These designers create runway-worthy looks in The 330. From a kimono-inspired wedding gown to a structured burnout brocade lamé dress, these garments elevate local style.
Meet local doctors making a difference. Plus, discover over 350 doctors in 56 specialties on the Top Doctors list.
Comments? Got something to say about an article you read in Akron Life? Or maybe you want to tell us about something great happening in the area. Send comments and suggestions to: Akron Life, 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313, and please include your name and address. Or email them to editor@ bakermediagroup.com. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Send us pics of yourself with a copy of Akron Life, and end up on this page! Images and descriptions can be sent to editor@bakermediagroup.com.
FOUNDER
Don Baker Jr [ 1940-2018 ]
PUBLISHER
Colin Baker
cbaker@bakermediagroup.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Kelly Petryszyn kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Cameron Gorman
cgorman@bakermediagroup.com
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Xaverie Baker
xbaker@bakermediagroup.com
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ PHOTOGRAPHER
Erin Gulling
egulling@bakermediagroup.com
SALES
Bunny Lacey
Steve Tyson
Tyler Bohinc sales@bakermediagroup.com
CIRCULATION
circulation@bakermediagroup.com 330-253-0056, ext. 104
GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN
Sprout Dickerson
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Drew Berkshire
Dennis Farahani
Jillian Flack
MAY 2026 | VOLUME 24 | ISSUE 5 (ISSN No. 74470 57871)
Oscar-, Emmy- and Tony Award-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell delivered an incredible, inspiring presentation about how Akron shaped him at the Akron Roundtable in April — and senior sales account executive Bunny Lacey got to meet him! She brought the April issue of Akron Life to the acclaimed “Wicked” costume designer, who started out designing theater costumes at Buchtel High School. Tazewell spoke about the importance of collaboration, acceptance, love and believing in oneself. Celebrating 50 years, the Akron Roundtable’s May 21 program features Daryl Tol, president and CEO of HATCo and acting president and CEO of Summa Health.
akronlife is published monthly by Baker Media Group, LLC, 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313. Copyright 2026© by Baker Media Group, LLC, All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited without written permission. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by an addressed envelope and sufficient postage. Baker Media Group, LLC and akronlife accept no responsibility for unsolicited material.
Subscription rates: Continental U.S., One year —$19.95, Two years —$34.95. Call for Alaska, Hawaii or international rates. Single issues available by calling the circulation department or visiting akronlife.com/store. $4.95 each plus $3.50 shipping & handling. Editorial, advertising and business offices: (330) 253-0056, fax (330) 253-5868.
THERE’S MERIT IN TEACHING KIDS THE VALUE OF HARD WORK.
We always have office work to do around the magazine — so Sue, who is in charge of accounting, asked if my son, Bodhi, would like to separate and shred papers. What kid doesn’t want to make some money? He was excited about the idea of working and earning cash.
I don’t think Bodhi has ever really understood where money comes from, and it was a great opportunity to teach him about working hard at something and getting paid for your time and effort. The idea that he could go to Target and pick out something he wanted with the money he earned was pretty exciting.
I grew up around a family business, and I can’t remember a time when I was not working at my dad’s auto parts store. Work needed to be done — why not get the kids working? I would box parts up to be shipped and stamp catalogs to be sent out. One summer, I remember doing all the shipping and receiving. Somewhere there are UPS logs with writing from a 10-year-old kid. I can’t believe my dad trusted me to handle things.
That was just how he was. He would give you a job and teach you how to do it, then walk away and let you handle it. And in the end, I would make it happen. What a great lesson in hindsight. At the time, I probably didn’t appreciate it. I was just a kid doing what my dad asked me to do. But looking back, I realize he was teaching me responsibility, trust
and the value of completing something you started. He didn’t hover. He didn’t micromanage. He just expected you to figure it out, and somehow you did. Bodhi took his work seriously. When he got home from school, he would go through the boxes and separate the pages so the check stubs could be shredded. He was methodical about it, maybe more than I expected. There’s something about earning your own money that changes the way you approach a task. It’s not just completing chores or helping out. It’s a job, and there’s pride in that.
After he was done with the work, he spent all the money he earned at Target — and is now begging me for more work to do. That’s the best outcome I could have hoped for. He didn’t just blow through the money without thinking. He earned it, he enjoyed spending it, and now he wants to earn more. That’s the cycle you want kids to understand early. Work leads to reward, and if you want more reward, you do more work.
I’m not saying I’m going to give him lots of responsibility at the magazine, but I do think there’s value in letting him contribute in small ways. It’s the same philosophy my dad had. Give them responsibility, show them how to do it right, then step back, and let them take ownership. I’m trying to pass that along to Bodhi the same way it was passed to me. And if he keeps asking for more work, I’ve got plenty of filing that needs to be done.
With sand from the Bahamas, kiddos ages 7 and under can play in an over 1,000-square-foot oversized sandbox at the new Fairlawn Little Diggers that opened in March. The space is filled with more than 200 construction-themed toys, including ride-on excavators, buckets, foam blocks and sifters. The signature Sand Stacker lets children scoop and transport sand with a conveyor belt in a way that mimics real construction work. Staffers regularly sift the sand to keep it pristine, treat the sand with a nontoxic cleaning solution and use an air filtration system. Walk in daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parents can watch from a cafe that offers organic, allergen-friendly and dye-free packaged snacks and refrigerated drinks as well as coffee and tea. “We’ve had a great response from the community,” says co-owner Ruth Jones. “It really helps bring out some of their creativity!”
33 Shiawassee Ave., Fairlawn, 234-678-0019, littlediggersplayspace.com
This patio season, return to the reopened Akronym Brewery and its downtown Akron tented biergarten, along with its streetside patio featuring string lights and heaters. After closing in 2024 following nearly seven years in business, Akronym reopened in fall 2025 under a new owner from the Brew Kettle. An original Akronym brewmaster, Shawn Adams is back — and Akronym continues to lean into what it does best: lagers. Its about 14-beer list includes Kernel of Truth, a classic American lager. A Czech pilsner, Czech 123 Czech 123, is Adams’ personal favorite. Akronym’s popular the Daily Grind, a coffee cream ale made with beans from Akron Coffee Roasters, earned a bronze medal at the 2026 Ohio Beer Awards. Order from an expanded drinks menu with cocktails and wine, as well as a new chef-driven food menu with sandwiches, rice bowls and flatbreads. Look for regular weekend events. “The goal is to create a lively summer atmosphere that brings people downtown,” says Adams, “and keeps them coming back.”
58 E. Market St., Akron, akronymbrewing.com
The Sweat Now, Wine Later Adventure Race in Canton May 9 challenges participants to work hard before earning a well-deserved glass of wine at the finish line. Hosted by Canton Parks and Recreation, the race starts at Martindale Park with a 1.5-mile kayak trip along Nimishillen Creek before transitioning into a roughly 2.5-mile run or walk to the finish line at Gervasi Vineyard. Finishers can celebrate their achievement with a glass of wine from Gervasi Vineyard or strawberry sage lemonade. Weaving through Canton’s urban landscape, the approximately 4-mile course combines water and land elements to create a race that embraces both the journey and the scenery — and that glass of wine is a nice reward too. cantonparksandrec.com
“Anything for fashion!” remarked model Anna Owens as she stood in front of a fan to cool herself at Akron Life’s fashion feature photo shoot. She sported a three-piece pink-and-black look with black evening gloves, a black hat and black knee-high boots on an upper-70s day inside a Canal Place studio without central air conditioning. With nine models, four fashion designers, two photographers and one editor, the massive hourslong shoot was quite the feat.
So much was happening at once. Using her emergency sewing kit, TEN23 Atelier designer Jenny Smas repaired a burnout brocade lamé bustier and then moved on to pinning hip pads and a black overlayer atop a model’s black pencil skirt as part of a look with three layers, black evening gloves, a hat and heels. Kissed by Bo designer Braisha Owens-Mount applied makeup and called in three models as reinforcements. Sun in Leo designer Justine Gallo jumped in to help steam garments. I assisted in pulling garments out of bags and finding matching accessories and shoes. Models swiftly changed outfits — often, two were posing simultaneously in different alcoves of the studio as the photographers roved around and other models stood dressed on deck. A lot goes into a group fashion photo shoot.
Enjoy the fashion feature, with stunning photos showcasing the collections of Kent State University fashion graduates, on pg. 23. Plus, we introduce you to other makers, boutiques and more in The 330.
That wasn’t my first fashion shoot. As a Kent State student, I was a member of the Fashion Journalism Team. Now, Kent State has several fashion groups, such as the Fashion Collective and A magazine, as well as a fashion media minor. Most of those things weren’t around when I was in school — and A was Artemis, a women’s magazine, before it switched to primarily fashion. So, a grassroots group of fashion and journalism students collaborated to form the Fashion Journalism Team. We blogged and did photo shoots of the design students’ collections. We dragged lights, cords and reflectors to do shoots on the banks of the Cuyahoga River and in a nearby industrial building. Looks included fur-lined coats, black ball gowns with grayscale images, retro swimsuits and more. We did a few shoots in Rockwell Hall too. Being a part of fashion shoots was a dream come true for me. What’s so impressive about fashion design is the work that goes into these collections. Jazmine Fischer-
Veal spent five months creating her 17-look Aquarius collection and five months making her 15-look Gemini collection — all while working as a firefighter. It paid off, as both collections were shown at New York Fashion Week. Fashion is her passion and brings her joy. In addition to her collection, she featured seven designers in her Experience: The Runway From New York to Akron show in February.
“I wanted to bring that art home,” she says. “I wanted them to see something different. I want people to see that you can put fashion in Akron.”
Smas remarked that she was so thankful we were shining a light on the designers’ art. She committed to the Experience show late and only had about three months to craft her six-look collection.
“Part of the reason I love design from the beginning was that you’re taking something that you imagined in your head, and you’re turning it into a 3D physical garment,” she says. “When you see somebody’s face light up when they put on one of your pieces, that’s a really rewarding thing.”
In a way, fashion and writing share that — we make something out of nothing. Each issue starts as notes in a Google Doc and scribbles on a yellow legal pad before the interviewing, writing, photographing and designing combine to make the magazine in your hands. Support these designers and makers in The 330 — they are far from finished.
“I’m really proud of what happened,” Fischer-Veal says. “I’m excited to do more.”
the essential social digest
Through 5/31 “The Woman Behind the Lens: Frances Benjamin Johnston and the American Presidency”
A pioneering photojournalist in the 1890s, Johnston took photos of famous faces, Black and Native American students, historic gardens and presidents. Explore her work across genres. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, Canton. Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday noon-4 p.m. $17 adults, $16 seniors, $15 kids 3-18, 2 & under free. mckinleymuseum.org
Through 5/10 “A Meeting of Cultures: Fashioning North Africa”
This exhibit is the first of its kind in the world to focus specifically on contemporary fashion designers and influencers in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. It broadens the scope of scholarship on fashion history. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. TuesdaySaturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, staff & all on Sundays, otherwise general admission $10. kent.edu/museum
Through 5/17 “Into the Breeches” The show must go on! During World
War II, while the men are away at war, a group of women — determined to continue their theatrical run — decide to mount an all-female performance of Shakespeare’s “Henriad.” Greystone Hall, Henry C. Bishop Stage, 103 S. High St., Akron. Various times. $5 & up. ohioshakespearefestival.com
Through 6/28 “LeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of Style”
Highlighting his early fashion illustration work, this exhibit on LeRoy Neiman showcases his lesser-known work as a fashion illustrator and explores its influence on his lifelong interest in capturing the clothing, gesture and style of subjects. See 85 illustrations, many on public view for the first time. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, staff & all on Sundays, otherwise general admission $10. kent.edu/museum
Through 6/30 “A Gift in Ink”
Peruse a selection of prints donated to the Kent State University School of Art Collection by the New York Print Club. Library, Michener Gallery, 1125 Risman Drive, Kent. Hours vary. kent. edu/galleries
Through 7/5 “Transfiguration: Rachel Libeskind and the Tiffany Window” See a rare, restored stained glass Tiffany window, depicting the Transfiguration of Christ, alongside new work by artist Rachel Libeskind. These works speak in tandem to themes of transformation. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday noon-5 p.m., Thursday noon-9 p.m. Adult general admission $12, free on Thursdays. akronartmuseum.org
Submit events on akronlife.com or email cgorman@bakermediagroup.com.
Through 7/12 “Play Like a Girl: Flag Football in the City of Champions”
Learn about what makes flag football different than tackle football with this exhibit, featuring action shots, portraits of players and a mini-documentary covering the season. Paul Brown Museum, Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sunday 2-5 p.m. Free. massillonmuseum.org
Through 8/23 “Sparkle: The Style and Jewelry of Aileen Mehle”
Browse the dresses and jewelry of widely syndicated society columnist Aileen Mehle at this exhibit. Designers she wore included Oscar de la Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Tiffany & Co. and more. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, staff & all on Sundays, otherwise general admission $10. kent.edu/museum
5/1-5/17 “Fiddler on the Roof”
Presented by Boom! Theater
On select dates, take in the story of Tevye, a Jewish milkman living in Russia in 1905. His daughters buck the tradition of arranged marriage by falling in love with men of their own choosing — and, amid cultural and generational conflict, along with rising anti-Semitism, the family is forced to leave the only village they’ve ever called home. This resonant musical is Tony Award-winning. Akron Civic Theatre, The Knight Stage, 182 S. Main St., Akron. Various times. $25 & up. akroncivic.com
5/3 Healthy Kids Day
Make crafts, do archery, canoe, climb high ropes and more during a day for kids 3 to 12 years old at Camp Y-Noah. Camp Y-Noah, 815 Mount Pleasant Road, Clinton. 1-4 p.m. Free. akronymca.org/healthykids
5/6 Sunset Wildflower Walk
Explore the forest and find spring ephemerals during the beautiful sunset. Join a naturalist to hike a section of the 2.8-mile Valley Link Trail, and learn identification tips and more. Sand Run Metro Park, 1400 Sand Run Parkway, Akron. 6:30-8 p.m. summitmetroparks.org
5/6, 5/13, 5/20 & 5/27 Co-Work
Wednesdays at Basecamp Coffee Bar
Do remote work from the Basecamp Coffee Bar on Wednesday mornings. Members enjoy free drip coffee, while all enjoy $2 off all specialty drinks and $5 off day passes. Rock Mill Climbing, Basecamp Coffee Bar, 677 Carroll St., Akron. 9 a.m.-noon. rockmillclimbing.com
May is Mental Health Awareness Month — but mental health isn’t just something we should be conscious of once a year. Taking care of the mind is just as important as taking care of the body, and both are deeply connected. Mental wellness is a foundational pillar of our overall health and requires continuous investment and awareness. Like a garden, our minds and bodies need consistent tending — not just when things start to wilt. Thankfully, there are numerous mental health organizations and advocates available to help provide resources and support during those challenging times in life. In moments when things get dark, Ellie is here to stand beside you and help navigate those storms. You do not have to carry that weight alone, and you do not have to suffer in silence. There are so many professionals and organizations willing to provide support.
