Inside Akron Children's

Akron Children’s nurse Sarah Ballentine receives 2026 Faces of Care award

Heather Bauders, Managing Editor — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 14:00:04 +0000

Sarah Ballentine of Newton Falls, Ohio, grew up loving to help others and take care of them. She knew she wanted a career in healthcare. Today, she is a staff nurse in the Akron Children’s Hematology and Oncology inpatient unit. She is also the latest Akron Children’s recipient of the Faces of Care award, an […]

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Safe exercises for pregnancy: What activities to try (and what to avoid)

Marketing and Communications Staff Writer — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:00:16 +0000

When you’re expecting, one of the best things you can do is keep your body moving — even if it’s the last thing your swollen feet want to do. Exercise is an important part of a healthy pregnancy and offers big benefits for both you and your baby. “Exercise strengthens your heart and lowers your chances of pregnancy problems,” said Jennifer Hostetler, APRN-CNP, a certified nurse practitioner in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. “It […]

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Taking children’s voices to Capitol Hill: Akron Children’s participates in Family Advocacy Day

Kathy Johnson - Senior Corporate Communications Specialist — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:31:13 +0000

When lawmakers make decisions about healthcare policy, conversations often center on budgets, legislation and funding. Family Advocacy Day helps bring those discussions back to what matters most: the children and families whose lives are directly affected by those decisions. “Family Advocacy Day, hosted by the Children’s Hospital Association, brings together patients and families from children’s […]

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Akron Children’s celebrates 19 graduating fellows

Kathy Johnson - Senior Corporate Communications Specialist — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 16:09:07 +0000

After years of advanced training, 19 fellows will graduate from Akron Children’s this month, completing specialized programs that prepare them to care for children with complex and unique healthcare needs. Training the next generation of pediatric specialists For physicians and other medical providers, fellowship training represents an additional step that allows providers to gain in-depth […]

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Barb Bungard reflects on growth throughout her 47 years at Akron Children’s

Marketing and Communications Staff Writer — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:00:58 +0000

Throughout her 47 years at Akron Children’s, Barb Bungard built a career that took her from being a nurse on the infant floor to a manger on the Epic team. In that time, as her career and the organization evolved, one thing remained constant – she and the hospital’s dedication to the founding promise to […]

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Beat the heat: 5 tips on how to stay cool during pregnancy this summer

Marketing and Communications Staff Writer — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:00:53 +0000

With warmer temperatures and plenty of sunshine, summertime can be a welcome change from the gray, cold days of winter. But if you’re pregnant, summertime can bring its own challenges. Many moms-to-be find that they feel warmer than usual, so hot, humid days can feel especially intense. “During pregnancy, your body naturally runs warmer due […]

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Patient experience spotlight: Emily Mars

Heather Bauders, Managing Editor — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:00:50 +0000

Every month, Akron Children’s recognizes an employee for providing an outstanding patient experience. Our most recent honoree is Emily Mars, speech therapist at Akron Children’s Rehabilitative Services in Massillon. She recently received these kind comments from a grateful mom: “Emily Mars, the speech therapist, goes above and beyond for our son each week. We have […]

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Akron Children’s celebrates the graduating pediatric residency class of 2026

Kathy Johnson - Senior Corporate Communications Specialist — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:00:57 +0000

Akron Children’s is proud to celebrate the pediatric residency class of 2026 as they complete an important chapter in their medical careers. Residency is a time that is both challenging and rewarding. It requires resilience, teamwork and a deep commitment to patient care. Over the past three years, these physicians have grown into confident pediatricians […]

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Melanie Brewster named Akron Children’s Magnet Nurse of the Year

Kathy Johnson - Senior Corporate Communications Specialist — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:00:11 +0000

When Melanie Brewster was named Akron Children’s 2026 Magnet Nurse of the Year for Transformational Leadership, it came as no surprise to the nurses and leaders who have worked alongside her. Known by many as the organization’s unofficial “Chief Hype Officer,” Melanie helped lead Akron Children’s to an exemplary Magnet site visit in March 2026. […]

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Akron Children’s ‘Goes Orange,’ inviting community to talk about pediatric firearm injuries and how to prevent them

Holly Pupino, Senior Corporate Communications Specialist — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:50:34 +0000

Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States. That sentence was the driving force behind a full-day conference Akron Children’s held on May 29 entitled, “Akron Children’s Goes Orange: Strategies to Address Pediatric Firearm Injuries and Their Prevention.” The Akron Children’s surgery and trauma teams led the effort. […]

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