Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is much stronger than morphine or heroin. The term fentanyl can refer to a medication used safely in hospitals, an illegally made drug found in counterfeit pills or fentanyl-like substances that can be even stronger. While pharmaceutical fentanyl has important medical uses, illicitly manufactured fentanyl is often hidden […]
Cleveland Magazine’s “Best Doctors” include 24 Akron Children’s providers
Every year, Cleveland Magazine publishes a list of the best doctors in northeast Ohio. Doctors complete a survey to evaluate and nominate their peers for this recognition. Congratulations to these Akron Children’s providers who made the 2025 Best Doctors list: Scott Boulanger, MD – Pediatric General Surgeon Jessica Castonguay, DO, MPH – Adolescent Medicine Specialist […]
From patient to medical staff president: Dr. Laura Markley’s journey comes full circle at Akron Children’s
When Dr. Laura Markley becomes president of Akron Children’s Medical Staff on July 1, it will mark a meaningful personal and professional moment. As a toddler, she was hospitalized at Akron Children’s with a life-threatening infection — one that would later become largely preventable through routine childhood immunization. Now, as a physician leader, she hopes […]
Physician staff gives back to patient families in need
In recognition of National Doctors’ Day, the medical staff executive committee voted to make a $16,000 donation to the newly opened Food Farmacy on the Boardman campus. This is the third year that medical staff funds have been used to make a charitable donation rather than purchasing tokens of appreciation for providers. Presenting the donation […]
3 questions to ask kids about their social media accounts
As parents, it’s important to keep an open, honest and nonjudgmental dialogue about important aspects of your teen’s life — and that should include social media. But Laura Markley, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and pediatrician in Akron Children’s Lois and John Orr Family Behavioral Health Center, reminds parents to keep the conversation light […]
Help your child build a healthy relationship with social media
Social media is a big part of just about every teenager’s social life. It’s estimated 92 percent of teens in this country are active on at least one social media platform, such as YouTube, TikTok or SnapChat, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Social media influences youth in a variety of ways — for […]













