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Do IT this week: Layering
Institute named after wife aims to raise $4 million more
By Cheryl Powell
Beacon Journal medical writer
Published on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009
Akron Children's Hospital is launching a multimillion-dollar push to bring cutting-edge clinical research to its young patients.
The effort got a jump-start on Monday, when President and Chief Executive William ''Bill'' Considine and his wife, Becky, announced a $1 million gift to establish the Rebecca D. Considine Clinical Research Institute.
The goal is to raise another $2 million to $4 million in donations during the next three to five years, said Philip Maynard, chairman of the Akron Children's Hospital Foundation.
''This could really change the whole dynamic of what's happening here,'' Maynard said.
Ultimately, the hospital wants to expand its research efforts across the main hospital, as well as at its satellite hospital in the Mahoning Valley and pediatric practices throughout the region, said Dr. Michael Reed, director of the Clinical Research Institute.
The hospital already provides access to clinical trials and new treatments for patients in many of its specialties, Reed said.
On Monday afternoon, for example, 4-week-old Zander Robinson was resting comfortably in his mother's arms while receiving high-flow, humidified oxygen known as Vapotherm in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
The Tuscarawas County baby was born with a heart defect and underwent the first of three operations about two weeks ago.
Research conducted at Children's has shown that using this high-flow oxygen helps babies such as Zander who are coming off ventilators breathe easier and stay off the breathing machines, said Dr. Michael Forbes, director of clinical research for the PICU and a pediatric intensivist.
The hospital is continuing to study the results and plans to develop protocol to share with other pediatric facilities nationwide, Forbes said.
Zander's parents, Stacy and Josh, said they are grateful for the option for their son.
''We know we're at the right place,'' Josh Robinson said.
The new institute will expand these types of opportunities for patients in the region and allow the hospital to hire more researchers, Reed said.
''This will now be much more coordinated and allow us to begin to generate centers of excellence,'' he said.
The Considines' donation will be used to create an endowment that will enable the new institute to conduct research focused on prevention and treatment of childhood illness. The money also will provide support for the education and training of research staff.
The launch of the research institute complements efforts to boost medical research and development in the region through the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron, Considine said.
He chairs the BioInnovation Institute, which brings together research efforts by Akron's three hospital systems, the University of Akron and the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy.
The $1 million gift coincides with Considine's 30th anniversary this month as the hospital's leader.
Considine earned about $1.2 million in 2007, the most recent year for which annual hospital filings with the Internal Revenue Service are available.
''Becky and I were talking about our love for Children's and how 30 years we have been part of the Children's family,'' Considine said. ''We wanted to take this opportunity at the 30-year landmark to do something that was particularly special . . . to try to do something that would be here not only for the children we are serving now but their children.''
Becky Considine, his wife of 37 years, has been a volunteer at the hospital throughout his tenure.
''We reflected on what we wanted to do in the future,'' she said. ''This seemed like a good time to make a meaningful gift.''
Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or chpowell@thebeaconjournal.com.
Akron Children's Hospital is launching a multimillion-dollar push to bring cutting-edge clinical research to its young patients.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 07:13 AM, 11/24/2009
How many people will donate to any hospital once the Obama/Pelosi/Reid health debacle/takeover becomes complete? How many? None......how many donate willingly to govt programs now? None.
Once the socialist/communist-in-chief finishes, well, this kind of story will be one for the history books, well, atleast until they are revised.
Posted 08:52 AM, 11/24/2009
@David - From who do you buy your stash?
akron, oh
Posted 09:31 AM, 11/24/2009
What a fantastic gift from the Considines. It is beyond generous.
Only one question though. How much is ACH paying him?
Akron, OH
Posted 09:48 AM, 11/24/2009
awesome how some people can turn the conversation on an otherwise pleasant article into their distaste for politicians...
...put a sock in it will ya??!
Posted 10:04 AM, 11/24/2009
If you don't see the reality of it, you are the one smoking from a stash.
Yes, it is a pleasant article, but the truth can't be changed. This will be a historical event, which will seldom be repeated, if ever, should healthcare legislation pass. It has nothing to do with "distaste for politicians". If it is too much truth for you this morning, roll over and go back to sleep.
uhrichsville, oh
Posted 11:57 AM, 11/24/2009
David, I think you need to go back to bed and roll out on the other side then take a trip to akron children's hospital and than maybe you would realize why this article was written..... Zander you are a fighter, so many people are praying for you.
