Cole Eye Institute Expansion Opens
The Jeffrey and Patricia Cole Pavilion at Cleveland Clinic’s Cole Eye Institute officially opened to patients on February 24.
"We are incredibly proud of the new Jeffrey and Patricia Cole Pavilion at Cole Eye Institute. This expansion marks a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing patient care and expanding access to quality eye care to our community," says Andrew P. Schachat, MD, Interim Chair of Cole Eye Institute and holder of the Ed and Joey Story Professor of Ophthalmology Chair. "This state-of-the-art facility is a reflection of our ongoing dedication to improving the lives of the patients we serve and furthering advancements in the field of ophthalmology."
This new facility is part of a $172 million expansion project on Cleveland Clinic’s main campus. The project includes the construction of the 150,000-square-foot building, alongside the renovation and redesign of the existing 130,000-square-foot Cole Eye Institute building, which was originally built in 1999. The two structures are linked by a three-story glass atrium, creating a unified eye care center designed to improve the patient experience and offer expanded space for comprehensive eye care, research and education.
The expansion was made possible in part by a $31.5 million lead gift from Jeffrey A. Cole and his wife, Patricia O’Brien Cole. Mr. Cole, along with his company Cole National, which was the world’s largest provider of commercial vision care services and based in Cleveland for 60 years, contributed the lead gift that founded the Cole Eye Institute in 1999.
“Having witnessed firsthand the profound difference that vision can make in a person's life, I truly understand its importance,” says Jeffrey Cole. “The opening of this new facility is a deeply meaningful moment for my family and me. This expansion allows Cole Eye Institute to reach more individuals in need and provide essential eye care, both for the local community and across the nation.”
Philanthropy has been critical to this expansion with $125 million raised to support this project, including funds for capital expenses and expanding patient care, research and education.
Cole Eye Institute is one of the world’s most advanced eye centers and a leader in ophthalmologic research. Serving almost 400,000 patients annually, including over 21,000 surgical cases, it has one of the highest ophthalmology patient volumes in the nation. The institute is home to nearly 200 professional staff and trainees who diagnose, treat and investigate all eye conditions, including macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. This expansion project was driven by the growth of Cole Eye Institute over the past decade.
The four-story new structure includes 60 outpatient exam rooms, eight operating rooms, procedure rooms, and administrative space, with the capacity to increase to meet future needs. The expanded footprint will allow Cole Eye Institute to meet the growing ophthalmologic needs of the community and provide exceptional clinical, diagnostic and surgical services for the entire range of eye diseases.
The design of the new building was focused on increasing the institute’s capabilities and enhancing patient experience. The three-story glass top atrium connecting the two buildings allows for additional natural light to enter the space and features a hanging art installation. Large flat-screen monitors were added to each outpatient room, allowing providers to directly review enhanced imaging with patients during visits. With dedicated spaces for check-in and discharge, the design focused on reducing patient wait times and foot traffic between spaces.
The second phase of the expansion project includes renovation and redesign of the existing 130,000-square-foot building. The renovation will include a dedicated space for pediatric ophthalmology on the first floor, and updated imaging on the second floor. The project is projected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Treasure Coast Philanthropist Honored
H. William “Bill” Lichtenberger, a Palm City, Florida resident and Chair of Cleveland Clinic Martin Health’s Board of Trustees, was recently honored by the Treasure Coast Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals for his years of commitment to improving access to healthcare services throughout the region.
“Bill exemplifies the essence of the Legacy Award through his generous philanthropic contributions and dedicated volunteer leadership,” says Rishi Singh, MD, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Cleveland Clinic Martin North and Martin South Hospitals. “His significant support of Cleveland Clinic Martin Health has had a tremendous impact on the community and has encouraged others to offer their support, amplifying his good works.”
A generous spirit
Bill’s generosity is rooted in his childhood. Born in Yugoslavia in 1935, he immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of 15. He remembers well those who supported him and his family when they needed it most.
“We lost everything during World War II,” Bill recalls. “But there were so many people who helped us when we arrived in the States. They made sure we had housing and access to employment.”
Just a few years later Bill was attending the University of Iowa, where he earned a degree in chemical engineering followed by an MBA from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He went on to have a highly successful executive career, retiring in 2001 as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Connecticut-based Praxair Inc., a leading industrial gases company.
Bill says he feels a very strong moral obligation to give back and to give a hand up to others in need. With that spirit of generosity, he has created a philanthropic legacy that will withstand the test of time.
Access to quality care
Bill has supported many Treasure Coast organizations following his retirement and relocation to the area. But few have benefited from his years of support and dedication like Martin Health.
Bill and his late wife, Pat, began supporting Martin Health in 2001, when they joined a group of donors to fund the purchase of new imaging equipment. That group became the forerunner of the Barstow Reed Society, which now provides approximately $4 million annually to support funding priorities at Martin Health.
In 2006, the couple made their first major gift of $1 million toward construction of the Frances Langford Heart Center at Martin North Hospital. The heart center would later become Cleveland Clinic’s first cardiovascular affiliation in Florida in 2018, a relationship Bill firmly supported as a member of Martin Health System’s Board of Directors.
A generous donation of $2 million in 2012 played a crucial role in the construction of Tradition Hospital in Port St. Lucie, which now serves tens of thousands of patients each year. In recognition of the gift, the medical plaza at Martin South Hospital in Stuart was named in Pat’s honor. Both the Patricia Lichtenberger Medical Plaza and Tradition Hospital are vital healthcare resources for area residents.
In 2017, Bill made an additional $1 million gift to establish the Lichtenberger Endowment Fund. This endowment offers financial support to those in need and has benefited nearly 500 patients to date. It provides funding for medical equipment rentals, inpatient rehabilitation services, medication and transportation costs.
“Too many people in our community are struggling because they cannot afford health insurance but do not qualify for charity care,” Bill says. “These are the individuals the endowment fund is trying to reach.”
Additionally, Bill supports annual fundraising efforts, including the Chrysanthemum Ball. This signature event raises funds to support strategic priorities that enhance Cleveland Clinic’s ability to provide high quality care. His most recent sponsorship will support the renovation and expansion of the Weissman Cancer Center at Martin North Hospital.
Inspiring leadership
“While Bill’s philanthropic contributions have created a legacy of generosity, it is his willingness to also volunteer his time and talent that will leave a lasting mark on the community’s access to quality care,” notes Dr. Singh.
Bill previously served four years on the Martin Health Foundation Board of Directors and later joined Martin Health System’s Board of Directors. His leadership and guidance over the years has contributed to the organization's growth and success, especially during Martin Health’s integration with Cleveland Clinic.
“With the changing healthcare landscape, the Board knew we needed a partner to sustain what had been built and to grow it to better serve the community,” says Bill. “Cleveland Clinic was the right partner at the right time. I can say with certainty that Martin Health would not have survived the COVID pandemic intact without Cleveland Clinic.”
He also points to the expanded team of highly skilled physicians, new medical offerings, and investments in innovative technology as examples of how the community's health and well-being have been bolstered by Cleveland Clinic.
Bill noted he has personally benefited from the growth of Martin Health’s orthopaedic capabilities when he needed shoulder surgery for a rotator cuff tear a couple years ago. “The surgery was very successful, and I’m grateful for the quality care I received,” he says.
Today Bill continues to promote access to quality healthcare by serving as Chair of the Cleveland Clinic Martin Health Board of Trustees and inspiring others in the community to give generously.
