Page 8 - 2017 Community Benefit Report | Summa Health
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Subsidized Health Services
Summa Health is committed to providing
subsidized health services – clinical services that
meet an identified community need and are
provided despite a financial loss. Vital services
such as the Summa Health Senior Health Center,
Summa Health Traumatic Stress Center, the
Summa Health Dental Clinic and our diabetes
education efforts are offered even though
they are not profitable. In 2017, the cost of our
subsidized health services exceeded $28.6 million.
Research and Innovation A major goal of the Research & Innovation
Summa Health is committed to improving the group is to offer our patients access to cutting-
health of our patients by ensuring all patients edge therapies and technologies within the
receive the most appropriate care for them as community. This not only provides the best
individuals within a population health framework care for our patients but improves the health
that emphasizes quality and cost effectiveness. of our community. Summa offers clinical trials
Our doctors, researchers and staff work together for patients that test the newest methods for
to deliver the ideals of providing the best providing care in cancer, heart disease, stroke
care efficiently and effectively so that patient and infectious disease. For example, there are
outcomes and satisfaction are maximized. In several clinical trials open for patients with breast,
2017, Summa contributed a net cost of more ovarian, lung and prostate cancer. Clinical trials
than $7.1 million to explore potential new in cardiology include those for patients having
therapies, care coordination improvements and a heart attack or suffering from the long-term
treatment options. effects of peripheral artery disease.
Summa researchers receive funding from the
National Institute of Health (NIH) to conduct
studies that advance our ability to care for
patients. Richard George, M.D., in collaboration
with Kent State University, has received funding
to study the ability of people involved in a
traumatic event to process the event with
the goal of helping people cope with adverse
life events. Patrick Palmieri, Ph.D., working
with Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research,
has also received funding from the NIH to
determine how a patient’s emotional and
physical health can help or interfere with having
to deal with a new, serious illness. Both lines of
research are dedicated to identifying the best
way to provide support for people as they face
medical challenges.
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