AKRON, Ohio -- Akron Children's Hospital is looking forward to a busy and celebratory 2015 highlighted by the opening of the new Kay Jewelers Pavilion in the spring and the hospital’s 125^th anniversary in October.

The May 5 opening of the $200 million Kay Jewelers Pavilion -- featuring a new emergency department, outpatient surgery center, neonatal intensive care unit and labor and delivery unit for high-risk newborns -- coincides with the 125^th anniversary of the hospital’s founding in 1890 as the Akron Day Nursery (later named the Mary Day Nursery), the hospital announced in a news release.

In 1890, Akron was a thriving Midwest community with a population of 27,600 but it did not have a hospital for the care of the city’s children. At the time, diphtheria, influenza, scarlet fever, pneumonia, tuberculosis and typhoid fever were prevalent. More than 25% of children died before their fifth birthday, nearly one half of them succumbing to “summer diarrhea,” caused by drinking milk contaminated by bacteria, the hospital noted in its announcement.

A small group of prominent women from two churches started the Akron Day Nursery on Oct. 20, 1890, which today has become Akron Children’s Hospital with campuses here and Boardman and services offered at more than 80 locations.

To kick off its 125th year, Akron Children’s has produced a three-minute anniversary video. Click here to view the video.

A number of celebratory events (CLICK HERE) will mark the milestone, including large metal flower sculptures that will be placed in the Akron area "in commemoration of how Akron Children's Hospital has blossomed."

SOURCE: Akron Children's Hospital.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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