The hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit launched a “kangaroo-a-thon” last week that continues through May 31 to get as many parents as possible to offer skin-to-skin care for their babies.

“Kangaroo care is a cutesy way of describing skin-to-skin care in the NICU,” said Marybeth Fry, NICU family care coordinator. “Skin-to-skin is a method that is recommended for preterm babies to be held. The benefits of this are numerous.”

Kangaroo care originated in Colombia decades ago to try to address high mortality among premature babies.

The practice promotes skin-to-skin contact between a parent and a baby, who rests on the bare chest of Mom or Dad while wearing only a diaper. The practice got its name because of the way kangaroos carry their joeys.

Studies have shown the close physical contact can decrease stress, improve weight gain and promote normal temperature, heart rate and breathing among preterm and low birthweight babies.

Hospital neonatal intensive-care units throughout the United States began adopting the practice in the 1980s and 1990s. According to one survey, more than 200 neonatal intensive care units nationwide now use kangaroo care for their patients.

“Our goal is to increase the amount of kangaroo care given and the length of time kangaroo care is given,” Fry said. “We’re trying to increase awareness and increase our education.”

The hospital has decorated the unit with kangaroos to promote the practice.

The March of Dimes provided plush kangaroos with joeys in the pockets to give to parents who participate in the kangaroo-a-thon, which is taking place on the main campus and in NICUs operated by Children’s at Akron General Medical Center and Summa Akron City Hospital. Participating parents also are eligible for a drawing for prizes.

Teen help

Entering the teen years can be tough.

The Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences is offering two classes — one each for boys and girls — to help children in grades four through six learn about their changing bodies and minds.

“Boy-ology” and “Growing Up Girl” will focus on embracing change, developing and maintaining a healthful lifestyle, resisting peer pressure and improving communication with adults.

The sessions will take place from 10 a.m. to noon June 10, 12 and 14 at the college at 2600 Sixth Street SW in Canton.

Cost is $49.

For more information or to register, go online to www.aultmancollege.edu/ACCE.

Lodi event

Lodi Community Hospital is hosting the Spring into Health 5K Run and 1 mile Fun Run on June 1 at the Rory O’Neil Ball Park on North LeRoy Road in Westfield Center.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. for both events. The 1-mile event will start at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K run at 9 a.m.

Cost is $10 for the mile run.

Early registration is available for $20 through Friday for the 5K. After that, the entry fee is $25 through the day of the race.

To register, call 330-948-5502 or email Kathy.Wood@akrongeneral.org.

Belly dance class

Kadilak Fitness is offering a free belly dance class at 6 p.m. May 28.

The class will be led by Courtney Johnson-Benson at 4875 S. Main St., Green

All levels of fitness can participate in the class.

Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.

Burkett, who turns 65 on Monday, is stepping down this month from the Beacon Journal Charity Fund, where she has served as executive director since 1997.

Before taking over the nonprofit’s leadership role, she was a case investigator for the organization. The agency helps an average of 50 teens a year get free care from local orthodontists who accept reduced fees from the charity fund for their work.

In both positions, Burkett visited the homes of children and teens who applied for free braces to help determine which applicants qualified for the orthodontic care.

“That was and still is my first passion — the home visits and visiting the families and the one-on-one visits with the kids,” she said.

Over the years, she saw countless times the difference orthodontic care made in the lives of children in working-poor families who couldn’t afford the average $5,000 to $6,000 cost for braces.

There was the boy with an overbite who stopped her as she left a home visit to say, “Mrs. Burkett, I pray every day that the kids will stop making fun of me.”

Or the letter from a thankful mother 15 years ago recounting how her son changed from a shy, average student to one who gained amazing confidence after getting braces with the agency’s help. He ended up valedictorian of his graduating class.

“The difference that it’s made in their self-esteem and self-confidence is phenomenal,” she said.

The charity fund started at the newspaper at the urging of editor and publisher John S. Knight. The charity and the newspaper went separate ways in 1987, but Beacon Journal employees and former employees still serve on the agency’s board of trustees.

The agency’s $130,000 budget this year for orthodontic care and $16,000 to provide oral health education to third-grade classes throughout Summit County comes primarily from donations from area foundations.

Burkett is being replaced by Mark Fairhurst, who joined the organization this year to serve as the new executive director.

Burkett said she and her husband, Bill, plan to enjoy their retirement years by spending time with family and with regular trips to Florida.

But she’ll never forget the many smiles she helped shape over the years.

