Brunswick Magazine 2022

TAKE A LOOK AT

HEART OF

Gold

Meet Seth Greenfelder,

one of the city’s most beloved and admired residents, who’s competing in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.

2022

PLUS

Discovering an inclusive community Supporting new entertainment destinations

PRESEN TED BY THE CIT Y O F B R UN SW I CK • B R UN SW I CK.O H.US

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THE CITY OF BRUNSWICK 4095 Center Road, Brunswick, OH 44212 ADMINISTRATION Carl DeForest, CITY MANAGER/SAFETY DIRECTOR Brian Ohlin, POLICE CHIEF Greg Glauner, FIRE CHIEF Todd Fischer, FINANCE DIRECTOR Kenneth Fisher, LAW DIRECTOR Taylor Petkovsek, PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR Grant Aungst, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

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Take a Look at Brunswick is fully funded by participating advertisers. No tax dollars were used for its production.

An Inclusive Community

W

elcome to the 2022 Take a Look at Brunswick magazine. This year, we are proud to share with you stories that tell you why Brunswick is an excellent community.

Brunswick residents and stakeholders demonstrate a continued willingness and ability to work together to accomplish great things. This has allowed us to make improvements at our parks, enhanced walking and biking trails and an inclusive playground for our youth and families to enjoy together.

In addition, it has provided opportunities for events to take place that help teach our young citizens about philanthropy and altruism. We are proud of how our residents and businesses continually come together to help those in need and how the community maintains a keen appreciation of those who sacrificed for others, particularly our veterans and first responders.

Please enjoy reading about our residents, community groups and businesses who are the core of Brunswick’s success. We welcome you to visit and see for yourself the excellent schools, safe neighborhoods and many activities to enjoy with your family and friends.

Respectfully, Carl S. DeForest City Manager/Safety Director

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First look

Schools

Opportunities for Everyone Individual Education Plans at Brunswick City Schools ensure success for students of all abilities.

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TAKE A LOOK AT Brunswick

COURTESY BRUNSWICK CITY SCHOOLS

o matter their aptitude Additionally, IEP students or ambition, students at work in the high school’s student Brunswick High School cafe, selling, preparing and servcan count on Marilou Weidus to ing pizza, mozzarella sticks, coffee help them succeed. As transition and flavored drinks to peers who coordinator for Brunswick City stop in during study hall. They Schools, she and her team develalso assist the art department by op Individual Education Plans picking up, laundering and deliv(IEPs) for high school pupils diering cloths used in class projects; agnosed with a range of disabilities shred all paper for the district; that include autism; visual, audiand create bulletin board materitory, speech and orthopedic imals for teachers. A classroom has pairments; learning disabilities; inbeen transformed into a mock tellectual disabilities; and Down CVS store, which teaches stusyndrome. Currently, 75 students dents aspects of the retail world in grades nine through 12 are enthat include stocking shelves and rolled in the IEP program. operating a cash register.

Marilou Weidus (right) and co-teacher Holly Ledel “We design activities and create Several students who spent in Brunswick High School’s mock CVS store. work opportunities that improve their work-study time assisting students’ employability skills and teachers at Towslee Elementary prepare them to be an asset to businesses when they graduate from School went on to enroll in the Medina County Career Center’s high school,” says Weidus, a Brunswick resident who joined the early childhood education program and earned an associate degree school district 22 years ago as a special education teacher. in early childhood education from Cuyahoga Community College.

Services for special-needs students can begin in preschool and They’re now employed by local day care centers and preschools. continue through age 22.

Weidus has also made it her mission to forge partnerships with “At middle-school age, we talk about what they want to do local businesses to help IEP pupils find their place in the comwhen they graduate from high school, and whether they’d like munity. Her students can be found setting tables and filling salt to enter the workforce, pursue and pepper shakers and relish postsecondary training or go on trays at Winking Lizard, making ”It’s so heartwarming to see our to college,” she says. “Teachers rooms ready for preschool prostudents develop a sense of also evaluate students based on grams at Brunswick Recreation self-worth when they realize they their interests and 25 work-skill Center, reshelving books and can be a contributing member areas, including stamina, probCDs at the Brunswick Library of society,” —Marilou Weidus lem solving, self advocacy and and crafting metal piecework at whether or not they can follow Firstar Precision Corporation. directions, meet deadlines and need some level of supervision.”

