Cleveland Clinic Florida Market’s Chief Medical Operations Officer Publicly Commits to MEDWATCH Awareness—A Rare Step Among U.S. Hospitals

April 19, 2025

Richard Rothman, MD, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and Chief Medical Operations Officer for the Cleveland Clinic Florida Market, made a public commitment during a well-attended community forum in Indian River County, Vero Beach, Florida, to implement MEDWATCH posters throughout the hospital. This move represents a monumental leap for human rights a significant breakthrough in the fight for informed consent and drug safety, witnessed by local residents.

The forum provided a platform for AbleChild, a nonprofit dedicated to informed consent in mental health, to directly address Dr. Rothman. AbleChild highlighted the hospital’s lack of public drug safety awareness, despite the routine use of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and called for a clear access point for patients to report adverse events directly to the FDA through MEDWATCH.

Notably, AbleChild has already followed up and provided an FDA-approved poster for patient/consumer awareness. These posters, previously lost in the digital world of the internet collecting byte dust, are now poised to be pulled from the dustbin of history into a tangible reality, potentially impacting hospitals across America. According to surveys conducted and the FDA, less than 1 percent of the population knows what the MEDWATCH system adverse reporting system is all about and how it protects us all. The United States currently allocates zero federal funding to this critical consumer reporting system.

Dr. Rothman acknowledged these concerns and, before the public audience, agreed that the hospital could do more. He welcomed AbleChild’s offer to collaborate on identifying optimal locations for MEDWATCH posters within the facility. AbleChild announced plans to follow up on this public commitment, with Dr. Rothman agreeing to personally walk the hospital halls with AbleChild to ensure a great location for MEDWATCH Consumer access points.

This initiative positions Cleveland Clinic Indian River as a national leader in connecting patients directly to the FDA’s adverse event reporting system—a major victory for transparency and patient rights. Importantly, it remains unclear whether any other hospitals in the United States are taking similar public steps to raise MEDWATCH awareness, underscoring the unique and potentially precedent-setting nature of this commitment.

What you can do.  Sign the Petition calling for federal hearings!

Donate! Every dollar you give is a powerful statement, a resounding declaration that the struggles of these families will no longer be ignored. Your generosity today will echo through generations, ensuring that the rights and well-being of children are fiercely guarded. Don’t let another family navigate this journey alone. Donate now and join us in creating a world where every child’s mind is nurtured, respected, and given the opportunity to thrive.  As a 501(c)3 organization, your donation to AbleChild is not only an investment in the well-being of vulnerable children but also a tax-deductible contribution to a cause that transcends individual lives.