“I’m going to miss it a great deal,” she said. “It’s just very near and dear. It’s difficult for me to explain to someone who has not gone out to the homes and not seen some of the situations that we’ve seen and the expressions on the kids’ faces, the emotions that are involved and the gratitude that we get from the parents.”

Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.

Automated external defibrillators — or AEDs — are available in schools, churches, fitness centers and other places across the community to rescue people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.

But no master list exists to let emergency medical responders or well-intentioned citizens know exactly where those AEDs are located, said Dr. Terry A. Gordon. The retired Akron cardiologist has championed the push to get AEDs in schools, police cruisers and other public places nationwide.

Without widespread knowledge about the location of the units, precious minutes could be wasted before a life-saving shock is delivered, Gordon told a group of about 100 community and medical leaders gathered Wednesday at the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron headquarters.

“You can’t get any deader than you are when you have a cardiac arrest,” Gordon said. “You can’t hurt the person. You can only help.”

Gordon is pushing to compile an inventory of AEDs in the community while boosting education and awareness about the importance of the devices.

A system then could be created to notify designated representatives for each unit — possibly through a text message — if an ambulance is dispatched for a likely cardiac arrest near that AED, Gordon said.

Some participants suggested the AEDs could be outfitted with a GPS or cell line to keep track of their location. Others said an alarm or message could be sent to units when a potential sudden cardiac arrest has occurred nearby, as well as when batteries need changed or retraining is suggested.

Apps for iPhones and other smart phones that locate AED units also can be explored or developed.

“Sudden cardiac arrest is a major public health issue,” Gordon said. “ … It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere.”

In recent years, the medical community has pushed for AEDs to be placed in a variety of public places, including schools.

AEDs are “smart machines” that access a person’s heart rhythm and only administer a shock if needed to restore a normal heartbeat. The cost is about $1,200 to $1,500 per unit.

More than 1,000 Americans die each day from sudden cardiac arrest, Gordon said.

“There are very few things that occur this fast that you can do something about,” said Akron General Health System President Dr. Thomas “Tim” Stover, one of the panelists at the event.

The average eight to 10 minutes it takes for paramedics to respond could be critical for survival, Gordon said. For every minute a life-saving shock from a defibrillator is delayed, the chance of survival drops by 10 percent.

“If you wait for the paramedics, there’s a very low chance you’re going to survive,” he said. “If that’s all you do, the success rate will remain a dismal 3 to 5 percent.”

Ideally, he said, a shock should be administered within two to three minutes.

“With CPR and an early shock, over 50 percent survive,” he said. “Time is of the essence.”

Fairlawn Patrolman Steve Zagar is one of the rare survivors, thanks to an AED that had been in his police cruiser.

He collapsed in December during a welcome-home event for a blinded Afghanistan veteran, surrounded by about 30 fellow law enforcement officers.

“The AED I had lugged up and down steps for 10 years — never used — saved my life,” he said.

But even with AEDs present, people have died because the units weren’t used, Gordon said. He gave the example of national newscaster Tim Russert, who died five years ago at age 58 from sudden cardiac arrest with an unused AED in the studio.

“It’s one thing to have an AED,” Gordon said. “It’s another to be cognizant of it and to use it.”

Other communities nationwide are looking at similar initiatives.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania launched a project last year that offered cash prize incentives to people who located AEDs throughout Philadelphia.

Through the contest, the researchers were able to map more than 1,400 units in 500 buildings throughout the city, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

The event on Wednesday was part of the BioInnovation Institute’s ongoing “synergy seminar” series. The seminars bring together participants from the institute’s partner organizations to discuss potential solutions to a problem.

The BioInnovation Institute is an effort by Akron’s three hospital systems, the Northeast Ohio Medical University and the University of Akron to work together to boost medical-related research and economic development and education while improving health care in the region.

Other panelists in the discussion included Summa Health System President and Chief Executive Thomas J. Strauss and Akron Children’s Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert S. McGregor.

Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.

Employers Health joined with the American Psychiatric Foundation’s Partnership for Workplace Mental Health for an initiative to help companies across the country help their workers address mental-health problems.

The centerpiece of the “Right Direction” campaign is a new website — http://rightdirectionforme.com/ — that provides information about depression and tips for employers who want to raise awareness in the workplace.

The groups decided to develop and offer the free online tool kit and resources to companies nationwide to raise awareness about the impact of depression on the workplace, said Marcas Miles, director of programs and communications at Employers Health

The Canton-based national coalition of employers works to improve the cost, quality and accessibility of health services.

“Our main goal is to get everybody to the point of seeking help,” he said.

