Walter W. Born Foundation:
Transforming cancer care in Stow-Kent and beyond

This story originally appeared in the Summer 2024 edition of Promise magazine.

Earlier this year, Summa Health opened the Summa Health Stow-Kent Oncology Infusion Center, a beacon of hope and excellence in cancer care, offering the highest quality oncology services and infusion therapy.

This state-of-the-art facility was generously supported by the Walter W. Born Foundation, continuing its legacy of philanthropic investments in Summa Health initiatives since 2007. The Born Foundation is the result of the thoughtful end-of-life planning of Walter W. Born, who passed away in 1989.

The first of its kind in the area, the center offers chemotherapy, immunotherapy, clinical consulting, port maintenance, dressing changes and more. In a welcoming and relaxing environment, patients have access to private cubicles and reclining chairs in the infusion suite. Residents of Stow-Kent and the surrounding areas appreciate having an alternative at this convenient location and enjoy the shorter wait times.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Born Foundation, the Stow-Kent Oncology Infusion Center stands as a testament to what can be achieved when compassion meets innovation. Our patients can now receive the highest standard of care, close to home, in a facility that embodies the spirit of healing and progress," said Sameer Mahesh, M.D., medical director of the Summa Health Cancer Institute and The Vincent and Nancy DiGirolamo Endowed Chair in Oncology.

Such generosity is just one example of the Born Foundation’s enduring partnership with Summa Health, sharing in its mission to make a transformational impact for all patients in need of care.

In recent years, the Born Foundation generously provided support for the construction of the new Joint Replacement Center of Excellence, the Summa Health Medical Group Cardiology Clinic and the High-Intensity Cardiac Unit on the Barberton Campus. The foundation also helped support the purchase of a da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system that promotes quicker recovery times and an earlier return to daily activities leading to an overall improved patient experience. A strong advocate for Summa Health nurses, the Born Foundation has made several significant gifts to support professional development and educational opportunities for Summa Health’s frontline care providers.

For more information, contact Summa Foundation at 330.375.3159 or foundation@summahealth.org.