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CLEVELAND CLINIC, INNOCENTIVE IN AN EFFORT TO gather ideas from a worldwide network of problem solv- ers, Cleveland Clinic is collaborating with InnoCentive, an open innovation and crowdsourcing company, to present a series of chal- lenges designed to advance patient care and biomedical research. InnoCentive collaborates with organiza- tions to solve problems and discover solutions by connecting them with the world's largest and most diverse commu- nity of innovators and problem solvers. The Cleveland Clinic Medical Innovation Pavilion went live on InnoCentive's web- site in July to offer a series of problems that, when solved, will have a substantial impact on medical research. Each "InnoCentive Challenge" poses a medical problem or situation where a better, yet unknown, solution could be available for patients. Individuals who submit a win- ning solution will earn monetary awards. Cleveland Clinic announced a $30,000 Theoretical Challenge which is posted on the Cleveland Clinic Medical Innovation Pavilion on InnoCentive.com. In an effort to advance post-operative healing, Cleveland Clinic seeks ideas for a small COLLABORATE TO SOLVE HEALTHCARE CHALLENGES Crowdsourcing Seen as a Way to Advance Healthcare and Biomedical Research sensor device that could report the dis- placement between a soft tissue and bone. Traditional surgery to repair torn liga- ments or tendons relies on sutures to reconnect the soft tissue to the bone. However, since no two people heal at the same rate or with the same quality, it is diffi cult for doctors to determine if opti- mal healing has taken place before starting specifi c rehabilitation or other activities. The Challenge is open to the public. The Cleveland Clinic-InnoCentive Col laborat ion is being managed through Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute. n Aultman was a logical choice, she said, because its management shares a vision of developing a highly effective, integrated system of health services. "We want to be able to continue to invest in new equipment and technol- ogy so we can continue to provide our patients with low-cost, high-quality care," says Dr. Suppan. "We want to strengthen the services our community depends on us to provide. This arrange- ment will allow us to do that." According to Edward J. Roth III, president and CEO of Aultman Health Foundation, the arrangement means Dunlap will remain a not-for-profit, community hospital in Orrville with a local voice. "We think that's good for the people of Orrville and good for both our institu- tions," he says. "Our board looked carefully at this opportunity and deter- mined Dunlap Community Hospital offered a good fi t to support our mission of leading our community to improved health." Under the arrangement, Dunlap will continue to operate as a critical access hospital, and the current management team will remain in place. Both parties said it is too early to comment on specifi c changes that might take place at Dunlap Community Hospital, but the intent is to preserve existing services and expand access to additional services. "We expect to work closely with the Dunlap staff in the months ahead to integrate their programs and services," Roth says. "We will be looking to improve effi ciencies where we can, but we intend to respect the unique role that Dunlap plays in Orrville and the surrounding communities." As part of the transition, the Dunlap board of directors will continue to have 12 members: six members will be selected by the current Dunlap board and six will be selected by the Aultman Health Foundation board. Roth and Suppan said they expect the board selec- tion process to be a collaborative effort designed to support Dunlap's mission. The fi nal agreement is expected to be completed this fall, after further details are completed by both Dunlap and Aultman, and the proposed arrangement is submitted to the state of Ohio. n MDNEWS.COM SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2011 MD NEWS Cleveland-Akron-Canton | 7