Frequently Asked Questions
Cedars-Sinai is sometimes called “the hospital to the stars.” Does it just care for affluent patients?
Not at all. We are often the hospital-of-choice for people who can afford the best possible care, but we are dedicated to serving people from all walks of life, regardless of socioeconomic status. Our services—many in partnership with community-based organizations—include outreach to children, seniors, and families in vulnerable and underserved communities. In 2011 alone, we provided $600 million in community benefit programs and outreach.
Does Cedars-Sinai make a profit?
No, it does not. Cedars-Sinai is a nonprofit institution; any income we earn goes back into supporting our mission: providing the best care to our community, conducting outcome-driven medical research, and training tomorrow’s physicians and other health professionals.
What percentage of my gift goes to the hospital and what percentage goes to pay for the cost of fund raising?
Nationwide, if an institution can keep its cost of fund raising to 20 percent, it is considered very efficient. At Cedars-Sinai, the cost of fund raising is just 11 percent—approximately 89 percent of every gift goes directly to the hospital to support research and new clinical care programs.
Cedars-Sinai seems to be a wealthy institution. Does it really need donor support?
Yes. Cedars-Sinai is a stable institution, but we are a nonprofit institution—and we owe much of our progress to the generous donors, many of whom have been our patients, who support our mission. Without this support, Cedars-Sinai would not have the resources to translate research discoveries into healthcare solutions; deliver excellent, compassionate care to the most vulnerable members of our community; build new, state-of-the-art facilities; or train the physicians who will advance medical science and care in the future.
Is Cedars-Sinai a Jewish hospital?
Our roots are in Jewish traditions that honor the science of healing and service to others. Our staff and patients, however, are as diverse as Los Angeles. We proudly care for people from all backgrounds and cultures. We also attract the finest faculty and staff, and, like our patients, they come from every cultural background and walk of life.
What is an endowment?
An endowment is a fund, often a philanthropic gift to an institution, made with the stipulation that it will be invested, with the original amount remaining intact permanently. This allows the gift to have an enduring impact. Income from endowments ensures that the Medical Center always has the funds it needs, regardless of political or financial trends.
Does Cedars-Sinai conduct research?
Yes—in fact, research is at the heart of the Cedars-Sinai mission and a major contributor to our ability to provide the best care. Many of our medical breakthroughs have transformed medical practice worldwide. Today, more than 900 research projects are exploring new cures, treatments, and technologies for heart disease, cancer, memory disorders, autoimmune disorders, and other key health challenges.
Is Cedars-Sinai a community hospital or an “academic medical center”?
It is both. Along with caring for patients, Cedars-Sinai is a hub for biomedical research and a training center for future physicians and other healthcare professionals. This attracts exceptional talent to Cedars-Sinai, including world-renowned physician-scientists who seek a place where they can both conduct research and see patients—the ideal formula for discovery and its translation into cures. Our patients benefit from access to doctors at the top of their fields, and our researchers have an ideal community in which to study the impact of healthcare challenges, and reflect that knowledge in their research.
Who owns Cedars-Sinai?
Cedars-Sinai is a community hospital. It belongs to the people of Los Angeles and is run as a nonprofit institution governed by a board of directors.