CLEVELAND, OHIO—February 1, 2023—The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is proud to host “Reflections From the Precipice of Hope,” a virtual presentation by Dr. Edward M. Barksdale Jr., on Thursday, February 23, at 6:30pm. Free and open to the public, this event is the latest installment in the Museum’s ongoing DiscoverE series, which explores scientific issues through webinars, workshops, and presentations. Event information and registration are available on our website. Participants must register to receive the event link.
A nationally recognized leader in pediatric surgery, Dr. Barksdale will reflect on the important and interconnected roles of “meds, eds (universities), and museums” in inspiring individuals, addressing social issues, and developing communities. He will also discuss his work with the Antifragility Initiative, a holistic, person-centered violence-intervention program funded by the State of Ohio. Through his collaborative violence-prevention efforts in the City of Cleveland, Dr. Barksdale has gained insight into the role of despair in driving adversity—and found himself at the precipice of hope. He aims to inspire cross-sector collaboration in the region, particularly in University Circle, to positively transform Northeast Ohio.
Dr. Barksdale is Surgeon-in-Chief at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and the Robert J. Izant, Jr. Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Dr. Ed, as he is affectionately known, has spent more than 30 years as a clinician, a scientist, and an advocate working in such diverse areas as cancer biology, fetal surgery, medical-device design, and social justice.
Dr. Barksdale serves on the Board of Directors of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. He first encountered what is now University Circle in the mid-1960s, visiting Cleveland as a 7-year-old to drop off his sister at Western Reserve University. With each visit, he grew more eager to engage with the beauty of Wade Oval and cultivate the awe that he experienced in its museums. At that time in Cleveland’s history, the city was in the midst of turmoil and transformation—the result of a national recognition of historical injustices. Dr. Barksdale’s visits to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History served as an early source of inspiration, encouraging him to pursue scientific inquiry and academic excellence as well as social service.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Transformation Project
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History broke ground in June 2021 on a $150 million transformation project, which features an expansion, a complete reimagining of its campus and all its exhibits, and the addition of new public spaces. Pioneering a new model for natural history museums, this bold reinvention will place visitors at the center of the Museum experience—allowing them to better understand their connection with the natural world and the relevance of science to their daily lives. The transformed space will reflect the Museum’s world-class assets while serving as a trusted community resource that prioritizes accessibility and engagement. The Transforming the World of Discovery campaign has raised more than $122 million for this project, which will expand the Museum's building and outdoor visitor areas to more than 375,000 square feet. The Museum appreciates the generous support from community members, corporations, foundations, and government grants that has helped to make this transformation a reality.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass more than 5 million artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards nearly 12,000 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit CMNH.org.
Media Contact:
Samantha Guenther
External Communications Manager
216.403.4557
[email protected]