Programmatic Giving Opportunities
Summa Health offers a variety of programmatic opportunities that advance clinical excellence, inspire innovation and enhance patient care. Your gift could be instrumental in attracting the next generation of our dedicated physicians.
— Make an Immediate Impact —
Summa Health offers diverse, program-specific giving opportunities that provide an immediate impact in enhancing the patient experience and empowering clinical excellence.
Your support of programs at Summa Health will:
- Benefit patients by supporting the highest quality care.
- Support your area of interest.
- Honor or memorialize a loved one, a respected physician or caring healthcare provider.
In grateful recognition of your generous gift, there are naming opportunities.
(Click on each area to learn more)
| Naming Opportunities | Minimum Gift | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Institute | $5,000,000 |
 InstituteAn institute is a large-scale, interdisciplinary, comprehensive system of care delivery that includes clinical research and education, and where multidisciplinary teams collaborate around a health specialization in a dedicated space or at multiple locations. |
| Center | $2,500,000 |
 CenterA center identifies an interdisciplinary program, with or without a dedicated space, directed by a dedicated leader. An example of a center at Summa Health is the Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Center for Breast Health. |
| Fund | $25,000 |
 FundFunds provide direct support for the clinical area of your interest. An example is the Donovan Family Fund for Veteran Care at Summa Health. |
— Create a Legacy —
You create a permanent legacy of support for Summa Health when you establish an endowment. The principal of your gift remains intact and generates interest income. This income is made available each year to enhance programs and services. The legacy of your endowment will live on in perpetuity for the benefit of future generations.
(Click on each area to learn more)
| Naming Opportunities | Minimum Gift | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Endowed fellowship | $2,000,000 |
 Endowed fellowshipAn endowed fellowship is an incentive for attracting high-performing fellows who have strong potential to make significant contributions to clinical initiatives at Summa Health in a specific area such as orthopedics, behavioral health, women's health and others. |
| Endowed chair | $1,500,000 |
 Endowed chairEstablished in perpetuity, a prestigious endowed chair at Summa Health is an especially meaningful way to honor and recognize a doctor’s exemplary contributions to the practice and science of his or her medical specialty. The honor of being a chair holder is awarded to the most talented and experienced clinicians, and at Summa Health they are highly esteemed. The income generated from the principal of an endowed chair supports the chair holder’s research, education and other key endeavors, ensuring the continued advancement of his or her field. Endowed chairs are fundamental to the mission of Summa Health to deliver the highest quality, compassionate care and contribute to a healthier community by:
Some examples of endowed chairs at Summa Health include:
|
| Endowed director | $1,000,000 |
 Endowed directorAn endowed directorship provides perpetual support for and recognition of the outstanding leadership, clinical excellence, research impact and innovation of the chair holder or director. |
| Endowed fund | $50,000 |
 Endowed fundEndowed funds provide perpetual support for the clinical area of your interest. |
A gift of any size can make a significant impact on Summa Health programs and services.
Through your legacy gift, you become a partner with Summa Health in providing the highest quality care in an enhanced healing environment for the patients we serve in our Juve Family Behavioral Health Pavilion on the Akron Campus, opening in January 2023.
For more information, contact Phylis Ferrara, president, Summa Foundation, at 234.312.5868.
Why support programs at Summa Health?
"Donors enhance our health system by supporting clinical research and education. This helps our physicians to innovate upwards to the national and international communities of their peers."
Sameer Mahesh, M.D.
Medical director, Summa Health Cancer Institute, and holder of the Vincent and Nancy DiGirolamo Endowed Chair in Oncology
"Just as I felt sad for the things we won't do, Jim reminded me of all we can do."
Vanita Oelschlager
Esteemed benefactor with husband, Jim
"We're conducting research with the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop screening tools to identify which returning military personnel are at highest risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder later on. My colleagues in the Traumatic Stress Center and I are grateful to Jim and Vanita Oelschlager and Harry and Fran Donovan. Their philanthropic support has enhanced our care of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and other trauma-related conditions."
Patrick Palmieri, Ph.D.
Director, Summa Health Traumatic Stress Center, and holder of the Jim and Vanita Oelschlager Chair in Traumatic Stress
"Denise and I fundamentally believe that healthcare in this country needs strong community support. For us, our time and financial investments in Summa were the perfect choice."
Norm Wells
Former chair, Summa Health Board of Directors, with his wife, Denise. They are longtime supporters of Summa Health