Many of these experiences have led to full- and part-time employOnce students begin high school, eligible students can participate ment offers following graduation. in a paid work-study program during study hall time that provides During the summer, students can sign up to work with a job them with class credit and skills they’ll need for employment. coach in five-week programs sponsored by Opportunities for Myriad opportunities await students in transition. They avidly Ohioans with Disabilities that take place in Brunswick businesses tend and sell succulents grown in the high school’s greenhouse. After including Marc’s, Giant Eagle, Wendy’s and Taco Bell. delivering the plants to nearby businesses and teachers who’ve pur“It’s so gratifying to see our students develop a sense of selfchased them, students make periodic visits to ensure they’re thriving. worth when they realize they can be a contributing member of so“Our Plant Project is a good way for students to discover what ciety,” Weidus says. “They’re making money and can make purthey enjoy doing. Some love interacting with our customers, while chases, open a bank account, learn to use a debit card and save up others prefer working behind the scenes,” Weidus says. “Our goal for things they really want. It’s a win-win for everybody.” is to match their skills with what employers are looking for.”

—Linda Feagler

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Getting Back Together T&M Lanes and Hickory Ridge Cinemas spruce up community classics to provide engaging entertainment destinations for all ages to enjoy.

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TAKE A LOOK AT Brunswick

pandemic, I was looking for a place to open a second restaurant and heard that the bowling alley might be razed to make room for a storage facility. I knew that would be a travesty and wanted to do all I could to save the building and resurrect it.”

Handlin has clearly breathed new life into the beloved space, which he reopened on July 5, 2021 as T&M Lanes. The neon, ’80s-old-school interior palette of neon red and orange has given way to understated black, blue and gray hues; and the outdated plastic chairs have been replaced by upholstered couches patrons love to kick back on.

Handlin is thrilled that T&M Lanes has become a destination for families throughout the region. On Saturdays, the bowling alley hosts the Strongsville Special Olympics. When bowling leagues aren’t in session, a DJ spins tunes on Friday nights and live musicians perform Saturday evenings. T&M’s shuffleboard table, two dartboards and pool table are also popular gaming options. Plans are in the works to create a room filled with TV monitors, which kids and adults can rent by the hour to play video games.

KEN BLAZE/ISTOCK

Todd Handlin admits that co-owning a bowling alley was the furthest thing from his mind. Since 2018, the restaurateur has been happily creating menus and serving customers at Joy’s Pizzeria & Grill in Strongsville, a gathering place for local pizza, calzone, salad and wrap lovers.

But opportunity knocked when Brunswick’s iconic Dick Hoover’s Lanes was put on the market.

“I grew up in Columbia Station, and we’d go there all the time to bowl. It was a family-owned business everyone loved,” says Handlin, who lives in Brunswick. “During the

KEN BLAZE/COURTESY HICKORY RIDGE CINEMAS/ISTOCK

HICKORY RIDGE CINEMA Whenever Jon Christy walks through the lobby of Brunswick’s Hickory Ridge Cinema, which he’s co-owned since 2015, fond memories of the movies he saw as a kid come to mind.

“The theater has been here for a number of years, and when the couple that owned it retired, the moon and stars aligned for me.

I’m happy to be here,” Christy says.

Christy is committed to sharing his love of Tinseltown with all who enter the eight-screen, digital state-of-the-art, reclining-seat complex. In addition to showing first-run films at affordable prices, Hickory Ridge Cinema sets the scene for Girls Night Out events featuring light appetizers and a movie and “Polar Express” holiday celebrations offering screenings of the film, as well as visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot cocoa and craft activities. The theaters, which range in size from 46 to 144 seats, are also tailor-made for a host of corporate events ranging from seminars to sales training.

