- July 20, 2011: Summa Health System Named 2011 Most Wired Hospital. Summa Health System has been named one of 2011 Health Care’s Most Wired hospital organizations for achievement in the use of healthcare IT, according to the results of the recently-released 2011 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study. The study, which appears in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks (H&HN) magazine, focuses on how hospitals adopt, implement and use information technology in its infrastructure; and improve business and administrative management, clinical and quality safety and care among the hospital community.
- July 11, 2011: NEOMED Makes the Grade. The Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) doctor of pharmacy program wins high marks with accreditation for its professional degree program. The doctor of pharmacy program has been granted full accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Board of Directors. According to the ACPE, which is the national agency for the accreditation of professional degree programs in pharmacy, the purpose of the accreditation process is to provide a professional judgment of the quality of a college or school of pharmacy’s professional program and to encourage continued improvement.
- July 8, 2011: CSU-NEOMED partnership gets funding approval for 35 students. Cleveland State’s partnership with Northeast Ohio Medical University received a boost on June 30 when Gov. John Kasich signed H.B. 153. This allows for State Share of Instruction funding for up to 35 Cleveland State students per year to enter NEOMED via the partnership, and for 50 percent of the curriculum to be taught at CSU or at Cleveland-area health facilities.
- May 18, 2011: Akron Children’s ranked in U.S. News Top 50. Akron Children’s Hospital has been ranked in four pediatric specialties in U.S. News Media Group’s Best Children’s Hospitals rankings. Akron Children’s ranked 31st in the country in pediatric orthopaedics, 40th in pediatric pulmonology, 42nd in pediatric nephrology and 48th in neonatology. The hospital’s Mahoning Valley location is in Boardman. “We salute Akron Children’s Hospital,” said Health Rankings Editor Avery Comarow. “The goal of the Best Children’s Hospital rankings is to call attention to pediatric centers with the expertise to help the sickest kids, and Akron Children’s is one of those centers.”…
- May 17, 2011: Science is shot in arm, experts say. Investments in medical research and science education are among the cures Ohio needs for its economic future. That was the message shared by state and national experts on Monday during a Research!America research partners forum. The national nonprofit group advocates for support for medical research. “Here is a place we can’t afford not to invest,” said panelist Debra Lappin, senior vice president of B&D Consulting and president of the Council for American Medical Innovation…
- May 17, 2011: Medical school prepares for more research. The region’s medical school is breaking further into research, commercialization and job creation. To reach these goals, the Northeast Ohio Medical University broke ground Monday for a $42 million Research and Graduate Education building on its Rootstown campus. When it’s completed in about 18 months, the four-story, 80,000-square-foot facility will house research teams focused on improved diagnosis and treatment of arthritis, cardiovascular disease, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, addictions and other conditions…
- May 11, 2011: Cleveland State establishes partnership with Northeast Ohio Medical University. A partnership between Cleveland State University and the Northeast Ohio Medical University will produce doctors committed to practicing in urban neighborhoods, according to the doctor leading the effort. “The bottom line is that we will connect to the community,” said Dr. Mark Penn, senior vice president for academic affairs at NEOMED, formerly the Northeast Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy. Through the program, which begins in the fall, students start their studies at CSU and then advance to NEOMED to earn their medical degrees…
- May 9, 2011: Combating corrosion: $11M will support University of Akron research. The U.S. Department of Defense is investing $11 million in a research program at the University of Akron, trying to combat the effects of corrosion. The investment was announced on Monday as the University broke ground for a new three story engineering research building to help accommodate its groundbreaking program. Researchers at the University of Akron are hoping to be the first in the country to offer an undergraduate degree in the study of corrosion…
