Cleveland Clinic Again Named One of the World’s Most Ethical Companies

Cleveland Clinic has again been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies, according to the Ethisphere Institute, which honors companies that drive positive change in the business community and societies around the world.

For the ninth time in the past 11 years, Cleveland Clinic ranks among a group of organizations that the Ethisphere Institute considers to be a “driving force for improving communities, building capable and empowered workforces, and fostering corporate cultures focused on ethics and a strong sense of purpose.”

Cleveland Clinic is one of 128 companies in 21 countries – and one of just six nonprofit healthcare providers – honored by Ethisphere in 2019.

“Our mission is clear, centered on Cleveland Clinic’s four ‘care priorities’ – care for our patients, our caregivers, our organization and our communities,” said Donald A. Sinko, Cleveland Clinic’s Chief Integrity Officer. “And our culture is one that encourages all caregivers to do what’s right, to speak up when issues arise, to value inclusion and diversity, to treat to patients and fellow caregivers as family and, of course, to provide the best healthcare anywhere.”

The award, in its 13th year, is based on scores generated in five key categories: ethics and compliance program (35 percent), culture of ethics (20 percent), corporate citizenship and responsibility (20 percent), governance (15 percent) and leadership and reputation (10 percent).

Cleveland Clinic, which earned its first Ethisphere ranking in 2009, has established itself as an industry leader through a variety of innovative initiatives. In recent years, Cleveland Clinic has instituted programs that manage potential conflicts of interest; provide transparency on the industry relationships of physicians and researchers; publicly report clinical outcomes; and promote environmentally friendly building and sustainability programs. Cleveland Clinic was the first healthcare provider in the United States – and the second in the world – to sign the United Nations Global Compact; it is also a founding member of the Northeast Ohio Business Ethics Coalition. In addition, Cleveland Clinic’s compliance program features an innovative integrity office concept that is independent of management and includes employees of diverse operational backgrounds.

Ethisphere CEO Timothy Erblich has described Cleveland Clinic as “a trailblazer in creating innovative strategies and techniques to provide healthcare services in a more efficient and effective manner … Cleveland Clinic’s focus on sustainability and its impact on the community is truly amazing.”

The full list of the 2019 World’s Most Ethical Companies can be found at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees.