Summa Western Reserve Hospital Director of Medical/Surgical Services, Suzanne Yee, BSN, RN, RN-BC, NE-BC was recently recognized as a Patriot Award recipient.

Pictured (L to R): Pentagon representative Chaker Fadel, Lt Col, USAF (Ret.) with Summa Western Reserve Hospital’s Director of Medical/Surgical Services, Suzanne Yee, BSN, RN, RN-BC, NE-BC and Vice President of Patient Care Services/CNO, Suzanne Gill.

The Patriot Award, a U.S. Pentagon-level honor from the Defense Department’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program, is presented to supervisors and  reflects their efforts to support Guardsman or Reservist employees through a wide-range of measures including flexible scheduling, time-off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed.

Pentagon representative Chaker Fadel, Lt Col, USAF (Ret.) visited Summa Western Reserve Hospital to present the award to Yee.

“We are very proud of all the great work Sue does to manage and accommodate reservists and other military staff members as well as all employees at our hospital,” said Suzanne Gill, Vice President Patient Care Services/CNO.  “She excels in all aspects of her job in delivering care and serving as a mentor to other nurses, and this tremendous honor is a testament to her leadership.”

Summa Western Reserve Hospital and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) will play host to a Muscular Dystrophy Lock-Up Fundraiser on Thursday, January 24th, 9:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. The hospital will house staff and community fundraisers in its auditorium located at 1900 23^rdCuyahoga Falls, OH 44223. The event is open to the public and anyone who would like to participate or make a donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Association can contact Kathy Romito at (330) 971-7408.

Twinsburg resident and Kent State University senior, Stephanie Royster is a volunteer and area spokesperson for the Lock-Up at Summa Western Reserve Hospital on Jan. 24th. Stephanie has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and is an active leader in raising awareness and funding for the Muscular Dystrophy Association through various community initiatives.

The MDA Lock-Up program fundraiser is part of a year-round initiative designed to unite local business and community leaders who agree to be “locked up” for having a “big heart.” The premise of the event is that participants are locked up in one location until they raise bail for release (a.k.a. funds to support the MDA). Before and/or during the event, the “jailbird” participants let friends and colleagues know that they are going “behind bars” at a location unless they are “released” via funds they can raise. Monies collected help provide services for individuals affected by Muscular Dystrophy and provide local support in the form of flu shots, critical research, free clinic visits, and aid to send local children living with a neuromuscular disease to MDA summer camps.  

“We are excited to be partnered with Summa Western Reserve Hospital and thank them for hosting our lock-up event,” said Katie Thom, Divisional Director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. “Because of this support and the generous donation of event space, we are able to keep our expenditures to a minimum and therefore allow more funds to go directly to patient services.”

All funds raised during the January 24^th event at Summa Western Reserve will help children and adults in Northeast Ohio living with a muscular disease. The total bail goal is set at $2400, which will also help send three local children to the MDA Summer Camp called, “Camp Cheerful” in Strongsville, OH.

Summa Western Reserve Hospital is pleased to honor the teachings and enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King with a special showing of the movie “The Pact” on Monday, January 21 at 12 p.m. inside the hospital’s auditorium 1 located at 1900 23rd St. Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223. The event is free and open to the public.

The 45 minute documentary is based on the book The Pact: Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream. The film adaptation chronicles the true life story of Rameck Hunt, Sampson Davis, and George Jenkins, who made a pact in their inner-city high-school in Newark, New Jersey, to find a way to go to college and then medical school. The story follows the three doctors as they navigate the minefields of their community work, struggles with exhausting shifts at the hospital, and their own painful childhood memories while they spread the word to inspire other inner-city children to stay out of gangs and use education to escape rough urban streets.

Refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact Kathy Romito at (330) 971-7408.

Summa Western Reserve Hospital recently announced the appointment of Julia Drinkard to the position of Volunteer/Human Resources Specialist for the Cuyahoga Falls hospital.

