The MetroHealth System (Cleveland, OH)

In his three-decade tenure at MetroHealth, James Campbell, MD, has cared for countless older adults with compassion and good humor and inspired future generations of geriatricians. He was also known to swap his scrubs for a Santa suit over the holidays, regularly visiting pediatric patients at the hospital – a tradition he said will continue after his October 31st retirement. "I actually have a Metro ID – we will not tell you who in security actually made me a Santa Claus ID – but I actually have it. It doesn't open anything," he said, laughing. His message to MetroHealth community? "The most important thing to say is that Metro is a great place to work," he said. "I came here in 1993. I'd been over here probably six or seven months or so, and my dad, who's now passed away, said, 'You appear to have found a home.' And that that is what it is. It's a home." In addition to his role as Chair of Geriatric Medicine, Dr. Campbell also served Director of Post-Acute Care and the MetroHealth Care Partners ACO, Medical Director at Jennings Center for Older Adults and Professor of Family Medicine at Case Western Reserve. During his career at MetroHealth, Dr. Campbell also chaired MetroHealth's Department of Family Medicine, revitalized the Geriatric Fellowship program, oversaw the building of the former Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Center for Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation and led the Senior Health & Wellness Center – the first clinic in Cleveland to unite numerous medical specialties for older adults' health needs at one location. "What do I do next? I don't know," Dr. Campbell said. "I'm going to relax a little bit. I'm going be involved with my grandchildren a little bit more. I've signed up to do some teaching. There are some grants and other activities I might do a little of." He added, "But my job will continue – my job as Santa Claus," he said. To honor his legacy as one of the most beloved physicians at the System, The MetroHealth Foundation has launched the James W. Campbell, MD, MS, Endowment in Geriatric Medicine. The fund will support geriatric patient care, education and research and serve as an enduring tribute to Dr. Campbell and his 31 years at MetroHealth. Individuals interested in contributing to the fund can do so by clicking here and selecting the endowment from the dropdown menu: https://lnkd.in/gvAbVUF

Our region's first multidisciplinary obstetric clinic focused on pulmonary conditions will offer specialized care to pregnant patients with asthma and other respiratory conditions. Learn more about the new Obstetric Pulmonary Clinic: https://lnkd.in/gQhcUz9r

The MetroHealth System Board of Trustees today voted to promote Christine Alexander-Rager, MD, to President and CEO, effective immediately. Dr. Alexander-Rager, a family medicine physician with MetroHealth for nearly three decades, has served as the health system’s acting chief executive since late July. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gVYc3-cV

Competitive wages, outstanding benefits and opportunities for growth are why Medical Assistants come to MetroHealth, but a supportive, mission-driven culture is why they stay. Find out how you can advance your career at one of Northeast Ohio's best places to work for healthcare professionals: https://lnkd.in/gRGvWQYr #nowhiring #healthcare #medicalassistant #CLE

The MetroHealth System is partnering with the brand-new Health Assurance Foundation to reshape and advance the future of healthcare delivery, beginning with development and expansion of best practice standards for Community Health Workers (CHWs). As trusted members of their communities, CHWs improve cultural competence and quality of service delivery through coordinating care with healthcare providers, improving access to community-based services, addressing the social drivers of health and providing health education.

Vanessa Maier, MD, MPH, was recently inducted into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame at Cleveland Heights-University Heights High School. Dr. Maier, a 1991 graduate, is strongly connected to her alma mater. In addition to seeing patients in her primary care clinic at MetroHealth Beachwood Health Center, she serves as the Medical Director of the MetroHealth School Health Program and provides care at the Heights Wellness Center in Cleveland Heights-University Heights High School. Dr. Maier, a Family Medicine physician, joined MetroHealth in 2015. "Humility, grace, the ability to freely give compassion, to see goodness in ourselves and others, to accept and receive unmerited forgiveness – these are hard lessons to learn," Dr. Maier said. "But my experience at Heights gave me a solid foundation in these lessons, offering the richness of diversity, the power of kindness and the aspiration to follow a path of learning and service. Heights profoundly influenced my journey, and it is an immeasurable honor to be inducted into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame." Founded in 2013 by Christine Alexander-Rager, MD, and now within the Institute for H.O.P.E., the School Health Program works collaboratively with local school districts to increase access to health services. Through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the program, in collaboration with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District, received nearly $4.5 million to renovate facilities and expand access to services. In 2022, the program received America's Essential Hospitals prestigious Gage Award in recognition of "creative and successful programs that improve patient care and serve community needs." In her role as Medical Director, Dr. Maier provides leadership for the School Health Program and is actively involved in research to understand best practices in school-based health. She currently serves as co-investigator on a Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative of Northern Ohio study to evaluate factors associated with absenteeism in students with asthma. Dr. Maier also has a strong interest in teaching. She serves as Director of the Advocacy and Public Health Pathway at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and received the prestigious Kaiser Permanente Excellence in Teaching Award in 2023 for inspiring students to lead careers that exemplify medicine's most enduring values.

The MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute has been named a Rehabilitation Innovation Center by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. MetroHealth is among only 15 rehabilitation centers in the country – and one of two in Ohio – recognized by the Department of Health and Human Services for providing inpatient care for individuals with highly complex medical conditions; conducting multidisciplinary rehabilitation research; and recognition for excellence in education. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gYHDtf67

Last Thursday, State Rep. Adam Holmes from Muskingum County visited our Valley View mail-order pharmacy and Bedford neighborhood clinic to learn more about the importance of the 340B program to super safety-net health systems like MetroHealth and the patients and communities we serve. Members from the pharmacy leadership team led the tour. MetroHealth stands behind Rep. Holmes, State Rep. Marilyn John and State Sen. Bob Hackett in their efforts to pass important legislation that will protect access to the 340B program for safety-net providers.

Is a criminal record holding you back? Join us for an expungement clinic on Saturday, October 5, and learn about the numerous opportunities and community resources available to you. Please note that violent felonies, sexual offenses, traffic offenses and DUI/OVI charges cannot be expunged. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g5YTRnqB

Last week we were proud to join the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and other community partners in welcoming Tom Perez, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, for a tour of the food bank's Community Resource Center. During his visit, Mr. Perez had the opportunity to meet with caregivers from our Collinwood Health Center located within the Community Resource Center. The health center, which offers primary care services, immunizations, dental services, telemedicine and more, is just one way we're ensuring members of our community have access to equitable, quality healthcare.