David Custodio, M.D., is a Senior Vice President and President of the Summa Health System Akron and St. Thomas Campuses. As President of Akron City and St. Thomas Hospitals, Dr. Custodio works collaboratively with leaders throughout the health system, keeping a keen focus on patient care services that impact operational and financial performance. Working with both employed and affiliated physicians, Dr. Custodio builds effective partnerships and promotes cohesiveness among the medical staffs, while also ensuring implementation of system-wide initiatives and policies. Dr. Custodio earned his medical degree with honors in 1988 from the Medical College of Ohio at Toledo and completed his residency, including the Chief Resident position, at Summa Akron City Hospital in 1991. Board-certified in Emergency Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, Dr. Custodio is a Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University.

Dr. Custodio serves on multiple boards of directors and is currently the President of both the Summa Rehab Hospital Board of Managers and the Akron Regional Heart Association Board of Directors. He also serves as President of the Akron Regional Hospital Association Board.

In addition to his medical training, Dr. Custodio holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Isenberg School of Management. He earned Green Belt Certification in Lean Six Sigma and is a member of both the American Association for Physician Leadership and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

What is your earliest memory of the arts?

I can recall school field trips to orchestra concerts and the ballet as a child. I remember being amazed by the sound and colors in the productions.

What was your first introduction to the arts/culture scene in Summit County?

It is hard to say as I grew up in the area. Likely it was summer concerts of the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center

How do arts/culture/environment in Summit County impact your life?

The arts and culture here impact me and certainly others in many ways. I am lucky to see beautiful pieces of art throughout the hospital on a daily basis. At Summa, we use the arts to help heal our patients and help our families and staff in what are often very stressful times. The Summa Health Healing Arts program features exhibitions in the Summa Health Gallery, hosts a Performing Arts Series and provides public programming in our Therapeutic Gardens.

What artist/arts organization in Summit County do you wish more people knew about?

I wish they knew the extent of the collection we have at Summa Health. My CEO often comments we have the second largest art museum in Akron.

What is a “can’t miss” Summit County arts/culture/environment experience?

There are many to choose from: our beautiful Art Museum, concerts at Blossom Music Center, the Metro Parks and local artists like Don Drumm.