CLEVELAND -- Betty Rosskamm, and her late husband, Martin, are pillars in the Cleveland business community, growing one small fabric shop into the nation’s leading fabric and crafts retailer, Jo-Ann Stores. Their success benefits the community in numerous ways, and today, that includes helping the patients of Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.
With a ceremony held Monday night, the Rosskamms dedicated and established The Martin and Betty Rosskamm Chair for Pediatric Gastroenterology in Honor of Fred C. Rothstein, MD.
Dr. Fred Rothstein, President and CEO of University Hospitals of Cleveland, has been a leader in Cleveland’s healthcare community for nearly 30 years. He is also the Rosskamms’ son-in-law. (He married their daughter, Jackie, in 1973.)
The Rosskamm Chair, endowed with a generous $1.5 million gift, will furnish a perpetual contribution to the care of pediatric gastroenterology, Dr. Rothstein’s specialty, at Rainbow.
"Betty Rosskamm’s exceptional gift will aid in bringing the very best physicians to the division of pediatric gastroenterology as well as help fund clinical research for the advancement of this specialty," said Thomas F. Zenty III, President and CEO of University Hospitals Health System. "The generosity of the Rosskamm?s and the unprecedented service of Fred are a combination that is sure to bear a significant mark on this hospital system for many years to come."
Dr. Rothstein first arrived at University Hospitals of Cleveland after graduating from Chicago Medical School University Health Sciences in 1976. During the next five years, he completed an internship and residency in the Department of Pediatrics and a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. Dr. Rothstein went on to serve in a variety of teaching positions at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. After holding the position of Chief of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology at Rainbow, Dr. Rothstein was Director of the Pediatrics Department and Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs at The Mt. Sinai Medical Center.
In 1996, Dr. Rothstein returned to University Hospitals and advanced through a series of executive roles, until being named President and CEO of University Hospitals of Cleveland in 2003.
"Fred is a tremendous leader. He truly sees the societal need for leading a very large, complex healthcare organization, and the importance it plays in the community," said Mr. Zenty. "I think he really wants to make a difference: a difference in University Hospitals of Cleveland, a difference in University Hospitals Heath System, and a difference in the City of Cleveland itself."
In appreciation of Dr. Rothstein’s distinguished career, the Rosskamm Chair will celebrate his commitment and contributions as a leader at the hospital and in the community. This family gift will promote the advancement of pediatric gastroenterology in the family’s name for years to come, and it is truly a lifelong legacy for the Rosskamm’s and the Rothstein’s.
"At this stage in my mother’s life, it is certainly appropriate that she experiences the pleasure of sharing her wealth with causes and institutions that are significant in her life," said Alan Rosskamm, Mrs. Rosskamm’s son.
"The accomplishments of both my husband and Fred are near and dear to my heart, and our family, but this chair, first and foremost is intended to do something important for Rainbow, and for the community," said Mrs. Rosskamm. "I am honoring my son-in-law, I’m honoring my husband, and it is going to an institution of which I have the highest regard."