press - UH Legacy Magazine
University Hospitals LEGACY
Volume15 Number 02
Fall 2007
Vision 2010 UPDATE
University Hospitals is looking boldly to the future with the purchase of 25 acres in Concord Township, innovative public art exhibitions at UC Case Medical Center construction sites and new electronic records system that will enhance patient care and attract top-notch experts to the UH staff .
A STAR IN THE EAST
University Hospitals has acquired 25 acres off the interstate 90/Route 44 interchange in Concord Township and is determining how to use the site to best serve rapidly growing Lake and Geauga counties. “We have seen a significant increase in the number of patients and physicians associated with University Hospitals in the Lake and Geauga county region, and we have analyzed expansion options in these communities for quite some time,” said Achilles A. Demetriou, MD, PhD, President of University Hospitals.
“When this property became available, we recognized how perfectly it suits our needs and we seized the opportunity to purchase it. The location is easily accessible for residents of both counties and is highly visible.”
The site is located at the intersection of Route 44 and Auburn Road and has frontage visible from I-90. Any project will be measured against the health care needs of the community and how it aligns with University Hospitals Vision 2010 strategic plan.
“University Hospitals is dedicated to making our nationally recognized health care services accessible to everyone in Northeast Ohio,” said James Benedict, Senior Vice President, Ambulatory Operations and Community Hospital administration. “Studies show that people want high-quality care that is conveniently located, and we plan to give that to them.”
UH’s ultimate plans for the site also will compliment services offered at the UH Geauga Medical Center. UH recently committed nearly $20 million for enhancements there. These include a state-of-the-art Emergency Department, a new Heart and Vascular Institute, a spine and orthopedics center, and a weight loss center. Currently, Geauga Medical Center is planning a $4.5 million surgical pavilion expansion and recently finalized a physician’s clinic within the hospital.
“Whatever we do at this site will be an extension of our strategy to solidify Geauga Medical Center as a regional hub for University Hospitals.” said Richard J. Frenchie. President and CEO of Geauga Medical Center. “The Concord Township project will provide patients another access point into our system. In that spirit, we will look for other opportunities to collaborate with other health care providers at the Concord Township site.
Earlier this year, University Hospitals unveiled its plan to invest $1.2 billion in building projects over the next 5 years as part of its Vision 2010 strategy. The projects include a new Cancer Hospital, the Ahuja Medical Center at Chagrin Highlands, an expanded Emergency Department at the UH Case Medical Center, and expanded neonatal intensive care unit at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, enhancements at UH’s community hospitals and new ambulatory health centers in growing communities. University Hospitals offers patient care in several Lake County locations, including health centers in Madison, Mentor, Willoughby, and the Lake University Ireland Cancer Center in Mentor.
UH HAS HEART FOR ART
Most people don’t think of construction walls as art. Fortunately, University Hospitals did. Instead of chain link fencing around major construction projects at the UH Case Medical Center as part of Vision 2010, passerby are treated to large smiling images of UH patients and employees.
Artist Guy-Vincent Ricketti created this photographic collage, which went up in August. Prominently displayed along Euclid Avenue, the colorful, 8-foot-high panels range in length from 16 to 56 feet. The portraits are complimented by images of University Hospital spaces.
This installation of public art stemmed from UH’s commitment to being a good neighbor. As construction began for Vision 2010, unattractive protective barriers around the UH Case Medical Center campus seemed inevitable until the staff overseeing the construction made the bold choice to hang public art relating to the hospital and community.
“The thought of sitting here for two years behind gloomy walls facing Euclid Avenue just wasn’t very exciting,” said Steve Standley, the hospital’s senior vice president of system services. “Out of respect for our neighbors in University Circle such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, we saw an opportunity to do something creative, especially when we considered how long the fences will be up.”
Enter Ricketti, who has exhibited throughout the U.S. and Europe. Last summer he created “Identity”, and exhibit of large portraits of people throughout Cuyahoga County that was displayed at Star Plaza, near his gallery, Elevation Art, in Playhouse Square.
“This exhibition deals with the new identity of University Hospitals as the new face of healthcare,” Ricketti said. “So I wanted the art wall to display portraits of the people behind the experience of healthcare here.”
Now Ricketti is working on concepts for the walls that will soon encircle the site of the Cancer Hospital just down the street. He will periodically refresh the images to keep passerby intrigued.
“Guy did an exceptional job,” Standley said. “He didn’t make it commercial – he made it conceptual. We’ve been getting good feedback from a lot of different sources, employees, visitors, vendors, and our partners, so it’s great.”