TOP RANKING: Mercy Health Rehabilitation Hospital ranked in the Top 1% of 892 inpatient rehabilitation facilities that qualified to be ranked in the IRF database of Netsmart Technologies Inc. for cases discharged between October 2024 and September 2025.

“We are thrilled to see our team recognized for delivering exceptional, patient-centered care,” said Melessa Scattino, CEO of Mercy Health Rehabilitation Hospital. “Rankings like this evidence our team’s success against ambitious, data-driven benchmarks. Our team has shown, once again, that we are providing industry-leading care right here in Youngstown.”

The rankings were determined by using Netsmart’s program evaluation model, a case-mix-adjusted and severity-adjusted tool that provides facilities with a composite performance score and percentile ranking drawn from approximately 80% of all IRFs in the country.

CAST IN STEEL: When Youngstown State University junior Ely Vuksanovich presented her work at a national steel industry conference in December 2025, she was not only representing her student organization, but years of hands-on learning and leadership at YSU.

Vuksanovich, a mechanical engineering technology major who began her studies at YSU in 2022, recently represented the chapter at the Steel Founders’ Society of America Technical and Operator’s Conference in December 2025. There, she delivered a presentation on the chapter’s winning entry from April 2025’s Cast in Steel competition, speaking to an audience of approximately 120 industry professionals.

As a result of her presentation and technical work, Vuksanovich was selected for a mentorship opportunity and awarded a $3,000 scholarship. The mentorship pairs her with an experienced industry professional specializing in high-alloy steel, allowing her to gain hands-on insight into advanced casting techniques and real-world applications.

“This was a huge deal,” Vuksanovich said. “It’s a very exclusive conference, and most people don’t even know it exists unless you’re invited. Being able to present our work and then be offered a mentorship and scholarship was incredibly meaningful.”

The AFS chapter’s 2025 Cast in Steel competition entry focused on producing a George Washington sword using innovative casting techniques.

The team designed a mold with a draining riser to maximize benefits and reduce defects.

FAMILY BUSINESS EVENT: Whitney Haslam Johnson and JW Johnson, managing partners of Haslam Sports Group — owner of the Cleveland Browns, Milwaukee Bucks and Columbus Crew — are the keynote speakers for the fifth annual Family-Owned Business Recognition Dinner.

Sponsored by the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber, the event will take place 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 18 at The Lake Club, 1140 Paulin Road, Poland.

As leaders of one of the nation’s most visible family-run sports organizations, the Johnsons bring a compelling perspective on family enterprise, professional sports and community impact.

Whitney Haslam Johnson’s vision and direction helps lead the organization business, utilizing her expertise in communications, marketing, brand, fan and team member experiences to influence the organizational ethos of win-fan-community. The daughter of Jimmy and Dee Haslam, she worked at Pilot Flying J from 2004-2024.

JW Johnson helps lead the strategic direction of the organization’s business side, particularly focused on media, marketing, partnerships, fan experience and digital content.

The event, presented in partnership with Huntington, HBK, Roetzel & Andress and JFS Wealth Advisors, will honor 16 family-owned businesses. Of the honorees, four will be recognized in the categories of Success in Succession, Social Impact, Growth Story and Local to National Presence.

For more information, visit https://regionalchamber.com/ and click the “Events” tab.

HUMPHREYS NAMED: iSynergy, a local digital marketing agency specializing in SEO strategy and digital growth, announced that Maci Humphreys has joined the team as the social media manager. In her role, Humphreys develops engaging social media strategies, compelling visual content, and effective connections for client audiences across digital platforms.

Humphreys is a Boardman native. She graduated from Ursuline High School and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from Youngstown State University, along with a minor in Marketing. During her time at YSU, she was recognized for her academic excellence, earning placement on the President’s List for three semesters and the Dean’s List for five.

“Maci brings a strong creative foundation paired with a thoughtful understanding of marketing strategy,” said Steve Cross, owner and creative director at iSynergy. “Her design background and attention to detail make her a great addition to our team, and we’re excited to see her creativity come to life for our clients.”

Outside of work, Humphreys said she enjoys cooking and baking, painting, staying active at the gym, and playing on her family’s bocce team. Her strong ties to the Youngstown area and creative passions add to the perspective she brings to iSynergy and its clients.

PERFECT PASS RATE: Akron Children’s Pediatric Residency Program achieved a 100% board pass rate among its most recent graduating class, surpassing the national average and reflecting the program’s emphasis on academic preparation and clinical training.

“This is a significant accomplishment and shows that we have prepared our residents well for clinical care,” said Dr. Sabrina Ben-Zion, interim program director of the Pediatric Residency Program at Akron Children’s. “Board certification represents rigorous standards beyond a state medical license and demonstrates specialized expertise in caring for infants, children and adolescents.”

The residency program emphasizes consistent board preparation throughout training. Residents complete quarterly test-question requirements, with performance benchmarks tailored to their level of training, to encourage ongoing engagement with exam content rather than last-minute studying.

Academic progress is supported through structured advising. Each resident is assigned an academic adviser and meets quarterly to review performance, including standardized test preparation. The program director also meets with each resident twice a year to review overall progress.

While board success is an important milestone, Akron Children’s focuses on preparing residents for real-world pediatric practice. Residents are exposed to high patient volumes and a wide range of medical conditions, helping build clinical confidence and readiness.

“Our goal is to graduate competent and compassionate pediatricians who provide excellent care to children,” Dr. Ben-Zion said.