Recent research has shown that increasing percentages of racially and ethnically diverse populations suggests an increased need for more culturally and linguistically appropriate services for obstetric care. 

In 2023, the Summa Health Women’s Institute prioritized creating inclusive care practices ensuring that moms, particularly African American mothers, receive equitable care free from racism and bias. Their goal is to continue to deliver the highest standard of care for all, addressing disparities directly.

They identified small, quick and frequent behaviors and habits that when done consistently could have enormous impact on the patient experience. Examples of these behaviors included strengthening communication habits with patients and proactively offering help to teammates. 

To foster support and buy-in, leadership in the Women’s Institute was engaged and prioritized at the onset of the initiative. Institute leadership attended a new inclusion training session which focused on promoting teamwork, shared decision-making, communication skills, connection with patients and family, transparency and authenticity. More than 70 people have received this training to date, with more planned.

In addition, a survey was created to be used in Labor and Delivery Triage to hear directly from patients as to their experience. The survey was translated into eight different languages to be as inclusive as possible to the patient population. The goal is to identify process improvements and to be more sensitive to the care the women’s health team is providing.

Ultimately, this team aims to ensure every staff member and patient feels included and respected every day.

The Summa Health Virtual Care Simulation Lab (VCSL) provides experiential learning opportunities that offer immersive and realistic educational simulations and assessments with reflective debriefing sessions. The goal of the VCSL is to increase patient safety and interprofessional teamwork and improve patient care. In 2023, for the third consecutive year, the simulation lab set several records, with more than 23,000 learner hours and over 9,000 learners hosted for 764 events system-wide. 

A pivotal moment in 2023 was the opening of the Simulation Lab on the Summa Health System — Barberton Campus. This expansion represents a strategic move to broaden its geographical footprint and offer innovative simulation programs to a wider audience. It also allowed for process improvement opportunities specifically at Barberton Campus. 

One 2023 highlight was collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, including representatives from Obstetrics/Gynecology, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Trauma Services and the Emergency Department. The synergy of ideas and expertise led to the development of Obstetrical Trauma simulations that reflected real-world events and fostered a culture of cross-disciplinary learning, problem-solving and system-process change. We strengthened our ties with the community by working with Akron Fire and Police Departments at Akron University to recreate mass casualty incidents during their tactical and emergency response training. 

The generous support of Critical Care Fellowship and Emergency Medicine Residency allowed the lab to expand, replace and retire some well-loved task trainers. Their generosity facilitated the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment, elevating the quality of the simulations and enhancing the training experiences for healthcare. 

Addressing food insecurity is critical for improving overall public health outcomes,  especially in vulnerable populations. As the costs of basic needs such as rent, utilities, and transportation remain elevated,  many individuals and families are forced to make difficult choices, often deciding between purchasing food or meeting other essential expenses.   

That’s why Summa Health’s Family Medicine Center (FMC) partnered with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and Ohio Department of Medicaid to establish a food pantry for its patients. This food pantry is funded through a grant from the Ohio Department of Medicaid.

The goal of the Food Pantry is to provide food to established FMC patients who are experiencing food insecurities and meet specific household income requirements. Participation in the program is confidential.

In 2023, the food pantry assisted nearly 4,700 individuals, comprised of more than 1,600 households. Since its opening, it has helped nearly 7,000 people.

Patients in the FMC are screened for food insecurity. Those who meet eligibility requirements are introduced to the food pantry. Patients can “shop” certain days of the week. All items are donated by the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. Staff encourages fresh foods, as well as those with the strongest nutritional value. Availability of items is dependent upon donations to the Foodbank. Popular items include fresh vegetables and fruits, shelf-stable milk, plant-based proteins, peanut butter, tuna fish, lentils and some personal care items.

From the tears of gratitude, to improved health outcomes, to the pregnant mother who now has access to food for her children and herself, it is clear the food pantry makes a difference in the lives of patients.

Program administrators are pursuing collaborative funding opportunities, hoping to expand the program to patients throughout the Summa Health system.

1. Applying Pressure: Using hands or dressings to apply direct pressure to a wound to slow or stop bleeding.
2. Wound Packing: Using gauze or clean cloth to fill deep wounds and applying pressure to control bleeding.
3. Tourniquet Use: How to properly apply a tourniquet above the injury to stop bleeding from limbs.

In 2023, Summa Health Trauma program trained 240 employees in Stop the Bleed as well as 208 community members, including at organizations like the Akron Canton Airport. The Summa Health Trauma program also collaborated with Northeastern Ohio Regional Trauma Network (NORTN) to further its reach in the region and taught this class to larger groups like schools and businesses, representing another 320 individuals.

Summa Health also distributed 70 Stop the Bleed kits throughout its hospitals and outpatient clinics to further support this initiative.

The training is intended to be simple enough that anyone, even without prior medical experience, can learn and apply it in an emergency situation. The ultimate goal of Stop the Bleed is to reduce preventable deaths from severe bleeding by equipping everyday people with the knowledge and tools needed to intervene before professional medical help arrives.

The Circle of Women’s Health Philanthropists is a network of “Women Helping Women” whose donations fund specific needs at Summa Health related to women’s health. In 2023, The Circle awarded $50,000 to support the Summa Health Smart Start program.

Summa has developed a comprehensive workforce planning and community program strategy to attract, develop and retain qualified, top talent to address short- and long-term staffing needs. The Smart Start program supports greater Akron area students who might not otherwise have the financial means to pursue healthcare degrees/certificates and connect them with career opportunities at Summa Health. The program enables members of our community to pursue an education in healthcare and be immediately connected to employment upon completion. It attracts and retains the next generation of healthcare workers to provide superior patient care in our community. In partnership with Aultman College, local students are provided 100% paid tuition and fees (including uniforms, books, supplies and equipment) upfront and a connection to a career opportunity after graduation. 

The Smart Start Program helped women achieve careers in healthcare to provide for their families. 

Participation in Smart Start is truly life-changing for participants, many of whom are the first in their families to pursue higher education. Skills attained will help students thrive in the increasingly competitive workplace and build a career at Summa Health. One of the goals of the Smart Start Program is to ensure that individuals have the opportunity to be successful employees. Students are educated on interview preparation, standards of behavior in the workplace, and attendance expectations. 

The majority of the participants in the class are women, many of whom are single mothers who are the first person in their family to achieve higher education.