From left: Dr. Cliff Deveny, president and chief executive officer, Summa Health; Michelle Ingmire, vice president, Ambulatory Clinical Operations; Melva Spragling, RN, unit director, Joint Replacement Center of Excellence; Dr. Kiel Pfefferle, medical director, Joint Replacement Center of Excellence; and Dr. Michael Hughes, president, Summa Health System – Barberton Campus and Wadsworth-Rittman Medical Center.
Born ... with a purpose
Born Foundation supports new Joint Replacement Center of Excellence on Barberton Campus
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2022 edition of Promise magazine.
Earlier this year, community members and clinical leaders gathered as Summa Health dedicated its brand new, state-of-the-art Joint Replacement Center of Excellence on the Summa Health System — Barberton Campus. The new center is committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive orthopedic care for hip and knee replacement.
The Walter W. Born Foundation generously provided support for the construction of the new center, which promises to promote healing and offer a calm space for patients during their recovery.
The Born Foundation is the result of the thoughtful end-of-life planning of Walter W. Born, who passed away in 1989. “Mr. Born’s desire was to provide funding exclusively for local nonprofit hospitals,” said Toby Blossom of Huntington Bank, a trustee of the Born Foundation. “It is an honor and a unique opportunity to continue his legacy and help make a difference.”
With a total giving of nearly $1.4 million and philanthropic investments across the Summa Health System since 2007, the Born Foundation’s influence on advancing patient care is far-reaching and deeply impacting.
“Because of our partnership with Summa Health, we can fund diagnostic equipment that meets the immediate needs of patients,” said Lorrie Shaffer of Huntington Bank, also a trustee of the Born Foundation. “We also get the opportunity to invest in bricks and mortar projects that may take more time and make a significant impact; it is rewarding to do both.”
Last year, the Born Foundation supported Summa Health through the purchase of a da Vinci XI robotic surgical system that promotes quicker recovery times and an earlier return to daily activities leading to an overall improved patient experience.
A strong advocate for Summa Health nurses, the Born Foundation has made several significant gifts to support professional development and educational opportunities for Summa Health’s frontline care providers.
The Born Foundation also generously supported the construction of the new Summa Health Medical Group Cardiology Clinic and the High-Intensity Cardiac Unit on the Barberton Campus.
The trustees are fulfilling Mr. Born’s philanthropic purpose with thousands of Summa Health patients benefiting.
For more information about supporting the Joint Replacement Center of Excellence on the Barberton Campus, contact Summa Foundation at 330.375.3159 or foundation@summahealth.org.