Akron, Ohio, may not be as large as Columbus or Cleveland, but it is still a notable metropolitan area. With a developed economy comes better infrastructure, in this case, improved educational facilities, which in turn yields healthcare centers, to accommodate the citizen’s diverse specialty requirements both in type and as one in scope.
- Cleveland Clinic Akron General: Akron General is the most notable medical center in the city, with its 532 beds providing a strong foundation for the extensive services provided, it also serves as a teaching hospital, encompassing most major disciplines. The hospital is dedicated to the treatment of heart diseases, orthopedics, and emergency medicine, which are all greatly aided by its Level I Trauma Center which treats the worst of the worst. Cancer patients may benefit substantially from advanced oncology treatments at Akron General’s McDowell Cancer Institute, and chronic wounds may be treated at the Wound Healing Center.
- Summa Health System – Akron Campus: This 551-bed hospital serves as the flagship of the Summa Health System and blends academic medicine with community care. Summa Akron is very well known for women’s health services, including its midwifery program and comprehensive breast center, which are nationally recognized. The outcomes of advanced cardiac procedures performed at the hospital’s Cardiovascular Institute are tremendous, while the Behavioral Health Institute attends to all areas of mental health.
- Akron Children’s Hospital: Akron Children’s Hospital is the largest child specialist hospital in the region, and is exclusively dedicated to children’s health. The Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Center at the hospital assists children with life-threatening illnesses and the Regional Burn Center specializes in treating burns in children. In addition to these services, Akron Children’s operates one of the busiest pediatric emergency departments in the nation, treating over 90,000 children a year.
- Western Reserve Hospital: With its Center for Advanced Joint Replacement, Western Reserve aims to excel in orthopedic surgery and performs hundreds of advanced procedures successfully each year. The Center for Pain Medicine at the hospital also provides complete pain management services, and without adequate patients in the emergency department, Western provides care around the clock. With Western Reserve being a smaller hospital, the wait times are significantly less compared to larger facilities. Because of Western Reserve’s unique ownership structure, physicians have a say over hospital management and patient care.
- Cleveland Clinic Akron General Health & Wellness Center (Bath): The center does not offer inpatient hospital beds but receives appropriate recognition due to its location in Akron and its services. This facility is equipped with cutting-edge fitness devices, therapeutic pools, and medically supervised health program integrations. For patients suffering from chronic diseases, the center offers a fitness LifeStyles program that blends exercise with medical care. Multiple specialty clinics within the center also offer cardiac services, orthopedic services as well as primary care.
- Select Specialty Hospital – Akron: This teaches long-term acute care, makes use of 38 beds and deals with patients who need complex medical care and extended hospitalization. Select Specialty is known for its excellent treatment in ventilation weaning, wound care, and rehabilitation to aid in the recovery of patients suffering from debilitating illnesses or injuries. All-inclusive care programs are managed by a physician, respiratory therapist, rehabilitation expert, and nutrition specialist and are integrated into one cooperative program at the hospital.
- Summa Health Barberton Hospital: This community hospital has 136 beds and provides primary care to locals from the southern parts of Summit County. The emergency room of this hospital takes care of above 40,000 patients every year. Center for Senior Health specializes in medicine for older patients. The Wound Healing Center at Barberton Hospital uses hyperbaric oxygen therapy for patients with hard-to-heal wounds, and its rehabilitation services make it easier for patients to regain function post-illness or injury.
- Summa Health Wadsworth-Rittman Medical Center: In need of medical attention in the Wadsworth area? This facility is located in Akron, thus serving the western parts of the city and the towns surrounding it. The facility has stopped offering inpatient services but has a 24/7 emergency room, several specialty clinics, and imaging services.
- Akron General Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Hospital: Akron General Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Hospital is currently under construction, it is a 38-bed hospital located an hour’s drive from Cleveland specializes in physical rehabilitation patients who have been stroke victims, have undergone traumatic injury, or have had intricate surgeries. Edwin Shaw offers unit-based care for patients with cerebral contusions and sores, and its stroke program uses innovative procedures by EDAC to maximize recovery. Other therapies that help with muscle and bone conditions are covered here as well.
- Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center-Akron Community-Based Outpatient Clinic: Though classified as an outpatient clinic, this center offers special treatments that aid veterans and the elderly thus deeming it a crucial facility in Akron. The clinic attends to the primary needs of veterans through direct and collaborative approaches. Portals are also provided to support plans set by local Cleveland VA Medical Center doctors for veterans. As a relatively new facility, it does not lack creativity or innovation.
Conclusion:
Blending specialized care centers with general community hospitals, Akron has robust healthcare offerings that address the city’s entire population. Although residents travel to Cleveland for highly specialized care, Akron’s medical facilities provide bases in most healthcare services. With the integration into larger health systems like the Cleveland Clinic, additional resources and expertise have been provided to the region, while still preserving the community spirit which defines Akron healthcare.
