A couple’s lasting gift: The Tom and Jill Lincoln Foundation ensures local care for kids

Members of The Tom and Jill Lincoln Foundation: Medina Sheriff Terry Grice (trustee); William (Bill) Young (trustee); Michael Short (trustee); Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell (trustee); and Donald Miksch (trust officer) visit the Akron Children’s Health Center, Medina.

Leaving a legacy to your family is meaningful; leaving a legacy to your community is powerful.

Years after their passing, Tom and Jill Lincoln’s love of Medina County continues to be expressed through The Tom and Jill Lincoln Foundation, an estate-based foundation that benefits a variety of initiatives solely in Medina County. The Lincoln Foundation has pledged $1 million to Akron Children’s Health Center, Medina, which is expanding to meet the needs of area families.

“It is an honor to be one of the trustees who facilitate this important foundation,” said Bill Young, a partner at Williams & Batchelder, a 140-year-old law firm in Medina. “Three of the trustees – Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell, financial advisor Mike Short and I – knew Tom and Jill personally. We do our best to assume their mentality when we consider grant requests.”

While their estate was substantial, Tom and Jill lived modest lives. Tom was a special deputy in the Medina sheriff’s office, and Jill was a nurse. They asked Bill to complete their estate plan to care for their adopted son and to establish the foundation to help the community. Jill predeceased Tom, who passed away from COVID three years ago.

Staying close to home

Speech Pathologist Morgan Albert shares insights about the Akron Children’s Medina Health Center with members of The Tom and Jill Lincoln Foundation.

Bill said the health and safety of the people of Medina County was always top of mind for Tom. Akron Children’s expansion in Medina perfectly aligned with The Tom and Jill Lincoln Foundation’s vision. From walk-in pediatric visits to specialty services, foundation trustees are pleased that Medina-area families are being served well.

“We are so glad that a depth of pediatric care is in our area,” said Bill. “Families may not need to travel to Akron to get the care they need.”

Another interest is investment in behavioral health services for youth. Bill said that parents unashamedly get their kids care for orthopedic issues or common illnesses, but mental health still has a stigma. “We expect that with local behavioral health services, staffed by quality people, more parents will reach out for help,” he said. “With 1 in 5 children facing mental health challenges, local services are critical.”

In addition to supporting Akron Children’s, the foundation has awarded grants to local hospice organizations and law enforcement groups and has funded Medina-based scholarships for those pursuing careers in health care, forestry or law enforcement.

Centralized care

Through the purchase and renovation of the current emergency room at the Summa Health Medina Medical Center, Akron Children’s now operates a 28,900-square-foot facility that offers primary care, specialty services (like behavioral health), physical rehabilitative care and same-day, walk-in appointments to families in Medina County.

In its first full year of operation in 2025, the Medina Health Center expects to serve more than 9,000 individuals through more than 30,000 visits. By the end of 2029, more than 18,000 individual patients may receive care.

Medicaid insures nearly 47% of Medina County pediatric patients. It’s program that provides accessible health care to all children, regardless of socioeconomic status. It also means that there are uncompensated care costs that the hospital must absorb.

Funding like that from The Tom and Jill Lincoln Foundation helps Akron Children’s reach more kids with more services.

“Akron Children’s has such a strong reputation, and we value the fact that it is an independent organization. It has its own identity – very much like Medina,” said Bill. “Medina is not a ‘suburb of Cleveland.’ This community is vibrant and solid, and we are blessed to have excellent pediatric care nearby. I hope that other foundations and organizations will continue to invest in the care of Medina-area children. They are our future.”