***Press Release***
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Bill Grulich,
May 18, 2015
Communications Chair (216) 521-1239
Save Lakewood Hospital to Hold Rally, Present Petitions to Lakewood City Council
Lakewood, Ohio — On Monday, May 18, 2015, Supporters of Save Lakewood Hospital will rally and present petitions containing more than 2,000 signatures to Lakewood City Council. The petitions request City Council to reject a proposal brought forward in January by Mayor Mike Summers to close Lakewood Hospital and to establish a Cleveland Clinic Family Wellness Center. The proposal was memorialized on January 14, 2015, in a “Letter of Intent” signed by Lakewood Hospital Association, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and the Lakewood Hospital Foundation.
Save Lakewood Hospital Rally
When: Monday, May 18, 2015 at 6:30-7:30 p.m. Where: Front of Lakewood City Hall
12650 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, Ohio
Presentation of Petitions
When: Monday, May 18, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Council Chamber - City Hall
12650 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, Ohio
Save Lakewood Hospital is a grassroots citizens’ organization and was formed following the announcement of the proposal to close of Lakewood Hospital. Save Lakewood Hospital has been working with elected officials, community leaders, medical professionals, residents of the service territory of the Hospital and local businesses to preserve and promote Lakewood Hospital as a full service community hospital.
Lakewood Hospital was founded in 1907 by a group of doctors and became a municipal public hospital in 1930. Currently, the City of Lakewood leases the hospital to the Lakewood Hospital Association. In 1996, the Lakewood Hospital Association entered into a long-term lease ending in 2026 with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation for the operation of the hospital. The proposal outlined by the January 2015 Letter of Intent, would terminate the lease and result in the closure and demolition of the hospital. The Cleveland Clinic is currently constructing a new hospital in Avon, Ohio.
“The fact that the Cleveland Clinic does not need Lakewood Hospital does not mean Lakewood Hospital is not needed to meet the healthcare needs of our community,” said Marguerite Harkness, CPA, Chairwoman of Save Lakewood Hospital. “City Council must reject the Letter of Intent,” Ms. Harkness added.
Vice Chairman of Save Lakewood Hospital, Thomas Monahan stated: “The case for closure of Lakewood Hospital has not been made. The Cleveland Clinic is responsible for the reduction in patient volume by referring patients to other facilities and diminishing services. City Council must reject the Letter of Intent and pursue enforcement of the current contracts or seek another healthcare partner.”
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