Depression is a leading cause of lost productivity in the United States, with an annual cost to employers estimated at $44 billion, according to a study published in the Journal of Health Economics. Studies have shown depression can lead to difficulty concentrating, indecisiveness, forgetfulness and “presenteeism,” or being present at work but not fully productive.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about one in 10 people struggle with depression, but many don’t seek medical help.

Employers Health announced the Right Direction initiative to raise awareness about depression in the workplace on Wednesday during its 14th annual Employer Symposium in North Canton.

The website includes a screening tool consumers can use to see whether they have signs of depression. Users are encouraged to share the results with a health-care provider.

Another dedicated portion of the Right Direction website — http://rightdirectionforme.com/foremployers — offers informational materials and posters about depression and other tools employers can use to create a companywide educational campaign.

The employer site also includes information to educate managers about the potential impact of depression on their workers, Miles said.

“Just because someone is showing up looking like they’re tired and have a lack of sleep doesn’t mean they’re out partying all night,” he said.

Though many companies offer employee assistance programs and mental-health benefits, more needs to be done to address depression in the workplace, Clare Miller, director of the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, said in a news release.

Employers “realize that many people who need help aren’t getting it,” she said. “In fact, employees with depression sometimes aren’t aware they have the condition. We want to encourage information-seeking behavior around depression, help employees get healthy through a variety of resources and tools and help employers improve the health of their bottom line through improved work performance, increased productivity, decreased absenteeism, and importantly, improved job satisfaction.”

The educational initiative received financial support from two pharmaceutical companies, Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. and Lundbeck US, but the drug makers were not involved with the content of the campaign, Miles said.

Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.

David D. Cemate joined the Canton hospital as senior vice president and chief operating officer. He replaces Jeff Smith, who retired from the organization in January.

“With more than 30 years of experience in health-care leadership, David possesses extensive skills in managing productivity and expenses to achieve operational goals,” Mercy President and Chief Executive Tom Cecconi said in a news release. “He also knows how to collaborate with physicians, mentor staff and champion quality and patient safety.”

Cemate previously served as vice president of clinical and support services at Akron General Medical Center from April 1991 through February 2002. He also worked at the former Mount Sinai Medical Center in Cleveland in several leadership roles from 1987 through 1989.

He most recently served as vice president of operations for Advocate Condell Medical Center and executive vice president and chief operating officer for St. Francis Hospital and Health Center, both in the Chicago area.

In an email interview, Cemate said he was attracted to the position at Mercy because he was “impressed with the quality of the medical staff and the superior services provided by the hospital.

“I was always aware of the exceptional reputation Mercy has in the community,” he said.

In his new role, Cemate oversees day-to-day operations of the hospital and its outpatient facilities.

“I am meeting with as many physicians, management team members and employees as possible to learn the nuances of the organization and to solicit their thoughts [and] ideas for improvement,” he said.

Cemate is married to Kathy, a registered nurse who currently works at a community hospital in suburban Chicago. He has three grown daughters.

The couple also have a golden retriever named Cameron, who competes in agility and is a certified therapy dog.

Cancer study enrollment

The American Cancer Society’s Northeast regional office is continuing to recruit hundreds of area residents for a long-term national research study examining lifestyle, environmental, genetic and other factors that could contribute to cancer.

The nonprofit is seeking 300,000 participants nationwide — and a total of 750 area residents — who agree to be followed for 20 years or longer as part of the Cancer Prevention Study-3.

By following people’s long-term medication use, activity levels and other habits and then tracking which participants develop cancer, researchers could potentially identify risk factors.

The study is open to people ages 30 to 65 with no personal history of cancer, except non-melanoma skin cancer. Registration for enrollment events is available at www.cancer.org/cps or by calling 888-604-5888.

Upcoming enrollment events include:

• Nordonia Hills YMCA, 8761 Shepard Road, Macedonia — 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

• Wadsworth YMCA, 623 School Drive — 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

• Canal Place, Building 24 fifth floor conference room, 520 S. Main St., Akron — 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 21.

• Riverfront YMCA, 544 Broad Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls — 3 to 6:30 p.m. May 22.

• University Park YMCA, 477 E. Market St., Akron — 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 23.

• Green YMCA, 3800 Massillon Road – 3 to 6:30 p.m. May 23.

Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.

Dr. Neeti Wyckoff (Ellet office), mother of three boys 7 and younger, including a baby born Feb. 25:

“The single piece of advice that I have for new moms is to take time to take care of yourself.

