Cleveland Clinic Plans $25 Million Expansion

The world-renowned Cleveland Clinic has released plans to build a 100,000 sq. ft. National Reference Lab scheduled to be opened by late 2010. The lab is designed to perform highly sophisticated tests for hospitals local and abroad.

The project is part of the Clinic's worldwide business strategy according to Cleveland Clinic President and CEO, Dr. Delos "Toby" Cosgrove. Cleveland Clinic owns facilities as far away as Abu Dhabi and Vienna, Austria.

But, the Clinic hasn't forgotten about the city that bares its name. Cleveland State University recently graduated its first class from a program that includes a year of lab work which was completed largely at the Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland State has worked with the Clinic for years according to Bette Bonder, dean of the college of science.

"This lab has the potential to be huge," says Bonder.

She went on to say that the kinds of jobs offered by the Clinic and its labs are the kinds that require years of education to get. But, once a person obtains that education and the skills needed, they will have never have trouble finding a job. That is good news for medical majors in these tough economic times.

If the economy stays on its current path, health care will continue to be the leader in providing jobs for qualified college graduates. It is one of the few job markets which is actually growing, as demonstrated by the Cleveland Clinic's recent expansion plan.

According to Bonder, CSU realizes the importance of keeping a strong relationship with a facility as successful as the Cleveland Clinic, and is taking the necessary steps to keep that growing as well. Right now, over the next five to ten plan. According to Bonder, CSU realizes the importance of keeping a strong relationship with a facility as successful as the Cleveland Clinic, and is taking the necessary steps to keep that growing as well. Right now, over the next five to ten tests every year.

The next time you are passing through the college of science and you see medical students walking around, remember that you could be looking at the future staff of the new $25 million Reference Lab at the Cleveland Clinic.