Summa Awarded Minimally Invasive Fellowships in Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery

Summa Health System’s desire to train and educate the finest physicians got a shot in the arm thanks to the awarding of two fellowships for the 2012 – 2013 academic year, the first in Laparoscopic Bariatric/Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery and the second, a Clinical Robotic Fellowship in Gynecology.

This will be the second year Summa received funding for the minimally invasive surgical experience in the field of bariatric and advanced laparoscopic surgery; this is a unique fellowship and learning opportunity.

The Clinical Robotic Fellowship will be a unique gynecology surgical training experience using the da Vinci® SI robot.

Summa Foundation Celebrates Record Year

Welcome 2012! Summa is already off to a great start to the New Year, and we hope you are as well. 2011 was a record year of giving for the Summa Foundation, raising more than $9 million - $1 million over goal. These generous contributions were made possible by the remarkable efforts of individuals like you. Thank you for your support, which will allow us to make the greatest difference ever to the patients and communities we serve.

Read further in this issue and in subsequent issues throughout the year to learn how these contributions are paving the way for major achievements to occur throughout the Summa Health System. From research and education, to community benefit, these philanthropic gifts will ultimately improve the delivery of the highest quality compassionate care for our patients.

Yet, we will not rest here. Our goal for 2012 is another $9 million, and we are determined to meet it. Thank you for your previous support and we look forward to continuing our relationship this year. Together, we can make 2012 another record-setting year of giving.

Generosity Enables Summa Screens to Potentially Save Lives

Many women have had the frightening experience of an abnormal mammogram. Imagine if that happened to you, but your insurance would not cover the diagnostic screening. As a family practice physician in Bath, Ohio for the past 25 years, Cynthia L. Weinstein, M.D., saw this happen firsthand to her patients.

Family physicians are often confronted with patients who fail to get recommended breast screening exams because they lack the financial resources to do so. Lack of insurance coverage or underinsurance leads to skipping recommended screening tests for prevention or early detection of disease.

“Given that Ohio is fourth in the nation for breast cancer mortality, I felt it important to try to make an impact in our own local community,” explained Weinstein.

In the Spotlight

In each issue of Partners for Impact, we will shine the spotlight on a dedicated team member of Summa Foundation. This issue, we would like to introduce Mella Castner, director, annual giving.

As the director, annual giving, Castner is responsible for the Annual Fund campaigns that raise funds from Summa’s stakeholders -- Employees, Board Members, Physicians, Volunteers, Patients/Families and Community Members. In addition, she oversees the annual giving donor clubs The Signature Society and Annual Giving Society.

If you are interested in making a gift to Summa Foundation’s Annual Fund and becoming a member of The Signature Society or Annual Giving Society, contact Castner at castnerm@summahealth.org or 330-375-7072.

Estate Planning Seminar Available

The Summa Foundation Office of Planned Giving offers an annual educational series to friends and affiliates of Summa Health System. Please save the date for the next appreciation event and educational seminar.

“Estate Planning in Uncertain Times”
Thursday, March 8, 2012
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Summa Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital
RSVP to 330-331-1170 by March 1, 2012.

Attendees will hear:

• Goal of an Estate Plan
• Basic Understanding of Tax Concepts
• Overview of Estate Planning Essentials

Speakers include Philip S. Kaufmann, partner and group chair in Stark & Knoll’s Estate Planning & Probate Group and Member, Summa Foundation Board and Stephanie R. Kormanec, an associate in Stark & Knoll’s Estate Planning & Probate Group. Heavy Hors de Oeuvres and wine and cheese pairings will be offered.

Contact Dan Selby to learn more.

Summa Promotes a Culture of Diversity

Summa Health System is committed to promoting a culture of diversity. Diversity is generally thought to be cultural or racial, when in fact it is much more complex. Diversity involves many areas including age, economic background, marital status, sexual orientation, education, work, religion, politics, mental and physical abilities and more.

Summa supports various programs throughout the year to help create an inclusive culture, both internally, such as the airing of the documentary “The Pact,” and throughout the community. During February, Summa sponsored several events in support of Black History month.

Summa Visits the White House

Summa’s office of Community Benefit & Diversity was invited to attend a two-day event in Washington, D.C. February 16 – 17, to discuss improving health outcomes through faith-based and community partnerships. Best practices regarding community asset mapping, tracking data and evaluation and strategic investment of community benefit dollars were discussed by more than 20 health organizations from around the country.

This event was the second in a series of convenings being hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and White House Offices for faith-based and neighborhood partnerships in cooperation with community partners. Summa was invited due to its work with Summa Center at New Seasons Center for Health Equity.

“It was a privilege and wonderful opportunity to engage in learning and discussion with so many individuals and organizations who are involved in the same work, have the same goals and values, share the same challenges and had similar experiences to share with us,” said Roxia Boykin, MPA, R.N., Vice President, Community Benefit & Diversity. “What was validated for all of us was that what we are doing and plan to do locally can contribute to having a direct impact on many facets of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. It was rewarding that senior officials from HHS and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation really wanted to hear our experiences, and then use the outcomes and lessons learned to revise programming and to enhance relationships.”