“Being a new mom can be overwhelming and often you become consumed with your little one. Your whole life changes and revolves around this tiny little being. Your thoughts are completely focused on your baby. You wonder if you’re feeding the baby enough, why is the baby gassy and the list goes on and on. Sometimes when we become so over focused on keeping our baby happy, that as a new mom you can stress yourself out. Often you’re so busy expending all the energy you have on your baby that you forget to take care of your basic needs.

“If you start to feel that way, I tell new moms to take time out away from your baby to recharge yourself. It may mean taking a nice long nap, getting a haircut or spending dinner with friends or family. Just an hour of doing something for yourself will let you see the bigger picture that everything will be OK, and eventually your baby will sleep through the night.”

Dr. Terri Linnon (Boardman office), first-time mother of a baby girl born March 26:

“Have lots of patience with yourself and the baby.”

Dr. Katrina Regula (Fairlawn office) has a 1½-year-old son and a daughter born March 2:

“For new moms, try to make sure the moms get some rest when the baby is resting, because when the mother is able to have a little sleep, that just makes everything seem better. The stresses are easier to deal with.”

Dr. Andrea Knighton (Ashland office) has a 2-year-old son and another son born in April:

“Stop trying to worry about getting everything done. Just enjoy the time with your baby while he’s little.

“I know that’s what everyone says, but it really does go by so fast. I know I’m trying to enjoy it as much as possible!”

Dr. Caridad Martinez-Kinder (Ellet office) has a 2-year-old boy and is expecting a baby girl within a month:

“Take time to both bond with the newborn but also know when you need a break. Find time for yourself.”

Dr. Erin Donley (Boardman office), expecting her first child, a baby girl, in August:

She’s not a parent yet, so she said she doesn’t have any firsthand advice or experiences from motherhood to share.

Dr. Ellen MacRitchie (Medina office), mother of two young boys and expecting a girl in October:

“My best piece of advice is having a loving, supportive family around you. I wouldn’t have survived — and continue to work full time — without my husband helping me every step of the way and pitching in.

“Trust your gut — most of the time it is correct.

“Get used to the house not being perfect — no one cares. You will have more time to enjoy life and your kids if you are not worrying about having everything put away.”

Dr. Jennifer Snyder (chief resident officially joining the Green office in July), expecting her first baby in August:

“I recommend that parents shop around for their pediatrician. It’s important that they are in a convenient location (expect those sick child visits) and that you have a feeling of comfort with the medical staff.

“I know being a mother will make me a better pediatrician. I will be able to relate to what my patients are going through. And I have already learned from them as some of them have given me tips and advice on what to expect.”

Dr. Sarah Ayers (Kent office), mother of a 1-year-old daughter and expecting a baby in September:

“Each stage is very short lived, so you should embrace it for everything that it entails — the good and the bad. Enjoy every second because it goes so fast. Make sure to give as many hugs and kisses as you can while you can!”

Dr. Neelam Yi (Wadsworth office) has twin 3-year-old boys and is expecting her third child in October:

“Be patient with yourself as a new mother. Be patient with your child.

“Try, try again. If something isn’t working, be innovative. Try a different approach or a different way.”

Candace Horvath, nurse practitioner (Warren office), mother of a 19-month-old son and expecting another boy in October:

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Having a new baby is hard work, especially when your own body is trying to heal. When family and friends offer to help cook, clean or run errands, let them.”

Dr. Teresa Moon (float physician), a first-time mother whose baby girl was born in March:

“If you can, breast-feed your baby. Besides the health benefits, breast-feeding also allows mom and baby to form a unique bonding experience. It may be difficult at first, but stick with it as it will get easier over the first few weeks.”

Dr. Carrie Lehman (Tallmadge office), first-time mother whose son was born April 9:

“The single best advice would be to just try to enjoy them being a baby, because they aren’t that very long. Don’t get fixated on the crying and the feeding and just try to enjoy it more. That’s what I’m trying to do. They grow so fast. I see that in my office every day.”

Dr. Lisa Light (float physician), a first-time mother whose son was born Nov. 26:

“I have a lot of advice for new moms but the most important is to slow down and enjoy this wonderful time. Your baby will grow up fast and if you’re not careful, you’ll miss it.”

Dr. Lysa Aemmer (Barberton office) has two young children and is expecting a third child in September:

“They grow up fast. Treasure each moment.”

Northeast Ohio Cardiovascular Specialists is working with the national nonprofit group, led by Dr. Thomas File, chair of the infectious disease division at Summa Health System in Akron.

The goal of the project is to educate patients “to see what we can do to increase the uptake of utilization of this vaccine for patients who are at greater risk for complications,” said File, who is serving a two-year term as president of the national group. “I consider this part of the heart-healthy preventive measures.”

