Akron Children’s North Canton Health Center opens May 21, consolidating area’s pediatric care services under one roof

05-20-2019 ( Ohio )

Akron Children’s Hospital brings together pediatric primary care, a dozen of its most in-demand pediatric specialty care practices, and rehabilitation services in one conveniently located medical building at 6076 Whipple Ave. NW on the Aultman North campus.

The Timken Foundation Building at Akron Children’s Health Center, North Canton, is one of several such centers planned throughout the region, recognizing the priority parents place on having the highest quality pediatric care for their children in a convenient location, close to home.

The 38,000 square-foot center is set to open on May 21. Akron Children’s will consolidate services currently offered at four other Stark County sites in this one location.

“We are very excited to open our doors to this beautiful new health center for our patient families in Stark and surrounding counties,” said Grace Wakulchik, president and CEO of Akron Children’s. “Whether it’s a well-child visit to the pediatrician, a speech therapy appointment, or an evaluation by a pediatric cardiologist or neurologist, we will be able to offer dozens of services in this location, making it a natural extension of our hospital in downtown Akron.”  

Community open house set for June 22

The public is invited to tour the new facility on Saturday, June 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free and will include family entertainment, a scavenger hunt for kids, self-guided tours, a raffle and light refreshments. Acknowledgements begin at 11 a.m.  

Easy access, easy wayfinding

Upon entering the three-story building situated on a sloping lot, patient families will immediately notice an abundance of natural light and the child-friendly furnishings and artwork, including a whimsical audio-kinetic sculpture by contemporary artist George Rhoads, whose “Incrediball Circus 2” has delighted children in the lobby of Akron Children’s main campus for nearly three decades. Oversized wall murals pay homage to Stark County’s rich football tradition and the popular county park system.

Patient service representatives will be on hand to direct families to their appointment or they can check themselves in at a kiosk before heading to:

• Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatrics – This pediatric primary care practice, moving from 6046 Whipple Ave. NW, is a medical home for babies, children and teens staffed by 6 board-certified pediatricians, 2 nurse practitioners, pediatric nurses and a mental health therapist.

• Pediatric Specialty Care -  Pediatric specialists in allergy/immunology, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, orthopedics, physiatry, pulmonology, sports medicine, urology, and vision will see patients on regularly scheduled days and times by appointment. Previously, Akron Children’s North Canton specialty care practice was located at 6100 Whipple Ave. NW.

• Rehabilitative Services – Akron Children’s team of physical, occupational and speech therapists help children get back to the things they love to do after surgery, cancer treatment, or a traumatic injury. They also help expand skills and improve quality of life for children with chronic illnesses. Well stocked with toys and special equipment, this workspace is fun and “gym-like” with special zones for fine and gross motor therapies, speech therapy and children who need help with sensory integration. An indoor track connects to an outdoor path for patients learning or regaining skills with walkers, trikes and bikes, as well as a turf football field. The therapy team has previously seen patients at 4200 Munson St. NW and 6200 Whipple Ave. NW.

Last March, the Altman family – Richard and Barbara Altman, Louis and Christine Altman, and Jane and Michael Zoldan – of the A. Altman Company, the developer of the new facility, announced that they are donating the building to Akron Children’s. The building’s main lobby will be named the Robert C. and Ruth E. Altman Lobby, in honor of their parents.

In August, the Timken Foundation of Canton awarded Akron Children’s Hospital a $1.5 million grant to support the project. In recognition of their leadership gift, the building will be known as the Timken Foundation Building at Akron Children’s Hospital’s Health Center, North Canton.

The long-term lease of land on the Aultman North campus is the latest in a long line of collaborations between Akron Children’s and Aultman Hospital.

“This project is a wonderful example of the spirit of philanthropy and collaboration that makes Stark County such a great place to live and work,” said Wakulchik. “We appreciate the Timken Foundation, A. Altman Company and Aultman Hospital for their support of this project and their commitment to the families and children of their community.”

The Akron Children’s Health Center in North Canton is the second of three such centers to open in 2019. The Mansfield Health Center opened in March and the Boston Heights Center will open in September. A fourth health center is planned for Portage County.