Christy admits that the mandatory COVID-19 closings were challenging. He’s grateful for the city’s vibrant business community

that participated in Hickory Ridge events and lent assistance when needed. Christy also appreciates the theater lovers who rallied around him and his team of 14 when the screens were dark.

“The theaters were closed March 2020 to September 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions,” he says. “During that time, our staff made fresh popcorn every day and sold it from the lobby to keep us going. The first weekend we did that, the line of people waiting to buy it snaked out the door and wound around the front of the building. Sales continued to remain brisk.

That means the world to us.”

—Linda Feagler

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Celebrating OUR STRENGTHS

Discover an inclusive community filled with opportunities for people of all abilities to live their best lives. | BY LINDA FEAGLER Spend any time with Seth Greenfelder, and you’ll soon discover why he’s one of Brunswick’s most beloved and admired residents.

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TAKE A LOOK AT Brunswick

more than 350 medals and ribbons in golf, swimming, track, field, bowling, basketball and soccer. Earlier this year, Seth was selected as the Medina County Sports Hall of Fame’s Special Olympics Male Athlete for 2022.

Exuding a passion for local sporting events knows no bounds. He can often be found enthusiastically cheering on the Brunswick Blue Devils from the sidelines, no matter the contest.

“I try to attend as many community sporting events as I can, and whether it’s basketball, football or soccer, Seth is always there,” says Brunswick City School District Superintendent Jason Niedermeyer. “He truly dials into the game and is very enthusiastic and supportive. If we score, Seth will be the first one to jump up, take 10 steps toward the court or field and give a big yell.

It’s really special to watch.”

Seth will be heading to Orlando, Florida, June 5 through 12, to represent Ohio in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.

He’s scheduled to compete in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and mini javelin throw. More than 5,500 athletes from all 50 states and the Caribbean, 20,000 volunteers and 125,000 spectators are expected to

COURTESY PEG GREENFELDER

A celebrated athlete, the affable 38-yearold greets everyone he meets with a handshake, hug or cheery hello. He was chosen to run as a local Guardian of the Olympic Torch when the iconic flame passed through Cleveland on the way to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, and was inducted into Brunswick High School’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

“I refer to him as Mr. Brunswick,” smiles Tim Fox, who coaches the Cleveland Wheelchair Cavaliers basketball team at the Brunswick Recreation and Fitness Center.

“Seth can see you from 30 yards away, and he’ll come over to you immediately and ask how you’re doing. It could have been eight months since you’ve last seen him, but it feels like no time has passed.”

But Seth’s long and winding road of life has not been a smooth one.

When he was 15 months old, the toddler was diagnosed with Cri-du-chat syndrome, a rare genetic condition that occurs when a piece of chromosome 5 is deleted.

Infants born with the disorder exhibit pronounced intellectual disabilities and delayed development. Other complications can include heart or kidney defects.

Peg Greenfelder’s voice chokes with emotion as she recalls the moment she and her husband, David, learned about their son’s condition.

“Doctors said Seth was ‘mentally retarded,’ and told us he would never walk or talk,” she recalls. “They advised us to place him in an institution because the burden to raise him would be enormous. Our family decided that was not an option.”

Seth’s intellectual disability has not stopped him from outstanding achievements.

For the last decade, he’s been a respite camper and speaker at the Achievement Center for Children in Strongsville, which runs Camp Cheerful. Since opening in 1947 as Ohio’s first camp with recreation programs for those with physical, developmental and sensory disabilities, Camp Cheerful continues to offer a variety of activities in a barrier-free environment that encourages confidence and creates opportunities for lifelong friendships.

He’s also been a member of the Strongsville Special Olympics for 27 years, earning

COURTESY PEG GREENFELDER

attend the events, which celebrate the dedication and perseverance of the participants.

A true leader, Seth also spends his time serving as a member of the Athletic Leadership Council and the NE Ohio Advisory Board for the Special Olympics. He is also a Special Olympics health messenger and a Capitol Hill delegate.

