Clinical Health Sciences building renamed following partnership with Cleveland Clinic

Miami University’s partnership with the Cleveland Clinic reached new heights with the official naming ceremony of Miami’s second newest building, now known as the Cleveland Clinic Health Science and Wellness Building.

It’s just one step in the university and hospital’s growing relationship, which has been in place for just over a year.

In a speech given at the naming ceremony on Oct. 15, President Gregory Crawford said the two entities first considered a partnership after he visited the Cleveland Clinic to see their new quantum computer.

“I kind of geeked out,” Crawford said. “It was an extraordinary day, but there was something on that day that was kind of unexpected.”

He said he was surprised to have met a large number of Miami alums who worked at the hospital, or who had kids who went to Miami. From there, the partnership grew.

“We started with quantum computing,” Crawford said. “We knew a big investment was taking place in Cleveland, and that the innovation district needed talent for that effort. We raised our hand and created a quantum computer computing degree, which we believe is the first in the world at the undergraduate level. [The partnership] went on. We started talking about internships for our students, which many enjoyed this summer.”

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He added that in order to complete this partnership, Miami and the Cleveland Clinic worked together to get $7 million from the state government. When asked why a Cleveland-based company was partnering with a school in the opposite corner of the state, he said, “It’s three things: it’s values, leadership and excellence.”

Despite the Clinical Health Sciences and Wellness Facility undergoing a renaming, there will be no change to the provider of health care for Miami students: TriHealth.

Vice President for Strategy and Design Andre Durojaiye said he sees the partnership between Cleveland Clinic and Miami expanding beyond health sciences majors..

“When we think about healthcare systems, we think about our healthcare providers, our nurses, our doctors, our [physician assistants],” Durojaiye said. “But what [Cleveland Clinic] said that’s exciting is the fact that they see everybody in their ecosystem as healthcare providers. “We hope to see that all Miami students who are interested in an opportunity like that, regardless of major, have an opportunity to engage.”

Lyndzie Padula, a sophomore speech pathology and audiology major, said she’s excited to see more internships near her hometown of Cleveland as a result of the partnership.

“I received some internship opportunities my [first] year, but they were out of state and far away,” Padula said. “If there was something closer to home it would be a really great resource for me, and a great connection.”

Rose Anderson, a junior international studies major, said she appreciated the Cleveland Clinic and Miami’s commitment to working towards including “a broader reach” of majors.

As for why Miami chose to partner with the Cleveland Clinic?

“I would say, ‘Why not the Cleveland Clinic?’” Durojaiye said. “If you had the chance to partner with the best in the world, would you not also choose to do that?”

greenpt@miamioh.edu