Ellie specializes in equipping individuals with the tools and knowledge to embrace their experiences, learning and growing from them no matter how challenging they may be. We are all on this journey called life, and none of us are exempt from the pain and suffering that inevitably come during certain seasons of it. Therapy is the bridge that takes you from “just getting through the day” to actually “enjoying your life.” If you are ready to transition from surviving to thriving, Ellie is here to help. Come to Ellie locations in Akron and Hudson and finally give yourself permission to live the life you deserve!
elliementalhealth.com
Thursday May 21,2026
5/8 Friday Night Frogs
Bring a headlamp or flashlight to search for amphibians on a night hike. Munroe Falls Metro Park, 1088 North Ave., Tallmadge. 8:30-10 p.m. summitmetroparks.org
5/9 “Carmina Burana”
Hear the classic “O Fortuna” live, with over 100 voices singing, at this performance of Ravel’s “Bolero,” Brouwer’s “Rhapsody Concerto for Orchestra” and Orff’s “Carmina Burana” by the Akron Symphony Orchestra. This season finale promises to be “the season finale to end all finales,” and features soprano Sonya Headlam, tenor Chris Albanese and baritone Brian Johnson. E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron. 7:30-9:30 p.m. $7 & up. akronsymphony.org
5/9 Hats & Heels: A Mother’s Day Gathering
Dress in your best spring outfit and celebrate the mothers in your life with a special gathering at Gervasi Vineyard. Enjoy a complimentary mimosa, tea, a gourmet coffee bar, savory bites and delicious pastries. Gervasi Vineyard, the Villa Grande, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 2 p.m. $44. gervasivineyard.com
5/10 Mother’s Day
Admission to the Akron Zoo is free for all mothers and grandmothers! Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Drive, Akron. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Moms and grandmas free, $11$21 otherwise, Akron Zoo members & infants under 2 free. akronzoo.org
5/10 Back Yards Gone Wild: Gardening on a Budget
If you’re gardening with native plants on a budget, this event is for you. Join other local gardeners to learn about local sales, how to start plants from cuttings or seeds and more. Close things out with a plant swap! Liberty Park, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg. 2-3:30 p.m. summitmetroparks.org
The cannabis-related business landscape continues to evolve and with it comes a unique set of financial challenges. From shifting regulations to limited access to traditional banking, operators are often asked to do more with fewer reliable tools. The businesses that succeed are the ones that find partners who understand the space and remove friction from day-to-day operations.
Access matters. Not just access to accounts, but access to expertise, to compliance and to a team that knows how to navigate complexity without slowing you down. Financial services should support your growth — not stand in the way of it. That means secure, dependable cash handling, clear processes and systems that keep your business moving without unnecessary steps.
As cannabis-related businesses grow, so do their needs. Expansion, new technology and operational efficiency all require capital and a financial partner who can keep pace. Just as important, your employees need simple, reliable ways to manage their own finances. When everything works together, your business runs smoother and your team feels supported.
Real progress in this space comes from consistency, trust and a commitment to doing things the right way. It is not about quick fixes. It is about building a foundation that can adapt as the industry continues to change.
At the end of the day, cannabis-related businesses deserve financial services that are as forward-thinking as they are. When the right systems and support are in place, growth feels more manageable, decisions feel clearer and your focus can stay where it belongs — on running your business.
communitychoicecu.com
Kids ages 3 to 15 can join the Perry Township Police Department for a fishing event at Petros Lake Park. Fishing poles are available while supplies last and bait is free! Look out for door prizes and concessions as well. Petros Lake Park, 3519 Perry Drive SW, Canton. Registration begins at 4 p.m., fishing from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Prizes to follow. starkparks.com
Enjoy a party all about the ‘80s at the Akron Art Museum with Circa Pop! Dress up in your favorite ‘80s attire, and get ready to dance to tunes spun by a DJ, take part in themed activities and encounter surprises as well. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. 7:3011 p.m. $15-$75 akronartmuseum.org
Talk about making your garden more appealing to creatures of the night, such as fireflies, bats and moths. Learn about night-blooming flowers, fireflyfriendly yards and more. Munroe Falls Metro Park, 521 S. River Road, Munroe Falls. 10-11 a.m. summitmetroparks.org
Presented by Wayside Furniture, the fifth annual Native Plant Festival kicks off the start of summer! Learn about incorporating native plants into your gardenscape, meet Summit Metro Parks staff, local landscapers and more — plus shop for native plants and join educational sessions. Participants receive a free seed packet or seedling while supplies last. Munroe Falls Metro Park, 521 S. River Road, Munroe Falls. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. summitmetroparks.org
5/16 Guided Forest Therapy for Adults
Feel immersed in the beauty of nature on Stan Hywet’s grounds during this research-backed wellness experience. It’s based in the Japanese tradition of Shinrin-Yoku. Guided invitations, mindful walking and quiet reflections help you reconnect with yourself. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. 11 a.m. Member adult $35, non-member adult $50. stanhywet.org
5/21 Akron Roundtable: Daryl Tol Daryl Tol, the president of Health Assurance Transformation Co., helps
to transform health systems into “resilient, vibrant organizations.” HATCo has signed an agreement to acquire Summa Health, and Tol is leading the integration and helping to plan for transformation with Summa Health. Quaker Station, 135 S. Broadway St., Akron. 11:30 a.m. lunch, noon presentation. $30 per seat, includes lunch. akronroundtable.org
5/21 Downtown Kickoff to Summer Party
Kick off summer at Lock 3! Lock 3, 200 S. Main St., Akron. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. downtownakron.com
5/22 Creative Exchange
Hosted by the Akron Black Artist
Guild, this one-day professional development experience is designed to strengthen the capacity, sustainability and economic mobility of artists across Northeast Ohio. Bounce Innovation Hub, 526 S. Main St., Second Floor, Akron. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $25 students (18 & up), $35 general registration. abaguild.org
5/22 River Butcher
Los Angeles-based standup comic, writer and actor River Butcher makes his way to the Akron Civic stage! The Akron native was featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary “Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” and more. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 7:30 p.m. akroncivic.com
5/23-5/25 Renaissance Faire
Join fellow Renaissance Faire enthusiasts at the Akron Zoo, where music, snacks, games and live entertainment reign! Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Drive, Akron. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Non-member adults $25. akronzoo.org
5/23 AOH Akron Feis
Celebrate Irish culture, talent and rhythm at this event! Dancers of all ages showcase their skills as part of a spirited competition. John S. Knight Center, 77 E. Mill St., Akron. Check website for time and cost. visitakron-summit.org
5/26 Music in the Park: Season Kick-Off
The Metro Parks Ensemble has been bringing music to the parks for 25 years! Celebrate its anniversary with this special performance, and enjoy light refreshments as well. Bring a chair or blanket. In the event of weather, the concert will be moved indoors. Goodyear Heights Metro Park, 2077 Newton St., Akron. 7-8 p.m. summitmetroparks.org
5/30 Read for a Greener Akron
Attend a free kickoff event for the Read for a Greener Akron program at Hardesty Park! Afterward, families complete a six-week reading passport, complete with activities such as reading, donating, reusing and getting out in the community. Finished passports mean prizes — and entry to win a grand raffle prize! Register by May 29. Hardesty Park, 1615 W. Market St., Akron. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., tinyurl.com/greenakron
5/31 Kayak Open House
Learn basic kayaking techniques at this open house, then take a short self-guided paddle on the lake, overseen by certified instructors. The minimum age to participate is 13. Those 13 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult participant. Wear closedtoe shoes and clothes that can get wet, and make sure you are able to swim. Bring a water bottle — all equipment is provided. Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron. 1-3 p.m. summitmetroparks.org
Jamie Lozier knew her foster daughter struggled with picky eating and wouldn’t like the dinner she’d prepared. Still, Jamie encouraged her to try the meal.
“Her and I sat at a separate table, and I said, If you eat this, and at least try it, then I’ll make you a bowl of chili. And so, she ate it. I told her I was really proud of her,” recalls Lozier, who then made the child chili. “I was folding laundry, and she came to me with a thank you note.”
Moments like this stick with Jamie — a mother to nine kids, including two children in foster care and seven forever children, including adopted and biological kids. She and her husband, Dustin, always knew they wanted a big family. So, after they had their two biological sons, they decided to look into adoption.
“My father was adopted, my grandmother was adopted, so there’s a history of adoption in our family,” Jamie says. “We wanted to adopt the kids who needed us the most. And so that took us down the foster care route.”
Jamie and Dustin went straight to Summit County Children Services to begin their fostering journey. After taking preservice training classes, the Loziers went through the home study process, which includes inspections of the home and interviews with family members. Finally, they obtained their license and had their first placement in 2017.
“I was actually in the kitchen when we got the call, and my boys were so excited because our first placement was two little girls,” Jamie says. “They danced around the kitchen and were so excited that there was going to be two little sisters, one for each of them.”
SCCS Foster Home Coordinator Amy Peresta has been working with the Lozier family for a little more than a year, providing ongoing support. “The Loziers are incredibly amazing people,” she shared via email. “They are a large, loving
family and lead a very busy life. But Mr. and Mrs. Lozier wouldn’t have it any other way. They are truly the epitome of what ‘being present’ in a child’s life is all about.”
For the Loziers, the end goal is always reunification.
“We have been blessed to grow our family through adoption as well through our fostering journey, but not every child stays,” Jamie says. “There’s some situations where reunification feels so natural. And we’ve developed bonds with the biological families to where it doesn’t feel like a loss. It just feels like our family grew to include their biological family.”
Fostering has taught Jamie to go with the flow and to adapt her parenting strategies for each child.
“Kids are messy. They’re fun,” Lozier says. “And even through our fostering journey, watching our own biological kids and our adopted kids grow through fostering and helping other children, it’s taught them so much, and it’s been a very bonding experience for our family.”
For the Loziers, fostering has been rewarding. They’ve experienced first smiles and first laughs, taught kids to ride bikes and more. Watching our children grow and get involved has been amazing, Jamie says.
“The things that hinder people from considering to foster are things in their own minds,” she says. “The kids just need somebody to listen to them after a visit or to sit down with them and tell them that they love them and they’re proud of them. It’s not big, grand gestures that they need. They need somebody to be present.”
For Summit County Children Services, the month provides an opportunity to celebrate foster families, staff and service providers for the amazing work they do to care for children. Currently, there are over 750 children in temporary custody of SCCS and 118 certified foster homes — not nearly enough to meet the need. More than half of the children in temporary custody are placed outside of Summit County. For more information on how you can get involved, call 330-379-1990, visit summitkids.org or email inquiry@summitkids.org
A conical hat covered in the jewel tones of peacock feathers astounds. A long black dress with a winding trail of thin, fine feathers sprouting from the sides calls to mind elegant nights. A blue and opalescent hat, with wispy feathers trailing from the back, amazes. These are some of the items on display in “Fashion & Feather,” a new exhibit that’s a collaboration between Kent State University and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. On display through Oct. 11 at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, it explores how feathers are used in fashion and prompts viewers to contemplate their use.
“It takes examples — hats, fans, dresses that use feathers — from our collection, and then we’re displaying in conjunction with specimens from the Natural History collection. So, we have a lot of hats that have ostrich feathers, for instance, and then they have an ostrich, a taxidermy ostrich.
… So, you get the sense of, This is how feathers were used by the birds. This is how feathers have been used by humans,” says Sara Hume, a professor and a curator at the Kent State University Museum. “What are the implications of using feathers in fashion, and what are the implications for people and birds and the preservation and conservation of these species?”
Although this collaboration is displayed in Cleveland, see other fashion exhibits at the Kent State University Museum, which was founded by Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman in 1985.
Home to one of the world’s most important collections of historic fashion, decorative arts and textiles, the Kent State University Museum has more than 30,000 objects that span from the mid-1700s to the present day.
Through its exhibitions and educational programming, the museum brings these pieces to life, offering visitors a look into the evolution of style, craftsmanship and cultural expression while connecting historical design to contemporary fashion.
“It serves students, student work, research and classes, but we put together exhibitions that serve the public, so it’s both a sort of university resource, but also a museum in the community,” Hume says.
Other current exhibitions include “LeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of Style,” a showcase of work by the acclaimed fashion illustrator through June 28, and “A Meeting of Cultures: Fashioning North Africa” through May 10. In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, look out for “Quilts and Coverlets: Art for the American Home,” on display from June 26, 2026 through April 18, 2027. The permanent “Fashion Timeline” exhibit spans over two centuries of fashion history and provides an ever-changing peek into the museum’s collection, which has earned an esteemed reputation.
“It has become one of the premier costume and textile collections in the country,” Hume says.
515 Hilltop Drive, Kent, 330-672-3450, kent.edu/museum
Jazmine Fischer-Veal has been sewing since she was 5 — but finally felt validated as a fashion designer when she debuted her Gemini collection at New York Fashion Week in fall 2025.
“Seeing those be well-received, quickly I was like, OK, this is where I’m supposed to be,” she says. “Beside my family, of course, and God, fashion is my heart.”
Her son and husband are Geminis, so she was inspired by the astrological sign for a collection of 15 Asianinfluenced looks.
“It was about the duality between good and evil, heaven and hell, yin and yang,” Fischer-Veal says. “It was about these twin outfits, men and women, kind of opposite.”
