Cleveland Clinic News and Notes

SPOTLIGHT

Three Decades of Chart-Topping Heart Care

For the 30th year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has named Cleveland Clinic THE NO. 1 HOSPITAL IN THE NATION for heart care in the magazine’s 2024-2025 Best Hospitals rankings. 

“Cleveland Clinic’s rich history of cardiovascular care is unparalleled,” says Tom Mihaljevic, MD, CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic and the holder of the Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair. “We commend all our caregivers for their dedication to providing the best care for patients.” 

Cleveland Clinic has treated millions of patients for heart and vascular conditions. Patients travel from all 50 states and 138 countries to the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute (HVTI) for expert care and exceptional outcomes. 

As one of the highest-volume cardiac surgical centers, Cleveland Clinic performed more than 5,600 heart surgeries in 2023 alone. Over the years, Cleveland Clinic surgeons have performed more than 4,500 mitral valve surgeries with a 0% mortality rate. 

Cleveland Clinic has been a pioneer in heart care since the 1950s, driving numerous breakthroughs in cardiology and heart surgery. Beyond the development of new devices and therapies, Cleveland Clinic also is at the forefront of cardiovascular research. 

“We are honored and grateful to be recognized as the nation’s top hospital for heart care,” says HVTI Chief Lars G. Svensson, MD, PhD, who holds the Delos M. Cosgrove, MD, Chair for Heart Disease. “This achievement is a testament to the dedication, talent and compassion of our team, including our doctors, nurses, researchers, educators and support staff. They are committed to excellence in every aspect of their work.” 

U.S. News & World Report also placed Cleveland Clinic on its Best Hospitals Honor Roll, a distinction awarded to only 20 hospitals nationwide. 

EDUCATION

On the Right Path

A generous gift from the Howley Foundation will allow Cleveland Clinic to expand the Howley ASPIRE Pathways program through 2036, making it possible for 380 students to pursue CAREERS IN RESPIRATORY THERAPY, SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY AND STERILE PROCESSING. 

The Howley ASPIRE Pathways program is designed to remove barriers to in-demand career opportunities in healthcare. It focuses on equipping participating students with the essential skills and experiences necessary to support their transition through higher education and entry into the workforce. 

The gift also will create a collaboration with Saint Martin de Porres High School in Cleveland so that the Howley ASPIRE Pathways Program will be an option for its students. 

Students enter the program as high school juniors and engage in an innovative curriculum that explores healthcare careers. In their senior year, students concentrate on their chosen field of interest. After graduation, they have the opportunity to earn scholarships to complete a two-year degree from Cuyahoga Community College for surgical technology or from Kent State University for respiratory therapy. Alternatively, they can receive on-the-job training and certification in sterile processing directly from Cleveland Clinic. 

The Howley ASPIRE Pathways program is part of the broader Howley ASPIRE Program, launched in 2017 with the Howley ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program. “We believe that the best way to create upward social and economic mobility for economically disadvantaged students is to provide high-quality, career-oriented educational programs,” says Nick Howley of the Howley Foundation. “We have seen how this invaluable experience can make a significant difference in a student’s life.” 

COLLABORATION 

Best of Both Worlds

The Novo Nordisk Foundation and Cleveland Clinic have teamed up to launch a fellowship program dedicated to INTEGRATING LEADING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY INTO BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND PATIENT CARE. “By combining our strengths, we aim to accelerate the translation of quantum technologies and artificial intelligence into clinical settings, fostering a new era of medical innovation that draws on the best of both our institutions,” says Lara Jehi, MD, Chief Research Information Officer at Cleveland Clinic. “Our vision is to develop the biomedical researchers of tomorrow, those who can harness data and technology to benefit science and our patients.” 

OB/GYN

Special Delivery

Cleveland Clinic has expanded TeamBirth to labor and delivery units at its main campus as well as Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital and Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital. The shared decision-making model focuses on  IMPROVING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CAREGIVERS AND PREGNANT PATIENTS  to bolster safety and quality of care. The care team meets with patients at regular intervals before, during and after delivery to review their condition and preferences, and to set clear expectations for what is to come.  Created by Ariadne Labs, TeamBirth was previously implemented at Cleveland Clinic Akron General through a partnership between the March of Dimes and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  “We are delighted to expand this evidence-based program to these additional hospitals within our health system,” said Edward Chien, MD, Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cleveland Clinic. “While it helps all women, it has been found to have a particular benefit for minority patients, many of whom have had their concerns minimized by the healthcare system in the past. This program ensures their voices and preferences are heard and respected.”

DATELINE: FLORIDA

Transplant Triumph

Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital recently celebrated A PAIR OF TRANSPLANT MILESTONES: its 500th liver transplant and its 300th heart transplant. “I am honored to congratulate our entire team,” says F. Scott Ross, MD, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Weston Hospital. “These incredible milestones speak to their commitment and dedication to serving our patients.” 

BY THE NUMBERS 

A Generational Divide Among Men 

While 95% of men in a national survey conducted by Cleveland Clinic said LIVING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE IS THEIR TOP PRIORITY, different health behaviors were found to exist among Gen Z (born 1997-2005), Millennials (1981-1996), Gen X (1965-1980) and Boomers+ (before 1965). 

The key takeaways: 

• Among Gen X and Boomers+, 61% of men get a yearly physical — compared to 32% among Millennials and Gen Z. 
• Among Gen X and Boomers+, 60% of men avoid smoking or vaping — compared to 43% among Millennials and Gen Z. 
• Among Gen X and Boomers+, 53% of men address mental health — compared to 59% among Millennials and Gen Z. 