- May 6, 2011: Knight grant celebrated. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation on Thursday held an open house to highlight its three-year, $1.7 million grant to an Akron neighborhood called Cascade Village and its developer/manager, the Community Builders. The grant is to help the new community build relationships and skills among its residents. The grant will be used to support a resident-led effort to provide workshops and services such as career and financial coaching and school and youth programming that will bring the community together…
- May 1, 2011: Akron Polymer expands. High-tech startup Akron Polymer Systems is in the running to help make a better screen for upcoming generations of the popular Apple iPad tablet computer. That’s just the kind of niche APS specializes in, said co-founder and Chief Executive Frank Harris, who added that he can’t say much more beyond that. His attention these days is spread between such things as seeking customers for his small firm and making sure that things go well with the new APS headquarters and laboratory starting to take shape on North Summit Street on the outskirts of downtown Akron…
- April 29, 2011: Moving Science to the Marketplace. Universities are more than seats of learning. They’re consistently churning out ideas and research that pique the interest of private enterprise with the knowhow to move those ideas into the marketplace. University of Akron, renowned for its work in polymer science and Case Western Reserve University, well-known for research on medical devices and fuel cells are two of the state’s leaders in what’s known as technology transfer…
- April 29, 2011: NEOUCOM wins official OK to change name to Northeast Ohio Medical University. The Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy–commonly known as NEOUCOM–officially dropped its mouthful of a name and now will be known as Northeast Ohio Medical University. Gov. John Kasich signed a measure this morning officially approving the name change. The university plans officially to launch the new name and brand in August to provide time to transition its internal operations, such as e-mail, business cards and signage, to the new moniker…
- April 28, 2011: University of Akron to set up satellite location in Lakewood. University of Akron is venturing into Cuyahoga County as its trustees approved a deal that would allow the school to operate a satellite location in Lakewood. The 11,000-square-foot education space will be at the corner of Detroit Avenue and Warren Road in the Bailey Building. The deal includes a six-year lease at $14 per square foot plus a build-out cost in the first year that comes to about $147,000 and will increase by about 3% each year of the lease…
- April 26, 2011: [Akron General Medical Center named to] 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare Named by Becker’s Hospital Review. Becker’s Hospital Review/Becker’s ASC Review have announced the “100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare—2011.” The list was developed through nominations and research, and the organizations were selected for their demonstrated excellence in providing a work environment that promotes teamwork, professional development and quality patient care.
- April 26, 2011: Summa reports 2010 results. Summa Health System’s seven owned or affiliated hospitals had 61,835 inpatient admissions and 226,328 emergency department visits in 2010. Last year, the hospitals also provided 47,114 surgeries and delivered 4,310 babies. All together, Summa hospitals generated $927.1 million, the bulk of the health system’s $1.5 billion in revenue.
- April 21, 2011: NEOUCOM looks to have presence in Akron metro. The region’s medical school based in Rootstown Township wants to have a physician presence in Akron. Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy has started talks about locating a research center somewhere in the city, President Jay A. Gershen said during his appearance Tuesday at the Akron Press Club luncheon on the University of Akron campus.
- April 19, 2011: Research!America partners forum will focus on economic impact of medical research to state. Fostering leadership in medical and health research offers remarkable opportunities in Ohio. The Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM) will host a Research!America Forum, “Building Ohio’s Economy and Health through Medical Research,” on May 16, 2011, from noon-3 p.m. to demonstrate the importance of research investment to create jobs in Ohio.
