ADHD is treated by the Akron Children's NeuroDevelopmental Center.

What Is ADHD?
ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is a medical condition. A person with ADHD has differences in brain development and brain activity that affect attention, the ability to sit still, and self-control. ADHD can affect a child at school, at home, and in friendships.

What Are the Signs of ADHD?
Kids with ADHD may have the following: inattentive, hyperactive, impulsive.

How Is ADHD Diagnosed?
If you think your child has ADHD, make an appointment with your child's doctor. He or she will give your child a check-up, including vision and hearing, to be sure something else isn't causing the symptoms. The doctor can refer you to a child psychologist or psychiatrist if needed.

To diagnose ADHD, doctors start by asking about a child's health, behavior, and activity. They talk with parents and kids about the things they have noticed. Your doctor might ask you to complete checklists about your child's behavior, and might ask you to give your child's teacher a checklist too.

How Is ADHD Treated?
Treatment for ADHD usually includes:

Medicine. This activates the brain's ability to pay attention, slow down, and use more self-control.

Behavior therapy. Therapists can help kids develop the social, emotional, and planning skills that are lagging with ADHD.

Parent coaching. Through coaching, parents learn the best ways to respond to behavior difficulties that are part of ADHD.

School support. Teachers can help kids with ADHD do well and enjoy school more.

What Can Parents Do if your child is diagnosed with ADHD?
Be involved. Learn all you can about ADHD. Follow the treatment your child's health care provider recommends. Keep all recommended appointments for therapy.

Give medicines safely. If your child is taking ADHD medicine, always give it at the recommended time and dose. Keep medicines in a safe place.

Work with your child's school. Ask teachers if your child should have an IEP. Meet often with teachers to find out how your child is doing. Work together to help your child do well

Parent with purpose and warmth. Learn what parenting approaches are best for a child with ADHD — and which can make ADHD worse. Talk openly and supportively about ADHD with your child. Focus on your child's strengths and positive qualities.

Connect with others for support and awareness. Join a support organization for ADHD to get updates on treatment and other information.

What Causes ADHD?
It's not clear what causes the brain differences of ADHD. There's strong evidence that ADHD is mostly inherited. Many kids who have ADHD have a parent or relative with it.

ADHD is not caused by too much screen time, poor parenting, or eating too much sugar.

ADHD can improve when kids get treatment, eat healthy food, get enough sleep and exercise, and have supportive parents who know how to respond to ADHD.

While experts learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and how long the protection lasts, it is important for everyone to be cautious, staying home when they feel sick, monitoring community transmission levels, and taking precautions to protect themselves and their families should transmission levels increase.

Akron

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Akron Children’s Fellowship programs are structured to provide excellent clinical and scholarly training in a friendly and supportive environment. Our trainees graduate as expertly trained clinicians who provide superior clinical care, are content experts in their respective fields and are seasoned educators of future clinicians. In addition to busy clinical services which expose Fellows to the breadth of their subspecialties, the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute at Akron Children’s provides Fellows with the scholarly training and experience necessary to further their academic pursuits.

For more information, Contact:
Tasha Capozzi, BS, CCRC
Fellowship Coordinator
Akron Children’s
One Perkins Square
Akron, OH 44308
330-543-4266
tcapozzi@akronchildrens.org

Fellowship Programs

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program
• Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship
• Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship
• Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program
• Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship
• Pediatric Palliative Care Fellowship
• Pediatric Pathology Fellowship
• Sports Medicine Fellowship
• Acute and Reconstructive Burn and Wound Care Fellowship
• Clinical Pediatric Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship Program
• Pediatric Optometry Fellowship
• Program Pediatric Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship

The Akron Children’s Health Collaborative is a partnership between pediatric health care providers who work together to offer high quality care at a lower cost by contracting directly with Medicaid managed care organizations and commercial payors.
We have the power to be truly transformational in addressing all aspects of child health and keeping kids healthy through:

• Care management to help coordinate services and connect families to community resources.
• Behavioral health services to support the mental health and well-being of children.
• Population health initiatives to address barriers to care with an emphasis on well child care and health screenings, management of chronic health conditions, and improved access to care.
• Quality improvement through the continuous monitoring of the care we provide as it compares to national benchmarks.

For Patients

The Akron Children’s Health Collaborative (ACHC) is a pediatric accountable care organization (ACO) that is creating a network of health care providers to deliver coordinated, high-quality and cost-effective care to your child, while contracting directly with your insurer. Through ACHC, we will continue to provide you and your child with family-centered care, with an increased focus on care management and behavioral health services to ensure all of your child’s needs are met.
ACHC also has a team of nurses and social workers who can help you:

• Find the right care for your child
• Answer your health questions
• Schedule visits with your child’s doctor
• Fill prescriptions
• Find transportation to doctor visits
• Connect you to services like food pantries and housing in your community
• Help keep your child well These services are free to you and your child. You will keep your insurance and see the same doctors and nurses who have been providing care to your child. By working closely with your child’s doctors, we will help ensure your child receives the best care possible when they are sick and support services to keep them healthy.

For Providers

Providers have played a key role in the initial design of the Akron Children’s Health Collaborative (ACHC). Provider partnership and engagement are essential to improving the health of children throughout the Northeast Ohio region. ACHC is a provider-led and provider-driven organization. Our contracted provider network includes independent pediatricians and family medicine providers, Akron Children’s employed pediatricians, as well as pediatric subspecialists, behavioral health providers, women’s care providers, Clinically Integrated Networks (CINs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).

Through value-based contracts in 14 counties in Northeast Ohio, ACHC provides services, such as care management. Along with more resources for care management, participating providers also receive one-on-one support from practice support specialists. These specialists collaborate with providers to identify tools and resources for performance improvement to help meet practice and patient goals and ensure care is delivered efficiently, effectively and equitably.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to be employed by Akron Children’s or abandon my medical staff privileges at other hospitals?
No, a key benefit of participation with ACHC is that it allows community providers to collaborate without sacrificing independence. As a regional integrated and independent organization, we understand the value of independence. ACHC does not preclude participants from maintaining their own private practice or restrict the facilities to which they can refer or provide services.

Will participation in ACHC require me to change the way I practice medicine?
To some extent, yes. Participants will design and implement clinical protocols and care pathways for cross-continuum coordination, evidence-based medicine, and patient engagement. Practice support specialists will assist providers in the implementation of these improvements and provide data reports identifying additional areas for improving quality metrics. This quality-based model will require adoption by all participants to be successful.

Am I obligated to use ACHC providers for all referrals/consults?
No, providers are encouraged to refer patients to the most appropriate specialist (based on patient’s location, insurance coverage and timely access).

How will I be paid by ACHC and how will it affect my regular compensation?
Participants will maintain their existing fee-for-service (FFS) contracts with payors. However, ACHC provider groups can earn incentive compensation for collaboration, engagement, improvement and overall performance. Incentives will be paid to the practice tax identification number according to ACHC’s Incentive Policy. Practices will be responsible for determining the distribution of ACHC incentive funds to their providers. Providers are required to complete the performance year to remain eligible for distribution of provider incentives.

What happens if I do not want to remain in ACHC after joining?
ACHC participation automatically renews annually. Participants may leave ACHC at any time without cost by notifying ACHC in writing of their intention to exit the network.

Is ACHC a Clinically Integrated Network (CIN)?
No, a CIN is a network of providers who share information to improve quality of care, reduce costs, and may jointly negotiate fee-for-service (FFS) contracts with payors. ACHC envisions supporting relationships between payors and participating provider groups, but does not plan to jointly negotiate FFS contracts in the near-term.

Can I join other CINs if I join ACHC?
Yes, participants are free to become members in other CINs and ACOs, as long as they continue to honor all requirements, responsibilities and obligations to ACHC. This requirement is subject to change and approval by the ACHC Board of Directors.

CEO

Christopher Gessner, President and Chief Executive Officer

CEO Council

Lisa Aurilio, MSN, MBA Chief Operating Officer

Tarun Bhalla, MD, MBA, FAAP Chair, Anesthesia & Pain Medicine; Interim Director, Akron Children’s Health Collaborative; Pediatric Anesthesiologist

Michael Bigham, MD, MBA, FAAP, FCCM Chief Quality Officer; Pediatric Intensivist

Shelly Brown, MAOL, CFRE Chief Development Officer and Executive Director of the Foundation

Gordon Edwards, Chief Financial Officer

Michael Forbes, MD, FAAP, FCCM Chief Academic Officer; William H. and Rebecca D. Considine Endowed Chair for Pediatric Research; Head, Rebecca D Considine Research Institute

Kristene Grayem, MSN, APRN-CNP Chief Population Health Officer; Executive Director, Akron Childrens Health Collaborative

Rhonda Larimore, Chief Human Resources Officer

Shefali Mahesh, MD Dr. Noah Miller Endowed Chair in Pediatric Medicine; Immediate Past President, Medical Staff; Pediatric Nephrologist

Robert McGregor, MD Chief Medical Officer

Kimberly Moses, Chief Legal Officer

Harun Rashid, Vice President, Information Services; Chief Information Officer

Todd Ritzman, MD, FAAOS, FAOA Chair, Department of Orthopedics; Director, Spine Center; Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon

Bernett Williams, MPA Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer; Vice President for Community Initiatives

Christine Young, MSN, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, DNP, Grace Wakulchik Endowed Chair for Nursing; Chief of Hospital Based Services; Chief Nursing Officer
Chiefs and Chairs

Jennifer Baccon, MD, PhD, MHCM Chair, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; President-elect for the Association for Academic Pathology; Medical Director of Value Analysis in Supply Chain

Bruce H. Cohen, MD, FAAN Chair, NeuroDevelopmental Science Center; Philip H. Maynard Chair in NeuroDevelopmental Science Fund; Chairman, American Academy of Neurology Advocacy Committee; Pediatric Neurologist

Jennifer Dwyer, MD, FAAP Chief of Primary Care; Pediatrician

Jeffrey Hord, MD Director, Division of Hematology-Oncology; Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist; LOPen Charities and Mawaka Family Chair in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology; Vice President, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology 2023-2024

Kerwyn Jones, MD Medical Staff President; Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon; Sports Medicine Physician; Department Quality Officer

John Lane, MD, FACC Director, Pediatric Cardiology and Adult Congenital Heart Service; Pediatric Cardiologist; Sunrise Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Michael Rubin, MD Chair, Department of Pediatric Radiology; Pediatric Radiologist

Marya Strand, MD, MS Chair, Department of Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine; Thomas R. & Mary Lynn Crowley Endowed Chair in Neonatology and Maternal Fetal Medicine; Director, Division of Neonatology; Neonatologist-Perinatologist; Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist

Eva Szigethy, MD, PhD Director, Pediatric Psychiatry and Psychology; The Lois C. Orr Endowed Chair in Pediatric Psychiatry
Vice Presidents

Janae Bragg, MBA Vice President, Talent Management

Beth Carr, MSN, MBA, RN, NEA-BC Vice President, Patient Services; Associate Chief Nursing Officer

Brian Dinger, MBA Vice President, Primary Care and Regional Services

Shana Earle Vice President, Professional and Support Services

Carole Ettinger Vice President, Information Services Division

Matthew Groninger, MHA Vice President, Medical and Surgical Subspecialties

Megan Hopper Vice President, Principal Giving

Roderick (Rod) Ingram, Sr. Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Jawad Khan Vice President, Enterprise Analytics

Joy Kosiewicz Vice President, Associate General Counsel

Alicia LaMancusa, CPA, MBA Vice President, Finance

Brian Lapolla, AIA, MBA, LEED AP Vice President, Operations

Michael Mainwaring Vice President, Business Development

Paul Olivier, FACHE Vice President, Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley

Deepesh Randeri Vice President, Information Security

Matt Rusch, MBA Vice President, Revenue Cycle

Sarah Rush, MD Vice President, Informatics; Chief Medical Information Officer; Pediatric Neuro-Oncologist; Marci M. Matthews Endowed Chair in Telehealth

Tina Sanzone, MHA, BSN, RN Vice President, Access and Patient Navigation

Tina Speicher Vice President, Total Rewards

Kara Williams Vice President, Associate General Counsel

Please mark your calendars for 2024’s festivities:
November 15: Holiday Tree Festival Gala
November 16-24: Holiday Tree Festival
November 16 and 23: Breakfast with Santa

Akron Children's Anywhere app is available for both iOS and Android. It supports a family's health-care choices and decision making by offering:

• Find a Doc: search our directory to find the right care for your child
• Locations: gain quick access across Akron Children's 2 hospital campuses and 60+ primary, specialty and urgent care locations with hours and contact information
• First Aid: for quick reference when time is precious
• Meds: for dosage information and maintaining a list of your child's medications
• Contact Us: for useful phone numbers for common Akron Children's services
• Giving: make a difference to the thousands of children we treat with your online donation

Unfortunately, we don't permit live plants on that unit due to infection control purposes.

COVID-19 vaccines have been rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness before being authorized for use in the United States. While no vaccine is perfectly safe, the evidence strongly indicates the vaccine is safer than the risk of getting COVID-19 during this pandemic.

There are no exercises, sports or activities that will make scoliosis worse. In fact, we encourage your child to be active for their physical and emotional well-being.

The hospital environment is constantly shifting, with bed availability changing from minute to minute. At one moment, there may be open beds on our inpatient unit (8100), and the next, they could all be occupied.

Beds on the inpatient unit are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so we cannot guarantee availability. However, our staff is committed to arranging placement at another facility if needed.

There are always “beds” available in PIRC since it is in the ER; it is open 24/7 for assessments.

Our visitation policy has returned to pre-pandemic standards. You may view guidelines for each hospital unit on our Visiting page.

CAREER LAUNCH - ASCEND TRACK - FINISH YOUR BACHELOR’S DEGREE ON US!

What is ASCEND?
Assuring Success with a Commitment to Enhance Nurse Diversity (ASCEND) is our initiative to promote a more diverse nursing workforce at Akron Children’s. By providing financial support, mentorship, professional development, and job placement assistance, Children’s hopes to remove barriers to joining the nursing profession. The program focuses on supporting members of traditionally underrepresented groups in nursing (e.g., males, veterans, minorities, LGBTQ+).

How does it work?
The ASCEND track is available for juniors and seniors earning bachelor’s degrees in nursing. While in the program, you can pursue the traditional route of working for Children’s while taking classes or take the fast track to graduation as a full-time student through our Plus program. Upon graduation and licensure, we’ll help you move into a new position as a registered nurse. Graduates will fulfill a work commitment to Akron Children’s Hospital.

Program Benefits
We find ways to help program participants overcome common challenges by offering 100% prepaid tuition, paid fees for uniforms, books, supplies, and equipment, as well as the following benefits as needed:

1. Transportation assistance
2. Childcare reimbursement
3. Opportunities for mentorship
4. Loaner Laptop

How do I qualify?
The successful candidate for this program will possess traits that align with our three promises:

1. To treat every child as we would our own
2. To treat others as they would like to be treated
3. To turn no child away

Students must complete their sophomore year of nursing school in good standing before applying to the program. Participants should also be enthusiastic about serving our pediatric population and want to bring their leadership and diverse perspectives to the nursing profession.

Ready to launch your career?
Apply today at https://careers.akronchildrens.org/job/akron/career-launch-ascend-track-finish-your-bachelor-s-degree-on-us/54/62248558368. ++You’ll receive more program information via email with a request to schedule your intake with the Career Launch team.++

These were extremely large, extremely well-designed, clinical trials. The speed at which it was produced and made available was due to several factors: They put a lot of money into it, they put a lot of people into it, they did a lot of things in parallel that they would normally do in series. Normally they go to step A, step B, step C, mostly to try to save money, and instead they did A, B and C all at the same time. And that's how they sped it up. In doing so, they did not compromise on the vaccine end points, the efficacy end point was just what they would use if they had done a full trial that had gotten FDA approval. The main reason that this hasn't been FDA approved is because the FDA approval process requires six months of follow-up data. There are only two or three months of follow-up data available right now; however, they're following for more and this was a well-designed study.

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The policy states that a non-legal guardian (e.g., a stepparent) can bring a child to an appointment if there is an up-to-date Consent to Treat on file, signed by the patient’s parent/legal guardian. No additional verbal permission is needed for non-legal guardians to bring the child in for an appointment; the consent is sufficient for treatment, except for surgeries. For surgeries, there is an additional surgical consent that will need authorized by the parent/legal guardian which can either be signed or given verbally.

However, only a parent or legal guardian can sign the Consent to Treat. For surgical procedures, including those involving anesthesia, informed consents must be obtained from the parent or legal guardian. While anyone can bring the child for a surgical appointment, the parent or guardian will be contacted to give verbal informed consent. Social Work does not need to be involved, and Patient Relations would only be called if there’s an issue.

We are grateful for the generous donations from our community members. If you have any questions about your donation, please call Volunteer Services Akron at 330-543-8424 or Beeghly at 330-746-8352.

Thank you for thinking of our patients and families. Donating a toy to Akron Children’s can help ease a child’s fears of medical procedures, celebrate their birthday or brighten their stay. Restrictions Patients at Akron Children’s are often at high risk of acquiring an infection or illness. For this reason, we can only accept brand new, recently store-bought items with tags or in original packaging. All handmade items must be washed with fragrance-free detergent and dried prior to donating. We need to see all items before they are distributed, so please do not wrap gifts for children.

Following an update to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Safe Sleep guidelines, we are no longer accepting donations of knit hats and booties for the babies in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

We are, however, still gladly accepting donations of knitted/crocheted hats for our older patients to help keep them warm during winter months.

