With the Tuesday, May 21, opening of a new medical building, Akron Children's Hospital will bring together pediatric primary care, rehabilitation services and a dozen pediatric specialty care practices under one roof.

Located at 6076 Whipple Ave. NW on the Aultman North campus, the Timken Foundation Building at Akron Children's Health Center, North Canton, is one of several such centers planned throughout the region in an effort to provide care close to home in a convenient location, according to a news release.

The 38,000-square-foot center was a $13 million project. Akron Children's is consolidating services currently offered at four other Stark County sites into this single location.

"We are very excited to open our doors to this beautiful new health center for our patient families in Stark and surrounding counties," said Grace Wakulchik, president and CEO of Akron Children's, in a prepared statement. "Whether it's a well-child visit to the pediatrician, a speech therapy appointment or an evaluation by a pediatric cardiologist or neurologist, we will be able to offer dozens of services in this location, making it a natural extension of our hospital in downtown Akron."

The North Canton location is the second of three such centers to open in 2019, following the Mansfield Health Center, which opened in March. The Boston Heights Center is scheduled to open in September, and a fourth health center is planned for Portage County, according to the release.

In March 2018, the Altman family (Richard and Barbara Altman, Louis and Christine Altman and Jane and Michael Zoldan) of the A. Altman Co. announced they were donating the building to Akron Children's. A. Altman Co. is serving as the developer of the new facility, according to the release. The building's main lobby will be named in honor of their parents: the Robert C. and Ruth E. Altman Lobby.

The Timken Foundation Building at Akron Children's Hospital's Health Center, North Canton, is named for a $1.5 million leadership gift that the Timken Foundation of Canton awarded Akron Children's Hospital last August in support of the project.

The long-term lease of land on the Aultman North campus is the latest collaboration between Akron Children's and Aultman Hospital, which have long worked in partnership, according to the release.

"This project is a wonderful example of the spirit of philanthropy and collaboration that makes Stark County such a great place to live and work," Wakulchik said. "We appreciate the Timken Foundation, A. Altman Co. and Aultman Hospital for their support of this project and their commitment to the families and children of their community."

According to the release, the three-story building features an abundance of natural light and child-friendly furnishings and artwork.

Moving from 6046 Whipple Ave. NW is Akron Children's Hospital Pediatrics, a pediatric primary care practice that serves as a medical home for babies, children and teens.

Akron Children's North Canton specialty care practice was previously located at 6100 Whipple Ave. NW. Now, patients visiting the new location can access pediatric specialists in allergy/immunology, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, orthopedics, physiatry, pulmonology, sports medicine, urology and vision on regularly scheduled days and times by appointment, according to the release.

Finally, Akron Children's team of physical, occupational and speech therapists (formerly located at 4200 Munson St. NW and 6200 Whipple Ave. NW) will also be available at the North Canton location.

Akron Children's is hosting an open house on Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to the release. The free event will include tours of the new facility, family entertainment, a raffle and light refreshments.