ABOUT
THE EVENT

The Commission on Presidential Debates announced on July 27, 2020, that the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic will host the first presidential debate Tuesday, September 29, 2020, in its Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion.

The Health Education Campus, a joint project between the two institutions, opened in 2019 and features the 477,000-square-foot Samson Pavilion. Students from the university’s schools of medicine, nursing and dental medicine – including those in Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine – learn, study and collaborate together on the 11-acre campus.

This year’s event will mark Case Western Reserve’s second engagement with the Commission on Presidential Debates; in 2004 the university hosted the Vice Presidential debate between Dick Cheney and John Edwards in the Veale Convocation Recreation and Athletic Center.

Cleveland Clinic will serve as Health Security Advisor to the Commission on Presidential Debates for all four 2020 general election debates.

ABOUT
THE VENUE

Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic built the future of healthcare through their joint partnership to establish a new Health Education Campus (HEC) in Cleveland, Ohio.

The campus opened in 2019 and features the 477,000-square-foot Samson Pavilion. Students from the university’s schools of medicine, nursing and dental medicine – including those in Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine – learn, study and collaborate together on the 11-acre campus, located between Euclid and Chester avenues at Cleveland Clinic.

“The Health Education Campus will transform medical education for the next generation of caregivers,” said Tom Mihaljevic, MD, CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic.

ABOUT
THE HOSTS

With their main campuses less than 1 mile apart, Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic are partners on the Health Education Campus — and in many other aspects of research and discovery.

The symbolic nature of holding the first Presidential Debate of 2020 on the campus of Cleveland Clinic is remarkable. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic teamed up to prepare for a potential surge of COVID-19 patients. The HEC’s main building was temporarily converted into a fully functioning 1,000-bed surge hospital named Hope Hospital. The hospital was put into place to treat COVID-19 patients not requiring high levels of care but were in need of hospitalization.

ABOUT
THE CITY

Cleveland’s story is one of industry, innovation and resilience that is characterized by risk-taking, artistry and grit.

Currently experiencing a revitalization fueled by nearly $20 billion of public and private investment, Cleveland’s economic environment builds on the city’s entrepreneurial heritage and its renowned healthcare community.

A mid-size city with world-class experiences, Cleveland has never been trendy or perfect. Deep European roots and strong Black culture influence everyday life. The city is known for sports, culture and rock ‘n’ roll, as well as outdoor recreation and an award-winning culinary scene.