Dr. David Oh
From Director to Donor: Dr. Oh’s Journey to Leading and Living the Mission of Blood Donation
For Dr. David Oh, Director of Hoxworth Blood Center, blood donation isn’t just part of his profession, it’s personal.
But his journey to becoming a regular blood donor wasn’t straightforward. It was shaped by decades of experience, unexpected setbacks, and a deepening connection to the very donors he now leads and serves across the Greater Cincinnati community.
A First Donation and an Unexpected Setback
Dr. Oh’s story begins in the 1980s as a college student in Wisconsin. Like many first-time donors, he participated in a campus blood drive with a simple goal: to help others.
At the time, however, blood screening technology was far less advanced than it is today. After donating, Dr. Oh was incorrectly flagged for a virus and told he should no longer donate. For many, that moment might have ended the story. And for a while, it did.
A Career in Blood Banking but Not Yet a Donor
As his career evolved, Dr. Oh became deeply immersed in the field of transfusion medicine and blood banking. His professional life centered on ensuring a safe, reliable blood supply for patients.
Yet despite leading in the field, he wasn’t actively donating himself.
It wasn’t until he arrived at Hoxworth Blood Center, serving patients across Cincinnati and the Tri-State, that something shifted.
“I was talking to donors every day,” he shared. “And I realized, I wanted to be like them.”
That moment marked a turning point.
Trying Again and Facing Another Barrier
When Dr. Oh decided to donate again, he stepped into the same process that thousands of Hoxworth donors experience every day: screening, questions, and testing designed to protect patients.
But once again, the unexpected happened.
He received a false positive test result, this time for syphilis likely triggered by a previous vaccination. Once again, he was deferred from donating for a period of time. For someone leading a blood center, the experience was both frustrating and eye-opening.
Seeing Blood Donation Through a Donor’s Eyes
These moments didn’t discourage Dr. Oh, they transformed him.
They gave him a rare and powerful perspective:
- What it feels like to be deferred
- How confusing donor screening can be
- The emotional impact of wanting to help but being told you can’t
Today, that perspective shapes how he leads Hoxworth and how the organization communicates with donors. He understands that blood donation is not just a clinical process, it’s a human experience. And that experience requires clarity, compassion, and trust.
A Meaningful Return to Donation
One of Dr. Oh’s most recent meaningful donation experiences came not in a lab or donor center but in the community. He chose to donate at a mobile blood drive honoring Ted Bevis, someone he knew personally. Surrounded by community members, united in remembrance and purpose, the experience took on a deeper meaning.
It wasn’t just about donating blood.
It was about honoring a life, supporting others, being part of something bigger than yourself. Moments like these reflect what makes local blood donation in Greater Cincinnati so powerful – connection!
Why a Strong Blood Supply Matters More Than Ever
Dr. Oh often compares the importance of blood to something everyone understands: water.
“When I lived in California, there was a lot of focus on water supply,” he said. “You need a stable water supply for a community to grow.”
For him, the same is true for healthcare.
A strong, reliable blood supply is essential for:
- Cancer patients
- Trauma victims
- Mothers during childbirth
- Patients undergoing surgery
- Individuals with chronic illnesses
In fact, 1 in 7 patients entering the hospital will need a blood transfusion. And unlike water, blood cannot be manufactured. It must come from volunteer donors.
When the Mission Becomes Personal
Today, Dr. Oh’s connection to blood donation is even more personal. As he prepares for an upcoming routine medical procedure, he reflects on something many patients experience: The quiet reassurance of knowing blood is available if it’s needed.
“I know it’s there if I do need it,” he said.
That certainty exists because of local donors, people who give not knowing who they’ll help, but trusting it will make a difference.
Your Donation Stays Local. Your Impact Stays Personal.
At Hoxworth Blood Center, every donation supports patients in local hospitals across Greater Cincinnati and the surrounding communities.
“When you donate with Hoxworth, that blood may go to you, a loved one, a neighbor or even someone just passing through our city,” Dr. Oh said. “But it stays here. It supports our community.”
This is what makes donating blood in the tri-state so meaningful.
It’s not abstract.
It’s not distant.
It’s local.
It’s immediate.
It’s lifesaving.
A Legacy of Leadership and Action
Dr. Oh’s story is not just about leadership, it’s about alignment. He doesn’t just ask others to donate. He understands it. He’s lived it. And he continues to champion it. From false starts to meaningful returns, his journey reflects the reality of many donors and the importance of persistence, trust, and community.
Be Part of the Story. Donate Blood Today.
A strong community depends on people willing to show up for one another.
Your blood donation can:
- Save lives
- Support local hospitals
- Ensure blood is available when it matters most
Schedule your appointment with Hoxworth Blood Center today and become part of a story that truly makes a difference.