Items we cannot accept include:

• Used items including: toys, clothes, electronics, books, etc.
• Items that have been held in storage/collector’s items
• Beads, water beads, magnetic items, pencil sharpeners, or other sharp items
• Items containing latex, glitter, sand, or feathers
• Handmade crafts, bracelets, jewelry, etc.
• Candy or food-related items
• Items depicting violence, political, or religious messages
• Fidget spinners, VHS, or cassette tapes

You may also mail a donation to:

ATTN: Volunteer Services
Akron Children’s
One Perkins Square
Akron OH 44308

ATTN: Volunteer Services
Akron Children’s
6505 Market Street
Boardman, Ohio 44512

Yes, breast milk can be donated and helps premature and ill babies who are unable to feed from the breast. Donated breast milk is pasteurized, cultured and shipped to hospitals across the country to help these babies. Akron Children’s, Akron Campus is a drop-off location for OhioHealth Mother’s Milk Bank approved donors. To become an approved donor, call the Mothers’ Milk Bank at ++(614) 566-0630++ or email ++MilkBank@OhioHealth.com++. For more information, visit ++Ohio Health Mothers’ Milk Bank++.

The vaccines do not contain the live virus, so you cannot get COVID-19 from the shot. It will take your body a few weeks to build immunity after getting the vaccine, so you could get the virus if you are exposed right before or after getting vaccinated.

We offer free eCards for our patients, and they're delivered the same day, in most cases. To send a free eCard to a patient, please visit the link below.

This vaccine was not studied in these populations. This is not a live vaccine, so it should not pose any risk of infection to immune compromised persons. Being immune compromised is not a contraindication to receiving this vaccine. Being immune compromised may reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine. Due to the wide variety of immune compromising medications and conditions, we recommend you discuss your medication and/or condition with your doctor to understand the optimal strategy for receiving your COVID vaccine.

The key to slowing the spread of COVID-19 is to limit contact as much as possible and stay at least 6 feet away from others outside of your immediate family.

We recommend you follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website as a trusted source of information. CDC recommends limiting time with older adults, relatives and people with serious medical conditions. If you are unable to stay home with your child during school dismissals, carefully consider who might be best positioned to provide child care. If someone at higher risk for COVID-19 will be providing care (older adult, such as a grandparent or someone with a chronic medical condition), limit your children’s contact with other people.

See link below for more information.

Vaccines are not available at Quick Care locations.

Child life specialists are important members of the healthcare team who help families cope before, during and after a medical procedure or hospital stay.

Following Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's guidance, Akron Children's Hospital is expanding the number and types of procedures available to patients. We are:

• Contacting families to reschedule surgeries, wellness visits and other appointments that were postponed due to COVID-19.
• Resuming ambulatory surgeries and procedures. Patients are tested for COVID-19 before they are scheduled for surgery.

If you have specific questions, call the Summit County Public Health line at 330-926-5795 or the Summa Health hotline at 234-867-6314. The Ohio Department of Health is also operating a hotline for questions about COVID-19: call 833-427-5634 or 833-4-Ask-ODH daily from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Akron Children’s Cribs for Kids Program

Akron Children’s collaborates with community agencies in Summit, Medina, Portage, and Wayne counties to provide portable cribs to eligible families that do not have a safe place for their baby to sleep. The program educates parents and caregivers on infant safe sleep practices including portable crib assembly, to reduce the risk of sleep-related injury and death.

Eligible families will receive one portable crib per baby (multiples would each receive their own sleep space). For in-hospital patients, if it is determined that an infant does not have a safe place to sleep, a portable crib may be obtained. The Cribs for Kids program is subject to the availability of funds and funding requirements.

Eligibility requirements:

• Must not have a safe sleep space (crib/pack ’n play) or the ability to obtain one
• Must be legal or custodial guardian
• Must be benefit eligible (WIC, SNAP, Medicaid, etc.)
• Must be at least 32 weeks pregnant or have a child under 1 year of age
• Must receive safe sleep education and complete required paperwork

For more information on the Cribs for Kids Program or safe sleep presentations and materials (brochures, flyers, door hangers, and/or posters) contact: Cesley Hegyi, Regional Advocacy, Community Outreach, & Infant Vitality Coordinator, at 330-543-5419 or chegyi@akronchildrens.org.

When Akron Children's Hospital was founded in 1890 it was with these 3 guiding promises:

1. Treat every child as we would our own.
2. Treat others as they would like to be treated.
3. Turn no child away for any reason.

Every day our organization strives to honor these promises by creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for anyone who comes through our doors. When our patients, families and employees share their unique backgrounds, values, beliefs and voices, we use that knowledge to help us provide culturally competent and equitable care for all. This means we make every effort to deliver the best care possible regardless of a person's race, sexual orientation, education, socioeconomic status, religion, ethnicity, cultural background, English proficiency or literacy. We believe everyone benefits when we step outside of our own life experiences to intentionally listen, embrace diversity and connect with people who are different from us.

Our focus on equity is centered around the concept that everyone deserves equal treatment and access to care. However, we recognize for certain people or groups there may be barriers that prevent them from seeking or receiving high-quality care. We are working hard to identify and help eliminate these barriers by increasing our community outreach efforts. We do this by locating clinics and health centers in easily accessible geographic regions, expanding our hours, offering interpreter services and hiring more providers. We also partner with community agencies that help us work to decrease health care disparities and improve economic opportunities for everyone.

No. Antibiotics fight bacteria, not a virus like COVID-19.

If possible, the CDC recommends that you wait 14 days from your COVID-19 vaccine before you get another vaccine (flu, shingles, etc.).

Yes. It's important to continue practicing proper hand hygiene, masking and social distancing while we learn more about the length of immunity that the vaccines provide.

In the Pfizer and Moderna phase 3 clinical trials of more than 73,000 people, no serious medical concerns were observed. The most common side effects were fatigue, headache, soreness/redness at the injection site and muscle or joint pain. Side effects like these are a sign that your body is responding properly and building immunity.

No. The COVID-19 vaccines do not have microchips or radio-frequency identification (RFID) trackers in them. The vaccine shipments are tracked, just like any package that is being sent from one place to another. But the vaccines themselves do not contain any devices that could track or control your body.

Call our free referral and information line for help locating a primary or specialty care provider, to assist with setting up or managing your MyChart account, or to get answers to questions about hospital services, programs and events. Call 330-543-2000 or 800-358-5437 Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm.

Our Partial Hospitalization Program offers intensive psychiatric services to teens ages 12 to 18 in an outpatient setting. We designed the program to keep teens in the community, out of psychiatric inpatient treatment, and/or transition them from our inpatient unit back home. Our goals are to help teens improve their functioning, develop healthy coping skills, and stabilize their mental status.

We are grateful for the support of our community members. If you want to participate in making our patients happy, view our Amazon wish lists of items to purchase. Order online and your gifts will be delivered to the hospital. Or, make an online donation. Direct your gift to: Other – Volunteer Services Toys.

Our gift shops in Akron and Boardman can assist with a personal shopper who can help you select the perfect gift and get it delivered to a patient room. Gift Shop volunteers can help customers - in person or by phone - select the best gift from an array of toys, books, jewelry, flowers, balloons and custom gift baskets.

Please call 330-543-8782 to talk with someone in Akron Gift Shop (located in the Atrium Lobby) or call 330-746-9578 to speak with someone at the Mahoning Valley Gift Shop on the Beeghly Campus.

Akron Children’s does not employ any podiatrists. If you are looking for a podiatrist, consult your pediatrician. If you need a pediatrician, visit https://www.akronchildrens.org/pages/About-Akron-Childrens-Pediatrics.html

Pediatric Palliative Care
It takes a specialized team to address the physical, social and emotional aspects of caring for a child with serious medical issues. Not only do we help control pain and other symptoms, we provide support for emotional, psychological, practical, spiritual, educational and developmental issues that may contribute to suffering or interfere with healing. Our care team includes art and music therapists to help children cope with their illness.

Akron Children's Hospital provides unpaid learning opportunities to help individuals understand more about healthcare career options and skills required for specific occupations.

Participants have the opportunity to experience the workplace setting as well as the duties performed by the healthcare professional they are observing; participants are not permitted to perform work of any kind, including patient care.

The Nurturing Families Program is designed for any parent or caregiver who would like to learn new ways to make healthy parenting choices. Focusing on the unique developmental needs of children aged birth to 5, the goal is to establish healthy parent-child relationships.

The program focuses on the following nurturing factors:

• Improving stress management skills
• Identifying resources to develop a support system
• Enhancing child development and parenting skills
• Expanding knowledge and confidence to ask for help when needed
• Developing social and emotional skills
• Promoting healthy parent-child relationships

We offer a well-rounded developmental-behavioral fellowship program with robust experiences in clinical care, research, quality improvement and advocacy. Our 3-year program allows for the training of 2 physicians each year who are board certified or board eligible in pediatrics or pediatrics/internal medicine. Our focus is on providing exceptional education in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Akron Children’s Hospital offers CPR training for professionals through our AHA Community Training Center. Other adults can sign up for training through their local Red Cross office.

We no longer operate a sick child care center.

Pulmonology sees asthma patients until the age of 18, then they are transitioned to an adult provider for their asthma care.

Yes, Akron Children's has a lactation consultant. Call 330-543-4531 for more information.

Akron Children's has a number of support groups for patients and families.

The Good Mourning Grief Support Series is designed to help children and their parents understand and deal with feelings of grief resulting from the death of a loved one. Sessions are led by trained Akron Children's Hospital and community professionals.

For more information call 330-543-3343 or visit the links below.

Akron Children’s does hire State Tested Nursing Assistants (STNAs) into a variety of clinical and administrative positions. Those looking for patient facing opportunities can search for patient care assistant (PCA) openings on our careers site. Through our career development programs like Career Launch, we can help STNAs complete additional training, at no cost, to become Medical Assistants, Nurses and more.

At Akron Children’s, we offer nicotine-, drug- and weapon-free environments at all our locations. If selected as final candidates, prospective employees must pass nicotine, drug and background screenings before employment.

Learn more about the hiring process at Akron Children’s.

Yes. The clinic is available to children whether they are patients or not, with or without symptoms, as well as young adults up to age 26 who are still in the care of Akron Children's. For a list of Akron Children's COVID-19 testing locations, visit www.akronchildrens.org/coronavirus. For additional testing options, visit https://bit.ly/3EzGe6S.

COVID-19 testing is available for patients having surgery or a procedure at Akron Children's Hospital. Appointments must be scheduled by calling 330-543-2778. Preoperative patients who are being tested less than three days prior to the surgery/procedure date must go to the Akron or Mahoning Valley campuses, not a health center. View pre-op and pre-procedure testing locations and hours here: www.akronchildrens.org/lab

Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. Taking vitamin C and using essential oils have immune boosting and healing properties. However, there is no evidence that these methods protect people from COVID-19.

The cold, flu and COVID-19 are all contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. While they share many characteristics, knowing the differences can help keep kids healthy and slow the spread. Find out how to tell the difference here.

Adolescents with scoliosis have a higher incidence of back pain when compared with adolescents without scoliosis. Exercises that can help to strengthen your stomach and back muscles, such as Pilates, yoga and swimming can help relieve back pain.

Doggie Brigade’s Mission is to promote positive human and animal interaction and improve the physical, emotional and psychological health of the patients we serve. More information can be found by visiting the Doggie Brigade page.

Akron Children's Hospital offers the most comprehensive adolescent medicine program in northeast Ohio. Our inclusive care focuses on respecting individuality and confidentiality; supporting physical, social and emotional development; and empowering teens and young adults to take ownership of their health care and life decisions.

Find out more here: https://www.akronchildrens.org/departments/Adolescent-Medicine.html

For teen care specific to a department, contact that department.

Yes, the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police is a full service police department that works proactively to ensure a safe campus environment. For assistance dial 330-543-8181 and a certified emergency dispatcher will send an officer to assist you. We also have Blue Light Emergency Call Boxes stationed throughout the Akron and Mahoning Valley campuses that can also be used to alert or report an issue or incident.

All Urgent Care sites have radiology for X-rays. The radiology hours are the same as the Urgent Care hours.

Akron Campus:
Location: Locust Building, Suite 320. Turn left as you exit the Locust Building walkway bridge.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m on Fridays.
Minor Injury/Illness Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Phone: 330-543-8751
Fax: 330-543-3011

MV Beeghly Campus
Location: Suite 1100.8 (near the Community Room)
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday
Phone: 330-746-9342
Fax: 330-746-9542

The Family Resource Center serves as a hub, a place where families can connect with various staff from Akron Children’s and community organizations to access valuable resources and information. It is dedicated to strengthening families and nurturing brighter futures. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can be reached at 330-543-9674.

Akron East Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-252-1147

Alliance Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-823-6344

Amherst Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 440-960-6515

Ashland Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 419-281-2905

Ashland West Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 419-207-0607

Austintown Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-797-0403

Barberton Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-753-0194

Beachwood Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 216-591-1544

Belpre Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 740-401-0447

Boardman Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-746-8025

Boston Heights Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-342-6707

Brecksville Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 440-526-6126

Campbell Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 234-264-8410

Columbiana Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-482-7044

East Liverpool Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-385-1485

Ellet Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-253-8619

Fairlawn Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-865-1260

Green Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-899-5447

Hudson Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-342-5651

Liberty Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-759-9705

Lisbon Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-424-7689

Mansfield Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 419-522-1110

Marietta Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 740-373-7198

Massillon Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-830-7909

Mayfield Heights Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 440-544-1944

Medina Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-764-3464

Millersburg Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-763-8860

North Canton Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-305-5001

New Philadelphia Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-339-5912

Oberlin Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 440-775-2240

Ontario Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 419-526-3276

Perry Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-477-1383

Portage Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-678-4092

Salem Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-332-2725

Stow Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 234-233-6815

Streetsboro Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-626-5821

Tallmadge Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-633-5853

Twinsburg Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-425-8847

Wadsworth Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-334-4941

Wadsworth North Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-334-8309

Warren Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-856-9935

Warren West (Downtown) Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-399-8716

Wooster Pediatrics Primary Care Office Fax Number: 330-345-1194

Getting a flu vaccine each year is safer than risking the illness, especially for young children and kids with asthma. Protect your family by getting everyone 6 months and older vaccinated. See the Flu Shot Availability page for locations, dates and times.

Why are yearly flu shots important? They reduce the risk of flu complications that could lead to hospitalization, especially if your child is under age 5 or has a chronic condition like asthma. Flu shots reduce the risk of illness – so your child can stay in school, and you don’t have to miss work – and lessen the severity if your child does get sick. Protect your family by getting everyone 6 months and older vaccinated. Your insurance will be billed for flu vaccines. Locate the clinic convenient for you below.

Schedule here in MyChart.

Don’t have MyChart? Schedule here.

The Outpatient Pharmacy now offers walk-in flu shots for patients ages 7 and up. Vaccines will be available Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Please visit one of our pediatric primary care officeflu shot clinics. Schedule an appointment via MyChart or by calling 330-543-2778 – or ask for a flu shot at your child’s next office visit.

The Food Farmacy pilot program was launched in January 2023 to help patient families combat food insecurity and improve their access to healthy food choices. Families who screen positive for food insecurity during their patient visits, and who meet income-eligibility requirements, are referred to the Food Farmacy pantry by the department staff. There is a particular focus on patients with chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, food allergies, cerebral palsy, and others.

The pantry is located in the Considine Professional Building between the Smucker’s Bistro and the Vision Center. It is open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., closing for lunch 12-12:30 p.m. and on major holidays. For questions, contact foodfarmacy@akronchildrens.org.

Akron Children’s offers the Center for Gender-Affirming Medicine for transgender and LGBTQ+ youth. Our team includes gender-affirming physicians, a medical assistant, social worker, nurse coordinator, mental health therapist and endocrinologist. We provide customized, thoughtful, evidence-based care. Our goal is to help patients feel comfortable exploring their gender identity and improve their overall health.

For minors
The Ohio Saving Adolescents from Experimentation Act (SAFE Act), also referred to as House Bill 68, limits the gender-related services we can offer to minor patients ages 17 and under. Please call our Adolescent Medicine department at 330-543-8538 for further information.

For patients 18 and older
Treatment may include:

• Pubertal suppression
• Gender-affirming hormones
• Mental health care coordination
• Well checks/preventive visits
• Education
• Supportive care for LGBTQ+ youth and their families

Google Scholars Akron Children's Hospital with links to their pages.

Akron Children's is dedicated to providing continuing education to facilitate and encourage life-long learning for physicians, nurses and allied health professionals involved in the care of children.

Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron (dba Akron Children's Hospital) is accredited by the Ohio State Medical Association to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians.

For more information about continuing medical education at Akron Children's, call 330-543-8407 or 330-543-8093 or visit Continuing Medical Education.

Since March 2020, we have tested more than 81,028 patients throughout Akron Children's 50 locations across the region, and to date, 4,639 patients have tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in a positivity rate of 7.2%. Our number of cumulative, positive inpatients is 310, an increase of 13 from the previous week. Last update: 9/1/2021

Until recently, children have largely been excluded from testing. Companies must first complete adult trials and then move on to children, which is a common approach in vaccine trials. Pfizer has already begun trials with children aged 12-17. Moderna has plans to begin testing on this age group soon.

Breastfeeding medicine is a specialized area of health care that focuses on supporting you and your baby to make breastfeeding a positive and fulfilling experience. Our breastfeeding medicine team is dedicated to helping you navigate any challenges you might encounter while breastfeeding. We provide personalized guidance, advice and evidence-based information to ensure both you and your baby thrive during this special bonding time.

Whether it is tackling concerns about milk supply, helping with latch issues, managing breastfeeding discomfort, or helping with any other breastfeeding-related worries, we are here to support you every step of the way. Our goal is to empower you to feel confident and comfortable while giving your baby the best start in life through breastfeeding.

Is it OK to receive the COVID-19 vaccine while I’m breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding does not prevent you from choosing to receive the vaccine. If you are breastfeeding, we recommend that you discuss the risks and benefits of getting the vaccine with your health care provider prior to receiving the vaccination.

I have COVID-19. How do I safely breastfeed?
Coronavirus has not been found in breast milk, so it’s safe to breastfeed your baby if you have COVID-19. However, you could spread the virus to your baby through tiny droplets that spread when you talk, cough or sneeze. Talk to your doctor to help decide whether you should continue to breastfeed and how to do it safely. Your breast milk is the best nutrition for your baby and can protect against many illnesses. While you are sick, you (or someone else) can give your baby expressed breast milk.