The pneumococcal disease vaccine is recommended for people older than 18 who have underlying conditions — including chronic heart disease — that put them at higher risk for complications from infection, File said. The vaccine also is recommended for everyone 65 and older.

However, File said, studies have shown less than 20 percent of patients with underlying disease who are younger than 65 get the vaccine, despite the recommendations.

To raise awareness, the national group worked with the Akron cardiology practice to develop an educational sheet that can be shared with patients, File said. Ritzman Pharmacies and Walgreens then will report whether the number of pneumococcal vaccines they administer increases.

The vaccine is often covered by insurance companies for at-risk patients, File said.

“One of our goals is to increase public awareness of the importance of these preventive vaccines,” File said.

If the pilot project is successful, he said, “it can potentially be used nationwide.”

Doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants will share information with the practices’ patients to let them know the vaccine is recommended by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, said Dr. William B. Bauman, executive board co-chair for Northeast Ohio Cardiovascular Specialists.

“Everybody agrees it’s something we should strive for with our cardiac patients,” he said.

The project is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Inc., but National Foundation for Infectious Diseases’ policies prohibit funders from controlling programs.

ABIA addition

Another partner has agreed to join the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron.

The BioInnovation Institute announced it has reached a memorandum of understanding with Lorain County Community College.

The institute and community college agreed this month “to build a partnership to accelerate the commercialization of novel medical technologies that can advance economic growth, stimulate job creation, foster talent development, enrich patient care and improve community health in Northeast Ohio,” according to a news release.

Details still are being finalized, a spokesman for the BioInnovation Institute said.

The BioInnovation Institute recently began seeking industry, university and hospital partners outside the region as the founding institutions consider whether to continue participation.

Akron’s three hospital systems, the University of Akron and Northeast Ohio Medical University launched the venture five years ago to boost medical-related economic development in the Akron area.

The goal is to increase the BioInnovation Institute’s revenues by attracting hospitals, colleges and others that want expert help developing and commercializing new products, BioInnovation Institute leaders have said.

Basket raffle

The Akron General Medical Center Nurses Week basket raffle to benefit local charities continues through Friday.

A total of 32 themed baskets with values ranging from $110 to $3,000 are available. Tickets are on sale from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the main lobby, where the baskets are displayed. Cost is $1 each or six for $5.

The basket that gets the most tickets will donate half of the total basket earnings to its designated charity. Second and third place donate 25 percent of total earnings each to their designated charities.

Last year, the event raised $23,647 for OPEN M.

Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.

At a job fair in Canton about 16 years ago, the Walsh University graduate asked a recruiter from Aultman Hospital if there were any positions available in the finance department.

No, he was told, the hospital was only looking for nurses.

But two days later, he got a call from Aultman about a new job opening for a financial analyst.

He ended up taking the job — and never leaving.

“The challenges kept things interesting,” he said. “The opportunities are endless.”

Now Remark, 43, is facing even more challenges as Aultman Hospital’s new chief executive officer.

The Stark County native takes over the hospital’s leadership at a time when health-care facilities throughout the country are struggling with reduced reimbursements and massive changes from the federal health-care reform law.

“There is so much challenge associated with reform,” he said.

Like many hospitals, Aultman — one of Stark County’s largest employers — has been facing tight finances in recent years.

Despite its history of strong financial performance, Aultman had a slight loss last year and is hovering around break even so far this year, Remark said.

Aultman posted net patient revenues of nearly $420.2 million in 2011, the most recent year available from federal filings.

Remark said Aultman is taking steps to prepare for health-care reform, particularly the transition toward paying hospitals based on quality and for keeping patients healthy rather than for filling beds.

One key effort he’s pushing is increased communication with the hospital’s 3,200 employees about whether the institution is meeting goals for patient satisfaction, quality and financial performance.

“How do we keep all of our team members up to date?” he asked.

His answer: Along with regular meetings, he plans to roll out quarterly video reports from the executive team that will be shared with employees online.

The fact that Aultman Hospital is part of a health system that includes an insurance company, AultCare, also should help with the move toward “accountable care organizations,” Remark said. The industry trend brings together hospitals and doctors to manage the health of patient populations and then share in any savings.

Many hospitals are opting to forge stronger affiliations if not outright mergers to cope with the industry pressures.

Summa Health System in Akron, for example, is finalizing a deal for Catholic Health Partners to become its minority owner. Akron General’s CEO also has indicated the hospital is open to partnership deals.

Aultman, however, plans to continue to work with other hospitals while maintaining its independence, Remark said.

