Summa Health gets $1M gift to establish orthopedics fellowship

Summa Health System has received a $1 million gift that will go toward establishing a research fellowship for a medical resident who specializes in orthopedics.

The gift comes from the family of Robert and Judy Rice, according to a statement from the Summa Foundation.

The fellowship is named in honor of Dr. Robert Kepley, a veteran orthopedist of 31 years who practices at Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center, a partnership between Summa and Crystal Clinic established last year.

The fellowship will go to a Summa orthopedic resident who focuses on patients who undergo and recover from hip, knee, hand, spine, foot, ankle and shoulder care.

Summa Health CEO Thomas Strauss said the gift would have “a remarkable impact on orthopedic training and research” at the health system for years to come.