University Hospitals named a 2017 World's Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute

CLEVELAND, March 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- University Hospitals (UH) has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute, the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as a 2017 World's Most Ethical Company^®.

UH has received this designation five times since 2012, and is one of only seven health care providers recognized this year. The award underscores an ongoing institutional commitment to continually raise the bar on ethical leadership and behavior throughout the organization.

"The recognition is a tribute to the culture of integrity that defines University Hospitals and the care we provide to the people of Northeast Ohio," said Thomas F. Zenty III, Chief Executive Officer of University Hospitals. "As this honor continues to grow in prominence, we hope more organizations worldwide recognize that high ethical standards are fundamental to success."

This is the eleventh year that Ethisphere has honored companies who recognize their role in society to influence and drive positive change, consider the impact of their actions on their employees, investors, customers and other key stakeholders and use their values and culture as an underpinning to the decisions they make every day.

UH highlighted several programs to Ethisphere to demonstrate its commitment to integrity and social responsibility.  The foundation is UH's best-in class ethics and compliance program and strong corporate governance, and in addition to that are programs designed to enhance the communities and environment in which it operates. These include a system-wide sustainability program and community sustainability initiatives, such as the bike share program "UH Bikes";  various diversity and inclusion initiatives, including the "Health Scholars Program" for young people in underrepresented minorities who are interested in health care careers, mentorship and recruitment programs for minority medical residents, and the "Step Up to UH" program, which supports the economic development of neighborhoods surrounding the system's flagship UH Cleveland Medical Center through the recruitment, development and retention of minority employees. 

"One of the reasons UH has been recognized again as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies is our culture of ethical decision-making. This is part of the DNA of the organization," said Kim F. Bixenstine, UH Chief Compliance Officer. "This is a recognition of our commitment to doing the right thing for our patients, our employees and the communities in which we offer services."

Being a five-time honoree underscores UH's commitment to leading ethical business standards and practices ensuring long-term value to key stakeholders including patients, employees, and suppliers.

"Over the last eleven years we have seen the shift in societal expectations, constant redefinition of laws and regulations and the geo-political climate. We have also seen how companies honored as the World's Most Ethical respond to these challenges. They invest in their local communities around the world, embrace strategies of diversity and inclusion, and focus on long term-ism as a sustainable business advantage," explained Ethisphere's Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Erblich. "Congratulations to everyone at University Hospitals for being recognized as a World's Most Ethical Company."

SOURCE University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center