One of the proudest moments of John Corlett’s career as a public health and policy advocate impacted more than 38,000 Ohioans.

Corlett, as part of a group including MetroHealth hospital, and federal and state governments, was able to expand Medicaid in Ohio earlier than anticipated. Medicaid is a government program that provides health coverage for low-income adults, children, pregnant women and the elderly. The expansion helped more than 38,000 people who had never had or expected to have health insurance, he recalled recently. 

“We saw the impact almost immediately in our pharmacy,” Corlett said. “You feel really good when you help one individual. I thought, well, 38,000 people now get the healthcare that they need and deserve.” 

Corlett, a public health and policy advocate with a notable career in both Cleveland and Columbus, retired Nov. 30. He served for nearly a decade as president and executive director at the Center for Community Solutions, the nonprofit that compiles health data to advocate for policy changes before state and federal lawmakers. Emily Campbell, who was the chief operating officer for the organization, has succeeded him.  

Corlett sat down with Signal Cleveland to reflect on the progress made and the problems that still linger in Cleveland. This interview was edited for brevity and clarity. 

On Cleveland’s challenges and the work that still lies ahead: 

Poverty. It was heartbreaking to me that we let the child tax credit expire. It was a great effort to reduce childhood poverty. I know they’re still fighting to try and get it back. And that may still happen.

Poverty, particularly for older adults, is an area that’s worrisome because it’s growing consistently in that demographic. It’s still relatively low numbers compared to kids, but it’s headed in the wrong direction. 

The segregation in this city still largely hasn’t changed. There are pockets of it where it’s been improved. I think about all the redlining, whether it’s economic or race-based, I think that’s just harmful. I’d love to see more efforts around that, particularly around affordable housing, that could more fully integrate our communities. 

On his desire for a Health and Human Services Chamber to advocate with one voice:  

[I’d like to see] leaders from the health and human services sector in the city to come together, with one voice, to advocate for policies that will improve services to the people we serve in Cleveland. We’ve been doing a little bit of work over the last year talking to organizations and gauging people’s interest in a Health and Human Services Chamber. 

People [told us they] wanted to talk about problems, challenges and solutions in their work. People also thought the chamber shouldn’t be tied to a philanthropy or a funder.

Our hope is to get it off the ground in the first quarter of the new year. We would choose the policy issues and take it to elected officials and ask if they can support it. It would be in a more organized way to get people to rally around important issues than having separate committees or coalitions whose work are focused on narrow or niche issues. 

On Cleveland’s progress: 

Public and private funders have come to the table and put money in for issues in this city that are important. It had been an endless loop before where we sort of talked about how bad the lead poisoning crisis or education crisis was and it didn’t feel like we made any progress. But, now we were finally able to capture some resources and support with the Lead Safe Coalition and the Say Yes Program. 

I feel really positive about MetroHealth having a new hospital. It was a long time coming. When I worked at MetroHealth, patients didn’t have access to the best or most up-to-date technology in the facility. But now, they have access to a beautiful modern hospital with good support. It looks no different than walking into Cleveland Clinic or University Hospitals. 

I’m happy about what’s happened with public support for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. They did extraordinary work during the pandemic. What they’re doing in terms of trying to make sure people can access their public benefits is so crucial. 

I feel really good about the political leadership we have in the city. I know there are disagreements, but Mayor Bibb and [County Executive] Chris Ronayne are really effective spokespersons for the city and for our neighborhoods. 

On career reflection: 

When I started my career, all my initial bosses were women. I believed that was a big factor in my success because women just lead differently and I learned from their leadership. I also felt it was important to be who I am: out, gay and proud. It’s something I use when I work and lead. 

At the Center for Community Solutions, we started a statewide human services budget coalition that still exists today. We had over 5,000 people at this Health and Human Services rally in Columbus. That still invigorates me today. 

On what he’s looking forward to in retirement: 

I still want to be engaged. I still want to be an active part of the community. But, I want to pick and choose what I work on and have agency with that.

I’d also like to do some writing. I will be publishing on Community Solutions and will have my own blog. I’m interested in writing about how a group of unions were able to keep MetroHealth a public hospital and not turn it into a private one.

I will also write about policies I am interested in on my own blog. But, generally, I’m just excited about some much-needed travel and relaxation with my husband, Doug.

Corlett transitioned into a new role as senior visiting fellow for the Center for Community Solutions. In that role, he will research, write and speak on topics related to health and human services advocacy with a focus on Medicaid, nonprofits and healthcare. He is also a current board member of MetroHealth System.