Julia Drinkard

As Volunteer/Human Resources Specialist, Julia Drinkard will oversee all aspects of the volunteer experience, provide volunteer training, scheduling and work assignments, coordinate with hospital departments to provide volunteer assistance in critical areas, coordinate patient transport, guide mail delivery services and plan special events and recognition for volunteers. Additionally, Julia will assist the hospital’s human resources department in the recruitment, selection and orientation of volunteers, conduct interviews and background checks,  track volunteer progress and accomplishments and provide reports, internal communications and suggestions to pertinent hospital staff to continually develop support services for patients, guests and hospital staff.

Julia recently served as a Patient-Centered Medical Home Intern for the Ohio Department of Health before joining Summa Western Reserve Hospital. In this role, she developed programs to disperse relevant information to the public regarding the importance of and how to go about taking an active role in healthcare services. She helped explain and navigate new health reform policies and their impact on incentive alignment, collaboration with communities, and transparency in evaluation of provider health outcomes. Julia also served as a Marketing and Community Outreach Intern with Summa Western Reserve Hospital from December, 2011 – April, 2012. In this role, she helped streamline internal and external hospital operations, plan and implement community benefit activities and broaden community education initiatives with area organizations.

Drinkard is a 2012 graduate of Ohio University where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Health Services Administration and minored in Business. She is a 2009 graduate of Hudson High School.

Summa Western Reserve Hospital is joining the American Red Cross this holiday to give the greatest gift of all – Life. Summa Western Reserve Hospital and The Northern Ohio Blood Services Region invites blood donors to give at the 4th Annual Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls Holiday Blood drive on Thursday, December 20th from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.  at the Sheraton Suites – 1989 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls.

Pictured left to right: Front - Margaret Medzie, Executive Director American Red Cross of Summit and Portage Counties; 2nd row - Kristie Warner, Co-Owner Gavin Scott Salon and Spa, Mayor Donald Robart, City of Cuyahoga Falls; 3rd Row- Mayor Bernie Hovey, Village of Silver Lake, Dr. Eric Espinal, Chairman Department of Surgery Summa Western Reserve Hospital, Chuck Collins, Operations Director, Rubber City Radio Group-Akron 1590 WAKR/97.5 WONE/94.9 WQMX; Back row - Dr. Pat Blakeslee, Chairman Department of Medicine Summa Western Reserve Hospital, Jeffrey Lynch, Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls General Manager.

“Only when volunteer donors make time to help save a life can we be sure that blood is available for those in need,” said Christy Sabaka, Communications Manager of the Red Cross Northern Ohio Blood Services Region. “We’re excited to again partner with so many fantastic sponsors for this special holiday event.  Giving blood to help others is a wonderful way to give something meaningful this holiday season.”

Helping to lead the Holiday blood drive initiative are Summa Western Reserve Hospital’s own Chair of the Department of Medicine, Dr. Patrick Blakeslee and Chair of the Department of Surgery, Dr. Eric Espinal. Both are urging fellow colleagues, hospital staff and the community at-large to join them at the largest blood drive in Northeast Ohio. Blakeslee and Espinal teamed up earlier in the year for Summa Western Reserve Hospital’s annual Rumble at the Reserve blood drive, which broke yet another donation record this summer with 281 employee and community donors and 224 usable pints of blood collected – surpassing the initiative goal of 194 usable pints. The “Rumble” blood drive features both physicians squaring off in a mock boxing match to see which department can bring in the most donors.

During the Holiday blood drive, the Red Cross will be giving all donors a goodie bag and all donors are entered into a drawing to win a variety of prizes including a 42 inch television, PS3 gaming system and a Kindle Fire, courtesy of Summa Health System.  One runner-up will receive an Apple iPad courtesy of Gavin Scott Salon and Spa.  Donors will enjoy refreshments courtesy of Summa Health System and The Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls and will have the chance to win one of 50 raffle prizes.  Donors will also receive a free goody bag filled with gifts from various sponsors.

How do I sign-up?
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

Did you know?
• Every day, regardless of the date on the calendar, the Red Cross must collect approximately 17,000 pints of blood for patients. The need for blood remains constant during the holiday season, but busier schedules, holiday travel and other seasonal activities can leave little time to donate blood. Types O negative and positive, A negative and B negative are most needed now.