The collection includes a V-neck dress with snakeskin print in the middle and long, flowy liquid satin on the sides, topped with a vest featuring a gold-and-black dragon print brocade with an extended zipper and ribbed trim, reminiscent of a bomber jacket. A men’s look features a
track suit made of a burnout brocade accented by red, gold and black crystals matching the fabric’s hues and highlighting its sheer panels — rare in menswear.
Fischer-Veal graduated from Kent State University with a fashion design degree and interned at Wrath Arcade menswear in Cleveland. Afterward, she did alterations, worked at a bridal shop and dry cleaners, taught kids sewing through Urban Ounce of Prevention and designed for Just Funky, which produced anime wear for Hot Topic and Spencer’s. For the past seven years, she’s been an Akron firefighter and also works as a Rittman firefighter. She does fashion on the side, designing prom dresses and runway collections.
In February, Fischer-Veal returned to New York Fashion Week with a new 17-look collection, Aquarius, inspired by growing up with Asian influences.
“In my house, we had kimonos and samurai swords as decorative art and statues,” she says. “I was also heavily into anime. It’s an outlet for me.”
Her Aquarius collection has four sections of similar designs that span mostly cool colors, starting with black and white. For the first look, she cut out grayscale pagoda fabric pieces for a 3D aesthetic and attached them to a black knit shirt with shoulder cutouts, pairing it with billowy sheer black flared pants.
“I have these panels that come off the back of the pants,” she says. “The flowiness is kind of like how a koi fish — you see their fins fly back in those different shapes.”
A men’s white jacket with a grayscale print features pagodas, bonsais and an orange sun, along with crystal embellishments and linear frog closures.
A purple section presents a fitted dress highlighting two shades of purple brocade and a princess neckline with slanted frog closures, as well as a sunset men’s tracksuit with a midriff-baring two-way zipper and crystal embellishments. A blue section showcases a romantic blue dress featuring a corseted bodice with ombre accordion fabric that flutters out at the top and is sheer on the bottom. Crafted from a seethrough blue sequin embroidery fabric, a breathtaking samurai bodysuit has epaulettes on the shoulders, a mandarin collar and fluid flared pants. A men’s blue look has a flowy,
sheer long dress shirt and a quilted blue-and-silver Asian brocade jacket and pants set with handmade details.
“I backed it with a cotton backing and sewed every single line to get that quilted look,” Fischer-Veal says. The collection ends with a kimono-inspired wedding dress made from a beautiful brocade with cranes. One side has a long kimono sleeve while the other has an offthe-shoulder sleeve. It simply closes with three hooks and eyes, creating a high, daring slit. She debuted Aquarius locally at Experience: the Runway from New York to Akron, a sold-out Akron fashion show she organized in March featuring seven additional
Inspired by her trips to New York City, Carolyn Leibowitz wanted Akron-area customers to have access to unique, highquality clothing closer to home — so she opened Coquette Boutique in 2004. Perfect for more casual days, Coquette features elevated everyday wear, including jumpsuits, tees and bodysuits that are as comfortable as they are stylish. Look for an Amelie pistachio-striped long-sleeve romper with a drawstring waist ($168) or the Alessia smocked drop-waist dress ($188) in bright maraschino for a picnic day. If you’re going out with friends on a warm summer night, try the opal Kai sequin top ($198) that pairs well with white capris. Leibowitz views Coquette as a way for customers to embrace their distinct personalities.
“They’ll look unique, they’ll look put together and fashionable,” she says. 3526 Granger Road, Akron, 330-666-2369, coquetteohio.com
“[It] was really awesome that I got to bring an art form that is not seen so much in Akron,” she says. Fischer-Veal plans to do an Akron show next year and sell her pieces online — as well as continue to sell them in the Northside Marketplace.
Fashion drives her.
“I love to be able to express what I feel, I think, on garments, on clothing, on bodies,” she says. “It’s fun to see your sketches come alive.” //KP byjazminefischer.com
For Jenny Smas’ senior prom in Hudson, she didn’t shop at the mall — she designed her own dress. With a halter top featuring a deep V in the front and back, the white stretch jersey dress with a fine-mesh overlay had ruching on the back center seam, a slit and a long train.
“Because of the weight of the knit, it had body and bounce to it, it was light and airy at the same time. It was really ethereal,” she says. “That was the first time where I was like, I have a vision.” Smas majored in fashion design and fashion merchandising at Kent State University. She went to Kent State’s New York City Fashion program in 2005 and interned at W Magazine’s fashion closet. During a 2005 New York City class, Smas met Cynthia Rowley and revealed she was unsure about continuing with design or just finishing her merchandising degree. It was Rowley who convinced Smas she was a designer — and gave Smas a
design internship for 2006.
“With newfound confidence from Cynthia fricking Rowley, I went home with a new vigor and dug into design,” Smas says. She returned to the New York City program in 2007 and did a design internship for Macy’s I.N.C. brand in knits and denim in 2008.
For her senior collection at Kent State, she went with a monochromatic look, mixing masculine architectural detailing with soft, feminine aspects. She crafted a wispy brown dress from a crumpled fabric with tiny wires embedded in it and a racer-back full-length catsuit under semi-sheer blush flowy pants with a sheer billowy jacket. Plus, she made a two-piece look — a gauzy asymmetrical off-the-shoulder overdress with hand-cut paillettes cascading down the angled bottom. Finally, she created a twopiece silk jersey racer-back, mock-turtleneck dress that used wiry horsehair in the hem of the top layer to create structure.
Smas worked in New York City for about 18 years. In 2010, she helped launch a Kensie legwear brand at Lord & Taylor while working for Planet Sox. In 2013, she worked for Leg Resource, for which her designs for Betsey Johnson and Anna Sui were shown at New York Fashion Week. Her designs were also featured in Women’s Wear Daily. She helped launch Majesty Brands, a legwear company, in 2014. Smas has been working at New York City’s Crest Mills for over 10 years. Now, she works for Crest Mills remotely from her Coventry home, where she designs throws and blankets for Rachel Roy, TJ Maxx, Elle Décor and more. She also does graphic design through her Studio 1023 business. At Jazmine Fischer-Veal’s Experience: the Runway from New York to Akron fashion show in March, she debuted her new collection, Le Geste Retenu — which means restrained gesture in French —
under her TEN23 Atelier label.
“It’s taking notes from classic couture, French fashion technique and beautiful fabrications like brocade and lamés,” she says. “A huge part of this collection is playing with proportions, mixing and matching silhouettes.”
For her first look, she hand-pieced Mood Fabric’s brocade to create a jacket that goes with a hand-draped pink duchess satin flowy skirt and a matching bralette bustier covered in a beaded, sequined mesh.
Next, a black Mikado bustier with 3D shoulder straps pairs with matching highwaisted barrel trousers. A similar look features white barrel trousers and a sheer glittery crop top that flutters open in the back.
A sheer burnout brocade lamé shines in a structured two-piece edgy-elegant dress that balloons out at the hips with
a structured, graded hem. “The body of it, plus the sheer pieces and the shimmer when she moved — it was really magical,” Smas says.
Dior’s new look inspired her brocade peplum bustier with a two-piece layered skirt with fluted edges. Her niece modeled her final look, a Parisian-inspired voluminous layered skirt with blackand-white striped panels, a black corset and a black half jacket with an artistic white godet.
It’s been about 17 years since she’s designed clothing, so Smas cried when she saw her looks on the runway.
“This is a relaunch,” she says. “Jazmine lit a fire under me, and now I’m like, OK, what’s next?” //KP jstudio1023.com
Feel like Princess of Wales Kate Middleton in a black headband fascinator by milliner Paula Singleton of What a Great Hat in Fairlawn. With a blackand-white striped rim, an oversized silk flower and black feathers, the piece ($189) is superbly elegant. Singleton became interested in millinery after purchasing a handmade hat from the Ann Arbor Art Fair around 2004. “I wore it at the art fair … and had so many comments and compliments that it inspired me to learn how to properly make a hat,” she says. Singleton’s collection ranges from wedding and church versatile styles newsboy caps, fedoras and cloches. Singleton’s hats have been displayed in the Kentucky Derby Museum and at the Great Hat Exhibition in London. From an openweave wide-brimmed straw hat ($225) with a polka dot band tied in a bow to a 1940s-style beret ($98), made of a funky floral fabric with a coordinating bow, Singleton’s hats are truly works of art. //DB 2855 W. Market St., Suite 202, Fairlawn, 330-592-2295, whatagreathat.com
Growing up in Jordan, Dina Younis learned to thrift at an early age.
“I always like to joke and say, It’s sort of in my DNA,” says the now Akronite. “I wanted to make the most out of my allowance, and so I would go thrifting to try to replicate a lot of the things that I was seeing in magazines.”
In 1998, after moving back to Ohio, the state where she was born, she was introduced to a wealth of secondhand stores — and her love of thrifting grew. Younis started her blog, Dina’s Days, to teach others how to thrift.
“I have two sisters, and we’re always talking about the fun things that we find, and the good deals, and I thought, Man, it’s such a good feeling when you tell somebody,” she says. “What better way to do that than to share it with the world online?”
The blog grew into a podcast, “Thanks, It’s Thrifted,” then extended to a children’s book, S is For Secondhand. The blog has flourished, with over 68,700 Instagram followers engaging with her thrifting tips.
“It’s part luck, but mostly intention and consistency,” Younis says. “The more you do it, the more you’ll start to find what you’re looking for, and the more it becomes a lifestyle.”
Younis shares her top secondhand picks for summertime fashion. dinasdays.com
“I love, love looking for lightweight, wide-leg pants in the summer, anything like silk, linen or a rayon blend, especially if they’re vintage,” Younis says. These gold pants don’t require very high heels — and can be worn on vacation, when out to dinner and more.
photos by Erin Gulling
Younis found this vivid, ruffly top while looking for something to wear to an elevated graduation party. “I loved how unexpected it was,” she says. “It kind of dips down the back, so it added this element of surprise. I just loved how colorful, bold and feminine it was, while adding a little extra spice.” Style it — as Younis did — with pink wideleg trousers for a monochromatic look. “I kept everything else pretty muted and just let the pink on pink do all the talking,” she notes.
trousers or with a dress, something that I can wear multiple different ways,” Younis says. She’s a mom, and always on the go — so slipping into these shoes is a breeze. “They’re so easy to style,” she says. Pair them with flared pants for a nod to the early 2000s.
This airy button-up top is actually a swim cover-up — but can be worn as a shirt. “It could be something that I would tuck into a pair of wide-leg jeans,” she says. The orange-andpink color combo is Younis’ favorite. “I don’t tend to buy a lot of stripes, but this one just seemed more
Style this beaded bag for a professional meeting or a night out. “I am a sucker for beads, sequins. I always joke and say, I’m inspired by Blanche Devereaux from The Golden Girls,” Younis says. “That was the first thing that caught my eye — all the texture.” She sometimes sports it with trousers and a bodysuit. “You can’t wear that and not make a statement,” she says.
Denim is Braisha Owens-Mount’s canvas. A midcalf denim trench coat, distressed and bleached by hand, completes a layered look. Denim harness chaps can be worn over pants.
A corset made of denim hems creates a bold under-bust silhouette and features adjustable lacing in the back.
“I can bleach it, I can distress it, I can paint on it — I can do so much,” says Owens-Mount, an Akron-based fashion designer, creative director and the founder of Kissed by Bo, an online retailer and style experience. “I like to show people the innovation of it.”
Born and raised in Akron, Owens- Mount attended Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts and was in an arts program at Firestone Community Learning Center. For her senior capsule collection there, she created mannequins, then dressed them in outfits made of scrap materials such as flower petals. She also stretched canvases over doorframes and drew on them, creating large-scale fashion illustrations.
“Fashion’s always been my outlet,” she says.
She got her first sewing machine at 13 years old and became mainly self-taught. Owens-Mount went to Kent State University, majoring in fashion merchandising and minoring in marketing. There, she competed in the Rock the Runway competition, creating a collection inspired by the golden age of hip-hop. Outfits included a cropped vest with a mesh hood lined in denim with a gold industrial zipper, cheeky high-waisted denim shorts and a paint-spotted and jewel-bedazzled bra, overalls made of denim and stretchy chambray with a white bandeau top and an upcycled oversized denim vest with elastic ribbing at the bottom, a teal drawstring from a 90s-style jacket and an embellished back.
“This is the upcycling at its best,” she recalls. “The inside was hand-sewn satin zebra print.”
Around 2015 after college, she founded Kissed by Bo.
“My lips are big, and I love them. This is what I’m rocking with,” she says. “So, when I style you, you’re going to be kissed by me.”
In 2022, she displayed some of her work in a showroom in Los Angeles, where it was picked up by the stylists of red carpet-going clients. A denim bikini bottom made it to the iHeartRadio Music Awards, worn by singer-songwriter Moxie Raia, and an entire outfit — complete with a denim bralette, high-shoulder vest and skirt — graces the cover of singer Jordin Sparks’ 2022 single “Stop This Feeling.”
“I love a good, strong shoulder when it comes to denim, because that makes it couture,” Owens-Mount says. She designed a series of cages — corsets made of boning wrapped in denim to be worn solo or over clothes — pairing one with a white button-up shirt and a poufy wrap tutu skirt crafted from a deconstructed retro homecoming gown.
“I took the bottom part of the dress, and I opened it up,” she explains. “I got a bunch of tulle, I got scrap denim and some blue satin scraps, and I just
sewed it in a line on the skirt … I gathered it too.”
She also created a top from a basic denim corset with denim-wrapped boning and elevated it with mesh tulle, styling it with a patchwork high-slit denim skirt and a handcrafted wire necklace.
Other designs include a cage corset underneath a distressed denim train coat originally made for “The Voice” singer Sandy Redd and oversized patchwork overalls with a drop crotch, paired with a satin scarf styled as a shirt — featuring a textile print created by Owens-Mount. Plus, her fly jeans — originally created for “Players” singer and rapper Coi Leray — showcase distressed denim and strips of multiple denim types.
Along with Kissed by Bo, Owens-Mount is the founder of Haus of Bo, the overarching entity that houses Kissed and The Paper Bag Chronicles, which explores fashion, personal identity, wellness and empowerment through a podcast, speaking engagements, programming, interactive, transformational events and more. Also a mother, Owens-Mount is driven by passion, faith, vision and her family — including her mom and fashion commissioner, Starr, her dad, Keith, her husband, Charles, and her baby, Chancellor.
