CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland-area hospitals spent $825 million last year to educate the next generation of physicians and discover new cures, according to their recently released 2024 community spending reports.

Among area health systems, the Cleveland Clinic spent the most on both clinical education and medical research in 2024.

Combined, Northeast Ohio’s four major hospital systems spent a combined $236 million on clinical research, along with $589 million on medical education.

Medical systems count education and research expenses as part of their annual community benefit spending, which also includes things like low-cost healthcare, organizing community health programs, or addressing the need for housing or healthy food.

Hospitals provide these benefits in exchange for their tax-free status.

Read the full report on 2024 community benefit spending

When looking at overall community benefit spending, three Northeast Ohio hospitals — University Hospitals, MetroHealth System and Summa Health —collectively spent $1.2 billion on community benefits in Northeast Ohio in 2024, according to reports recently released by the health systems.

The Clinic did not provide Ohio-specific numbers. It reported a total $1.5 billion in community impact spending in 2024, although that figure includes benefits tied to its operations in Ohio, Florida and Nevada.

Education creates more healthcare professionals

The Clinic led the pack on healthcare education spending in 2024, with its investment of $358 million.

“By educating medical professionals, we ensure the public receives the highest level of medical care and has access to highly trained health professionals now and in the future,” the Clinic said in a statement.

UH spent $123 million on education and training, out of a total community service spend of $720 million.

Summa Health invested $31 million on medical education, out of $213 million in overall community benefit.

MetroHealth System invested $77 million in education, out of an overall $306 million spent on community benefits.

At Summa’s hospitals, about 285 residents and fellows from the United States and across the globe train in 12 residency and eight fellowship programs. About 45% of graduates remain in the community to practice at Summa hospitals, the health system said.

UH — in conjunction with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Northeast Ohio Medical University— educates about 400 medical students each year. The health system also educates 1,200 physician residents and fellows, and thousands of nurses and other health professionals.

“We reach into our local community to teach lifesaving techniques and to inspire people to pursue healthcare careers,” UH said.

Research finds new ways to diagnose, treat disease

Investments in clinical research benefit long-term health by advancing clinical and community health, and offers patients access to cutting-edge therapies and technologies through clinical trials.

In 2024, the Clinic’s total research spend was $147 million.

UH reported spending $74 million, MetroHealth spent $8 million and Summa spent $6.5 million, according to the health systems.

UH funds clinical research in conjunction with CWRU School of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University and private-sector healthcare companies.

“UH serves our community in its broadest sense by engaging in and funding clinical research,” the medical system said.