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Off and running for our 125th anniversary (GALLERY)

Some in the group snuck off to our boss' house for a bonus selfie.

Some in the group snuck off to our boss’ house for a bonus selfie.

As the hospital celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2015, the public relations department has been encouraging families and staff alike to share their stories – new and old – related to their experiences with Akron Children’s. We also thought it might be a nice idea for us to create and share some memories as well.

After some discussion, myself and other members of the department decided to run/bike/drive to several of the large, metal, flower sculptures commissioned to celebrate our anniversary. Created by Judith Spater and sculptor Stephen Canneto, 25 of these sculptures were placed around the Greater Akron area.

Our journey began at the Virginia Bluebell in Lock 3 Park and continued past other flowers in downtown Akron and the near west side of the city, including sculptures located at our main campus, the Akron Urban League and the Akron Zoo.

Daylily at the Akron Urban League.

Daylily at the Akron Urban League.

“Running through the neighborhoods that are home to the flowers solidified for me how integral the hospital is to the greater Akron community,” said Kelly Daw, our intranet administrator. “Having been a part of getting them delivered to their new homes, it was a great experience to see how they have become a part of the parks and businesses in our community – and embraced by the people that see them every day.”

We eventually made it to the Highland Square area, where we were greeted by Jim King, co-owner of Angel Falls coffee, whose garden patch is home to one of our Deptford Pinks. He made quite an impression on our group.

“I particularly enjoyed talking to employees at the various host sites,” said senior public relations specialist Leslee Fetterhoff. “They took pride in displaying the artwork for our community to enjoy.”

King had woven the flower into the floral display next to his shop.

Deptford Pink at Angel Falls Coffee.

Deptford Pink at Angel Falls Coffee.

“He also invited us in for cold drinks,” added Holly Pupino, a media relations specialist for Children’s. “This run provided us with a nice reminder of the friendly nature of our community.”

The group split at this point, with some making a stop at Swensons, then meeting up again at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens for our final floral selfie of the afternoon.

“After I finally caught my breath and my sweat dried, I was thankful for the challenge,” said Fetterhoff. “It was definitely an afternoon to remember.”

I have to agree with Leslee. What a blast. I really enjoy the Akron area and am proud to help with the hospital’s mission to keep kids and families healthy and happy. I also like to run so it was nice to have an excuse to do that as well.

So now you have your excuse. Take a look at the locations and visit a flower or two near you. Maybe you’ll have your own story to tell about a friendly shop owner. We’d like to hear from you at publicrelations@akronchildrens.org.

NOTE: Scroll over each image for a description. Click on the image to enlarge.

Photo Gallery: Wall of Hope offers families inspiration during difficult times

Born at 29 weeks, 1-year-old Spencer and Sawyer both spent 55 days in the NICU. Their prematurity was due to twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

Born at 29 weeks, 1-year-old Spencer and Sawyer both spent 55 days in the NICU. Their prematurity was due to twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

NOTE: Scroll to the bottom to view the photo gallery. Click on the image to enlarge.

When your infant resides in a neonatal intensive care unit, your mind has a tendency to race ahead to the future. Will my child survive? And if he does, will he have developmental delays and physical handicaps?

The new 2-story Women’s Board of Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has a lot of features to help make a family’s stay more comfortable, including spacious private rooms. About the only thing it doesn’t have is a crystal ball for fortune telling.

The Wertz family checks out their twins' Wall of Hope display.

The Wertz family checks out their twins’ Wall of Hope display.

The closest thing to clairvoyance here is the Wall of Hope, which offers parents who are going through a stressful and scary time a glimpse into the lives of other NICU residents who have graduated from the unit.

The Wall of Hope highlights the stories of 25 children in the 6th and 7th floor lobbies of Akron Children’s Kay Jewelers Pavilion.

As patient families enter the unit, they’re greeted by the faces of these NICU graduates who’ve faced everything from extreme prematurity and multiple births to birth defects such as spina bifida.

Born at 28 weeks, NICU grads Daniel and David love computers and playing Minecraft.

NICU grads Daniel and David, now 14, were born at 28 weeks.

Many of the families of these NICU grads came together May 3 to celebrate each other and see the wall in person. They all received a framed copy of their children’s pictures and the satisfaction of knowing their stories will comfort many families for years to come.

“Thank you for being the folks who share their stories with our patient families,” NICU family coordinator Marybeth Fry told the 100-plus attendees. “Your stories will inspire other patient families when they need it most, because you are the epitome of strength and courage.”

Makita Gulley was excited to have her daughter Amina, now 17 months old, included in the Wall of Hope. Amina was born at 26 weeks gestation, weighing only 2 lbs., 1 oz.

During the times “Amina was throwing us for a few loops,” Gulley would set her sights on a bulletin board that hung in a central area in the former NICU. It was a place where all the NICU graduates’ pictures were posted, sent in by grateful parents who were anxious to show the nurses and doctors how great their kids were doing.

Born at 26 weeks weighing 2 lbs., Amina spent 61 days in the NICU.

Born at 26 weeks weighing 2 lbs., Amina spent 61 days in the NICU.

