Awards and Recognition

Summa Health Among Top Two Percent of U.S. Hospitals

Summa Health System — Akron and Barberton Campuses are a recipient of the Healthgrades 2023 America’s 100 Best Hospitals Award™. This places Summa Health among the top two percent of all hospitals for clinical care and patient outcomes across treatment of the most common conditions and procedures. .

Healthgrades Cardiology Five Star Recipient Award 2022

Summa Health has been named among the top 10% in the nation for cardiology services for three years in a row (2020-2022) by Healthgrades, the leading online resource for helping consumers make informed healthcare choices regarding doctors and facilities. It has also been recognized as a five-star recipient for treatment of heart failure four years in a row (2019 -2022) by Healthgrades.

Healthgrades 100 Best in Pulmonary Care

Healthgrades evaluates hospital quality for conditions and procedures based solely on clinical outcomes to help consumers understand and compare hospital performance. The Summa Health System — Akron Campus is a three-time recipient of the America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Pulmonary Care Award™ (2022, 2021, 2020), a prestigious award recognizing superior clinical outcomes in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia.

HEI 2022

Summa Health is proud to be named a 2022 Top Performer by the Human Rights Campaign. The Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) is the national benchmarking tool that evaluates healthcare facilities' policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees. Top Performers score between 80 and 95 of the available 100 points.

Baby Friendly Designation

Summa Health System — Akron Campus has achieved the highly prestigious international Baby-Friendly designation after a rigorous review process conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, the organization responsible for bestowing this certification in the United States. This distinguished honor demonstrates that our Akron Campus is adhering to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

Cardiovascular 2022 Award

Summa Health System – Akron Campus has been named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals for 2022 by Fortune and IBM® Watson Health®. The annual study – which identifies top-performing hospitals based on a balanced look at clinical, operational and financial metrics – showed Summa achieved better survival rates, fewer patient complications, fewer healthcare associated infections, lower 30-day mortality and readmission rates, shorter lengths of stay and lower inpatient expenses when compared to similar hospitals. This is the second consecutive year Summa Health has earned this recognition.

Healogics Wound Care Center of Distinction 2021

Summa Health St. Thomas and Barberton Campus Wound Care and Hyperbaric Centers were awarded the Center of Distinction award by Healogics®, the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services. The recognition is a result of achieving clinical excellence in patient satisfaction and wound healing rates.

Digital Health Most Wired Acute LEVEL 8 2021

Summa Health achieved a Quality Award (Level 8 certification) from the CHIME Digital Health Most Wired program, aimed to elevate the health and care of communities by encouraging the optimal use of information technology. The annual survey found that Summa Health deployed strategies (e.g., population health/cost-of-care analytics, HIEs/integration engines, and patient portals) to help analyze our data and achieve meaningful clinical and efficiency outcomes.

Healthcare Supply Chain Leader

Summa Health has been recognized by healthcare supply chain leader Global Healthcare Exchange (GHX) as a Best 50 healthcare provider. For the past 14 years, GHX’s annual “Best 50” award spotlights the top North American hospitals and health systems based on their proven ability to improve operational performance while driving down costs through supply chain automation.

National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC)

In November 2021, Summa Health Cancer Institute earned a three-year accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC), a quality program of the American College of Surgeons. Summa Health is just one of two accredited programs in Ohio, and one of only 35 accredited programs nationwide.

NorthCoast 99 2021

For 18 consecutive years, Summa Health System has been named as one of the 99 best workplaces in Northeast Ohio, as determined in the annual NorthCoast 99 Awards. Presented by Employers Resource Council (ERC), NorthCoast 99 is an annual recognition program that honors employers for their ability to maintain great workplaces that support the attraction, retention and motivation of top performers.

The Committee on Trauma Verified Trauma Center

Summa Health System – Akron Campus successfully verified as a Level I trauma center through June 25, 2023. This is the American College of Surgeons' highest trauma care.

