Akron Children’s new Medina Health Center to open April 15
04-10-2025 (Akron, Ohio)
Located at 3778 Medina Road, Akron Children’s Health Center at the Summa Health Medina Medical Center campus is set to open on April 15.
A community open house, planned for May 10 from 1-3 p.m., will feature tours, giveaways to the first 200 guests, light refreshments and activities for children.
“We are excited to bring our pediatric services including primary care, specialty care and rehab services under one roof in a convenient, easy-to-reach location,” said Dr. Shefali Mahesh, pediatrician in chief at Akron Children’s. “This new space allows us to better serve our communities by improving access to both primary care and highly sought-after pediatric specialists. The new facility offers a modern, spacious environment designed for growth. In addition to the wide range of services currently offered, the new location will soon feature a Quick Care service set to launch this fall. Quick Care will provide families with convenient, walk-in evening appointments for non-emergency care.”
The Akron Children’s pediatric specialists available in Medina include:
Allergy and Immunology / Audiology
Behavioral Health / Cardiology
Dermatology / Diabetes and Endocrinology
Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) / Gastroenterology
Neurology / Orthopedics
Outpatient Lab * / Physiatry
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery / Rehabilitative Services
Pulmonology * / Radiology
Rheumatology / Sports Medicine
Urology / Vision Center
Quick Care (Fall 2025) *
denotes new service *
A Look Inside
The first level of the building features the pediatric primary care practice and rehabilitative services.
The five pediatricians at the Akron Children’s Pediatrics, Medina practice will gain six additional exam rooms for enhanced access in their care of the community’s newborns, children and teens. A behavioral health therapist for primary care patients is integrated into the practice for seamless care coordination.
The rehab space includes seven rooms dedicated to physical, occupational and speech therapy. A sensory integration room is designed for children with autism and other sensory disorders. The multilane track, which winds its way throughout the rehab space, will help give patients the space and motivation to achieve mobility goals of all types. Above the track, a body-weight support system enables therapists to help patients who are unable to bear weight in their legs to walk or run using a harness.
The entire second floor of the building, a former Summa Emergency Department, was an addition. This space will accommodate the more than 20 pediatric specialists.
“This floor will have 20 exam rooms, and specialists require careful planning of their space,” said Brian Lapolla, Vice President of Operations at Akron Children’s. “For example, you will see an audiology booth available to our ENT doctors and an audiologist on staff, while our allergists have a dedicated room for the storage of their allergy shots and a separate space used as a food clinic.”
The health center will feature many of the signature interior design elements of Akron Children’s other community health centers and hospital campus spaces: bright, cheerful colors; an abundance of natural light; and art adorning the walls created by students from the community. A smaller version the signature audio-kinetic “ball machine” art installation that’s been beloved in the Akron hospital atrium since 1993 is also the new to Medina pediatrics waiting room. It’s inspired by “Incrediball Circus II,” the work by George Rhoads, and promises to keep children amused by its whimsical motion and sounds.
“What sets Akron Children’s apart is our singular focus on children,” said Dr. Mahesh. “Every doctor, nurse and therapist shares a passion for caring for children, with special training and experience in pediatrics. From child-sized equipment to an environment designed specifically for kids, the entire experience is centered around the unique needs of children. It’s our culture and has been for 135 years. We are committed to making care more accessible to families in need. This new facility represents our commitment towards meeting those needs with enhanced services and more flexibility.”
