The Cystic Fibrosis Center at Akron Children's Hospital is 1 of 6 in Ohio that provides comprehensive care to children and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF), including respiratory therapy, physical therapy, genetic counseling, gastrointestinal evaluation and nutrition counseling. We also participate in clinical trials to research new drug therapies to manage the chronic disease.
Treatment depends on the stage of the disease and which organs are involved. Most therapies are designed to clear the lungs of the thick mucus to make breathing easier, minimize the bacteria that cause respiratory infections, and provide the missing digestive enzymes for food absorption.
We help patients develop a healthy, high-calorie diet supplemented with vitamins, and usually medications that contain pancreatic enzymes to help aid food absorption. If a patient requires daily respiratory therapy, we train parents or caretakers to perform vigorous percussions on the back and chest to dislodge thick mucus from the lungs.
Some patients may also benefit from lung and liver transplants, as well as stronger antibiotics and medications that thin mucus. Our goal is to improve treatment and quality of life for children and adults affected by CF.
Locations
Akron Children's Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Center
Considine Professional Building
215 West Bowery Street
Level 6
Akron, Ohio 44308
Fax: 330-543-8890
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Map & directions
Akron Children's Adult Cystic Fibrosis Inpatient Program, Canton
Aultman Hospital
2600 Sixth Street Southwest
Canton, Ohio 44710
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Map & directions
Our Doctors/Providers
Director, Lewis H Walker CF Center; Pediatric Pulmonologist; Pediatric Sleep Medicine
Robert Abood, MD, FAAP
Medical Director, Clinical Exercise Physiology Lab; Pediatric Pulmonologist
George Kefalas, MD
Pulmonologist; Internist
Brent Martinez, MD
Pulmonologist
Starla Martinez, MD, FAAP
Director, Robert T. Stone, MD, Respiratory Center; Pediatric Pulmonologist
Debbie Toder, MD, FAAP
Medical Director, Pulmonary Function Testing Lab & Ventilator and Respiratory Technology Program; Pediatric Pulmonologist
Open Clinical Studies
STOP 360: Standardizing Treatments for Pulmonary Exacerbations: A platform for evaluating treatment decisions to improve outcomes
The purpose of this study is to look at pulmonary exacerbations in people with cystic fibrosis that need to be treated with IV antibiotics. Do participants have the same improvement in lung function with one type of antibiotic (called beta-lactams) versus taking two different types of antibiotics (tobramycin and beta-lactams)?
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