CAAHEP Accreditation 2021

Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic Program

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has awarded continuing accreditation to the Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic program at Summa Health System in Akron. The recent peer review recognized the program's substantial compliance with the nationally established accreditations Standards.

Anthem Blue Distinction Hospital Award

Summa Health System – Akron Campus has been designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care by Blue Cross and Blue Shield and has held the designation since 2016. Blue Distinction Centers are healthcare facilities with demonstrated expertise and a commitment to quality care during the delivery episode of care, which includes both vaginal and cesarean section delivery.

National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers

In March 2020, Summa Health Akron Campus and Barberton Campus received three year re-accreditation from The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). NAPBC is a group of national, professional organizations focused on breast health and dedicated to the improvement of quality outcomes of patients with diseases of the breast. The Summa Health Breast Multidisciplinary Clinic is proud to be an accredited partner, addressing the full continuum of cancer—from prevention to survivorship.

Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA)

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), with support from The Gary and Mary West Health Institute and John A. Hartford Foundation, launched the Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) program to recognize those emergency departments that provide excellent care for older adults. In 2020, Summa’s Akron Campus achieved the bronze standard – Level 3 GEDA accreditation.

IBM Watson 50 Top Cardiovascular 2020 award

Watson Health 50 Top Cardiovascular 2020 award

This study is part of the IBM Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals® program, using independent and objective research to analyze hospital and health system performance in key clinical and operational areas for selected cardiovascular procedures and medical care. The study has been conducted annually since 1998.

President’s Circle Honor by Healogics

Summa Health St. Thomas and Barberton Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Centers were awarded the prestigious President’s Circle honor
by Healogics, the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services. The recognition is a result of achieving outstanding clinical out
comes for 12 consecutive months, including:

Patient satisfaction higher than 92%
A minimum wound healing rate of at least 92% within 28 median days to heal

Transcatheter Valve Program Certification

The Summa Health System – Akron Campus has become the first Transcatheter Valve Program in the State of Ohio and the ninth in the nation to be formally recognized by The American College of Cardiology (ACC). A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure that helps treat aortic stenosis. This certification signifies that our TAVR program provides a safe place for patients to receive heart valve replacement through better care, better prognoses, better quality of life, faster treatment, and better communication.

US News & World Report 2019‑20 COPD

This award reflects Summa Health's outstanding care coordination, including Summa’s CHIP (COPD Home Intervention Program), leading the way in better COPD care.

Joint Commission

Summa Health System – Akron Campus has been awarded the Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center (TSC) certification from The Joint Commission, in collaboration with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA). This certification shows that we meet the rigorous standards for performing mechanical endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), a specialized surgical procedure used to remove a blood clot from the brain during an ischemic stroke. Summa Health- Akron Campus is the first hospital in Ohio to be awarded this certification.

American College of Cardiology- Accredited Chest Pain Center

Our Akron and Barberton Campuses are accredited Chest Pain Centers by the American College of Cardiology. Akron Campus has an additional distinction of being accredited as a Chest Pain Center with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). PCI is a mechanical means of treating heart attack patients by eliminating blockages in coronary arteries.

American College of Radiation (ACR) Accreditation

Summa Health earned the prestigious American College of Radiation (ACR) accreditation in radiation oncology, demonstrating we have undergone a rigorous review process and meet nationally accepted standards of care. In addition, the Center at Summa Health Parkview Pavilion was designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiation (ACR).

Level 1 Trauma Center - Akron Campus

Summa was the first hospital in Akron to receive Level 1 verification, the American College of Surgeons' highest trauma care.

ERG and Council Honors Award

Summa Health earned the ERG 2019 Spotlight Impact Award™ highlighting the achievements of select groups in the categories of Organizational Impact, Talent Management and Culture of Inclusion.

American Heart Association - Accredited Heart Attack Receiving Center

Summa Health System – Akron Campus was the first Ohio hospital to receive AHA's Mission: Lifeline^® Heart Attack Receiving Center Accreditation.