What are the benefits of breastfeeding for my baby?
Breastfeeding your baby offers many benefits. Breast milk provides the right amount of fat, sugar, water and protein necessary for your baby’s growth and also contains antibodies that protect your baby from infection. Most babies find breastmilk easier to digest. Allergies and asthma occur less often in breastfed babies. Human milk from the breast is always sterile. Studies have shown that breastfeeding may contribute to higher IQs and faster development for your baby. The skin-to-skin contact experienced during breastfeeding will help you and your baby bond. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

What are the benefits of breastfeeding for me?
Breastfeeding also offers many benefits for new moms. Your uterus will return to its original size sooner and bleeding after childbirth may be reduced. Many women find their pregnancy weight is lost more quickly when they breastfeed. Skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding promotes bonding with your baby and the risk of postpartum depression is reduced. In addition, breast milk is free and always available.

Are there risks to me or my baby if I do not breastfeed?
Full-term babies who are not breastfed have an increased risk of:

• Hospitalization for lower respiratory infections in the first year
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Acute ear infections
• Asthma, eczema and diabetes
• SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
• Childhood obesity and some childhood cancers

Mothers who do not breastfeed have an increased risk of:

• Postpartum depression
• Breast or ovarian cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Osteoporosis

How can I learn more about breastfeeding?
There are many resources available to help you understand the process, challenges and rewards that come with learning how to breastfeed. You can make an appointment with a lactation consultant, attend group classes or access online resources. You may also find it helpful to talk to friends who have breastfed.

What can or can’t I eat when I breastfeed?
You can eat whatever you want, while making sure to eat a well-balanced diet. Contact your doctor, dietitian or lactation consultant for healthy eating guidelines.

Can I take medication and breastfeed?
There are many medications that are safe to take while you are breastfeeding and some that are not. Talk with your doctor or lactation consultant to review the medications you are taking.

Why is my breast tender or painful?
If you have a hard lump or swelling that is tender or painful, you may have a blocked or plugged milk duct. A plugged duct usually happens gradually and affects only one breast. It will typically feel more painful before breastfeeding or pumping, and less tender, less lumpy or smaller afterward.
Another common problem is mastitis, an inflammation of breast tissue that may be caused by infection. You may have mastitis if you have:

• Breast tenderness or your breast feels warm to the touch
• Redness, often in the shape of a wedge
• Pain or burning sensation
• Chills, feeling feverish or a temperature of 101ºF or higher
• Flu-like symptoms including body aches and feeling tired or run down

Contact your doctor or lactation consultant to discuss care and treatment options.

Can I microwave breast milk?
We do not recommend microwaving breast milk. It can destroy nutrients and the antibodies that will help your baby fight infection. It can also create hot spots that may burn your baby’s mouth. We do recommend placing refrigerated or frozen breast milk into either a warming unit or lukewarm water to gently bring it to room temperature.

How long can I refrigerate or freeze breastmilk?
Breast milk should be stored in a bottle or storage bag in the deepest part of the refrigerator or freezer, not on the doors. It can be stored for 8 days in the refrigerator and 2-4 months in your freezer.

Can I breastfeed my baby who has a cleft lip or cleft palate?
When babies have a cleft lip and/or palate, the opening may make it difficult for your baby to create the suction needed to latch onto the breast and take in the milk. Because of this, breastfeeding may not be an option. Most babies with a cleft lip and/or palate cannot get all the milk they need from the breast, so they also require supplemental bottle feeding.

Can I continue to breastfeed once I go back to work?
Yes, we encourage you to continue breastfeeding. You will need:

• A hospital-grade breast pump. Check with your insurance company to see if a hospital-grade breast pump is covered. If it is, ask your lactation consultant to help you obtain one.
• Breast milk storage containers and labels to identify the date and time when your breast milk was pumped.
• Patience. It may take some time for you to produce milk for your baby and learn how to use the breast pump. It may also take time for your baby to learn how to bottle feed.

How do I wean my baby? How do I stop breast milk production?
The time it takes to stop milk production varies. The goal is to stay comfortable during the process. Your milk supply will gradually decrease with more time between breastfeeding or pumping sessions, and when you breastfeed or pump for shorter periods of time.
To gradually decrease your milk production you can:

• Start the process by wearing a snug-fitting bra day and night
• Apply cold compresses to the breasts
• Take pain relievers to relieve increased breast fullness or discomfort
• Breastfeed or pump fewer times during the day
• Breastfeed or pump just to the point that you no longer have discomfort or until your breasts no longer feel full or tight

Can I donate my breast milk?
Yes, breast milk can be donated and helps premature and ill babies who are unable to feed from the breast. Donated breast milk is pasteurized, cultured and shipped to hospitals across the country to help these babies.

Akron Children’s, Akron Campus is a drop-off location for OhioHealth Mother’s Milk Bank approved donors. To become an approved donor, call the Mothers’ Milk Bank at ++(614) 566-0630++ or email ++MilkBank@OhioHealth.com++. For more information, visit ++Ohio Health Mothers’ Milk Bank++.

Safety event reporting tools are located on this page, on myKidsnet.

We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of emotional or behavioral disorders affecting children, teens and their families. Our mental health services include medication management, educational consultation and testing, psychological testing, individual therapy and family counseling.

The Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC), located within Akron Children's Hospital Emergency Department, is the evaluation center for psychiatric risk assessments. PIRC provides evaluations and referrals to mental health services. PIRC mental health therapists provide patients with a reliable, professional triage and assessment.

Anyone with mental health questions is encouraged to contact PIRC 330-543-7472. PIRC is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. PIRC will work collaboratively with the family to develop a plan that addresses the immediate psychiatric concern.

Our diversity workforce development program – Career Launch – is designed to put you on the path to a clinical career with advancement opportunities. You'll secure employment with Akron Children's in a role that fits with your current experience while we cover the tuition and related costs for you to complete a degree or certificate – all toward the goal of enhancing your skills and advancing your career and earning potential. We work with local colleges and career centers to provide our employees and community members with educational opportunities in the following fields:

>Associate Degree in Nursing
>Medical Assistant
>Licensed Practical Nurse – Home Care
>EEG Technician
>Pharmacy Technician
>Registered Respiratory Therapist
>Medical Lab Technician

After graduation, participants complete a work commitment at Akron Children's in their selected field of study.

Introducing Career Launch Plus
For many students interested in a career in health care, juggling school and work can be challenging. That's why we created Career Launch Plus – a professional development program with all the perks of Career Launch and the added benefit of more time to study.<o:p></o:p>

Participants in the Plus program hold an on-call (PRN) student position at Akron Children's, and are offered up to 15 hours of paid professional development each month. After graduation, participants fulfill a work commitment at Children's. This program is available to learners interested in becoming Medical Assistants or Registered Respiratory Therapists.

Click here for more information.

The CDC is now recommending all eligible people obtain a booster. Teens 16 and older may receive the Pfizer vaccine, and adults should receive either the Moderna or Pfizer. To find a vaccine, please visit:https://gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov/

Akron Children’s Hospital provides brand new car seats at a discounted price to income-eligible families. Families receiving government assistance (e.g. WIC, Medicaid, etc.) are eligible for this discount. Education is provided to caregivers about how to properly use the seat and install it into a vehicle. Program topics include proper seat angle, seat tightness and harness adjustment.

These services are offered by NHTSA-certified technicians at Akron Children’s Hospital through the External Affairs office. To make an appointment at the Akron campus, call ++(330) 543-8942++.  There are other certified Safe Kids technicians at car seat inspection stations located throughout the county. For information about seat check and installations at the Boardman Campus, call ++(330) 729-9254++.
Please be prepared to provide:

• First and last name
• Phone number
• Zip code
• Age and weight of child, or due date if pregnant

If you have an upcoming car seat appointment at the Akron campus, our address is as follows:
300 Locust Street Suite #160
Akron, OH 44308

For appointments on our Boardman campus, please go to:
6505 Market St, Building A
Boardman, OH 44512

Akron Children’s Hospital employees may purchase seats at cost plus tax, please call External Affairs at extension 38942 for cost and availability.

Here's how you can request a copy of an immunization record, which will include COVID-19 vaccines. Please note that Akron Children's Hospital does not provide replacement COVID-19 vaccination cards.

If you are an Akron Children's Hospital patient:

• Option 1: Log in to your MyChart account and click on "Immunizations" for the vaccine record.
• Option 2: Call your Akron Children's Hospital Pediatrics office.
• Option 3: Complete and return a signed authorization form to our medical records department.

If you received your vaccine at a clinic staffed by Akron Children's but you aren't a patient:

• Option 1: Contact your local health department. Vaccine records are maintained in a state database that health departments can access.
• Option 2: Request your records from the Ohio Department of Health through the mail. Visit coronavirus.ohio.gov for a records release form

Akron Children's will be administering the vaccine to those who meet the state's current phase eligibility requirements. Supplies are limited, and as additional vaccines are made available, our hope is to offer more appointments.

You must schedule your vaccine appointment online. We are not scheduling by phone or in person at any of our locations. If you don't see any appointments available online for a COVID-19 vaccine, we have allocated our current vaccine supply or are waiting on additional supply. Check back here in the future, but please do not call our offices or appointment center.

You can find more information at our Coronavirus/COVID-19 information page under the Public Vaccination Program area.

When you get an appointment, please bring your photo ID and insurance card, if you're insured. You are not required to have insurance to get an appointment.

Once scheduled, it's important that you keep your appointment and arrive on time for your vaccination. If you are unable to make your scheduled appointment, please call (330) 543-2621 to cancel. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to reschedule the appointment.

Put a timer on and wear a face covering alongside your child at home. Incrementally increase the time to allow your child to get used to the feel. You could try a reward for practicing wearing the face covering at home. For example, allow your child screen time while wearing the face covering.

If your child expresses fear over the mask, address what is bothering them. This may be due to fear of the mask itself, itchiness, feeling hot or difficulty breathing. It may be because they haven't seen other children wearing them.

• Have a child feel more comfortable with face masks by seeing other family members wear them as well
• Put a mask on a favorite stuffed animal
• Show your child photos of other children wearing face coverings
• One of the biggest challenges with having children wear face coverings relates to them "feeling different" or stereotyping them as being sick. As more people wear face coverings, children will get used to them and not feel strange about wearing them
• When creating or choosing a mask, experiment with different fabric textures
• Be patient! It may take days or even weeks for a child to get used to a face mask

The best way is to avoid being exposed to respiratory diseases such as coronavirus. Here are some tips:

• Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap. Check out this CDC video on handwashing.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you are sick, especially if you have a fever. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without using fever-reducing medicine.
• Practice physical distancing, staying at least 6 feet away from others.
• Wear a mask when in public
• Droplets from coughs and sneezes can travel about 3 feet. Avoid the spread of droplets by coughing and sneezing into your elbow – or use a tissue and immediate throw it away.
• Clean frequently touched objects and surfaces with household cleaning sprays or disinfecting wipes.
• Avoid sharing household items including dishes, cups and eating utensils
• Keep your immune system strong by eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of water and getting ample rest.
• If you suspect you have coronavirus, call your health care provider to see what precautions should be taken before you visit the doctor's office.

• Keep your family home until you talk to your doctor. If the doctor thinks your child's symptoms could be COVID-19, everyone in the household should stay home until testing is done or symptoms are gone. Check the CDC's website for details.
• Keep other people and pets in the house away from your child as much as possible.
• Try to have one person only care for the sick child so others are not exposed.
• If your child is over 2 years old and can wear a face mask or cloth face covering without finding it hard to breathe, have them wear one when the caregiver is in the room. Don't leave your child alone while they're wearing a mask or cloth face covering. The caregiver also should wear one when in the same room. To see how to put on and remove face masks and coverings, clean them, or make your own cloth face covering, check the CDC's guide.
• If possible, have your sick child use a different bathroom from others. If that isn't possible, wipe down the bathroom often.
• Everyone in your family should wash their hands well and often. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Use regular household cleaners or wipes to clean things that get touched a lot (doorknobs, light switches, toys, remote controls, phones, etc.). Do this every day.

Akron Children's department of Public Safety works throughout our hospitals to ensure we provide the safest environment for our patients, visitors, volunteers and staff.

If you need assistance, wish to file a complaint or request a copy of a police report, or to check the lost and found, contact Public Safety at the phone numbers below.

• Akron Campus Dispatch Center: 330-543-8181 from an outside line/mobile phone or 38181 from any hospital phone
• Beeghly Campus Dispatch Center: 330-746-8255 from an outside line/mobile phone or 68255 from any hospital phone

In the event of an emergency on our Akron or Beeghly campuses, call 22 from any hospital phone or 330-543-8181 (Akron campus); 330-746-8255 (Beeghly campus) from a mobile phone.

Our lost and found department is located in Public Safety. Should you leave something behind, please call the office to see if it was located.

Here's a link to the page to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine for a child aged 5-11. https://mychart.akronchildrens.org/MyChart/openscheduling?_ga=2.116111366.1293326404.1632139138-2015503595.1612447215

For more information about Jobs and Careers at Akron Children’s Hospital please visit our Careers site!

Discover job openings and career opportunities across various fields:

• Advanced Practice Providers
• Allied Health
• IT, ISD, Information Services and Information Technology Jobs
• Medical Assistant
• Mental Health Therapist
• Nursing jobs including NICU, PICU, Staff Nurse, Radiology, LPN ACP
• Physician
• School Health

Career Launch Program
At Akron Children’s, we recognize that there are far too many barriers keeping talented people out of the medical field. That’s why we created the Career Launch program. By removing the financial worry of a return to school, employees and community members can build skills that will put them on the path to a stable career with advancement opportunities.
Explore our Career Launch program.

Employee Benefits
View our employee benefits.

Internships
All internships will be listed as paid positions on our careers site: careers.akronchildrens.org While there, create an account so you can be notified when a position of interest becomes available and apply for that position.

This is new for children and adults alike. If your child is hesitant, here's some helpful tips to get children more comfortable:

Put a timer on and wear a face covering alongside your child at home. Incrementally increase the time to allow your child to get used to the feel. You could try a reward for practicing wearing the face covering at home. For example, allow your child screen time while wearing the face covering.

If your child expresses fear over the mask, address what is bothering them. This may be due to fear of the mask itself, itchiness, feeling hot or difficulty breathing. It may be because they haven't seen other children wearing them.

• Have a child feel more comfortable with face masks by seeing other family members wear them as well
• Put a mask on a favorite stuffed animal
• Show your child photos of other children wearing face coverings
• One of the biggest challenges with having children wear face coverings relates to them "feeling different" or stereotyping them as being sick. As more people wear face coverings, children will get used to them and not feel strange about wearing them
• When creating or choosing a mask, experiment with different fabric textures
• Be patient! It may take days or even weeks for a child to get used to a face mask

The link to MyLearning is located on MyKidsnet.

Akron Children’s offers a financial counseling program to help families apply for third-party coverage from commercial insurance companies, Medicaid, and other state and local programs. If insurance coverage is not available, Financial Counseling will help families find other financial help they may be eligible to receive.

How to Apply for Financial Assistance:

The Financial Assistance Application, Financial Assistance Policy and this Plain Language Summary are available in different languages.

• Call a financial counselor at 330-543-2455 and request a free copy to be mailed or emailed
• Email our financial counselors at FinCounsel@akronchildrens.org to request a copy via mail or email
• Write to Financial Counseling at One Perkins Square, Akron, OH 44308 and request that copies be mailed, free of charge
• Go in person to our Admitting Office located on the third floor of the Main Hospital Building on our Akron Campus at 214 W. Bowery Street, Akron, OH, 44308

Documentation Requirements:

To apply, you must provide documentation to verify any information that may affect your eligibility, including information regarding your place of residence and income.

More information can be found on the financial assistance page.

Instructions about how to apply for pediatric residency at Akron Children's can be found at https://www.akronchildrens.org/pages/Residency-Program-Application-and-Interview-Process.html

If you can't find the information you need, please email us at or call Ask Children's at 330-543-2000.

We're sorry you aren't pleased with your experience with Akron Children's.

Our patient experience staff helps patients and parents with concerns about the hospital and our pediatric practices and services.

You can reach them by email:

Akron Children’s posts our provider’s patient experience ratings on their pages. These star ratings and comments come from patient surveys administered by NRC Health, an independent company that specializes in health care research.

Visit the provider pages on our site to review these ratings.

The survey is sent by either email or phone to Akron Children’s patients within a few days following their appointments.

Learn more at https://www.akronchildrens.org/pages/What-Are-Star-Ratings.html

To find a pediatrician that accepts your insurance you should call the Member Services phone number on the back of your insurance card or check your insurance companies’ website for a list of providers that are in-network.

Organizations requesting Akron Children's participation or support are asked to complete this form https://www.akronchildrens.org/cgi-bin/queue/collect.pl?form_id=113 Requests must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to your event. Due to time restraints, we are unable to consider events less than 6 weeks away.

Sign up for MyChart on the enrollment page or sign up at your doctor's office on your next visit.

The vital records office in the county you/your child was born keeps all vital records like birth certificates. Most of them have an online request form where you can complete and pay for a request for a copy of a birth certificate.

Chaplaincy Services helps people to draw on their spiritual resources to move toward hope, healing and wholeness.

Our chaplains are available 24 hours a day, and anyone may request a visit from one of them. Call for more information:

>Akron campus: call 330-543-8254, or dial 0 for the on-call chaplain 24 hours a day.
>Mahoning Valley Campus: call 330-746-8667, or dial 0 for the on-call chaplain 24 hours a day.

Governor DeWine has issued a vaccine distribution plan for the state. You must meet the Ohio Department of Health's criteria in order to schedule your vaccine. To learn if you meet the criteria, visit the COVID-19 Vaccination Program.

We are offering COVID-19 vaccines by appointment only. No walk-ins will be accepted.

We encourage people to perform a Google search of your provider’s name or service line and leave a review.

