Vacation

Summa Health System’s benefits package includes three weeks of vacation per year for each member of the house staff. Unused vacation time may not be carried over to the following academic year. House staff are permitted to take vacation or conference time in June and July only as staffing needs allow, and in accordance with the guidelines of the specific department in which they may be rotating.

Conference

Summa Health System usually permits each member of the house staff to attend one educational conference per year. This decision is based on departmental requirements and is subject to approval by the program director. Travel for educational purposes is limited to locations within the continental United States.

Medical Education provides a monthly food stipend to each member of the house staff. The stipend is intended to provide a meal while working a shift and does not carry over month to month.

The following is to serve as an overview only. Actual summary plan descriptions should be consulted for detailed information.

Group Health Insurance Plan

Group health benefits are available to house staff physicians and eligible dependents for purchase. Eligible dependents include spouse and dependent children up to age 26.

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance is available to house staff physicians and dependents for purchase.

Long-Term Disability Insurance Plan

Summa Health System provides a long-term disability plan for house staff physicians which becomes effective the first day of the month in which employment is begun. This benefit will begin following 180 days of total disability in the amount of 60% of base earnings during the first 24 months of disability, and then up to 80% thereafter, if certain criteria are met—but not to exceed $5,000 per month. This monthly benefit will be reduced by benefits received under Social Security, Workers’ Compensation, or other group plans.

Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

This account reimburses you for medical expenses not covered by insurance.

On-The-Job Injury

Should a house staff physician sustain a job-related injury at Summa Health System, he/she is protected by provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Law.

Life Insurance

A life insurance program covering house staff physicians becomes effective immediately on the first day of employment. Group term life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance in the amount of $50,000 provided by the System. House staff may purchase additional life insurance.

Dependent Life Insurance

House staff may elect to purchase this coverage for a spouse and any dependent children. Coverage starts on the first day of employment.

Vision Care

The SummaCare medical plans allow for partial reimbursement for the cost of routine vision care for house staff and their dependents.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

If you need to pay for the care of a dependent while in training, you have the opportunity to use pre-tax dollars to pay for that care.

Wellness Initiatives 

Summa Health System and Graduate Medical Education has a commitment to wellness of the entire care giving team which includes Faculty, Residents, Fellows and employees.

Initiatives that have become available to our residents and fellows to improve wellness include: 

• Impact Solutions - This is an employee assistance program that Summa Health offers. It is confidential, professional support for work and life issues.   
• Well Being Index -  This tool can help you understand your overall well-being and areas of risk compared to other physicians across the nation. It also provides access to local and national resources and is 100% anonymous - your score will not be shared with Summa Health or anyone else. 
• Akron Physician Wellness Initiative - This program includes private individual counseling for a variety of personal or professional needs and wellness promotions. All services are private, confidential, and discrete. 

On-call quarters are provided on each campus for use by house staff for nights of scheduled duty in the System. 

• Akron Campus – Each on-call room contains a computer work station for accessing electronic medical records as well as a bed & personal bathroom.  There is a full-size kitchen that is stocked daily with a variety of foods for those on in-house, overnight call. The lounge includes a ping-pong table, piano, DVD player, Wii & television with Spectrum cable.  There is also a fitness center and numerous computer terminals in a common area for accessing electronic medical records & group discussion. Lockers are available for the house staff and medical students in the call suites.
• Barberton Campus – A lounge and recreation area are also included. This includes a kitchen that is stocked daily with a variety of foods as well as a TV and lounge area to relax. The residents also have their own personal work station with a desk, computer, and phone.  
• St. Thomas Campus – The common room includes a mini kitchen that is stocked daily with a variety of foods, a computer terminal for accessing electronic medical records, a couch and television with Spectrum cable.  There is also a large fitness center. 

The system provides financial support for all house staff to participate in a health club designated by the system and based upon personal interest. This is a taxable benefit. Current house staff may opt-out of the health club participation during the yearly renewal period. New hires may opt-out during the initial sign up period.

Relocation Services

We have connections with local realty companies to assist in renting or buying. We also offer an internal network of housing opportunities provided by current hospital staff as well as a forum for residents to communicate and network prior to residency training.

Relocation Allowance

Should the relocation from medical school, or residency, to Summa Health System involve financial hardship, newly hired house staff may apply for an interest-free Relocation Loan up to $2,000 to assist in covering relocation expenses. The repayment of this loan is accomplished through payroll deduction during the first year’s stipend.

On-campus parking is provided for all house staff. Shuttle buses provide door-to-door service between Summa Health System – Akron and St. Thomas Campuses. Shuttle service is available Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Summa Health System furnishes three white coats for each member of the house staff upon hire. Additional coats may be reordered each academic year by current house staff. Clean coats can be obtained by returning soiled ones to the laundry. Do not launder white coats or scrubs at home.

Summa’s Media Services Department is located in the Summa Health South Pavilion on the Summa Health System – Akron Campus. The department is a modern facility staffed with experienced personnel. A medical illustrator assists with the preparation of research posters and scholarly publications. A/V support for conferences is readily available through the department. Services are available Monday – Friday from 7:00 am – 5:00 pm. For A/V support requests you may email us at avrequest@summahealth.org.

Medical, Parental, and Caregiver Leave(s)

Medical, parental, and caregiver leave(s) are available to all house staff in accordance with the ACGME Institutional Requirements (IV.H.1):

• IV.H.1.a) provide residents/fellows with a minimum of six weeks of approved medical, parental, and caregiver leave(s) of absence for qualifying reasons that are consistent with applicable laws at least once and at any time during an ACGME-accredited program, starting the day the resident/fellow is required to report;
• IV.H.1.b) provide provide residents/fellows with at least the equivalent of 100 percent of their salary for the first six weeks of the first approved medical, parental, or caregiver leave(s) of absence taken;
• IV.H.1.c) provide residents/fellows with a minimum of one week of paid time off reserved for use outside of the first six weeks of the first approved medical, parental, or caregiver leave(s) of absence taken;
• IV.H.1.d) ensure the continuation of health and disability insurance benefits for residents/fellows and their eligible dependents during any approved medical, parental, or caregiver leave(s) of absence;

This policy describes the process for submission and approval of requests for leaves of absence and is available for review by residents and fellows at all times - it can be found in Summa's intranet site Summa@Work.

Medical leave is granted in accordance with the Human Resources Policies & Procedures Manual which is available on Summa's intranet site Summa@Work.

Personal Leave

Summa Health System grants unpaid personal leave of absence in accordance with the needs of the resident and the affected department. These policies are contained in the Human Resources Policies & Procedures Manual. Human Resources policies may be obtained from Summa’s intranet site Summa@Work.

Family Leave

Summa Health System policies are consistent with the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, a copy of which may be obtained from the Office of Human Resources.

At Summa Health, one of our commitments is to value every person, and that includes the spouses/significant others that support our residents and fellows. This starts with an orientation for partners that provides information on benefits, resources and an introduction to life in Akron. More importantly, it’s an opportunity to meet other partners and make connections. Beyond that, we have a Facebook Group that allows for continued support and connection to partners of both current house staff and graduates.