Research News

Cleveland Clinic announces the upcoming retirement of Charlotte Bhasin, MOT, OTR/L, Vice President of Research, Innovations, and Education, effective June 2026. After 41 years of service, Bhasin leaves an extraordinary legacy that has shaped how Cleveland Clinic advances research, education, and patient care for the future.

Bhasin’s career at Cleveland Clinic began in patient care. As the first occupational therapist hired into the newly established Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis—the nation’s first interdisciplinary center of its kind—she helped define a new model of team based, patient-focused care. Her pioneering efforts led to the first published Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults with Neurodegenerative Diseases and advanced rehabilitation technologies for individuals with severe neurological impairments. Through innovative adaptations to computers and wheelchairs, Bhasin empowered patients with greater independence, communication and quality of life.

Her impact expanded through leadership roles across the organization. As Director of Rehabilitation Services, Bhasin integrated operations across Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus and Family Health Centers, leading more than 300 physical and occupational therapy professionals. Her leadership strengthened collaboration, streamlined systems and elevated performance across care settings.

Bhasin later transitioned into research administration, where she played a foundational role in building Cleveland Clinic’s modern research enterprise. As the inaugural Administrative Director of the Cleveland Clinic site of the NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) and the M51 Clinical Research Unit, she helped establish key research infrastructure that supports collaboration, discovery and academic growth. In subsequent roles, including Executive Director of Health and Patient-Focused Research within Lerner Research Institute, she strengthened partnerships between research and clinical institutes and guided enterprise-wide strategy and innovation.

As Vice President of Research, Innovations, and Education, Bhasin led the administrative transformation of Cleveland Clinic’s global research and education enterprise into a cohesive, integrated ecosystem. Her visionary leadership helped align strategy, accelerate innovation and position Cleveland Clinic for sustained advancement and global impact.

“Charlotte’s career is defined by both purpose and permanence,” says Serpil Erzurum, MD, Executive Vice President, Chief Research and Academic Officer and the Alfred Lerner Memorial Chair in Innovative Biomedical Research. “From pioneering new models of clinical care to shaping our global research and education enterprise, she built with intention and led with humility, leaving a legacy that will endure well beyond her tenure.”

Cleveland Clinic congratulates Bhasin on her remarkable career and thanks her for more than four decades of leadership and service.