Akron Children’s posts our provider’s patient experience ratings online. These star ratings and comments come from patient surveys administered by NRC Health, an independent company that specializes in health care research. The survey is sent by either email or phone to Akron Children’s patients within a few days following their appointments.

Visit the provider’s page on our site to review these ratings.

Learn more at https://www.akronchildrens.org/pages/What-Are-Star-Ratings.html

Other options:

You can send an email to feedback@akronchildrens.org. That team directs emails to the appropriate people and departments.

MyChart – Secure access, anywhere. Find all log in options on this page.

When wearing a face mask, make sure it covers both the nose and mouth. After using the face mask, remove it and be sure to wash hands. When you come to Akron Children's, please wear your face mask. If you don't have one, we can provide one for you to use.

Disposable masks should be thrown in the trash and fabric masks should be washed after wearing. Your child may have challenges or discomfort when wearing a face mask. After talking about the importance of face masks, ask your child about what might be bothersome and any preferences in type, color, or style. It's helpful to work with your child to help make the face mask more comfortable to wear.

If a baby in your care won’t stop crying:

• Call a friend or relative for support or to take care of the baby while you take a break.
• If nothing else works, put the baby on their back in an empty crib (without loose blankets or stuffed animals), close the door, and check on the baby in 10 minutes. During that 10 minutes, do something to try to relax and calm down. Try washing your face, breathing deeply, or listening to music.

Call your doctor if nothing seems to be helping the baby, in case there is a medical reason for the fussiness.

No matter what, no one should ever shake a baby for any reason.

If a frustrated or angry caregiver shakes a baby, it can cause shaken baby syndrome (or abusive head trauma), when a child’s brain is injured from physical abuse. This can cause permanent brain damage or death. Finding ways to ease a caregiver’s stress when a baby is crying can help prevent these injuries.

Please send your questions to accountspayable@akronchildrens.org

The ISD service desk can be reached by email servicedesk@akronchildrens.org or by submitting an ISD ServiceNow request, located in the resources section of myKidsnet.

Thank you for choosing Akron Children's Hospital as your health care partner.
We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with you in the care of your patients.

The resources on this page will help you refer a patient.

Visit the Appointment Center page for detailed information on scheduling online, accessing virtual telehealth, or finding an Urgent Care location.

• Appointments: 330-543-2778 (330-KID-APPT)
• Have general questions? Call Ask Children’s: 330-543-2000 or 800-358-5437
• Where to go for care: Quick Care, Urgent Care or Emergency Care? Guidelines to help you make health care decisions

If your child is new to the hospital but previously diagnosed, we will need to schedule an appointment to transition to our care. We will need a referral from the provide currently managing your child's care and a plan of care and management. Once we receive that, we will call to schedule.

If an established patient, please contact the 330-543-3276 so we may address your concerns.

A MyChart account is recommended to receive results as quickly as possible. Otherwise, parents will receive a phone call with test results. More information about MyChart can be found at https://www.akronchildrens.org/pages/MyChart.html

We encourage parents to:

• Provide simple information and reassurance.
• Consider monitoring or limiting media exposure.
• Correct misinformation.
• Try to keep routines as much as possible.
• Remind children of the actions they can take to keep themselves and their community safe like handwashing and covering coughs.

Cloth face coverings should—

• fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• be secured with ties or ear loops
• include multiple layers of fabric
• allow for breathing without restriction
• be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

So far, we know it lasts at least 3 months. Data from the ongoing clinical trials will continue to be gathered and studied.

Test results are handled in MyChart in several different ways:

• Most non-sensitive lab and radiology results are auto-released to MyChart on the schedule below. In certain cases, patients may see these test results before our providers have had the chance to review the information themselves.
• Radiology studies and pathology results are on a time-delayed automatic release schedule, which gives providers a chance to review them before the patient sees them.
• Tumor markers, sweat tests, sleep studies and genetic results are not auto-released to MyChart. They must be reviewed and may be manually released by a physician.
• Technically, we are not yet able to provide electronic release of externally scanned results (such as those from a provider outside of our system), endoscopy and heart cath results.
• Lastly, lab results pertaining to STDs, pregnancy and drugs of abuse are blocked from electronic release according to the law.
  Test Results and their release schedule:
• Lab results: Released at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Radiology studies: 3-day time delay
• Pathology: 4-day time delay

They will not be in the PIRC inpatient; they will be on 8100 which is our hospital floor dedicated to psychiatric care for patients. PIRC is in the ER and this is where assessments take place. PIRC is where the next level of care is decided, it is not inpatient.

The vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna require two shots, while the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine is a single dose. For the two dose vaccines, there is an initial dose followed three weeks later by a booster or sedon dose. While you gain some immunity with the first dose, it's important to get both doses for maximum protection. The CDC is now recommending all eligible people obtain a booster. Teens 16 and older may receive the Pfizer vaccine, and adults should receive either the Moderna or Pfizer. To find a vaccine, please visit:https://gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov/

Developing large-scale immunity through vaccines is key to stopping the COVID-19 pandemic, but more research needs to be done. Once enough people have some immunity – either because of previous COVID infections or protection through the vaccine – the virus will have a harder time spreading through the community.

Please contact us at 330-543-8552 or records@akronchildrens.org to receive a paper records release form by mail, or download it at the link below. Visit the Medical Records site for more information on returning the form by mail, fax or email.

There are many ways you can help support Akron Children’s. Since our beginning as a two-room day nursery in 1890, Akron Children’s Hospital has benefited from the philanthropic support given to us by individuals, corporations and foundations.

Learn more about how you can support the patient care programs, research and other needs at Akron Children’s Hospital.

• Donate Online
• Patient Wish Lists
• Ways to Give
• Become a Volunteer

For verification of employment, send an email to
Employment verification takes 7-10 days to complete and may require an additional email to for verification of income.

Population Health is the umbrella over Case Managment (inpatient RN case management for patients in the hospital) and Care Coordination (outpatient case management for outpatient ambulatory services).

For families: A referral usually is sent from a provider. Families can call for self-referral if need be, though, by calling 330-543-1740, leaving information in a message, and a CARE Coordinator will follow up with you.

For job seekers: Refer to the career section of our website. Search jobs under keywords Population Health, Case Manager, or CARE Coordinator depending on your qualifications and area of interest. Job postings will include a full description of the department and the role.

If you have questions about a bill call Akron Children’s billing office Customer Service team at 330-543-8500.

You do need to meet criteria to come out of isolation from the COVID-19 illness to get the vaccine. If you actively are sick with COVID-19 and you're still in your 10-day isolation period, we would not give you the vaccine at that point, but you could get it as soon as you're out of isolation.

You can either contact your pediatrician for your child’s vaccination records, log in to your MyChart account and click on “Immunizations” for the vaccine records or obtain them through the medical records department.

Akron Children's Maternal Fetal Medicine department primarily accepts patients who have high-risk pregnancies and are referred by a physician.

Please call 330-543-4500 with any questions.

Find a pediatric provider near you.

We offer language access services 24 hours a day at no charge to patients and families with limited English proficiency (LEP) or who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired. Services include:

• Face-to-face interpreter services in many languages, including sign language
• Over-the-phone and video interpreter services in approximately 200 languages
• Assistive communication tools for the deaf, hard of hearing, blind or individuals with communication disabilities
• Document translation services

Please ask a staff member about these services while at the hospital

Akron Children's provides the best imaging techniques to diagnose medical and surgical problems in infants, children and teens. We were the first hospital in Ohio — and the second children's hospital in the U.S. — to receive a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence® designation for our commitment to low-dose radiation. For more information, visit https://www.akronchildrens.org/departments/Radiology.html

The Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC), located within Akron Children’s Hospital Emergency Department, is the evaluation center for psychiatric risk assessments. PIRC provides evaluations and referrals to mental health services. PIRC mental health therapists provide patients with a reliable, professional triage and assessment.

Services Provided

• 24/7 telephone triage to discuss concerns and recommendations are made
• Evaluation for children and adolescents in immediate crisis, which includes concerns for suicidal or homicidal thoughts and psychosis
• Professional assessment and recommendation of the next steps in treatment for the child or adolescent
• Referrals to mental health services in the community, including outpatient and intensive services

What to Expect
Mental health evaluations in the Emergency Department (ED) are completed by mental health therapists. Their primary focus is to assess patients with an immediate crisis and recommend an appropriate level of care. When arriving at the ED, families need to register for a PIRC assessment

Evaluations are generally first come, first served, based on assessment room placement, which may result in a significant wait. However, patients will be monitored by the ED staff in a safe environment. PIRC staff does not provide medication changes or make medication adjustments. Possible next steps for an Emergency Department psychiatric risk evaluation visit include:

• Discharge home with a safety plan
• Discharge home with a safety plan and a referral for ongoing Behavioral Health services
• Admission to a higher level of care

Anyone with mental health questions is encouraged to contact PIRC 330-543-7472. PIRC is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. PIRC will work collaboratively with the family to develop a plan that addresses the immediate psychiatric concern.

We have a clinic dedicated to young women with excessive menstrual bleeding. Our team includes specialists in adolescent medicine and pediatric hematology, who work together to determine if excessive bleeding is caused by regular, heavy periods or a bleeding or platelet disorder.

Schedule an appointment if your daughter experiences the following symptoms:

• Excessive menstrual bleeding, such as a period that occurs every 2 weeks or regularly lasts longer than 7 days
• Excessive bruising
• Frequent nose bleeds
• History of excessive bleeding after surgery

For an appointment, call the Hemostasis and Thrombosis Center at 330-543-8580.

For help logging into MyChart or a lost password, contact us at 330-543-4400 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST), or mycharthelp@akronchildrens.org

To request a copy of your child's record, send a signed authorization form or a HIPAA-compliant handwritten request to:

Akron Children's Hospital
ATTN: Health Information Management
One Perkins Square
Akron, OH 44308

Information services department assistance is available to employees of the hospital by submitting an ISD ServiceNow request.

Most of us know about teens and cutting — how some use a sharp object like a razorblade, knife, or scissors to make marks, cuts, or scratches on their own body. But cutting is just one form of self-injury. Teens who self-injure also might burn, scratch, or hit themselves; bang their head; pull their hair; pinch their skin; pierce their skin with needles or sharp objects; or insert objects under their skin.

Self-harming is a serious issue that affects many teens. Like other risky behaviors, it can be dangerous and habit-forming. In most cases, it is also a sign of deeper emotional distress. In some cases, peers can influence teens to experiment with it.

Summer Pediatric Research Scholars work closely with mentors - physicians or other healthcare practitioners - in one of several pediatric medical specialties. Mentors define research projects that could focus on enhancing patient safety or quality of care; evaluating effectiveness of new treatments, technologies, or methods; or improving the healthcare experience for patients and families. Professionals at the research institute offer additional training, guidance and support to the students and their research efforts.

In addition to their research endeavors, summer research scholars also have opportunities to observe bedside patient care by shadowing medical and surgical teams. Lectures and classroom activities provide additional familiarity with the environment of a large pediatric hospital. The students also receive career development opportunities with workshops focused on creating a resumes and CVs, and succeeding in post-graduate medical interviews. At the program's conclusion, summer research scholars present their findings to members of Akron Children's medical staff, professional researchers, peers and guests. This program runs over the course of 10 weeks, starting around the first week in June each summer.

https://www.akronchildrens.org/pages/Summer-Pediatric-Research-Scholars.html

myKidsnet is the employee intranet for Akron Children's Hospital.

This vaccine was not studied in breastfeeding women. Based on our understanding of how the vaccine works, it is believed to be unlikely that the vaccine would significantly affect a breastfeeding infant. However, this remains unproven. Breastfeeding does not prevent you from choosing to receive the vaccine. If you are breastfeeding, we recommend that you discuss the risks and benefits of getting the vaccine with your healthcare provider prior to receiving the vaccination.

Call your child’s healthcare professional if your child is sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and has been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if you live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19. Your healthcare professional will work with Ohio’s public health department and the CDC to determine if your child needs to be tested for COVID-19.

If you are unable to make your scheduled appointment, please call (330) 543-2621 and cancel. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to reschedule the appointment.

No. This is not a live vaccine, so it cannot give you a COVID-19 infection and it will not make you contagious.

There's no significant risk to you to get the vaccine if you have a medical comorbidity, in fact, it's quite the opposite. If you're at increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease because of a medical comorbidity like asthma, you're an even better candidate to get the vaccine because the vaccine will protect you from COVID-19 infection.

Akron Children’s is currently limiting one caregiver to accompany the patient.

The short answer is no. The CDC is recommending that you not get any other vaccines within 14 days of when you get the COVID vaccine. And the reason that they're making that recommendation is because there are a small number of vaccines that interfere with each other's ability to provide an effective immune response. There is no evidence that's the case with the COVID-19 vaccine, but in order to optimize the effectiveness of your vaccine, that's the recommendation the CDC has made. The CDC's recommendations are available at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html

One of the benefits of having two hand surgeons on staff is that surgery can be performed on both arms at the same time, when indicated. This decreases the number of surgeries your child needs and the amount of time they are in surgery.

Therapy services are offered at many of our convenient locations across northern Ohio to provide pediatric therapy closer to home. If there are no locations near you, we can help you find a therapist in your area, and our therapists can make recommendations for your local therapist.

Following Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s guidance, Akron Children’s Hospital will be expanding the number and types of procedures available to its patients, as well as rescheduling surgeries and other appointments that were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

At Akron Children’s Hospital, serving our patients in a clean and safe environment has always been of utmost importance. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have redoubled our efforts to provide a safe environment for you, your children and our employees, closely following the governor’s and CDC guidelines.

The vaccine was not studied in pregnant women. There is no scientific data about the safety or effectiveness of this vaccine in pregnant women. Thirteen study participants became pregnant and are being followed. Pregnancy does not prevent you from choosing to get the vaccine. If you are pregnant, we recommend that you discuss the risks and benefits of getting the vaccine with your healthcare provider prior to receiving the vaccination.

The Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine has outlined some considerations here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.smfm.org/media/2641/Provider_Considerations_for_Engaging_in_COVID_Vaccination_Considerations_12-15-20_(final).pdf
And the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology statement is here:
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/vaccinating-pregnant-and-lactating-patients-against-covid-19

Children, in general, have fared well with COVID-19, most only having mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is looking closely at the condition multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).

The CDC identified these symptoms of MIS-C:

• An individual under 21 years presenting with fever, laboratory evidence of inflammation and evidence of clinically severe illness requiring hospitalization with the involvement of two or more organ systems (cardiac, renal, respiratory, hematologic, gastrointestinal, dermatologic or neurological); and
• No alternative plausible diagnoses; and
• Has tested positive for current or recent coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection or COVID-19 exposure within the four weeks prior to the onset of symptoms.

The CDC noted the fever should be at least 100.4 (F) for at least 24 hours.

The CDC website explains that anyone with moderate to severe asthma may be at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. COVID-19 can affect your respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs), cause an asthma attack, and possibly lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory disease. The CDC has provided guidelines on how to best protect your child who has asthma.

All currently available vaccines require two doses to reach full effectiveness. For the Moderna vaccine, doses are given 28 days apart. For the Pfizer vaccine, doses are given 21 days apart.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), researchers don't yet know how long people are protected from reinfection after recovering from COVID-19. However, at least some of the vaccine trials have included people who recovered from COVID-19. Even if recovered patients have some natural immunity, the vaccine could create a stronger immune system response.

The study included evaluating whether the vaccine put people who had had recent COVID-19 at any increased risk of side effects or increased risk in terms of getting the vaccine, and the answer to that was no. So, there appears to be no additional risk to you to get the vaccine if you've had COVID-19. Immunity due to the vaccine seems to be greater than with the natural illness. Waiting 90 days after your COVID-19 illness is also an option as there appears to be some natural immunity for up to 90 days after natural illness with COVID-19. The CDC's guidance may be found at
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html

Q: What is a maternal-fetal medicine doctor?

A: A maternal-fetal medicine doctor is a special kind of doctor who helps moms and babies during pregnancy. They take care of moms who might have health problems or babies who might need extra help before they’re born.

Q: When should I see a maternal-fetal medicine doctor?

A: You might need to see a maternal-fetal medicine doctor if:

• You have health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure
• You’re pregnant with twins or more
• You’ve had problems with pregnancies before
• Your regular doctor thinks your baby might need special care

Q: What happens at my first visit with a maternal-fetal medicine doctor?

A: At your first visit, the doctor will:

• Ask about your health history
• Do a physical exam
• Maybe do an ultrasound to look at your baby
• Answer your questions
• Make a plan for your care

Q: Will I still see my regular doctor if I’m seeing a maternal-fetal medicine doctor?

A: Yes, you’ll still see your regular doctor. The maternal-fetal medicine doctor will work with your regular doctor to give you the best care.

Q: What kinds of tests might a maternal-fetal medicine doctor do?

A: They might do tests like:

• Special ultrasounds to look closely at your baby
• Blood tests to check on your health
• Tests to check if your baby has any health problems

Q: Can maternal-fetal medicine doctors help if my baby needs surgery before birth?

A: Yes, some maternal-fetal medicine doctors can do surgery on babies before they’re born. This is for very special cases when a baby needs help right away.

Q: How often will I need to see a maternal-fetal medicine doctor?

A: It depends on why you’re seeing the doctor. Some moms might go once or twice during pregnancy. Others might go more often if they need extra care.

Q: Will my insurance cover seeing a maternal-fetal medicine doctor?

A: Most insurance plans cover maternal-fetal medicine care. But it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company to make sure.

Q: Can a maternal-fetal medicine doctor deliver my baby?

A: Usually, your regular doctor or midwife will deliver your baby. The maternal-fetal medicine doctor will help plan for the delivery and be there if needed.

Q: What should I bring to my appointment with a maternal-fetal medicine doctor?

A: Bring:

• Your medical records
• A list of your medicines
• Any ultrasound pictures you have
• A list of questions you want to ask

Why Do Babies Cry?

All newborns cry and get fussy sometimes. It’s normal for a baby to cry for 2–3 hours a day for the first 6 weeks. During the first 3 months of life, they cry more than at any other time.

