AKRON, Ohio – Akron Children’s and the Stark Women’s Center entered a memorandum of understanding earlier this year with plans for Akron Children’s to complete the purchase of the OB/GYN practice by February 2027.

The independent medical practice at 5000 Higbee Ave. NW, Canton, employs six physicians and two nurse practitioners who provide a full range of gynecological and obstetrical services for women at every stage of their life.

“Akron Children’s has long offered [high-risk OB] maternal fetal medicine services alongside our core focus on pediatric primary and specialty care,” said Lisa Aurilio, chief operating officer of Akron Children’s. “But this decision to welcome the team from Stark Women’s Center is a natural extension of our mission. Healthy babies start with healthy mothers, and healthy childhoods start with the very best care possible during pregnancy.”

Deliveries, gynecologic and urogynecologic surgeries will continue at Aultman Hospital.

“This collaboration allows us to build upon our legacy while ensuring that our patients continue to receive exceptional, coordinated care throughout pregnancy, delivery and beyond, encompassing women’s health,” said Dr. Randall Starcher, president of Stark Women’s Center. “We’re excited about the opportunity to further enhance our seamless experience for mothers and babies while maintaining our commitment to providing comprehensive gynecological care.”

Established in 1953, Stark Women’s Center is the oldest and largest private medical practice of its type in Stark County. With 35,000 outpatient office visits a year, the practice will continue to offer a wide range of obstetrical and gynecological services, from family planning to infertility treatment, menopause management and hormone replacement therapy, diet and weight-loss consulting, treatment for menstrual disorders, ultrasound imaging, mammography and bone density testing.

“We are excited to have this team join the Akron Children’s family,” Aurilio said. “Their experience and expertise will be invaluable, especially in making transitions to pediatricians and, when needed, NICU care easier and more integrated for families at such a critical time in their lives as the birth of a child.”

Pictured at top: Photo via StarkWomensCenter.com.