The Center for Health Affairs Announces Joint Philanthropic Program to Benefit Medworks

CLEVELAND, Jan. 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Monday, The Center for Health Affairs and CHAMPS Healthcare announced Medworks as the beneficiary of a joint philanthropic effort to be unveiled at their centennial event being held Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016.

As part of the celebration, the organization is raising funds to continue to empower and strengthen the Northeast Ohio region, as well as the health and wellness of the people living within it, by partnering with Medworks to create a new program that will provide restorative dental care to 600+ patients in Northeast Ohio. The Center's 501(c)(3) affiliate will match gifts up to $150,000 as part of their centennial celebration.

"This dental program has been a dream of Medworks since our inception," said Carrie Clark, executive director of Medworks. "The unimaginable impact we are going to make with this gift will very simply, and very profoundly change lives. Not just hundreds of lives but the exponential number of family members who will benefit from their family member being pain free and workforce ready."

"We made sure to do our homework when researching opportunities to make a transformational impact in our community," said Bill Ryan, president and CEO of The Center and CHAMPS. "Medworks is already making such a difference by providing the ongoing high quality medical healthcare Northeast Ohio patients need to lead healthy lives. We look forward to the opportunity to help them expand their services."

For more information about contributing to The Center and CHAMPS' joint philanthropic effort to benefit Medworks, contact Kirstin Craciun, director of community outreach, at 216.255.3616 or via email.

More details about the centennial celebration will be released as they become available. Follow the hashtag #NEOHospitals100 to stay connected with the organization's planning efforts.

With a rich history as the Northeast Ohio hospital association, dating back to 1916, The Center for Health Affairs serves as the collective voice of hospitals and the source for Northeast Ohio hospital and healthcare information. As the leading advocate for Northeast Ohio hospitals, The Center aims to enhance the effectiveness of the healthcare community and the health of the communities it serves by providing expertise, resources and solutions to address the challenges faced by the region's healthcare providers. The Center's efforts focus on areas that benefit member hospitals from a regional approach, including healthcare workforce; emergency preparedness; public policy and advocacy; finance and reimbursement; and community initiatives. And because of its business affiliation with CHAMPS Healthcare, The Center has the resources to provide a broad level of professional services to its members. The Center, located in downtown Cleveland, is proud to advocate on behalf of 34 acute-care hospitals and two long-term acute-care hospitals in six counties. The Center for Health Affairs is honored to be named as one of The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Top Workplaces in 2014 and 2015, as well as to ERC's NorthCoast99 List in 2003, 2004, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015. For more, visit neohospitals.org.

CONTACT: Deanna Moore
         [email protected]
         216.255.3614