Health systems and level 1 trauama centers

As medical offices and hospitals have been aggregating into giant hospital “systems” over the past few decades, there are fewer and fewer independent hospitals.  Today, in Metropolitan Cleveland, there are only six major systems serving the region, as follows:

The "Big Three" Health Systems in Cleveland

Cleveland Clinic - a global medical powerhouse with numerous local hospitals and family health centers/offices. They operate 14 full-service hospitals in Cleveland including its sprawling flagship medical center and research campus in Midtown Cleveland near University Circle. The Cleveland Clinic also has hospitals in London and Abu Dhabi; three hospitals in Florida and operates a second hospital in Abu Dhabi. The Clinic also has the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas and a specialty center in Toronto. 

University Hospitals (UH) - the primary private-sector competitor to the Cleveland Clinic, operating around 21 hospitals and numerous medical offices in the region, including its primary hospital, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in University Circle.

MetroHealth System - Cleveland's public health system with numerous local facilities throughout Cuyahoga County, anchored by its main hospital in Clark-Fulton off Scranton.

Other systems

The VA system - the Federal Veterans’ Administration system with its main hospital, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, in University Circle, and the network of around 10 community-based outpatient facilities throughout the Cleveland region.

Southwest General Health System - a health system centered around Southwest General Hospital and focused on southwestern Cuyahoga County.  The health system has a collaborative partnership with University Hospitals.

Summa Health:  Summa Health operates in the southern part of the Cleveland region, primarily in Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark, and Wayne counties, and is based in Akron.

Level 1 Trauma Centers

There are currently five Level 1 Trauma Centers in the Cleveland region - three in Cleveland and two in Akron, with a sixth one planned to open in 2028.

Level 1 Adult Trauma Centers

• University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (Cleveland)

• MetroHealth Main Campus Medical Center (Cleveland)

• Summa Health System - Akron Campus (Akron)

• Akron General Medical Center (Cleveland Clinic) (Akron)

Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Centers

• UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital (Cleveland)

Level 1 Trauma Centers in Development

• Cleveland Clinic Main Campus – The Cleveland Clinic is developing a Level 1 Trauma Center at its main campus, with plans for certification by 2028.