Hollie Kozak (left), division director, leads a tour of the Summa Health Pride Clinic for members of the new Pride Clinic Leadership Council — from left, Michelle Krocker; Kate Raymond, DDS; Ian Lucash; Rabbi David Horowitz; and Adam Doxsey.

Many donors help launch Pride Clinic

Summa Health first in Akron to provide specialized care for LGBTQ+ community

This story originally appeared in the Winter 2020 edition of Promise magazine.

Philanthropy has enriched the health of the Akron community ever since Boniface DeRoo’s estate gift enabled the establishment of Akron City Hospital in 1892. That selfless spirit of compassionate giving continues today, helping Summa Health innovate and grow to better serve every patient.

Several recent generous gifts support one of Summa Health’s newest programs — the Pride Clinic, the first primary care office in Akron dedicated to caring for members of the LGBTQ+ community. The clinic opened in September 2019 at 1260 Independence Avenue in Akron, across from Chapel Hill Mall.

“This clinic further demonstrates our commitment to serving every person with the passion and personalized care that is deserved,” said Michael Hughes, M.D., president of Summa Health System — Barberton Campus and executive sponsor of Summa’s A+PLUs employee resource group, which supports LGBTQ+ patients, employees and community members.

Nearly 50,000 people identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community in Summit, Stark, Medina and Portage counties. True to its founding principle to serve all those in need of healthcare, Summa Health is committed to providing respectful, affirming and culturally competent care to this population.

The Summa Foundation Circle of Women’s Health Philanthropists, a growing group that advocates for better healthcare for women, awarded a $50,000 grant to the Pride Clinic. Other community donors who are committed to the mission of the Pride Clinic include:

• The Gay Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation, which awarded a grant of $5,000.
• The Lisle M. Buckingham Endowment of the Akron Community Foundation, facilitated by Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs partner Patrick J. Weschler, donated $5,000 through a grant.
• Janine Patterson, who hosted a fundraiser at SF Salon that raised more than $4,400.
• Eric Jones of Jones Interior Group, who hosted an informational gathering in his home where friends and colleagues donated $900.
• Wadsworth Brewing Company and Missing Falls Brewery, which collaborated on a craft beer during Pride month called “Born This Way.” A portion of the proceeds, $700, was donated to the Pride Clinic. 

Jones, Weschler and Wadsworth Brewery owners Ericha and Ernie Joy and their son, Liam, are among the 28 members of the new Summa Health Pride Clinic Leadership Council, a dynamic group of community leaders invited by Summa Health to serve as strategic advisors, community advocates and philanthropic partners.

For more information about the Pride Clinic, contact Andra Polasky, senior director of development, 330.375.3873 or polaskya@summahealth.org.