Tracy's Story

We already know that MetroHealth volunteers are special. They donate their time and effort to support our patients and our mission. Now, two of them are being recognized by local organizations for their outreach:

Tracy Greenberg is the recipient of a 2023 Most Treasured Volunteer Award from The Center for Community Solutions. Tracy's volunteer work at MetroHealth has left a lasting legacy. As a member and co-chair of the System's Patient and Family Advisory Council, she helps improve the experience and eliminate potential barriers to care and healing for patients and visitors – especially those with physical challenges.

According to her nomination, Tracy initially contacted our Patient Relations team to share ideas on how MetroHealth could improve accessibility. Her passion resulted in an invitation to join the advisory council.

Tracy has advised design and construction teams on new spaces and patient care areas. During her many accessibility walk-throughs at MetroHealth facilities, she has spotted and helped correct scores of barriers, such as soap/towel dispensers placed out of reach for individuals in wheelchairs; arrangements of chairs/furniture in waiting areas that restrict access; lower patient-check-in counters that are not kept clear for disabled patients; power-assist doors that are programmed incorrectly and do not stay open long enough; and much more.

"Her volunteer work has helped create a more welcoming, more healing and more accessible health system. Because of Tracy's volunteer involvement, MetroHealth patients, family members and visitors with physical challenges enjoy smoother paths to health and healing," stated her nomination.

Tracy's activism extends beyond MetroHealth. Born with a rare genetic condition, she didn't receive a proper diagnosis until later in life. Afterward, she turned her light of advocacy on yet another mission: building awareness for rare diseases. With her tireless volunteer involvement, Rare Disease Day went from being ignored locally to being recognized and commemorated with education and awareness events, including here at MetroHealth. In addition, Tracy single-handedly ignited a campaign for an ADA task force in Lakewood, and created a day-long music festival, BreastFest Cleveland, that raises money for research, and for patients and families affected by breast cancer.