- April 7, 2011: NEOUCOM moves a step closer to a new (shorter) name. The Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy is closer to a new, shorter name after the Ohio House of Representatives passed a measure that would make the school known as Northeast Ohio Medical University. House Bill 139 passed by a vote of 94-1 and moves onto the Ohio Senate. An “emergency” clause in the legislation would allow the name change to immediately go into effect upon state approval, perhaps in time for graduation ceremonies next month, the Record-Pub reported…
- April 5, 2011: UA students take 1st place at business competition. UA College of Engineering seniors Kyle Hamblin and James Kirkwood bested the teams from 9 other Northeast Ohio colleges and universities in the ideaLabs business concept competition held at The University of Akron’s InfoCision Stadium on March 31. Their newly formed company, JVT Aerospace LLC earned a total of $6,000 in first place prize money and a stipend award. As a result of their presentation, JVT Aerospace has been invited to participate in the Akron ARCHAngels investment process…
- April 3, 2011: Summa CEO talks about health-care reform. Although a year has passed since President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the public’s stance on health-care reform remains hard to decipher – perhaps because a large portion of the public still finds the law itself hard to decipher. Just before the president signed the bill on March 23, 2010, CBS News commissioned a poll in which respondents were asked whether they thought the changes would improve health care. Twenty-eight percent said they couldn’t say because they didn’t yet know enough about the measure…
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February 28, 2011: HealthGrades picks Summa, Akron General
Akron now has bragging rights as home of two of the nation’s top 50 hospitals. Akron General Medical Center and Summa Health System recently were named among the 50 best hospitals nationwide by HealthGrades, which provides physician information and hospital quality outcomes on its website, http://www.healthgrades.com. The organization evaluated mortality or complication rates for 26 common procedures and treatments. On average, patients treated at the 50 identified hospitals had a nearly 30 percent lower risk of death and 3 percent lower rate of complications, according to HealthGrades. Other Northeast Ohio hospitals honored were Marymount and Hillcrest hospitals…
- February 15, 2011: Akron General creating brain institute. Akron General Health System is making a multimillion-dollar investment in smart technology to treat brain cancers and disorders. The health system announced Monday it is joining with a group of local neurosurgeons to establish a Neuroscience Institute at Akron General Medical Center. The hospital is acquiring technology known as a Gamma Knife, which uses precise beams of radiation instead of an actual knife to target brain tumors and other cranial disorders. Only four other hospitals in Ohio offer the option, according to Elekta, the maker of the Gamma Knife…
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February 9, 2011: Summa patent created to treat cancer may help in orthopaedics
Summa Health System is exploring whether its patented combination of vitamins can curb the inflammation and pain experienced by some patients after knee-replacement surgery. Summa’s Walter A. Hoyt Jr. Musculoskeletal Laboratory recently opened a clinical trial for Apatone-B, an oral medication that contains vitamins C and K3. The vitamin combination originally was developed by Summa researchers to help treat cancer by making the tumor cells weaker and more susceptible to chemotherapy. But when Summa’s cancer researchers were discussing the drug during a research meeting, Summa’s orthopedic researchers began to suspect lower doses of the medication also could work for joint-replacement patients who are experiencing inflammation and pain…
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February 7, 2011: Boy’s donated cells transform in lab
Within a Northeast Ohio lab, a hairless mouse is growing an ear from the cells of a Wadsworth preschooler. Dr. William Landis, the G. Stafford Whitby Chair of Polymer Science at the University of Akron, is leading groundbreaking, tissue-engineering research to grow human cartilage — first in the lab, now in animals and, eventually, in patients. His work is part of a fast-developing field that could help millions of patients repair injuries, replace worn body parts or fix birth defects with tissue grown from their own cells in the not-so-distant future…
- January 20, 2011: Summa Akron City and St. Thomas Hospitals Receive Highest Honor for Nursing Excellence. Summa Akron City and St. Thomas Hospitals are proud to receive Magnet recognition for excellence in nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Long known for its high quality, compassionate nursing care, Summa is now among the top 6.5 percent of hospitals in the country to have achieved Magnet status…
- January 15, 2011: New Wing in Medina to Include 12-bed ER. Summa Health System is moving forward with plans to deliver its emergency services to Medina County and to upgrade its main ER at Akron City Hospital. The Akron-based health system is starting construction this week on a 12-bed, full-service satellite emergency department attached to the Summa Health Center at Lake Medina, which opened in the fall. The 20,000-square-foot addition to the Medina outpatient facility is scheduled to open in November…