“How does being a designer fulfill me as a person? Because it’s the fruit of my hands,” she says. “It shows other people that it’s possible … that you can live your dream.” hausofbo.com
In 2020, Akronite Hadley Stoub — whose mother is a ceramic artist — discovered that working with ceramics provided a calming outlet for her blossoming creativity. “I specialize in ceramic charms and earrings,” says the owner of From, Hadley, “but I have also been expanding into stationery, including stickers, sticky notes and notepads.” Much of her work draws inspiration from Delft pottery, white tin-glazed earthenware with Dutch origins and blue designs. “My dad’s side of the family is Dutch, so those pieces are like a piece of my family,” Stoub says. Her charms include strawberries in hearts and cutout butterflies, as well as cute cat clowns, which evoke customers’ emotions. “They have a lot of color, and tend to resonate with the silliest of us,” she notes. Find Stoub’s work on Etsy, as well as at inperson markets. “Everyone has someone in their life,” she says, “who would love something I’ve made.” //DB instagram.com/ from_hadley
From neutral, fringed color-block pants made from a blanket to a flower-embellished, light green skirt and crop top set, the fashion at Sun in Leo is made to be circular.
“Everything that we need already exists. There is no reason to be making anything new,” says Justine Gallo, who owns Sun in Leo and designs most of the original items at the Kent boutique that also sells vintage.
Gallo’s grandmother was a seamstress — and would create clothes and doll outfits from her granddaughter’s sketches.
“I would design clothes on the playground,” Gallo recalls.
Gallo learned to sew in high school — then obtained her first sewing machine, with which she made and altered her own clothes. She remembers the first outfit she created and was excited to wear — turquoise-and-black high-rise pants with pleats and a matching tube top.
“I remember having excess fabric and I was like, Oh, I should make a top out of this. So, that was kind of even my first upcycle too,” Gallo says. “I felt so fierce.”
She attended Kent State University, majoring in fashion
design and minoring in sustainability, photography and marketing. Her portfolio project, Mother of Pearl, was comprised of sustainable, upcycled outfits as well as upcycled jewelry. It contained pieces such as a vest flipped upside-down and made into a corset, pants with open legs strung with chains and a pink one-shouldered tank top made from the scraps of a cropped shirt, paired with matching pink Dickies — Gallo opened up the waistband and added pearls to the side for extra embellishment. The project also included flowy green reversible pants, matched with a sheer shirt upcycled from a scarf with green embellishments along the hem, and overalls made out of a wool blanket. Instead of buckles, she used jewelry on the straps.
“I did this shirt underneath that I do with pants. You can cut out the crotch of a pant and then that’s the neck hole, and then the sleeves are the legs,” she says. “It drapes.”
For Sun in Leo and her personal collection, Gallo creates embroidered sweatshirts, dresses — such as a mermaidstyle green ruffled and fringed dress made from a Goodwillsourced scarf — and more.
“One of my favorite things is to utilize what the fabric’s giving me,” Gallo says.
Another dress, upcycled from a blanket with a homes pattern around its perimeter, intrigues with its mix of textures and visual details.
“Sometimes, just a simple silhouette dress with a bold pattern is all you need,” she says. “I had fun even making the straps. I did a lace strap that is elastic too. … I just used the ribbon to … mimic clouds, the skyline.”
With a fringed trim, checked brown shorts were made from a large blanket that also produced a pair of pants. Paired together with a corset and matching shrug top upcycled from a tan cable-knit sweater, they make the perfect outfit for Ohio’s temperamental weather.
“I wear it mid-season, so I usually wear it with a pair of boots,” Gallo notes. “I try and even play with ready-to-wear in the You can be cool and stylish while still being really comfortable.”
Plus, she makes her own upcycled jewelry, such as earrings made from a pair of matching keys, a gold body chain and a necklace crafted with a shell plucked from the Jersey Shore — Gallo is from the Garden State.
“You can come into my store — it’s a safe space. You can feel comfortable trying on anything. We give opinions. We give alterations. We can make it work,” Gallo says. “We should care about where things come from and where they go. And if you know that you can do all of that at my store, then that’s amazing — that’s the goal.” //CG
154 E. Main St., Suite C, Kent, 330-805-5837, suninleo.shop
Founder Andy Taray’s deep ties to Akron are reflected in the shirts his studio, the Social Dept., creates. “I always jokingly say, I was raised by Goodyear,” he says. “My dad built tires for a living.” His roots inspired the Akron Born & Raised t-shirt ($26). Reflecting Akron’s architectural history, Taray drew from Art Deco elements seen in early Akron buildings like the Flatiron Building, as well as the iconic Goodyear blimp. His design flourishes with both linear and typography elements. The shirt turns local pride into an artistic statement.
1727 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-573-7911, thesocialdept.com
Commissioned to design a t-shirt for Akron’s bicentennial, Righteous Cloth founder and operator Frank Miller collaborated with Monochrome Canvas to refine the design through multiple iterations. “I got the idea going to breakfast over at the Eye Opener, and I’m looking around at their whole montage of Akron history,” Miller says. “I was That would be cool to bring that together all on one shirt.” He envisioned a collage of Akron history, incorporating icons such as a Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. wingfoot, a crown for LeBron James and a guitar for the Black Keys. The shirt ($25) also highlights local symbols, including a rubber duck, a canal boat, a Swenson’s Drive-In burger, the Highland Theatre and more, depicting Akron’s deeply layered history. rcloth.com
Almost eight years ago, Kenny Lambert was homeless and battling addiction. The birth of his daughter became a turning point, inspiring him to find his purpose and get sober. In 2021, Lambert launched his Kenmore clothing store, Just A Dad From Akron. It’s a space built on connection and community. “Everyone sits and hangs out and has a good, humbling conversation,” Lambert says. The store’s signature tee ($30) represents the heart of the brand — faith, perseverance and purpose. Paint splatters evoke the city’s graffiti culture, while the skyline represents the silhouette of Akron. The design is meant to resemble a bold, stamped imprint. Just A Dad has become a symbol of hope and resilience. “It’s inspirational, positive clothing,” Lambert says, “that gives people a chance to share their testimony.” //DF 937 Kenmore Blvd., Akron, 33-255-9063, justadadfromakron
Fashion is self-expression for Julie Holiday. If she’s feeling happy, she wears yellow. If she’s having a tough day and feeling a sense of surrender, she wears white.
“A big thing for me is expressing myself in certain colors,” says the Akron resident and style blogger. “That’s my way that I show up. I love the creativity behind it. I love patterns. I love playing with that.”
A communication and media studies graduate from The University of Akron, Holiday fell in love with being on-air after she filled in as a TV traffic reporter for Cleveland 19 News in 2018.
“The bug has totally bit me, right? I felt like this is where I want to be,” she says. “I could present myself a certain way. I love the dress-up part of it.”
Holiday fills in on WNIR 100 FM’s “The Talk of Akron,” is a spokesperson for clients and has done content creation for Goodwill. She enjoys getting her clothes from thrifting, clothing swaps or stores. Holiday loves an organized closet, so she color-codes her wardrobe and rotates items seasonally. She shares her favorite summer style pieces. julieholiday.com
With off-blue and magenta color blocking, this pencil skirt is a vibrant addition to a summertime professional wardrobe. It goes well with a white-and-black polka dot blouse. “This is so pretty, but it’s very playful,” she says. “That look, surprisingly, is so classy and elegant. I can wear that into an office area and feel like a million dollars.”
With a silky blue trim and an abstract blue-and-white print, this billowy kimono goes well with blue pants and a white undershirt. “I really do love that
A staple, her denim jacket gets a lot of use in the summer. Whether she’s headed to the office, walking her dog or traveling, her jacket keeps her warm and goes with many outfits. “It’s the perfect companion,” she says.
Ideal for concerts and events that require them, this clear backpack is a summer essential for Holiday. While she wouldn’t sport it in a professional setting, it’s great for activities. “It’s a little bit more casual,” she says.
These mustard yellow paper bag pants add a bright pop of color to a summer day. “It can go with black and white. It can go with red. It can go with teal. You can pair it with so much,” says Holiday. “I always get the most compliments when I wear those pants.” For a laid-back summer look, Holiday pairs them with a cropped “Go find less” T-shirt.
by Allison
At age 6 or 7, Caroline Hill dressed in purple corduroy shorts and a tie-dye T-shirt to go to the mall in the wintertime. Her mom said she needed to change, so Hill added rainbow tights, earning compliments from passersby.
“I was strong-willed and strongminded and knew what I wanted to wear,” says Hill, a Chesapeake, Virginia, native who currently works as a showroom and design assistant at Watson Ellis in New York City. “The minute I learned to dress myself — it was pretty much completely out of my mom’s hands.”
Hill learned to sew in middle school home economics class and chose her career path after taking a fashion design course in high school. She participated in the Summer Fashion Academy, a weeklong preview of Kent State University fashion programs for high schoolers, and knew she wanted to study fashion design there.
Through Kent State, she spent a semester in its New York City Fashion program in 2023. She interned at Watson Ellis, doing custom suiting in the city. Then, in 2024, she completed Kent State’s Paris American Academy study abroad program and learned the art of making couture.
Her eight-look senior collection, ID:Cloaked, won Best in Show at Kent State’s student fashion show.
“My collection, Cloaked, was inspired by anonymity and blurring of identity,” Hill says. “It’s definitely a modern take on suiting and tailoring.”
The first look is a voluminous modern trench coat crafted from cotton
gabardine and weather-treated nylon with khaki and army green color blocking and handmade piping. The undershirt has a wrap belt that feeds through welt slits in the coat.
“There’s a massive collar that can be laid down to look more natural … [or] flipped up,” she says, “That’s definitely an element that ties into the idea of cloaking.”
All the Cloaked looks are visually linked with trompe-l’oeil prints, made by dipping muslin patterns in paint and stamping them onto garments.
“I wanted to further the concept of being confused at what you’re looking at,” Hill says.
A double-breasted cropped trench coat provides a modern aesthetic with a reversible wool hood with an attached mask and a removable shoulder covering paired with pants featuring a skirt layer.
“There’s a tab cover that ties around the ankles that would be seen on trench coat sleeves,” she says.
A linen shirt dress has a hidden placket that conceals a front closure and removable shirt tails jutting out of the bottom. The look is finished with an oversized army green scarf that was digitally knit in Kent State’s KnitLab.
“You program it on the computer and then essentially plug it into this huge machine, and it
prints, essentially, the knit scarf or sweater,” Hill says. Featuring a striped cotton button-up with long knotted sleeves that resemble neckties, another look has an oversized vest paired with linen balloon pants with crisp center pleats and French ankle cuffs.
“Something like French cuffs would traditionally be worn with a tuxedo,” Hill says. “For me, it was all about finding those traditional menswear elements and flipping them on their heads.”
All eight looks in Cloaked could be worn by either men or women. Despite being in menswear, Hill works to be inclusive. Watson Ellis creates custom suits for men, women and nonbinary people. Her dream is to go to London and apprentice on Savile Row, where suits have been made for centuries.
“I’m really interested in bespoke suiting and becoming essentially a master tailor, the term that they like to use in England,” she says. “It’s an art form.” //KP cghdesign.com
What began as a modest idea for a consignment shop in 2018 has grown into the dynamic Northside Cellar — filled with new, vintage and consignment clothing and artisan goods. While the boutique carries local handcrafted items like jewelry, artwork and cards, the focus is curated clothing guided by owner Wendy Geonis’ personal taste. For summer, find rich blues and vibrant oranges. An orange button-up maxi shirt dress ($59.99) features a fun print. Pair it with a wicker honeypot round purse and orange suede sandals. An airy blue floral blouse ($49.99) with skinny white pants creates a beautiful look. Born out of Geonis’ love of dressing up, instilled in her by her mother, Northside Cellar helps customers build confidence. She enjoys seeing customers return with stories and photos, sharing how an outfit made them feel special. “There’s nothing more fun than somebody who wants help, that needs an outfit for an occasion,” she says, “and when they leave, they feel comfortable.” //DF 106 N. Main St., Akron, 330-777-0557, northsidecellar.com
{ by Cameron Gorman, photos provided by Kris Hart }
When Hart’s Sports received — and fulfilled — an incorrect order for apparel items, Kris Hart went to SCORE Akron & Canton to steer the situation in the right direction.
“It was a customer mistake, but we know them. We had done business with them for a while,” says the co-owner of the Atwater business that provides screen printing, embroidery, vehicle wraps and more. “We needed help navigating a solution that would be a win-win for both us and the customer.”
An organization that provides free guidance, workshops and mentorship to small businesses and nonprofits through the work of volunteers, SCORE Akron & Canton was able to help resolve the situation by recommending a sit-down meeting between the client and the business. Following the rectification of their initial issue, Kris and his wife, co-owner Lacie Hart, began meeting quarterly with those at SCORE — including their mentor, Mike Johnson.
“We would talk about how our business was doing. We didn’t have a real business plan at all, so they
helped us develop a business plan. They helped us develop a marketing plan,” Kris says. “They helped us grow.”
Currently a mentor for SCORE, Johnson also served as chapter chairman and as a district director in the past, overseeing 11 chapters of SCORE in Ohio and Pennsylvania. When he decided to exit the corporate world — he had previously worked at three Fortune 500 companies, including General Electric and Timken — Johnson entered a post-corporate phase of life. He wanted to write a quality book about World War II — a goal that eventually turned into the authorship of nine more tomes.
He first encountered SCORE at a program for a writer’s guild based on some of the books he had written, including Fate of the Warriors. As he finished the program, a woman came forward to buy signed copies of the books — and asked him if he would join her at an upcoming SCORE meeting. Johnson accepted.
“Within about 15 minutes of that meeting, I was concluding that these people are doing something
that’s really good, really helping a lot of people and I’d like to be part of it,” Johnson says.
Being a mentor allows one to stay connected to the business world without being completely immersed in it.
“SCORE enables us to give back to what I call the community at large,” Johnson says. “It feels really good to see a light shine in a client’s eyes when they see a little more clearly the pathway to great or greater success.”
