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Cleveland Department of Public Health receives $50,000 donation

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 1:16 GMT by 19 Action News
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Cleveland Department of Public Health Receives $50,000 Donation to Strengthen Community Health Services

October 2, 2025 – Cleveland, OH
A significant boost to Cleveland’s public health efforts came today when the city’s Department of Public Health announced a generous $50,000 donation from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. The infusion of funds is set to support a range of initiatives aimed at improving health equity, expanding access to care, and addressing the ongoing opioid crisis that continues to affect many neighborhoods across the city.

Donation Announcement

At a brief press briefing on Wednesday morning, Cleveland City Commissioner of Health, Dr. Maya K. Lewis, welcomed the donation. “Today, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation reaffirms its commitment to the health of all Clevelanders,” Dr. Lewis said. “This $50,000 gift will help us accelerate our efforts to bring vital services directly into underserved communities.”

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, one of the city’s largest private philanthropic organizations, has a long history of supporting public health initiatives. In past years, it has funded community health screenings, mental health outreach, and disaster preparedness programs. The foundation’s latest contribution comes at a time when Cleveland’s public health department is rolling out a multi‑year strategy to reduce health disparities and improve overall population health metrics.

The announcement was posted on the Department’s official website and is also available on Cleveland19, the city’s local news portal: https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/10/02/cleveland-department-public-health-receives-50000-donation/.

Department Response

The Department’s Director of Public Health, Dr. Kevin Timmons, expressed deep appreciation for the gift. “This donation allows us to expand our mobile health clinic program, which has already served over 15,000 residents in the past six months,” he said. “We’ll be able to add new diagnostic equipment and increase the frequency of our visits to low‑income neighborhoods.”

Dr. Timmons highlighted that the funds will also support the Department’s “Health Equity Hub,” a collaborative platform that brings together local hospitals, community centers, and nonprofit organizations to coordinate care for chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. “By strengthening these partnerships, we can deliver comprehensive, culturally competent care that meets people where they are,” he added.

The Department confirmed that the donation will be used in compliance with state and federal regulations governing public health funding, and that the Cleveland Clinic Foundation will receive a formal acknowledgment in the Department’s annual report.

Impact on Community Health

The donation’s impact will be felt in several key areas:

1. Mobile Health Clinics
   The Department plans to deploy an additional mobile clinic unit equipped with point‑of‑care diagnostic tools for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose testing. Staff will also conduct on‑site flu shots and provide counseling on healthy lifestyle choices.

2. Opioid Prevention and Treatment
   A portion of the funds will be allocated to expand the “Safe Overdose Prevention” program, which distributes naloxone kits and offers training to community members. The initiative also partners with local pharmacies to provide opioid stewardship education.

3. Health Literacy Outreach
   The Department will invest in multilingual educational materials and community health worker training, ensuring that residents can navigate the healthcare system and understand preventive care options.

4. Data Collection and Analysis
   Funds will support the upgrading of the Department’s data analytics platform, improving the tracking of health outcomes and enabling more targeted interventions.

Community leaders have welcomed the donation, noting that it arrives at a critical juncture. “Cleveland’s neighborhoods still face significant health challenges—particularly in the aftermath of the COVID‑19 pandemic and the ongoing opioid crisis,” said Angela Torres, executive director of the East Side Community Health Coalition. “This gift helps bridge the gap between policy and on‑the‑ground action.”

Background and Context

Cleveland’s Department of Public Health has been working to address persistent health inequities that disproportionately affect minority and low‑income populations. The city’s 2024 health assessment revealed that residents in the east and southeast regions had higher rates of chronic disease, lower vaccination coverage, and limited access to primary care. In response, the Department launched a comprehensive strategy in 2023 that included community health worker training, expanded telehealth services, and partnerships with local nonprofits.

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation’s contribution aligns with the foundation’s broader mission of fostering healthier communities through philanthropy, education, and research. Past collaborations between the Foundation and the Department have yielded tangible results, such as the 2019 “Healthy Cleveland Initiative,” which lowered hypertension rates by 8% in targeted zip codes.

Future Plans

With the donation secured, the Department’s next steps involve a detailed budgeting process and coordination with program managers. Dr. Timmons emphasized the importance of transparency: “We will provide quarterly updates to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and the public, detailing how the funds are being used and the measurable outcomes achieved.”

The Department also plans to host a series of town hall meetings over the next few months to gather community input on how best to allocate the resources. These forums will focus on topics such as preventive care, mental health services, and health education for children and seniors.

Related Resources

• Cleveland Department of Public Health Official Site: https://www.cleveland.gov/departments/health
• Cleveland Clinic Foundation Donations Page: https://www.clevelandclinic.org/donations
• Health Equity Hub Overview: https://www.cleveland.gov/health-equity-hub
• Opioid Prevention Programs: https://www.cleveland.gov/opioid-prevention

The Cleveland Department of Public Health’s partnership with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation marks a renewed commitment to tackling the city’s most pressing health challenges. As Dr. Timmons noted, “We are grateful for this support and remain steadfast in our mission to provide equitable, high‑quality health services to every Clevelander.”