Rep. Sykes Tours Local Health Organizations In Canton As Part Of Ongoing Commitment To Improving The Health Of Our Communities
CANTON, OH — Yesterday, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) toured Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, Aultman Hospital, Shipley Child Health Clinic, and Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health agency. During these visits, Rep. Sykes met with healthcare staff and leadership and discussed efforts to improve access to quality, affordable healthcare services for all people living in Stark County. Healthcare is one the largest industries in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.
“As someone who has dedicated their career to public health, it is one of my top priorities to ensure Ohioans in the 13th Congressional District are healthy and safe. Our local healthcare organizations are integral to the overall public health and economic vitality of our communities, so it was a pleasure to meet with providers in Canton to discuss how we can work together to provide comprehensive, essential services to Stark County residents,” said Rep. Sykes. “I remain committed to ensuring all folks can access high-quality, affordable healthcare when they need it most.”
Since joining Congress in January 2023, Rep. Sykes introduced the Mental Health Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation to improve access to mental health services by providing tens of millions of dollars annually to increase the numbers of mental health professionals in communities across the country. Additionally, she has co-sponsored several bills to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities, including the Momnibus Act, to support mothers and children and combat the maternal mortality crisis, and the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act, to increase access to multi-cancer early detection screening tests through Medicare.
At Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, Rep. Sykes met with Dr. Brian Harte (President of Cleveland Clinic Southern Regional Hospitals), Dr. Cody Turner (Chief Medical Officer), Dr. Drew Wojtkowski, DDS (Medical Director of the Dental Clinic), Dr. Zach Christoff (Assistant Program Director of the Dental Unit), Thomas Turner (Vice President Development & Government Relations and President of the Mercy Development Foundation). During the visit, she toured the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, Oral Health Unit, Emergency Department Cath Lab, and Cardiovascular Unit. The Cath Lab is the only one of its kind in the United States and began in 1998 with funding from Congress.
While at Aultman Hospital, Rep. Sykes visited the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the new, $28 million dollar Cancer Center and met with Rob Mullen (Chief Legal Officer and Senior VP Aultman Health Foundation & Aultcare), Anne Gunther, (COO Healthcare Delivery Systems), and Dr. Peter Ferguson (Medical Director of Aultcare).
“We were honored to host Congresswoman Emilia Sykes today at the Aultman Hospital main campus. Emilia toured the new Aultman Timken Family Cancer Center, along with the neonatal intensive care unit, which is operated by Akron Children’s Hospital. Hospital administrators were excited to join Emilia and enjoyed some educational and engaging conversations during their tour. Thank you, Emilia, for stopping by to visit!” said Anne Gunther, COO Healthcare Delivery Systems at Aultman Hospital.
Rep. Sykes also toured the Shipley Child Health Clinic and the Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health agency, meeting with Amy Weisbrod (Executive Director of Shipley Child Health Clinic) and Joe French (CEO of Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health).
“It was an honor to provide a tour of our safety-net, community pediatric clinic and talk about access and equity with Congresswoman Sykes and her team. Her intentionality was ever present, and I believe more children will have access to healthcare because of her time and compassion for the issue,” said Amy Weisbrod, Executive Director of Shipley Child Health Clinic.
“Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health was thankful to have Congresswoman Sykes on site. It’s important for our entire community to know of the struggles the mental health field faces, especially for agencies that serve children. It truly takes a village, and I appreciate Congresswoman Sykes’ interest and willingness to advocate for our children,” said Joe French, CEO of Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health.