Working as a mentor provides a sense of belonging.
“We enjoy the camaraderie that goes with being with a bunch of people like those who are with SCORE and who want to give back to the community,” Johnson says.
Those interested in becoming a mentor for SCORE Akron & Canton can register via the chapter’s website, on which they must sign off on a code of ethics.
“The next step is a new mentor is assigned to work with two or three of our current members, to co-counsel
with them, to kind of get a feel for how different mentors proceed with working with clients,” Johnson says. “And then after they’ve done three of those kind of sessions, they can be assigned to become what we call a … lead mentor. And by the way, we often work in teams.”
Mentees are matched with their SCORE mentors either by specifically requesting them — whether they know of the mentor ahead of time or find their profile on the SCORE Akron & Canton website — or requesting to be matched with someone who best fits their needs.
“It’s not infrequently that we have new clients who have an idea, but the foremost thing they need is focus,” Johnson says. “They need to really focus on what is going to be required to get their business or their nonprofit off the ground and in a position to sustain it over a long period of time.”
Meetings with mentors, which are confidential, can take place in person or remotely. Typically, Johnson
focuses the first meeting with clients on mutual learning.
“I want to learn more about the client, what he or she, or if it’s an organization, what the organization hopes to achieve by working with SCORE,” he says. “I start to get a grasp of what their situation is, and then I give them a bit of my background, so they have some sense of what they can expect to learn from me.”
Johnson likes to keep communication open, so he often advises clients not to wait to call or email with questions. Plus, he doesn’t want clients to feel as though they must agree with everything he says.
“In fact, conversations are enriched if somebody sees things a little differently from the way we do,” he says.
Kris says the mentorship program helped establish key performance indicators for Hart’s Sports.
“We built a system that would work for us for what we wanted our key performance indicators to be, and then we could start tracking it,” he
When you choose to move into an independent living apartment at Ohio Living Rockynol, you’ll find yourself in a vibrant, active community full of welcoming neighbors and unparalleled care. Utilities and cable are included, as well as a fitness center, emergency call system and 24hour security. It’s affordability and value without sacrificing features or community!
says. “And I want to say the first year, we grew like 30 percent. The next year, we grew another 30 percent, and then the last time we met them … we doubled the company.”
He recommends that those considering becoming mentees through SCORE go through with their plans.
“I would say do it, 100 percent,” he says. “There’s three main reasons why. One, sometimes your ideas aren’t as good as you think they are, two, if you’re having trouble with anything, most likely your mentor has been there or can point you in the right direction of where to get help. … And then number three …. they give you confidence. … They’re going to help you succeed.”
Stark State College, Business & Entrepreneurial Center, 6200 Frank Ave. NW, Suite M331, North Canton,
Entrepreneurship is an exciting journey filled with opportunity,
challenge, and growth. But behind every business decision is a financial impact—one that can quickly become complex without the right guidance. From managing cash flow and planning for taxes to understanding business valuation and preparing for future growth, entrepreneurs are constantly making decisions that shape their business.
Having the right financial partner in place helps bring clarity, structure, and confidence to those choices. A proactive approach connects day-today operations with a broader strategy, helping ensure your decisions stay aligned with your long-term goals as your business evolves.
Your Vision for Success Becomes Our Mission.
W3 Financial Group has a team of Certified Financial Planner™ professionals and Certified Public Accountants whose role is to offer an unbiased view of your total financial picture. We look at your taxes, inflation, spending, savings, investment returns, risk protection, and cash flows. Financial planning is not a onetime event, but rather ongoing process.
On any given morning at McGregor PACE (Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly), you might find Karen Lisy greeting participants as they arrive at any of the five locations throughout Cuyahoga, Lorain and Summit counties.
To many, she is the activity director, bringing creativity and connection into the Adult Day Health Centers with assistance from her incredible life enrichment team.
But to one participant in the program, she is simply “my daughter.” Karen’s mother is enrolled in McGregor PACE. That fact alone speaks volumes.
“I trust my own Mom to be cared for here,” Lisy says. “PACE is the gold standard of care.”
That trust is rooted in history and experience. The PACE program began in San Francisco in the 1970s, when a group of physicians recognized a growing, unmet need among older adults who wanted to remain in their communities but required comprehensive support. What started as an innovative solution decades ago has grown into a nationally respected model of care — and for the past 15 years, it has been a cornerstone of McGregor’s services in Northeast Ohio.
The Adult Day Health Centers are the heart of the program. In five strategically located centers, participants enter welcoming, state-of-the-art spaces filled with conversation, laughter, music, art, exercise classes and shared meals. Here, individuals and couples from all walks of life and cultures come together. Some attend daily, Monday through Friday, returning home by 5 p.m. Others participate as their needs and preferences dictate.
Today, McGregor PACE serves approximately 800 participants across Cuyahoga, Lorain and Summit counties. It remains the only PACE provider in Greater Cleveland and continues to expand to meet increasing community needs.
What sets PACE apart, Lisy explains, is its interdisciplinary team approach. “We provide an umbrella of services through one front door,” she says. “At the end of the day, what separates us is knowing we are truly doing something meaningful — providing care, activities, companionship and purpose for our participants.”
At McGregor PACE, care is centered around the individual. Every participant has unique medical, emotional and social needs, and the program is designed to meet them holistically. Services include primary medical care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation therapies, nutritional counseling and coordinated specialty care.
On-site medical professionals are supported by trusted partners such as MetroHealth, University Hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic. PACE schedules appointments, provides transportation and ensures continuity of care. For families, it’s one-stop for their loved one’s needs. Families consistently rave about the program.
“We do so much good in the community,” Lisy says. “We showcase our participants, their life stories and celebrate the day together. It’s beautiful to see.”
Clients often come into Sirak Financial Services in Canton with several financial documents — but president and financial advisor Gary Sirak asks them to put the paperwork aside. He poses a few questions: Tell me about your first day, your first week, your first month and your first year of retirement. “The normal answer is deer in headlights. No answer — they just have nothing. That’s a problem,” says Sirak, who has met with thousands of clients over his 40 years of experience. “It’s pretty hard to know what we have to do with your money if we don’t know what you’re planning to do with it. How are you planning to spend the rest of your life?”
When people retire after decades of working about 40 hours a week, they often experience a loss of identity, routine, meaning and community. Without all those things, Sirak has seen people struggle.
“They had lost their purpose, their passion, their plan for the future and started withering away, watching TV. They would either have physical issues or be bored to death,” Sirak says. “I kept going to funerals and nursing homes, and it wasn’t rewarding. So, the book really came out of that.”
In collaboration with his son, Max, Sirak released How to Retire and Not Die in 2021. It has sold over 20,000 copies globally. It’s also now a video course, a workbook, audio book and e-book that’s available through howtoretireandnotdie.com.
The book gives tangible advice, including retiring to something and celebrating wins, as well as discovering the three P’s. “What gives you purpose? What gives you passion? How do you plan that out when you never had to?” Sirak says.
It helps to make a wishlist of things you wish you had been doing but were too busy to do because you were working.
Do three small things a day to remain engaged, identify your passion and cultivate purpose. One client makes chocolate chip cookies and distributes them at Refuge of Hope. She told Sirak about a man who started crying when he received a cookie. “He said, It made me think of my mother, who I hadn’t thought of in a long time. She made great chocolate chip cookies,” Sirak recalls her saying. “This lady started crying with the guy. … That’s her purpose now.”
The book and course have made an immense impact. Sirak tells the story of a woman who gave her parents each the book. They were approaching retirement and not getting along. “She said ...They both read your book. They made their own wishlist, they did their own things, they created their own plans,” Sirak recalls.
“She said, All I can tell you is it’s amazing. They’ve been retired for over six months now, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen them happier.” howtoretireandnotdie.com
Summary. DataJoe Research is a software and research company specializing in data collection and verification, and conducts various nominations across the United States on behalf of publishers. To create the “top doctors” list, DataJoe Research facilitated an online peer-nomination process, also referencing government sources. In addition, DataJoe often conducts media analysis through Internet research to factor in public perception. DataJoe then tallied the nominations per category for each doctor to isolate the top nominees in each category. After collecting nominations and factoring additional information from the media analysis, DataJoe checked and confirmed that each published winner had a current, active license status with the state regulatory board. If we were not able to find evidence of a doctor’s current, active registration with the state regulatory board, that doctor was excluded from the list. In addition, any doctor who has been disciplined, up to the time-frame of our review process for an infraction by the state regulatory board, was excluded from the list. Finally, DataJoe presented the tallied result to the magazine staff for final review and adjustments. Final note. We recognize that there are many good doctors who are not shown in this representative list. This is only a sampling of the huge array of talented professionals within
ADDICTION MEDICINE
Laura Markley
Akron Children’s Behavioral Health Akron | 330-543-5015
ALLERGY IMMUNOLOGY
Richard Lavi
Allergy Asthma & Sinus Relief Center | 330-423-4444
ANESTHESIOLOGY
Tarun Bhalla
Akron Children’s Pediatric Anesthesiology | 330-543-8823
Daniel Goldstein
Akron Children’s Pediatric Anesthesiology | 330-543-8823
Rami Karroum
Akron Children’s Pediatric Anesthesiology | 330-543-8823
Richard Michael Mahon
Akron Children’s Pediatric Anesthesiology | 330-543-8823
Dritan Prifti
Akron Children’s Pediatric Anesthesiology | 330-543-8823
Eric H. Regula Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7133
Brandon Roberts
Akron Children’s Pediatric Anesthesiology | 330-543-8823
Martin P. Smilek Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7133
Lance Talmage
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Physician | 330-344-6294
CARDIOLOGY
Michael Bage Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7989
Roger Chaffee
Summa Health Cardiology | 330-745-7634
David Cutler
Cleveland Clinic Akron General | 330-344-6000
Emil Hayek
University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute Hudson | 234-304-2456
Joseph Restivo Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7989
Joseph Rinaldi Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7989
CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY
Eric Espinal
Summa Health Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery | 330-384-9001
Joseph Lahorra
Cleveland Clinic Akron General | 330-344-6000
Robert Stewart
Akron Children’s Pediatric Cardiac Surgery | 330-543-8772
COLON & RECTAL SURGERY
Truong Ma Summa Health Colorectal Surgery | 330-434-5978
DERMATOLOGY
Nely Aldrich
Apex Dermatology & Skin Surgery Center | 330-653-3376
Christina Cernik
Allied Dermatology and Skin Surgery | 866-337-6631
Valerie Fuller
Fairlawn Dermatology LLC | 330-864-9000
Angela L. Funovits
Allied Dermatology and Skin Surgery | 866-337-6631
Jacqueline Graham Summa Health | 330-535-7100
Ann R. Kooken
Allied Dermatology and Skin Surgery | 866-337-6631
Allison J. Moosally
Allied Dermatology and Skin Surgery | 866-337-6631
Eliot Mostow Akron Dermatology | 330-535-7100
the region. Inclusion in the list is based on the opinions of responding doctors in the region and the results of our research campaign. We take time and energy to ensure fair voting, although we understand that the results of this survey nomination are not an objective metric. We certainly do not discount the fact that many, many good and effective doctors may not appear on the list.
Disclaimers. DataJoe uses best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list. DataJoe does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate. DataJoe does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without written permission from DataJoe.
Questions? For research/methodology questions, contact the research team at surveys@datajoe.com.
Thomas Myers Unity Health Network | 330-926-3495
DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY
Krikor Malajikian
Akron Radiology Inc. | 330-375-3043
Yun Robert Sheu
Akron Radiology Inc. | 330-375-3043
Jonathan R. Sugano
Akron Radiology Inc. | 330-375-3043
Jeffrey Unger
Akron Radiology Inc. | 330-375-3043
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Steven Brooks Cleveland Clinic Akron General | 330-344-6000
Ashley Heaney
Cleveland Clinic Akron General | 330-344-6000
Timothy Lee
Akron Children’s Emergency Room Akron | 330-543-3000
Vishnu Mudrakola
Summa Health Emergency Medicine | 888-863-3476
Laura Pollauf
Akron Children’s Emergency Room Akron | 330-543-3000
Maria Ramundo
Akron Children’s Emergency Room | 330-543-3000
Emily Scott
Akron Children’s Emergency Room Akron | 330-543-3000
Erin Simon
Cleveland Clinic Akron General | 330-344-6326
Robert Stenberg
Cleveland Clinic Akron General | 330-344-6000
ENDOCRINOLOGY DIABETES & METABOLISM
Manjinder Kaur
Western Reserve Hospital | 330-650-5110
Mehr Khan
Western Reserve Hospital | 330-650-5110
James Salem Summa Health Endocrinology | 234-312-2111
Jennifer Wojtowicz Western Reserve Hospital | 330-650-5110
Omar Zmeili Summa Health Endocrinology | 234-312-2111
FAMILY MEDICINE
Verlaine Blaser
Summa Health Family Medicine Center | 330-375-3584
J. Matthew Chase Unity Health Network | 330-688-9501
James Dom Dera Pioneer Physicians Network | 330-836-8471
Joshua P. Harbert Unity Health Network | 330-926-3235
Douglas Harley Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center | 330-344-6000
Tristan Henn
University Hospitals Western Reserve Physicians | 234-304-3421
Stephanie Mesko University Hospitals Sharon Family Physicians | 234-248-2753
Matthew J. Mivsek Unity Health Network | 330-662-5666
Deborah Plate
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center | 330-344-6000
Clayton Seiple Unity Health Network | 330-662-5666
Katherine Sheridan
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center | 330-344-6000
Robert Spittler Unity Health Network | 330-688-9501
Ruchi Taliwal
University Hospitals Copley Medical Group | 330-664-9758
Rebecca Teagarden Summa Health Family Medicine Center | 330-375-3584
Meet local doctors making a difference. Plus, find out who made the Top Doctors list.
{ by Cameron Gorman, photo by Erin Gulling }
When he first started his medical education in 2004, Dr. Anthony Visioni thought he wanted to be a heart surgeon — until he assisted in a few cardiac surgeries. They weren’t what he was expecting. But what truly captivated him was surgical oncology.
