Akron Children’s expands services in Greater Cleveland

07-03-2024 (Akron, Ohio)

Akron Children’s is expanding its footprint in Greater Cleveland with a new outpatient surgery center, a pediatric urgent care center and expanded access to in-demand specialists such as pediatric cardiologists, neurologists; gastroenterologists (GI); ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists; and orthopedic surgeons.

“We think we can address an unmet need by making our pediatric specialists and surgeons more accessible,” said Chris Gessner, president and CEO of Akron Children’s. “Parents want the highest quality pediatric care, and they want to be able to schedule appointments quickly and easily through an app or online. Our team is 100% kid-focused and it is our job to help them grow up safe and healthy.”

Pediatric Outpatient Surgery

When it opens on July 23, Akron Children’s Outpatient Surgery Center, 3755 Orange Place, Suite 102, in Beachwood, will fill an important need by providing timely, pediatric surgical care close to home for eastern suburb families.

The new surgery center will initially provide pediatric GI, orthopedic and ENT surgeries, with plans to add other pediatric surgical specialties by early 2025.

“We are replicating the care we provide in our outpatient surgery centers in Akron and Boardman with the same surgeons, anesthesiologists and surgical services staff caring for patients in Beachwood,” said Daniel Goldstein, MD, a board-certified pediatric anesthesiologist and medical director of the Akron Children’s Outpatient Surgical Center in Beachwood.

100% Child-Focused Care

“The last comment I make to parents as we head into the operating room is ‘I will take care of your child as if he or she is my own,’” said Dr. Goldstein, who grew up in Orange Village and currently resides in the area with his wife and three children. “Our team of pediatric specialists is focused on meeting the unique needs of infants, children and teens.”

That pediatric focus is present in every aspect of the care, from the ortho tech who knows kids want to choose the color of their casts to the child life specialist who can explain what will be happening during surgery in age-appropriate language - even allowing patients to select the scent of their anesthesia.

Pediatric Urgent Care

The pediatric urgent care center, set to open July 15, is joining the Akron Children’s Health Center, at 3733 Park East Drive, Suite 230.The urgent care center, with daily hours 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., is a perfect option for injuries and illnesses that are concerning but not life threatening.

Not sure if you should go to urgent care or the ER? Here’s a quick guide for parents: https://www.akronchildrens.org/files/132966/file/-5643_2024_wherego_8.5x11_fa.pdf

Pediatric Specialty Care

Akron Children’s has had pediatric cardiology in Beachwood since 2003. Pediatric Neurology and GI have been available at the health center for more than a year.

Pediatric orthopedics and ENT are arriving this summer with July 22 and Aug. 5 start dates. Within pediatric orthopedics, Dr. Drew Engles will be the only pediatric hand and microvascular surgeon in the region.

Appointments can be scheduled at www.akronchildrens.org/appointments or download the Akron Children’s Anywhere app, available for Apple iOS and Android.

Pediatric Primary Care

These specialists and surgeons join Akron Children’s growing network of pediatricians in Greater Cleveland.

• Drs. Elizabeth Bucchieri and Julie Hertzer practice at the Akron Children’s Health Center, Beachwood, 3733 Park East Drive.
• In January, Akron Children’s opened a pediatric primary care practice at 5800 Landerbrook Drive in Mayfield Heights. The location includes three pediatricians – Drs. Joey Korah, Simee Malik, and Julie McClave – as well as lactation consultant Samantha Lavender.
• Drs. Carrie Bohenick and Mark Evans practice at 7001 S. Edgerton Road in Brecksville.

All three practices are accepting new patients.

Open House

A community open house designed for families will be held July 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with tours of the new Akron Children’s Outpatient Surgery center in Beachwood; Akron Children’s Pediatrics, Mayfield Heights; and the newly renovated Akron Children’s Health Center, Beachwood. There will also be refreshments and activities for children at all three locations, including popular Cleveland-based storyteller Halle Bo Bally, who will entertain at the outpatient surgery center location.