• The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.

• The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

Sponsors
The Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls holiday blood drive is sponsored by: Summa Western Reserve Hospital, Village of Silver Lake, Summa Health System, 94.9 WQMX, 1590 WAKR, 97.5 WONE, Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls, Gavin Scott Salon and Spa and the City of Cuyahoga Falls.

Summa Western Reserve Hospital, in conjunction with  Summa Health System, will host “Sharing the Season” on Monday, December 10th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in the hospital’s auditorium at 1900 23rd St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223. The free, public event focuses on the meaning, traditions and cuisine of various cultural celebrations and observances from around the world to coincide with the holiday season. Free valet parking is available to all guests.

Sharing the Season features a series of free activities and entertainment and guests are invited to sample various multi-ethic food stations.

Events and performances include:

11:00 AM
Snowflake Tea Room will demonstrate a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony and educate guests about Japanese culture.

12:15 PM
Sangeeta Patel will provide a DVD presentation about Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights celebrating life.

12:45 PM
Michael Searching Bear will perform a Native American solo flute performance.

Food stations include:

• Our Lady of Guadalupe (Hispanic / Latino)– Featuring Tresh Lecha – Hispanic Cake (Sponsored by ManorCare Akron & Barberton)

• Lunar New Year (Chinese) –Featuring a variety of Chinese dishes (Fired rice, wonton, egg, Szechauan Chicken (Sponsored by Heather Knoll and Grande Village)

• Epiphany/Three Kings (Hispanic / Latino) – Featuring Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup (Sponsored by Kent Health Care, Pebble Creek and Wyant Woods)

• Native American Heritage Day (Native American) – Featuring Hopi Corn Soup (Sponsored by National Church Residence)

• Christmas (Christian) – Featuring Christmas Cookies (Sponsored by Maison Aine, Maple Wood and Arbors of Fairlawn)

• All Saints Day (Christian/Catholic)– Featuring Croissant Sandwiches (Sponsored by Altercare of Cuyahoga Falls & Hartville)

• Lucia Dagen (Sweden/Norway/Finland) – Featuring a variety of coffees, cinnamon rolls and ginger cookies. (Sponsored by Aurora Manor)

Summa Western Reserve Hospital has made it their new year’s resolution to help smokers who are beginning to make their own in the coming months by expanding its free group counseling sessions for smokers who are seeking to quit. The hospital’s Lung Health Program recently announced its next class sessions with offerings on:

• November 13, 20, 27 & December 4 and 11
• January 8, 15, 22, 29 & February 5
• February 12, 19, 26 & March 5 and 12.

The free group sessions include five classes over the course of five weeks and evaluate the quitting process, discuss quit attempts and strategies as well as pitfalls and successes among smokers who want to quit. A review of the harmful and addictive chemical contents of tobacco products and the effects of secondhand smoke is also provided. Resources and medications that help one curb tobacco cravings or quit tobacco use are also discussed. All group sessions are scheduled in the evening to accommodate work schedules. (Please call (330) 929-LUNG (5864) for class times)

The Summa Western Reserve Lung Health Program first launched in February of 2012 and features a rapid, non-invasive, pain-free low-dose CT scan. The scan produces a three-dimensional image of the lungs and has been proven extremely accurate for early detection of cancers and abnormalities in the chest.

“How to Quit” group sessions are offered in Conference Room 1 located inside the hospital at 1900 23^rd, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223. To register or for more information, call (330) 929-LUNG (5864). Individualized sessions are also available. Further details about the Summa Western Reserve Lung Health Program are also online at www.westernreservehospital.org/lunghealth.

Summa Western Reserve Hospital will host a special Veterans Day celebration for its employees, volunteers, physicians, patients and all area veterans on Friday, November 9^th at 11 a.m. as part of Summa Health System’s location-wide recognition of all who have served in the Armed Forces. The Summa Western Reserve ceremony is open to the public and will take place in the hospital’s Auditorium 1 at 1900 23^rdSt. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

Veteran Marine Sergeant and Summa Western Reserve Hospital Director of Materials Management, Jackson Shatraw will address attendees on the significance of Veterans Day as well as honor those who have served or continue to serve in the Armed Forces. Shatraw served from 1995-1999 and operated as part of the Marine Air-Ground Task force (MAGTF).

