Employees Trained, Processes Implemented to Support Patients Visiting Akron General
Pictured top (left to right): Dr. Brian Harte, Michael Teodosio, Andre Lessears, Dr. William Lanzinger (all of CCAG)
Pictured bottom (left to right): Mary Kay Rogers & Gia Bell (of CCAG), and Laurie Cramer & Lisa Thompson (of ASGA) Cleveland Clinic Akron General is the first hospital in Akron, and among the first adult hospitals in the nation, to be designated an “Autism Friendly Hospital.” This designation from the Autism Society of Greater Akron was celebrated at a reception on Tuesday in the hospital’s Main Lobby.
Akron General began the process of seeking this designation in 2017 and has succeeded in having more than 650 employees trained to identify a person with autism spectrum disorder. In addition, caregivers were trained in adapting their approach and using visual supports to achieve better medical outcomes. They now use the “Stop. Assess. Support” training curriculum developed by the Autism Society of Greater Akron to help build a more inclusive community that accommodates people with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Cleveland Clinic Akron General is a nonprofit healthcare organization that has been improving the health and lives of the people and communities it serves since 1914. Akron General serves as the hub for Cleveland Clinic’s Southern Region and includes a 532-registered-bed teaching and research medical center in downtown Akron; Akron General Partners, which includes Partners Physician Group; three Health & Wellness Centers; Lodi Hospital; and Akron General Foundation. Recently, U.S. News & World Report ranked Akron General Medical Center as the No. 1 hospital in Akron. For more information, visit akrongeneral.org.
About Cleveland Clinic Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion, and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 66,000 employees are more than 4,200 salaried physicians and researchers and 16,600 nurses, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic’s health system includes a 165-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 11 regional hospitals in northeast Ohio, more than 180 northern Ohio outpatient locations – including 18 full-service family health centers and three health and wellness centers – and locations in southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nev.; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2018, there were 7.9 million total outpatient visits, 238,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 220,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/CCforMedia and twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
Autism Friendly Communities ASGA’s Autism Friendly Communities program includes training in recognizing and better understanding the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families, reviewing programs and procedures to accommodate potential adaptations, and publicly displaying the organization’s commitment to being a supportive and inclusive place to visit. The AFC program was launched in 2017 when Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro championed a resolution declaring the county the first in Ohio to be committed to being “Autism Friendly.”
Autism Society Greater Akron and Autism The Autism Society of Greater Akron (ASGA) developed the “Stop. Assess. Support.” curriculum to train local businesses, governmental and other organizations in the needs of individuals with ASD. ASGA is one of more than 80 affiliates nationwide that are part of the Autism Society of America, the nation’s largest and oldest grassroots autism organization. ASGA is one of two affiliates that conduct Autism Friendly training. ASGA serves Summit, Stark, Wayne, Portage, and Medina counties. ASGA works locally to achieve its mission to improve the lives of all affected by autism.
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