University Hospitals exceeds campaign goal of $1.5 billion

CLEVELAND, May 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- University Hospitals (UH) has exceeded its Discover the Difference: The Campaign for University Hospitals goal of $1.5 billion. This milestone represents the culmination of a multi-year effort made possible through the generosity of more than 83,500 donors contributing nearly 185,000 gifts totaling $1,511,586,803. Donor support ranged from $1 to $72.6 million.

"University Hospitals' unwavering commitment to our community has endured for 150 years. And the community's confidence in UH is equally remarkable," says Thomas F. Zenty III, CEO, University Hospitals. "The extraordinary success of the Discover the Difference campaign is a tribute to the great generosity of our community, and their gifts have transformed the lives of our families, friends and neighbors. We thank them for their strong belief in our mission throughout the campaign."

Following the priorities of UH's Vision 2010 strategic plan, UH publically launched Discover the Difference: The Campaign for University Hospitals in 2010 with a goal of $1 billion. After community support far surpassed expectations, in 2012 the goal was increased to $1.5 billion. UH is the second health system in the country, and the only in Ohio, to accomplish such an ambitious campaign goal.

The campaign has enabled, enhanced and expanded clinical care programs, new endowed funds, and capital projects, including those identified in the Vision 2010 strategic plan: Ahuja Medical Center; Seidman Cancer Center; Center for Emergency Medicine and Marcy R. Horvitz Pediatric Emergency Center; and the Quentin & Elisabeth Alexander Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

UH established and grew the Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, as well as Harrington Discover Institute – part of the Harrington Project for Discovery & Development – which supports 75 Harrington Scholars, created 10 new companies and licensed three drug discoveries to pharmaceutical companies. UH is home to the largest number of research studies in the state, with more than 1,200 ongoing clinical trials.

The Angie Fowler Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Institute at Rainbow became the first of its kind in the country, uniquely specialized in caring for patients between 12-30 years of age. Campaign support created vital programs like the Goodman Discovery Center and Coleman Clinical Trials Center, both at Seidman Cancer Center; Barbara Ruhlman Center for Women & Newborns at MacDonald Women's Hospital; and the Hampson Mole Community Health Project at Elyria Medical Center.

More than 1,000 new philanthropic funds have been established, benefiting every department and institute in the health system. UH now has 93 endowed chairs, 74 of which were created during the Discover the Difference campaign, to retain, recruit and recognize the most preeminent physicians.  

"We are grateful to our many friends and supporters who share our belief in the mission of University Hospitals: To Heal. To Teach. To Discover." says Sherri Bishop, Chief Development Officer, UH. "The extraordinary giving spirit of our community has changed countless lives and will impact Northeast Ohio for generations."

Shelly Adelman, Chair of the Board Development Committee, and Monte Ahuja and Jack Breen, campaign co-chairs, guided the vision for Discover the Difference. With their leadership the campaign achieved unprecedented results and UH reached thousands of new donors – nearly 90 percent of whom were first-time supporters of the health system. The following visionary supporters have generously supported UH with gifts of $10 million or more.

• The Harrington Family
• Rainbow Babies & Children's Foundation
• The Cleveland Foundation
• The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation
• Jane and Lee Seidman
• Monte and Usha Ahuja and family
• Dr. Donald J. and Ruth Weber Goodman
• Foundation Fighting Blindness
• Ohio Third Frontier
• Char and Chuck Fowler and family
• Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein
• Bob, Eleanore and Kathy Risman
• Karen Mole
• Kathy Coleman
• Barbara P. Ruhlman
• Leonard and Joan Horvitz and the Richard Horvitz family

Today, more than 4,700 UH providers care for more than 1 million patients at 11 community medical centers, three joint-venture hospitals and more than 40 health centers across 15 counties. University Hospitals will open its newest facility, the UH Rainbow Center for Women & Children, in Cleveland's MidTown neighborhood. Opening in Spring 2018, the Center will improve access to quality health care and social services for families in Cleveland and surrounding communities.

SOURCE University Hospitals