Beth Liston

Beth Liston is a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives, where she represented the 8th district. A member of the Democratic Party, she served two distinct terms in the Ohio House, concluding her service in 2019. Liston is also a trained medical professional, holding both an MD and a PhD, and has had a notable career in medicine alongside her political endeavors. In 2024, she was elected to the Ohio Senate, representing the 16th district.

Early life and career

Beth Liston was born on October 26, 1974, in Long Island, New York. At the age of eight, she relocated to Columbus, Ohio, where she grew up in the suburb of Worthington. Liston attended Linworth Alternative High School and later graduated from Thomas Worthington High School in 1992, where she achieved the distinction of Salutatorian. Her academic excellence earned her the Glenna R Joyce Scholarship, which provided her with a full scholarship to the University of Notre Dame. At Notre Dame, she graduated magna cum laude in 1996 with a degree in biochemistry.

Following her undergraduate education, Liston pursued advanced studies at Ohio State University, enrolling in a dual MD/PhD program. Her doctoral research concentrated on the molecular biology of cancer chemo-prevention. In 2002, she completed her studies, graduating cum laude with both an MD and a PhD. Her achievements in medical education led to her induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society, recognizing her as one of the top students in her field.

After earning her degrees, Liston completed her residency training in medicine at Yale New Haven Hospital from 2002 to 2006. She is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, reflecting her broad expertise in the medical field. In 2006, she joined the faculty at Ohio State University as an assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, specifically within the Division of Hospital Medicine. Over the years, she has provided care for hospitalized adults and children at both Ohio State Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children's Hospital. Her academic career progressed, and she was promoted to associate professor in 2012 and to full professor of clinical medicine in 2018. She is recognized for her contributions to medical education, particularly in developing curricula focused on clinical reasoning and inter-professional collaboration.

Liston resides in Dublin, Ohio, with her husband, Denver Liston, and their two children, Madeline and Adam. She is actively involved in her community, serving as a member of the Dublin Worthington Rotary and holding the position of President Elect of the Columbus Medical Association.

Legislative service

Beth Liston began her political career by successfully running for a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives. She was elected in the general election held on November 6, 2018, where she secured 57 percent of the vote against her Republican opponent, Stu Harris. This election marked a significant shift, as she flipped the seat from Republican to Democratic control. Liston was re-elected for a second term in the general election on November 3, 2020, achieving 56.8 percent of the vote over Republican candidate Mehek Cooke.

During her time in the Ohio House, Liston served on several committees that addressed various aspects of public policy. In the 133rd General Assembly, she was a member of the Health, Economic and Workforce Development, and Aging and Long Term Care committees. In the subsequent 134th General Assembly, she continued her committee work on the Health and Behavioral Health and Recovery Supports committees, and she also served on the Ways and Means committee. Notably, she held the position of Ranking Minority Member on the Families, Aging, and Human Services committee, indicating her leadership role within the minority party.

Throughout her legislative career, Liston was actively involved in the introduction and sponsorship of numerous bills. In the 133rd General Assembly, she was the primary sponsor of nine bills, which included a range of topics relevant to her constituents and the state. Additionally, she was a co-sponsor of over 100 other pieces of legislation during that term. In the 134th General Assembly, she continued her legislative work as the primary sponsor of three bills and co-sponsored over 40 additional pieces of legislation.

Policy focus and district

As a legislator representing Ohio's 8th district, which includes the communities of Dublin, Worthington, and parts of Northwest Columbus, Liston focused on a variety of policy issues that affected her constituents. Her background in medicine likely influenced her legislative priorities, particularly in areas related to health care and public health. During her time in office, she participated in discussions and initiatives aimed at improving health care access and quality, as well as addressing economic and workforce development challenges.

Liston's involvement in committees related to health and human services suggests a commitment to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those requiring mental health support. Her role as Ranking Minority Member on the Families, Aging, and Human Services committee further highlights her focus on social services and the well-being of families in her district.

In summary, Beth Liston’s career encompasses significant contributions in both the medical and political arenas. Her educational background and professional experience in medicine informed her legislative work, where she sought to address critical issues affecting her community. After serving two terms in the Ohio House of Representatives, she transitioned to the Ohio Senate, continuing her commitment to public service and community engagement.