Fifth Third kicks in cash for hospital expansion

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Christ Hospital

The 355,000-square-foot Joint and Spine Center is part of a $280 million expansion, the biggest ever by Cincinnati's second-largest hospital.

Barrett J. Brunsman

Staff reporter- Cincinnati Business Courier

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Christ Hospital has received donations totaling $1 million from funds overseen by Fifth Third Bank. The money will help pay for the Joint and Spine Center being built on the hospital's Mount Auburn campus.

The 355,000-square-foot building is part of a $280 million expansion, the biggest ever at Cincinnati's second-largest hospital. Work is 85 percent complete, and it should be done by May. The center could open by late summer 2015.

The donations were made by the Fifth Third Foundation and the Jacob Schmidlapp Trusts. Schmidlapp founded Union Savings Bank in 1876, which merged with Fifth Third Bank in 1919.

"We are very excited about the level of care the Joint and Spine Center will bring to Greater Cincinnati and its focus on making the patient experience among the very best in the country," said Heidi Jark, managing director of the Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank. "We are proud to support Christ Hospital's efforts to meet the growing needs of our community and improve lives."

The Joint and Spine Center will be used for orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, hand, ankle and pain management procedures, rehabilitation and clinical research. Twelve operating rooms will be added to the existing 38 at the hospital, and 87 of Christ's 455 beds will be designated for the use of patients treated there.

The donations from Fifth Third will be used for general purposes related to the Joint and Spine Center.

"As Christ Hospital celebrates 125 years of serving the community, we are truly grateful to receive such generous support for the future," said Mike Keating, CEO of the Christ Hospital Health Network.

Brunsman covers Procter & Gamble Co. and health care.