Tod family sees a future with new children's hospital

EDITOR:
Following the announcement by Forum Health of its intent to consolidate Tod Children's Hospital with HM Health Partners and Akron Children's Hospital, we were invited to meet with William Considine, president of Akron Children's Hospital, to learn of their plans for pediatric medical care within the Mahoning Valley. We were quite impressed. Akron Children's Hospital is a superior pediatric medical care facility, staffed by highly qualified pediatric physicians, sub specialists and pediatric nurses. The proposed Akron Children's Hospital Youngstown affiliate will be an asset to Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.
Mr. Considine indicated a desire to eventually locate the Akron Children's Hospital-Youngstown affiliate within the Beeghly Medical Center complex in Boardman Township, to make pediatric medical care more accessible to children residing within the city of Youngstown. He pledged that this affiliate would offer the same level and quality of pediatric medical care that now exists at the Akron hospital. He indicated a desire to continue the Child Life and Education program that has been one of the hallmarks of the Tod Children's Hospital. Mr. Considine also promised to maintain transparency and to account separately for all funds raised in the name of "Tod Children's Hospital" and to sue such funds exclusively for the Akron Children's Hospital-Youngstown affiliate.
Coincidentally, we also learned that Col. George Tod Perkins, one of the founders of the Akron Children's Hospital, was a nephew to Gov. David Tod.
Following the visit, we discussed this matter with members of the Tod family who have consented to allow Akron Children Hospital to incorporate the Tod name with the Akron Children's Hospital-Youngstown affiliate. Moreover, the Tod family will continue to support pediatric medical care within Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley by supporting the Akron Children's Hospital-Youngstown affiliate.
We encourage those within the community who have supported the former Tod Children's Hospital to now support the Akron Children's Hospital-Youngstown affiliate. It is time that we all move on.
Our family nevertheless remains concerned about Forum Health and specifically the adverse impact to health care for residents of the city of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley should Forum Health elect to close its North Side Medical Center.
SALLIE TOD DUTTON
Liberty