On May 16, the Midtown Collaboration Center (MCC) officially opened its doors to the public with a vibrant grand opening celebration at East 66th Street and Euclid Avenue in Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood. The event brought together community members, longstanding Cleveland institutions, and local and state leaders for a festive block party–style gathering.
The celebration featured local food vendors, child-friendly activities, and community-based research initiatives aimed at addressing systemic health challenges, such as lead poisoning in Cleveland neighborhoods.
Distinguished guests, including Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø President Eric W. Kaler, and School of Medicine Dean Stan Gerson, participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening.
The MCC now serves as a hub for several ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø School of Medicine programs dedicated to improving population health. It houses the Institute for Population and Community Health, along with community-facing offices of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative (CTSC), and the Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods.
The CTSC team was on site to connect with attendees, sharing insights into clinical and translational research and emphasizing the importance of community involvement in scientific discovery and health advancement.
With the opening of the MCC, new opportunities arise to deepen engagement with local residents and broaden the impact of translational research. The CTSC team looks forward to hosting future events at the center, meeting people where they are, and advancing its mission to improve health outcomes across Northern Ohio and beyond. This space is especially meaningful because it brings together the academic and research community with the lived experiences and insights of local residents—creating a shared environment where science and community meet, collaborate, and co-create solutions to some of the region’s most pressing health challenges.
Author: Ranjini (Rini) Ghosh - Assistant Director of Health Research Outcomes and Engagement - CTSC of Northern Ohio