Champion of Philanthropy: Liz Dreben, PhD

For more than three decades, Dr. Liz Dreben has walked alongside patients at MetroHealth as they navigate some of life’s most difficult moments – recovering from strokes, adjusting to amputations or coping with complex medical conditions. As a rehabilitation psychologist in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Department, she helps people find strength, resilience and new ways to thrive. However, her comfort and compassion extend beyond the bedside.

In September, Dr. Dreben was named a Champion of Philanthropy, a recognition from the Office of Strategic Philanthropy (OSP) that honors MetroHealth colleagues who go above and beyond to support our mission through giving. Her nomination highlighted not only her generosity but also the deeply personal and meaningful way she gives.

Dr. Dreben’s journey to MetroHealth began when she and her husband, Dr. Hillel Chiel – a Distinguished University Professor based in the Biology Department at Case Western Reserve University – moved to Cleveland from New York. Drawn by the city’s vibrant Jewish community, which was important to their family, they became members of the Green Road Synagogue and Young Israel of Greater Cleveland. Dr. Dreben joined MetroHealth in 1988 and has been a steady presence ever since.

Her commitment to the health system has extended far beyond her clinical role. From the earliest days of her career, she has quietly supported MetroHealth through sustaining gifts. Over time, her giving evolved to include donations made in honor or memory of those who have touched her life – patients, colleagues and friends.

For Dr. Dreben, giving is both a personal expression and a spiritual practice grounded in her Jewish faith. In Judaism, charitable giving is an essential foundation, rooted in a deep concern for the welfare of others and the belief that acts of loving kindness carry a profound meaning.

"In Judaism, honoring people's memory is something we do. It's not just tradition. It's almost a mandate," she said. "Giving in memory of someone is both about concern for others, but also about memory. You're continuing their legacy."

"My whole job is about helping people navigate hard things," Dr. Dreben said. "So expanding that to help someone grieving the loss of a loved one is really just an extension of what I already do."

Her beliefs came to life in one especially moving instance, when she made a gift in honor of a patient’s adult son who had recently passed away. The patient had already lost one son years earlier. This second loss was devastating. The patient had shared her grief during a session, and Dr. Dreben quietly honored that loss with a memorial gift.

Weeks later, Dr. Dreben received a heartfelt message from the man’s family. They were deeply moved that someone had taken the time to honor their loved one in such a lasting way. His adult children expressed their gratitude, saying the gesture gave new meaning to their father's memory.

Dr. Dreben works closely with the OSP to ensure each honor and memorial gift is processed with care. She often connects with Caleb Sturrup, Philanthropy Officer, who helps confirm the details of those she wishes to honor so the OSP team can acknowledge them accurately and meaningfully.

“Even if you give $5 in memory of someone,” Dr. Dreben said, “the Foundation still sends a beautiful note. It’s never too little, and the amount is never listed.”

She hopes her story encourages others to see the power of even the smallest gesture.

"If this story can help others see that no amount is too small, and that it’s a meaningful way to honor someone, that would be a lovely outcome. I'm a little embarrassed by the spotlight, but if it inspires others to give, to help the Foundation, to support our patients and their families in these small but powerful ways, then I'd feel like the spotlight was for a very good purpose."

Dr. Dreben credits her 97-year-old mother, the Honorable Raya Dreben, a pioneering lawyer and judge, as one of her earliest inspirations. "I grew up with very strong role models," she said. Her late father, a philosophy professor at Harvard, also instilled in her a deep respect for education and service.

Dr. Dreben is very proud of her family. Her daughter, Eve Law, PhD, lives in the Boston area and works as a software design engineer. Her son, Joshua Chiel, lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his pharmacist wife, Leah Chiel, PharmD. Joshua is in graduate school studying theoretical physics at the University of Maryland and also studies at the Yeshiva of Greater Washington. They have a daughter named Rebecca Ruth, born in February 2025.

Dr. Dreben is an Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. In the PM&R Department, she helps train residents in the psychological aspects of rehabilitation and disability. In 2024, she received one of the MetroHealth Medical Staff Excellence Awards.

The Champion of Philanthropy program was created to recognize colleagues like Dr. Dreben – those who go above and beyond to support MetroHealth's mission. Her story is a reminder that philanthropy isn't just about dollars. It's about dignity, memory and the quiet ways we show we care.

For more information, contact Caleb Sturrup, Philanthropy Officer with the Office of Strategic Philanthropy, at csturrup@metrohealth.org or 440-592-1434.