Dan Dauk joins Ray Horner on Friday mornings to talk golf. This week they discussed spring golf trips, where to go and more.
Investing in Bitcoin Just Got A Whole Lot Easier Featured
Written by Jeanne Destro
While millions of people all over the world have eagerly embraced buying Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for years now, it has always been a bit of a hassle and pretty risky.
Now, that has changed—at least to some degree— thanks to recent action from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), especially when it comes to institutional investors, like banks, or even individuals who want to make very large purchases.
Find out why their recent decision to allow Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) matters, and what that could mean for you, from Kent State University Finance Professor, David Pelleg.
David Pelleg, Kent State University
Shoveling Snow Safely & Protecting Yourself from the Cold
Written by Steffany MurdockDr. Kevin Watkins from Cleveland Clinic Akron General joined the Ray Horner Morning Show. With the cold weather we've been experiencing and heavy snow in the forecast, it's important to take precaution. Dr. Watkins talked about the impact shoveling snow can have on your heart and your back as well as precautions to take to prevent emergency situations. He also discussed protecting yourself from frostbite.
Student Athletes of the Week: Julia Quernemoen & Cullen Young
Written by Steffany Murdock
The Student Athlete of the Week segment is powered by NECA-IBEW and Akron Children’s Hospital.
This week's athletes are from Firestone High School.
Julia Quernemoen is a senior. She's been swimming since she was six years old. She has also competed at the D1 Ohio High School State Meet since her freshman year. Julia lived in South Carolina, Tennessee, and New Mexico before moving to Ohio in 2020. Julia has a GPA of 4.9. She is President of the National Honor Society at Firestone and is in the International Baccalaureate Program. In the fall, Julia will attend Colgate University where she will continue her athletic and academic careers.
Akron Mayor: Partnership with Summa Health Will "Remain Strong" Despite Pending Acquisition
Written by Jeanne Destro
On word that Summa Health is in the process of being acquired by General Catalyst’s Health Assurance Transformation Corporation (HATco), Akron Mayor Shammis Malik released this statement today:
“The City of Akron’s partnership with Summa will remain strong. My family, like much of our community, has depended on Summa for healthcare in difficult moments. My hope and belief is today’s announcement will ensure Akron families can continue to rely on Summa for excellent care for decades to come.
Change has been a constant in healthcare across the country and here at home. 35 years ago, Akron City Hospital and St. Thomas Hospital merged to form Summa, and now the system is looking to transform again. As a community, we will face these new changes head on, prioritizing patient health, community wellbeing, and support for Summa’s amazing employees.
I want to thank Dr. Cliff Deveny, his leadership team, and every Summa employee for their service to the community, as well as the Summa Board. We look forward to working with the Health Assurance Transformation Corporation (HATCo) on the future of healthcare in Akron.”
Summa Health, meanwhile, explained the changes ahead, in the following way on their website:
"Akron, Ohio-based Summa Health and General Catalyst’s Health Assurance Transformation Corporation (HATCo) announced today that the two organizations have signed a non-binding Letter of Intent outlining HATCo’s planned acquisition of Summa Health. This strategic alignment marks the beginning of a long-term, transformational journey to create a new, more proactive, affordable and equitable system of community-based, lifelong healthcare.
HATCo is eager to work with Summa Health to advance healthcare innovation based on the strength of Summa’s large, integrated healthcare delivery system and its proven track record in leading meaningful changes to care delivery. As part of HATCo, Summa Health will build upon its existing strengths and capabilities and create new opportunities to leverage innovative technology that will improve the health of communities across the Greater Akron region.
“This new structure will better serve our communities clinically, economically and socially. With HATCo, Summa Health will be able to increase local investment and introduce new resources that allow us to expand access to affordable, quality, coordinated care,” said Cliff Deveny, M.D., Summa Health President and CEO. “We’re excited about new opportunities to enhance the patient and provider experience, strengthen our recruitment pipeline, build upon our commitment to medical education and training, and expand the growth of SummaCare to advance health equity and population health across the communities we serve.”
Summa Health’s leadership team will work closely with HATCo, including Dr. Marc Harrison, HATCo CEO and Hemant Taneja, General Catalyst CEO, to leverage their collaborative, complementary expertise in healthcare and health systems to plan the transformation journey. HATCo’s investment into Summa Health will drive not only near-term benefit to the organization and the patients it serves but also sustainable, long-term transformation through a true shift to value-based care.
“HATCo is grounded in the belief that by making health systems more profitable, vibrant and innovative, they will be better equipped to serve everyone in their communities with greater impact. We are thrilled to partner with Summa Health to bring this vision to life,” said Marc Harrison, M.D., co-founder and CEO of HATCo. “The current national healthcare system is fragmented and creates barriers to care and wellness. In partnership with Summa, we intend to prove that a model that’s better for patients can also be good for business and create a blueprint for other systems and communities.”
Within the new structure, Summa Health will become a for-profit organization and HATCo and Summa Health will maintain the health system’s commitment to charity care. In addition, as a result of the transaction, a community foundation will be created that advances Summa’s mission through increased, focused investment into social determinants of health that benefits the entire Greater Akron area. The health system delivered $210.1 million in community benefit to area residents in 2022 and is deeply committed to continuing this long-standing work to improve the health of its region.
“Our shared vision is to create a replicable healthcare model that marks a true and meaningful shift from a ‘sick care’ system to a resilient, proactive model of health assurance,” said Hemant Taneja, CEO of General Catalyst, and founder and chairman of HATCo. “By doing so, we will help people stay well, bend the cost curve through innovation and make quality care more affordable and accessible. I couldn’t be more excited to collaborate and execute on that vision with Summa Health and HATCo. We aim to improve the health and wellbeing of the greater Akron community, create a standard for the health system of the future, and inspire communities across America to adopt this vision.”
