Message From Our Leaders

At University Hospitals, our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion extends to our employees, our patients, our business partners and to the communities we serve.

Northeast Ohio is home to one of the country’s most ethnically diverse community, and we believe that our workplace should reflect that diversity. Our goal is to maintain an inclusive workforce to ensure that our employees and physicians are able to communicate effectively with and relate to our patients and their families. We are also committed to creating a welcoming environment that maximizes our patients’ healing potential.

We know that a commitment to diversity, inclusion and health equity enhances our ability to attract and retain the most talented healthcare professionals to the Greater Cleveland area.

Outside of the hospital setting, UH has a responsibility to create positive change in the communities we serve. We do this by improving healthcare access, working to eliminate health disparities, and continued investment in our communities.

University Hospitals’ Center for Clinical Excellence and Diversity Initiatives (CEDI) was established in 2012 to increase awareness among our clinical staff to diversity and inclusion to promote health equity in the Greater Cleveland area.

CEDI’s mission is to enhance the well-being of, and reduce the disparities in healthcare experienced by, underrepresented and marginalized patients in the Greater Cleveland area. CEDI will do this through unique programming that builds and sustains a diverse academic and work environment in which persons from different backgrounds are included, respected, appreciated and supported as they learn, teach, serve and conduct research. This mission is in service to a greater vision, one where UH’s leadership and employees with trust and empathy will partner with local communities to achieve the best possible health outcomes. We do this by holding steadfast to our core values of Excellence, Diversity, Integrity, Compassion and Teamwork.

To this end, CEDI engages in several activities to improve the diversity of the institution and achieve great health outcomes for the communities we serve.

• Pipeline programming: Developing and recruiting healthcare talent with our Pre-Health Scholars programs, Health Scholars programs, Satcher Clerkships, Second Look, Junior and Senior Faculty support networks
• Diverse Community-oriented Clinical Models: Development of clinical models that address the needs of our growing diverse population (LGBTQIA+, Otis Moss, Refugees and Immigrants)
• Community Engagement: ERGs, Cleveland Office of Minority Health, 1st Year Cleveland, Diversity Champions, Satcher Lectures
• Recruitment of a diverse expert workforce

UH will continue to focus on eliminating health disparities by advancing our recruitment, community engagement, creating an internal environment that is welcoming and affirming for all people, and ensuring that we contract with and support a diverse set of local businesses. All four are interconnected, and the success of one will impact the success of the others.

We pledge our continued commitment to enhancing the well-being of our communities and providing the best care for every patient, every time. Thank you for supporting University Hospitals and for your dedication to our mission: To Heal. To Teach. To Discover.

Learn more about CEDI and our work around diversity, inclusion or health equity.