When not playing or watching sports, he’s employed fulltime by Weaver Industries, a nonprofit organization providing vocational training and job opportunities.

He works at Schaeffler Group in Valley

City packaging car parts.

“Nothing ever gets Seth down,” his mom says. “The love and joy he brings us is truly a light in our lives.”

COMPASSIONATE COMPETITION It’s Sunday, and the Brunswick Community Recreation and Fitness Center is a beehive of activity for all ages and stages of life. The 10 Cleveland Wheelchair Cavaliers players, ranging in age from 16 to 47,

engaged in a spirited game of basketball are no exception.

Established in 1992, the Cleveland Wheelchair Cavaliers partner with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Clinic to compete on a national level as part of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. On April 10, 2010, the team — composed of members who reside throughout Northeast Ohio — won its first National Wheelchair Basketball Association Division 3 National Championship by defeating the Detroit Diehards 5446 in Denver, Colorado. This year, they finished fourth in the Division 3 National Championship held in Wichita, Kansas. The team also avidly participates in the tournament and doubleheader the Brunswick Rec Center hosts annually.

“I’m honored to work with individuals who, quite frankly, have had more challenges in life than I could ever imagine or understand,” says Tim Fox, who’s been the team’s coach since 2007. A Brunswick resident and commercial banking relationship manager at PNC, Fox earned his bachelor’s degree in education and MBA from Baldwin Wallace University. He met his wife,

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Kristin, when the pair served as counselors at Camp Cheerful several decades ago.

“To quote the team’s tagline, we strive to be ‘roll’ models’ to everyone we meet,” he says. “I couldn’t ask for better ones for our son and daughter to have.”

The Cleveland Wheelchair Cavaliers accomplish that mission by participating in community outreach efforts that include halftime appearances at NBA games and speaking at schools and in front of community organizations.

“This year, our first female athlete joined the team,” Fox says. “She’s 16 and a belowthe-knee amputee due to cancer. Knowing that she’s just a little bit younger than my daughter, I assured her mom that the guys on the team are true gentlemen who are courteous and competitive, and that I’d have no issues about letting my daughter play on this team of adult men [if she were eligible]. To me, that’s the measuring stick for it being the place for her.”

The coach was right. Teammates treat their newest player as though she’s a younger sister. They were there to cheer her on when she rang the bell to commemorate five years of being cancer-free.

Although they’re weekend warriors on Sundays, Fox explains that members exhibit a poignant camaraderie that’s clearly unshakable.

“Being a guy who played sports myself, there’s something about being on a team — that sense of solidarity and that competitive outlet,” he says. “When you have a disability, you don’t necessarily have the opportunities your able-bodied counterparts have.

Wheelchair Cavaliers gives team members a way to experience quote, unquote ‘normalcy.’ There’s also a mutual respect because they’ve all experienced the challenges of dealing with their disability. As a result, they can help each other get through problems that arise because chances are at least one teammate has already faced them.

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“It truly is,” Fox adds, “a support system for life.”

The coach is grateful for the communitywide commitment extended to the team.

“The Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Clinic have been phenomenal partners to allow the program to exist for 30 years,” the coach says. “Since our season runs from August through April, it’s challenging to find a place to practice. Brunswick Rec has always been very supportive in providing the space and the opportunity. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”

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A SPIRIT OF TOGETHERNESS The 6,800 students educated in the nine 22NOP24 buildings comprising the Brunswick City School District have quickly embraced the inclusivity for which the system is known.

“We believe that the least restrictive environment should be a completely inclusive one,” says Brunswick City School District Superintendent Jason Niedermeyer. “We’re always looking for opportunities to place our specialneeds students in and among their peers throughout the day.”

To make that objective possible among the 12% of students who’ve been identified as disabled across the kindergarten through 12th grade spectrum, the school system designs Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for high school pupils diagnosed with a range of disabilities. A coteaching approach is in place throughout the entire district, which pairs an intervention specialist with a traditional teacher to conduct classes when needed.