“I had a really amazing mentor named Julian Kim, who was at University Hospitals. … He was doing all sorts of really big, cool cases and taking care of really complex patients, and I started to gravitate toward that,” he says. “I really enjoyed taking care of somebody over a long time. So, a lot of my cancer patients … I’ve known for years, and seeing that aspect of the care through the eyes of my mentor really kind of got me hooked on it.”
Visioni volunteered in the surgical ICU during college at the University of Michigan and attended SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, New York, for medical school. He is now a surgical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Akron General — a position he’s held for about five years.
“I look at surgical oncology like, I’m an oncologist, and I’m a cancer doctor, and it just so happens that I treat cancers with surgery as opposed to my colleagues in medical oncology who treat cancers with medicines,” Visioni says.
One of Visioni’s recent goals was to bring a newer, minimally invasive aerosol chemotherapy treatment to Akron General. When Mark, a 65-year-old Akron resident, came to him with trouble swallowing, an endoscopy revealed upper gastrointestinal cancer high up in his stomach. Doctors also discovered peritoneal disease — a cancer that affects the abdominal lining. The opportunity arose to deliver aerosol chemotherapy for the first time in Ohio.
“It’s been something that’s been known to people who treat peritoneal disease for a long time, 15 years, but I think the safety data now is good enough, and it’s been around long enough, that we know it’s safe,” Visioni says. “This became a good option to preserve his quality of life.”
Compared to traditional IV chemotherapy, which usually doesn’t produce a strong response in the peritoneum, aerosol chemotherapy delivers treatment directly to the affected area via laparoscopic surgery. This also reduces systemic side effects.
“Giving somebody chemotherapy through the IV comes with all the systemic complications and side effects — nausea, decreasing your … white blood count, all of these things that can happen with various types of chemotherapy — they’re a little bit more mitigated when we deliver it just to the belly,” Visioni says. As of late March, Mark has been through about three treatments and is doing well, according to Visioni. The former bodybuilder is still working out — eating, drinking and functioning normally. In his last treatment, he showed no signs of progression of the disease.
“You always want to bring your best foot forward,” Visioni says, “because you’re not just treating a disease — you’re treating a friend, a patient … a person that you’ve grown to know.”
Dr. James Dom Dera is a board-certified family medicine physician. He specializes in chronic disease management, preventive care, men’s and women’s health and helping patients navigate complex or long-term health conditions. He forms long-term relationships with his patients and works to meet patients where they are.
Board Certifications: Family Medicine
Graduated:
The Ohio State University College of Medicine & Public Health
Residency: Summa Health Systems
Dr. Garimah Jones is a boardcertified Internal Medicine physician dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care. She earned her degree from Kent State University and completed her residency at Summa Health Systems. With a focus on wellness and chronic disease management, Dr. Jones is committed to helping patients achieve lasting health.
Board Certifications: Internal Medicine
Graduated: Kent State University
Residency: Summa Health Systems
Originally from Parma, Dr. Todd Lisy attended college at Kent State University and medical school at Northeastern Ohio College of Medicine. He did a residency at Summa Akron City Hospital and Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron where he became board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. He has been fortunate to be with the first and only group he joined after residency: Pioneer Physicians Network. He is blessed to be with his wife and three kids who understand the challenges involved with being a physician. He is also appreciative of others that have realized his potential to teach the next generation of physicians as he serves as the Internal Medicine Residency Program Director at Western Reserve Hospital and the BOI director at Paradigm, the Akron division of Agilon Health Network.
Dr. Susan Tucker
Dr. Susan Tucker is a boardcertified Internal Medicine physician committed to compassionate and comprehensive primary care. She graduated from Northeast Ohio Medical University and completed her residency at Summa Health Systems. Dr. Tucker focuses on preventative care and chronic disease management, helping patients lead healthier lives.
Board Certifications: Internal Medicine
Graduated: Northeast Ohio Medical University
Residency: Summa Health Systems
GASTROENTEROLOGY
Scott A. Fulton
The Gastroenterology Group | 330-869-0954
Costas H. Kefalas Digestive Health Center | 330-899-4194
Jeffrey Neher
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Health and Wellness Center | 330-665-8000
John S. Park Western Reserve Hospital | 330-926-3313
Corey Sievers Western Reserve Hospital | 330-926-3313
GENERAL SURGERY
Walter Chlysta Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7753
Rick Gemma Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7753
Omar F. Mujahed Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7753
Joseph Saadey Aultman General Surgery | 330-455-8000
GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY
Stephen Andrews Summa Health Gynecologic Oncology | 330-379-3514
Jacqueline Cornell
Akron Children’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine Center | 330-543-4500
Robin Laskey-Jobkar Summa Health Gynecologic Oncology | 330-379-3514
HAND SURGERY
John W. Dietrich
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-668-4055
Drew Engles
Akron Children’s Orthopedics | 330-543-3500
Gregory Hill
Unity Health Network | 330-922-1922
Derek Klaus Summa Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine | 330-835-5533
Mollie Manley
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-668-4055
Nathan Monaco
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-668-4055
Thomas Reilly Jr. Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-668-4040
Nicholas Satariano
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Physician | 330-344-6000
Rafal Z. Stachowicz
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-668-4055
HEMATOLOGY
Jeffrey Hord
Akron Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders | 330-353-8580
Nicole Kendel
Akron Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders | 330-543-8580
Greg Manson Summa Health Center Akron | 330-376-1043
Stephanie Savelli
Akron Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders | 330-543-8580
Sunitha Vemulapalli
Aultman North Canton Medical Group | 330-438-6333
Sarah Elizabeth Friebert
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatric Palliative Care | 330-543-3343
Catherine Kelly-Langen
Akron Children’s Pediatric Palliative Care | 330-543-3343
Evelyn Pangonis
Akron Children’s Pediatric Infectious Disease | 330-543-8395
Eric Robinette
Akron Children’s Pediatric Infectious Disease | 330-543-8395
Rajiv Sahni
Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7147
Michael Tan
Summa Health Infectious Disease | 330-375-3894
Shankar Upadhyayula
Akron Children’s Pediatric Infectious Disease | 330-543-8395
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Vera Bicak-Odak
Unity Health Network | 330-929-2685
Patrick Blakeslee
Unity Health Network | 330-929-2685
Kelley T. Cerroni
Unity Health Network | 330-678-7782
Michael Dentler
Summa Health Internal Medicine Center | 330-375-3315
Donald Dumford
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Physician | 330-344-6000
Hans Geho
Cleveland Clinic Akron General | 330-344-6000
Paul Gibbons
Unity Health Network | 330-688-9501
Mateen Haque
Unity Health Network | 330-929-2685
Karen Hummel
University Hospitals Medina Family & Internal Medicine/Pediatrics | 330-952-8693
Joseph Iemma
University Hospitals Internal Medicine Specialists | 234-888-9319
Zachary Jerusalem
Cleveland Clinic Akron General | 330-344-6000
Valerie Johnson
Unity Health Network | 330-926-3235
Garimah Jones
Pioneer Physicians Network Internal Medicine West | 330-864-4488
Douglas Kast
Unity Health Network | 330-662-5666
Brennan David Kruszewski Unity Health Network | 330-633-3883
Todd Lisy
Pioneer Physicians Network South Main Street Medical Center | 330-644-2700
Scott Mabee
University Hospitals Fairlawn Internal Medicine | 234-365-4349
Bryan O’Connell
Summa Health Internal Medicine Center | 330-375-3315
Brian Pollock
Unity Health Network | 330-929-2685
Susan Tucker
Pioneer Physicians Network - Northeast Family Health Care | 330-633-6601
David Watkins
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Physician | 330-344-6000
INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY
Peter Bittenbender
Summa Health Cardiology | 330-376-7000
David Hedrick
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Physician | 330-344-6000
Khaled Sleik
Cleveland Clinic Akron General | 330-344-6000
MATERNAL & FETAL MEDICINE
Prabhcharan Gill
Akron Children’s Hospital Maternal Fetal Medicine | 330-438-6296
Michael Krew
Akron Children’s Hospital Maternal Fetal Medicine | 330-363-6296
Jodi Regan
Akron Children’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine Center Akron | 330-543-4500
Katherine Wolfe
Akron Children’s Hospital Maternal Fetal Medicine Center | 330-543-4500
NEPHROLOGY
Rajat Maheshwari
Premier Renal Care Associates | 330-331-4466
Rupesh Raina
Akron Children’s Pediatric Nephrology | 330-543-8950
Natthavat Tanphaichitr
Americare Kidney Institute | 330-436-3150
Miriam P. Zidehsarai
Americare Kidney Institute | 330-436-3150
NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY
Toomas Anton Western Reserve Hospital | 330-926-3322
Tsulee Chen
Akron Children’s Pediatric Neurosurgery | 330-543-8050
Dane Donich
Summa Health Spine and Neuroscience Center | 330-576-3500
Paul Hartzfeld
Summa Health Spine and Neuroscience Center | 330-576-3500
NEUROLOGY
Bruce H. Cohen
Akron Children’s Hospital | 330-543-8050
Kelsey Merison
Akron Children’s Pediatric Neurology | 330-543-8050
Monica Rondinelli
Akron Children’s Pediatric Neurology | 330-543-8050
Ian Rossman
Akron Children’s Neuromuscular Clinic | 330-543-8050
Lawrence M. Saltis Unity Health Network | 330-572-1011
Stephen Steiner
Akron Children’s Pediatric Neurology | 330-543-8050
M. Cristina Victorio
Akron Children’s Pediatric Neurology | 330-543-8050
OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
Christine Arnold Summa Health Obstetrics and Gynecology | 330-869-9777
Sarah Babai
Women’s Health Group | 330-633-1350
Barry J. Fish Noms Healthcare Network | 330-869-3900
Steven Gorsuch Women’s Health Group | 330-633-1350
Cheryl J. Johnson Summa Health | 234-867-7965
Maura K. O’Shea Obgyn Associates of Akron Inc | 330-668-6545
Lauren Draper
Akron Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders | 330-543-8580
Hannah Elkus
Akron Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders | 330-543-8580
Mehool Patel Summa Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine | 330-971-7892
Jennifer Payne Aultman Cancer Center | 330-438-6333
Erin Wright Akron Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders | 330-543-8580
OPHTHALMOLOGY
Thomas P. Hull
Retina Associates of Cleveland Inc. | 330-869-0738
William Lawhon
Akron Children’s Pediatric Ophthalmology & Optometry | 330-543-5290
Anthony Locastro Davis Eye Center | 330-923-5676
Donald Charles Stephens Novus Clinic | 330-630-9699
Thomas J. Tsai Retina Associates of Cleveland Inc. | 330-996-9800
Palak Wall
Akron Children’s Pediatric Ophthalmology & Optometry | 330-543-5290
Gordon Bennett Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7571
Ryan Combs Summa Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine | 330-835-5533
Erin M. Dean
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-475-1631
Jeffrey S. Dulik
Spectrum Orthopaedics Inc. | 330-305-0838
Emily L. Exten
Crystal Clinic Medina | 330-721-8232
Ian M. Gradisar
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-668-4040
Jeffrey Junko
Summa Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine | 330-835-5533
Phillip J. Lewandowski
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-668-4040
Dr. Rupesh Raina is a distinguished board-certified Adult and Pediatric Nephrologist with clinical appointments at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Akron Children’s Hospital and the Americare Kidney Institute. He holds dual faculty positions as Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at Northeast Ohio Medical University, where he also serves as M4 Director in the Office of the Dean and Medical Education. He is also on faculty at Case Western Reserve University. A graduate of King George’s Medical College with advanced training at AIIMS, Dr. Raina pursued dual nephrology fellowships in adult and pediatric kidney transplantation at the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies. His expertise across the lifespan— from pediatric to adult nephrology—places him at the forefront of clinical innovation, education, and translational research. Internationally recognized for his prolific contributions to the field, Dr. Raina has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, 55 textbook chapters and serves in multiple editorial leadership roles. He is the founding editor of Critical Care Pediatric Nephrology and co-editor of the Springer Textbook of Solid Organ Transplantation, cementing his influence in shaping future standards of care. Dr. Raina is the President of the pCRRT-ICONIC Consortium, leads the Dialysis Initiative, and serves as the ISN-ACT Global Trials Lead. He is also a Council Member of the International Pediatric Transplant Association and an active Board Member of the National Kidney Foundation. His research has earned 34plus competitive grants, and he has been honored with numerous national and international awards for teaching, leadership, and innovation. A passionate mentor, educator and advocate for global kidney health, Dr. Raina continues to advance the frontiers of nephrology through interdisciplinary collaboration, research excellence and commitment to the next generation of clinicians and scientists.
Growing up on Akron’s East side, Dr. Aaron Palmer watched his father, Hollis Palmer, step into the role of community leader time and time again.
“There weren’t a lot of fathers in that community, and my dad was kind of like the neighborhood dad,” Palmer says. “He would fix washers and dryers, cars for people in the neighborhood who couldn’t afford to get them fixed. He also ran Akron East Pee Wee Football. … I idolized him.”
Palmer went to Walsh University to play football. It wasn’t until he had the chance to observe a Summa Health surgeon at work as a biology undergraduate that his career aspirations came into focus.
“When I saw the surgeon here, it reminded me of my dad,” he says.
The experience — along with his father’s 2009 diagnosis of throat cancer — motivated Palmer to go to medical school at Wright State University. He eventually found that general surgery was not for him.
“But … as part of medical school, I was helping out in a trauma,” he recalls.
“A patient had come in who was involved in a car accident, and they came in not being able to talk or move one side of their body.”
A young Black neurosurgeon asked Palmer to assist in the operation. The next day, to his surprise, the patient was already on the path to recovery.
“I thought the patient would probably be comatose, and I stopped in the room. They were wide awake,” Palmer recalls. “I felt like I potentially helped save a patient’s life.”
While he didn’t initially obtain a residency in neurosurgery, he worked in general surgery for a year in Grand Rapids, then tried applying again. That time, he was accepted to Northwestern University in Chicago.
“I absolutely loved it,” he says. “Wonderful training — some of the best brain tumor research and facilities in all of the world.”
After school, he returned home to Akron — as he promised his father he would before his 2010 death. Palmer became a Summa Health neurosurgeon in 2024 — one of few Black neurosurgeons.
“Everybody wants to feel like they are respected, and people feel the most respected and heard when either you look like them, you talk like them, you come from the same area as them,” he says.
