Christopher A. Gessner has been named the new president and CEO of Akron Children’s Hospital, effective Oct. 18. He will succeed Grace Wakulchik, who is retiring as planned, following her service in the dual role since 2018.
Gessner will join ACH from UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, where he has been president and CEO since 2019. Prior to that appointment, he held administrative roles at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, part of the UPMC Health System, including serving as president from 2008 to 2019.
ACH and NEOMED
Northeast Ohio Medical University and ACH have established and growing research and clinical partnerships. ACH scientists work and collaborate with NEOMED faculty members in labs on the NEOMED campus.
Michael Forbes, M.D., associate chair of the Department of Pediatrics at ACH, is professor and interim chair of the NEOMED Department of Pediatrics. NEOMED students complete clinical rotations at the hospital, and its graduates are frequently matched for residencies.