Dr. Robert “Boomer” Burnstine believed in taking care of and doing right by others – from his family and friends to his patients and employees. For nearly 40 years, the visionary founder of pediatric ophthalmology at Akron Children’s helped care for and treat countless children with eye diseases and visual system disorders. On Feb. 4, […]
Lenny Fisher donates $1 million to support Akron Children’s emergency department expansion
Turn no child away for any reason. It’s one of three core promises at Akron Children’s and for donor, Leonard “Lenny” Fisher, it’s a promise that hits close to home. “From a very young age, I watched my parents and the way they treated people,” said Lenny. “My mother would never turn anybody away who needed […]
Family’s gift of life insurance to support behavioral health services
A recent donation of $1 million from Christopher Thompson and his family – made through a gift of a life insurance policy – will be used to support the programs and services in the Mahoning Valley at the Lois and John Orr Family Behavioral Health Center. The center is home to pediatric behavioral health services […]
Creation of the Melina Michelle Edenfield Fund supports efforts to fight pediatric brain tumors
Melina was a vibrant, energetic four-year-old girl who brought joy to the faces of everyone she met. Unfortunately, on May 22, 2020 her life and the lives of her family changed forever when she was diagnosed with a deadly brain tumor called Diffuse Midline Glioma. Her fight with this deadly tumor ended on June 24, 2020 when she passed away. While her […]
NICU 50th Anniversary stories
The exemplary care delivered at Akron Children’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has been supported by an important group of people: donors. Many of these generous supporters are former patient families. Here are just a few that Akron Children’s is honored to recognize as the hospital celebrates the NICU’s 50th anniversary. J.P. and Judie Delaney […]
Women’s Board of Akron Children’s maintains legacy of giving
More than 130 years after the founding of Akron Children’s, its mission of serving families continues to this day. And the successors of the women who founded the hospital continue to serve that philanthropic spirit through the Women’s Board of Akron Children’s. “We believe in taking care of each other,” said Tammy Gersman, president of […]













