The availability of top notch hospitals is often one of the prime concerns for parents of children with medical conditions like diabetes or ADHD. Toronto has the Hospital for Sick Kids, one of Canada''s best pediatric hospitals, but what about Akron? Worried parents and anyone who believes they might need access to good doctors in the coming years will be pleased to know that moving to Akron won''t hurt their life expectancies.
Akron is home to quality, top of the line medical care, and has been for nearly 100 years. Read on for an overview of what you can expect.
Health Insurance
If you''re not already familiar with the American health care system, it may surprise you to know that the government takes almost no responsibility here in Akron or anywhere in the United States for the medical well-being of its citizens beyond offering some federal research and development credits for pharmaceutical companies. Here in Akron you''ll need to buy private medical insurance for yourself and your family or you will end up paying for care out of your own pocket. Luckily, most employers are required to offer medical insurance to their employees and their families, but in case yours doesn''t, the two major health insurance companies in Akron are Summa Health System and Akron General Health System.
Summa Health Hospitals
Summa Health operates Akron City Hospital and St. Thomas Hospital, and it is to these hospitals that you will go if you choose them as your insurance company. Akron City hospital has a Level 1 Trauma Center, capabilities for orthopedics, oncology, cardiovascular illness, geriatrics, and obesity, and has been rated one of America''s Best Hospitals. St. Thomas is known for its drug screening kits and addiction recovery programs due to its association with the work of Alcoholics Anonymous founder Robert Holbrook Smith.
Akron General Hospitals
The Akron General Medical Center, run by Akron General Hospitals, also has a Level 1 Trauma unit and is rated as one of America''s Best Hospitals. It also serves as a teaching hospital and sleep disorder clinic. Its specialties include cardiovascular medicine, pain management, endocrinology, diabetes management, and invasive procedures using the stereoaxis niobe magnetic navigation system, which you can''t get in places like Edmonton. Mesotherapy, though not on offer at the hospital, can be obtained in some of Akron''s private clinics.
Specialized Care
Independent hospitals not affiliated with insurance companies include the Akron Children''s Hospital, which specializes in pediatrics and burn care, and the Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Hospital for patients with mental disabilities. The Akron Children''s Hospital is famous for grafting the first artificially grown human skin to a burn patient and treats various conditions in children from life threatening diseases like cystic fibrosis and cancer to developmental issues like speech impediments and hearing loss. There are also private clinics that specialize in elective plastic surgery and microdermabrasion if you''re interested in looking better. There are dentistry and optometry clinics to look after your eyes and teeth, and chiropractors to align your back. There are also alternative medicine practitioners in town if you''re looking for acupuncture or hypnotherapy.
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