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COLUMBUS, Ohio:
Yesterday, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) announced Cleveland Clinic as the 2021 Governor’s Inclusive Employer Award winner for its commitment to individuals with disabilities in the workplace and being a leader of diversity and inclusion best practices in Ohio.
Moments after taking the oath of office, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Executive Order 2019-03D, which established Ohio as a Disability Inclusion State and a Model Employer of Individuals with Disabilities. To reinforce his commitment to Ohioans with disabilities, H.B. 110 included presenting an award during October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) to employers who meet the criteria for having a workplace inclusive of individuals with disabilities.
“I am pleased to honor Cleveland Clinic’s commitment to providing an inclusive workplace,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “They are leading the way for other Ohio businesses by recognizing individuals with disabilities provide a valuable and often untapped talent pool.”
Cleveland Clinic has demonstrated a clear commitment to creating and maintaining a workplace that includes individuals with disabilities.Its “disability-inclusive culture” is evident throughout all phases of employment with clear policies on hiring and retaining individuals with disabilities, handling reasonable accommodations, and maintaining employee privacy. The healthcare system also provides accessible physical spaces and electronic resources, disability training, and an Employee Resource Group called DiverseAbility that supports caregivers and patients.
“We appreciate our partnership with Cleveland Clinic to attract, engage, develop, and retain talented workers with disabilities,” said OOD Director Kevin Miller. “Cleveland Clinic has hired 30 OOD participants in the last year.
“Cleveland Clinic is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organization. Our goal is to attract, recruit and retain a diverse workforce that is fully representative of the populations we serve,” said Kelly Hancock, D.N.P., Chief Caregiver Officer at Cleveland Clinic. “By understanding and respecting our differences, we can provide the very best patient care for everyone.”
OOD determined the criteria for the award in alignment with its Inclusive Employer Toolkit: Inclusive Workplace; Recruiting, Hiring, and Supporting Employees; Workplace Accommodations; and Workplace Accessibility. A five-member committee used a predetermined scoring rubric focused on the employer’s descriptions of policies, processes, and activities surrounding inclusive employment.
Cleveland Clinic is an OOD Employer Partner and was named a Gold Level OOD Employer Partner of Inclusion in 2020 and a Silver Level winner in 2019. OOD offers its sincere gratitude and appreciation to all employer partners for their commitment to establishing and growing a culture of diversity and inclusion in the Ohio workplace for individuals with disabilities. Employers looking to diversify and strengthen their workforce by including people with disabilities can learn more about partnering with OOD at the Business Relations Team webpage.
About OOD
OOD is the state agency responsible for empowering Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence. www.OOD.Ohio.Gov
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic – now in its centennial year – is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 70,800 employees worldwide are more than 4,660 salaried physicians and researchers, and 18,500 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,500-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 19 hospitals, more than 220 outpatient facilities, and locations in southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2020, there were 8.7 million total outpatient visits, 273,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 217,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries.
