A Legacy of Care: The Walter W. Born Foundation Supports MetroHealth’s Emergency Department Transformation

Thanks to a generous $100,000 grant from the Walter W. Born Foundation, MetroHealth’s Main Campus Emergency Department is one step closer to a much-needed transformation. The gift honors the philanthropic vision of Walter W. Born, whose thoughtful end-of-life planning in 1989 created a foundation dedicated exclusively to supporting local nonprofit hospitals.

“The Born Foundation was created with a clear and compassionate purpose,” said Don Miksch, Vice President and Senior Trust Advisor at Huntington National Bank, who oversees the administration of the Born Foundation.

“We’re proud to carry forward Mr. Born’s vision by investing in institutions like MetroHealth that are making a tangible impact in our community.”

The Born Foundation previously supported the critical work of MetroHealth’s Heart and Vascular and Rehabilitation Departments. Now, its impact will extend to one of the region’s busiest and most relied-upon Emergency Departments, which saw nearly 79,000 patients in 2024 alone.

Despite national recognition and a vital role in trauma, stroke, burn and flight care, the ED’s physical space hasn’t been updated since 2004. With growing patient volumes and evolving medical needs, a major renovation is planned to create a more welcoming and efficient environment for patients, families and caregivers.

“The Walter W. Born Foundation’s generosity is helping us transform the very front door of MetroHealth,” said Dr. Charles Emerman, Chair of Emergency Services. “Our Main Campus Emergency Department is where lives are saved and care begins for tens of thousands of patients each year. This gift brings us closer to creating a space that reflects the excellence of our clinical care – a space that supports healing, dignity and the humanity of every person who walks through our doors.”

For more information, contact Abbie Sender, Philanthropy Officer, at The MetroHealth Foundation at 440-592-1390 or [email protected].