Aultman and affiliate Orr­ville Hospital are part of the Independent Hospital Network with Alliance Community Hospital, Pomerene Hospital in Millersburg and Union Hospital in Dover.

Those hospitals joined with Akron General last year to launch a group purchasing effort for medical supplies and service contracts, which collectively saved the institutions about $700,000 in the first quarter this year, Remark said.

Aultman also announced a deal last week for Akron Children’s Hospital to run its pediatric unit.

These are the types of “loose affiliations” Aultman will continue to build, he said.

Aultman also is looking to grow with capital investments, including a planned renovation and expansion to the cancer center, likely in 2014 or 2015, he said. The Women’s Board has started a $5 million fundraising campaign for the project.

Remark reports to Edward J. Roth III, president and chief executive of Aultman Health Foundation. Before Remark’s appointment, Roth served as CEO of both the hospital and the health system.

Along with the Canton hospital, the nonprofit Aultman Health Foundation owns and operates Aultman Orrville Hospital and AultCare insurance company.

Remark has been an executive with the Canton-area health system since 1997, when he joined Aultman as a financial analyst.

Remark’s other previous roles at Aultman Hospital included chief financial officer, vice president of strategy, project consultant, associate vice president and, most recently, chief operating officer.

Remark’s salary was not disclosed.

He and his wife, Stacy, reside in Lake Township with their three children: Katie, 17; Emily, 14; and Christopher, 12.

Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.

The tentative deal announced Thursday is the latest example of Children’s ongoing efforts to offer services for young patients inside hospitals throughout eastern Ohio.

Under the multiyear deal, Children’s will lease the space from Aultman to own and operate the pediatric unit.

Aultman has an average of four hospitalized children each day in the 30-bed unit, said Anne Gunther, the hospital’s chief nursing officer. The number has decreased substantially in the past three years as more patients receive care in outpatient settings.

By forming a partnership with Children’s, Aultman can make sure inpatient pediatric services remain available for patients, Gunther said.

“Some hospitals have chosen to close their inpatient pediatric units, and we don’t think that’s the right approach,” she said. “This agreement is going to allow us to continue our high-quality inpatient pediatric care on a high-quality unit that will really meet the needs of our patients.”

Aultman’s rival Mercy Medical Center in Canton has four of its inpatient beds dedicated to pediatrics, spokeswoman Cindy Hickey said. Pediatric services also are provided in the emergency department, outpatient and urgent-care centers and at the Mercy Surgery Center.

“More serious illnesses and injuries are best cared for at a children’s hospital, and we are fortunate to have the nationally recognized Akron Children’s Hospital a short distance away, as well as University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland,” she said.

Aultman continues to own and operate its pediatric unit until the deal with Children’s is finalized, Gunther said. After that time, the 15 nurses assigned to the unit will be able to switch to another job at Aultman or apply to continue to work as employees of Children’s on the pediatric floor.

Children’s has been leasing space within Aultman to provide outpatient appointments with pediatric specialists for the past five years.

The pediatric hospital plans to operate as many as 15 inpatient beds at Aultman, with an anticipated average of six to eight patients there daily, Akron Children’s Executive Vice President Shawn Lyden said. The ownership change likely will take place in the fourth quarter of this year.

Children’s already treats many patients from Stark and surrounding counties, Lyden said. Those with more serious illnesses or injuries will continue to be referred to the main campus for care.

“For certain kinds of patients who need to be hospitalized, this will allow them to stay closer to home,” he said.

In recent years, Children’s has been aggressively expanding its regional footprint.

In addition to its pediatric hospital in the Youngstown area, Children’s operates three other satellite inpatient pediatric units at East Liverpool City Hospital, MedCentral Health System in Mansfield and Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.

Children’s also runs neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) inside Akron General Medical Center, Summa Akron City Hospital and St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Youngstown.

Aultman’s NICU is not part of the deal and will continue to be owned and operated by the Canton hospital.

Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902.

National specialty hospital operator Select Medical Corp. recently shuttered its Regency Hospital — its “hospital-within-a-hospital” — at Robinson.

Regency signed a 10-year lease with the Ravenna hospital in 2003 to operate a long-term acute-care hospital, also known as an LTACH. These units provide a middle ground between nursing homes and hospital intensive-care units, with patients staying an average of 25 days or longer.

To account for the increased level of care needed by their patients, these specialty hospitals get higher payments than general hospitals from Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people ages 65 or older and some younger disabled Americans.

Select decided to close its 20-bed unit inside Robinson after it “exhausted all possible options,” company spokesman Edwin Bodensiek said in an email.

Pennsylvania-based Select acquired the Ravenna location as part of its purchase of Regency Hospital Co. three years ago.