“An observer entering the room would not be able to tell the difference between the regular-education teacher and the special-education teacher,” the superintendent says. “It’s an environment in which both teachers are looked upon as the

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teacher in the room, and we’re supporting the needs of all students in those rooms.”

Niedermeyer adds that the pandemic has led to an uptick in anxiety throughout the student body. Mental health specialists work with pupils on an individual basis to allay fears and make adjustments to their daily routines that include creating a calm corner stressed students can retreat to and developing nonverbal strategies pupils can use to signal they need a timeout.

“Our staff members go the extra mile for our kids,” the superintendent says. “Student growth and student well-being drive every decision we make.”

Leann Alferio, special education coordinator for the Brunswick City School District, is excitedly anticipating the day when Brunswick kids can play together regardless of age or ability.

Brunswick City Schools and the city of Brunswick are collaborating to construct an all-inclusive playground at Neura Park. To date, $312,000 dollars has been raised for the project, which is slated to cost $400,000. A July 25 golf outing, sponsored

by Geeked Out Pub and Grille at Columbia Hills in Columbia Station, is planned as a fundraiser. (For more information, visit brunswickinclusiveplayground.com.)

The idea for the playground was sparked after a team of special education teachers noticed that students with physical disabilities in Brunswick’s seven elementary schools could not access the playgrounds. She shared her concerns with staff members, and brainstorming began.

“Initially, we thought about including one accessible piece of equipment,” she says. “But we quickly realized that wasn’t fair because we have a population of students with disabilities across the entire district. It also became clear that the type of playground we envisioned was too large a project for one school building to take on financially, maintain and upkeep.”

On impulse, Alferio contacted the city.

The timing was perfect. Talks were already underway to renovate Neura Park.

COURTESY BRUNSWICK CITY

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Neura Park playground rendering

“Many people focus on how many needs this all-inclusive park will benefit,” she says. “But I believe the most important part of this project is how it will impact our entire community. When it’s completed, typically developing kids are going to benefit from having the opportunity to play next to those kids as much as the kids with disabilities are.”

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When it comes to promoting inclusion, Brunswick’s Division of Police wastes no time sitting on the sidelines. Through the years, the department has devised a variety of special ways and events to bond with residents.

“One of our key goals is to develop connections between the department and the city we serve,” says Lt. Robert Safran, certified law enforcement executive for the Brunswick Division of Police, who directs the department’s community engagement initiatives.

One of the newest is the Veterans Outreach Program the department began in November 2017.

“I wanted to make sure our veterans were receiving the care and attention they deserve,” says Safran, an Army vet who served in the Gulf War. “Many of the older veterans aren’t getting out of the house as much as they used to, so they weren’t attending some of the VFW Post or American Legion meetings that are so important for connection and fellowship.”

Safran, a member of Brunswick VFW Post 9520, compiled a list of veterans living in the community, and members of his team began conducting welfare checks.

Officers involved in the program — ­ many of whom are veterans themselves — make it a point to visit homebound vets or meet them for coffee, and make sure they receive the benefits they’re entitled to as described in the handbook published by the

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Officer Mummert engages with members of the community

we checking on veterans, we’re also giving them a gift and saying ‘Thank you for your service,’ and recognizing the Brownie troop’s efforts as part of their service project. It’s a win-win-win situation.”

Every fall, the force hosts a Safety Fair designed to celebrate Brunswick’s response teams. Sponsored by Home Depot and geared toward youngsters, the fete features meet-and-greets with firefighters and police officers, as well as opportunities to learn about the equipment they use.

“It’s a great way for kids to put a face to a name and not just see us in an emergency mode,” Safran says. “We’re there to chat with them, hand out some nice drawstring

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The Medina County ADAMH Board funds a system of providers to administer high quality behavioral health services through a continuum of care that includes options for mental health and substance use treatment, prevention services and recovery supports.

Additionally, the ADAMH Board works to reduce the stigma of mental health and addiction concerns through collaboration, education and advocacy efforts.