During the celebration, veteran Marine Sergeant and Summa Western Reserve Hospital Director of Materials Management, Jackson Shatraw will address attendees on the significance of Veterans Day as well as honor those who have served or continue to serve in the Armed Forces. Shatraw served from 1995-1999 and operated as part of the Marine Air-Ground Task force (MAGTF) with deployments to Monrovia, Liberia and the Mediterranean Sea with service in and around Rota, Barcelona Spain; Naples, Trieste Italy; Malta; Crete; Athens, Rhodes Greece; Izmir, Antalya Turkey; Haifa, Nazareth, Jerusalem, Bethlehem Israel; and Bahrain Saudi Arabia.

As Summa Western Reserve Hospital pays tribute to all veterans on November 9^th, there will also be a ceremonial Flag Raising at the hospital earlier in the day at 7 a.m.

For more information about this public event, please contact Kathy Romito, Community Outreach Manager at (330) 971-7408 or e-mail romitoks@summahealth.org.

Summa Western Reserve Hospital is seeking volunteers who would like to help provide spiritual support to comfort patients and visitors at the hospital. Volunteers in this role serve as a spiritual lay person who offers compassion to those who may wish to talk with someone during treatment or service while in the hospital.

Volunteers of all faiths are welcome to apply. Positions have varying hours according to need. Brief training and orientation will be provided. Anyone wishing to provide support to those receiving care may apply.

For more information or to request an application, please contact Kathy Romito at
(330) 971-7408 or e-mail romitoks@summahealth.org

Summa Western Reserve Hospital broke yet another blood donation record and exceeded donor expectations during its “Rumble at the Reserve III” Blood Drive in collaboration with the American Red Cross on August 23rd. With a record turnout of 281 employee and community donors this year, 224 usable pints of blood were collected – surpassing the initiative goal of 194 usable pints.

Dr. Eric Espinal, Chair of the Department of Surgery (center in red boxing robe) with (L to R) hospital volunteer, Pat Pollock, Community Outreach Manager, Kathy Romito and hospital volunteer Karen Sauerbrey.

“There is no better way to show our entire staff’s commitment to improving the health of our community,” said Dr. Eric Espinal, Chairman, Department of Surgery, Summa Western Reserve Hospital. “Voluntarily taking the time and effort to help others is always extraordinary, and when we experience this level of involvement, it is truly amazing.”

“Summer is a vitally important time to donate blood, and we are especially proud of our community’s ability to step up and help,” said Dr. Patrick Blakeslee, Chairman, Department of Medicine, Summa Western Reserve Hospital. “Our record-setting drive, both with number of donors and blood collected, is a fun and valuable way to bring physicians, nurses, staff and community members together for an extremely vital and life-saving effort.”

The “Rumble” event featured Summa Western Reserve Hospital’s Departments of Surgery and Medicine squaring off in a mock boxing match for the title to see which department could bring in the most donors. Donors were invited to choose a hospital department to support during the event. This year’s title went to Dr. Eric Espinal and the Department of Surgery with 141 donors over Dr. Patrick Blakeslee and the Department of Medicine’s 140 donors.

“I am once again extremely proud of the Summa Western Reserve Hospital community and their dedication to this very important health initiative,” said Dr. Robert Kent, president and CEO, Summa Western Reserve Hospital. “Our very successful effort will benefit numerous lives throughout Northeast Ohio, and continue to set an example for others to follow.”

Now in its third year, the Rumble at the Reserve Blood Drive is Summa Western Reserve Hospital’s signature outreach event. Debuting in 2009 as an internal employee blood drive, the event has grown in its success and has continued to break hospital records. In 2010, the drive saw 124 donors. By 2011, that number nearly doubled with 246 registered donors. The American Red Cross also reported that Summa Western Reserve Hospital held two spots on their top 10 hospital blood drives for the Northern Ohio Blood Services Region in 2011.