As the weather cools down and schedules fill up, fall and winter often bring new challenges for families, for caregivers, and for people managing long-term health conditions. That’s when community support matters even more. Throughout the second half of 2025, our team continued to partner with local organizations focused on care, connection, and showing up when it really counts.

Fall & Winter Community Involvement Highlights

September included sponsorships and participation in events supporting the Diabetes Association golfing fundraiser and the Faithful Servants Care Center yearly fundraising gala. The Faithful Servants Care Center in Tallmadge is a Christian-based healthcare organization providing urgent healthcare services to uninsured and those at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, and several Pioneer physicians volunteer their time there. and is staffed in part by several Pioneer physicians. Events like these remind us that healthcare isn’t just about appointments; it’s also about helping people feel supported beyond the exam room.

That same month also brought the Mary Grace Foundation’s Race with Grace, a 5K that donates proceeds to individuals in Medina County who have been affected by cancer and need help with basic life necessities. The foundation was established in memory of Grace, who lost her battle with breast cancer. Team members participated in the race, promoting community involvement and employee wellness at the same time.

September also marked the first-ever Dunk‑a‑Doc, held in the Pioneer Physicians administration parking lot. Leaders and physicians from across the network—from Louisville and North Canton to Akron and Cuyahoga Falls—along with physicians from Community Health Care, volunteered to take a seat atop the dunk tank. Patients, office staff, and fellow physicians lined up to take their shots, with all proceeds benefiting this year’s Walk4Alz.

Community walks benefiting Portage Path Behavioral Health, Down Syndrome of Northeast Ohio, and the Alzheimer’s Association highlighted how wide the circle of care really is—from early development to aging with dignity. Portage Path’s KJ’s 5K donates proceeds to mental health and animal welfare organizations; Down Syndrome’s Buddy Walk is the world’s most widely recognized public awareness program for the Down syndrome community; and the Alzheimer’s Association Walk4Alz funds go towards furthering care, support, and research efforts.

Whether it was supporting mental health awareness or raising funds for families facing long-term conditions, these moments reinforced something we see in primary care every day: health is personal, and no one should have to navigate it alone.

In November, our team helped support Christmas at Akron Rotary Camp, an event that distributes gifts to children with special needs during a holiday party complete with Santa, crafts, and cookies. Dozens of gifts were carefully selected and wrapped by members of the Community Involvement Committee.

Later that month, Pioneer sponsored the Helms Foundation’s Splatterfest, which added a little color—literally—to the fall calendar. The foundation provides art therapy as part of an integrative mental health approach, using a variety of materials and creative techniques to help individuals struggling with mental health connect with their community. Afternoon activities were family‑focused, while the evening 21+ event featured music and interactive art.

December wrapped up with volunteering at the Haven of Rest, where team members helped serve lunch to neighbors in need. It wasn’t flashy, just warm food, friendly faces, and time spent together. Sometimes, that’s exactly what makes the biggest difference.

Looking Back

From walkathons to holiday parties to lunchtime service, the second half of the year showed how many ways there are to care for a community. Some moments were energetic and public while others were quiet and behind the scenes but all of them mattered. For our primary care teams, being part of these efforts feels natural. After all, caring for people doesn’t stop when the clinic closes for the day—it just shows up in different places.