Founded in 1907, Lakewood Hospital is a 400-bed acute care, community-oriented hospital located on Detroit Ave in the heart of Lakewood’s Main Street. A member of the Cleveland Clinic health system and leader in Northeastern Ohio’s healthcare community, Lakewood Hospital provides high quality and innovative patient care for more than 130,000 patients each year, including a large percentage of Lakewood residents.

“What you may be surprised to learn is that Lakewood Hospital is also an important driver of economic vitality in the City of Lakewood,” states Jay Foran, President of LakewoodAlive. “With more than 1,300 employees and many more visitors, Lakewood Hospital is the city’s largest employer and contributes significantly to the economics of our city.”

Lakewood Hospital also has a rich history of community involvement and support, dating back to its inception in the early twentieth century. “The hospital is committed to continuing this tradition and providing its resources for not only treating illnesses and injuries, but also offering educational wellness programs, public health screenings and other community programs,” says Jack Gustin, President of Lakewood Hospital. Mary Anne Crampton, Executive Director of Main Street Lakewood, adds that Lakewood Hospital, “has offered continued advocacy and support for programs that have benefited Lakewood businesses and residents, including recent sponsorships of Lakewood Walks Main Street and Light Up Lakewood.”

LakewoodAlive, a citizen’s community development and advocacy group, will focus on the hospital in its Fall Forum, “A Healthy Partnership: Lakewood Hospital’s Impact on Our Community.” The forum will specifically address the history, importance and economic impact of Lakewood Hospital in Lakewood; healthcare trends, especially those impacting community hospitals; and the Cleveland Clinic’s lease agreement with the City of Lakewood Panelists for event include Fred DeGrandis, President and CEO, Cleveland Clinic Regional Hospitals; Mayor Edward FitzGerald, City of Lakewood; Jack Gustin, President, Lakewood Hospital; Jim Robey, Vice President of Research, Team NEO; and Bill Ryan, CEO, The Center for Health Affairs.

According to Foran, “This forum is a great opportunity to hear from an expert panel of speakers about health care - a topic that is of huge importance today - as well as learn more about an institution that significantly impacts our city.” The forum will be held on Wednesday, October 8 at 7 pm at Harding Middle School, 16601 Madison Ave., Lakewood. The forum is free and advance registration is not required. LakewoodAlive is a non-partisan citizen group that informs and engages our community about issues that impact economic development and our quality of life. For more information, visit www.lakewoodalive.com.