Uptown Consortium Inc.’s (UCI) anchor organizations--University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, UC Health and the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden--show no signs of slowing down their contributions to the neighborhoods of Uptown, and the region, with just a few weeks left in the year. As the area’s largest employers’ and its largest tourist attraction, they collectively continue to make positive impacts on the region through innovation and community inclusion. We wanted to share what each anchor organization has going on in Uptown as 2023 comes to a close to show the impacts they are making.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center leads the way when it comes to advances and innovation in pediatric medicine and making children and their families who need youth health care services comfortable. From making sure children spending the holidays in the hospital don’t miss out on the magic of the season to a huge gift that is helping strengthen services in high demand, a lot is happening at Cincinnati Children’s that is also consistent with UCI’s mission to strengthen the Uptown community, and the SW Ohio Region through innovation and inclusion:
Youth Mental and Behavioral Health Services Expand
A new Mental and Behavioral Health Institute (MBHI) has been established thanks to a generous $15 million donation from The James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Foundation in Cincinnati.
This donation is transforming Cincinnati Children’s mental and behavioral health services by streamlining, expanding and incorporating them into other medical services for children.
The top priorities of the new institute include decreasing mental health emergency visits and hospitalization rates, reducing school absences due to mental health issues, eliminating youth suicide in the region and ensuring that every child has access to care.
Innovation and Drug Development
Representatives from Cincinnati Children’s partner, BridgeBio, will visit the hospital on Tuesday, December 5, to discuss research partnership opportunities to develop drugs that target genetic diseases.
This is an example of research opportunities and efforts that have happened for more than 80 years at Cincinnati Children’s.
It is sponsored by Cincinnati Children’s Innovation Ventures, the arm of the organization that fosters medical innovation and connects it with patients.
Holiday Gifting Toy Drive
With the arrival of the holiday season, there’s an opportunity for the community to help make holiday magic for children spending the holidays in the hospital instead of at home. The annual Holiday Gifting Toy Drive for those children happens in mid-December. Dates and times for the drive at the Liberty Township and Cincinnati locations and the hospital’s Amazon Wish List are found here.
University of Cincinnati
Next Lives Here is the motto that serves as the University of Cincinnati’s (UC) north star. There is an effort across the campus, located in Uptown, to embrace that strategic direction, from attracting new students and expanding what it offers to welcoming new members of the campus community. These align with UCI’s efforts to attract top-level talent to the area, create jobs and foster an environment of innovation, inclusion and growth in Uptown. Here are some important updates from campus:
University of Cincinnati Alumnus Named one of Forbes 30 Under 30 lists
Javier Viaña (VEE-ON-YA), who earned his master and a PhD from the UC College of Engineering and Applied Science, has been recognized as a 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 award recipient under the science category for his exceptional contributions to the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
Fall 2023 Commencement
UC awarded more than 2,500 new associate, undergraduate and graduate degrees earlier this month, and 14% of graduates are first-generation college students.
Some of the university milestones this year’s fall class experienced during their time at UC include: the new Digital Futures grand opening in 2022 as a collaborative research hub for science and industry, followed by a grand opening 2.0 in 2023.
To learn more about UC’s growth and why it stands out among the nation’s best universities in innovation, medicine, and business, click here.
Early Action Deadline
Fall 2024 semester first-year admissions Early Action Deadline applications are open with a rolling deadline. This gives applicants priority consideration to the University’s more competitive programs, including nursing, medicine and engineering.
Information about how to apply is located here.
Portman Center for Policy Solutions Opens
The new center officially opened in October and is housed in the College of Arts & Sciences.
It was created to promote finding common ground to solve policy problems, to develop future public leaders from across the public spectrum and to renew emphasis on bipartisan engagement and open, inclusive and civil conversations.
Happenings at the 1819 Innovation Hub
Heapy Engineering has moved into the building, opening its sixth regional office.
Western & Southern is preparing their suite for occupancy in the coming weeks.
BTS, a global strategy implementation company based out of Stockholm, will locate its “global innovation, digital transformation and environmental, social and corporate governance” center within the 1919 Innovation Hub.
Another new corporate partner will be announced soon.
UC Health
Top clinicians and researchers at UC Health continue to provide world-class healthcare to the Greater Cincinnati region that aligns with its mission of advancing medicine and improving the health of all people. These efforts make it possible for UCI to attract other top talent and members of the health care industry to Uptown. As the end of 2023 approaches, UC Health is celebrating exciting developments and some brand-new programs that will impact the health and lives of people in Uptown and beyond:
The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center has joined the National Cancer Institute’s Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (ETCTN), providing patients with access to cutting-edge treatments only available through the network. Read more about UC Health’s involvement in this program here.
The UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute celebrates a decade as the National Coordinating Center of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) StrokeNet and was recently awarded a five-year renewal. This program is the pipeline for U.S. trials of stroke research funded by NIH to discover new potential treatments for adults, children, and those at risk. The UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute has served as the National Coordinating Center for NIH StrokeNet since its inception in September 2013, with competitive renewal every five years.
A new partnership with Cincinnati Public Schools provides lifesaving “Stop the Bleed” training to juniors and seniors across the district, helping empower more people in the community to save lives during times of crisis. This program is offered at no cost as part of UC Health’s leadership role as Southwest Ohio’s only adult Level 1 trauma center. Click here for more information.
The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center’s Dr. Leeya Pinder is among the first 11 U.S. people named Cancer Moonshot Scholars by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The award will support her cervical cancer research and is part of the White House’s Cancer Moonshot Initiative. Learn more about Dr. Pinder’s award and research here.
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
The leading tourist attraction in our region sits in the heart of Uptown, inviting guests from near and far to learn about conservation efforts for certain breeds of animals and be part of something bigger than the local community. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden offers something for everyone and welcomes everyone. It captures the true spirit of UCI’s mission, where innovation, inclusivity, and community come together.
PNC Festival of Lights (runs through – Sunday, January 7, 2024)
Illuminated by more than four million radiant LED lights, visitors to the PNC Festival of Lights can enjoy festive puppet shows, meet Mr. & Mrs. Claus, and experience the Wild Lights show on Swan Lake this holiday season.
Admission to the PNC Festival of Lights is free with paid Zoo admission.
Saturday, December 23, is the last day to visit with Santa.
The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 24), Christmas Eve (Sunday, December 24), and Christmas Day (Monday, December 25).
Ring in the New Year on Sunday, December 31, with Happy Zoo Year; early countdown at 8 p.m., free with paid Zoo admission.
New Habitat Addition Coming Soon
Construction has started on Elephant Trek, the Zoo’s largest-ever habitat, topping out at five acres.
It will be home to a multi-generational herd of Asian elephants by the end of 2024.
The habitat makes the Zoo a leader in elephant care, conservation, and research.
Annual Membership Sale
All memberships to The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden are discounted during the annual membership sale through December 31. Buy a new or virtual membership, renew a membership, or gift a membership for 2024. Click here for more information.