Akron Children’s has been part of the Wooster community for decades. Starting Feb. 4, the hospital will have an even larger presence with the opening of its new 15,239-square-foot health center at 3807 Friendsville Road.
Akron Children’s will host a community open house on Saturday, Jan. 25, to celebrate the opening of its new health center located at 3807 Friendsville Road in Wooster.
The new Akron Children’s Health Center, Wooster will combine pediatric outpatient services under one roof:
- Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatrics, Wooster will offer 21 exam rooms, board-certified pediatricians and nurse practitioners, a mental health therapist, and convenient evening and Saturday hours.
- Cardiology services will include evaluation and treatment of common cardiac concerns – including heart murmur, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness and fainting – and caring for children with arrhythmias and congenital heart disease.
- Gastroenterology care includes the diagnosis and treatment of disorders such as celiac disease, gastroesophageal reflux and inflammatory bowel disease.
The Akron Children’s maternal fetal medicine program will remain at its current location on the Wooster Community Hospital campus.
Caden’s journey
With 3 energetic sons, access to pediatric experts is important to Amanda and Zach Jacobson of Wooster.
“Our oldest boy, Luke, was the poster child of good health, and we only ever needed regular checkups with our pediatrician,” said Amanda. “When we had our second son, Caden, we learned very quickly that not all children are healthy. Caden was our game-changer.”
The Jacobson family: parents Amanda and Zach with their boys, Myles, 1, Luke, 5, and Caden, 2.
At 3 months old, Caden began losing weight and sleeping more than normal, despite not moving around much. His parents thought he wasn’t feeling well but, when he began breathing poorly, they rushed him to a local hospital. Thinking he may have Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the family was told to follow up with a pediatric cardiologist for a full evaluation. A few months later, they met with Akron Children’s cardiologist Dr. Brandon Smith who determined Caden was in complete heart failure. Caden was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) on the Akron campus and, 2 days later, had his first heart surgery.
Caden 2 days after heart surgery.
“We had never been through anything like Caden’s ordeal before. It was scary for us – but comforting to know the special care we needed for our son was at Akron Children’s,” said Amanda. “Not only have the physicians been fantastic, but the nurses are extraordinary. Any time we’ve needed anything, they are there and go above and beyond to give us extraordinary care.”
Read Caden’s full story on our blog.
Community open house
The community is invited to get a sneak peek of the health center on Sat., Jan. 25 from 10 a.m.-noon. Remarks and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, featuring the Jacobson family, will take place at 11 a.m.
Caden and his brothers are best friends.
“I’m a local teacher so I think about how some of my students don’t have access to quality medical care or don’t have the means to make the long drive to Akron for it,” said Amanda. “It’s comforting to know more children will be reached now that Akron Children’s has consolidated services right here in Wooster.”
The Jan. 25 event is free and open to the public. It will feature self-guided tours, light refreshments and family entertainment.
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