If you or a family member is experiencing a mental health or substance use emergency, seek immediate assistance by calling our

COURTESY BRUNSWICK CITY

Medina County Veterans Service Office.

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, police officers performed more than 40 visits to veterans in 2021 to make sure they have a working smoke detector and distribute bags of pandemic essentials that included hand sanitizer and masks.

“We’ve also joined forces with Brownie Troop 91390 to provide Christmas gift bags filled with blankets, coffee and other items,” Safran says. “One of the troop’s service projects involves providing a Christmas meal to a veteran that includes turkey and all the trimmings, along with gift cards and cleaning products. Our Brownie partnership has been great because not only are

bags or Frisbees, and let them know we’re here for them. It’s just a fun event.”

The department also participates in the National Night Out, a community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnership and neighborhood camaraderie. The event is scheduled for August 2, and Brunswick officers will meet with residents to discuss programs and services the department provides, including the Citizens Police Academy. The eight-week course is designed to teach participants about various divisions within the department — including dispatch, the SWAT team and detective bureau — that ensure city safety.

“The academy provides a nice snapshot of the department,” Safran says.

Once residents finish the course, they’re invited to join the Brunswick Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (BCPAAA). The group meets monthly and assists with different community events.

“I firmly believe that safety in a community is a shared responsibility between the police department and its citizens,” the lieutenant says. “The Division of Police here in Brunswick goes to great lengths to have that partnership on a lot of different levels.”

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Browse the Info for residents tab at brunswick.oh.us for information.

In an emergency, dial 911 • City of Brunswick Main Number 330-225-9144 • Administrative Services 330-558-6860 • Brunswick Area Television 330-220-1726 • Building – Permits and Inspection 330-558-6830 • City Council and Mayor’s Office 330-558-6845 • City Manager’s Office 330-558-6826 • Civil Service 330-558-6805 • Development and Planning 330-558-6865 • Economic Development 330-558-6875 • Engineering 330-558-6880 • Finance 330-558-6810 • Fire – Non Emergency 330-273-8046 • Income Tax 330-558-6815 • Law Department and Prosecutor 330-558-6885 • Mayor’s Court 330-558-6870 • Parks 330-273-8000 • Police Non-Emergency / Animal Warden 330-225-9111 • Recreation Center 330-273-8000

• •

Refuse Billing 330-558-6825 Service and Streets 330-558-6804

Local Utilities • Natural Gas • Columbia Gas of Ohio 800-344-4077 • Electric Service • Ohio Edison, a First Energy Company 800-633-4766 • Water Service • Cleveland City Water 216-664-3130 • City Sewer Service • Medina County Sanitary Engineers 330-723-9585 • Refuse Service • Republic Waste 440-458-5191 • Video/phone/internet • Spectrum 888-438-2427 • WOW! 1-866-496-9669 • Frontier 1-800-921-8101

Better Care for Mom & Baby is Moving in Next Door.

Coming in 2022

NEW Southwest General Level II Neonatal Special Care Nursery & Maternity Care Unit to Serve Expectant Mothers as Early as 32 Weeks.

Our Maternity Unit will soon double its current size while adding a higher level of care for both moms and babies — elevating from Level I care (35+ weeks of pregnancy) to Level II care (32+ weeks of pregnancy). This will make Southwest General the only Level II Neonatal Special Care Nursery & Maternity Care facility serving southwestern Cuyahoga County and northern Medina County — meaning that moms and babies who need extra medical attention can receive the specialized care they need right here, closer to home.

We’re proud to be filling the need for advanced maternity and newborn care — all within minutes of home for moms and babies.

Our new facilities, coming in 2022, will include: • Level II Neonatal Special Care Nursery & Maternity Care

• Enhanced Visitor Waiting Area & Support Spaces

• Renovated Postpartum Rooms

• Upgraded Labor and Delivery Suites & Operating Rooms

• A Well-Baby Nursery

I-71 at Bagley Road | Middleburg Heights | 440-816-5050 | swgeneral.com