Barbara Allen began her career at Akron Children’s 21 years ago, cleaning toys. After COVID halted the toy cleaning program, Barb transitioned to housekeeping. She’s been an important member of the Environmental Services support staff here at Akron Children’s. “I’ve known Barb a long time,” said Crystal Cline, administrative secretary for Environmental Services. “She’s great! […]
Archives for 2025
As he looks forward to retirement, Dr. John Pope relishes the privilege of taking care of kids
Since joining Akron Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in 1998, John Pope, MD, has held additional roles that enabled him to make a bigger impact on our organization and our patient families. These other responsibilities allowed him to explore interests in areas such as medical ethics, teaching and global health. Yet he found his […]
Family says counseling, open communication key to strong mental health
For Cohen Pierce, it was triggered by the transition to middle school. For his younger sister Lila, it was most apparent the morning of test days. The “its” in both cases were mental health concerns. Cohen’s depression manifested as changes in his personality. He went from his normal happy-go-lucky self to feeling down and negative […]
5 ways to reduce the risk birth defects
January is National Birth Defects Awareness Month. If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, learn how to reduce the risks. Facts Birth defects are conditions present at birth that may adversely affect an individual’s health by changing the body’s shape or functioning. They can affect general health, how the body develops or how […]
Keep an eye on healthy vision habits
Healthy eyes and vision are a critical part of any child’s development. Your child will need good vision for just about every activity and task she chooses, whether she’s on the ball field, in class or behind the wheel. As we celebrate Save Your Vision month in March, it’s the perfect time to share tips […]
How to spot a vision problem in your preschooler
Healthy eyes and vision are a critical part of any child’s development. At this age, your preschooler is developing hand-eye coordination and visual perception, which is necessary for reading and writing. Everyday tasks such as building with blocks, coloring and playing ball all improve your child’s visual abilities. That’s why it’s important your children’s […]
