Organized by Akron Mayor Daniel Horrigan, health disparity experts will gather to lead a community conversation at Akron Summit County Public Library’s Main Library in downtown Akron Thursday, Nov. 10 for the inaugural Mayor’s Health Equity Summit. The topic for this year’s Summit will be premature birth and infant mortality in Akron.
The Summit takes place 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 60 S. High St. Breakfast and sign-in begin at 7:45 a.m.
The goal of the inaugural Mayor’s Health Equity Summit is to engage healthcare leaders and workers, employers, benefits managers, social service agencies, government leaders, faith-based leaders, grass roots groups and citizen advocates in developing a plan for intervention that can be implemented citywide. Experts and researchers will discuss the causes and risk factors of prematurity and infant mortality—including soci
al, economic and health factors—and lay out evidence-based strategies to improve maternal, infant, and child health outcomes in Akron.
Horrigan, on his decision to host the Summit, said, “During my 2015 campaign and in my first year as mayor, I have observed inequities in the city that are simply unacceptable. Maternal and childhood health are some of the most critical inequities, as they affect foundational aspects of life and opportunity for the next generation. One’s race or zip code should never be a factor in maternal health or life expectancy.
A primary goal of my administration is to break down entrenched barriers and build bridges that will connect all of our citizens—particularly our expectant mothers—to the resources, knowledge and care that they need, so they and their children can live healthy, productive, and full lives here in Akron. Thanks to our distinguished panel of experts, this Summit will advance the community conversation, educate stakeholders from all sectors about the latest research and challenge each of us to be part of the solution. This is an evidence-based call to action to decide, as a community, how to evaluate and prioritize our efforts around eliminating disparities and improving maternal and infant health in Akron.”
This fact-finding and information-sharing forum was designed by the Health Equity Summit Steering Committee, which includes representatives from the City of Akron, Akron Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Summa Health, Summit County Public Health and AxessPointe Community Health. “We are proud to announce that these healthcare organizations are fully committed to being at the table, working together to develop citywide measures based on their own and outside research to improve communication and coordination across the City,” Dr. Teresa Albanese, assistant to Mayor Horrigan for Education, Health and Families, said of the Summit’s formation.
The keynote speaker for the event will be Soma Stout, MD, MS. Dr. Stout is Vice President of Patient-Centered Medical Home Development at the Cambridge Health Alliance and Co-Director of Leadership Programs at the Harvard Medical School Center for Primary Care and the Executive Lead for the 100 Million Healthier Lives Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Her work focuses on the transformation of health systems in underserved communities to achieve better patient experience, quality and health at a sustainable cost and a meaningful experience for caregivers.
Register at www.eeds.com/live/153408.
The event is free, and parking is free with validation.
The Summa Health System designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Summa Health System is accredited by the Ohio State Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Questions regarding the inaugural Mayor’s Health Equity Summit may be directed to Dr. Teresa Albanese, assistant to Mayor Horrigan for Education, Health, and Families at (330) 375-2489.
