The Healing Power of Art
Jackie and Fred C. Rothstein, MD’s $1.25 million gift has established the Jackie and Fred C. Rothstein, MD, Endowed Director of Art Curation, reflecting a shared belief in the power of holistic healing.
Hospitals and health care facilities can make people anxious, but studies suggest that the right settings can mediate how the brain reacts to pain and stress. Art, in other words, can have a healing effect.
This is exactly what Jackie and Fred C. Rothstein, MD believe. Recently, the couple made a $1.25 million gift to establish the Jackie and Fred C. Rothstein, MD, Endowed Director of Art Curation. The new endowed position reflects a joint commitment of the Rothsteins and UH to the healing power of art. The inaugural appointee, UH Art Curator Tom Huck, has brought invaluable contributions to the UH art program during his tenure.
“Fred and I have always loved art. Art makes us happy,” said Jackie. “When Fred and I heard about the idea of supporting the UH art program, we knew it was the way to unite our two loves – art and healing.”
A Lifetime Committed to Others
A dedicated clinician, mentor and leader, Dr. Fred C. Rothstein made a profound impact over nearly four decades at UH.
He completed his residency and fellowship at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s where he was later appointed Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology. He climbed the administrative ranks and, in 2003, was named President of UH Cleveland Medical Center, a position he held with great humility and accomplishment until retiring in 2015. During his tenure, he oversaw unprecedented growth, including the integration of nearly a dozen regional medical centers, and inspired extraordinary philanthropic support. His commitment to patient care earned UH national acclaim, most notably the 2012 American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize, an honor awarded to the nation’s top hospital for leadership and innovation in quality improvement and patient safety.
In tribute to his career, Fred’s family, friends and colleagues joined to establish the Fred C. Rothstein, MD Chief Experience Officer at UH. In 2016, he received one of the health system’s ultimate honors – the UH Distinguished Physician Award.
Jackie and Fred’s generosity builds on a family tradition. Jackie’s mother, Betty Rosskamm, established the Martin and Betty Rosskamm Endowed Chair in Pediatric Gastroenterology in 2004. Jackie and Fred are longtime supporters of UH, with Jackie having served on numerous UH leadership councils, including the UH National Art Leadership Council. They are proud to have the opportunity to continue making a difference in the lives of patients at UH.
Art as Medicine
Photo by Scott Morrison, Discovery Photo
A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art, Tom Huck has led the UH art program since 2011 and, today, manages 3,000+ works valued at more than $9 million in the UH Art Collection, many gifted by supporters grateful for UH’s care. Tom assumed leadership following the retirement of founding curator Trudy Wiesenberger.
“I am so impressed with Tom’s presence, enthusiasm and especially his heart,” said Jackie. “He understands his role in the hospitals and outpatient facilities. He just gets healing.”
“Dr. Rothstein’s leadership was transformative for UH,” said Tom. “And Jackie’s unwavering commitment is a model for us all. It is fitting that the Rothstein name will be connected to a program that remains visionary, forward-thinking and that makes the patient experience its top priority. Their remarkable contribution to the UH art program and willingness to invest in its future are truly inspiring. I am filled with immense gratitude to be the inaugural recipient of such a meaningful endowment.”