Summa Health Establishes Endowed Fund with $1 Million Gift in Support of Education for Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents

Date: 10/14/2021

AKRON, Ohio, Oct.14, 2021– A $1 million leadership gift from longtime Summa Health physician Dr. Eugene Jursek, now retired, will establish the Dr. Eugene S. and Evelyn J. Jursek Endowment Fund in support of the nationally recognized Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at Summa Health. Named for Dr. Jursek and his late wife, Evelyn J. Jursek, who worked in the pharmacies at the Akron City and Barberton Hospitals, the endowed fund will support all residents throughout their education and training. 

Dr. Jursek began his medical career at Summa Health where he entered the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program in 1959. As a renowned physician at Summa Health for more than three decades, he made an indelible impact in his leadership roles as division chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology, director of the Women’s Health Center and chief of staff before retiring in 1997. After retirement, Dr. Jursek devoted his time to compiling a comprehensive history of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

“During his tenure, Dr. Jursek elevated the reputation and presence of Summa Health and strengthened the quality of its programs through his enduring dedication as a caregiver, mentor and physician leader with an unsurpassed commitment to excellence in clinical care, research and education,” said Dr. Cliff Deveny, Summa Health president and CEO. “We are deeply grateful for Dr. Jursek’s years of leadership service and legacy of generosity.”

The funds will support residents by providing educational opportunities including research initiatives, conferences and training and academic materials.

“Dr. Jursek has a deep commitment to supporting research and educational opportunities for our obstetrics and gynecology residents,” said Dr. Edward Ferris, chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; medical director, Women’s Health Institute; and the Vivian E. von Gruenigen, M.D., Endowed Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Summa Health. “Through his continued generosity, the Dr. Eugene S. and Evelyn J. Jursek Endowment Fund will help us deliver highest quality, compassionate care to our patients and their families and ensure an excellent residency program for generations to come.”

“I am proud to give a legacy gift that will exist in perpetuity and help train future generations of obstetrics and gynecology residents at Summa Health,” said Dr. Jursek. “Evelyn and I were both in the medical field, and I feel it is important to give back to an organization that gave so much to us throughout our careers.”

About Summa Health

Summa Health is one of the largest integrated healthcare delivery systems in Ohio. Encompassing a network of hospitals, community medical centers, a health plan, an accountable care organization, a multi-specialty physician organization, research and the Summa Health Foundation, we are nationally renowned for excellence in patient care and for exceptional approaches to healthcare delivery. Summa’s clinical services are consistently recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (Magnet status), U.S. News and World Report, Healthgrades, Thomson Reuters and The Leapfrog Group. For more information, visit summahealth.org or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/summahealth, Twitter, twitter.com/summahealth, Pinterest, pinterest.com/SummaHealth and LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/summahealth.

Media Contact: Shannon Kew
Phone: 234.312.5432