CLEVELAND — Editor's note: The video in the player above is from a story published on Jan. 7, 2021.
On Monday, University Hospitals announced a $10 million donation from Monte and Usha Ahuja that will be used to expand care for women and kids in Northeast Ohio. The donation, officials say, will be used to provide greater resources to families in need in Cleveland's MidTown neighborhood.
The Cleveland-based hospital system also announced that it will name its health center in MidTown the UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Ahuja Center for Women & Children, in recognition of the Ahuja family's donations over the years.
“Monte and Usha’s extraordinary gift is a testament to their passion for health care and their dedication to strengthening our community,” said Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, UH Chief Executive Officer. “As leading philanthropists in Northeast Ohio, the Ahuja family’s visionary support in 2006 helped us redefine community health care with UH Ahuja Medical Center and, now, they are furthering their commitment to Rainbow.”
UH officials also say that a portion of the donation made by the Ahuja family will be used to create the Monte and Usha Ahuja Chair in Clinical Excellence in honor of Richard L. Stein, MD. A UH employee for more than 30 years, Dr. Stein's Ahuja Chair will be used to advance his efforts in community health and outreach.
“Monte and Usha’s generous gift will allow us to better serve families,” said Patti DePompei, RN, MSN, President, UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s and MacDonald Women’s hospitals, and the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Foundation Chair in Leadership and Innovation. “Their inspiring and compassionate support will help us address health disparities right here in in our community.”
“This facility is more than a building, it’s an extension of Rainbow’s enduring mission to serve children and families,” said Monte Ahuja. “The center brings critically needed care and services into the community, helping to transform lives and strengthen surrounding neighborhoods.”
Since opening in July 2018, the UH Rainbow Ahuja Center has served more than 114,00 patients, officials tell 3News. The center provides mental and behavioral health services, dental and health screenings, Legal Aid services, financial counselors and more.
Editor's note: The video in the player above is from a story published on June 2, 2021.