In primary care, we talk a lot about prevention: eating well, staying active, managing stress. But another big part of staying healthy doesn’t show up on a lab report: feeling supported by the community around you. That’s why, throughout the spring and summer of 2025, our team spent time outside the office, showing up and contributing to local organizations that help make everyday life a little healthier, happier, and more connected. Strong communities make it easier for everyone to take care of themselves!

Spring & Summer Community Involvement Highlights

In May, our sites participated in a spirit week supporting Wishes Can Happen, a North Canton–based organization that grants wishes to children in Ohio with life‑threatening illnesses. Each wish is a powerful experience, often granted under urgent timelines, offering joy and hope when families need it most. Because every wish is entirely donor‑funded, each office raised money to participate in the week’s activities, which included five days of fun dress‑up themes—from sports gear to tropical attire to decades day.

Later that month, team members and their families (and a few pups) joined the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk in downtown Akron. Dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, the AHA’s Heart Walk is its largest annual fundraiser and encourages physical activity in a family‑friendly environment. While the morning turned out to be much colder than expected, the brisk temperatures didn’t stop participants from showing up.

June brought sawdust and teamwork during a Woodworkers with Heart Build Day. This 100% volunteer‑based nonprofit builds and delivers beds and toys to children ages 3–17, including many patients at Akron Children’s Hospital. Pioneer team members and their families, including Springfield Primary Care’s Dr. Michael Fistek, helped build beds and toys for children who don’t have a bed of their own.

In July, volunteers supported a summer cookout at Akron Rotary Camp, which provides a traditional camp experience for children and adults with disabilities while emphasizing inclusion, independence, and social connection. Members of Pioneer’s Community Involvement Committee, including Northampton’s Dr. Kathleen Shoemaker, helped serve food and clean up during one of the camp’s cookouts.

As the school year approached, Love the Children Ministries (LTCM) made sure students at Youtz Leadership School had the supplies they needed. LTCM provides every supply for every student in the school, which are delivered directly to the teachers’ classrooms pre-counted and sorted before school begins. Team members attended the “Pack the Packs” event, which prepared the supplies for distribution.

Also in August was Kylie Rose’s Run 5K, a race that began following Kylie’s cancer diagnosis at 5 years old after Ohio Family Practice’s Dr. Sabin identified a tumor. The proceeds help support Akron Children’s Oncology Department, and Dr. Sabin, along with other clinical team members, volunteered at the finish‑line medical tent to support runners as needed.

August also included support for the Akron Pride Festival, which brings together the LGBTQ+ community and allies to celebrate diversity and belonging. From parades to 5Ks to community marches, the festival is about showing up for each other, which is something that matters just as much in healthcare as it does in daily life. Pioneer’s table was manned by team members across multiple practices—from Tallmadge to Twinsburg—and the central administrative office, including Louisville’s Dr. Scott Hoffman, and Northampton’s Dr. Victoria DiGennaro. They handed out fun, health-related items like sunscreen and ice packs, and talked to visitors about the importance of primary care.

Looking Back

From building beds to handing out backpacks, this season showed how many different ways community wellness can take shape. Every organization served a different purpose, but they all shared one thing in common: helping people feel supported where they live, learn, and grow.