University Hospitals Named One of the 2019 World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere® for Seventh Time

CLEVELAND – University Hospitals (UH) has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2019 World’s Most Ethical Companies.

UH has received this designation seven times since 2012, and is one of only six nonprofit health care providers recognized this year. The award underscores an ongoing institutional commitment to lead with integrity and prioritize ethical business practices.

“The 2019 World’s Most Ethical Companies award is a tribute to the integrity with which our physicians, nurses and staff go about their work at University Hospitals,” said Thomas F. Zenty III, Chief Executive Officer of UH. “We strive to maintain high professional and ethical standards as we deliver the highest-quality care to our patients by living according to our core values: Excellence. Diversity. Integrity. Compassion. Teamwork.”

In 2019, 128 honorees are recognized, spanning 21 countries and 50 industries. The thirteenth class of honorees has record levels of involvement with their stakeholders and their communities around the world. Measuring and improving culture, leading authentically and committing to transparency, diversity and inclusion are all priorities for honorees.

UH highlighted several programs to Ethisphere to demonstrate its commitment to integrity and social responsibility. The foundation is UH’s best-in-class ethics and compliance program and strong corporate governance. In addition to that are programs designed to enhance the communities and environment in which UH operates. These include the opening in the summer of 2018 of the UH Rainbow Center for Women & Children, which is based on an innovative model of care that addresses social, economic and environmental factors that influence health. UH also launched a Pain Management Institute in 2018 to bring together multiple disciplines to treat pain in a responsible and effective way and address the opioid crisis.

Other highlighted community programs included CPR training, sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) programs, programs to address infant mortality, expansion of the UH Otis Moss Jr. Health Center featuring innovative health education and nutritional programming and “on demand” primary care services, and various diversity and inclusion initiatives.

“One of the reasons UH has been recognized again as one of the 2019 World’s Most Ethical Companies is our consistent focus on a ‘speak-up culture’ and ethical response to challenges that face us,” said Kim F. Bixenstine, UH Chief Compliance Officer. “This is a recognition of our commitment to our patients, our employees and the communities we serve.”

Being a seven-time honoree underscores UH’s commitment to leading ethical business standards and practices ensuring long-term value to key stakeholders including patients, employees and suppliers.

“Today, employees, investors and stakeholders are putting their greatest trust in companies to take leadership on societal issues. Companies that take the long view with a purpose-based strategy are proven to not only outperform but last,” said Ethisphere’s Chief Executive Officer Timothy Erblich. “I congratulate everyone at University Hospitals for earning this recognition.”

Honorees

The full list of the 2019 World's Most Ethical Companies can be found at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees.

Best practices and insights from the 2019 honorees will be released in a report and webcast in March and April of this year.