“This alliance provides Summa Health with comprehensive opportunities to grow our organization in ways we can’t achieve alone. Many other health systems are navigating the very same challenges we must transcend,” said George Strickler, Chair of Summa Health’s Board of Directors. “We are excited about this opportunity to work hand-in-hand with HATCo to increase investment in Summa Health and our communities and drive meaningful, transformative change that will benefit the entire healthcare industry.”
“From a nursing perspective, I‘m very excited about the potential to shape the future of nursing care through this relationship,” added Penelope Gorsuch, DNP, RN, NEA-BC-FACHE, Summa Health Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer. “As we look to continue to extend our work on evidenced-based practices across Summa and beyond, our shared vision with HATCo provides us with unique opportunities to enhance and grow our focus on innovative nursing models.”
HATCo and Summa Health are now entering a due diligence period during which they will work together to further evaluate and define details of the proposed relationship, while carefully reviewing information from both organizations before finalizing a definitive agreement. Summa Health will continue to provide the same essential services, current and planned commitments will proceed uninterrupted, and the organization will continue to invest in Ohio employees and initiatives.
The two organizations anticipate finalizing a definitive agreement in the next several months. Following receipt of required regulatory approvals and transaction closing, Summa Health will become a wholly owned subsidiary of HATCo and continue its focus on growth and enhanced access to care.
To learn more about this strategic partnership, please visit SummaHealth.org/Future."
Stay Toasty in Akron's Warming Centers This Week
Written by Jeanne Destro
Brutally low temperatures with sub-zero wind chills, have prompted Akron City officials to continue extending the regular operating hours of the Summit Lake Community Center at 380 West Crosier Street, as a warming center for people who need someplace to stay out of the cold. It will be open from 8AM to 7PM, now through Friday.
In addition, the City's Emergency Overnight Shelter operated in partnership with several area non-profits, at 111 East Voris Street, is available for anyone who needs someplace safe and warm to stay between 7PM and 8AM.
More information: click here.
The Red Cross has declared an emergency blood shortage. Jim McIntyre from the Red Cross joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to talk about the shortage that they are facing and how you can donate.
Protect Yourself from the Cold Weather: Frostnip, Frostbite, and More
Written by Steffany MurdockTemperatures are down which means risks to your health are up. Dr. Debbie Plate from Cleveland Clinic Akron General joined the Ray Horner Morning Show. She discussed Frostbite, Frostnip, numbness from the cold, and more.
The violence started on the West side, at around 3:00 on Friday afternoon, in the 1700 block of Liberty Drive, which is near the Northwest Branch of the Akron Public Library.
Police say that's when a 34 year old man who was waiting for an acquaintance, got carjacked by a man he didn't know who pulled a gun and demanded his car. He wasn't hurt, though, and police say they found his Jeep Wagoneer on Saturday in Bolivar, Ohio, in Tuscarawas County.
Then, early Sunday morning, a little after 3:00AM, police responded to a call about shots fired in the 1100 block of South Bellows Street in South Akron, near Marcy Park. Residents of a house there, told police they were awakened by the sound of gunfire, and that they found two bullet holes in their walls. Nobody was hurt there, either.
That was not the case, though, in East Akron at 12:03AM, today (Monday), when police found a 52 year old man in the 700 block of Hudson Street, who had been shot in the legs. They say they applied tourniquets to stop the bleeding until EMS arrived, and the man was taken to the hospital with what are described as non life-threatening injuries.
No arrests have been announced in any of the incidents, and police are asking for tips to help them track down the suspects.
Dr. John Green, Professor of Political Science at the University of Akron, joined the Ray Horner Morning Show. The Iowa Caucuses are today (Monday). Dr. Green talks about the importance of the caucuses, the GOP, and more.
More...
Tim Alcorn, voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers, joins Ray Horner every Friday for 3 Pointers. This week, Tim joined Ray from Paris and talked about the game, the team, and more.
Film School: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Written by Steffany MurdockFilm Study Professor Joe Fortunato joins the Ray Horner Morning Show every Friday to talk about the classics. This week, they went back to 1984 to discuss Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Protecting Kids From The Harmful Effects Of Social Media Featured
Written by Jeanne Destro
Today we're exploring the effects of social media on kids and teens, and what is being done to address them.
In our latest edition of "This Week in Tech with Jeanne Destro", we're talking with two experts on the topic; a professor from the University of Akron, and a nationally known tech journalist.
This has been an interesting week, with the state of Ohio's new law that requires parents to consent to children under the age of 16 now on hold, because of a lawsuit filed by an organization representing the tech industry.
That group, NetChoice, got a federal judge to issue a temporary injunction to stay the law, that was supposed to go into effect on Monday, January 15th.
In addition, Meta, which owns both Facebook and Instagram, announced some voluntary controls on what kids and teens can see in their feeds, and access through searches.These new restrictions are related to topics which have been shown to harm mental health, including body image, suicide, and more.
Listen now to my conversation with Professor of Practice, Julie Cajigas, who teaches classes on social media at the University of Akron:
Prof. Julie Cajigas, University of Akron
Next, a deeper dive into this topic, with Ian Sherr, who recently left CNET after 15 years as their Editor at Large, and who is now a frequent CBS News contributor.
Ian Sherr, CBS News Tech Contributor
Mayor Malik on City Finances, Police Chief Search, & More!
Written by Steffany MurdockMayor Shammas Malik joined the Ray Horner Morning Show. He talked about his swearing in ceremony over the weekend, growing up in Akron, the state of the city's finances, looking for a new police chief, and more!