Cleveland Clinic Trauma Center Gets $50M Boost from Mandel Gift

Donation will fund new Level 1 trauma center and emergency care upgrades across Northeast Ohio.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:37pm

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The Cleveland Clinic has received a $50 million grant from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation to help fund the creation of a new Level 1 adult and pediatric trauma center at the Clinic's main campus, as well as other emergency care upgrades across Northeast Ohio. The donation is part of a new 'Community Bridge to Care Initiative' that will improve emergency services, patient flow, and digital tools to enhance the Clinic's ability to serve local communities.

Why it matters

The new Level 1 trauma center will provide specialized, high-level care for the most serious injuries, ensuring patients receive the critical treatment they need. The broader emergency care upgrades, including improved facility flow and digital tools, will help reduce wait times and congestion in the Clinic's ERs, making them more responsive to community needs.

The details

The $50 million Mandel gift will go toward creating the Level 1 trauma center, which will feature expanded treatment spaces, trauma resuscitation rooms, and specialized equipment. The donation will also fund a redesign of Clinic emergency departments with clearer signage, better care team coordination, and upgraded IT systems. Additionally, the Clinic plans to implement an AI-powered 'Digital Front Door' to help patients determine the right level of care before arriving at the ER.

  • The Level 1 trauma center is slated to open in 2028.
  • The Clinic announced plans to create the Level 1 trauma center earlier this year.

The players

Cleveland Clinic

A nonprofit academic medical center that is one of the largest and most respected healthcare systems in the United States, known for its excellence in clinical care, research, and education.

Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation

A private philanthropic foundation that has a longstanding partnership with the Cleveland Clinic, having previously donated $18 million to establish the Mandel Global Leadership and Learning Institute and $30 million to create the Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair and Innovation Fund.

Dr. Tom Mihaljevic

The CEO of the Cleveland Clinic, who expressed gratitude for the Mandel Foundation's support in expanding the Clinic's emergency services.

Jehuda Reinharz

The CEO of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, who stated the foundation's pride in helping the Cleveland Clinic fulfill its promise of providing the best care to all residents of the city.

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What they’re saying

“We are deeply grateful to the Mandel Foundation for their partnership and support. The expansion of our emergency services will help us better care for patients with the most serious injuries, ensuring they receive the specialized treatment they need, when it matters most.”

— Dr. Tom Mihaljevic, CEO, Cleveland Clinic

“Every resident of our city deserves access to the best care in the world and Cleveland is fortunate to be the home of one of the world's great healthcare systems. We are proud to help Cleveland Clinic fulfill that promise. This work will strengthen the future health of our entire community.”

— Jehuda Reinharz, CEO, Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation

What’s next

The Cleveland Clinic plans to open the new Level 1 trauma center at its main campus in 2028, as part of the broader 'Community Bridge to Care Initiative' that will expand emergency services and digital tools across its facilities in Northeast Ohio.

The takeaway

This significant donation from the Mandel Foundation will enable the Cleveland Clinic to enhance its trauma care capabilities and improve emergency services for the local community, ensuring residents have access to world-class healthcare when they need it most.