For the past year and a half, the Akron Children’s Behavioral Health Department and Hope Meadows have worked together to offer equine assisted therapy for kids ages 10 to 17. The Behavioral Health team completed a leadership program at Hope Meadows, which offers equine-assisted mental health counseling and wellness programs. The group got so much […]
Hospital Updates
A legacy of compassion: Kimberly Firestone retires after 47 years at Akron Children’s
For 47 years, Kimberly Firestone, director of respiratory care and clinical outreach services, has dedicated her professional career to improving the lives of the smallest patients at Akron Children’s. “The patients are the heart of what I do,” said Kimberly. “There’s something deeply moving about seeing someone struggle to breathe and being able to help […]
Patient experience spotlight: Dr. Abidin Hakan Tuncer
Every month, Akron Children’s recognizes an employee for providing an exceptional patient experience. Our most recent honoree is Dr. Abidin Hakan Tuncer, pediatric dentist and director of the Celeste Myers Dental Clinic. He recently received these kind comments from a grateful mom: “My son got a chipped tooth during a baseball game. The next morning, […]
Akron Children’s nurse Sarah Ballentine receives 2026 Faces of Care award
Sarah Ballentine of Newton Falls, Ohio, grew up loving to help others and take care of them. She knew she wanted a career in healthcare. Today, she is a staff nurse in the Akron Children’s Hematology and Oncology inpatient unit. She is also the latest Akron Children’s recipient of the Faces of Care award, an […]
Barb Bungard reflects on growth throughout her 47 years at Akron Children’s
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 […]
Patient experience spotlight: Emily Mars
Every month, Akron Children’s recognizes an employee for providing an outstanding patient experience. Our most recent honoree is Emily Mars, speech therapist at Akron Children’s Rehabilitative Services in Massillon. She recently received these kind comments from a grateful mom: “Emily Mars, the speech therapist, goes above and beyond for our son each week. We have […]
