UH Ahuja Medical Center receives $2M to advance care for women, newborns

University Hospitals this week announced it will receive a $2 million gift from Danielle and Michael Weiner to help bring labor and delivery services to University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center in Beachwood as part of the campus’ Phase 2 expansion.

The family’s donation will be recognized with the naming of the Danielle and Michael Weiner Maternity Suite, UH officials confirmed.

However, the pedigree of philanthropy started much earlier.

When she was 13, “Dani” contributed funds she received for her bat mitzvah to furnish a playroom at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.

“Philanthropy and service to others have always been an important part of my life,” Dani said. “My connection to Rainbow has been fostered over many years, first as a child by my family and more recently as a leader within the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Foundation.”

Her generosity sparked a multigenerational tradition of support for the health system, with her grandfather, Leonard Horvitz, and his wife, Joan, committing funds to build Horvitz Tower at Rainbow.

Dani’s parents, Richard and Marcy Horvitz, helped fund adult and pediatric research, and, after her mother died in 2003, all three generations came together to make a gift to name the Marcy R. Horvitz Pediatric Emergency Center.

Additional support from Dani and Michael — ranging from “Ride the Rainbow” event sponsorships to their donation of personal protective equipment at the height of the novel coronavirus pandemic — have “further sustained” the UH mission.

“Ever since we had our first child almost a decade ago at the UH Main Campus, we have felt that it was so important for UH to expand those services to the eastern suburbs to better serve that community and grow its market share,” she said.

Shortly thereafter, the couple began asking if labor and delivery were ever going to be part of UH’s expansion plans at Ahuja or anywhere on the eastside.

When Phase 2 was announced, they felt the gift was the perfect way to show their support and commitment to help families throughout the region.

Currently, Dani serves as president-elect of the Rainbow Foundation and co-chairs Ride the Rainbow. She is also chair of the UH Ahuja Phase 2 Women & Newborn subcommittee and additionally serves on the UH Rainbow Campaign Committee.

“Knowing how many local families will be impacted by the project is truly rewarding and continues a tradition of giving that our own children can understand and relate to,” said Michael, who is a founder and managing partner of Ninth Street Capital Partners. “In the process, we hope to make a positive difference in the lives of other local families.”

The Weiner Maternity Suite, part of the new Steve and Loree Potash Women & Newborn Center, was designed for entire families and houses 23 private rooms equipped for the postpartum stay for new mothers and babies.

The suite will also include a six-bay nursery, in efforts to support rest and recovery, officials noted.

“The birth of a child and the days immediately following are precious and private moments for families,” said Registered Nurse Patti DePompei, president of Rainbow Babies & Children’s and MacDonald Women’s hospitals.

“The incredible support of the Weiner family will help deliver the high-quality care and specialized services mom and baby need in the compassionate, family-focused environment they deserve,” added DePompei, who also serves as Rainbow’s Foundation chair in Leadership and Innovation.

“Together, we will give our families a strong start.”