Summa Health celebrates Dr. and Mrs. Williams and Dr. Flanagan at Summa Society Celebration

On August 19, 2021, Summa Health celebrated the donors and volunteers whose generosity impacts the lives of thousands of patients and their families at the Summa Society Celebration. More than 300 guests filled an outdoor tent on the Stark State College Akron Campus as Summa Health thanked its closest friends and benefactors and honored several remarkable individuals for their longtime support.

Dr. Cliff Deveny, president and chief executive officer of Summa Health, was joined by George Strickler, chair, Summa Health board of directors; Patrick O’Neill, chair, Summa Foundation board of directors; and Phylis Ferrara, president, Summa Foundation and chief development officer, Summa Health in thanking guests.

“Year after year, we remain grateful for this special opportunity to recognize and celebrate the many contributions of our generous benefactors, passionate advocates and exemplary volunteer leaders,” said Dr. Deveny.

During a private reception earlier that evening, four new members were inducted into the Thomas W. Cornell Philanthropic Leadership Society, which recognizes benefactors who have given $1 million or more to Summa Health. New members are Alice and George Strickler and Denise and Norm Wells Jr.

Dr. J. Patrick Flanagan, a revered mentor and teacher in the field of orthopedics, was honored for his 50 years of service to Summa Health with the Distinguished Physician Award, the health system’s highest physician honor.

The prestigious Boniface DeRoo Award for Philanthropy — Summa's highest philanthropic honor — was awarded to Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams for their kindness and legacy of giving.

Against the backdrop of the Summa Health System – Akron Campus, Dr. Cliff Deveny also announced that Dr. and Mrs. Williams added to their legacy of giving with a new gift of $15 million, the largest, single gift in the history of the health system.