New parents often are low on sleep and getting used to life with their little one. They’ll quickly learn to check to see if their crying baby:

• is hungry
• is tired
• needs to be burped
• is overstimulated
• has a wet or dirty diaper
• is too hot or cold

Often, taking care of a baby’s needs is enough to soothe a baby. But sometimes, the crying goes on longer.

What Is Colic?

Some babies cry a lot more than others. A baby who cries 3 or more hours a day, 3 or more days a week, for at least 3 weeks might have colic. Usually, it starts when a baby is 2–5 weeks old and ends by the time the baby is 3–4 months old.
Colic happens to a lot of newborns. It’s hard to see your baby cry so much, but colic isn’t caused by anything a parent did or didn’t do. The good news is babies outgrow colic.

What Can Help a Crying Baby?

You can’t spoil your baby with too much attention. To soothe a crying baby:

• First, make sure your baby doesn’t have a fever. In a baby, a fever is a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C). Call the doctor right away if your baby does have a fever.
• Make sure your baby isn’t hungry and has a clean diaper.
• Rock or walk with the baby.
• Sing or talk to your baby.
• Offer the baby a pacifier.
• Take the baby for a ride in a stroller.
• Hold your baby close against your body and take calm, slow breaths.
• Give the baby a warm bath.
• Pat or rub the baby’s back.
• Place your baby across your lap on their belly and rub your baby’s back.
• Put your baby in a swing or vibrating seat. The motion may be soothing.
• Put your baby in an infant car seat in the back of the car and go for a ride. Often, the vibration and movement of the car are calming.
• Play music — some babies respond to sound as well as movement.

Some babies need less stimulation. Babies 2 months and younger may do well swaddled, lying on their back in the crib with the lights very dim or dark. Make sure the swaddle isn’t too tight. Stop swaddling when the baby is starting to be able to roll over.

What Can I Do if a Baby Won’t Stop Crying?

If a baby in your care won’t stop crying:

• Call a friend or relative for support or to take care of the baby while you take a break.
• If nothing else works, put the baby on their back in an empty crib (without loose blankets or stuffed animals), close the door, and check on the baby in 10 minutes. During that 10 minutes, do something to try to relax and calm down. Try washing your face, breathing deeply, or listening to music.

Call your doctor if nothing seems to be helping the baby, in case there is a medical reason for the fussiness.
No matter what, no one should ever shake a baby for any reason.
If a frustrated or angry caregiver shakes a baby, it can cause shaken baby syndrome (or abusive head trauma), when a child’s brain is injured from physical abuse. This can cause permanent brain damage or death. Finding ways to ease a caregiver’s stress when a baby is crying can help prevent these injuries.

What Else Should I Know?

The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome offers a prevention program, the Period of PURPLE Crying, to help parents and other caregivers understand crying and how to handle it.
All Babies Cry is a program that promotes infant soothing and ways to handle a baby’s crying. The program has 4 parts:

1. What’s normal about crying?
2. Comforting your baby.
3. Self-care tips for parents.
4. Colic and how to cope.

If you’re worried you might hurt your baby or someone else will, call the national hotline**1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)**anytime for help.
Tell anyone caring for your baby to never shake the infant. Talk about the dangers of shaking and safe ways to soothe a baby.
Keep in mind that all babies cry a lot and it will get better. The crying isn’t caused by something you did or didn’t do. Take care of yourself and ask for help so you can keep taking good care of your baby.

From cleft lip and palate to congenital ear deformities, the Craniofacial Center specializes in correcting deformities of the face and skull in children. In fact, we treat more than 500 children – ranging from newborns to young adults – each year.

You may find more information on our Craniofacial Center page.

If your baby was born with a condition known as clubfoot, one or both of their feet is turned inward and facing up toward their body. Akron Children's Clubfoot Clinic successfully treats most infants with this condition without surgery, by applying a series of plaster casts that gradually correct the deformity. This treatment, known as the Ponseti method, is considered the "gold standard" for treating clubfoot.

Here's a link to our Clubfoot Clinic.

A person can test positive for up to 90 days after a positive COVID PCR test. For specific questions regarding your child's health, please contact their physician.

Most bleeding disorders are inherited and often affect multiple family members. We recommend discussing siblings with your hematologist to decide if testing is necessary.

If you are concerned about symptoms your child is experiencing, please contact their pediatrician for an appointment and additional guidance, including whether or not a COVID-19 test is advisable.

Contact Us

Anyone with mental health questions is encouraged to contact PIRC 330-543-7472. PIRC is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. PIRC will work collaboratively with the family to develop a plan that addresses the immediate psychiatric concern.

The Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC), located within Akron Children’s Emergency Department, is the evaluation center for psychiatric risk assessments. PIRC provides evaluations and referrals to mental health services. PIRC mental health therapists provide patients with a reliable, professional triage and assessment.

Services Provided

• 24/7 telephone triage to discuss concerns and recommendations are made
• Evaluation for children and adolescents in immediate crisis, which includes concerns for suicidal or homicidal thoughts and psychosis
• Professional assessment and recommendation of the next steps in treatment for the child or adolescent
• Referrals to mental health services in the community, including outpatient and intensive services

What to Expect

Mental health evaluations in the Emergency Department (ED) are completed by mental health therapists. Their primary focus is to assess patients with an immediate crisis and recommend an appropriate level of care. When arriving at the ED, families need to register for a PIRC assessment.

Evaluations are generally first come, first served, based on assessment room placement, which may result in a significant wait. However, patients will be monitored by the ED staff in a safe environment. PIRC staff does not provide medication changes or make medication adjustments.
Possible next steps for an Emergency Department psychiatric risk evaluation visit include:

• Discharge home with a safety plan
• Discharge home with a safety plan and a referral for ongoing Behavioral Health services
• Admission to a higher level of care

Log into MyKidsnet

All school-related forms for enrollment or sports need to be completed at the primary care physician’s office. Families can drop off forms at the office to be completed or make an appointment if necessary.

After spending their earliest days, weeks or even months, at Akron Children's, the day they finally go home is a much-anticipated milestone for the babies and families in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The cheerful and soothing melody of "Brahms' Lullaby" plays briefly throughout the hospital to celebrate each time a NICU patient is discharged.

This version was recorded by Lance Allen.

Our registered dietitians work closely with the medical team to meet your child's nutritional needs. They also have expertise in pediatric nutrition and hold additional certifications, including nutrition support, diabetes, and childhood and adolescent weight management. We also provide medical nutrition therapy for children with the following conditions.

Why can’t the lab release my orders?

The lab can’t release orders that are entered as a Clinic Collect or a Unit Collect. The lab can release orders that are entered as a Future Lab Collect. Orders from outside providers do not show up in our Epic system, even if their facility is on Epic; they must be manually ordered.

I want my test to be a venipuncture, not a capillary stick. How do I make sure this happens?

Please enter Venipuncture in the order comment. This will print on our instruction labels.

Who can I call to find out how much is charged for the test I am ordering?

You can call the lab billing office to find out what we charge. Keep in mind, we can’t tell you how much insurance will pay and for what amount the patient will be responsible.

How long will it take to get my results back?

You can refer to the Lab Test Directory to see turn-around-times for common tests. For Genetic tests that aren’t built, you can assume they will take four to six weeks to get results back.

I am just dropping a specimen off and don’t need to be drawn. Why do I need to wait in line?

Patients, including employees, are seen on a first-come, first-serve basis. Even if you don’t need drawn, you have to be registered so your specimen can be properly labeled.

Whether you're seeking a peer for emotional support or want to learn more about what to expect from a medical diagnosis, our specially-trained parent mentors have volunteered to share their insights about dealing with a similar situation.

As parents of children with special needs, their training has taught them to listen. Their experiences have taught them to understand. They felt alone, too, when they received the diagnosis of their children's illness and the medical care required. They were overwhelmed, scared and angry.

They've also come to know the blessings their children have brought to their lives.
Connect with one of our trained, veteran parents to get the support you need.

See the link below to pay your bill online.

Call 330-543-8500 for questions.
We know medical billing can be confusing and overwhelming, and we’re here to help answer your questions.

If you’d like to speak to a financial counselor, call 330-543-2455.
A financial counselor can help you determine whether you qualify for public assistance programs to help you with your medical bills.

On the Patient Billing Page linked below you can find information on:

• Financial Counseling
• Financial Assistance
• Insurance
• Patient Price List
• Price Estimates

Need to set up a payment plan? Akron Children’s offers convenient monthly payment plan options, including:
Up to 18-month payment plans, with a minimum $25 monthly payment.

Longer-term payment plans available for those who qualify. Sign up via AccessOne.

Frequently Asked Billing Questions

We understand that navigating medical billing and insurance information can be overwhelming, and we hope answers to these frequently asked questions will help.

I received a letter telling me that I need to update my Coordination of Benefits. What do I do with this?

Coordination of Benefits (COB) happens when your insurance plan wants to confirm if either you, or someone in your family has health benefits under more than one insurance plan (including medical benefits under motor vehicle insurance and personal injury protection insurance). COB is often required each calendar year or based on diagnosis. The insurance company will not process any claims until this is updated by the insured. If you received a form from your insurance company, please fill it out and return it as soon as possible. There also may be a number you can call. If you did not receive a form, please call your insurance company by using the customer service number on the back of your insurance card.

I just had a baby. What do I need to do to make sure my insurance covers the bills?

Most employer-based insurance plans allow a specific period of time to enroll a newborn in the plan. You will need to contact your HR department to see what the exact process is, but it usually involves completing and returning a form. If this is not done in a timely manner, coverage may be denied and you will be responsible for your newborn’s bills. Akron Children’s is not able to do this for you.

How can I be sure my insurance provider will pay my bills?

Your health plan may:

• Require certain services to be authorized or pre-certified before you receive them
• Require you to notify them within a certain period of time after services are rendered
• Require you to provide information regarding any other insurance for the patient

Find out your health plan’s requirements by reading the information given to you by your insurance provider or employer, or by calling your insurance provider directly. You are usually provided with a summary plan document or a website that has all coverage information including your yearly deductible, coinsurance, copay, in and out of network provider directory and benefits.

How will I know how much I owe?

You may request an estimate of your financial responsibility prior to service at Akron Children’s. Information needed includes the service’s CPT code and your insurance details. Self service estimates can be obtained through MyChart. Estimates can also be obtained through financial counseling by calling 330-543-8500.
Your health plan may require a copayment or deductible that will be due during appointment registration or hospital discharge. Check with your insurance provider on the amount that you will be responsible for at this time.
Following your healthcare services, your insurance provider will send you an explanation of benefits (EOB), which will detail the amount it has paid, any non-covered or denied amounts, and the remaining balance that you are responsible for paying.
We encourage you to review your EOB and compare it to your Akron Children’s billing statement. Please call your insurance provider or a billing representative if you have questions or concerns.

I received a billing statement. How do I know my insurance company paid its portion?

Your statement has an area where the amount paid by insurance and amount adjusted (if any) is detailed. This information will appear on the first statement for that service. Your insurance company will also send you an explanation of benefits (EOB) that will explain how your claim was processed. It will include information on how much financial responsibility you have including any deductible, coinsurance and/or copay amounts. If you have additional questions about insurance payments, please call your insurance company directly. The insurance company’s phone number is usually printed on the back of your insurance card.

What if I forget to bring my insurance information to the appointment?

You will be registered as “self-pay” during registration, which means you are responsible for paying the entire bill. However, you may contact us to provide your insurance information after your appointment by calling 330-543-8500.

How does my insurance company receive the claim for health care services?

In most cases, Akron Children’s files the claim with your insurance company. Please make sure that we have your correct insurance information on file and, if you have more than one insurance, all of the necessary information usually found on the insurance ID cards.

Does Children’s bill secondary insurances?

Yes, Children’s is dedicated to helping you receive full benefits from your insurance provider. You will be asked to provide complete insurance information upon registration. Be sure you have a copy of your insurance cards at that time. As a service to you, we will submit secondary claims along with required EOBs to your insurance provider. However, if your insurance provider doesn’t make payment within 60 days, we will ask you to pay the amount owed.

Why are some of my bills from the hospital covered by my insurance, while others are not?

Hospital coverage often has a deductible or out-of-pocket expense that you are responsible for paying. Since each plan can be different, we encourage you to carefully review your benefits. Additionally, your plan may not cover specific services. You should check with your insurance prior to having any service performed to verify coverage.

Why did I receive a bill for a doctor I did not see?

Certain physicians help with your medical care even though you may not meet them. Commonly, these are the doctors who read your lab results, X-rays and EKGs, among others.

Why do I receive billing statements from the hospital when my child was never there?

Akron Children’s provides a wide range of medically related services for independent clinics, area physicians and other hospitals. For example, a pediatrician or health center may refer lab work to Akron Children’s for testing or analysis. When this occurs, the bill for the lab services will come from Akron Children’s.
We also provide pediatrician services to newborns at area hospitals for evaluation and/or discharge upon request. That bill would be separate from the actual birth.

What does “Physician Visit Level 3” refer to on my bill?

Akron Children’s uses five levels to describe the time and complexity of physician visits, with Level 1 being the lowest and Level 5 being the highest. This is standardized coding across the healthcare industry.

Why was my last payment divided and applied to the bill in two separate places?

We post your payment to the oldest dates of service first unless you specifically indicate otherwise. On your billing statement, we itemize both the charges and your payments by date.

My child’s medical bills are adding up fast, and I can’t afford them. How can I get help?

We are committed to providing healthcare to every child who needs it, regardless of the family’s ability to pay. Our financial counselors can help you manage your child’s medical bills. Please contact them at 330-543-8500.

May I set up a payment plan to make installment payments on my bill?

Yes, Children’s offers payment plans that are interest-free. Minimum payments are $25 and can be extended up to 18 months. Please contact customer service if this does not meet your needs to discuss other possible options. You will be required to demonstrate financial need.

I received a letter stating my account has been referred to a collection agency or collection attorney. Why was this done and what should I do?

Before an account is referred to a collection agency, you will receive four billing statements from Akron Children’s. You may also receive a phone call from our billing office. If you have not made a payment or payment arrangements after these steps have been taken, the account will be referred a collection agency. You must contact Children’s to establish a payment plan. Making regular payments without one will not prevent an account from going to collections. These agencies act under the direction of Children’s. Once an account is placed with an outside collection agency, we ask that you work directly with the agency to resolve the balance. If you fail to do so, additional collection actions may take place to resolve the balances you owe.

I tried to get information on an account but was told by Customer Service that they couldn’t talk to me. Why not?

There are situations when someone not directly responsible for a patient needs to have access to HIPAA-protected details of the patient’s account. In order to do so, we must have a signed and dated release of information (ROI) form on file from the patient’s parent/guardian. It is also important to note that having insurance coverage on the patient does not automatically make you a guarantor on the account or provide you with access to account information. Click here to download a copy of the ROI, complete it and email it to BillingServices@akronchildrens.org or mail it to:
Akron Children’s, Customer Service Department
PO Box 74477
Cleveland, OH 44194-0577
Please allow 7-10 business days for processing before contacting Customer Service to obtain the needed information. If this is not in place prior to calling, we are not permitted to release any protected information. If you have any questions, you can call Customer Service at 330-543-8500.

• What are the most common allergies in children?

Common allergies include food allergies (e.g., peanuts, eggs, milk), environmental allergies (pollen, dust mites, pet dander), and insect sting allergies.

• How can we determine if my child has allergies or just a cold?

Allergies tend to cause clear, thin nasal discharge, itching, and symptoms that last longer than a cold. A cold often involves thicker, colored mucus and may include fever.

• At what age can children be tested for allergies?

Allergy testing can be done at any age, even in infants, depending on the clinical history. Your Allergist will discuss appropriate indications for testing.

• Are allergy tests painful or dangerous for children?

Allergy tests are generally safe and cause minimal discomfort. Skin prick tests may cause slight itching, while blood tests involve a quick needle prick.

• Can my child outgrow their allergies?

Some children outgrow allergies, especially food allergies like milk or egg. Environmental allergies are less likely to be outgrown but can change over time.

• What’s the difference between food intolerance and food allergy?

Food allergies involve the immune system and can be life-threatening. Food intolerances are typically less severe and often related to digestive issues.

• How can we manage my child’s allergies at school?

Work with the school to create an allergy action plan, educate staff, ensure proper medication storage, and consider allergen-free zones if necessary.

• Is there a cure for allergies, or are treatments just for managing symptoms?

Currently, there’s no cure for allergies. Treatments focus on managing symptoms and reducing reactions. Immunotherapy can help reduce sensitivity over time.

• What should we do if my child has a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)?

Administer epinephrine immediately if prescribed, call emergency services, and keep the child calm. Follow the emergency action plan provided by your allergist.

• Can early exposure to potential allergens help prevent allergies?

Recent research suggests that early, controlled exposure to certain foods (like peanuts) may help prevent allergies in high-risk infants. Always consult with an allergist before trying this.

• How do allergy shots work, and are they suitable for children?

Allergy shots gradually expose the body to increasing amounts of an allergen to build tolerance. They can be suitable for children, typically those over 5 years old.

• Can environmental changes at home help reduce my child’s allergy symptoms?

Yes. Measures like using air purifiers, dust-mite-proof bedding, regular cleaning, and controlling humidity can significantly reduce allergen exposure.

• Are there any dietary changes that can help improve my child’s allergies or immune system?

A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can support overall immune health. Specific changes depend on individual allergies and should be discussed with a doctor.

• What’s the relationship between asthma and allergies in children?

Allergies and asthma often co-exist. Allergic reactions can trigger asthma symptoms, and many children with asthma have underlying allergies.

• How do we handle allergies during travel or vacations?

Plan ahead by researching local medical facilities, carrying necessary medications, and alerting airlines or hotels about severe allergies. Consider bringing safe snacks for food allergies.

• Are there any new treatments or therapies for childhood allergies?

Emerging treatments include oral immunotherapy for food allergies and biologics for severe allergic conditions. Your allergist can provide information on the latest approved treatments.

