Save the Date

Don’t miss these important events!

Men Who Cook
Friday, May 4th
5 to 8 p.m.
St. Joseph’s Family Center

3rd Annual Summa Foundation Golf Outing
Tuesday, June 26th
Firestone Country Club on the renowned South Course

Honorary Chairs Rennick and Dee Andreoli

Sapphire Ball
Saturday, September 8th
John S. Knight Center

New Robot Simulator Keeps Summa at Forefront of Medical Surgical Education

Summa Foundation is committed to elevating Summa Health System as a leader in medical education, research and in the delivery of clinical care. One area in which Summa excels is in robotic surgery. Summa was one of only 10 centers worldwide in 2011 to receive clinical research funding and fellowships for robotic surgery from Intuitive Surgical, Inc. 

Recently, Summa purchased a virtual reality simulator for robotic surgery training. This simulator provides onsite training for both practicing and resident surgeons to learn and practice their surgical skills. These skills are taught in a simulated environment before the physician, fellow or resident uses them in an operating room.

Philanthropy Helps to Transform Care in Akron

Summa Center at New Seasons opened in West Akron on March 5th. The 10,200 square-foot health center is the anchor tenant in the Village at New Seasons, which opened in April 2011 across the street from The House of the Lord.

This new location is home to Summa’s Center for Health Equity which provides the community with primary care services, health education and solutions to public health issues through evidence-based protocols and community partnerships. The over-arching intent of the Center is to eliminate disparities in access to healthcare services and health outcomes, based on race, ethnicity and other demographic characteristics.

“Our goal is to get and keep people healthy and we’ll achieve that by providing high-quality care and empowering people to take an active role in their health,” said Demond Scott, M.D., MPH, executive director, health equity for Summa Health System.

In the Spotlight

In each issue of Partners for Impact, we shine the spotlight on a dedicated team member of Summa Foundation. This issue, we introduce Elaine Guregian, grant and proposal developer. Elaine started with Summa on March 12, 2012.

Guregian will work with investigators throughout Summa Health System to develop winning grant proposals, particularly from foundations and corporations. By pursuing funding for all Summa’s hospitals and entities, Guregian will advance Summa’s goal of a foundation that supports research, education and other Summa priorities across the entire system.

Research Examines If Polymer Can Produce Cartilage Tissue

Where the Rubber Meets the Bone

Many people can relate to the pain of arthritis. Summa Health System’s department of orthopaedics is on the forefront of developments – both in orthopaedic care and in the overall landscape of healthcare through innovative research. One area of development is artificial cartilage.

One drawback of current joint replacement surgeries is that cartilage, the tissue that lines joints, doesn’t heal. Current cartilage restoration techniques produce a cartilage scar. This scar tissue is not as durable as native cartilage and often leads to the inevitable development of a painful, osteoarthritic joint and disability. The current “Holy Grail” of orthopaedics is a cartilage tissue implant. Currently, one does not exist.

Matthew F. Dilisio, M.D., a fourth year resident at Summa Health System, is conducting valuable research to create a new cartilage implant that may serve as a viable solution to arthritic joint pain for years to come. This implant could revolutionize the surgical management of cartilage restoration procedures and has the potential to be the first implant of its kind. This implant could be used in the knee, ankle, shoulder and elbow, if not all joints in the human body.