Barb Bungard reflects on growth throughout her 47 years at Akron Children’s

Barb started as a nurse on the infant floor of Akron Children’s 47 years ago.

Throughout her 47 years at Akron Children’s, Barb Bungard built a career that took her from being a nurse on the infant floor to a manger on the Epic team. In that time, as her career and the organization evolved, one thing remained constant – she and the hospital’s dedication to the founding promise to treat every child as we would our own. 

As she looks toward retirement, Barb reflects on her time at the hospital and the growth she was part of.   

What brought you to Akron Children’s?  

I was a nurse out of college and wanted to work with kids. I graduated from The University of Akron, and Akron Children’s was in our backyard. My decision was between Rainbow Babies and Akron Children’s, and Akron won. I have never regretted my decision.  

Have you always worked in the same department and role?  

I started as a nurse on the infant floor, then floated when I started my family and went part time. At that time, this was the only option. I really enjoyed working in the critical care areas as a float nurse. When a part-time, day-shift position opened in the PICU, I bid on it and was able to work not only day shift but also in an area that I really enjoyed. I then had the chance to be the nurse educator in the PICU (I enjoy teaching folks things) and later became the nurse manager in the PICU.

During my time in the PICU, I became very interested in informatics, including the electronic health record (EHR). I had the chance to be on a multidisciplinary work group of clinicians who were not providers looking at moving toward an EHR that could do computerized provider order entry because the one we had at the time could not. It was a great experience.

I also started going to grad school virtually through the University of Maryland. I earned my master’s in nursing informatics, and my interest allowed me the opportunity to move to the Information Services Division (ISD). I started as a process engineer. I had no idea what that was, but I was game to give it a try. I met with several areas of the organization to help them map out their workflows in preparation of the hospital moving to Epic. I joined the Epic team in 2008, and we started with our ED build in the beginning of 2009. Since being on the Epic team, I have held several positions and have been a manager since 2012.  

Barb’s career included some pretty cool hospital visitors, including Guardians’ relief pitcher Cade Smith.

What have your biggest contributions been while here?  

Being a part of the evolution of the hospital. I have helped Akron Children’s achieve the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Stage 7 Maturity Model designation (the highest level of digital maturity in healthcare) for both the acute and the community-based areas of the organization. I have been an active supporter of the organization growing and developing our Nursing Informatics program, working closely with our CNIO/VP of Nursing Informatics. I am a big supporter of collaborating with my peers and loved being involved with our Ohio Nursing Informatics Organization. 

Other than new buildings and construction, how has Akron Children’s changed since you started here? 

I have watched us transition from a more community-based organization to what is now a hospital system providing high-quality care to children and their families in northeast Ohio. When I first started here, there were only a limited number of providers who were employed by the hospital. The providers were mostly community-based, and we at Akron Children’s cared for their patients when they were sick and needed more advanced care. We have hired a large contingent of pediatric specialists who provide high-quality, evidence-based care to children where they are at – look at the counties we serve and our desire to expand that even more. In the PICU, our intensivists’ responsibilities have grown as the services we provide have grown. 

Retirement for Barb means more time with family.

What gave you the most satisfaction at work?   

Working with dedicated professionals who believe in what I do – the mission of the hospital and its values. We treat every child as if they’re our own. 

With so many little children here, did someone or something especially touch your heart?  

I became very attached to a young boy and his family in the PICU. He came to us to have spine surgery and ended up having to go home with a tracheostomy and ventilator because of his other complex medical needs. I was involved with his care in the hospital and provided the training he needed to be cared for at home, too. He was very lucky to have dedicated, caring parents and a sister who were very engaged and eager to learn.  

Do you have any advice for people just starting at Akron Children’s?  

You cannot work for a more caring and dedicated organization than Akron Children’s. We are transparent about what is going on, supportive of the work you do and practice what we preach. If the first few months are rocky, which I hope they are not, stick it out. Find a mentor and support system. You will not regret it long term. I haven’t. 

Travel is a favorite hobby of Barb, including this stop in Quebec City. Retirement will open up her schedule to continue going far and wide.

What do you look forward to the most in retirement?  

Traveling with my friends, completing my goal of visiting all 30 baseball parks across the country, and watching the Cleveland Indians (they’ll always be the Indians to me) and Akron RubberDucks. The most important, though, is continuing to spend quality time with my seven grandchildren as they grow up. Watching them do the things they love is amazing. 

What’s your idea of a perfect day?  

Seems like I am repeating myself, but my perfect day is going to be getting to do what I want to do, when I want to do it with the people I want to do it with. This may sound corny, but not sure I have any different expectations. 

What is a goal or a dream you achieved while working at Akron Children’s?  

Getting to do what I loved. I love working with kids and their families. Kids are so honest, and what you do is so appreciated by them and their families. And then getting to do it in multiple roles over the years. I also love the people I have gotten to work with. 

Barb’s perfect day is getting to do what she wants to do, when she wants to do it with the people she wants to be with. Retirement sets her up for plenty of those!

What couldn’t you live without?  

My family and friends. I am lucky to have two of my children, their spouses and their five kids living close to me. My other son, his wife and his three children live in Indianapolis. It’s a little bit of drive, but we make it work by making frequent trips back and forth. Friends are who I do most of my traveling with, which is a blast. We went to Australia and New Zealand last year. This year, we are going to Europe to visit Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain and Portugal. 

What do you like to do when you’re not at work?  

I love to go to sporting events. Baseball is my favorite, although I’m not sure there is a sport that I don’t like. I also enjoy spending time with my family, have board/card game nights with family and friends, and traveling. Time will tell what else I find that will keep me entertained.  

Barb hopes for more baseball in her life post-retirement.