"The strength of the individual was the strength of the group."

—George Crile Sr., MD, co-founder, Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic opened its doors on Feb. 28, 1921. It was a new kind of medical center: a not-for-profit group practice, dedicated to patient care enhanced by research and education.

Cleveland Clinic survived disaster and depression to become one of the busiest and most innovative medical centers in the world.

The world's first cine-coronary angiography, first published coronary artery bypass surgery, first successful larynx transplant and first near-total face transplant took place here. Millions of patients have enjoyed longer, better lives, thanks to Cleveland Clinic.

Join us as we look back on 90 years of patient care and patient caregivers.

Our Story

Born in war. Tested in peace. Moving from innovation to innovation to become one of the world's great medical centers.

Historical Timeline

The highlights of Cleveland Clinic history as they happened.

Cleveland Clinic Today

Since 1921, Cleveland Clinic has grown into an integrated healthcare delivery system, with locations on both hemispheres, linked by information technology, critical care transport and a collaborative model of medicine.

Wellness Events

Cleveland Clinic has a rich history of promoting disease prevention and wellness. Access a listing of upcoming wellness events for you and your family. Check back often as this information is frequently updated.

Our Story

Cleveland Clinic grew out of World War I.

George Crile Sr. Frank Bunts. William Lower. Three physicians working in military hospitals near the front lines.

They were impressed by the efficiency of military medicine.

As the guns roared, they made plans … a new kind of medical center, a hybrid of the best military and civilian practices.

It was to be an idealistic enterprise. A not-for-profit group practice. Specialists collaborating for the best outcomes. Research and education carried out alongside patient care.

Building a Hospital

Back home in Cleveland, Crile, Bunts and Lower were joined by a fourth physician partner. John Phillips.

They raised money. Built a building. And opened Cleveland Clinic in February 1921.

The new clinic quickly outgrew its four-story offices. A hospital was added in 1924. New research facilities were completed.

Founder George Crile drove Cleveland Clinic's early success. He was outspoken. Energetic. A skilled surgeon and a natural leader. An honorary member of the Royal College of Surgeons, he had an international following.

Disastrous Explosion

Tragedy followed Cleveland Clinic's early success. In May 1929, an explosion of X-ray film created toxic fumes that took the lives of more than 120 patients, physicians and employees. The disaster inspired new regulations making hospitals everywhere safer.

Under the leadership of Dr. Crile, Cleveland Clinic survived the tragedy and weathered the Great Depression. Its medical personnel served with honor in World War II.

Heart Breakthroughs

By the 1950s, the momentum was back. Heart care was making news. Cleveland Clinic cardiologist F. Mason Sones discovered moving cine-coronary angiography. A way of seeing into the heart. He confirmed that heart attacks were caused by coronary occlusion. The stage was set for another breakthrough.

In 1967, Cleveland Clinic surgeon René Favaloro performed the world's first published coronary artery bypass.

The work of Sones and Favaloro launched the modern era of heart care. Cardiologists and cardiac surgeons of the first rank came to train at Cleveland Clinic. Many joined the staff.

Growing Reputation

With its reputation for heart care secure, Cleveland Clinic strengthened its other specialties. The size of the campus more than doubled … A new outpatient building … new hospital … the Cole Eye Institute … Lerner Research Institute … Taussig Cancer Center … All went up in the 1980s and 1990s.

Surrounding communities grew. So did demand for medical services.

Cleveland Clinic expanded regionally. It built 16 family health and surgery centers.

From 1995 to 1998, Cleveland Clinic gained a system of Community Hospitals – Marymount Hospital, Lakewood Hospital, Fairview Hospital, Lutheran Hospital, Hillcrest Hospital, Huron Hospital, Euclid Hospital, South Pointe Hospital and (in 2009) Medina Hospital.

Demand extended outside Ohio.

An integrated medical campus was built in Weston, Florida. Cleveland Clinic Florida has now expanded to an office in West Palm Beach. Cleveland Clinic manages cardiac surgery programs in Rochester, New York; West Chester, Pennsylvania; and in Cape Fear, North Carolina; and Florence, South Carolina.

Innovations and Overseas Expansion

Medical breakthroughs continued … innovations in valve repair … the first successful larynx transplant … the first minimally invasive aortic valve surgery … innovative urological surgeries … deep-brain stimulation for psychiatric diseases ...

Strong international demand for Cleveland Clinic services has led to expansion overseas… Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, a full-service hospital and clinic… management of Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Khalifa Medical City...

Institute Model

Cleveland Clinic innovates for patient experience. CEO and President Delos Cosgrove, MD, has led the creation of patient-focused institutes.

Each institute treats a single disease or organ system under a single roof. Physicians and surgeons collaborate.

Integrated Healthcare Delivery

Today, Cleveland Clinic is an integrated healthcare delivery system, linked by electronic medical records and critical care transport. Wellness and patient experience have become priorities.

President Barack Obama described Cleveland Clinic as "a system where patient care is the No. 1 concern."

Cleveland Clinic's model of medicine has survived and prospered through the years. It will continue to serve patients for generations to come.

Did You Know?

