Riley Lochridge, (at right) who’s retired from ComDoc, Inc., gets a behind-the-scenes view of Akron Children’s Hospital from Dr. Tsulee Chen.
On any given Monday morning Akron Children’s Hospital buzzes with activity. On July 15, the hospital had a few extra people adding to that buzz. They were getting a behind-the-scenes look into the daily business of the hospital as part of Children’s Up Close 2019.
Twenty community leaders spent their morning shadowing doctors and medical staff. The participants were in various departments throughout the hospital including surgery, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), allergy/immunology, rehabilitative services and primary care. They went on rounds, observing surgery and routine checkups among other things.
After their morning, everyone gathered for lunch to share the impact of their various experiences. Grace Wakulchik, president and CEO of Akron Children’s, thanked everyone for engaging in this unique experience. The group also heard from the new vice president of development, Shelly Brown, who gave a brief overview of the impact donors have on the children and families who come to Akron Children’s.
Elaine Reolfi (at left) of TimkenSteel and Sue Grabowski of Desidara
One of the prevalent themes that ran through many of the comments was how the hospital’s mission plays out throughout the hospital. The patient-centered focus, culture of caring and commitment to treating patients and families how they wish to be treated is always at the center of the care children receive.
Mary Liz Finn, chief people officer at Signet Jewelers, shadowed Dr. Michelle Burke in the Sports Medicine Center. She said of the experience, “The doctor did an incredible job of respecting the patients. She talked to them on their terms.”
David Brockman (left to right) of Sikich, Akron Children’s Director of Rehabilitative Services Mary Marino and Stuart Grant of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
David Brockman, CPA, and partner-in-charge of professional services practice growth with Sikich, has had the unique experience of being a patient in the Paul and David Carol Foundation Burn Institute.
“I have a first-hand appreciation for the quality of care,” he said. He went on to say he was also impressed with the hospital’s focus on quality of life for the patients, something that several attendees echoed.
Children’s Up Close is a way for the hospital to engage with community leaders, share its impact on the community and receive feedback.
2019 Children’s Up Close participants and their hospital hosts
The community leaders who participated in the 2019 Children’s Up Close were:
- Virginia Addicott, President and CEO, FedEx Custom Critical*
- David Brockman, Partner-in-Charge of Professional Services Practice Growth, Sikich
- Elise Cuddy, Business and Incentive Travel Manager, Signet Jewelers
- Mary Liz Finn, Chief People Officer, Signet Jewelers
- Thomas Gedelian, Partner, Taxation and Consulting Services Group, Sikich
- Tammy Gersman, President, Women’s Board of Akron Children’s Hospital*
- Susan Grabowski, CEO, Desidara
- Stuart Grant, General Manager of Worldwide Racing, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
- William Hopkins, Vice President, Technology and Strategic Initiatives, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (retired)*
- Dale Koblenzer, Principal, Koblenzer, Orendorf & Associates*
- Edward Lehner, Director Supply Chain Management, Akron Children’s Hospital
- Riley Lochridge, Chairman & CEO, ComDoc, Inc. (retired)
- Thomas Milo, President & CEO, TKM Unlimited
- Amanda Milo, Student
- Elaine Russell Reolfi, Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Relations, TimkenSteel*
- Patricia Smith, Blakney Foundation
- William Tobin, Volunteer, Akron Children’s Hospital
- Tiffany Trent, Senior Tax Associate, Apple Growth Partners
- William Waldman, Owner and President, Meldrum-Fewsmith Advertising (retired)*
- Lesley Waldman, Community Leader
* denotes membership on an Akron Children’s Hospital board
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