Cleveland State University Reinstates Ombuds Program

Last week, CSU President Ronald Berkman announced that he had reinstated the university's Ombuds Office and appointed Richard F. Rakos, PhD, to fill the position. The decision came in response to student demands, but it was not clear when the university last had an Ombuds for the general campus.

Job Posting: Cleveland Clinic, Florida

The Cleveland Clinic has reopened its search for an Ombudsman Manager to be stationed in Weston, Florida. In addition to resolving patient problems, the position will provide ongoing training and support to Ombuds staff and represent the Ombudsman Department throughout the state and nationally.

Job Posting: Cleveland Clinic, Florida

The Cleveland Clinic, one of the world's largest private medical centers, is hiring an Ombudsman Manager to be stationed in Weston, Florida. In addition to resolving patient problems, the position will provide ongoing training and support to Ombuds staff and represent the Ombudsman Department throughout the state and nationally.

Job Posting: Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic Health System, one of the largest private medical centers in the world, is seeking applications for an Ombuds position in its Office of the Ombudsman. The position is similar to that of an Organizational Ombuds to the extent that it: identifies, evaluates and resolves patient complaints; Aggregates and analyzes complaint and satisfaction data; and Determines proactive recommendations and provides feedback of resolution to appropriate parties. However, the Ombuds also, "Conducts investigations for Law Department, negotiates settlements as instructed."

Job Posting: Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic Health System, East Region, is looking to hire a patient ombudsman. Applicants should have a bachelor's degree and 3 years of related experience. No salary or closing date indicated. (OhioJobNetwork.com.)

It is not clear whether this is the same position Cleveland Clinic advertised last October. (Ombuds Blog.)

Job Posting: Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic Health System, one of the largest private medical centers in the world, is seeking applications for an Ombuds position in its Office of the Ombudsman. The position is similar to that of an Organizational Ombuds to the extent that it: Identifies, evaluates and resolves patient complaints; Aggregates and analyzes complaint and satisfaction data; and Determines proactive recommendations and provides feedback of resolution to appropriate parties. However, the Ombuds also, "Conducts investigations for Law Department, negotiates settlements as instructed."

Job Posting: Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic Health System, one of the largest private medical centers in the world, is seeking internal applications for an Ombuds position in its Office of the Ombudsman. A bachelor's is required and three years of related experience investigating and resolving complex complaints in a medical environment is preferred. No salary or closing date indicated. (Cleveland Clinic Careers, Job Code: T26152.)

Job Posting: Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic Health System, one of the largest private medical centers in the world, is seeking applications for an ombudsman. The ombuds office serves patients and family members with concerns about medical services at Cleveland Clinic Foundation Main Campus, Family Health Centers, and affiliates. No salalry or closing date indicated. (HealthCareSource.)

Job Posting: Cleveland Metropolitan School District

Ohio's largest school district is hiring two Ombudsman Specialists for its Office of the Ombudsman. The primary role for these new positions is "to understand and seek to resolve concerns raised by parents and guardians of children enrolled in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District." According to its website, the CMSD Ombuds Office is "fair, impartial and confidential."

Kent State University Appoints Faculty Ombuds, Adopts Charter

After an 11-month search, Shannon Driscoll was selected as the first Faculty Ombuds for the public research university in Ohio. She joins an existing Student Ombuds, Amy Quillin, and will serve the university's 2,700 faculty members. Kent State also adopted a charter for the program. According to the independent campus newspaper, Kent Wired, the Ombuds will be required to report Title IX matters.

Job Posting: South Pointe Hospital

South Pointe, a Cleveland Clinic hospital, is hiring an Ombuds for customer relations issues. The posting states: "Through mediation and negotiation, the ombudsman ensures a positive working relationship between physicians, staff, patients, and their families in order to support and maintain the highest quality of patient standards." A Bachelor’s degree and at least three years of health care or advocacy experience (e.g. mediation, negotiation, problem resolution and program development) are required. No closing date or salary indicated. (CampusRN.)

