Community partners increase access to healthcare

Above: On April 6, a plaque was dedicated in the Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Center for Breast Health that recognizes the longtime generosity of the Kent Area (OH) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated.

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

Linking women with mammograms and the community with lifesaving heart care

Summa Health’s partnership with the Kent Area (OH) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated provides free mammograms to women with low incomes who are uninsured or underinsured through the Summa Screens program. Members are instrumental in empowering women through increased access to early detection measures, which significantly improve breast cancer survival rates. Members of the Kent Area (OH) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated also have provided support for the installation of automated external defibrillator units (AEDs) at the Akron Urban League and Fellowship Baptist Church in Medina.

Supporting inclusion for everyone

The Gay Community Endowment Fund (GCEF) of Akron Community Foundation is a shining example of how members of our community support a goal of “full inclusion for everyone.” Thank you to the GCEF for supporting Summa Health’s 2024 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Summit, planned for August 16. The annual summit is a vital educational platform that equips healthcare professionals with the knowledge to address the unique health concerns of LGBTQ+ patients. 

Decreasing infant mortality

United Way of Summit and Medina has made a profound impact by supporting Summa Health’s CenteringPregnancy® Program. The program, which addresses maternal and infant mortality rates, was bolstered in 2023 through the generous support of blood pressure monitors to expectant mothers. This tool facilitates the monitoring of maternal health and underscores the importance of community involvement in tackling health disparities.

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