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CenteringPregnancy® and CenteringParenting® at Summa Health Equity Center

Summa Health Equity Center
1493 S. Hawkins Ave
Akron, OH 44320

  • CenteringPregnancy Group: Virtual sessions Wednesdays and Thursdays (every other week): 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
  • Centering Parenting Group: Virtual sessions Wednesdays and Thursdays (every other week): 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
  • VIP Care & Centering (for mothers with addiction care needs): Thursdays (every other week): 12:30 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.

CenteringPregnancy Group

The CenteringPregnancy group at the Summa Health Equity Center is currently focused on the prevention of preterm birth – delivering before 37 weeks gestational age. Women in this program are primarily recruited from within the surrounding community because they have been identified as having some of the highest rates of preterm birth in the nation – zip codes 44306, 44307, 44310 and 44320.

We provide culturally competent care, specifically an African-centered approach to addressing chronic stress for the African-American community. An African-centered framework and approach has been well researched and has documented the benefits and protective nature of this approach with individuals and families experiencing various forms of oppression. The program primarily focuses on the African-American community, given the disproportionate rate of mortality for African-American babies. The format of the group facilitates discussion about pregnancy, parenting, and everything in-between. A distinctive feature of the program is its attention to chronic stress associated with various forms of oppression. Patients of all cultures are welcome to attend.

VIP Care

The Summa Health Equity Center also offers a VIP Care & Centering program focused on addiction and recovery care. The VIP in the name stands for Very Important Pregnancy/Person/Parent/Postpartum Program, representing the focus on care throughout pregnancy and beyond. Sessions combine pregnant and parenting mothers who have addiction care needs for substance use disorders including opioids. Time is provided after the session to meet with the Addiction Care Nurse to support their recovery process and a Community Health Worker for case management and social service needs.

Who can join? Any expectant mother who meets the criteria.

Registration: Call our Community Health Worker at 330.865.5356 to find out if you qualify and to be placed in a CenteringPregnancy or CenteringParenting  group. For the VIP Care and Centering for pregnant and postpartum patients needing addiction care and recovery support, call the VIP Care Team at 234.867.6828.

Video
Summa Health CenteringPregnancy Program. Video footage taken prior to 2020.
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