News
A $50 million grant from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation will launch Cleveland Clinic’s Community Bridge to Care Initiative, a program that will help Cleveland residents get the care they need as quickly and seamlessly as possible and expand access to emergency and trauma care.
“These investments will reduce treatment delays, eliminate unnecessary transfers and expand equitable access to high-quality emergency and trauma care for Cleveland residents, particularly those facing the greatest barriers during moments of crisis,” said Tom Mihaljevic, M.D., Cleveland Clinic CEO and President, and holder of the Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair at Cleveland Clinic. “We are deeply grateful to the Mandel Foundation for its partnership in expediting the arrival of the future of healthcare in Cleveland.”
The grant will provide lead support for a comprehensive community-focused effort that integrates three interdependent strategies that connect clinical excellence, digital innovation and systems designed to create a faster, more equitable response to immediate health needs, especially for the communities surrounding Main Campus. Together, these components will enable the Clinic to become a more accessible, dynamic and responsive community resource and better serve those living in the neighborhoods near its facilities. These include:
- Connected System: Cleveland Clinic is redesigning its entire immediate care experience to deliver a seamless, community-friendly journey, from first contact to final follow-up. That includes clearer signage, improved facility flow, better care team coordination, and upgraded IT systems to ensure smoother, more compassionate transitions between providers.
- Digital Front Door: An AI-powered “Digital Front Door” will help patients reach the right site of care – whether express care, online visit, urgent care, emergency care or trauma – before they arrive. With real-time data and a guided interface, this tool will shorten delays, lower congestion in emergency departments, and direct each person to the best care based on clinical need, location, and insurance.
- Level I Trauma Center: Having this highest level of care on Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus will expand access to life-saving care across Cleveland. It will provide 24/7 trauma surgery, advanced imaging, critical care, and specialized teams for adults and children. Current facilities will be upgraded to include expanded treatment spaces, trauma resuscitation rooms, specialized equipment, and clinical support areas.
“Every resident of our city deserves access to the best care in the world and Cleveland is fortunate to be the home of one of the world’s great healthcare systems,” said Jehuda Reinharz, President and CEO of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. “We are proud to help Cleveland Clinic fulfill that promise. This work will strengthen the future health of our entire community.”
“With this grant, we are proud to support the efforts of the Cleveland Clinic to deepen their engagement with the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Steve Hoffman, Mandel Foundation Board Chair.
This grant builds on the Mandel Foundation’s commitment to improving quality of life for Cleveland residents and its longstanding partnership with Cleveland Clinic, including the establishment of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Global Leadership and Learning Institute, the Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair, and the Morton L. Mandel Innovation Fund.
About the Organization
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit academic medical center based in Cleveland, Ohio, integrating clinical care with research and education. Founded in 1921, it is recognized among the nation’s top hospitals, known for pioneering medical breakthroughs such as coronary artery bypass surgery and the first U.S. face transplant. The health system includes 19 hospitals and over 220 outpatient facilities across the U.S. and internationally. Learn more at clevelandclinic.org.
