Suture team members Charity Blasdel and Jamie Byrne suture a facial wound on a 12-year-old patient. The suture team performs thousands of procedures each year, ranging from simple laceration closures to complex wound management.
This year, the Akron Children’s suture team celebrated its 50th anniversary, a milestone that highlights decades of dedicated service and innovative wound care in pediatric emergency medicine. Led by Suture Program Coordinator Jason Clancy, the team includes 25 highly trained paramedics, nurses and certified surgical technologists (CSTs), who provide vital care in both the Akron and Boardman emergency departments.
“Our team has evolved tremendously over the years,” Jason said. “We’ve formalized our education and standardized our processes, ensuring we’re always equipped to handle a diverse range of injuries in children.”
Akron Children’s suture program is one of a handful of such programs in the United States. It has become an integral part of medical education in the region for resident physicians looking to acquire wound care experience.
The suture team performs thousands of procedures each year, ranging from simple laceration closures to complex wound management, emergency dental procedures, abscesses and foreign body removals – saving families the stress and costs associated with operating room visits and enhancing the quality of care for young patients.
“We collaborate closely with our providers to determine the best path for each patient,” said Jason. “This teamwork allows our providers to focus on critical medical needs while we manage the intricate details of wound care.”
One of the most significant aspects of the suture team’s work is the ability to ease the fears of young patients and their families.
The suture team has received numerous accolades recently, including the Chief Moment Officer award and the Lois Hodgson Award for Clinical Excellence. Jason attributes the recognition to the team’s commitment to high-quality patient care. One of the most significant aspects of the suture team’s work is the ability to ease the fears of young patients and their families. “We know that for many kids a trip to the ER may be the worst day of their lives,” he said. “We take the time to connect with them, whether that’s bonding over their favorite Marvel character or video game, to help them feel comfortable.”
That connection often extends to anxious parents as well. “When it comes to the parent we try to identify what the parent is afraid of – whether that’s pain management or scarring,” said Jason. “We educate and reassure them that our goal is to ensure kids can take beautiful prom and wedding photos in the future, thanks to our careful and considerate care today.”
Led by Suture Program Coordinator Jason Clancy (pictured here), the team includes 25 highly trained paramedics, nurses and certified surgical technologists (CSTs), who provide vital care in both the Akron and Boardman emergency departments.
As the suture team looks to the future, they remain committed to evolving with the changing landscape of emergency medicine and continuing to deliver exceptional care.
“Being part of this team means everything to me. We’re not just fixing wounds; we’re making a positive impact on the lives of children and their families,” said Jason.
Akron Children’s suture program is one of a handful of such programs in the United States. It has become an integral part of medical education in the region for resident physicians looking to acquire wound care experience. Many of these physicians use the program as an elective to learn the skills and carry their training into regions throughout the nation.
