CLEVELAND — There are great expectations in Cleveland area communities following this week's announcement that the MetroHealth System received the largest gift in its history.

 

What You Need To Know

  • The Glicks donated $42 million to MetroHealth

  • The donation will help create two funds for the medical center

  • This is the second donation the Glicks have given to MetroHealth


Bob and JoAnn Glick are passionate about health care, especially for women and children. Their historic $42 million gift to the MetroHealth System in Greater Cleveland will fund the expansion and improvement of programs and services that address community needs.

"MetroHealth aligned with our mission. Our mission was to improve the health and well-being of the women and children within the city of Cleveland. And MetroHealth that's their mission. It's been their mission for 183 years and they do one heck of a job at it," Bob.

MetroHealth is Cuyahoga County's Public health care system and MetroHealth Medical Center is a place that welcomes all residents, including the uninsured. Bob is the founder, former CEO and chairman of "Dots," the national specialty women's clothing store chain. The Glicks call Northeast Ohio home, and that's why it was important to them to invest here.

"The community needs to know that they matter. Everybody matters. And they deserve to have the best of health care just like anyone else. And they have more challenges than a lot of people who aren't living with all the stresses that they have with everyday life. So, if I had anything I want them to know is that we care and we want them to have the opportunities that most people — a lot of people — have in other areas to become whatever they want to become," JoAnn.

The Glick's gift will go toward the creation of two funds for MetroHealth. The first is the JoAnn and Bob Glick Fund for Healthy Communities. The second is the JoAnn Zlotnick Glick Endowed Fund in Community Health Nursing.

"It's more about the role and impact a nurse can make in the community. It is about the science of nursing. It's about looking at where the gaps are in the community in health care, and what nurses can do to close that gap," said JoAnn.

As a registered nurse herself, JoAnn has a special place in her heart for nurses.​ Bob said many of his customers were nurses and he's always appreciated the sacrifices they make. The couple said they're grateful to be able to invest in better health care for the community.

"To be honest with you, it's a dream. I never imagined that we would ever be in a position to be able to do this. And it just means so much to me to be able to. And, you know, I'm glad that Bob shared my interest and my passion for this and, you know, that's all I can say. It's wonderful," said JoAnn.

"I've always wanted to this group of women who were good enough to shop in our stores and work in our stores and help grow our business, and so it's very special to me," said Bob.

MetroHealth announced its new hospital, which is currently under construction, will be named the MetroHealth Glick Center after the couple. The Glicks said they prefer to keep a low profile but are honored to have the center named after them.

"It's very nice, and it's not necessary. What we care about is what goes on in the building. And the building ... will be the caregivers and the people of MetroHealth who provide services," said Bob.

This isn't the first time the Glicks have donated to MetroHealth.

 

In 2019, they invested $500,000 into two programs at the medical center: the Students Are Safe to Express Project (SAFE) and the MetroHealth Autism Awareness Clinic.

The Glick's donation is believed to be the third-largest donation from a private donor to a public hospital in the U.S.