Some pictures showed young adults in mortar boards clutching diplomas. Others were of children riding 2-wheelers. All of them were comforting.

Born at 26 weeks, 1-year-old Amina Gulley loves cuddling and snuggling, doing pageants and dancing.

Amina loves cuddling and snuggling.

“It gives you a great sense of hope to see these kids and they are just like a regular, typical child,” said Gulley. “When you see how these babies grow and flourish, thanks to the efforts of all these great doctors and nurses, you realize it takes a village to raise a child. You realize there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

The Wall of Hope is a bigger and better forum than the old crowded bulletin board. It contains more information and details for hungry parents to devour at a time when they need to be sustained.

Here, parents facing a new diagnosis can find a mentor – someone who understands exactly their current situation.

Best of all, the Wall of Hope offers insight into what the future may hold. Some of the participants boast black belts in karate. Others like to belt out “Frozen” songs at the top of their lungs.

By sharing their journeys, all of them offer hope and inspiration.

NOTE: Scroll over each image for a description. Click on the image to enlarge.


As part of our year-long anniversary celebration, we’re telling the story of Akron Children’s through the eyes of past and present employees, doctors, donors, volunteers and patient families. We encourage you to share your own memories and stories about us.

Photo Gallery: Opening day for Kay Jewelers Pavilion

After hundreds of hours of planning and several simulated trips, 39 infants were moved to our new NICU on May 5.

After hundreds of hours of planning and several simulated trips, 39 infants were moved to our new NICU on May 5.

The opening of Akron Children’s Hospital’s Kay Jewelers Pavilion on May 5 represented the latest expansion of what’s considered the fastest growing children’s hospital in the nation, and continued a 125-year tradition of providing top-notch, family-centered care to children and teens throughout northern Ohio.

The GOJO Outpatient Surgery Center was the first to open with a patient family arriving at 6:30 a.m. The surgery team handled 10 surgeries on the inaugural day.

The spacious new ER opened at 7:30 a.m., and handled about a dozen patients in the first 2 hours, including our first transport from Wadsworth EMS within 5 minutes of opening.

At 8:15 a.m., special transport teams began moving 39 tiny babies 600 feet into their new homes in the Women’s Board of Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

We captured these historic milestone events throughout the day. We hope you enjoy.

NOTE: Scroll over each image for a description. Click on the image to enlarge.

Photo Gallery: Kay Jewelers Pavilion Community Grand Opening Celebration

A good time was had by all at our Kay Jewelers Pavilion community grand opening event last Sunday.

Thousands of area residents got a sneak peek of the new medical building with guided tours of the new ER, GOJO Outpatient Surgery Center, special delivery unit for high-risk newborns, and the Women’s Board of Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

In the spirit of celebrating through the eyes of a child, the event featured giant board games and giveaways, crafts, a photo booth, face painting, the Bubble Lady, and high-energy entertainment by local kids. (Watch a highlight video of the event.)

NOTE: Scroll over each image for a description. Click on the image to enlarge.

Photo Gallery: Kay Jewelers Pavilion Employee Event

Pride, togetherness, awe, happy tears and even a few slobbery kisses from the Doggie Brigade were the order of the day as 4,000 employees and their families celebrated the grand opening of our new Kay Jewelers Pavilion on Saturday, April 25.

The afternoon event provided a sneak peek at the 7-story medical building that will officially open for patient care on May 5. You can also view the video from the employee event.

NOTE: Scroll over each image for a description. Click on the image to enlarge.

Photo gallery: Kay Jewelers Pavilion VIP Event

More than 300 business leaders, hospital executives, donors and legislators attended the VIP grand opening event and ribbon cutting on April 23 for the Kay Jewelers Pavilion.

The event highlighted the building’s backyard theme and featured local children’s performers, including Dance Unlimited, the hospital’s therapeutic dance program for children with special needs. You can also watch the highlight video from the VIP event.

NOTE: Scroll over each image for a description. Click on the image to enlarge.

Photo Gallery: Flower sculptures commemorate 125th anniversary

Look for these eye-popping, larger-than-life flower sculptures throughout the greater Akron area. Created by artists Stephen Canneto and Judith Spater, the vibrant, metal works of art are a gift to the community for supporting us during our 125-year history. A commemorative plaque is displayed in each 320-lb. concrete base, which represents the forest floor with hidden toads, snails, newts and other creatures.

We hope you enjoy. And when you see them around town, be sure to share photos of them and tag us at @AkronChildrens.

NOTE: Scroll over each image for the location and sculpture details. Click on the image to enlarge.

Photos: April showers bring metal flowers

We’re commemorating our 125th anniversary with 25 colorful, giant flower sculptures around northeast Ohio. These beautiful blooms honor all the children and families we’ve served since 1890.

The first batch of eye-popping, metal sculptures sprouted up around greater Akron on April 9, with the rest taking bloom on April 16, 17 and 20. (View a list of sculpture locations.)

Photo gallery: #tbt Throwback Thursday

We started counting down to our 125th anniversary year in late August 2014 with Throwback Thursday – #tbt – on our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter channels. We hope you enjoy perusing this collection of #tbt images as much as we enjoyed creating them.

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