UH receives $3M gift from Connor

Support will further expand UH Connor Whole Health services across system, officials report

University Hospitals Connor Whole Health, one of the largest integrative medicine programs in the country, will expand its services further thanks to a new $3 million gift from the Connor Foundation.

The gift brings Chris and Sara Connor’s overall giving to the program to more than $11.5 million.

The new gift also establishes the Connor Endowed Director of Reproductive Well-being.

“The impact that UH Connor Whole Health has had on patients, caregivers, and the community over the last ten years has been equally profound and humbling,” said Chris Connor, former CEO of Sherwin-Williams Co. and longtime member and former chair of the UH Board of Trustees.

“We are happy to further our commitment to UH Connor Whole Health during this celebratory 10th anniversary year,” he added. “Sara and I, and our family are honored to have our name on this program and to be able to continue investing in its future.”

Vision

In 2010, the Connor family sought to improve health outcomes by strengthening the patient-provider relationship, prioritizing compassionate care and emphasizing the patient’s well-being.

Sara, a trained occupational therapist, and Chris brought the idea to fruition with a $1 million gift, launching the health system’s integrative medicine program.

Through subsequent contributions totaling $7.5 million, they expanded the program and established the Christopher M. and Sara H. Connor Chair in Integrative Health.

“The whole health approach is the future of health care, as patients take greater control of their own mental and physical wellness,” said Dr. Francoise Adan, who serves as chief whole health and well-being officer. “UH Connor Whole Health is equipped to lead this effort not just in Northeast Ohio, but across the country, thanks to the faith and funding from supporters like the Connors.”

According to UH, integrative medicine focuses on combining traditional medicine with evidencebased non-pharmacologic therapies. Studies show that patients who incorporate whole health and integrative medicine therapies into their care have shorter recovery times, less pain, and better outcomes overall.

The Connors’ gift will also create a system-wide reiki program and expand services system-wide with particular focus on integrative oncology services through UH Seidman Cancer Center.

UH Connor Whole Health serves both adult and pediatric patients with services that include acupuncture, biofeedback, chiropractic care, expressive therapies, health coaching, hypnosis, lifestyle medicine consults, massage therapy, meditation and guided imagery, mindfulness, stress management and yoga.