News Releases

CLEVELAND – In its newly released Community Benefit Report, University Hospitals illustrates recent examples of its continued effort to address health and economic disparities in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.
 
During the past decade, UH has invested more than $2.6 billion in community benefit expenditures. And in 2017 alone, the health system’s community benefit expenditures totaled $325 million.
 
UH works with its community to identify and address the region’s most pressing healthcare needs through research, charitable care, education, training and community outreach. 
 
UH follows Internal Revenue Service guidelines to determine allowable community benefit contribution.  UH’s total community benefit spending includes: Charity care ($43 million); community health improvement services, programs and support ($24 million); Medicaid shortfall ($144 million); research ($37 million); and education and training ($77 million).
 
Medicaid shortfall refers to subsidized care to Medicaid patients because this government program pays well below the cost of providing such care. 
 
“Since our founding in 1866, University Hospitals has served an active and integral role in Northeast Ohio, providing comprehensive healthcare to our neighbors while creating programs aimed at overall community well-being,” said Thomas F. Zenty III, CEO of UH. “Our vision statement, ‘Advancing the Science of Health and the Art of Compassion,’ illustrates our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care and patient experience, pioneering research, and elevating the standards of healthcare in the most compassionate way possible.”

CLEVELAND – University Hospitals continues its effort to improve the health and wellness of the Cleveland community through the opening of the new Food for Life Market – a preventive model to address chronic health conditions by providing free healthy food and consultations with dietitians.

Located in the UH Otis Moss Jr. Health Center, which resides in one of Cleveland’s poorest neighborhoods, the Food for Life Market takes community-based healthcare to the next level.  Cuyahoga County has the highest number of food-insecure residents and children in the state of Ohio. Specifically, the Fairfax neighborhood has been designated a food desert, defined as an impoverished area with limited access to a grocery store, by Cuyahoga County Board of Health's Creating Healthy Communities program and the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission. 

To address the issue of food insecurity for its patients and residents of the Fairfax neighborhood, UH will offer them one week’s worth of food without charge, following a referral from their physician. Patients also will receive the option to meet with UH dietitians, who can counsel them on dietary needs and optimal food choices. Patients are eligible to receive the food assistance once a month for up to six months and can get an extension by meeting again with their physician. 

“Food insecurity can play a major role in health, disease, and well-being,” said Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, Community Impact, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer at UH and the University Hospitals Edgar B. Jackson Jr., MD, Chair of Clinical Excellence and Diversity. “Access to the right kinds of food and incorporating that food into your diet can have important, beneficial effects on health, such as lowering blood pressure or blood sugar,” she said. “The initiative’s full name emphasizes that vital characteristic of this market:  Food for Life Market – Where the Health of Our Community Begins.”

CLEVELAND – Peter J. Pronovost, MD, PhD, a world-renowned patient safety champion, innovator and critical care physician, has joined University Hospitals as its Chief Clinical Transformation Officer.

The announcement was made by Thomas F. Zenty III, CEO of University Hospitals and the appointment is effectively immediately. 

“Dr. Peter Pronovost is a renowned figure in medicine. His innovative work has saved thousands of lives and shaped the delivery of health care nationally and internationally,” said Mr. Zenty. “UH is consistently recognized for the quality and safety of care we provide, and our physicians and employees put our patients first in everything we do. Peter’s appointment positions UH to be a national leader in the transformation of high-value care delivery.”

Dr. Pronovost’s scientific work, leveraging the use of checklists to reduce central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections, has saved thousands of lives and earned him high-profile accolades, including being named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine and receiving a coveted MacArthur Foundation "genius grant" in 2008. He is also a prolific researcher, entrepreneur and global thought leader. Dr. Pronovost has published over 800 papers throughout his career. 

CLEVELAND -- Jordan M. Winter, MD, has been appointed Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Director of Surgical Services at UH Seidman Cancer Center. 
 
“Dr. Winter is recognized nationally for his clinical, teaching and research expertise in pancreatic cancer,” said Ted Teknos, MD, President of the UH Seidman Cancer Center. “His achievements reflect a deep commitment to aid patients and families facing the most challenging cancers while helping colleagues and clinicians in training achieve their professional goals,”
 
In addition to surgical management of pancreatic and related cancers, he treats other upper gastrointestinal malignancies and abdominal tumors. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and a dozen book chapters, many of them on pancreatic cancer.