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CLEVELAND, Ohio, and COLUMBUS, Ind.: Columbus Regional Health will join the Cleveland Clinic Connected program, which provides members with access to this world-class healthcare institution’s wealth of knowledge to enhance patient experience and care, safety, and outcomes.
The goal of the Cleveland Clinic Connected program is to build a global network of independent, like-minded, quality-focused organizations that have a positive impact on patient care around the world.
Cleveland Clinic approached Columbus Regional Health as a potential member, based on CRH’s high performance in quality and safety through publicly reported metrics, and extended official membership to join the program. Columbus Regional Health is pleased to join the program as one of two initial members in the United States and the only Indiana health system to be a part of the Cleveland Clinic Connected program.
“Our goal with the Cleveland Clinic Connected program is to connect like-minded healthcare systems together and positively impact patients no matter where they live,” said Tommaso Falcone, M.D., Cleveland Clinic Executive Vice President and President, International and Emerging Markets. “Together we are aligned in our outcomes, our concept of a patients-first culture, and strong quality parameters.We are excited to welcome Columbus Regional to the Cleveland Clinic Connected program.”
As a Cleveland Clinic Connected member, CRH will enhance the quality of their service lines, program and initiative work, improve patient care and experience, and support its workforce members, providers, and physicians. CRH clinicians will be able to access educational opportunities either at Cleveland Clinic or through distance learning, as well as best practices and protocols that are used at Cleveland Clinic locations worldwide.
CRH physicians will also be able to request input from Cleveland Clinic subspecialists regarding complex cases. In addition, CRH’s staff can access Cleveland Clinic’s continuous quality improvement and advisory services, plus education and training including clinical observer programs.
“CRH shines when we are at the forefront of innovative, creative, and critical initiatives that affect our organization, the patients we care for, and the communities we serve,” said Jim Bickel, CEO of Columbus Regional Health. “The Cleveland Clinic Connected program provides a depth of resources and best practices in clinical and operational excellence. Pair that with the current culture, compassion, and clinical expertise of Columbus Regional Health, and you’ll have a healthcare program unmatched in the state of Indiana.”
Experts from Cleveland Clinic work with hospitals and health systems to ensure the highest standards of patient care delivery, enhancing operational efficiencies and supporting the professional development and education of clinical and non-clinical staff. Cleveland Clinic and Columbus Regional Health are working together to identify strategic focus areas, which will begin with specific service lines and expand as the program advances.
“Our organization has a long and robust history in this area,” said Steve Baker, President and Chief Operating Officer of Columbus Regional Health. “We know our patients, our workforce, and the communities we serve best. The Cleveland Clinic Connected program allows Columbus Regional Health to maintain our independence and local decision making, while expanding our services, care, and quality further, faster.”
MEDIA CONTACTS
Columbus Regional Health: Kelsey DeClue, kdeclue@crh.org, 812.376.5342
Cleveland Clinic: Tora Vinci, vinciv@ccf.org, 216.339.4277
Cleveland Clinic 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. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 81,000 employees worldwide are more than 5,743 salaried physicians and researchers, and 20,160 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,690-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 276 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2023, there were 13.7 million outpatient encounters, 323,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 301,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 132 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
Editor’s Note: Cleveland Clinic News Service is available to provide broadcast-quality interviews and B-roll upon request.
Columbus Regional Health is a system serving a 10-county region in southeastern Indiana. We hold a more than 105-year history as the local, independent healthcare provider in our service area. Columbus Regional Health contains more than 2,400 employees, 225 physicians on medical staff and 250 volunteers. Columbus Region Hospital, the system’s flagship facility, is a 225-bed not-for-profit, providing emergency and surgical services and comprehensive care in numerous specialty areas. Columbus Regional Health Physicians offers a network of primary and specialty care physicians. Our health system is pleased to offer one, unified electronic medical record system, Epic, for inpatient and outpatient services. CRH at NexusPark, houses more than 15 provider offices and wrap-around services with an emphasis on preventive care and care coordination. The facility is part of a larger campus opened in 2024 through a partnership with the City of Columbus and Columbus Area Parks & Recreation. This innovative facility provides health, wellness, recreation, sports tourism, and community services to the region.