• Can stress or emotions affect my child’s allergy symptoms?

Yes, stress and strong emotions can exacerbate allergy symptoms. Teaching stress management techniques can be beneficial.

• How often should we follow up with the allergist?

Follow-up frequency depends on the severity of allergies and the treatment plan. Typically, visits range from every few months to annually.

• What role do genetics play in childhood allergies?

Genetics play a significant role in allergies. Children with allergic parents are more likely to develop allergies, though not necessarily to the same allergens.

• Are there any long-term health effects of untreated allergies in children?

Untreated allergies can lead to chronic sinus infections, asthma development or worsening, sleep disturbances, and reduced quality of life. Proper management is key to preventing complications.

Akron Children’s Pediatrics offices have expanded access to make it easier for patients to get the care they need.

Same-day appointments for established patients

Barberton
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Fairlawn
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Walk-in care

Akron East - sick care for established patients
Monday-Friday: 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Beachwood - well or sick visits, new or established patients
Monday-Friday, 8:30-10 a.m.

Campbell - well or sick visits, new or established patients
Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m.

East Liverpool - well or sick visits, new or established patients Monday-Friday, 3-5 p.m.

Liberty - well or sick visits, new or established patients
Monday-Friday, 8:30-10 a.m.

Mayfield Heights - well or sick visits, new or established patients Monday-Friday, 9-11:30 a.m.

Streetsboro - well or sick visits, new or established patients Monday-Friday, 8:30-10 a.m.

Twinsburg - sick care for established patients
Monday-Friday, 9-11 a.m.

Warren Downtown - sick visits for new or established patients, plus well visits for established patients
Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m.

Are you wondering what a procedure will cost? Get an estimate for common procedures from one of our locations near you.

What is an estimate?

An estimate is the predicted amount you will pay for a medical service based on your insurance and what patients have been charged in the past.

How accurate are estimates?

Prices may vary and an estimate is not a quote or guarantee. We try our best to give you an accurate estimate, however many factors go into the final cost. The actual price you pay may be higher or lower than the estimate.

How do I get an estimate?

If you have a MyChart account, you may use your MyChart app to get an estimate.
Don’t have MyChart? Click here for an estimate or Contact a financial counselor.

In compliance with state law, Akron Children’s is providing this price list, which includes charges for room and board, emergency department, operating room, physical therapy and other procedures. The hospital’s charges are the same for all patients, but a patient’s responsibility may vary, depending on payment plans negotiated with individual health insurance companies. Uninsured or underinsured patients should consult with our admitting and billing staff to determine whether they qualify for discounts. The prices listed are our standard fees before insurance, and are correct as of Jan. 1 of the current year.

You may contact the staff at 330-543-8500, or 1-800-933-7440.

• Patient Price Information List
• Price Estimates

Preparing For Your Child’s Surgery

Before Surgery

Pre-surgical appointment

• You may be scheduled for a pre-surgical preparation appointment within 30 days of your child’s surgery in the perioperative surgical home located on the 8th floor of the Main Hospital Building.
• Your child’s vital signs (heart and breathing rate, temperature and blood pressure) will be checked, blood work drawn and a history and physical completed. This will expedite check-in on the day of surgery and prevent delays.
• A child life specialist may also meet with you and your child to explain the surgery environment and procedures.

Verification and instructions

• Our admitting department will call you 10 to 14 days before surgery to verify patient and insurance information.
• A surgery staff member will call you 1 to 2 business days (Monday-Friday, excluding holidays) before surgery to provide final instructions and confirm surgery time. If you haven’t received a call by the last business day before surgery, call 330-543-1040 after 2 p.m.

Medication, vitamins and herbal supplements

• Heart, asthma or seizure medications should be given the morning of surgery with the smallest amount of water possible.
• Avoid vitamins, herbal products and ibuprofen (i.e., Advil, Motrin, Pediaprofen, etc.) for 10 days before your child’s scheduled surgery date.
• For products with aspirin (i.e., Aspirin, Pepto-Bismol, etc.) or Lovenox, follow the instructions from the doctor who ordered that medication.
• Tylenol or other products with acetaminophen can be given until the night before surgery, unless otherwise instructed by your surgeon/physician.
• Contact your endocrinologist for instructions on taking insulin. You should stop taking Metformin, Diabinase, Glucatrol and Glucophage 24 hours before surgery.

Skin conditions and illness

• Contact us if your child has a rash, cuts or bruises in the surgery area, or has poison ivy, chicken pox or another illness causing a rash.
• Contact us if your child is sick or hospitalized within 2 weeks of the surgery date.

For your child’s health and safety, follow this step-by-step schedule to prepare for anesthesia or sedation. Your child should stop eating food 8 hours before surgery and stop liquids as the procedure time approaches. It is important for your child to have an empty stomach before anesthesia or sedation. Otherwise, food or liquid could get into the lungs if vomiting occurs during the procedure. If you do not follow the eating/drinking instructions your child’s health care team provides, the procedure may be rescheduled.

Day of Surgery

Before you arrive

• Have your child bathe or shower and wash his hair. Follow any special soap/scrub instructions from your surgeon/physician.
• Children may brush their teeth if they are able to do so without swallowing water.
• Remove all make-up, nail polish, jewelry, piercings and hair accessories with metal (including hair extensions).
• Bring a box or case to store contacts and removable orthodontic appliances if you cannot leave them at home.
• Your child should wear loose, comfortable clothing.
• Have your child bring a favorite comfort item to take into surgery. To help prevent infection, wash this item before bringing it to the hospital.

Once you arrive at the hospital

• You must arrive at the hospital 90 minutes before the scheduled surgery start time.
• Your child’s surgery is scheduled in the GOJO Outpatient Surgery Center in Akron. Park in the P2 Exchange Street parking deck, 348 Locust Street. Upon entering the building, you’ll be screened, which includes someone taking your temperature and asking a number of screening questions related to COVID-19.
• Upon arrival, a urine specimen will be collected on all females who have begun menstruation or spotting.
• The anesthesiologist will evaluate your child before the operation to ensure a safe anesthetic during surgery. The type of anesthesia and method of delivery are based on your child’s age, type and length of surgery, general health and other factors.
• Due to visitor restrictions, only one adult is permitted in the pre- and post-operative areas. Child care is not provided.
• A legal guardian must accompany your child to the hospital on surgery day.

After surgery

• The surgeon will speak to you privately about the procedure.
• Your child will be taken to the post anesthesia care unit where 2 visitors older than 18 years will be allowed.
• The outpatient pharmacy is available to fill any home-going prescriptions.
• A parent, legal guardian or other adult must be available to drive the child home

Changes in behavior

You may notice a change in your child’s behavior before or after surgery. Clinginess is a common post-hospital behavior, but children are resilient and they’ll typically work through it. If disruptive behaviors last longer than 6 weeks, talk to your child’s doctor. Encourage your child to play “doctor” and “hospital,” draw pictures of their experience, and/or journal about their experience. These types of activities will help lead them to a healthy recovery.

Should you have questions about preparing your child for anesthesia or sedation, please contact:

GOJO Outpatient Surgery Center Kay Jewelers Pavilion, Third Floor
330-543-1040

Akron Children’s Hospital Surgical Services Main Hospital Building, Fourth Floor
330-543-8529

Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley
The Kikel Center for Pediatric Surgery
Beeghly Campus, Building A 330-746-8110

Presurgery instructions for the Akron campus can be found at: https://www.akronchildrens.org/audio_video/Pre-surgery-preparations-Akron-Campus.html

Presurgery instructions for the Boardman campus can be found at: https://www.akronchildrens.org/pages/Before-surgery-Kikel-Surgery-Center-Beeghly.html

There are two ways to schedule:

• To schedule by phone, call 330-543-2455
• To schedule online, log in to MyChart. Select the patient’s name. Click on “Schedule an Appointment,” and then click on “Financial Counseling.”

You will need the following documentation for your appointment with a financial counselor:

• Driver’s license or valid ID
• Utility bill for proof of address
• Pay stubs from the previous month
• Proof of pregnancy (if applicable)
• Health insurance information (if applicable)
• Social security numbers for all family members Akron Children’s is dedicated to providing medical care to infants, children, teens and burn victims of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay.

COVID-19 can be spread when we breathe, cough or sneeze. Wearing a face covering reduces spread from person-to-person.

The goal is to prevent the virus from spreading. Children under the age of two and those with sensory issues should not wear face coverings.

The key to slowing the spread of COVID-19 is to limit contact as much as possible.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website is a trusted source of information. We recommend you follow the CDC guidelines about Children and their friends (see links below) and stay at least 6 feet away from others outside of your immediate family.

Use face coverings when in public places where you are in close contact with others such as a grocery store, pharmacy, doctor’s office or bank. When you come to Akron Children’s, please wear your face mask. If you don’t have one, we can provide one for you to use.

Your child does not need to wear a face covering at home (assuming they have not been exposed to anyone with COVID-19) or when they are outside, as long as they stay 6 feet away from others. For example, it’s fine to take a walk without face coverings as long as they don’t touch benches, water fountains and playground equipment.

Children who are sick with a fever, cough, congestion, runny nose, diarrhea or vomiting should not leave the home.

Answer provided by John Bower, MD, Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist at Akron Children's Hospital:

There is growing evidence that the transmission risk of COVID from an inanimate item, such as a valentine card, is much lower than previously thought. Yet, our standard remains to clean surfaces and avoid sharing items. The best advice for this Valentine's Day would be to follow the CDC's general recommendation for schools (in short, no shared cards this year):
Shared objects

Limit the use of shared objects (e.g., gym or physical education equipment, art supplies, toys, games, computers) when possible, or clean and disinfect between use.

Discourage sharing of items that are difficult to clean or disinfect such as electronic devices, pens and pencils, classroom stapler, whiteboard markers and erasers, books, games, art supplies (e.g., markers, crayons, scissors), and other learning aids. Soft and porous materials, such as area rugs and seating, may be removed to reduce the challenges with cleaning and disinfecting them.
Keep each student's belongings separated from others' and in individually labeled containers, cubbies, lockers or areas.

Ensure adequate supplies to minimize sharing of high touch materials to the extent possible (e.g., assigning each student their own art supplies, equipment) or limit use of supplies and equipment to one group of students at a time and clean and disinfect between use.

Yes. The vaccine may not only protect you – but people around you.

Despite an unprecedented accelerated pace, these COVID-19 vaccines have been rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness before being authorized for use in the United States.

The FDA requirements and vaccine trials were performed exactly the same way as any other vaccine that is available today. The difference is these vaccines were given more money, more people and researchers, and more attention to push it to the forefront to get the job done.
In other circumstances, vaccine development can take years because companies must first raise funds and staff the project to meet the

FDA requirements. Because of the worldwide crisis, these major components were put in place, with help from the federal government and researchers around the globe, at the start of this project.

Akron Children’s Hospital Sleep Center

PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR A POLYSOMNOGRAM (PSG/SLEEP STUDY)

Parking Instructions and Directions

All patients will go to Admitting on the 3rd floor in the main hospital, before going to the Sleep Lab. Park in the Bowery Street parking deck, P1 (199 West Bowery Street, Akron OH 44308), enter the Considine building on level 3 and take the 2nd bridge to the Main Hospital. Admitting will be on your right past the ball machine and yellow elevators.

The Considine Building main doors lock at 8:00 p.m. If you are being dropped off, you can enter the hospital through the Bowery Street parking deck (P1) and follow instructions above. Information Desks are available until 9:00 p.m. to assist you. Please arrive before 9:00 p.m. If you arrive after 9:00 p.m. the doors to the Considine Building will be locked and you will need to park in the Exchange Street Parking deck and enter through the Kay Jewelers Pavilion P2 (348 Locust Street, Akron OH 44302).

What to do at home before the sleep study

• Complete the 2-week sleep log and patient questionnaire and bring with you to the sleep study.
• Keep normal sleep routines including naps (infants and toddlers).
• No food or drinks containing caffeine 24 hours before sleep testing (coffee, tea, chocolate).
• Eat your dinner before coming to the sleep lab.
• Bathe and cleanse hair without using conditioner.
• Do not use lotion, oils, hairspray, gel or makeup.
• No braids or ponytails are allowed.

What to bring to the sleep lab

• Bring all bedtime medications to give to your child at night and necessary supplies.
• Bring any breathing aids (PAP mask and tubing, vent/trach supplies).
• Bring or wear 2-piece comfortable pajamas. (No one piece pajamas or onesies)
• Bring a light snack and caffeine free drink.
• Bring favorite blanket, pillow, or toy.

Sleep study rules

• Only ONE parent or legal guardian is allowed to stay in the patient room. It is required for the parent to stay the entire night and care for your child for all patients under the age of 18 years old. You are not allowed to leave the sleep lab for any reason during testing.
• No siblings are allowed.
• No cell phone use will be allowed in the sleep testing room once lights are off.

After sleep study

• Unless your child is scheduled for daytime testing, you will be able to leave from the sleep lab between 6:00-6:30 am and it will be necessary to leave the patient room at that time.
• Sleep study results will be sent to the ordering physician within 10 business days.

Contact Information

• Questions, cancel or reschedule call: 330-543-4485 or 1800-262-0333 ext 34485, during Monday-Friday 8-4:30.
• After hours: Sleep lab- 330-543-3390 or contact the Hospital Operator at 330-543-1000 and ask for Sleep Lab

You can also visit us on the web at https://www.akronchildrens.org/sleepcenter

Patients, family members and visitors are prohibited from smoking and using tobacco, tobacco-related products, or E-cigarettes anywhere on ACH premises. Smoking cessation products will be made available to smoking-addicted patients, family members and visitors during the patient’s stay.

No one (including employees, staff under contract with ACH, medical staff, students, volunteers, vendors, or contract workers) will be permitted to smoke or use tobacco, tobacco-related products, or E-cigarettes during their work shift or while on ACH’s premises. This applies to all ACH’s facilities/properties, either owned or leased

Social Work: 330-543-8830 (Akron) or 330-746-9074 (Mahoning Valley)

A social worker at a hospital focuses on improving the emotional well-being of kids and their families and helps coordinate health care. In addition to offering emotional support, a social worker can help the family meet a child’s needs at school or at home.

Our social workers are members of the healthcare team who assist patients and families with the stressors often associated with sudden or chronic illness and its impact on everyday life. We help assess the needs of patients and families, provide supportive counseling, and connect patients and families to the appropriate community or hospital resources.

The mission of Akron Children’s social work team is to provide professional social work services in collaboration with your child’s healthcare team.

We can assist with transportation needs, overnight accommodations during your child’s hospital stay, medical insurance questions, applying for Family Medical Leave, and in some cases, financial assistance.

We often consult with your medical team and help facilitate communication with your doctors and nurses, as well as coordinate your child’s discharge from the hospital.

Our social workers hold master’s degrees and are licensed by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. We must adhere to current licensing requirements in order to remain in good standing.

Special parking needs can be arranged by Public Safety, ++Call: 330-543-8181++, or Social Work, ++Call: 330-543-8830++.

Social Work staff will continue to coordinate referrals for overnight stays at the Ronald McDonald House.

Contact the Children’s Social Work Department at 330-543-8830 if you need help in accessing Protective Services during your hospital stay or visit.

Many times, a patient’s insurance will provide transportation. This can be arranged by the office the appointment will be in. If not, Social Workers can provide assistance through RoundTrip.

How can I speak with a social worker? You may ask your child’s doctor or nurse to contact us for you. Social workers are available on each inpatient floor and in most of our outpatient clinics and the Emergency Department. You may also call the Social Work department, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 330-543-8830. A social worker is available 24 hours a day.

Are social work services confidential? Any conversations you have with a licensed social worker are confidential. This means that in most instances, your hospital social worker is not permitted to disclose information obtained from you to anyone other than your healthcare team without your consent. However, there are exceptions to this general rule, and we may be required to disclose otherwise confidential information in certain situations, such as when:

• Concerns of child abuse or neglect, elder abuse or neglect, or abuse or neglect of a disabled person
• Concern of harm of self or others

Who can I turn to for emotional support? During your child’s hospitalization, you may feel stressed, worried or frightened. Your social worker is available to talk to you and your family about these feelings. In addition, we can connect you with other support services including our chaplains and child life specialists and psychologists.

Our webpage is below, including a Resources tab with information about programs providing assistance including phone numbers for each of these programs:
Social Work | Akron Children’s (akronchildrens.org)

Suicide is a leading cause of death for ages 10-24. Suicides among young people continue to be a serious problem.

If you are in crisis, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or the Crisis Text Line by texting 4HOPE to 741741.

Akron Children’s offers a Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC) 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s a triage and referral service that links families to behavioral health services in Summit County and beyond. It is staffed by licensed social workers and professional clinical counselors who are trained to assess a child’s mental, emotional and behavioral healthcare needs. To contact PIRC, call 330-543-7472.

For more information on signs of suicide and depression and helpful resources, visit the suicide prevention page.

MyChart enables patients to send messages to providers and access their medical information. For patients, it’s a convenient resource, available 24/7. If your child is an existing patient of an Akron Children’s provider, you can message that provider, get a virtual visit for your child, and send requests to renew medications using MyChart.

For help with any of these conditions contact Akron Children’s Center for Allergy and Immunology.

• Allergen avoidance strategies
• Allergen immunotherapy
• Allergic rhinitis
• Allergy action plans
• Allergy prevention
• Allergy skin prick test
• Allergy testing for children
• Allergy-friendly recipes
• Anaphylaxis
• Angioedema in children
• Antihistamines for kids
• Asthma action plan
• Atopic dermatitis
• Autoimmune disorders in children
• Childhood asthma
• Drug allergies
• Dust mite allergy
• Eczema treatment
• Egg allergy
• Environmental allergies
• Epinephrine auto-injectors
• Food allergies in children
• Hay fever in kids
• Hives in children
• Immune system disorders
• Immunodeficiency disorders
• Inhaler techniques for kids
• Insect sting allergies
• Latex allergy
• Milk allergy
• Mold allergies
• Nasal allergies in children
• Nasal corticosteroids
• Nebulizer treatments
• Ocular allergies in children
• Oral immunotherapy
• Peak flow monitoring
• Peanut allergy
• Pediatric allergies
• Pediatric asthma management
• Pediatric immunology
• Pet allergies
• Primary immunodeficiency
• Seasonal allergies
• Sinus infections
• Sublingual immunotherapy
• Tree nut allergies
• Wheezing in infants

On My Way FAQs

How does On My Way work?

