University Hospitals

UH Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer David Sylvan, who is also President of UH Ventures, recently sat down with Kate Gamble, Managing Editor at healthsystemCIO, to talk about removing barriers to patient access and doing it largely through technology. David addresses the three core pillars his team is focused on: patient access/experience, transitioning to value-based care, and right-sizing through optimization. During the conversation, David shared his insights on what it takes to foster innovation; why he must be “joined at the hip” with UH’s CIO; the approach he utilized to become immersed in healthcare; and why outside experience is so important. Listen to the podcast here: https://lnkd.in/eSqP4VpQ #patientaccess #innovation #technology #healthcareinnovation #removingbarriers #valuebasedcare

Have a listen to UH CEO, Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, who appeared on the CEOs You Should Know podcast with host Bill Wills of Wtam 1100. https://lnkd.in/de7D8SCM Wills Bill

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center is the only Ohio-based hospital to be named to U.S. News & World Report’s inaugural list of Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access. Additionally, our academic medical center has again been named by U.S. News & World Report to its Best Hospitals list, an achievement it has made 26 years in a row. In the 2024-25 list, it ranked third among all hospitals in Ohio. “Recognitions such as this one and others are a tribute to our caregivers and volunteers in their ongoing delivery of quality care,” said University Hospitals Chief Executive Officer Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair. “Importantly, we were recognized as one of the Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access – a new measure this year that highlights success in caring for patients in historically underserved communities while maintaining high quality care. Only 2% of the nation’s hospitals earned recognition for Equitable Access, further illustrating how we are fulfilling our founders’ pledge that ‘the needy are the most worthy,’ and we are indeed taking care of our community.” U.S. News evaluated nearly 5,000 hospitals and only 11% earned a Best Hospitals ranking. Hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level of nursing care and patient experience. University Hospitals ranked among the Top 50 in three specialties – Cancer, Neurology/Neurosurgery and ENT – and was deemed High Performing in 6 Adult Specialties and 14 Procedures and Conditions. Per the U.S. News Methodology Report for the Health Equity Measures, “Starting with the 2024-2025 publication, we set out to identify a list of hospitals that provide high-quality care to socioeconomically vulnerable populations from three different historically underserved communities: people living in more socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods, Medicaid beneficiaries, and racial and ethnic minorities. Currently, we identified 98 hospitals that provide the vulnerable populations identified above with substantial access to high quality care, and these hospitals will be recognized as U.S. News & World Report’s Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access.” “University Hospitals is committed to improving healthcare access and equity for all. We take pride in knowing we are making a difference in the lives of our community members, also evidenced by our recent attainment of the Dick Davidson Nova Award from the American Hospital Association recognizing our work to improve community health,” Dr. Megerian added. “This award lauded the success of our UH Food For Life Markets® that have helped our patients decrease their blood pressure, improve their A1C scores, and gain less weight while pregnant. Additionally, our most recent investment in community benefit totaled more than $530 million, reinforcing our commitment to care for those most vulnerable.” #healthequity #communityhealth

Ravi Ramani, MD, is quick to point out that the recent transformation of cardiovascular care across the University Hospitals system is a team effort. Still, it is he who must receive a great deal of credit for so many measurable improvements, says Mehdi Shishehbor, DO, MPH, PhD, President of UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute and the Angela and James Hambrick Chair in Innovation. “As Clinical Chief, he has worked tirelessly to enhance clinical operations at UH Cleveland Medical Center, with greatly improved cardiology consultations, reduced transfer times from other hospitals for the sickest patients and increased patient volumes, all with improved cardiovascular outcomes,” says Dr. Shishehbor. And it was only three years ago that Dr. Ramani joined UH after being recruited for the role of Chief Quality Officer at UH Harrington HVI. While there had always been someone in charge of quality, Dr. Ramani’s role perfectly added his combined skills, knowledge and experience as a physician with his vision to create positive change. The result: UH this year has posted the best ever results in interventional cardiology, in cardiac surgery, in cardiac transplantation and in ventricular assisted devices. Read more about Dr. Ramani at https://lnkd.in/g4QfWCe4 #hearthealth #healthcarequality #physicianexcellence #patientsfirst

University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute was named one of Becker's Healthcare “100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Heart Programs.” This is the third year that UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute has appeared on the list, which showcases healthcare institutions celebrated for their outstanding cardiovascular care, superior patient outcomes and advanced technologies and who are also at the forefront of cardiology research, making impactful discoveries in the field. In selecting the UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute for the list, Becker’s noted that the institute is known for its groundbreaking techniques. “The institute has pioneered minimally invasive procedures and operates one of the highest-volume transcatheter aortic valve replacement centers of excellence. The institute's heart surgery program performs over 1,900 procedures annually, offering complex surgeries regionally to improve patient accessibility. Their advanced research initiatives, supported by over $44.5 million in extramural funding, drive innovations in cardiac care. The institute's renowned programs include the limb salvage and amputation program, valve and structural heart disease center, and a leading fibromuscular dysplasia treatment center.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/e4G-KdpJ #worldclassheartcare #heartdisease #cardiaccare #heartsurgery #cardiology #cardiologyresearch #cardiovascularcare #limbsalvage #fibromusculardysplasia #innovationsincardiaccare #TAVR

Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair and Elyse Mulligan, MPH, UH Manager of Public Policy & Community Health Engagement, took to Washington, D.C., this week to engage in crucial discussions with members of Congress and their staff. Recognizing the significant influence government policies have on hospital operations, Dr. Megerian focused on advocating for policies and funding to bolster the stability of the healthcare industry, working to ensure the continued provision of quality care to patients in our communities. The visit underscored the importance of fostering positive relationships with elected officials. By maintaining an open dialogue with Congress, UH aims to enhance its ability to serve its patients effectively. Dr. Megerian and Mulligan's itinerary included meetings with several key lawmakers and their staff: Congressman Max Miller (R-OH-07); Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH-12); Congressman Michael T.W. Carey (R-OH-15); Congresswoman Shontel Brown (D-OH-11); Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH-05); Staff from the Office of Senator JD Vance (R-OH); and Staff from the Office of Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). These interactions are a testament to UH's commitment to active participation in the legislative process, warranting that the voices of healthcare providers and patients are heard on Capitol Hill. #advocacymatters #northeastohio #weareallinthistogether

Renardo W., Environmental Service Worker III, has been with University Hospitals for more than two years. Before joining our team, he worked delivering oxygen, with UH Geauga Medical Center being one of his stops. Renardo enjoyed the atmosphere during his deliveries there, prompting him to apply to University Hospitals and join our team! Renardo began his career at UH Geauga Medical Center as an Environmental Service Worker I and, over his two-year tenure, earned two promotions to reach his current role as Environmental Service Worker III. “I’ve been in many areas of the hospital, including discharges, the Emergency Department, and the trash room. I currently work in the OR,” Renardo explained. “I love my work. I’ve had opportunities at other health care organizations, but I enjoy what I do and who I work with here at UH. I know I’m supported by my manager and peers.” Renardo greatly enjoys assisting the OR staff. “At the end of the day, I have a feeling of accomplishment when the OR staff tells me I’m doing a good job, and if they need me, they know I’m there for them.” Renardo enjoys being a part of UH so much that he doesn’t think twice about encouraging others to join our team. “There are so many opportunities, and you don’t need to settle for just one role, people come to work in Environmental Services and grow in many areas,” he said. If you’re seeking a place where you can advance your career, consider bringing it to UH! Explore our available positions and apply today. https://lnkd.in/ezQ4p3Gs #UHNursing #UHCareers

An important part of cancer care is helping patients improve -- or even restore – physical function that the disease or treatment itself has diminished. At University Hospitals, cancer patients have a valuable resource for this work in cancer rehab specialist Yevgeniya Dvorkin Wininger, MD, and a dedicated team of physical, occupational and speech-language therapists. “Our focus is on working with cancer patients during and after treatment to improve function,” Dr. Dvorkin Wininger says. “That is the goal. We address physical impairments, whether it's lymphedema, neuropathy, deconditioning or debility or other issues. Sometimes musculoskeletal issues come up during or after treatment, such as shoulder or back pain, and we work from a rehab perspective and the pain perspective to improve function.” With cancer rehab, care, of course, is personalized to individual patient needs, goals and capabilities, Dr. Dvorkin-Wininger says. “We work very closely with our therapists, depending on the severity of the impairment, understanding whether the patient is going to be OK doing some exercises on their own, whether they are quite deconditioned and need home therapy, or whether they need more extensive care,” she says. “We’ve also worked with Patient Education and therapists from Rehab Services to create educational exercise videos for patients who are home-bound, so they can do them at their own pace.” Read more at https://lnkd.in/gcw5jkaD #cancerrehab #PM&R #cancer #personalizedcare #patientsfirst

July is Disability Pride Month. Join us in championing inclusivity and amplifying voices that inspire change. With a core value of belonging, it matters greatly to us at UH that every member of our team knows they’re valued and that their contributions and voices are important to us. We continue to shape an encouraging and caring culture where all feel they can belong. One way we do this is through our membership in Disability:IN Ohio, a network that provides employers with networking opportunities, education, and resources geared toward increasing understanding and awareness in the workplace. We’re honored to be a part of this group and a multi-year recipient of the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Employer Partners of Inclusion Award. As we take this day to better understand the challenges that face people with disabilities, we invite you to join us in helping to create a world where all people have equal opportunities for work, play, health, and success.

Those who work in healthcare study and train for years to develop the knowledge, expertise and resulting confidence to make decisions that are in the best interests of their patients. Yet as much as training and knowledge are important in guiding decisions, these alone will not result in excellent care that meets each patient's goals and that aligns with their values. That’s the view of Peter Pronovost MD, PhD, FCCM, UH’s Chief Quality and Clinical Transformation Officer and Veale Distinguished Chair in Leadership and Clinical Transformation. Families, too, he says, have many important things to teach caregivers — consider it their experiential wisdom — especially important in patients with chronic or complex conditions. In fact, Dr. Pronovost argues, the ability to honor this wisdom is essential for safe, effective care. At UH, we’re training all our physicians and staff to be more attuned to important moments with families and to more fully respect the experiential wisdom expressed by the patient's family and loved ones — and to also listen more closely to nurses' and all caregivers' voices. Read more from Dr. Pronovost on this initiative at Becker’s Hospital Review at https://lnkd.in/gSUpDb7E #patientsafety #patientexperience #experientialwisdom #patientsfirst