Select operates more than 100 long-term acute-care hospitals nationwide, including a 60-bed facility in Akron jointly joined with Akron General and Summa health systems.

“We are admitting patients at our nearby Akron, Barberton and Cleveland hospitals,” Bodensiek said.

All but one of the 45 employees at the Portage County location were able to relocate to other Select facilities in Northeast Ohio, Bodensiek said.

Robinson hasn’t determined how the vacated space will be used, spokeswoman Andrea Pettit said in an email.

“Robinson Memorial Hospital is currently taking this opportunity to determine if other long-term care providers would be interested in leasing the space being vacated by Regency or consider other uses for the space,” she said.

Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.

So far, nearly $92,000 has been raised through this year’s Akron Walk MS, which took place Sunday at the University of Akron’s Stile Athletics Field House.

Participants have until June 30 to turn in their pledges, which are used to support local programs and services and medical research for multiple sclerosis.

More than 20,000 Ohio residents have MS, which causes symptoms ranging from fatigue, numbness and weakness to total paralysis.

The Akron walk was the final of 12 events hosted throughout April by the Ohio Buckeye Chapter, which serves 38 counties throughout the state.

As of Monday, the chapter had collected $883,533 toward its $1.1 million goal, according to spokeswoman Guyla Wehman.

For more information about multiple sclerosis or the Walk MS fundraiser, call 800-344-4867 or go online to www.msohiowalk.org.

Screenings offered

Akron General is offering free breast, cervical and skin cancer screenings during several events in May.

Area dermatologists, in conjunction with the Cleveland Dermatological Society, are volunteering to provide free skin cancer screenings for children and adults from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 11 on the first floor of the Akron General Ambulatory Care Center, 400 Wabash Ave.

Free Pap tests, pelvic exams and clinical breast exams will be available for uninsured and underinsured women 21 and older (or younger if sexually active) from 8:30 a.m. to noon May 18.

Patients with abnormal findings on their breast exam will be offered a same-day mammogram.

The exams will take place on the second floor of the Akron General Women’s Health Clinic, 676 Broadway St.

Call 330-344-2462 to make an appointment for either of the free screening days.

Expanded care

Southwest General Health Center on Tuesday launched a new pediatric service affiliated with University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in its emergency department in Brunswick.

Southwest General is now offering Rainbow Pediatric Emergency Services around the clock at its Brunswick ER, as well as at its ER on the main campus in Middleburg Heights.

Emergency medical services for children have been available but were renamed Rainbow Pediatric Emergency Services at the main campus, according to Chief Nursing Officer Marti Bauschka. The specialized pediatric services are new for the Brunswick location.

“This new service aligns us with Rainbow’s standards and clinical guidelines for treating children, thus allowing easier transfers as necessary,” Bauschka said in an email.

Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.

When Shawn Lyden enters the hospital on these days, he’s better known as “Maya’s owner,” not his official title of executive vice president.

His fluffy black Newfoundland with a face like a bear becomes the center of attention the minute she places her big paws in the place.

“I think the Doggie Brigade is a great thing we do,” Lyden said. “To see the smile that the dogs put on the kids’ faces is just great.”

Maya is one of 84 dogs in the Doggie Brigade, a volunteer program that brings approved pooches to the bedside for children who are hospitalized.

Lyden has long admired the Doggie Brigade but never had a dog with the right disposition to join — until Maya.

When the 2-year-old gentle giant was a puppy, she spent time at his wife’s yoga studio in Hudson. The couple noticed Maya was great with children who came to the studio.

“She was just a natural with kids,” Lyden said. “She’s so gentle. She has no aggressive tendencies whatsoever.”

Before joining the Doggie Brigade, dogs must pass a veterinary exam and extensive behavioral screening. These pets must be heads and tails above the rest — no exceptions.

When Lyden first had Maya evaluated a year ago, she flunked because she was too young. “Puppy brain,” the tester explained. Six months later, she passed.

During the week, Lyden spends 60 hours or more helping run the pediatric hospital.

So why come back with Maya on his days off?

“This is totally different,” he said. “I’m a volunteer. It’s a neat way to see the hospital.”

When Lyden brings Maya to the hospital, he wears a blue Doggie Brigade volunteer polo shirt. The only clue to his high rank is the word “administration” on his badge.

On a recent Saturday afternoon, Braeden Barton’s eyes grew large as Maya lumbered into his hospital room.

At 135 pounds, she’s more than twice the size of many of the patients she visits.

“This is Maya,” Lyden told the 7-year-old from Green.