Also: Nearly 2 out of 5 Gen Z men do not have an established primary care provider. As a result, many men from this generation say they’ve never, or are not sure if they’ve ever, had their blood pressure, cholesterol or BMI/weight checked. A national sample of 1,000 U.S. males 18 years of age and older was surveyed as part of the MENtion It campaign, which aims to address the fact that men often do not mention health issues or take steps to prevent them.

COMMUNITY 

The Gift of Access 

Mark and Shelly Saltzman have made a leadership gift to establish the Lake County Community Health Accelerator Fund, supporting community health initiatives for years to come in Lake County, Ohio. 

In recognition of the Saltzman family’s generosity, the Cleveland Clinic Mentor Hospital building has become the CLEVELAND CLINIC MENTOR HOSPITAL SALTZMAN FAMILY PAVILION. 

“The idea is to help Lake County residents gain access to health resources,” Mark Saltzman says. 

The Saltzmans’ gift will fund various programs, including a new position of Medical Officer for Community Health Outcomes. That individual, together with Cleveland Clinic’s Chief Community Officer and Chief of Staff, will work with the community and key stakeholders to deliver annual programs and health assessment outcomes. This component of the gift serves as a pilot for potential future programs in other communities where Cleveland Clinic is present. 

“Our support is all about helping people enter the healthcare system,” says Shelly Saltzman, “and get their issues taken care of to prevent more serious problems.” 

Their gift will also provide support for the Mentor Hospital president to direct priorities that are important to the delivery of Cleveland Clinic’s mission.

Mentor Hospital opened in 2023. It has 34 inpatient/observation rooms, 23 outpatient rooms, 19 emergency department beds, 12 pre-/post-anesthesia care beds and four operating rooms. Outpatient services include bariatric surgery, cardiology, digestive disease care, general and colorectal surgery, vascular surgery, urology, pulmonary medicine, orthopaedics and sports medicine. Inpatient care consists of primary care, orthopaedics and general surgery. 

BOOK REPORT

Face Value

Photos: Marty Carrick 

In the latest edition of Cleveland Clinic’s Little Book of Big Impact, you’ll come “FACE TO FACE” with 10 people from all walks of life who have at least one thing in common: Their lives have been touched profoundly by the generosity of others. An exhibition of portraits from the project is on view at Cleveland Clinic’s main campus through the end of the year. For even more face time, check out a special digital edition of the book, complete with “moving portraits,” here. 

EVENT

Weekend of Wonders

The inaugural CLEVELAND CLINIC WEEKEND was held in November. It brought more than 150 Cleveland Clinic supporters from around the country to the health system’s main campus in Cleveland. Attendees had opportunities to hear firsthand from Cleveland Clinic leaders about the latest healthcare trends and take behind-the-scenes tours.  

IMPACT

Home Is Where the Care Is 

They call him “the Podfather.” Nearly a quarter-century ago, when Jon Rubinstein was a senior executive at Apple, he was responsible for the development of the iPod. Now he’s singing a different tune. 

A leadership gift from Jon and his wife, Karen Richardson, is funding a game-changing initiative to deliver acute-level hospital care and post-acute care for patients in the comfort of their own homes. 

Cleveland Clinic Hospital Care at Home (HCAH) is an option for patients with common diagnoses that require hospitalization. These include congestive heart failure, COPD, pneumonia, diverticulitis and many other acute illnesses. While they’re recuperating at home, they’re monitored from the state-of-the-art Rubinstein Family Hospital Care at Home Suite, where caregivers can be reached with the push of a button. A typical treatment plan may entail a combination of integrated medical technology and hands-on care provided by clinical specialists. 

“Not unlike the iPod enabled you to listen to music wherever you were, this latest set of technologies enables hospital-level care in your home environment, which Karen and I think is really cool,” Jon says. 

“Delivering better care enabled with technology at a better price point is something that definitely makes sense to both of us,” says Karen, a Silicon Valley superstar in her own right who was CEO of the CRM software company E.piphany. “As technology people, we’re always looking for disruptive change, either in terms of capabilities or economics or both.” 

Launched in 2023, HCAH is currently available through Cleveland Clinic locations in Florida. To date, nearly 2,000 patients have been admitted to their homes for hospital care. Plans call for HCAH to expand to Ohio in 2025. 

“We’re deeply grateful to Jon and Karen not only for their generous support, but for sharing their technological expertise and experience leading disruptive innovation,” says Richard Rothman, MD, Chief Medical Operations Officer for Cleveland Clinic in Florida and a founder of HCAH. According to Dr. Rothman, the program is making strides with patients as well as caregivers, in addition to creating a more sustainable model for healthcare delivery. 

Based on preliminary metrics, HCAH patient outcomes outperform those for patients in brick-and-mortar hospitals across several key areas, including readmission rates, utilization of post-acute facilities and overall patient experience. 

The program has been a hit with caregivers, too. Applications for nursing positions at the command center have exceeded openings. In an era of high attrition and low retention among healthcare workers overall, HCAH also has attracted physicians, pharmacists, care managers and others interested in the next generation of care. 

All of this is music to the Podfather’s ears. 

“There’s a real opportunity to improve people’s experiences in life with technology,” Jon says. “That’s why we’re bullish about this concept and why we’re excited to support it.”