- January 13, 2011: Rochester Native Tapped to Head Akron General’s Financial Affairs. Akron General Health System is putting another key piece of its leadership team in place as it launches a long-term strategic planning initiative. Akron General on Wednesday announced the appointment of Stephen M. Gary as the health system’s new senior vice president and chief financial officer. Gary, 54, served for the past five years as senior vice president and CFO for St. Vincent Health System, a 425-bed hospital in Erie, PA. In his new role, Gary will oversee financial issues for Akron General Health System, which generates $553.4 million annually in operating revenues and ranks as one of Summit County’s largest private employers with about 5,700 employees…
- January 11, 2011: Summa Health System opens FDA-Approved Clinical Trial for Knee-Replacement Patients with Resulting Inflammation and Pain. As the U.S. population ages, particularly with the baby boomers, more and more Americans are requiring joint replacements. Each year nearly one million Americans have a hip or knee replaced. While the vast majority of these procedures are successful, some patients end up with a chronically painful joint as a result of a cellular response to the prosthetic implant… With few options for treatment, researchers in Summa Health System’s Walter A. Hoyt, Jr. Musculoskeletal Laboratory recently opened an FDA-approved clinical trial for these symptomatic implant patients to test the usage of internally developed oral medication known as Apatone®B…
- January 7, 2011: Children’s Hospital adds Big Hitters. Akron Children’s Hospital has recruited two high-profile physician leaders from Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Dr. Bruce H. Cohen joined Akron Children’s this week as director of the Department of Pediatric Neurology. He previously served as chief of pediatric neurology at the Cleveland Clinic, where he held joint appointments in the Taussig Cancer Center, neurosurgery and pediatrics. In addition, Dr. Rich Hertie is taking over this month as director of the Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology. He recently joined Akron Children’s after serving as director of pediatric ophthalmology at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh…
- January 6, 2011: IBM and the Premier Healthcare Alliance to Integrate Nation’s Healthcare Data to Gain Insight, Measure Performance and Improve Population Health. IBM and the Premier healthcare alliance today announced plans to integrate health information from across hospitals and other healthcare sites. More than 2,400 hospitals and thousands of other healthcare sites will benefit from this model to help improve clinical outcomes, reduce waste and prepare for new methods of delivering care required by health reform…Participants in Premier’s Accountable Care Implementation Collaborative will leverage the model to exchange data. The collaborative is currently composed of 25 health systems with more than 90 hospitals and 5,000 physicians providing care for 1.4 million patients across 19 states. They include: …Summa Health System…
- January 6, 2011: Summa’s Urgent Care Center Moving to New Fairlawn Site. Summa Health System is relocating its urgent care center in Fairlawn to a former Hollywood video site. The renovated building on West Market Street is expected to open by the end of January or early February, said Bryan Fredericks, chief operating officer for Summa Physicians, Inc., the health system’s physician practice arm. Summa has operated an urgent care center nearby on West Market Street since acquiring the former MedGroup last year…
- January 4, 2011: Devices Help Doctors Learn. Think of it as driver’s ed for the modern-day doctor-in-training. Dual trainers at Summa Health System’s Akron City Hospital and Akron General Medical Center are allowing obstetrics and gynecology residents to be in the driver’s seat during robotic-assisted procedures. A more experienced attending physician sits at a nearby console, ready to provide guidance or apply the brakes and take over the procedure at any second…
- January 2, 2011: New Breast Surgery Option for Akron General Medical Center Patients. For the first time in the Akron area, breast cancer patients who face breast reconstruction after a mastectomy have another option. Akron General Plastic Surgeon Dr. John Pedersen is now offering “DIEP” Flap Reconstruction at Akron General Medical Center. The DIEP Flap (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) is a tissue flap procedure that uses blood vessels, fat and skin from a woman’s abdomen to create a new breast mound after a mastectomy…
- December 29, 2010: Former Univision President Ray Rodrigues Joins Board of the John S. and James L. Knight FoundationThe John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has elected seasoned media executive Ray Rodriguez to the board of trustees. Rodriguez is the former President and COO of Univision Communications. During his tenure, he helped transform Univision into a Hispanic media empire including three television networks, an Internet portal and a major radio company. Univision’s ratings regularly surpass at least one of the English-speaking competitors in major television markets, putting it on par with networks like ABC, CBS and NBC…