Prior Cleveland Clinic job posts: Main Campus; East Region; Florida.

Cleveland State University Names Permanent Ombuds But Fails to Allocate Resources

Engineering professor Rama Gorla, PhD, has been appointed as Ombudsperson for CSU Ohio. The announcement completes the process of restoring the the Ombuds Office promised earlier this year by CSU President Ronald Berkman. Gorla will be paid a modest stipend to assist faculty, staff and students part time, but has no budget or staff.

Activists Seek Ombuds for Cleveland Neighborhood Redevelopment Authority

Two community leaders have proposed amendments that would require the Tremont West Development Corp. to implement an Organizational Ombuds program. TWDC is a nonprofit citizens' group that aims to revitalize Tremont, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. The organization has found itself at the center of tensions between developers and residents. Several community activists (including a member of the TWDC Bylaws Committee) have called on the nonprofit to create an elected Ombudsman who would report to the board of directors and practice to IOA standards. A vote on the proposal has not be scheduled. (Claude Cornett's Blog; Cleveland Scene; TWDC Bylaws Committee.)

Ohio Ombuds Organization Holds First Meeting

On September 15, 2017, nine Ombuds from Ohio held their first meeting at The Ohio State University. The group included: Kimberly Jackson Davidson (Oberlin College); Kim Fulbright (University of Cincinnati); Jill E. Rudd (Cleveland State University); Amy Quillen (Kent State University); Mac Stricklen (Ohio University); Sally Rudmann (The Ohio State University); Angela E. Dash (Northeast Ohio Medical University); Daniel Aleksiejczyk (intern at Ohio University); and Bob Towner-Larsen (The Ohio State University).

Cleveland State Appoints Ombuds

Cleveland State University has named Jennifer M. Jeffers, PhD to serve as Ombuds of the College of Graduate Studies. Jeffers is a Professor of English and former Director of Graduate Studies in the English Department. She will also serve as an Associate Dean. Jeffers earned her doctorate in Comparative Literature from Emory University. Her current research is in 20th century art and literature, and the contemporary Irish novel. (CSU Campus Mail.)

Job Posting: Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic is accepting applications for an Ombuds at its South Pointe Hospital. "Through mediation and negotiation, the ombudsman ensures a positive working relationship between physicians, staff, patients, and their families in order to support and maintain the highest quality of patient standards." A bachelor's degree and 3-4 years of experience are required. No salary or closing date indicated. (Health Care Source.)

Cleveland State University to Appoint Permanent Ombuds

CSU Ohio has opened an internal search for a permanent University Ombudsperson. Earlier this year, CSU President Ronald Berkman announced that he was reinstating the Ombuds Office with the appointment of psychology professor Richard F. Rakos, PhD as interim Ombuds.

Eaton Names Ombuds Director

Eaton Corporation has named its compensation director, Ilene Butensky, to head the company's Office of the Ombuds. Butensky has worked for Eaton for 28 years in a variety of positions in human resources. Butensky holds a bachelor's degree from SUNY Albany, a master's degree in labor and industrial relations from the University of Illinois, and a juris doctor degree from the Cleveland Marshall College of Law in Ohio. (Crain's Cleveland Business; Eaton Press Release.)

(Related post Job Posting: Eaton Corp.)

Job Posting: Cleveland Metropolitan School District

The public school system in Ohio is hiring an Ombudsperson Manager. The position "manages the Office of the Ombudsperson and serves as an objective and neutral party tasked with listening and investigating complaints within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District." Reporting to the Chief Engagement Office, the Ombuds responds to concerns from parents/guardians and other members of the community. The district enrolls nearly 40,000 students in grades K-12.

Job Posting: Cleveland Clinic Florida

The Cleveland Clinic is looking to hire a health care Ombuds for its hospital in Ft. Lauderdale. Reporting to the Manager of Patient Relations, the position identifies, evaluates and resolves patient grievances/problems. Minimum five years extensive public relations experience preferably in a patient advocacy capacity in an interdisciplinary patient care setting are required. No salary or closing date indicated. (CareerBuilder.)