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MetroHealth Announces New Facilities at Annual Meeting

Boutros at a January 2015 news conference (photo: Nick Castele)

By Elizabeth Miller

MetroHealth announced the opening and construction of facilities all over Northeast Ohio at its annual meeting Thursday. 

Throughout his speech, MetroHealth CEO Dr. Akram Boutros clarified the hospital system’s mission.  “Together, we’re addressing more than a health issue," said Boutros.  "We’re addressing a community issue and a social justice issue.”

That means projects devoted to reducing the rate of infant mortality and a plan to rebuild MetroHealth’s McCafferty Health Center for the LGBT community.

And next month, the system’s expanded Critical Care Pavilion will begin accepting patients.  The 2 new floors include an Ebola Treatment Center, which Boutros says will not only be open to victims of the virus.

“It’s also an emerging disease treatment center," said Boutros.  "Any kind of infection, whether its Zika virus or Ebola, we can manage it here at MetroHealth."

Boutros also announced a collaboration between Metro and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.  They will open a new high school next month where students will split time between the classroom and the hospital. 

The new school, a continuation of the county hospital system’s relationship with Lincoln-West High, will enroll one hundred fifty students for the year-round program. 

According to the report, county tax dollars accounted for just over 4 percent of the hospital’s 934 million dollar annual operating revenue.  Operating income totaled 29 million.