To choose the arrival time that meets your needs, visit the Urgent Care website. Click the “On My Way” button, select the location and arrival time for your visit – and provide details including your child’s name, reason for the urgent care visit and your contact information.

What are the benefits of using On My Way?

On My Way allows you to pick your arrival time, so you can wait in the comfort of your own home instead of waiting at Urgent Care. On My Way will also help you check in faster when you arrive at Urgent Care.

If I use On My Way, will I have to wait once I arrive?

We want to help your child get checked in and treated quickly – and using On My Way will help. It’s not a set appointment, though, and other patients may be seen before your child. Thank you for understanding.

Is it still OK to come to Urgent Care without using On My Way?

Yes, walk-ins are welcome. If there are a lot of people waiting for care, however, we may not be able to see everyone who walks in.

Do I still need to check in when I arrive?

Yes, please stop at the Urgent Care desk. Using On My Way will shorten the check-in process.

When using Urgent Care you can select an arrival time to place your name on our list. This is not an actual appointment and wait times may vary.

Do I need a MyChart account to use On My Way?

No, you do not need a MyChart account to use On My Way. If you want to sign up for MyChart, click here to request access.

Is On My Way secure?

Yes. It is part of our secure MyChart platform.

What if I need to change or cancel my arrival time?

Use On My Way to let us know your plans have changed.

I have more than one sick child coming to Urgent Care. Can I use On My Way?

Yes, but you will have to complete one On My Way request and then start a separate session for any additional kids.

Can I use On My Way to choose my arrival time for tomorrow?

No, On My Way only lets you choose a time for today.

Care from the comfort of home: A virtual visit is a safe, convenient and secure way to see an Akron Children’s pediatric provider without having to go to the doctor’s office. Whether you need care right away for a minor injury or illness, or you need to schedule a visit with your pediatrician or specialist, our telehealth services offer the care you need when you need it without having to leave home.

For minor illnesses and injuries, see an Akron Children’s pediatric provider online without an appointment 7 days a week, 365 days a year using Quick Care Online, a convenient alternative to urgent care.

MyChart Telehealth allows patients to schedule virtual visits with their own providers while having the convenience of receiving care in their own home.

• Where to go for treatment guide
• Which type of virtual visit is right for your child?
• Why Quick Care Online virtual visits might be right for your child

Quick Care Online visits are available via mobile device or computer for common issues including:

• Allergies -  If your child has ear pain, please schedule an in-person appointment.
• Cold, flu and cough symptoms -  If your child has ear pain, please schedule an in-person appointment. If any breathing difficulty, wheezing, please schedule in-person appointment.
• Diarrhea
• Fever -  If your child has ear pain, 3 or more days of fever, please schedule an in-person appointment.
• Insect bite - If any breathing difficulty, please schedule in-person appointment.
• Pink eye - If your child is under the age of 2 or has ear pain, please schedule an in-person appointment. Rash
• Rash
• Sore throat - Strep diagnosis will require further testing.
• Stuffy nose
• Sinus -  If your child has ear pain, please schedule an in-person appointment.
• Vomiting

Note: Earaches and ear pain cannot be treated via Quick Care Online. Choose an in-person care option instead.

Quick Care Online is available:

• To anyone age 6 months to under age 21 in Ohio
• Quick Care Online hours are 7 a.m.-9 p.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year
• Using an Android or Apple mobile phone or tablet or a computer with video capability
• Through MyChart, but you are not required to have a MyChart account to use it

How do I pay for a Quick Care Online visit?

Quick Care Online® accepts most health insurance plans in Ohio with the option to submit your plan details. If you use your health insurance, you will not pay anything at the time of the visit, but you will be billed after the visit consistent with your benefit plan.

At the time a visit is requested, you can enter your medical insurance information or elect self-pay. If health insurance option is selected, you will not pay anything at the time of the visit, but you will be billed after the visit consistent with your benefit plan. Regardless of the option you choose, you will be charged one fee per visit, regardless of the length of the visit.

For more information visit https://www.akronchildrens.org/Quick-Care-Online/ and the link below.

How to access Quick Care Online:

• Through the free Akron Childrens Anywhere app for iOS or Android phones and devices.
• Through the free MyChart app for iOS and Android phones and devices.
• Online direct at https://mychart.akronchildrens.org/MyChart/anonymoustelehealth
• On our website at https://www.akronchildrens.org/quickcareonline

Volunteers are a vital part of Akron Children’s Hospital. They help patients and families in many ways, including reading, entertaining baking cookies bedside, cuddling babies and providing creative distractions for patients. In addition, they support departments by running errands.

Fiil out the online application at https://akron.vsyslive.com for shadowing opportunites, volunteer positions, student and teen applications and for Doggie Brigade.

We also have 4-legged volunteers through the Doggie Brigade. More information can be found at https://www.akronchildrens.org/pages/Doggie-Brigade.html

NICU Cuddlers must be 21 years of age and have six months prior volunteer experience at Akron Children’s.

Cuddlers aid neonatal staff in calming and soothing infant patients by cuddling, singing, talking, and reading. Volunteer positions are available at Akron Children’s, Mahoning Valley, Summa, St. Elizabeth and Aultman neonatal departments.

To learn more about volunteering at Akron Children’s, call 330-543-8424 (Akron campus) or 330-746-8350 (Beeghly campus Mahoning Valley). Visit the Volunteer page for more information.

Volunteer Services opportunities at the Akron and Beeghly campuses, and beyond:

• Adults
• Teens (ages 16-18)
• Doggie Brigade

Volunteer placement is based on current position openings. Once accepted, you will be required to complete an online orientation. Our volunteers receive hands-on training for their assignment.

Teen/college student program

Akron Children’s Volunteer Services is happy to announce our enhanced teen/college program, which gives the opportunity to:

• Complete volunteer hours needed for graduation
• Teen application (age 16-graduation)
• College student/adult application
• Learn about Akron Children’s exciting Career Launch program
• Includes three shadow opportunities
• Review available job opportunities
• Monthly progress check-in with staff

For further information, please contact volunteers@akronchildrens.org or 330-543-8424.

Other volunteer opportunities:

• Parent Advisor Program
• Parent Mentor Program
• Teen Advisory Group for former patients
• Holiday Tree Festival
• Friends of Akron Children’s
• TWIG Groups (Together with Important Goals)

Related Resources

• Parent Mentor Program
• Doggie Brigade

Walk for Babies 2024 on Sunday, September 17th, registration opens at 8:15AM, walk starts at 9AM.

Contact Phone 330-523-9503

Contact Email tcooper3@akronchildrens.org

Share the event calendar for Walk for Babies.

Get all the care your athlete needs at the Akron Children’s Health Center in Boston Heights or the Urgent Care in Medina/Montrose.

When should I choose walk-in care instead of making an appointment?
Walk-in care is best for unexpected injuries including knee pain, swelling, sprains and fractures.

If your athlete’s injury is minor and not too painful, you can schedule a Sports Health appointment. Call 330-543-2778 seven days a week, and we’ll schedule you with a sports medicine or orthopedic specialist.

What is the age range of athletes seen for walk-in injury care?
We will see patients with orthopedic and sports-related injuries up to age 26.

What if we need follow-up care after the walk-in visit?
Your athlete will receive priority scheduling for any follow-up care with Akron Children’s Sports Medicine, Sports Rehab or Orthopedics. We will schedule the appointments before you leave.

Who cares for walk-in patients?
We have a team of sports medicine and orthopedic providers who care for patients with sports or orthopedic injuries.

Will insurance cover the walk-in care?
If you have any questions about your coverage, please check with your health insurance provider.

Sports medicine and orthopedic providers treat sports injuries including:

• Fractures/broken bones
• Dislocations
• Sudden knee pain
• Sprains and strains
• Joint pain or swelling
• Simple lacerations

Our Sports Health services include:

• Appointments with orthopedic, sports medicine and sports rehab specialists.
• Walk-in care for orthopedic and sports injuries sprains, swelling, fractures and more provided by sports medicine and orthopedic specialists.
• Northeastern Ohio’s only sports rehab program that focuses on pediatric and young adult athletes.
• Care for athletes from grade school through college. Sport-specific care plans, injury prevention tips and nutrition advice. On-site X-rays.

Locations:
Walk-in Orthopedic and Sports Injury Clinic, Boston Heights
Akron Children’s Health Center, Boston Heights
The Cynthia Parker Matthews Building
328 East Hines Hill Road
Boston Heights, Ohio 44236

Hours:
Monday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday: 3-8 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.-noon
Saturday: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Walk-in Orthopedic and Sports Injury Clinic, Medina/ Montrose
Akron Children’s Urgent Care, Medina/Montrose
4118 Medina Road
Medina, Ohio 44333

Hours:
Monday-Friday: 4-8 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Sports Medicine, Orthopedic and Sports Rehab appointments
330-543-2778

• Bleeding lasting longer than seven days
• Soaking through a pad or tampon in less than two hours
• Passing blood clumps bigger than a quarter
• Bleeding that stops you from going to school or participating in other activities

In the first few weeks of life, babies spend up to 16 hours a day asleep. That’s a lot of time snoozing, which is why it’s important for parents and caregivers to make sure infants are placed in safe sleep positions. Unfortunately in Ohio, 3 babies die each week in unsafe sleep environments. These deaths are preventable by keeping in mind a few safe sleep ABCs: Babies are safest Alone, on their Back, in an empty Crib.

Never sleep with your baby or allow your baby to sleep with another child. Use a firm sleep surface and fitted sheet (without bumper pads, blankets or toys). For more information on safe sleep, visit Safe Sleep and Cribs for Kids.

The tips below have been shown to decrease the risk of SIDS and deaths due to unsafe sleep. All family members, friends, childcare provides and babysitters should follow these recommendations every time a child sleeps.

• Place your baby to sleep in the same room you sleep, but NOT the same bed or sleep surface.
• Always put babies to sleep Alone, on their Backs, in a bare Crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard that meets current safety standards.
• The bed should be flat with a firm mattress and a tight fitted sheet. Do not put a plastic cover over the mattress.
• Do not put toys, stuffed animals, pillows, bumper pads, blankets or anything else in bed with your baby. These items can strangle or suffocate your baby.
• Babies should be dressed in a t-shirt or onesie and a sleeper and/or sleep sack if needed.
• Babies up to 1 year of age should always be placed on their back to sleep during naps and at night.
• Breastfeed as much as you can for as long as you can, this helps reduced the risk of SIDS. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding as the sole nutrition for the first 6 months. When you add solid foods to your baby’s diet, continue breastfeeding until at least 12 months. You can continue to breastfeed after 12 months if you and your baby desire.
• Schedule and go to well-child visits.
• Keep your baby away from smokers and places where people smoke.

Safe Sleep Resources:

• Download & Share Safe Sleep Tips
• Safe Sleep Academy

A COVID-19 vaccine may prevent you from getting the virus altogether – or keep you from having serious complications from the virus. Getting vaccinated may also protect people around you, particularly those at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

The side effects of the Moderna vaccine were generally mild and temporary, including pain at the injection site, headache, fever, fatigue, chills and muscle and joint pain.

About 85% of participants reported pain at the injection site. Other local reactions included redness, swelling at the injection site, and swollen lymph nodes (about 5-15% each). No participants reported severe local reactions.

Systemic reactions were also generally mild to moderate in severity. Most began 1 or 2 days after receipt of the vaccine and resolved within 1-2 days after they began. Systemic reactions were more common after the second dose. In general, both local and systemic reactions were more frequent in younger adults.

Persons less than 55 years of age appear to experience a slightly higher rate of side effects after receipt of the vaccine. About 80% of younger participants and 70% of older participants reported pain at the injection site. This was not significantly different between dose 1 and dose 2. Other local reactions included redness and swelling at the injection site (about 5% each). Only 0.6% of participants reported severe local reactions.

Systemic reactions were also generally mild to moderate in severity. Most began 1 or 2 days after receipt of the vaccine and resolved within 1 day after they began. Participants great than 55 years generally experienced similar reactions to the younger group but at a lower rate. Systemic reactions were more common after the second dose.

Lab hours vary by location and can be found here.

Walk ins are always welcome. You can also schedule an appointment for any lab testing by calling 330-543-2778 (option 3).

Believe it or not, when shopping for swimsuits for your children, color — not style, design or your kids' favorite Disney icons — is of the utmost importance. The color and visibility of your children's swimsuits underwater could actually save their lives!

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 years old and the second-leading cause of injury death for children ages 5 to 9 years.

Drowning is quick and silent — unlike what you see in the movies. Children bob up and down just at the surface trying to get air; they are not splashing around yelling for help. Just below the surface, some swimsuit colors can actually look like a cluster of leaves or debris, and not a struggling child. Other colors can virtually disappear in water.

If you feel your child is having a mild reaction to a recent immunization, contact the provider that gave the immunization for advice. Call 911 immediately for life-threatening reactions.

Emergency departments evaluate patients based on their need for care. All patients are important and will be seen, but some require care more quickly than others. The arrival of trauma patients and the number of patients registered may affect actual wait times.

Scoliosis is curvature of the spine. The cause of most childhood scoliosis is unknown and likely involves many different factors. Scoliosis can be hereditary, so a child who has it might have family members who have it too. In some cases, scoliosis may be due to a neuromuscular disorder that affects a child's ability to control the muscles that support their back and spine.

What do I do if my child has a nosebleed?

• Gently blow out the mucus and unstable clot through the nose.
• Pinch the soft part of the nose below the bony part with your thumb and finger or nose clips and hold for 10 minutes.
• Set a timer and don’t check until the timer is finished.
• Consider applying an ice pack to the bridge of the nose while continuing to pinch the nose.

How can I prevent a nosebleed?

• Place a humidifier in the child’s bedroom. 
• Spray nasal saline into each nostril twice a day.
• Place petroleum jelly/Vaseline/Saline Gel into both nostrils, making sure to cover the nasal septa.
• Avoid nose picking.
• Keep fingernails short to avoid accidentally scratching the inside of the nose.

According to the CDC, the best way to protect your child and others is to have him stay home for 14 days if you think he’s been exposed to someone who has COVID-19. Ohio Department of Health’s website offers information about options to possibly shorten this quarantine period.

Additionally, you should:

• Call your child’s primary care provider if you have questions about care and testing.
• Self-monitor for symptoms:Check temperature twice a day
  Watch for fever (100.4 F), cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms of COVID-19
• Keep your child in a specific room, away from others, during quarantine at home.
• Tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive.
• Contact your child’s school to understand when a return to school and activities is allowed.

It’s important to know that you generally need to be exposed – in close contact – to a person who has COVID-19 while they are contagious to get infected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define close contact as:

• Being within 6 feet of a person who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
• Having direct exposure to respiratory secretions such as being coughed or sneezed on, sharing a drinking glass or utensils or kissing.

How to have a difficult, but honest conversation about exposure to COVID-19.

It’s understandable that telling someone about possible exposure to COVID-19 isn’t an easy or fun conversation to have, but it’s necessary to protect one another. For children, it may be embarrassing or overwhelming to tell friends about exposure so parents are encouraged to take the lead to ensure information is shared with others in a timely manner. Remember, this virus is very contagious and can spread asymptomatically (pre-symptoms) to people, even those who take extreme caution.

Be honest and tell your contacts what you know. If you don’t have the answer, like where your child got it from, that’s okay. The conversation should be informative, not combative or judgmental. Urge your contacts to check with their primary care provider for guidance so they can make their own choices about quarantining and getting tested.

For additional questions or concerns about exposure to COVID-19, contact your child’s primary care provider. Telehealthvisits are also available for most providers.

Patients diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia would be seen in our Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.

Neonatal intensive care unit.

A neonatal intensive care unit, also known as an intensive care nursery, is an intensive care unit specializing in the care of ill or premature newborn infants.

During an asthma flare-up (or attack), the airways in the lungs become irritated and swollen, making breathing harder.

Some flare-ups are mild, but others can be life-threatening. So it's important to know how to spot them and deal with them right away.

If your child has tested positive for COVID-19, we recommend that you call your child’s primary care physician, as well as any subspecialists, to tell them that your child has been tested and is positive for Coronavirus. This will enable you and your provider to make a plan for monitoring your child’s symptoms. If you will be going to an office appointment, please call ahead and inform the practice of the positive result so as not to expose other patients and providers.

When we contract with health plans, our goal is to include all Akron Children’s Hospital services. However, even if Akron Children’s Hospital is listed in your health plan’s Provider Directory as a participating or preferred hospital, it does not always mean that all Akron Children’s services are covered.

You should call the Member Services Department of your health plan or your employer’s Human Resources Department for questions related to the covered benefits of your health plan. Benefit plan designs can be unique by employer, as some employers create narrow networks or tiered benefits for their health plans.

Questions to Ask:

• When checking to see if your child can receive services at Akron Children’s, here are key questions you should ask your health plan:
• Specific Services: Are specific services covered such as Outpatient Laboratory, Physical or Occupational Therapy, Behavioral Health, Home Health Care, etc.?
• Specific Doctors: Is a specific doctor a participating provider in my health plan and are they fully effective with the plan? Akron Children’s may be contracted with your health plan, but the provider may not be fully participating until their credentialing paperwork is complete.
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Are there any out-of-pocket costs I may incur?

Always check with your health plan for the most up-to-date coverage and network participation levels of coverage.

Insurance FAQ

Does Akron Children’s take my insurance?
Benefit plan design can be unique by employer (e.g., narrow networks, tiered benefits, etc.), so it is best for patients and families to call their insurance company to confirm if Akron Children’s is in-network with your insurance. You can call the Member Services phone number on the back of your Member ID card.

