Dr. Forbes assumed the William H. and Rebecca D. Considine Endowed Chair in Research. Pictured (from left): Chris Gessner, president and CEO of Akron Children’s; Dr. Forbes; Becky and Bill Considine; and Shelly Brown, executive director of Akron Children’s Foundation.
Endowed chairs. We experience their value and significance every day at Akron Children’s.
“Endowed chairs are vital to helping our medical staff and researchers pursue new and innovative treatments for our patients,” said Chris Gessner, president and CEO of Akron Children’s. “The generosity of our donors makes endowed chairs – and this cutting-edge care – possible.”
During our first-ever named chair recognition celebration in September, which honored the donors who helped create endowed chairs at our hospital as well as their respective chairholders, we were proud to announce that:
- Bruce H. Cohen, MD, FAAN, director of the NeuroDevelopmental Science Center at Akron Children’s, director of the Scientific Affairs and Clinical Trials at the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute and pediatric neurologist, became the first holder of the newly established Philip H. Maynard Chair in NeuroDevelopmental Sciences.
- Michael Forbes, MD, FAAP, FCCM, chair of the department of pediatrics, chief academic officer at Akron Children’s and pediatric critical care specialist, assumed the William H. and Rebecca D. Considine Endowed Chair in Research.
- Shefali Mahesh, MD, medical staff president and pediatric nephrologist, became the new holder of the Dr. Noah Miller Endowed Chair in Pediatric Medicine.
Dr. Cohen became the first holder of the newly established Philip H. Maynard Chair in NeuroDevelopmental Science Fund. Pictured (from left): Chris Gessner, president and CEO of Akron Children’s; Amy Griffith, daughter of Phil Maynard and director of the Maynard Family Foundation; Pamela Loughry, executive director of the Maynard Family Foundation; Dr. Cohen; and Shelly Brown, executive director of Akron Children’s Foundation.
The impact of endowed chairs
Endowed chairs provide financial support to a specific practice or research area through interest earned on an endowment fund. They provide a permanent, annual source of income that lets a chairholder pursue new advancements in their respective fields – whether it’s through research, hiring new staff, purchasing equipment, training or other activity that furthers their ability to treat patients, develop careers or further research. This work puts our hospital and our care on the cutting edge – creating the future of health care and offering significant prestige for our hospital.
“It’s an honor to be the inaugural holder of the Philip H. Maynard Chair in NeuroDevelopmental Science Fund,” said Dr. Cohen. “Phil Maynard was a dedicated and enthusiastic supporter of our hospital. He believed in our future. Now, thanks to the generosity of his family, this chair will propel our efforts as we investigate and identify new ways to treat children with neurological and
developmental disorders.”
To learn more about endowing a chair and impacting the future of care for children, contact Megan Hopper, senior director of principal giving, at mhopper@akronchildrens.org or 330-543-5768.
Endowed chairs at Akron Children’s
- The Bruce F. Rothmann, M.D. Endowed Chair in Pediatric Surgery
- The Dr. Boomer and Jill K. Burnstine Endowed Chair in Pediatric Ophthalmology
- The Dr. Noah Miller Endowed Chair in Pediatric Medicine
- The Grace Wakulchik Endowed Chair for Nursing
- The James F. and Marguerite A. Pearson Endowed Chair in NeuroDevelopmental Sciences for Rare Diseases
- The Jeffrey A. Barbour Chair for Pediatric Hematology Oncology Research and Healing
- The LOPen Charities and Mawaka Family Chair in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- The Marci M. Matthews Endowed Chair for Excellence in Burn Care
- The Marci M. Matthews Endowed Chair in Telehealth
- The Sarah Elizabeth Friebert, M.D. Leadership Chair in Pediatric Palliative Care
- The Lois C. Orr Endowed Chair in Pediatric Psychiatry
- The Sunrise Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
- The Venner Family Endowed Chair in Autism
- Thomas R. and Mary Lynn Crowley Endowed Chair in Perinatology Fund
- The William H. and Rebecca D. Considine Endowed Chair for the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute
- Philip H. Maynard Chair in NeuroDevelopment Science Fund
Meet Joey Ricci
Endowed chairs at Akron Children’s help our experts enhance the care delivered to patients like Joey Ricci.
Joey’s health journey began at our NeuroDevelopmental Science Center (NDSC) nearly 18 years ago. The NDSC brings together five pediatric specialties under one roof to deliver the best outcomes and quality of life for children affected by neurological and developmental disorders.
Joey was diagnosed with a deficiency in the mitochondrial complex IV protein, a genetic disease that can cause a range of health problems, including developmental delays, muscle weakness, gastrointestinal disorders, swallowing difficulties, liver disease and hearing problems. He also was diagnosed with several other health challenges. His care team at the NDSC, including Kathryn Mosher, MD, pediatric physiatrist and director of the neuromuscular clinic at Akron Children’s, have supported and cared for Joey every step of the way. While Joey’s condition is relentless, he persists with a positive spirit and infectious smile.
Now, the establishment of the new Philip H. Maynard Chair in NeuroDevelopment Science will help Dr. Cohen and his team advance their work in this field.
Read here, to learn more about Joey’s story.
