In a year of continued strain and uncertainty, UH caregivers persisted in their mission to serve with compassion and skill, inspiring more than $200 million in community support.

“At University Hospitals, we take our responsibility as a hometown health care provider seriously,” said Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, Chief Executive Officer, University Hospitals. “Through continued COVID-19 surges and in the face of unprecedented staffing shortages, our amazingly talented team of caregivers continues to provide compassionate and equitable care. Their unflinching commitment to serve is truly inspiring and, last year, our community responded in kind, contributing more than $200 million in support of the UH mission.”

Gifts of all sizes benefit the UH mission, collectively making a powerful impact on patients and families throughout the region. Examples abound such as the 19th Annual Rainbow Radiothon, during which more than $256,000 in donations were received, directly benefitting UH Rainbow Babies & Children's young patients and the dedicated staff who care for them; and The Kendall Foundation’s efforts to raise $57,000 to further the expansion of cancer services at UH Conneaut Medical Center, a gift that was then matched by three local families, bringing the total to an incredible $107,000. 

Additional examples of generosity and compassion in 2021 included: 

• The creation of 16 new endowed positions, furthering UH’s efforts to recruit and retain our very deserving caregivers;
• Nearly $20 million in contributions to advance the UH Ahuja Phase 2 expansion;
• Over $50 million in external support for research and innovation, enabling the development of life-saving drugs and groundbreaking clinical trials; and
• Funding for departments, programs and services across the health system, such as nursing, clinical trials and integrative medicine.

“UH was founded by and for this community and, for more than 155 years – in times of joy and struggle, good health and deep pain – the exceptional generosity of this community has sustained us,” shared Dr. Megerian. “The last two years have placed unforeseen strain on our health system and our caregivers, but this challenge did not go unnoticed. In unprecedented fashion, the community has signaled their abiding faith in our mission and enduring trust in our caregivers. It remains our great honor to serve this region and all those that entrust us with their care.”