MERIDIAN WELCOMES NEW STAFF: Meridian HealthCare announced the addition of several new providers to its growing team, according to a news release.

This continued growth reflects Meridian’s commitment to accessible, person-centered care. By expanding its medical and behavioral health teams, Meridian HealthCare can accept new patients and ensure that they can receive comprehensive services in one coordinated system, reducing barriers, improving outcomes, and making it easier for individuals and families to get the support they need.

Joining the Meridian staff are:

• Dr. Lewis Spritos, MD, chief medical officer, specializing in psychiatry, serving patients at Meridian Road and The Donofrio Center. He also provides addiction treatment services at the Meridian Road location.

• Sarah Sirochman, PA-C, physician assistant in primary care, serving patients at the Donofrio Center and Meridian Road locations.

• Megan Reihl, PA-C, physician assistant in primary care, serving patients at the Meridian Road location.

• Katie Murdock, APRN-CNP, nurse practitioner specializing in addiction treatment, serving patients at Meridian Road.

• Adrienne Whitt, APRN-CNP, nurse practitioner in primary care, serving patients in Warren and at Meridian Road.

• Brittaney Schmidt, APRN-CNP, nurse practitioner specializing in psychiatry and addiction treatment, serving patients at Meridian Road.

• Anna-Maria Ciferno, APRN-CNP, nurse practitioner specializing in women’s health services, serving patients at Meridian Road, Warren and the Donofrio Center.

Meridian HealthCare is currently accepting new patients for all services. Call 330-797-0070 to schedule an appointment.

BEST AT EVENT: Clever’s creative work took home seven awards at the 2026 AAF Akron American Advertising Awards – surpassing local agencies in total awards and receiving two of the top awards of the night.

The event took place Feb. 27 in Akron.

The Youngstown-based agency received two Judge’s Choice Awards, one for its photography of Youngstown’s Blind Bear restaurant and the second for its packaging design for Ploom Supps for one of its newest products Soul Cyst-her.

The creative team of Whitney Burd, Francesca Byrne, Tony Marr and Adrienne Sabo also received two Gold Addy’s in the categories of Packaging Design for Ploom Supps product Soul Cyst-her and Photography for Ploom Supps. Clever also received Silver Addy’s in the categories of Illustrations for Ploom Supps, Online & Interactive for Barry Dyngle’s website design and Packaging Design for Ploom Supps product Happy Cramper.

“This year’s awards highlight not only the exceptional creativity of our team, but also the variety of ways in which we bring that creativity to life through various marketing tactics,” Whitney Burd, founder and designer at Clever said.

The American Advertising Awards is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting more than 25,000 entries every year in local AAF Ad Club competitions.

TOP PERFORMER: KeyBank’s East Ohio market has been named the bank’s 2025 Market of the Year. This award recognizes the service teammates provide to clients and acknowledges the East Ohio market as the top performer among the 27 markets in the company’s footprint.

The East Ohio market includes Akron, Canton and Youngstown.

East Ohio is consistently a top performer throughout the bank’s footprint. In 2025, the work done by teammates in the market helped clients meet their financial goals while growing revenue in several lines of business, including:

This award was bestowed at KeyBank’s annual Chairman’s Awards celebration in Cleveland on Feb. 25. It was presented to KeyBank East Ohio Market President Joe Daleiden and other members of market leadership by KeyCorp Chairman & CEO Chris Gorman, KeyBank Head of Consumer Banking Victor Alexander and KeyBank Head of Commercial Banking Ken Gavrity.

“This recognition is a testament to the tremendous work our East Ohio teammates deliver day in and day out,” said Daleiden, East Ohio Market president. “Their dedication to our clients, commitment to collaboration, and passion for strengthening our communities are what set this market apart. I’m incredibly proud of this team and all we’ve accomplished together.”

YSU STUDENTS IMPRESS: Accounting majors from Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration earned top recognition in their first appearance at the CSU/IIA Intercollegiate Ethics Case Competition.

The competition was the largest in the event’s history, featuring 11 teams from 10 universities. Hosted by Cleveland State University in partnership with the Institute of Internal Auditors, the event challenges students to analyze complex ethical dilemmas and present their recommendations to panels of accounting professionals.

This year’s case focused on the ethical implications of private equity in the accounting and audit profession, requiring students to apply professional judgment, technical expertise and critical thinking to an issue of growing relevance in the field.

YSU was represented by two teams of accounting majors. Team One was made up of Deepika Pandey, Harrison Miller and Brianna K. Randall. Team Two consisted of Violet Puin, Godfrey Zvinavashe and Samir Ghimire.

Team Two won its bracket and placed third overall, with both teams earning cash prizes for their performance.

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