University Hospitals

The process validated at UH for manufacturing CAR T-cells in less than a day recently earned UH Seidman Cancer Center and the Wesley Center for Immunotherapy top honors from the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy. CAR T-cells are tiny warriors. Genetically designed from a person’s own immune cells to target receptors on cancer cells, they seek and destroy malignant cells bearing those same receptors. David Wald, MD, PhD, from UH Seidman Cancer Center, and colleagues were honored for their abstract "Development and Clinical Validation of a Less Than One Day CAR T-cell Therapy Manufacturing Process,” which received the highest score at the group’s annual meeting. CAR-T cell therapy has enormous potential to improve the outcomes of patients with B-cell malignancies and multiple myeloma, but it has enormous costs and can be hindered by slow, complex manufacturing, typically taking one to two weeks. The development of an ultra-fast and highly scalable manufacturing platform has the potential to transform the field and enable much wider utilization of this therapy. To date, 15 lymphoma patients have been treated with CAR-T product generated from this platform as part of a UH-based clinical trial, with the vast majority achieving complete remissions. Current results also suggest that the UH manufacturing approach generates CAR T products with a better toxicity profile than traditional CAR T products. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gSb2xg-k #cancer #cancerresearch #CARTtherapy #physicianexcellence #patientsfirst

UH System Chief Nurse Informatics Officer Jennifer Carpenter DNP, RN, CENP, and Jeffrey Sunshine, MD, PhD, Vice President and Chief Medical Information Officer for University Hospitals, were named to Becker's Healthcare “58 Hospital and Health System CMIOs and CNIOs to Know” list for 2024. Highlighting her innovative healthcare leadership, Becker’s noted that Dr. Carpenter “leads technology-driven strategies to enhance patient safety, reduce caregiver burden and optimize nursing workflows…She is also spearheading the “UH Intelligent Hospital Room” project, integrating AI, virtual nursing and remote acute care technology to reimagine care delivery models. Her pandemic-era leadership in the system’s hospital incident command system introduced iPads for patient-family communication.” In selecting Dr. Sunshine for the list, Becker’s noted that Dr. Sunshine bridges the gap between providers and technology. “He brings expertise in AI, telemedicine and predictive analytics to his role. He was instrumental in the system’s enterprise wide Epic EHR implementation, which transformed workflows for 27,000 caregivers, 5,000 providers and 50-plus modules, leading to Epic gold stars level 10 recognition within a year of go-live. His initiatives extend beyond EHR optimization, having also driven enterprise imaging solutions, clinical portals and a data warehouse to enhance patient care, research and business intelligence.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/dWVZK9Bw Congratulations Dr. Carpenter and Dr. Sunshine! #UHProud #informatics #AI #digitaltransformation #innovation #nursinginformatics #telemedicine #virtualnursing #reimaginingcaredelivery #EHR #electronichealthrecord

When nurses have a voice that’s valued, everyone benefits. But especially you. Nurses thrive at UH. Come see why. https://lnkd.in/eEr83xeD #UHNursing #UHProud #UHCareers

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center is collaborating on a transformational multi-institutional effort led by Case Western Reserve University to engineer, grow and commercialize “live” replacement joints to treat osteoarthritis. The groundbreaking initiative is funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The project is spearheaded by the lead researcher Ozan Akkus, PhD, the Kent Hale Smith Professor of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University and Director of the Case School of Engineering’s Tissue Fabrication and Mechanobiology Lab. UH’s Jacob G. Calcei, MD, is a Co-Investigator of the study. Dr. Calcei is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine physician and shoulder surgeon. Several other universities and clinical partners are also collaborating on the project. The team seeks to develop a biological joint that will dissolve as the body remodels its own cartilage and bone within the joint space. Researchers are investigating both autologous- and donor-derived methods of cell collection for joint fabrication. “This concept overcomes the limitations of traditional metal and plastic prosthetics by harnessing the body's ability to rebuild native tissue joints that could last a lifetime,” says James Voos, MD, Chair, Department of Orthopaedics, the Jack and Mary Herrick Distinguished Chair in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at University Hospitals, and Executive Director of the UH Haslam Sports Innovation Center. “By utilizing human cells to create a framework that is biocompatible with bone and cartilage growth, we hope to offer patients a personalized, durable solution to relieve pain and restore mobility.” Read more at https://lnkd.in/gGshTWDr #osteoarthritis #jointreplacement #healthcareinnovation #collaboration #patientsfirst

Give your job application a leg up by connecting the dots between your past experiences and future goals. Traci F., UH Recruiter, says, “Resumes that stand out to me are clear, concise, and explain job responsibilities. Make sure to be clear on why you are applying to a specific job and what your job goals are." Reach your goals at UH. Apply today. https://lnkd.in/etUnUDkd #UHProud #UHNursing #UHCareers

