Summa Health Presents the Boniface DeRoo Award for Philanthropy to Longtime Philanthropists Joyce and Bob Rice

Date: 05/26/2022

AKRON, Ohio, May 25 — Joyce and Bob Rice, longtime philanthropic leaders at Summa Health and in Northeast Ohio, have been honored with the Summa Health Boniface DeRoo Award for Philanthropy.

The award, named for the unassuming Akron blacksmith who bequeathed his entire estate 130 years ago to create what is now Summa Health, is the highest honor given annually to Summa Health benefactors. It was presented during the Summa Society Celebration – the health system’s annual donor recognition dinner.

“As devoted friends of Summa Health for many years, Joyce and Bob Rice have made a meaningful difference for our patients and families through a family legacy marked by transformational generosity, visionary leadership, and lifelong care and concern for the health and well-being of our community,” said Dr. Cliff Deveny, Summa Health president and CEO.

More than 50 years ago, Bob Rice’s father, Robert Rice, an Akron businessman, suffered the first of three heart attacks and was rushed to Akron City Hospital. Robert survived and credited his physicians and nurses for saving his life and helping him make a recovery. That experience started a lifetime connection for the Rices with Summa Health, including helping to establish the first cardiology fellowship at Summa Health.

The Rices participate today as volunteer leaders on the Summa Health Cardiovascular Leadership Council, leadership service that complements their generosity to the Summa Health Heart and Vascular Institute. Other areas of patient care generously supported by the Rices include behavioral health, the chaplaincy program and stroke care as well as meals for front-line caregivers serving in the COVID-19 vaccine clinics and labs on the Akron Campus.

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: Mike Bernstein
Phone: 234.312.5012

Summa Health Presents the Boniface DeRoo Award for Philanthropy to Longtime Philanthropists Joyce and Bob Rice

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