Founder Transitions Assets to the Clinic to Expand Reach of Programs
11/10/08
Cleveland Clinic announced today that the board of the National Speaking of Women’s Health Foundation has decided to transition its assets to the Clinic at the end of 2008 in order to further the mission and efforts of the organization. Holly L. Thacker, MD, a nationally known leader in Women’s Health, will incorporate the mission and efforts of the group as part of the Clinic’s Center for Specialized Women’s Health within the Women’s Health Institute.
The transition will begin in the coming weeks when intellectual property, the web site and other assets will be transferred over to the Clinic to allow it to continue the mission and evolution of Speaking of Women’s Health. This new phase for the organization comes after the Clinic hosted its seventh, sold-out Speaking of Women’s Health event on Nov. 1, and its fifth successful Universal Sisters event on Aug. 23.
“Cleveland Clinic’s commitment to and understanding of the unique healthcare needs of women is a perfect compliment to the Speaking of Women’s Health mission, and we look forward to the possibilities this new relationship represents to women and their families everywhere, thanks to the Clinic’s strong national and international presence,” said Dr. Thacker, Director of the Center for Specialized Women’s Health at Cleveland Clinic. “As an advocate for Women’s Health, I am extremely honored to continue these efforts that have helped educate millions of women about incorporating healthy choices into their everyday lives. We are pleased that Dianne Dunkelman, Founder and CEO of the National Speaking of Women’s Health will serve in a volunteer role with us moving forward.”
Dr. Thacker and her team are currently developing the future plans to ensure that the programs will be able to reach the most women possible.
“It’s been amazing to see this organization evolve over the last 13 years, and I’m confident that transitioning Speaking of Women’s Health assets to the Cleveland Clinic is the right choice to continue the mission of this organization,” said Dunkelman. “I know that under Dr. Holly Thacker’s leadership, Speaking of Women’s Health can have an even bigger impact and achieve a new level of success, and I am looking forward to helping her in any way.”
Founded in 1996, the National Speaking of Women's Health Foundation has worked with community hospitals and organizations in cities across the country to host conferences and events that educate and empower women. Through its grassroots efforts, the Foundation has reinvested millions of dollars into local women's health programs and Community Investment Grants. The National Speaking of Women’s Health Foundation also includes two Minority Health Programs - Universal Sisters and Hablando de la Salud de la Mujer.
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a not-for-profit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Cleveland Clinic was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey.
Approximately 1,800 full-time salaried physicians and researchers at Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic in Florida represent more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties. In 2007, there were 3.5 million outpatient visits to Cleveland Clinic and 50,455 hospital admissions. Patients came for treatment from every state and from more than 80 countries. Cleveland Clinic’s website address is www.clevelandclinic.org.
Media Contacts
Megan Ferington Pruce, 216.445.7452; prucem@ccf.org
