Consumers’ Research, a prominent non-profit organization focused on consumer advocacy, has launched a campaign targeting the Cleveland Clinic, alleging that the healthcare facility prioritizes progressive political agendas over patient care. The campaign, titled "Cleveland Clinic Exposed," questions whether the clinic has become "the wokest hospital in America."
The initiative comes in response to a history of practices and policies that Consumers’ Research claims reflect a commitment to "woke" ideologies. The campaign includes a 30-second advertisement that will air during the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors game, asking viewers to consider the clinic’s approach to healthcare. The ad highlights allegations that the Cleveland Clinic engages in racial discrimination, promotes gender transition procedures for minors, and incorporates diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives into its operational framework.
Consumers’ Research has taken issue with statements made by Cleveland Clinic CEO Tom Mihaljevic, who noted that providing high-quality healthcare is just one aspect of the organization’s mission. Mihaljevic emphasized the importance of uplifting communities, improving well-being, and embracing diversity. The organization has also faced scrutiny for its past initiatives, including a 2022 appointment of a chief of diversity and inclusion and a commitment to addressing structural racism.
The ad campaign features digital outreach and mobile billboards across key locations, including outside the Cleveland Clinic and the Ohio state capitol. It also includes a website, ClevelandClinicExposed.com, where consumers can learn more about the allegations. The campaign promotes the idea that the clinic’s focus on political and social issues detracts from its primary responsibility to provide patient care.
In response to the campaign, a spokesperson for the Cleveland Clinic refuted the claims made in the advertisements, labeling them as false and misleading. The spokesperson asserted that the clinic serves all patients without discrimination based on race, gender, or any other characteristic.
Will Hild, the executive director of Consumers’ Research, criticized the Cleveland Clinic’s leadership for what he described as a troubling alignment with "woke" values, claiming that this focus compromises the quality of care patients receive. Hild’s remarks reflect a broader concern among some consumers who feel that healthcare institutions should prioritize medical needs over political agendas.
This campaign arrives amid a broader national conversation about the intersection of healthcare and social justice issues, with many organizations facing scrutiny for their policies and practices related to diversity and inclusion. As the Cleveland Clinic continues to navigate these challenges, the impact of this campaign on its reputation and patient trust remains to be seen.