Welcome to the Foundation
The Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation seeks to assist Greater Cleveland's organizations and leaders to improve the health and well-being of the Jewish and general communities now and for generations to come.
GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE:
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2020
Questions? Contact Ali Foti, Program Officer, if you have additional questions about what we fund or how to apply.
Thank you!
Mt. Sinai Announces 2020 Saltzman Award Recipients
Join us for Channel 3 News at 6 PM, June 23-24, as we salute Cleveland’s Health Heroes and on June 25 when we present them with the 2020 Maurice Saltzman Award as part of the 6 PM news!
The 2020 Maurice Saltzman Award is presented to Cleveland’s Health Heroes who put their lives on the line to care for COVID-19 patients and prevent further spread of the disease. Those honored include not only those working in hospitals, but also those in group homes and long-term care facilities. They include not only doctors, nurses and other caregivers, but sanitation, foodservice and transportation workers, home health workers, public health practitioners and all who have worked tirelessly to keep our communities safe in this time of global crisis.
2020 Maurice Saltzman Award Selection Committee
Enid B. Rosenberg, Chair
Tom Abelson, MD
Nathan A. Berger, MD
Beth Wain Brandon
Pamela B. Davis, MD, PhD
J. David Heller
Jeffrey L. Ponsky, MD
Susan Ratner
Ronn Richard
Fred C. Rothstein, MD
Judge Dan A. Polster, Board Chair
Mitchell Balk, President
Study of ‘downstream’ effects of childhood lead poisoning reveals racial, economic disparities in adulthood
20-year study involving more than 10,000 children tracks consequences of lead exposure from birth through early adulthood
A new study from Case Western Reserve University, funded in part by the Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation, shows that numerous negative issues associated with lead poisoning follow children well into adulthood—building on evidence linking elevated blood-lead levels with a host of harmful outcomes in education, behavior and health.
These so-called “downstream” consequences include increased involvement in the juvenile justice system, adult incarceration and homelessness, according to the study conducted by researchers at the university’s Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences.
The findings stem from a research project that—using data over a 20-year period—tracked the life outcomes of more than 10,000 children in Cleveland with elevated blood-lead levels, compared to a control group of students who did not have elevated lead levels. By comparing these carefully matched groups, researchers were able to zero-in on the impact of lead poisoning on both people and public systems.
“The Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition believes that no child should ever be lead-poisoned,” said Blaine Griffin, City of Cleveland Councilman and Coalition Steering Committee Member. “This research from Case Western Reserve University underscores the painful reality that lead poisoning not only affects a child’s developing body and robs them of their potential but has a costly impact on our entire community. It doesn’t matter where you live or work—whether you’re a landlord, caregiver, elected official, or resident—we all have a responsibility to address lead poisoning together.”
The full press release can be accessed here (PDF).
Mandel Foundation Approves $5 million to the Lead Safe Home Fund
The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation has committed $5 million to the Lead Safe Home Fund, which will provide families and property owners resources to make homes lead safe. This, along with investments from the city of Cleveland, state of Ohio and philanthropic partners, brings the total pool of funds to more than $18 million, according to a news release
“As the COVID-19 pandemic forces us to shelter-in-place, we are reminded how important a safe and decent home is,” stated Mitchell Balk, president of the Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation and chair of the governance committee of Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition. “All children, no matter their backgrounds, should be afforded every opportunity to live up to their fullest potential. Lead poisoning is an issue of equity, and now is the time to invest in this most basic human need for children today and into the future.”
The full press release can be accessed here (PDF).
