2009

8 July, 2009

Contact: Julie Uehara Sur, Phone: (330) 375-7117, Email: ueharaj@summa-health.org

July 29 dedication to honor sculptor’s sister, tribute to all those battling cancer

Akron, Ohio, July 8, 2009– In a special dedication on July 29 at Summa Akron City Hospital’s Jean and Milton Cooper Cancer Center, Oregon-based sculptor Michael Tieman will unveil “Courage,” a 36-inch tall sculpture created in honor of his sister, Connie Sue Drotos, who lost her battle with breast cancer one year ago.

A standing tribute to those who have, who are, and who will battle cancer in their lives, Courage was purchased by Drotos’ husband, who is donating it to the Cancer Center.

“After a courageous, six-year battle with breast cancer, my younger sister died one week shy of her 50th birthday and the day before her 25th wedding anniversary,” said Tieman. “The people battling cancer have an inner strength and courage as they not only face an uncertain future, but they also have to take their treatments knowing it will make them feel worse. Week after week they look forward to this pain in the hope that eventually it will be gone. There is a look of courage in their eyes I cannot describe with words – it's not entirely defiant, but with grace and a quiet determination. That is the courage I needed to capture.”

Tieman dedicated Courage to the women in his family who have battled breast cancer: his mother-in-law, Jan Marshall (Muzzy); his aunt, Pat Wetzel; his sister, Beverly Starr; and Connie. “Always with a positive attitude and a smile, Muzzy and Connie were an inspiration to those battling breast cancer and they will be sorely missed,” he said.

Connie’s family will attend the special dedication and unveiling at Summa Akron City Hospital, including her husband John Drotos; her father LaVerne Tieman; her sister Beverly Starr; and her brother Michael Tieman and his wife Nancy.

About Michael Tieman

Tieman has sketched and painted since childhood and has spent almost four decades as a working artist, both as a graphic designer and a fine artist. Following the encouragement of a friend and gallery owner, Michael recently expanded his talents into sculptures cast in bronze. Tieman’s sculptures are unique in that they are a combination of traditional figurative sculpture and his Impressionistic painting style. “I create my bronze sculpture as a three dimensional painting; texture is the impasto brushstroke, color is the play of light and shadows across the surfaces, and detail is the free style movement of the impressionist style. My ladies have a face with a chiseled jaw and high cheekbones, producing great shadows, and the athletic body and proud confidence of an Amazon warrior.”

For more information contact Michael Tieman, PO Box 1326, Cannon Beach, OR 97110. Phone: 503-717-3071; Email: mt@courageforcancer.net. Please check in on the web site: www.courageforcancer.net for updates on the building of “Courage.”

About Summa Health System

Summa Health System is one of the largest integrated delivery systems in Ohio. Encompassing a network of hospitals, community health centers, a health plan, a physician-hospital organization, a multi-specialty physician organization, research and multiple foundations, Summa is nationally renowned for excellence in patient care and for exceptional approaches to healthcare delivery. Summa's clinical services are consistently recognized by U.S. News and World Report, Thomson Reuters and The Leapfrog Group. Summa also is a founding partner of the BioInnovation Institute in Akron. For more information, visit www.summahealth.org.