Through their commitment to Akron Children’s, Claudia and Jim Hower have affected the lives of kids and families, as well as the doctors and nurses who care for them.
In the Akron area, the Hower family name is synonymous with industrial growth, community leadership and selfless service.
A transformational gift of $6.6 million from the James Hamilton Hower estate—the second-largest individual gift in Akron Children’s Foundation history—will reinforce these family traits for hospital employees, patients and families for decades.
“We are extremely grateful for this generous gift,” said Chris Gessner, president and CEO of Akron Children’s. “Jim’s philanthropic legacy will ensure the continuity of programs for future generations.”
Quiet, compassionate leadership
For 40 years, James H. Hower (Jim) worked at the Hower family business, The Akron Selle Co., a metal-stamping, gear and gauge manufacturer. He followed a long line of Akron industrialists, including his great-grandfather John Henry Hower, who was known as the “Father of Akron Industry.” He partnered with John F. Seiberling in the Excelsior Mower and Reaper Works in 1861.
Jim’s grandfather, Milton Otis Hower, was also a well-respected business leader involved in banking, local utilities and the American Cereal Company, which became part of Quaker Oats in the early 1900s. Milton became president of Akron Selle Co., followed by Jim’s father, John B. Hower. Jim served as vice president and leader of plant operations until his retirement.
The Hower family led by the example of hard work and integrity. These traditions were adopted and carried on throughout Jim’s life.
His business leadership was significant, but his service work was most rewarding to him. He served for six years in the Army Reserves and 47 years as a volunteer firefighter/paramedic in the Bath, Ohio, Fire Department. He was a volunteer firefighter and paramedic, established Explorer Post 542, a program for students interested in firefighting and emergency medical services.
Jim saw community service modeled by his family. His father, John, was a member of the Akron Children’s Board of Trustees for 26 years. His mother, Mary, was a member of the Women’s Board for 31 years, and his brother, Otis, was a hospital trustee for 46 years.
Jim was a man of commitment and honor who put others first without any need for public recognition. His humble attitude makes this gift even more meaningful.
Building bench strength
The gift from Jim’s estate will be used to:
- Enhance Akron Children’s laboratories and clinical research environments
- Develop new diagnostics, treatments and interventions for patients
- Attract and retain the best minds in pediatric health research and build a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve
- Improve experiences and outcomes through innovation.
Jim was committed to attracting talent to the hospital. In 2020, he established The James H. Hower Endowed Scholarship to address a shortage of pediatric primary care physicians. A portion of this large gift will continue to fund these efforts.
Dr. Natalie Vajda is one of the recipients of the Hower scholarship. She is now a pediatrician at Akron Children’s Pediatrics in Cuyahoga Falls.
“My internship at Akron Children’s as a medical student helped me choose pediatrics as my career specialty,” she said. “It was a supportive learning environment, and as an older and non-traditional student, I understand that finding joy at work every day is the key to longevity in my career.”
Natalie’s journey took her from an undergraduate degree in biochemistry at Case Western Reserve University to a master’s degree in public health from George Washington University, to a Bachelor of Science in health sciences at Cleveland State University, and finally to a Doctor of Medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University. She worked in several medical research positions—another focus for Jim Hower.
“My goal is to always provide evidence-based medicine to help keep children healthy, but my hope is to see them grow and succeed in achieving their own dreams,” said Natalie.
She said that support from funding like the Hower gift is deeply appreciated because it can greatly reduce the financial burden that medical students bear along their journey. “Becoming a doctor is a significant financial and time commitment,” she said. “I am at a completely different place in my life than I was nine years ago when I started this journey. I am so thankful for the Hower family and their commitment to students like me.
(l.-r.)Patricia Walker, nurse and Career Launch graduate and Dr. Natalie Vajda, recipient of the The James H. Hower Endowed Scholarship.
New career paths
Jim also had a passion for attracting a diverse workforce to Akron Children’s. The James H. Hower Career Launch Endowed Fund has helped fund health care career advancement for 42 Akron Children’s Career Launch participants to date. Career Launch helps people overcome barriers to post-secondary education, including tuition and other expenses. Participants then join the Akron Children’s team.
Patricia Walker, a mother of five, always wanted to be a nurse. She had already earned an associate degree in medical billing, so her financial aid was maxed out. She heard about Career Launch several years ago but hesitated to apply, thinking it was only for younger people. She took the risk and applied.
“When I met with the recruiter, I told her what Akron Children’s meant to me. My first son was born at 28 weeks and was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The doctors and nurses helped me navigate a very difficult time,” said Patricia. “My son ended up passing, but the hospital continues to send me a card on his birthday— 17 years later. This place is special, so I knew this program would be amazing.”
Over the last two years, Patricia earned her Licensed Practical Nursing certification through Portage Lakes Career Center and was valedictorian of her class. She currently works in Akron Children’s Home Health Care program.
Career Launch and her experience within Akron Children’s have inspired Patricia to pursue additional education. She wants to become a nurse practitioner, where she’d like to work in the Emergency Department.
“I want to thank the Hower family from the bottom of my heart. I can speak for the six other classmates in the program with me—we would not have been able to complete our goals without this support,” she said. “Instead, I’m a nurse. My children see what I’m doing. I have a vision for where I want to go. And I now care for others, so their gift pays it forward.”
Patricia said the program leaders have been instrumental in her success. “Nursing school is challenging, but the recruiters and director are rooting for you, always asking how they can help and demonstrating care,” she said. “They care for us, because they know we are going to care for others.”
Dr. Michael Forbes meets with Claudia Hower and Walt Hower, during Research Day at Akron Children’s.
A commitment to research
Workforce development is critical because it not only supports training and development but also facilitates ongoing research, innovation and the delivery of high-quality pediatric care. The Hower gift also will fund improvements in clinical research, diagnostics and treatments based on the hospital’s greatest areas of need.
“This gracious gift that honors Jim Hower will equip us to positively affect many people—team members, patients, families, and the community at large,” said Gessner. “We will remain stewards of Jim’s legacy and seek to honor his example of giving.”
To partner with the Hower family on any of these initiatives, contact Laura Frye, director of planned giving, at lfrye@akronchildrens.org.
