Displaying items by tag: Summa

:19 - Akron mayor Dan Horrigan is up for reelection in about a month, and he will be challenged by Josh Sines (who will be joining the program next Wednesday). He stopped by the studio to talk about anything from Summa, the opioid crisis in Summit County, snow plows, and the continued development around town.

12:47 - A frequent topic on this show has been about baseball attendance and what it will take to put butts back in the seats. Are the ticket prices still too high, or do younger folks just find baseball boring overall?

18:16 - And finally, master gardner Jeanne Poremski joined the program to answer questions on perennials, the chillier weather afoot, and when to bring the outside plants in for the winter.

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There's a new logo and brand strategy at Summa Health System to go along with recent plans to spend about $350 million on local facilities.

Summa President and CEO Thomas Malone says they decided on a new image for the health system to coincide with their plans to "transform the way healthcare is delivered" in the community.

No name change, but Summa officials say they will begin a new advertising campaign next week and will introduce new signage over the next several months.

Previous Coverage:

AUDIO: Dr. Thomas Malone Announces Summa Health Investment

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(Summa Health Press Release) – Summa Health revealed its new brand strategy and logo today to employees throughout the health system.

"Much positive change is occurring at Summa Health as we continue to transform the way healthcare is delivered in our community. In recent months, we've seen our accountable care organization recognized as a national leader, our nursing staff again achieve Magnet status, and, most recently, the announcement of our $350 million facilities plan," said Thomas A. Malone, MD, president and CEO of Summa Health. "Through the new brand, we are sending a clear message to the community and to our own employees that something special and unique is happening at Summa."

Summa Health will not change its name, due to its strong connection with the community. However, the new brand strategy is designed to support its strategic direction, and the new Summa Health logo – the most visible representation of the brand – symbolizes that change.

The new logo is powerful and dynamic, representing the unique coordinated continuum of care provided by Summa Health at each stage of life. The elements of the logo move together to illustrate the organization's forward momentum amid the changing landscape of healthcare. The individual pieces and vibrant colors represent the diversity of our employees and the communities we serve.

"The brand is more than a logo; it is what our patients and the community experience when they interact with Summa Health and our 9,000 employees," said Dr. Malone. "Our new brand represents a promise that we are ready to partner with you on your journey toward better total health."

Rob Whitehouse, senior vice president of Marketing and Community Relations, said it has been 15 years since Summa Health updated its brand. Over the past year, Summa Health has conducted studies and focus groups to better understand how the health system is perceived in the community. Building on those strengths and aligning with Summa Health's population health strategy, leadership developed a new brand strategy and a logo.

"There were many iterations," said Whitehouse. "But in the end, we found something that resonated strongly with our internal and external focus groups. They saw it as reflective of who we are, yet still aspirational – a sign of where we want to go in serving this community."

The brand change will occur gradually, beginning with a new and distinctive advertising campaign next week and the changing of marketing materials and websites. Over several months, new signage will begin appearing at all Summa Health locations.

Big changes are coming to Akron City Hospital and local facilities. Summa Health is planning to spend up to $350 million over the next few years.

President and CEO Tom Malone unveiled the plans Tuesday morning which includes a six-floor, 300-thousand square foot tower at Akron City Hospital that will house patients and include improved facilities.

"Really, what we're trying to do is come up with a team-based model of care that is multi-disciplinary with the patient at the center of everything we do," said Malone.

Among the other projects in the first phase is the addition of a $50,000 square-foot medical office building on Market Street.

"The whole point is if you come in, nowadays with more than one problem, rather than you the patient having to go to multiple locations, we will have the physicians come to you," said Malone.

The new inpatient facility and office building are part of the first phase of the project which is expected to take place over the next five years.

Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan talked about the significance of master plan investment worth more than $350 million.

"Sometimes we toss around numbers, sometimes big numbers like they're pennies, but let's not get lost in the fact that it's a quarter of a billion dollars being invested in our community," said Horrigan.

Hospital officials said 80 percent of the hospital rooms will be private rooms by the end of the improvement project. 

The improvement plans also includes "modernizing various portions of Summa Barberton Hospital."

To learn more about the improvement plans, click here.