Summa Health announces Dr. Linda Parenti as 2025 Distinguished Physician Award recipient
Summa Health is proud to announce that Linda Parenti, M.D., has been selected to receive the 2025 Distinguished Physician Award, the highest honor awarded to a physician within the health system.
This prestigious award is presented to a Summa Health physician who exemplifies our mission and values, demonstrates outstanding leadership and dedication, and acts as a role model professionally and personally to their community. The honoree also is recognized for their clinical excellence and leadership in research and training and demonstrates a personal commitment to advancing philanthropy at Summa Health.
“We are thrilled to recognize Dr. Parenti for her exceptional leadership, clinical excellence, and dedication to advancing women’s health,” said Dr. Cliff Deveny, president and CEO of Summa Health. “Her remarkable career has shaped the field and is an inspiration to all of us at Summa Health.”
Dr. Parenti dedicated her career to advancing women’s health and made significant contributions to the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Serving as a physician leader at Akron City Hospital, now Summa Health, from 1976 to 2015, she played a pivotal role in shaping the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, including her tenures as interim chair.
Notably, Dr. Parenti made history in 1976 as the first female physician to graduate from the OB-GYN Residency Program at Akron City Hospital, following her internship in 1973. In addition to her impactful work at Summa Health, she dedicated over 40 years, starting as a resident, as the longest-serving OB-GYN at the Adolescent Clinic at Akron Children’s Hospital. Dr. Parenti also contributed to organizations such as Planned Parenthood and the Rape Crisis Center of Akron, further demonstrating her commitment to women’s health and community service.
Her commitment to philanthropy, community service and education is demonstrated through her role as an Emeritus Member of the Summa Foundation Board of Directors and her recognition with the 2004 Outstanding Volunteer Faculty Award from Northeast Ohio Medical University.
Dr. Parenti holds a biology degree with a minor in chemistry from The University of Akron and earned her medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. A proud Valedictorian of North High School’s Class of 1964, she also was recognized as a National Merit Scholar.
The entire Summa Health community is cordially invited to celebrate Dr. Parenti at a special event on Wednesday, May 28, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., in the Leuchtag Lobby at the Ann and David Brennan Pavilion (Akron Campus). Join us at 5:30 p.m. for a reception, followed by the award presentation at 6:00 p.m., as we recognize Dr. Parenti’s outstanding contributions to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Questions? Contact the Medical Staff Office at MedicalStaffOffice@summahealth.org or 330.375.7672
Dr. Parenti joins a distinguished list of past honorees, including the late William "Bill" Smucker, M.D. (2024); Thomas "Tom" M. File, M.D. (2023); William "Bill" Bauman, M.D. (2022); J. Patrick Flanagan, M.D. (2021); Jay Williamson, M.D. (2019); Ernest R. Estep, M.D. (2018); Gary B. Williams, M.D. (2017); the late Robert Liebelt, Ph.D., M.D. (2016); and the late James Tan, M.D. (2015).