Fred DeGrandis lost his father, Joseph V. DeGrandis, to ALS in January 1997. Along with his mother and his five siblings, he started the “Strike Out! ALS” benefit in 1998. Proceeds from the event benefited local care programs at The ALS Association Northern Ohio Chapter. StrikeOut ALS event is now one of the Chapter’s signature events, raising nearly $3,000,000 since its inception. In 2002, Fred joined the Chapter’s Board of Directors and served as Chair from 2003-2007. He retired from the Chapter board in 2013 and was immediately appointed Chairman Emeritus. He remains an active fundraiser and advocates for the Chapter. He now serves on the National Board of Trustees as Chair of the Public Policy Committee.
DeGrandis is an experienced senior executive with 30+ years of successful leadership and governance of hospitals, health systems, physician groups, and community and civic organizations. During his tenure at The Cleveland Clinic, he served in various senior executive offices including the first President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Clinic’s Regional Hospitals, the CEO/President of the Cleveland Clinic Western Region Hospitals, President of the Cleveland Clinic Health Network, CEO/President and Senior Advisor of Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in the United Arab Emirates and the Chair of the Community Physician Partnership and Quality Alliance. He also served as President/CEO at St. John Medical Center and COO/Chief Legal Counsel of Lakewood Hospital and the Managing Director of the Global Center of Health Innovation.