Date: 02/24/2025
Smart Start Program for Nursing fully funds the employee tuition fees, etc. through UA
AKRON, Ohio, January 6, 2025 — Summa Health and The University of Akron (UA) have joined forces to offer employees and registered nurses at Summa Health the opportunity to earn a no-cost bachelor’s degree in nursing. Through the Smart Start Program for Nursing, Summa Health fully funds the employees’ education upfront, including tuition and fees, uniforms and books through UA.
The new partnership currently supports nine Summa Health nurses in a RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The program also supports three Summa Health employees in earning a BSN degree, in return, graduates will continue their employment with the health system, helping to fill critical nursing positions and support the health system’s mission to provide top-tier healthcare to the community.
“This collaboration represents a strategic investment in our workforce by increasing their education and long-term earning ability and removing financial barriers to higher education that can often deter people from even getting started,” said Tony Colly, vice president, Human Resources at Summa Health. “By providing our employees with the opportunity to advance their education and skillset, we’re not only investing in their future, but also ensuring our health system is well-staffed with highly trained nurses who are committed to our mission.”
One individual taking advantage of the new program is Jacob Sayre. Working as a security officer at the Summa Health – Akron Campus, Sayre was interacting with nurses daily, witnessing their interactions with patients, and he began to envision himself as a nurse.
"This program is truly life-changing for me," said Sayre, who now works as a nursing assistant at Summa Health while participating in the Smart Start Program for Nursing. "I've always wanted to help people in a more hands-on way and thanks to this opportunity, I can make that dream a reality. I’m grateful for the support from both the hospital and the university, and I’m excited to start this new career."
The partnership with UA is part of Summa Health’s Smart Start Program, a community strategy to attract, develop and retain qualified, top talent and address staffing needs. The Smart Start Program establishes partnerships with area colleges and universities to offer healthcare career training programs to fill an in-demand healthcare job after graduation. Smart Start began with a medical assistant program and has rapidly expanded to include programs in respiratory therapy, central sterile processing and surgical technicians.
Summa Health supports Smart Start students by covering tuition upfront and/or providing living expenses to eliminate barriers in their pursuit of obtaining a healthcare career. Smart Start Program students commit to a work agreement with Summa Health and are matched with a job in their chosen field after graduation.
Since launching in 2021, UA is the fifth university to partner with Summa’s Smart Start Program. The program aims to strengthen the local healthcare system by creating a sustainable pipeline of qualified nurses and caregivers ready to meet the community’s growing healthcare needs.
“This partnership demonstrates the power of two major institutions coming together to solve a pressing need,” said Dr. Tim Meyers, executive director of the School of Nursing at UA and associate dean in the College of Health and Human Sciences. “We are proud to provide the educational framework and support for these dedicated healthcare professionals as they take the next step in their careers.”
“Through this partnership with the University of Akron we can directly address the growing demand for qualified nurses in our community,” said Dr. Penelope Gorsuch, senior vice president, chief nurse executive at Summa Health. “We value the opportunity to deepen Summa Health’s relationship with University of Akron by working together to invest in our commitment to grow our BSN nurses throughout our health system.”
For more information on the partnership or programs available through Summa Smart Start visit www.summahealth.org/smartstart.
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, Pinterest, pinterest.com/SummaHealth, YouTube at youtube.com/summahealthsystem, Instagram at instagram.com/summahealth TikTok at tiktok.com/summahealth and LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/summahealth.
The University of Akron (UA) offers unique, top-ranked and in-demand associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and professional degree programs in engineering, business, health care, the arts and sciences, education and law. UA's beautiful campus, located in the heart of Ohio's fifth-largest city, is surrounded by thousands of businesses, including Fortune 500 companies, giving students access to internships, co-ops and careers. With award-winning residence hall groups and programs, hundreds of student organizations, NCAA Division I sports teams, and a nationally renowned Student Recreation and Wellness Center, UA provides the full campus experience. Learn more at www.uakron.edu.
Media Contact: Maureen Nagg
Phone: 234.475.0193