At University Hospitals, we know that compassion truly matters in the health and well-being of our patients – and we put that knowledge into action every day. Our caregivers form formidable alliances with patients or family members as they encounter health challenges – not just as neutral observers. They navigate difficult terrain together, while always working to make a difference. Check out the latest blog from UH CEO Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair, to learn more about our unique brand of compassion in action and how and why we’re “doubling-down” on this powerful healing force. We’re proud to make compassion a guiding value for everything we do. #Compassion #CompassionateCare #Empathy #Healing #HealthcareLeadership #LeadingWithLove

UH Chief Executive Officer Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair, was named one of Becker's Healthcare “Great Leaders in Healthcare” in 2025. According to Becker’s, the executives on this list “harness cutting-edge digital technology, pioneer new care delivery models, and implement innovative solutions that enhance experiences for patients and providers alike.” Highlighting his operational excellence and his commitment to innovation, Becker’s noted that under Dr. Megerian’s leadership, “the system has achieved major milestones, including launching an Epic EHR system, completing a $236 million expansion of UH Ahuja Medical Center in Beachwood, Ohio and securing record-breaking community support of nearly $230 million in 2023. He has also advanced the systems of care model, expanded an affiliation with Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) to train future healthcare professionals, and strengthened financial stability, earning $45 million in shared savings and incentives while reducing Medicare costs by over $100 million in four years. His commitment to innovation is reflected in the system’s partnership with the University of Oxford to accelerate rare disease therapeutics and the launch of the “healthy at home” virtual clinic, which reduced hospital readmissions by 50% for targeted patients. Alongside his executive role, Dr. Megerian continues to shape healthcare as a practicing physician, educator and medical author.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gi2zcmqF Congratulations! #UHProud #healthcareleadership #leadership #transformingpatientcare #innovation #patientexperience #caredelivery

Happy Certified Nurses Day! Today is a day to honor the nurses who take the extra step to earn and maintain board certifications. Hear from some certified nurses at UH on what their certification means to them and what advice they’d give to anyone considering earning theirs. https://lnkd.in/eJ9jghCW #UHNursing #UHProud #UHCareers

Jonathan Shoag MD, a urologist specializing in oncology at University Hospitals Urology Institute, has received funding from the National Cancer Institute, in collaboration with Triton Systems, to design and evaluate an innovative, low-cost, point-of-care device to improve prostate specific antigen (PSA) risk assessment. Early detection of prostate cancer with PSA screening has markedly reduced prostate cancer morbidity and mortality. Prostate cancer is the second-most common cancer in men worldwide. Triton’s detection test will use a simple finger-stick blood test men can use at home, making screening safe, easy and convenient. The results of the paper-based assay would then be fit into an algorithm integrating personal demographics, such as race and age, and offers risk classification categories men can use to help decide whether their results warrant a visit to their physician or further monitoring. Physicians will also be able to use the test during routine office visits. Dr. Shoag says the hope is that more men and their doctors will prioritize this important health screening if they have an easy testing tool. “Triton’s algorithm interprets results immediately, eliminating the need for patients to send the test to a lab and await results, which can be stressful,” Dr. Shoag says. “Triton uses easy-to-understand, color-based thresholds, which allows more nuanced results and lowers the risk of false positives and false negatives, thus reducing over diagnosis and overtreatment.” Dr. Shoag adds, “Ultimately, we hope to make PSA testing available to more men, especially those at high-risk, and to develop a tool that is easy to interpret, easy to use and ultimately gives us higher quality prostate cancer screening results.” Read more at https://lnkd.in/gG3r9gTc #prostatecancer #PSAtesting #cancerscreening #earlydetection #physicianexcellence #patientsfirst

As part of his Cliff Appreciates initiative, UH CEO Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair, announced the 1st Quarter winners of the Dinner with the Doc honor. Congratulations to these outstanding physicians for their exceptional commitment to our UH Mission – To Heal. To Teach. To Discover. Amanda Amin, MD, Demonstrating Professionalism Neil Anderson, MD, Demonstrating Professionalism Haley Durdella, DO, Advancing Systemness Kelsey Gray, MD, Commitment to Value and Advancing Systemness Jeanne Lackamp, MD, DFAPA, FACLP, Demonstrating Professionalism, Exhibiting a Commitment to Value and Advancing Systemness Deep Patel, DO, Demonstrating Professionalism Jill Peysha, MD, Demonstrating Professionalism and Exhibiting a Commitment to Value Andrew Veverka, DO, Demonstrating Professionalism #UHProud #physicianspotlight #transformingpatientcare #healing #teaching #research