“It’s a big dog!” Braeden commented.

“She is a big dog,” Lyden agreed. “But she’s gentle.”

Maya flopped onto the cool floor next to Braeden’s bed after the boy petted her.

“How much do you think she weighs?” Lyden asked. “Take a wild guess.”

“Thirty thousand pounds,” Braeden responded.

During the visit, Braeden’s mother, Michelle Barton, praised the hospital staff but raised concerns about a long wait and other issues when she brought her son there during the night for complications from diabetes.

As she was talking, she suddenly stopped.

“Do you really want to hear this?” she asked the Doggie Brigade volunteer.

“Yes,” Lyden said earnestly. “I work here.”

Another day, a grateful parent thanked him for bringing Maya to visit a sick child.

“That’s the first time she smiled all week,” the parent told him.

Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.

Aultman Health Foundation on Thursday announced the appointment of longtime health system executive Christopher E. Remark as the hospital’s chief executive, effective immediately.

Remark reports to Edward J. Roth III, president and chief executive of Aultman Health Foundation. Prior to Remark’s appointment, Roth served as CEO of both the hospital and the health system.

Along with the Canton hospital, the nonprofit Aultman Health Foundation owns and operates Aultman Orrville Hospital and AultCare insurance company.

Remark, 43, has been an executive with the Canton-area health system since 1997, when he joined Aultman as a financial analyst.

Before his promotion, Remark was the hospital’s chief operating officer.

Remark’s other previous roles at Aultman Hospital included chief financial officer, vice president of strategy, project consultant and associate vice president.

“Chris’ contributions have been diverse and critical to our success,” Roth said in a prepared statement. “This appointment will allow him to assume full responsibility for the daily operation of Aultman Hospital. As we prepare for the Affordable Care Act and the challenges of health-care reform, we know we will need to continuously improve our quality and become even more efficient and more cost-effective if we want to continue to meet our mission to lead our community to improved health. This appointment will help us achieve that goal.”

Remark’s salary was not disclosed.

Remark earned a bachelor of arts degree in finance and a master’s of business degree from Walsh University.

He and his family reside in Lake Township.

Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.

But Doug Weyrick managed to find a way to bring a little levity to a serious situation.

For the past six weeks, Weyrick wore a different costume to each of his radiation treatments at the Cleveland Clinic.

Weyrick, 42, of Green, showed up to his appointments at the Taussig Cancer Institute dressed as everything from a pirate to Snow White.

On Wednesday, he donned a cap and gown to mark his 28th and final treatment.

“To do it this way, I didn’t come in all stressed out and mad at the world,” he said. “It’s been fun.”

Weyrick, a husband and father of two young boys, was diagnosed last year with a type of brain tumor known as oligoastrocytoma.

The tumor was discovered after he mentioned during a regular checkup that his wife, Anna, noticed he was mixing up words. Subsequent tests revealed a mass in the part of the brain responsible for speech and memory.

In January 2012, Weyrick had brain surgery to remove most of the low-grade tumor. Doctors determined he needed radiation treatments five days a week when the remaining portion showed signs of growth.

Weyrick is the type of guy who likes to play tricks on people and make them laugh, his wife said.

After learning the radiation would cause him to lose part of his hair, he decided to wear a long wig to his first appointment. Before leaving the treatment room, he took off the wig, revealing his own short hair.

“Oh my gosh, it fell out so quickly!” he joked to the other patients and staff.

The reaction to his prank was so positive, he decided to try different costumes.

One day, he was George Michael from Wham! For another appointment, he was Tom Cruise in Risky Business, complete with a pink shirt and tighty whities.

Even Dr. Erin S. Murphy, his radiation oncologist, wasn’t immune. For a recent treatment, he dressed as her twin.

“What’s so neat is people have their own unique approaches to getting through treatments,” she said. “This is probably the most unique I’ve seen.”

Regulars at the center started looking forward to seeing what he would wear next.

“We never knew who we were going to get,” said Holli Cornelli, a radiation therapist at the Cleveland Clinic.

Fellow patient Annette Wagner, 75, of Gates Mills, enjoyed the laughter he provided when he arrived each day.

“He cheered us up,” she said. “It’s wonderful to have a laugh.”

Weyrick rang a symbolic bell on Wednesday to mark the end of his treatments. He will continue to be followed with regular MRIs.

“I think the other patients are going to miss him,” radiation therapist Laura Wess Paulus said. “I know we are.”

On Sunday, he’ll wear the cap and gown again to accept a business degree he earned at Walsh University while completing radiation.

“I don’t think even he realized how strong he actually is,” his wife said.

Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.