Before Cleveland Clinic was founded in 1921, many of today's Cleveland Clinic Community Hospitals were already well-established:

• 1874 – Cleveland Homeopathic Hospital (Huron Hospital)
• 1892 – Society for Christian Care of the Sick and Needy (Fairview Hospital)
• 1895 – Children's Fresh Air Camp (Cleveland Clinic's Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation)
• 1896 – Lutheran Hospital
• 1907 – Glenville Hospital (Euclid Hospital)
• 1907 – Lakewood Hospital

Cleveland Clinic Today

In many ways, the Cleveland Clinic of 2011 is very much like the Cleveland Clinic of 1921.

Cleveland Clinic is still a not-for-profit group practice with a mission of patient care, research and education. It has grown through the years by adhering closely to that model and putting the needs of patients first. Today, Cleveland Clinic is one of the largest and busiest medical centers in the world.

Our Staff

Cleveland Clinic employs 2,700 physicians and scientists in 120 medical specialties and subspecialties.

All receive a straight salary with no bonuses or other financial incentives. The hospital and physicians share a financial interest in controlling costs. Physicians get no financial benefit from ordering unnecessary tests or expensive devices.

Enhancing Quality

Cleveland Clinic is organized into patient-centered institutes based around single diseases or organ systems (Heart & Vascular Institute, Neurological Institute, etc.). Each institute combines medical and surgical services at the same location under the same leadership to improve patient care and experience.

Each institute is required to measure and improve quality according to sentinel metrics. Institutes are also required to publish annual Outcomes books showing volumes, results, innovations, publications and other information relevant to patients and referring physicians.

Our Locations, Our People

Cleveland Clinic's health system includes a main urban campus, 10 community hospitals and 16 suburban family health and ambulatory surgery centers. With 40,000 employees, it is the second-largest employer in Ohio and is responsible for an estimated $9 billion of economic activity every year.

A pioneer in the development of health information technology (HIT), Cleveland Clinic integrates its far-flung system with an extensive electronic medical records system. This system includes participating community physicians and patients, who are able to access test results and portions of their medical records at home via the Internet.

Cleveland Clinic Today and Beyond

Cleveland Clinic research is leading the way in tissue regeneration, the genetics of heart disease and breast cancer, and large-scale clinical trials of cardiovascular medicines.

Our hospital sees more complex medical cases than any comparable hospital in America (according to the Center for Medicaid Services).

In the future, Cleveland Clinic will continue to grow … to serve Greater Cleveland … to serve Northeast Ohio ... and to provide the finest medical care to all who would benefit from our unique model of medicine.

Wellness Events

Cleveland Clinic Celebrates Wellness During Our 90th Anniversary

On February 28, we kicked off our 90th anniversary celebration. As we continue to celebrate our past, we also look forward to an even healthier future – and a healthier Cleveland.

To mark our anniversary, we are giving the gift of wellness to our communities. Throughout the year, we will be sponsoring activities at our facilities and throughout Greater Cleveland to encourage our neighbors to get active, eat healthy and stop smoking.

Get Active Summer

AHA Heart Walk

Cleveland Clinic is partnering with the American Heart Association (AHA) for the Cleveland Heart Walk.

Saturday, August 27, 2011
Festival Opens 8 a.m.
Walk begins 10 a.m.

Voinovich Park
800 East 9th Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44114

• Click here for more information, to register, donate or spread the word.

Take the Stairs

Physical inactivity is a risk factor for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke. As much as 25% of adults are not physically active. Studies indicate that the key to increasing our physical activity level is to build activity into our daily routines.

Walking or taking the stairs is a great way to get active for the summer! A brisk walk for 30 minutes daily combined with using the stairs has noticeable health benefits, requires little or no equipment, and is an excellent way to increase moderate physical activity.

If you use the stairs instead of the elevator, you could improve your fitness level by 10 to 15 percent. Walking up several flights of stairs every day is great exercise.

So go ahead: Raise your fitness level one step at a time!

Cleveland Indians Kids' Event: 'Let's Move It! Around the Bases'

Immediately following Cleveland Indians games on Sundays through September, all kids age12 and under can come onto the field and run around the bases for Let's Move It! Around the Bases.

To participate, kids must have a ticket to the game. They should line up on the back ramp at Gate C as early as the middle of the 7th inning to access the field.

The event takes place on the following Sundays:

Let’s Move! It Mondays

Looking for a great way to get active during your lunch hour? Join Cleveland Clinic and stop by Progressive Field to get exclusive field access to walk the warning track. This is a FREE program and you can also stop by the health booth for expert information and giveaways. The more you walk – the more you win! Pick up a rewards card to receive daily prizes. Plus, if you participate in all six walks you will be entered to win a grand prize.

Let’s Move It! Mondays Dates:

Enter at Gate A from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• Learn more about Let's Move! It Mondays.

• Visit www.LetsMoveIt.org for more information.

Fight Childhood Obesity Through the 5 to Go!™ Program

At Cleveland Clinic, we want to help children take the right steps toward wellness. After all, roughly one-third of Ohio children, ages 10 to 17, are considered overweight or obese, and many kids aren't getting the physical fitness they need.

To help curb the growing obesity epidemic in children, we are introducing the 5 to Go!™ program, which offers the students and families in our community an easy countdown of steps for good health.

Apart from the usual fruit, veggie and calcium consumption, the countdown also stresses fitness and civility. Steps include limiting children to just two hours of media time (TV, video games, computer) each day and empowering them to get at least one hour of exercise after school. The countdown also encourages children to give four compliments a day to others.

Our goal is simple: healthy living, inside and out, for everyone.

• Learn more about the 5 to Go!™ Program.