Access to transportation has been identified as a major concern for families seeking medical care for their families in the Mahoning Valley. One local organization recognized and addressed this need with a recent gift. Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley received $250,000 from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mahoning Valley and Western PA (now named Ronald […]
Shelley Walker receives NASW region 2 lifetime achievement award
Even though Shelley Walker, retired director of social work, no longer works at Akron Children’s, her impact on the hospital’s social work department is still earning her accolades. Shelley was recently honored at the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)–Ohio Chapter’s annual social work gala as NASW Region 2’s lifetime achievement award recipient. The lifetime […]
Shelley Walker’s retirement outlook is social and bright
Shelley Walker, director of social work, always looks for the positive in every situation. She believes that people have the capacity to change, adapt to their circumstances and better themselves. It’s one of the reasons she wanted to become a hospital social worker. Early in her career, Shelley worked with a social worker who made […]
Social workers recognized by their peers for devotion to field
Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s social work recognition awards! Sharon Blackledge, LISW-S, for the Denis Hessoun Award for Professional Growth and Development Heather Lanfranchi, LISW, for the Vicki Allan Award for Social Work Services Cindy King, LISW-S, for the Mary Frances Ahern Award for Social Work Dedication According to Shelley Walker, director of […]
Meet Naiima: Special Needs for a Very Special Girl
When Naiima Oden was born prematurely, her mother Markita Batties expected things to go just as they had for her first child, Amirah, who was also premature and spent the first few weeks in Akron Children’s neonatal intensive care unit. However, Naiima’s situation was much different. She spent the first 2½ months of her life […]