Community West Foundation Board of Directors Spotlight: Fred DeGrandis

Fred M. DeGrandis is one of the longest-serving members of the Community West Foundation Board of Directors having joined the group in 2003. When reflecting on his tenure, he commented, “it’s a ministry and it’s giving to others. Being present in people’s lives is the best gift you can give to them. At Community West, we learn about need and help make organizations and our community better through our grantmaking. I am honored to serve with a great group of individuals who comprise the governance and leadership at Community West.”

Mr. DeGrandis spent the majority of his career in various senior executive roles at Cleveland Clinic. His roles included President and CEO of Cleveland Clinic Regional Hospitals, President and CEO of Cleveland Clinic Western Region Hospitals, and President of Cleveland Clinic Health Network. He also spent four years in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, as the President, CEO and Senior Advisor to Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, which was managed by Cleveland Clinic. After his return, he was named the first Chair of the Cleveland Clinic Community Physician Partnership and Quality Alliance.

Prior to his tenure with Cleveland Clinic, Mr. DeGrandis was President and CEO of St. John Medical Center and COO and Chief Legal Counsel of Lakewood Hospital. He served as the Managing Director of the Global Center for Health Innovation. He also served as Executive Assistant to and Mayor and City Prosecutor for the City of Lakewood. In his retirement, he provides consulting, executive mentoring and coaching/advisor services to regional and national healthcare organizations. He also is an adjunct Professor at Baldwin Wallace’s Healthcare MBA and MHA school.

Mr. DeGrandis currently serves on the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Global Board of Directors and is the Vice Chair of ALS Association National Board of Trustees. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital, Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio (Chair), Visiting Nurse Association Health Group, Neighborhood Family Practice and Gateway for Cancer Research. Mr. DeGrandis serves as the past Board Chair of the American Heart Association-Cleveland Metro and the Catholic Community Foundation. Among his many past board affiliations were the Ohio Hospital Board of Trustees, Ohio University Centers for Osteopathic Education, Baldwin Wallace University and St. Ignatius High School, his alma mater.

Mr. DeGrandis is a lifelong Clevelander. He studied education, political science and English at the University of Michigan, then spent two years teaching middle school students, which he always says was his toughest job. He went on to receive his law degree from Cleveland State University’s John Marshall College of Law. It was his work for City of Lakewood when he first experienced the remarkable and inspiring services to patients by hospital caregivers that attracted him to pursue a career in healthcare.

He and his wife, Nora, reside in Rocky River. Their three children, Fred, Jessica and Natalie, their spouses, Lissette, Brain and Taylor and their five grandchildren, all live locally. Mr. DeGrandis is passionate about spending time with his family, especially the grandkids. He also loves listening to books, gardening and reading.

For more information, contact Community West Foundation at 440-360-7370 or visit CommunityWestFoundation.org.