American Heart Association Get with The Guidelines^® - Stroke

Summa Health System- Akron Campus has received the Get With The Guidelines^® - Stroke Gold Plus award as well as the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus award. We are part of an elite group of hospitals recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. The award recognizes our commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that every stroke patient receives treatment according to nationally accepted recommendations and standards.

American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine

The Summa Health Women's Imaging and Testing and Summa Health Medical Group – Maternal-Fetal Medicine are accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine in several areas of expertise.

Akron Life Best Docs

We are proud of all of our doctors. Each and every one of them works tirelessly to improve the health and wellness of all we serve. The excellence of our physicians comes through publicly on an annual basis when Akron Life Magazine publishes its list of “Best Doctors” in the Akron area. More than 30 of our doctors, representing both primary and specialty care areas, made the list this year. See the full list here.

Castle Connolly Top Doctors

Each year, Castle Connolly Medical compiles a list of the best doctors, major medical centers and specialty hospitals in the country. It combines peer nomination with its own research to determine the finalized list, which is published in Castle Connolly's Top Doctor Guides along with partner publications. Patients can use these lists as a resource for finding the best healthcare and physician services in their region.

Blue Distinction^® for Bariatric Surgery

As a Blue Distinction^® Center for Bariatric Surgery, Summa Health demonstrates a commitment to quality care, resulting in better overall outcomes for bariatric surgery patients. The Blue Distinction Specialty Care Program is a national designation program recognizing healthcare facilities that deliver quality specialty care safely, effectively and cost efficiently.

American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer

In December 2020, the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC) awarded a full, three-year accreditation to the Summa Health Cancer Institute, recognizing our commitment to maintain excellence in the delivery of comprehensive patient-centered care.

Best Women's Health Blog, Healthline 2017

Flourish was selected by Healthline, one of the fastest-growing health information sites, for its efforts in educating, inspiring and empowering readers with frequent updates and high-quality information. "All the content is written by people in the medical community, but the writers do a wonderful job of leaving out technical jargon. Easy-to-read content about some very serious topics."

The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval^®

Summa Health has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval^® for our palliative care program. The Advanced Certification for Palliative Care Standards focuses on patient and family-centered care in order to optimize the quality of life for patients with serious illness. This achievement demonstrated our commitment to the highest level of care for patients with serious illness.

Magnet^® Recognition

Summa Health System Akron & St. Thomas & Barberton Campuses are part of only 9% of hospitals nationwide to achieve Magnet^® recognition – the highest honor for nursing excellence – from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. We've earned this “gold standard” of care thanks to our nurses' high level of patient-focused dedication and commitment to superior patient care.

Lung Cancer Screening Center of Excellence

Summa Health Lung Imaging Center was named a Screening Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance for the ongoing commitment to responsible lung cancer screening.

Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program

Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program accredited Summa Health System – Akron Campus after a rigorous review process showed that we demonstrate a comprehensive commitment to a high level of care and favorable surgical outcomes.

American Heart Association - Mission: Lifeline^® Gold Plus Receiving Quality Achievement Award

Summa Health received the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline^® Gold Plus Receiving Quality Achievement award. The award recognizes the hospital's commitment to providing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks.

National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program

The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program recognized our Akron Campus as a "Gold Safe Sleep Champion," the highest designation, for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep.

Awards and Recognition

Summa Health Among Top Two Percent of U.S. Hospitals

#1 in Cranial Neurosurgery

#1 in Neurosciences

#2 in Stroke Care

Healthgrades 100 Best in Critical Care 2023 Award

Healthgrades 100 Best in Stroke Care 2023 Award

Healthgrades 100 Best in Gastrointestinal Care 2023 Award

Healthgrades 100 Best in Pulmonary Care 2023 Award

MI Registry Gold Performance Achievement Award 2022

NorthCoast99 Award 2022

Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Award

Critical Care 2022 Award

Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification

Newsweek Akron Maternity Award 2022

Stroke Care 2022 Award