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.
“We are deeply grateful to the Mandel Foundation for their partnership and support. Their generosity allows us to expand the care we provide to our patients and the communities we serve,” said Tom Mihaljevic, CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic and holder of the Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair. “The expansion of our emergency services will help us better care for patients with the most serious injuries, ensuring they receive the specialized treatment they need, when it matters most.”
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 faster, more access for immediate health needs, especially for the communities surrounding Main Campus. Together, these components will enhance Cleveland Clinic’s ability to be a responsive community resource and 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 and location.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.”
Mandel Foundation Board Chair Steve Hoffman added, “With this grant, we are proud to support the efforts of the Cleveland Clinic to deepen their engagement with the surrounding neighborhoods.”
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.