On September 18, 2025, donors, providers and hospital leaders gathered at Portage Country Club for an evening of celebration and gratitude. The annual Named Endowed Chair Recognition Celebration honored the generous individuals who have endowed chairs at our hospital—and the visionary leaders who hold them.
Endowed chairs represent a powerful investment in the future of medicine. These funds give our physicians the freedom to explore bold ideas, develop groundbreaking treatments, and push the boundaries of care. They also bring prestige to our hospital, helping us attract the brightest minds in health care to our community.
It was a night filled with inspiration, connection and appreciation. Thank you to everyone who joined us—we’re grateful for your continued support and commitment to advancing care.
(l.-r.) Denise Lahoski and Dr. Jeffrey Hord, director, Division of Hematology-Oncology and chairholder, LOPen Charities and Mawaka Family Chair in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
(l.-r.) Dr. S. Derrick Eddy, director, Sports Medicine and chairholder, The Scala Family Endowed Chair in Sports Medicine; Chris Gessner, CEO, Akron Children’s; Dr. Cassandra Hirsh, interim director, Pediatric Palliative Care and chairholder, The Sarah Elizabeth Friebert, M.D. Leadership Chair in Pediatric Palliative Care; Dr. Faruk Örge, director, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology and chairholder, Dr. Boomer and Jill Burnstine Endowed Chair in Pediatric Ophthalmology
Robert C. Berk; Dr. Shefali Mahesh, pediatrician in chief and chairholder, Dr. Noah Miller Endowed Chair in Pediatric Medicine; Susan L. Berk
(l.-r.) Pam Loughry and Dr. Bruce Cohen, director, NeuroDevelopmental Science Center and chairholder, Philip H. Maynard Chair in NeuroDevelopmental Science Fund
(l.-r.) James F. Pearson; Dr. Matthew Ginsburg, co-director, Neurofibromatosis Clinic and chairholder, The James F. and Marguerite A. Pearson Endowed Chair in NeuroDevelopmental Sciences for Rare Diseases; Alyssa Ginsburg; Marguerite A. Pearson
(l.-r.) Christine Young, chief nursing officer and chairholder, Grace Wakulchik Endowed Chair for Nursing; Grace K. Wakulchik
(l.-r.) Dr. Joseph Magoline; Matt Bezbatchenko; Amy Butler; Matthew Bezbatchenko; Precie (Ethel) Fox, Dr. Julie Wei, director, Division of Otolaryngology and chairholder, Dr. Alfred J. Magoline Endowed Chair in Otolaryngology; David Pankros; Dr. Susan Potter Magoline; Kathy Bezbatchenko
(l.-r.) Jill Burnstine; Dr. Faruk Örge, director, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology and chairholder, The Dr. Boomer and Jill Burnstine Endowed Chair in Pediatric Ophthalmology
(l.-r.) Dr. Marya Strand, chair, Department of Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine, Thomas R. & Mary Lynn Crowley Endowed Chair in Neonatology and Maternal Fetal Medicine; Mary Lynn Crowley
(l.-r.) Dr. Jessica Foster, director, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, The Venner Family Endowed Chair in Autism; James R. Venner; Linda A. Venner; Jason Venner
