyone knows each other and it’s really a can-do type attitude. The nurses are really very good, all positive, all hard-working,” Dr. Yeh said. 

Dr. Columbus speaks fondly of the mutual respect among different specialties. “There’s a real collegial attitude. We get along with each other, and we get along with the other specialties as well,” he shares.

With plans to expand its capabilities further, including the intention to become a trauma and stroke center, Trinity Medical Center is a dynamic and evolving institution.

THE TOWN

The rural area outside Steubenville, Ohio is where Yeh says he found his new home.

“I wanted something different. Steubenville is rural, it’s got great outdoors, and it’s filled with good, friendly people. That’s what I was looking for,” Dr. Yeh shared about his decision to relocate.

Steubenville, though smaller in size, brims with opportunities for outdoor recreation. From hiking and skiing to white water rafting in nearby West Virginia, there’s an activity for every season. If you’re inclined towards the quieter side of life, you might follow Dr. Yeh’s lead, who’s taken to gardening on his small farm. “I’ve got 4 acres of cleared land right around me, I see hundreds of yards of open space. It’s peaceful, it’s restful, it’s calm,” he said.

The town also offers an easy commute to Pittsburgh, making it feasible for residents to enjoy both the serenity of rural Ohio and the attractions of a larger city. Moreover, Steubenville’s economy is robust, anchored by industries like oil, gas, and steel, as well as agriculture.

In addition to the natural beauty and economic stability, Steubenville offers a vibrant local culture. From rooting for Pittsburgh’s sports teams to attending concerts at the Pavilion at Star Lake where big-name music acts regularly perform, there’s a range of entertainment options to explore.

Steubenville is more than just a place to live and work; it’s a community where physicians can form meaningful connections with their patients and truly make a difference. As Dr. Yeh puts it, “Patients range from being almost inner-city like in their demographics, relatively poor, a good percentage of urban area in Steubenville, and blue collar, white collar workers from within the area, and all of Jefferson County, and so the hospital is really a destination. People travel 30-40 miles to see us.”

At the end of the day, living and working in Steubenville, Ohio, is about more than just a job — it’s about experiencing a different pace of life, immersing oneself in a warm and welcoming community, and having the opportunity to provide high-quality healthcare to a diverse range of patients.

For current opportunities and emergency medicine jobs in Steubenville, see our Careers page.