By Cheryl Powell, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio
Jun. 30–Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital is now officially part of Summa Health System.
Summa announced this morning that it has completed a previously announced deal to acquire the community hospital.
The 113-bed facility in Wadsworth already has been affiliated with Summa since November.
As part of the deal, Summa has pledged to spend $7.8 million on construction projects at the hospital in Medina County, the health system said in a release.
Planned improvements include upgrades to the intensive-care unit and operating suites, emergency department and special procedure/cardiology lab.
The renovated emergency department will increase from 12 beds to 20 beds and include a fast-track urgent care program, according to Summa. Likewise, the ICU will triple its capacity from four beds to 12.
The plan also calls for construction of two new surgical suites and a new cardiac special procedures lab.
“Summa’s interest in the hospital has always been driven by the desire to work with Wadsworth-Rittman’s medical staff and hospital leadership to evolve the outstanding care that is already provided to the community,” Summa President and Chief Executive Thomas J. Strauss said in a prepared statement. “As part of the Summa family, we will continue to invest in the hospital, whether it’s in the form of upgrades to the facility itself, or investments in new technology and services.”
Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital President James W. Pope is retaining his position and taking on additional responsibilities as president of Summa Barberton Hospital, Summa announced this morning.
Pope succeeds Willard Roderick, who recently retired as president and chief executive of the former Barberton Citizens Hospital. Summa acquired the community hospital in Barberton late last year.
In his expanded role, Pope will be responsible for overseeing Summa’s southwest region initiatives, which includes the communities of Barberton, Wadsworth, Rittman and Green.
—–
To see more of the Akron Beacon Journal, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.ohio.com.
Copyright (c) 2008, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Comments