Council discusses innovative model of care with Cleveland Clinic CEO

Today, the Nashville Health Care Council hosted 250 member executives for a conversation with Dr. Toby Cosgrove, president and CEO, Cleveland Clinic, about the Clinic's innovative model of care and focus on wellness of the mind and body. U.S. Senator William H. Frist, M.D., served as facilitator of the program with Wayne T. Smith, chairman, president and CEO, Community Health Systems, providing welcome remarks.

Cosgrove presides over a $6 billion health care system comprised of the Cleveland Clinic, eight community hospitals, 18 family health and ambulatory surgery centers, Cleveland Clinic Florida, the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, Cleveland Clinic Toronto, and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. His leadership has emphasized patient care and patient experience, including the re-organization of clinical services into patient-centered, organ and disease-based institutes. He has also launched major wellness initiatives for patients, employees and communities.

Cosgrove gave insight into the Clinic's highly regarded model of care and discussed how the organization plans to evolve during this transformative period for health care. Cosgrove also spoke about the constant need for innovative technologies in health care along with the importance of using metrics to show the value of services.

"At Cleveland Clinic, we subscribe to the belief that quality care proven by measured outcomes leads to reduced costs and healthier patients in the long run. Encouraging our patients to become active in their own care through dialogue and transparency has allowed us to maintain a high quality standard of care while reining in expenses, ultimately allowing us to improve our delivery system," Cosgrove said.

"Much like Cleveland Clinic, Nashville is a center of experimentation and innovation. We welcome the opportunity to host Dr. Cosgrove and hear first-hand about the groundbreaking work at the Clinic," said former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D.

The Council hosted Cosgrove in Nashville in conjunction with the Fellows initiative, the Council's educational program providing senior executives with a forum for thought-leadership and strategy around the future of health care.

"The Council's membership includes a number of diverse health care executives who benefit from hearing Dr. Cosgrove's insights, especially as they navigate a changing health care environment. We are grateful for the knowledge he has shared with our members at this event and during his time with our Fellows," said Caroline Young, Council president.