CLEVELAND, Sept. 25, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Third Federal Foundation, in partnership with the Marc A. and Rhonda L. Stefanski Foundation, will donate $5 million to fund a center for community health education focused on addressing health disparities and delivering quality healthcare and outreach to Cleveland neighborhoods.
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The Rhonda and Marc Stefanski Center for Community Health Education will reside within the Health Education Campus, a state-of-the-art facility that will house Case Western Reserve University’s, dental, nursing and medical programs, including Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. The university also plans to add a new physician assistant program to the campus.
The Stefanski Center will serve as a physical home to a variety of community health, education and outreach programs, including the Weatherhead Institute for Family Medicine and Community Health and other programs that advance research and promote community education regarding care and prevention. The center also will house the Urban Health Pathway, which provides medical students with experience in delivering clinical care in urban settings, and better understanding of unique medical needs and challenges of inner-city residents that can lead to disparities in life expectancy.
A study several years ago by Cuyahoga County found that residents in the Hough neighborhood of Cleveland had a life expectancy of 64 years. In the suburb of Lyndhurst, just several miles away, life expectancy was 88.5 years.
“The Stefanski Center will focus on addressing the health disparities in neighborhoods right here in Cleveland,” said Third Federal Savings and Loan Chairman and CEO Marc. A. Stefanski. “During Rhonda’s battle with cancer, she was fortunate to have access to the best health care. My family and I want to make sure those in financial need here in Cleveland have similar access to world-class care.”
The donation is the largest ever from the Third Federal Foundation, and supports Stefanski’s efforts to provide quality healthcare to Cleveland residents in need. Stefanski’s wife Rhonda passed away last November of pancreatic cancer.
Rhonda’s Kiss, a fundraiser at the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame last July, raised more than $600,000 to help Cleveland residents with cancer who are unable to afford treatment and support.
“We deeply appreciate this historic commitment to help prepare our students to engage more effectively in the community,” Case Western Reserve University President Barbara R. Snyder said. “This support will enhance already strong education programs in these areas, and bring patients additional benefit while students are here and long after they graduate.”
“The Stefanski Center will add a meaningful new dimension to the health, education and outreach services being offered through the new Health Education Campus,” said Toby Cosgrove, M.D., President and CEO of Cleveland Clinic. “We are proud to know that these generous foundations share our commitment to community access to quality healthcare services.”
About Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is one of the country's leading private research institutions. Located in Cleveland, we offer a unique combination of forward-thinking educational opportunities in an inspiring cultural setting. Our leading-edge faculty engage in teaching and research in a collaborative, hands-on environment. Our nationally recognized programs include arts and sciences, dental medicine, engineering, law, management, medicine, nursing and social work. About 4,200 undergraduate and 5,600 graduate students comprise our student body. Visit case.edu to see how Case Western Reserve thinks beyond the possible.
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it 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. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. 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. More than 3,000 full-time salaried physicians and researchers and 11,000 nurses represent 120 medical specialties and subspecialties. The Cleveland Clinic health system includes a main campus near downtown Cleveland, eight community hospitals, more than 75 Northern Ohio outpatient locations, including 16 full-service Family Health Centers, Cleveland Clinic Florida, the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, Cleveland Clinic Canada, and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. In 2013, there were 5.5 million outpatient visits throughout the Cleveland Clinic health system and 157,000 hospital admissions. Patients came for treatment from every state and from more than 130 countries. Visit us at www.clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at www.twitter.com/ClevelandClinic.
About the Third Federal Foundation
The Third Federal Foundation (The Foundation) was established by Third Federal Savings & Loan (NASDAQ:TFSL) in 2007 to help the communities Third Federal serves. The Foundation has donated more than $7.5 million over the last several years to fund programs and community organizations that support the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and its mission to educate the children of Cleveland. Third Federal Savings and Loan Association is a leading provider of savings and mortgage products, and operates under the values of love, trust, respect, a commitment to excellence and fun. Founded in Cleveland in 1938 as a mutual association by Ben and Gerome Stefanski, Third Federal’s mission is to help people achieve the dream of home ownership and financial security. It became part of a public company in 2007 and celebrated its 77th anniversary in May, 2015. Third Federal, which lends in 21 states and the District of Columbia, is dedicated to serving consumers with competitive rates and outstanding service. Third Federal, an equal housing lender, has 21 full service branches in Northeast Ohio, eight lending offices in Central and Southern Ohio, and 17 full service branches throughout Florida. As of June 30, 2015, the Company’s assets totaled $12.3 billion. For more, visit Thirdfederal.com.
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