How do I find a pediatrician that accepts my insurance?
To find a pediatrician that accepts your insurance you should call the Member Services phone number on the back of your insurance card or check your insurance companies’ website for a list of providers that are in-network.

My insurance changed who should I notify?
If your health insurance has changed, please call your physician’s office, and notify them of your new insurance coverage.

Do you offer services for patients that have out-of-state insurance?
To find out if your insurance covers out-of-state medical care you should call the Member Services phone number on the back of your insurance card to check if your benefit plan will include these services. If you have commercial insurance through your employer, you can also contact you employer’s HR department.

Does Akron Children’s accept out-of-state Medicaid plans?
ACH is contracted with several Pennsylvania and West Virginia Medicaid plans. States have regulations which typically require their members to receive services, if offered, in their home state. Otherwise, all other out-of-state Medicaid patients should be referred to their State Medicaid or Medicaid Managed Care plans to receive scheduled/planned services.

How much will my procedure/service/appointment cost?
Patients can get an estimate for common procedures at Akron Children’s Hospital under Services/Price Estimates at https://www.akronchildrens.org/pages/Financial-Services.html. You can also call the Akron Children’s Financial Counseling Department at 330-543-2455.

Will this procedure/service/appointment be covered by my insurance?
Coverage under a patient’s benefit plan can be verified by contacting your insurance company. It is very important to validate this information as a first step by calling the Member Services number on the insurance ID card or visiting the insurance company website. For patients with commercial insurance, the plan design offered by the employer to its employees determines whether the service is a covered benefit or not. A patient/family can also call their employer’s HR department for benefit plan detail and Summary Benefit Coverage.

I have a question about a balance on my bill.
If you have questions about a bill call Akron Children’s billing office Customer Service team at 330-543-8500.

Why was my insurance not billed?
If you have questions about a bill call Akron Children’s billing office Customer Service team at 330-543-8500.

How can I apply for a payment plan for my bill?
To set up a payment plan with a Financial Counselor call 330-543-2455.

How do I apply for Financial Assistance?
To schedule an appointment with a Financial Counselor call 330-543-2455. To schedule online, log in to MyChart. Select the patient’s name. Click on “Schedule an Appointment,” and then click on “Financial Counseling.”

People with asthma often use inhalers (also called puffers) to take their medications. A spacer (also sometimes called a holding chamber) is a device that makes using an inhaler easier and more effective. It attaches to the inhaler on one end and to a mouthpiece or mask on the other end. When the medication from the inhaler is released into the spacer, it's held inside until it's slowly inhaled through the mouthpiece or mask. It doesn't require special coordination that the use of an inhaler alone requires. A spacer also helps deliver the medication to the airways - instead of the mouth and throat - where it can work better with fewer side effects.

Achondroplasia (ay-kon-druh-PLAY-zhuh) is a skeletal dysplasia. Skeletal dysplasias are conditions that affect the growth of cartilage and bone. Children growing up with achondroplasia can live long and productive lives. Treatment can help with related problems, and new research offers hope for even better treatments. To schedule an appointment, contact our skeletal dysplasia center.

There are two types of tests available for COVID-19:

• A viral test tells you if you have a current infection.
• An antibody test tells you if you had a previous infection

An antibody test may not be able to show if you have a current infection, because it can take 1-3 weeks after infection to make antibodies. We do not know yet if having antibodies to the virus can protect someone from getting infected with the virus again, or how long that protection might last.

Hemophilia is a rare disease that prevents blood from clotting as it should. It happens because the body doesn’t make enough of a protein called a clotting factor. Clotting helps stop bleeding after a cut or injury. If clotting doesn’t happen, someone can bleed easily or longer than normal.

These vaccines do not contain the live virus and do not carry disease, just like many of the other available vaccines today. For this reason, people who receive the vaccine cannot get COVID-19. The vaccine contains mRNA and lipid nanoparticles. The vaccine does not contain and is not made using any human cells, viral vectors, preservatives or adjuvants.

Marfan syndrome is a genetic condition involving the body's connective tissue. Connective tissue gives structure and support to all parts of the body, including the skin, bones, blood vessels, and organs.

MyLocalLink connects individuals and families to critical community services and resources beyond the traditional patient care we provide. Find local services and resources such as health care, job training, food, housing and more on MyLocalLink, a free service offered by Akron Children's Hospital.  Many of the services and programs are free or reduced cost, and some have eligibility criteria. For more information, visit https://www.akronchildrens.org/pages/MyLocalLink-Community-Resources.html

NICView provides families with babies in the Akron Children's Hospital NICU to check on their children even when they can't be by the bedside. For more information, visit
https://www.akronchildrens.org/audio_video/Akron-Children-s-Hospital-NICU-gives-parents-new-way-to-stay-close-to-baby.html

Quarantine
Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Someone in self-quarantine stays separated from others, and they limit movement outside of their home or current place. A person may have been exposed to the virus without knowing it (for example, when traveling or out in the community), or they could have the virus without feeling symptoms. Quarantine helps limit further spread of COVID-19.

Isolation
Isolation is used to separate sick people from healthy people. People who are in isolation should stay home. In the home, anyone sick should separate themselves from others by staying in a specific "sick" bedroom or space and using a different bathroom (if possible).

The fax number for our medical records department is 330-543-5360. For more information on requesting medical records, go to www.akronchildrens.org/records

Amblyopia (am-blee-OH-pee-uh) — or "lazy eye" — is a condition in which the eye and brain don't work together as they should. Kids who have it will develop poor vision in one or both eyes. You may find more information here. Your provider may suggest treastment, or refer you to an eye doctor, or ophthalmologist.

This depends on the child's age and the size of the spinal curve. When scoliosis is mild, it may not require any treatment at all. A scoliosis curve of 10-20 degrees usually means that nothing needs to be done. Scoliosis can get worse during growth spurts, so regular checkups are needed until the child goes through puberty and stops growing. If the curve is 20-45 degrees, the orthopedic provider may suggest nonoperative treatment such as casting, bracing or Schroth physical therapy. If the scoliosis curve is greater than 45-50 degrees, it may mean that surgery is necessary.

Our Tips to Grow by series has been discontinued. Please go to our KidsHealth page to find the information you seek.

von Willebrand disease, or VWD, is a genetic bleeding disorder that prevents blood from clotting properly. Bleeding disorders are rare, but von Willebrand disease is the most common bleeding disorder. This disorder affects males and females equally.

Akron Children's Hospital is dedicated to improving the health of children through outstanding quality patient care, education, advocacy, community service and research.

Akron Children’s seasonal visitor restriction policy is effective Nov.1 – April 1. During this time, visitation to inpatient units is limited to those 12 years and older who do not have cold or flu symptoms. Additionally, the number of visitors in a room will be limited to 4. The policy provides attendings and unit nurse managers discretion for accommodating extenuating circumstances. Critical care units may add further restrictions if needed. Additionally, employees are required to mask for all patient-facing interactions in hematology/oncology, emergency department, urgent care, the intensive care units including PICU and NICU and the special care nurseries.

The hospital's visitation policy has returned to pre-pandemic, non-respiratory season guidelines:

• Parents/legal guardians are welcome 24/7 on patient care units.
• Other family members and friends may visit between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Bedside visitors are limited to 4 at a time.
• Children under 18 must always be with an adult and cannot stay overnight.
• Everyone must wear a visitor pass at all times in the hospital. One-day passes are issued at the information desks. During unstaffed hours, visitors may call Public Safety for a pass. Long-term visitor pass applications are available at nurse stations.
• A support person with a sick child displaying respiratory symptoms should wear a mask to reduce the spread of illness.
• Visitors are encouraged to stay home if they are feeling sick.

Please see unit-specific guidelines below.

Restrictions to Protect our Patients, Visitors and Employees

• No weapons are allowed. Weapons including firearms, knives, and other dangerous items such as illegal drugs are not permitted, even if you have a concealed carry weapon permit.
• Perfume and scented products can cause breathing problems and allergic reactions. Please do not wear these products when visiting.
• Only mylar balloons are permitted in the hospital. We are a latex-free facility.

By taking steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 by limiting close contact, people are facing new challenges and questions about how to meet basic household needs, such as buying groceries and medicine, and completing banking activities. See the website below for more information on this topic.

Ask Children's™ is a referral and information line provided as a free service by Akron Children's Hospital to northeast Ohio families.

Our team has the knowledge and experience to help you locate a primary or specialty care provider, sign up for a MyChart account, and learn more about hospital events and services.

For more information, call :
330-543-2000 or 800-358-5437; Calls are answered Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or write to us here.

Call your doctor if your child has a fever, cough, trouble breathing, sore throat, belly pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, dizziness, or just doesn't feel well. If your child has been near someone with coronavirus or been in an area where lots of people have coronavirus, tell the doctor. Talk about whether your child needs a test for coronavirus. The doctor can decide whether your child:

• can be treated at home
• should come in for a visit
• can have a video or telehealth visit

In a telehealth visit, a health care provider can see your child on video while you stay at home. If you can, choose a telehealth provider who specializes in caring for kids. If the doctor thinks your child needs care right away, they will guide you on where to go. When possible, check for telehealth in your area before anyone in your family is sick.
Watch for signs that your child might need more medical help. Go to the ER if your child:

• looks very sick to you
• has breathing problems. Look for muscles pulling in between the ribs or the nostrils puffing out with each breath.
• is confused or very sleepy
• has chest pain
• has cold, sweaty, pale or blotchy skin
• is dizzy
• has very bad belly pain

Call 911 if your child is struggling to breathe, is too out of breath to talk or walk, or turns blue or has fainted.

It takes time for your body's immune system to respond to the vaccine and generate protection. With a two-dose vaccine, like the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, it takes about two weeks from the second dose for a vaccine's protection to kick in fully.

Room Service Dining (Akron)
Hours: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Room Service Dining (Beeghly campus)
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Good nutrition is important to your child’s recovery. We realize your child may be on a different schedule in the hospital and not ready to eat at traditional meal times. Our room service dining allows your child to have meals cooked to order when they are ready to eat.
A room service menu is available at the bedside when you arrive (or ask your nurse).

Foods are prepared fresh and delivered within 45 minutes of ordering time. Your child can also order ahead and tell us the time they want their meal to arrive.
For special diets, a diet technician is available to assist with selections.

Guest meal trays

You may purchase a guest tray if you would like to enjoy a meal with the patient. For details, check with your nurse.

Children should wear face coverings in places where they may not be able to avoid staying 6 feet away from others. For example, if you have to take them to the doctor, pharmacy, or grocery store. Children do NOT need to wear a face covering at home assuming they have not been exposed to anyone with COVID-19 or when they are outside as long as they can stay at least 6 feet away from others and can avoid touching surfaces.

No timeline for children has been established yet. The hope is vaccines safe for children will be available before the fall of 2021.

We are screening patients and visitors at the following entrances.

Akron campus:

• Exchange Street parking deck - Level 3 bridge - 24/7
• Emergency Department entrance for ED patients only - 24/7
• Considine Professional Building - valet entrance and Level 3 entrance from Bowery parking deck - Monday-Friday: 5 a.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

Mahoning Valley campus:

• A Building - south entrance - Open Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• B Building - Emergency Department entrance for ED patients only - Open 24/7
• D Building - lobby entrance - Open 24/7

You can schedule a comprehensive well visit with your child’s primary care provider and have your sports forms completed. Our Quick Care locations in Austintown, Boardman and Ravenna offer sports physicals for $45 per athlete, payable at the time of service. Sports physicals are also available at our Sports Medicine locations.

Please see the Employee Health page on myKidsnet for employee vaccination information.

Our hospital gift shops on both campuses sell Akron Children’s logo apparel and we have an online team shop where you may order logo merchandise and have it shipped to your home.

The consent form is located on our School Health Services page. Please download, complete, sign and mail the form.

If you need to bring a child for a primary care or specialty visit, please bring a handwritten note signed by a parent that has custody of the child. In the case of shared custody, it could be signed by either parent. The note should include the patient’s name and birthdate and a phone number where that parent could be reached, if necessary, during the visit.

For an emergency or urgent care visit, bring a letter written by a parent that includes the following information:

• Name(s) and birthdate(s) of child(ren)
• All current medications, including dosages
• Date of last tetanus immunization
• Any known health conditions/concerns
• Any allergies to food or medication
• Name(s), address(es) and phone number(s) of the assigned/temporary caregiver(s)
• Name, address and phone number of child’s/children’s pediatrician/primary care doctor
• Insurance company name with policy and group numbers
• Your preferred hospital or treatment facility (Urgent or Quick Care)
• All phone numbers by which you could be contacted. The hospital will make every attempt to contact you for consent prior to treatment, with the exception of a life-threatening situation
• Parent’s signature and printed name

The assigned/temporary caregiver should have the letter with them when presenting to the hospital, emergency room or urgent care.

Maps of our hospital campuses can be found at https://www.akronchildrens.org/pages/Parking.html

Akron Children's Hospital is committed to providing nurses with a supportive and educational environment throughout their transition from student to professional.
Akron Children's Hospital Nurse Residency Program is accredited with distinction as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs. We received this recognition in 2018 and 2021.

The one-year residency program assists new nurses in gaining the skills and confidence needed as they transition to becoming competent professional nurses in a clinical environment. Nurses hired by Akron Children's who have less than one year of experience are enrolled upon hire. Each nurse resident is provided with a preceptor for clinical support through orientation, a facilitator and peer support group to ease the transition to the nurse's new role, structured educational experiences designed to develop competence in nursing practice, simulation experiences and support in incorporating research-based evidence linked to outcomes in practice through completion of a scholarly project. New resident cohorts begin on a bi-monthly basis, with an average class size of 18. Approximately 100 nurse residents begin the program annually.

Akron Children's Hospital Nurse Residency Program is recognized by the ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation Program® (PTAP) as an Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAP).

Our Stem Cell Transplant program handles all aspects of bone marrow transplants.

Tonsillectomies are performed by an otolaryngologist/ ear, nose & throat doctor. You can find more information on the ENT department page.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization websites are trusted sources of information. If you have specific questions, call the Summit County Public Health line at 330-926-5795 or the Summa Health hotline at 234-867-6314.

The Ohio Department of Health is also operating a hotline for questions about COVID-19. The number is 833-427-5634 or 833.4.Ask.ODH. The hotline hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m., seven days a week.

Log in to ReadySet here.

The Resident Review Course is for current PL 3 residents at Akron Children's Hospital and is held annually during the month of June. For more information, please call 330-543-8178.

The timekeeping app is located in the quick links section of myKidsnet.

A list of breast pump rooms available for employees is on the Employee Perks page of myKidsnet.

You may download the proper insulin administration method packet and release of information form here.

See all our parking decks

Akron Campus
Kay Jewelers Pavilion, Floor 4
Building address: 156 W. Exchange Street
Closest parking: Exchange Street Parking Deck, on the ground level
Take the parking deck elevator to the third floor and use the Exchange Street Bridge to enter the Kay Jewelers Pavilion for screening. Then follow signs to the Immunization Clinic. Visit https://www.akronchildrens.org/parking for maps, traffic and construction information.

Boardman Campus
Building C, Floor 2
6505 Market Street, Suite 2100
Follow signs for Immunization Clinic. Free surface parking available. For more information and maps, visit https://www.akronchildrens.org/parking

Akron Children’s has several urgent cares throughout northeast Ohio. Visit this our urgent care home pagefor locations, directions and hours.

The vaccine is currently being offered at our Akron and Mahoning Valley campuses. We hope to expand to additional locations in the future. Check this page for updated information on available locations.

The providers from the Lorain ACHP/pediatric office moved to the Amherst location when it opened.

Here’s a handy guide that will help you make a decision on where to seek care when your child is not well.

These are general guidelines to help you make health care decisions. If your child’s primary care office is closed or full, get care for minor illness and injury with Quick Care Online, in-person Quick Care or Urgent Care. For emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

Call your healthcare professional if you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if you live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.

Your healthcare professional will work with your state’s public health department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

For the Public Vaccine Program, the hospital will be administering either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, based on vaccine availability.

Our ear, nose and throat (ENT) providers perform frenectomies as an outpatient procedure. Here's a link to the ENT department page with an appointment phone number. https://www.akronchildrens.org/departments/ENT-Center.html

Our clinic team includes surgeons, advanced practice providers and occupational therapists. In some cases, you may see an advanced practice provider first. All our hand surgeon clinics are staffed with an occupational therapist you can see during the same visit if your child needs a splint or therapy exercises.

We don't know the frequency of the COVID-19 vaccine yet. The initial goal is to get as many people vaccinated as possible, studying and learning along the way.

Our providers will thoroughly evaluate your child and determine if surgery is recommended. Whenever possible, we aim to utilize all appropriate non-operative treatments before proceeding to surgery. When surgery is recommended, both our surgeons and our anesthesia team have additional training in pediatric care to optimize your child’s experience and outcome.

Currently, there is no charge for the vaccine itself. We may bill your insurance a vaccine administration fee as this helps us support the costs of the public vaccination program. However, you will not be required to make a co-pay at the visit. In addition, you will not receive any bill or "balance bill" from Akron Children's regardless of whether your insurance pays or not. We will still give you the vaccine at no charge even if you are uninsured or your insurance does not cover the vaccine.

Scoliosis can get worse during growth spurts, so your orthopedic provider will monitor your child closely during their active growth years. After your child stops growing, mild or moderate scoliosis usually doesn't get worse over time. However, severe scoliosis may continue to worsen, so surgery is usually recommended.

The Akron Children's Women's Board helped form the hospital in 1890 and, more than 130 years later, continues to support both the hospital and surrounding communities. The Women's Board consists of 75 active members, including five officers who also serve on the Hospital Board of Directors.

The Women's Board's mission is dedicated to the support, protection and welfare of children by working to enhance community involvement, increase advocacy and raise funds for Akron Children's.

Yes, transportation by ambulance is arranged for the patient if they need to be transported to another hospital for an inpatient stay.