Meet the Team
The Summa Health Spiritual Care team provides compassionate spiritual, emotional and religious support to patients, families and healthcare staff in times of need.
Our chaplains offer a supportive presence through active listening, guidance and bereavement care—welcoming individuals of all religious backgrounds and beliefs.
Shannon Blower, MA, MAR
Shannon Blower, MA, MAR, is the Director of Spiritual Care services and education at Summa Health System, where he oversees spiritual care for patients, their families and our providers. He holds MA and MAR degrees in Leadership and Counseling. Shannon is a certified grief recovery specialist with 30 years of experience as a senior pastor in the local church. He received his clinical training through the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education at Summa Health System where he has served since 2012. Pastor Shannon is a member of Summa’s Ethics Committee, Schwartz Rounds and is a faculty member of Palliative Care Services. His spiritually integrative work supports the healing process in our hospital setting. Shannon is the father of four adult sons, father-in-law to their wives, and most importantly Papa to his 13 grandchildren.
Gary Foreman, Th.D.
Gary Foreman, Th.D., is a highly skilled and compassionate clinical chaplain with expertise in trauma and critical care. He has served as a staff chaplain for five years and is a certified grief recovery specialist, a healer’s arts facilitator and has been trained in trauma-informed care. Chaplain Foreman received his Clinical Pastoral Education from Summa Health System (four Units) and received his Doctor of Theology from Tabernacle Bible Institute in Huber Heights, Ohio. Chaplain Foreman is an ordained minister of the Pentecostal Assembly of the Word Inc and Senior Pastor of Koinonia Apostolic Faith Church in Akron, Ohio. Outside of the Summa Health System, he enjoys fishing and attending sporting events.
Tiffany A. Little, M.T.S.
Tiffany A. Little, M.T.S. is a Clinical Pastoral Chaplain at Summa Health System. She has served as a chaplain here since 2021. Born and raised in Akron, Chaplain Tiffany believes in the mission of Summa Health population in the city. She received her master’s in theological studies from Malone College. She has trauma-informed training, healer’s art training and certification as a grief recovery specialist. Outside of work Tiffany enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and walking.
Bonnie Montgomery, M.Div.
Bonnie Montgomery, M.Div., is a clinical chaplain at Summa Health System and an ordained minister. Raised in Michigan, Bonnie has been a chaplain for approximately 15 years. A graduate in science from the University of Michigan and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, she is currently studying to be a supervising chaplain with Capstone University. Special interest in chaplaincy involves palliative care, detox care and infant demise. She has a “green thumb” and enjoys growing organic vegetables, fruits and herbs .
Mirit Balkan, MA, BCC.
Mirit Balkan, (she/her) MA, BCC., is a clinical chaplain working at The Juve Family Behavioral Health Pavilion at Summa Health System. She holds an MA in Jewish Studies and is a Board-certified chaplain through Neshama - the Board of Jewish Chaplains. Mirit is a certified Life Cycle Celebrant® and is authorized to solemnize marriage in the state of Ohio. She brings her three decades of experience in group facilitation and community building together with her education in Conflict Transformation into her chaplaincy work. Mirit is a Reiki 1, mediator and a trained Crisis Interventionist. She serves as a board member for NAMI Greater Cleveland (National Association for Mental Health). Mirit is a proud mom of three children, a dog and a cat.