If you drive down North Chestnut Street in Ravenna today, you won’t actually see a sign for Robinson Memorial Hospital. It’s gone. Well, the name is, anyway.
For locals who grew up in Portage County, that name was a fixture. It was where you went for a broken arm or where your cousin was born. But back in 2015, everything shifted. The hospital officially joined the University Hospitals (UH) system, and overnight, it became UH Portage Medical Center.
Honestly, it’s one of those things where people still call it "Robinson" out of habit. It's like how some people still call the Sears Tower by its old name. But behind that name change is a massive story of a small county hospital trying to survive in a world where independent medical centers are basically becoming extinct.
Why Robinson Memorial Hospital Ravenna Ohio Changed Forever
The transition wasn't just about a new logo on the front door. It was about money, resources, and staying relevant. Robinson Memorial Hospital started way back in 1894 as White Hospital. Later, in 1917, it became Portage County Hospital.
The "Robinson" part of the name came around 1932. That was when the hospital moved to its current spot on land donated by the sons of Judge Robinson—Thomas, Richard, and Henry. For over 80 years, it operated as a county-owned facility.
But by the 2010s, things got complicated. Running a standalone hospital is incredibly expensive. You’ve got to keep up with insane tech costs, hiring specialists, and dealing with insurance companies that have all the leverage. In 2012, the hospital took a big step by moving from county-owned to a private non-profit. That was the beginning of the end for the Robinson name. They needed a partner.
By June 2015, the deal with University Hospitals was finalized. The board realized that to provide high-level care—like advanced cancer treatment or specialized heart surgery—they needed to be part of a bigger machine.
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What’s Actually There Now?
Even though the name changed, the hospital didn’t just stay the same; it grew. It’s currently the only hospital in Portage County. That’s a huge deal. If you live in Kent, Ravenna, or Streetsboro and have a real emergency, this is the spot.
The ER and Trauma Status
The emergency department is a Level III Trauma Center. Now, if you’re not a medical nerd, that basically means they can handle most serious injuries, but if things are truly catastrophic, they might stabilized you and fly you to a Level I center in Cleveland or Akron.
Specialized Care
One of the biggest perks of the UH merger was the Sidon Cancer Center. This brought serious oncology resources to Ravenna so people wouldn’t have to drive an hour for chemotherapy. They also have:
- Orthopedic Surgery: Big focus here, especially for joints.
- Family Birth Center: Still a primary spot for deliveries in the county.
- Imaging: They’ve got the high-end stuff—MRI, CT scans, and 3D mammography.
The hospital has about 117 staffed beds. That’s not huge, but it’s dense. It feels like a community hub because it is.
The "Magnet" Status Everyone Brags About
If you walk through the halls, you’ll see signs about being a "Magnet" hospital. This isn't just some marketing fluff they bought. It’s a designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Basically, it means their nursing staff is top-tier. Hospitals have to jump through a thousand hoops to get this, focusing on patient outcomes and how they treat their nurses. Robinson—well, UH Portage—has held this for years. It’s probably the thing the staff is most proud of, and it’s a big reason why the hospital consistently gets "A" grades for safety from groups like Leapfrog.
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Surviving the Shift to Big Healthcare
Some people in Ravenna were pretty upset when the Robinson name disappeared. It felt like losing a piece of local identity. But looking at the facts, the hospital likely wouldn't be as advanced as it is today without that University Hospitals backing.
They use Epic now for their electronic records. That sounds boring until you realize that your doctor in Ravenna can instantly see your test results from a specialist in Cleveland without you having to carry a folder of papers around.
The hospital is also a massive employer. It's the second-largest employer in Portage County. When a hospital like this thrives, the local economy in Ravenna stays afloat.
Practical Info for Visitors
If you're heading there, here’s the ground reality of what to expect:
The Location: 6847 North Chestnut Street, Ravenna, OH 44266.
Parking: It’s actually pretty easy compared to the nightmare of downtown Cleveland hospitals. There’s a main lot right in front.
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Food: They have a place called Perks Cafe in the lobby. Honestly? It's better than standard hospital food. They serve Starbucks, which is a lifesaver if you’re stuck in a waiting room at 3:00 AM.
Connecting: They have free guest Wi-Fi (look for "UH_Guest").
What You Should Do Next
If you are looking for medical records from the old Robinson Memorial Hospital days, don't worry. Those records didn't vanish. Since UH took over the system, you can usually access everything through the UH MyChart portal.
If you need to schedule something, your best bet is to call their main line at 330-297-0811.
The most important thing to remember is that while the sign says University Hospitals, the people inside are largely the same ones who lived through the Robinson era. It’s a hybrid of small-town care and big-city resources.
To get the most out of your visit, make sure you have your insurance information updated in the UH system before you arrive. It'll save you about twenty minutes of headache at the registration desk. If you’re a former patient who hasn't been back since the name change, you’ll likely need to re-verify your info because the systems are much more integrated now than they were ten years ago.