That includes patients such as one young woman who came to Palmer with headaches, nausea, dizziness, vomiting and personality changes. An MRI showed a large right frontal intracranial tumor.
“We use all the most advanced technologies for surgery, including navigation. We use surgical microscopes,” he says. The patient underwent a craniotomy for tumor resection. “We did surgery and removed all of that tumor. And she did very well.”
Part of the patient’s therapy included work on her fine motor skills. She did lots of sewing and crocheting — even creating a fiber art neuron for her doctors.
Palmer likes to share his story often, visiting places such as Akron Public Schools’ I Promise School. He discusses the disappointments and setbacks that he endured — and how he came out on the other side. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, only 5.7 percent of U.S. doctors are Black. He hopes students will recognize that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.
“I try to do as much as I possibly can, because I think that being visible helps,” he says. “You can’t be something that you can’t see.”
Dr. Richard Lavi has been practicing in the greater Akron area for over 15 years. Dr. Lavi completed his undergraduate and medical degrees at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He completed his residency at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. Dr. Lavi went on to complete a fellowship in Allergy/Immunology at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. He serves as a Senior Clinical Instructor for Case Western Reserve University and Clinical Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine for Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He enjoys teaching medical students and residents from the surrounding hospitals. Dr. Lavi is board certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Allergy/Immunology. This allows him to treat patients of all ages in his practice. He can accommodate seeing multiple family members at once. He is a Fellow of the both the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology and American Academy of Pediatrics. His practice specializes in indoor/outdoor allergy, pet allergy, food allergy, bee sting allergy, drug allergy, chronic hives and allergic skin reactions. He also concentrates on asthma, chronic cough, sinus issues and headaches. In addition, Dr. Lavi specializes in complex immunologic diseases such as primary immune deficiency, EOE, HAE and PANDAS/PANS. He is also able to perform food and medication desensitization. He offers in-office injection and sublingual allergy immunotherapy, rhinoscopy, lung function testing, patch testing, phlebotomy and infusion services as well. He currently has offices in Cuyahoga Falls and Fairlawn. 330-423-4444
Fairlawn Location: 3618 W. Market Street
Suite 200 Fairlawn, Oh 44333
Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday, 8am-6pm; Friday, 9am-3pm
Cuyahoga Falls Location: 1100 Portage Trail Cuyahoga Falls, Oh 44223
Hours: Monday, 9am-5pm; Thursday, 9am6:30pm; Saturday (alternating), 9am-12pm
Timothy Marks
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Physician | 330-489-1000
Daniel M. Myer
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-929-9136
Jeffrey S. Noble
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-668-4040
Curtis Noel
Curtis Noel MD | 800-342-7744
William A. Pakan
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-673-6299
Amy Tucker Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7571
Ryan Urchek
Summa Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine | 330-835-5533
Gregory Vrabec
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Physician | 330-489-1000
ORTHOPEDICS
Nicholas DiNicola
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Physician | 330-489-1000
Jordan T. Etscheidt
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-670-4006
Koan Heindel Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7571
Steven B. Jackson Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7571
William Kurtz
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Physician | 330-489-1000
Jovan R. Laskovski
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 30-644-7436
Michael Makowski
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Physician | 330-489-1000
Kyle R. Nelman
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-673-6299
William F. Scully III Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-929-9136
Scott Weiner
Summa Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine | 330-835-5533
OTOLARYNGOLOGY EAR
NOSE THROAT
Hassan Abbass
Ohio ENT Associates | 330-297-9080
Phillip Khalil
Summa Health ENT | 330-375-6917
Matthew Lutz
Unity Health Network | 330-923-0399
Mark Weidenbecher Unity Health Network | 330-923-0399
Seth Willen Unity Health Network | 330-923-0399
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Bina Mehta
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Spine and Pain Institute | 800-941-6672
Bradley Riemenschneider
Akron Children’s Pediatric Anesthesiology | 330-543-8823
James T. Sable Jr. Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7246
Dmitri Souza
Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7246
PATHOLOGY
Matthew Keisling
Akron Children’s Hospital | 330-543-8572
Steven Thompson
Summa Health Pathology | 330-375-3678
PEDIATRIC ALLERGY IMMUNOLOGY
Ravi Karnani
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatric Allergy & Immunology | 330-543-0140
Heather Minto
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatric Allergy & Immunology | 330-543-0140
Lisa Sammon
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatric Allergy & Immunology | 330-543-0140
Erik White
Akron Children’s Pediatric Allergy & Immunology | 330-543-0140
PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY
Jessica Bivens
Akron Children’s Heart Center | 330-543-2778
J.R. Bockoven
Akron Children’s Pediatric Cardiology | 330-543-8521
John Clark
Akron Children’s Hospital Heart Center | 330-543-8521
Ari Gartenberg
Akron Children’s Pediatric Cardiology | 330-543-8521
Wasim Khan
Akron Children’s Hospital Heart Center | 330-543-8521
John Lane
Akron Children’s Hospital Heart Center | 330-543-8521
Chandrakant R. Patel
Akron Children’s Hospital Heart Center | 330-543-8521
Brandon Smith
Akron Children’s Heart Center | 330-543-8521
David Waight
Akron Children’s Heart Center | 330-543-8521
PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY
Nicholas Nguyen
Akron Children’s Hospital Dermatology | 330-543-3376
PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY
Jaime Haidet
Akron Children’s Hospital Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology | 330-543-3276
Ryan Heksch
Akron Children’s Hospital Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology | 330-543-3276
Mamatha Kambalapalli
Akron Children’s Hospital Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology | 330-543-3276
Alicia Lowes
Akron Children’s Hospital Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology | 330-543-3276
Rathna Mandalapu
Akron Children’s Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology | 330-543-3276
Kimberly Martin
Akron Children’s Hospital Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology |
Naveen Uli
Akron Children’s Hospital Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology | 330-543-3276
PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY
Christine Carter-Kent
Akron Children’s Pediatric Gastroenterology | 330-543-2778
Reinaldo Garcia-Naveiro
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatric Gastroenterology | 330-543-2778
Christine Pasquarella
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatric Gastroenterology | 330-543-2778
Kevin Watson
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatric Gastroenterology | 330-543-2778
Matthew Wyneski
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatric Gastroenterology | 330-543-2778
PEDIATRICS GENERAL
Sabrina Ben-Zion
Akron Children’s Pediatrics | 330-336-3539
Kimberly A Blair
Akron Children’s Pediatrics | 330-335-7337
Sladjana M. Courson
Akron Children’s Pediatrics | 330-252-1135
Joel Davidson
Akron Children’s Locust Pediatric Care Group | 330-543-8530
Jennifer Dwyer
Akron Children’s Pediatrics | 330-753-0345
Jessica Foster
Akron Children’s Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics | 330-543-8050
Amanda Gogol-Tagliaferro
Akron Children’s Locust Pediatric Care Group | 330-543-8530
Samantha Gunkelman
Akron Children’s Hospital Medicine Program | 330-543-4440
Adarsh Gupta
Akron Children’s Emergency Room Akron | 330-543-3000
David Karas
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatrics | 330-336-3539
Hanna Lemerman
Akron Children’s Pediatrics | 330-865-1252
Kathryn Mansel
Akron Children’s Hospital Medicine Program | 330-543-4440
William Mudd
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center | 330-344-2273
James Nard
Akron Children’s Hospital Medicine Program | 330-543-4440
Nirali Patel
Canton Pediatrics | 330-494-9797
Margaret Pfeffer
Akron Children’s Pediatrics | 330-252-1135
Brittany Potts
Akron Children’s Pediatric Global Health | 330-543-3242
Ashley Ryan
Akron Children’s Pediatrics | 330-342-5555
Paul Schuh
Akron Children’s Pediatrics | 330-252-1135
Erin Spies
Akron Children’s Pediatrics | 330-342-6700
Leigh Wells
Akron Children’s Pediatrics | 330-899-5437
Shaun Whisenant
Akron Children’s Pediatrics | 330-342-5555
Kenneth Wyatt
Akron Children’s Hospital Medicine Program | 330-543-4440
PEDIATRIC ORTHOPEDICS ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY
Mark Adamczyk
Akron Children’s Hospital Orthopedics | 330-543-3500
Kenneth Bono
Akron Children’s Spine Center | 330-543-3500
Paul R. Fleissner
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-668-4040
Lorena Floccari
Akron Children’s Spine Center | 330-543-3500
Kerwyn Jones
Akron Children’s Hospital Orthopedics | 330-543-3500
Patrick Riley Jr.
Akron Children’s Hospital Orthopedics | 330-543-3500
Patrick Riley
Akron Children’s Hospital Orthopedics | 330-543-3500
Todd Ritzman
Akron Children’s Hospital Spine Center | 330-543-1000
Julie Samora
Akron Children’s Orthopedics | 330-543-3500
PEDIATRIC OTOLARYNGOLOGY ENT
Samuel Albert
Akron Children’s Ear Nose and Throat Center | 330-543-4930
Terry Good
Akron Children’s Ear Nose and Throat Center | 330-543-4930
Anton Milo
Akron Children’s Hospital | 330-543-4930
Marc Nelson
Akron Children’s Hospital Ear Nose and Throat Center | 330-543-4930
Julie Wei
Akron Childrens Hospital | 330-543-3234
PEDIATRIC SURGERY
David A. Andrews
Akron Pediatric Surgical Associates | 330-434-5341
Scott Boulanger
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatric Surgery | 330-543-6060
Nathan Heinzerling
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatric Surgery | 330-543-6060
Justin Huntington
Akron Children’s Pediatric Surgery | 330-543-6060
Joseph Iocono
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatric Surgery | 330-543-6060
Anghela Paredes
Akron Children’s Pediatric General Surgery | 330-543-6060
Timothy T. Pittinger
Akron Pediatric Surgical Associates | 330-434-5341
{ by Kelly Petryszyn, photo by Erin Gulling }
Dr. Matthew Ginsberg didn’t initially think that medicine was for him — he didn’t like blood. The New York native studied food science at Cornell University. But, while at college, Ginsberg met pre-med students and worked as a respite staffer caring for a child with autism, which redirected his career pathway. “I felt like it was more important, meaningful and impactful,” Ginsberg says of medicine. He studied at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, choosing pediatric neurology as his residency after medical school. “What brought me to neurology in the beginning, in the first place, was all these puzzles and really significant challenges, which I enjoy.”
In 2019, Ginsberg joined Akron Children’s. The pediatric neurologist is co-director of the Neurofibromatosis Clinic and of the Pediatric Neuromuscular Clinic. He is the James F. and Marguerite A. Pearson Endowed Chair in Neurodevelopmental Sciences for Rare Diseases. The creation of the multi-disciplinary Leukodystrophy and Rare Neurologic Disease Clinic was facilitated by the Pearsons. “That was really a product of a family here, whose daughter has Alexander disease, which is a rare brain condition that causes sort of progressive deterioration over time,” he says. “In addition to being very instrumental in helping to fund and support the first disease-modifying therapy, they also made a charitable donation to the hospital to establish this chair and the clinic.”
An Akron Children’s patient, the Pearsons’ daughter participated in a trial at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for zilganersen, an Ionis Pharmaceuticals medicine that is now before the FDA for approval. The hope is that it will be the first approved therapy for Alexander disease. Through the rare disease clinic, Ginsberg helped perform several tests on Beth Synk’s daughter, Imogen “Immy” Synk, to confirm a diagnosis of Angelman syndrome, which is a rare neurogenetic condition that leads to neurodevelopmental disabilities. Synk worked with Ginsberg to help make Akron Children’s a site for phase 3 of Ultragenyx’s GTX-102 investigational antisense oligonucleotide therapy clinical trial. “The medication attempts to treat the root cause of the condition by increasing production of the gene UBE3A, which is missing in the brains of persons with Angelman syndrome,” says Ginsberg.
In January, Immy enrolled in the yearlong trial at Akron Children’s. It involves her going under sedation, so she is completely still during the procedure, which started as monthly and eventually weans to once every three months. The procedure involves a lumbar puncture, a withdrawal of some of the patient’s cerebral spinal fluid and then an injection of the medication.
The medicine has been shown to be promising for Angelman patients with the most common mutation. More research is needed on its effectiveness in patients with rare mutation types like Immy’s, so this phase explores that.
In February, the Synks hosted a fundraiser and raised over $34,000 for the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics. Synk is thankful for Ginsberg. “The fact that he took the initiative and brought the trial here, it’s been tremendous for our family, but I know it will be a big deal for many families in the area,” she says.
It’s families like the Synks who help inspire Ginsberg to keep pushing for rare disease treatments. “Families are the driving force behind a lot of care in rare disease because they raise the funds, they get groups together, they stimulate research,” he says, “and between that and some beneficial changes in the regulatory environment, there’s been a tremendous amount of progress.”
PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION
Micah Baird
Akron Children’s Pediatric Physiatry | 330-543-8050
Adam Bartlett
Akron Children’s NeuroDevelopmental Science Center | 330-543-8050
Travis Cleland Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-668-4094
Anthony Hayek
Summit Rehabilitation Medicine | 234-388-6560
James Klejka Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-668-4094
Kathryn Mosher
Akron Children’s Neuromuscular Clinic | 330-543-8050
Christopher Najarian
Akron Children’s Spasticity Clinic | 330-543-8050
Mark J. Pellegrino Ohio Pain & Rehab Specialists | 330-498-9865
Melanie Rak
Akron Children’s Pediatric Physiatry | 330-543-8050
Brandon Weeks
Summa Rehab Hospital Ernest Health | 330-572-7300
PLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
Meghan S. Brown Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-9730
Derek Cody Crystal Clinic Plastic Surgeons | 330-668-4065
Lewis A. Diulus
Crystal Clinic Plastic Surgeons | 330-668-4065
Ashish Francis
Akron Children’s Craniofacial Center | 330-543-2778
Shayda Mirhaidari
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-668-4065
Ananth Murthy
Akron Children’s Hospital Craniofacial Center | 330-543-2778
Niyant V. Patel
Akron Children’s Craniofacial Center | 330-543-2778
John C. Pedersen
Plastic Surgeons of Akron | 330-443-0221
Gary A. Pennington
Crystal Clinic Plastic Surgeons | 330-668-4065
Daniel J. Yoho
Crystal Clinic Plastic Surgeons | 330-668-4065
PODIATRY
Nicholas Campitelli
Unity Health Network | 330-926-3231
Jordan Grossman
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Health and Wellness Center | 330-665-8000
Richard J. Rasper
Unity Health Network | 330-662-5667
PSYCHIATRY
Sumru Bilge-Johnson
Akron Children’s Behavioral Health Akron | 330-543-5015
Dustin K. Blakeslee Unity Health Network | 330-248-5397
Charles Brown
Akron Children’s Inpatient Psychiatry | 330-543-5015
Rebecca Cirino Cleveland Clinic Akron General | 330-344-6000
Elena Hissett
Akron Children’s Inpatient Psychiatry | 330-543-5015
Todd Ivan Summa Physicians Inc. | 330-375-7474
Rihab Mohamed
Akron Children’s Behavioral Health | 330-543-5015
Michael Redovian
Akron Children’s Behavioral Health | 330-543-5015
PULMONOLOGY
Charles Fuenning
Unity Health Network | 330-253-1411
Nathan Kraynack
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Health Center | 330-344-2462
Michael Pena
Akron Children’s Pulmonary Medicine | 330-543-8885
Debbie Toder
Akron Children’s Hospital Pulmonary Medicine | 330-543-8885
RADIATION ONCOLOGY
Kevin Chaung
University Hospitals Portage Medical Center | 234-703-2722
Anand Desai Summa Health Radiation Oncology | 330-375-3557
Desiree Doncals
Summa Health Radiation Oncology | 330-375-3557
RADIOLOGY
Janice Diane Mcdaniel Akron Children’s Interventional Radiology | 330-543-0834
Michael Rubin Akron Children’s Hospital | 330-543-8275
Harlan R Ullman
Akron Radiology Inc. | 330-375-3043
Jeffrey A. Weil Akron Radiology Inc. | 330-375-3043
REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY
David M. Nash Pinnacle Fertility | 330-375-7722
RHEUMATOLOGY
David E. Bacha Crystal Arthritis Center Inc. | 330-668-4045
Kathryn Cook Akron Children’s Pediatric Rheumatology | 330-543-8574
Niharika Sharma Cleveland Clinic Akron General Health and Wellness Center | 330-665-8000
Rachel Waldman Unity Health Network | 330-926-3240
Carlos Zevallos Summa Health | 330-668-4045
SLEEP MEDICINE
Gregory Omlor Akron Children’s Pediatric Sleep Medicine | 330-543-8885
Bicak-Odak, DO Internal Medicine
Nicholas Campitelli, DPM, FACFAS Podiatry Charles Fuenning, MD Pulmonology Dustin K. Blakeslee, DO Psychiatry Gregory Hill, DO, FAOAO Orthopedics
Haque, DO Internal Medicine Valerie Johnson, MD Internal Medicine
Kast, DO, FACOI Internal Medicine Brennan Kruszewski, MD Internal Medicine J. Matthew Chase, MD Family Medicine
Lutz, DO Otolaryngology / Ear, Nose & Throat Brian Pollock, DO Internal Medicine
Matthew J. Mivsek, DO Family Medicine Joshua Harbert, DO Family Medicine Clayton Seiple, DO Family Medicine
Mark Weidenbecher, MD, FACS Otolaryngology / Ear, Nose & Throat
M. Saltis, MD Neurology
SPINE SURGERY
Carrie A. Diulus
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 866-870-0016
Douglas M. Ehrler
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 866-870-0016
Matthew Jaykel
Summa Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine | 330-8355533
Gordon Preston
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Outpatient Center | 330-665-4100
Rajiv V. Taliwal
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 866-870-0016
SPORTS MEDICINE
Raymond W. Acus
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-929-9136
Michelle Burke
Akron Children’s Sports Medicine | 330-543-8260
Mark Cipriani
Summa Health Sports Medicine | 330-865-5333
Robert Crawford
Summa Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine | 330-8355533
Blossom Heindel
Summa Health Sports Medicine | 330-835-5533
Julie Kerr
Akron Children’s Sports Medicine | 330-543-8260
Zaid Khatib
Akron Children’s Sports Medicine | 330-543-8260
Aaron Lear
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Physician | 330-344-2663
Heather Preston
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center | 330-3443990
Brian Gerard Reilly
Akron Children’s Sports Medicine | 330-543-8260
Nilesh Shah
Summa Health Medical Group Orthopedics and Sports Medicine | 330-835-5533
Julie Z. Shott
Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7571
Jessica Suba
Walk-In Orthopedic and Sports Injury Clinic | 330-543-2778
Rohini Tandon
Summa Health Sports Medicine | 330-835-5533
UROLOGY
Todd Breaux
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Urology and Pelvic Health Center | 330-535-4428
Curtis Clark
Akron Children’s Pediatric and Adolescent Urology Akron | 330-376-3332
Damian Garcher
Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7050
Zane C. Giffen
Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7050
Eric Massanyi
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatric & Adolescent Urology | 330-376-3332
Joshua Nething
Summa Health Urology | 330-374-1255
Neel Parekh
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Urology | 330-864-8008
Kevin Spear Summa Health Urology | 330-374-1255
John Wegryn
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Urology and Pelvic Health Center | 330-535-4428
John Zhao University Hospitals | 234-703-3141
VASCULAR SURGERY
Drazen Petrinec
Summa Health Vascular | 330-434-4145
Nicole Ramon
Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7758
Jeffrey Stanley Western Reserve Hospital | 330-971-7758
LEGACY
John W. Dietrich
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | 330-668-4055
Jeffrey Hord
Akron Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders | 330-353-8580
John Lane
Akron Children’s Hospital Heart Center | 330-543-8521
James Nard
Akron Children’s Hospital Medicine Program | 330-543-4440
Chandrakant R. Patel
Akron Children’s Hospital Heart Center | 330-543-8521
Maria Ramundo
Akron Children’s Emergency Room | 330-543-3000
Bradley Riemenschneider
Akron Children’s Pediatric Anesthesiology | 330-543-8823
Patrick Riley
Akron Children’s Hospital Orthopedics | 330-543-3500
Thomas J. Tsai
Retina Associates of Cleveland Inc. | 330-996-9800
Gregory Vrabec
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Physician | 330-489-1000
{ by Kelly Petryszyn, photo by Erin Gulling }
The son of a University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital pediatrician and a Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center geriatrician, Dr. Rodrigo Gerardo felt naturally drawn to the medical field. When he told his parents of his career choice, they advised him to volunteer while he was in high school. He did so at the VA and Rainbow Babies and really enjoyed it.
“What drew me in was this feeling of fulfillment of service, helping patients,” says Gerardo, who attended Wright State University’s medical school. While he didn’t initially think he would focus on surgery, he absolutely loved his surgical rotation.
“I really appreciate the immediate gratification of a patient has a problem, I do a surgery, the problem is gone,” he says.
He joined UH Portage Medical Center in Ravenna in September as a boardcertified general surgeon and the trauma medical director. At UH Portage, he is the only general surgeon performing robotic-assisted procedures. He uses robotic techniques for surgeries such as hernia repair and gallbladder removal.
“I have better capabilities in smaller spaces with the robot,” he says. “What that translates to is sometimes shorter operative times, meaning less time under anesthesia.”
Gerardo can do more difficult hernia surgeries faster. For gallbladder removal surgeries, a complication can be injuring a bile duct, but a robotic-assisted surgery may help lower that chance of injury.
“The robotic platform has a special imaging mode, and when this dye is given to the patient, the bile ducts leading to the gallbladder light up green to highlight where they are,” Gerardo says. “I can avoid the main duct that could lead to a serious complication.”
He also does minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures to repair a hiatal hernia or paraoesophageal hernia, which can cause significant reflux symptoms.
“[It] is a type of hernia where the stomach and the circular muscle that controls the food that goes from the esophagus to the stomach is displaced. It’s too high. It’s above the diaphragm where it’s not supposed to be,” Gerardo says. “I take all of that stomach, pull it back down under the diaphragm and then close the hole in the diaphragm, the hernia, and then I can wrap the stomach around to re-create that circular muscle that may or may not be working anymore.”
One patient attests via email that “I am extremely pleased with the results of the surgery. No pain. It’s like a miracle.”
“He certainly had one of the most difficult paraoesophageal hernias that I have ever seen. His hernia was scarred up onto his lungs,” Gerardo recalls. “Now he’s telling me he can eat whatever he wants. He doesn’t feel that pain of reflux acid up in his chest. He can breathe easier.”
Gerardo is happy to help make these advanced procedures available to rural hospital patients.
“I want to be someone who’s extending the excellent care that a patient in Cleveland would get,” he says, “and bringing that to their home here in Portage County.”
Raymel joined the LeBron James Family Foundation’s I Promise program as an original I Promise third grader in 2011 — and when his mom, Janette Brown, got involved with the foundation, it turned her life around.
“It’s like a dream come true, because before my mom got to the foundation, she was at the hospital, coming home from work exhausted and tired,” says Raymel in a video interview. “All that exhaustion and stress that she was going through — it just came off her shoulders.”
Brown is now operations manager at House Three Thirty. Raymel works in the front of the house and his twin sister, Raelyn, works in the kitchen — both at Buckets, a restaurant the foundation opened at House Three Thirty in April. Building on the foundation’s job training and workforce development efforts, Buckets has created about 50 jobs, employing many parents, students and teachers from the I Promise School and beyond. Many are working in a restaurant for the first time.
“We want them to learn life skills,” says Michele Campbell, executive director of the foundation. “We want them to believe in themselves and also change their financial situation.”
Buckets is more than a restaurant.
“To be able to create jobs and change families’ lives in this new way — not to mention the unbelievable menu and experience you have to see to appreciate — is something I’m really excited about,” says LeBron via a press release. “I’m proud of the way we keep building and pushing the limits on what we can do to leave our city better than we found it.”
The environment of Buckets nods to the empowering work of the foundation as well as Akron, from which LeBron — the NBA’s alltime leading bucket getter — hails. Bicycle wheels pay tribute to the foundation’s start with its bikeathon, while wagon wheels are a callout to The University of Akron Zips, which commits scholarships to I Promise students. Silver bucket lights highlight Akron artist Whiskertin, and a wooden great horned owl statue honors the Oswaldie Akron family.
First-time chef and kitchen manager Summer Fouse teamed up with House Three Thirty culinary director Aaron “Bomba” Blank to craft a menu with a focus on buckets of fried or roasted chicken and comfort food. LeBron loves wings, so there are 10 varieties too.
Workshopped for over a month, the fried chicken starts with a 24-hour pickle brine. Then, the chicken is transferred to a buttermilk brine. It gets tossed in a flour mixture, fried and finished with honey dust and salt.
“The honey powder completes the whole dish, in my opinion, adding that sweet and tanginess with the wonderful crunch and juiciness of the chicken,” says Fouse, a former foundation 330 Ambassador and House Three Thirty culinary intern. The Be Best fried chicken ($18.23) comes with delectable mini cornbread muffins with house-made cinnamon-honey butter, house-made spicy ranch Buckets sauce and coleslaw.
A standout smash burger is the Akron Hammer ($16.23), which has two patties, American cheese, house-made barbecue sauce, bacon and cheddardusted crispy onions.
“[It’s] like a cookout — you get that barbecue taste but also all the cheesiness on the burger,” Fouse says.
Other notable items include the fried Brussels sprouts with scallions, crispy garlic and honey ginger glaze and a mac ‘n’ cheese side, served with a gooey cheese sauce. LeBron’s cheat dish is a chocolate chip cookie sundae. The Kid From Akron’s Cookie is made from the recipe of his personal chef.
Drinks include the King of the Valley ($10.23), which has local Towpath Distillery vodka, St. Germaine elderflower liqueur and lime and cucumber juices or mocktails like the Afternoon Delight ($7.23) with watermelon juice, mint simple syrup and club soda.
Buckets is harnessing staffers’ potential. “It’s really cool to be able to give people opportunities to find a new passion and to see what everybody is fully capable of,” Fouse says.
First-time server Charles “Chuckie Buckie” Butler feels lots of support. “The family environment and the dynamic is awesome — the way they step in, the way they care,” he says. “It’s full of love.”
Campbell hopes to eventually expand hours from Wednesday through Saturday to seven days a week. She says Buckets can truly make a meaningful impact.
“If your bucket is empty today, you walk in here and our staff treats you like family,” she says, “we might just change your day, and fill your bucket.”
House Three Thirty, 532 W. Market St., Akron, 330-217-9932, buckets330.com
From the best artist and clothing store to the best burger and brewery, vote for your favorites!
Stay tuned for ticket info to the premier Best of the City event Sept. 23.
{ by Jillian Flack, photo provided by The University of Akron
Donning pearl necklaces, black gloves and a sleek dress, a model walks along a runway before a crowd for an NAACP style show in the ‘60s in this photograph from Akron photographer Opie Evans, who documented the Black community in Akron for years. Nationally, the NAACP’s annual Image Awards honors outstanding contributions to the arts and features a fashion show spotlighting Black American and international designers such as Okera Banks and Kevan Hall.
The NAACP was founded in 1909, and Akron’s chapter of the NAACP was formed in 1917 by more than 50 people. The Akron NAACP aims to achieve equity, civil rights and inclusion for Black people and all persons of color. It has hundreds of members and focuses on issues such as stopping racial health disparities, eliminating discrimination in education and more. The Akron chapter also hosts events, such as its annual life membership and scholarship luncheon in May and its annual Freedom Fund event in November. Individuals, churches, organizations and businesses can purchase tickets or a sponsorship to support its mission.
With the impact of inflation, changing tax laws, and market volatility on the economy, financial flexibility is more important than ever. Navigating these shifts requires the right experience and a comprehensive approach to financial planning.
At W3 Financial Group, we’re committed to supporting our clients through every economic turn. Our team of experienced professionals work together to provide a full range of services—including financial planning, retirement and investment strategies, estate planning, business services, accounting, and tax preparation.
By putting our clients’ needs first, we ensure personalized attention and guidance tailored to long-term financial success. No matter the economic climate, W3 is here to help you stay on track and adapt with confidence.