Residents of northwest Ohio will soon find University-quality health care closer to home as The University Medical Center begins opening a series of primary care clinics across the region.

Embracing the institution’s educational mission, the first clinic – accepting patients beginning Feb. 16 – will offer a weekly wellness class led by UTMC physicians, nutritionists and therapists in addition to afully functional laboratory and stellar one-on-one clinical care with a UTMCphysician.

Dr. Lawrence Monger will lead the first clinic and join University and hospital leaders as they cut the ribbon on UTMC’s first Family Physicians primary care clinic located at the northeast corner of Talmadge and Sylvania near Franklin Park Mall Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 9:30 a.m.

“As the only university medical center in the region, it is important that we make that level of care available to families throughout the region who have trouble fitting a doctor’s visit at UTMC into their busy schedules,” said Dr. Scott Scarborough, senior vice president and executive director for UTMC.

“By positioning ourselves very near the Westfield Franklin Park Mall and other commercial centers in our community, UTMC Primary Care Physicians will be a more convenient way to access the best medical care in the region,” Scarborough said.

Monger, who comes to UTMC from the St. Vincent Health system in Indianapolis, Ind., said that his specialty in Internal Medicine and hisinterest in preventative medicine, weight loss, exercise and nutrition willprovide educational opportunities well beyond what patients would get during a standard doctor’s visit.

“The University provides the education framework for those looking to improve their health that can make the process a lot less intimidating,” Monger said. “A doctor may recommend that patients lose weight and exercise, but for many, that conversation with a nutritionist or a fitness trainer in a supportive setting is the difference between success and giving up.”

The 6 Weeks to Wellness educational program is slated to take place from 6 to 7 p.m. each Tuesday starting March 6. Space is limited and registrants for the initial 6-week class will get a substantial discount off of the regular cost. These special classes will address:

Healthy Living, Healthy Weight – how lifestyle, genetics impact health;
Healthy Eating – eat healthy on any budget, cooking demos, menu planning;
Fitness for Life – learn how to develop a safe fitness program;
Getting the Knots Out – benefits of massage therapy, yoga, Pilates;
Fitness on the Go – develop fitness plans for at home or while traveling; and
Ageless Living – how to commit to wellness for a lifetime.

“As the demand for University-quality care has continued to grow, we’ve looked for ways to meet that need,” said Dr. Jeffrey Gold, chancellor and executive vice president for biosciences and health affairs and dean of the College of Medicine and Life Sciences. “University medical centers set the bar for health care in many communities. Our success in conveying this message has led to the need for us to continue to expand to areas where families can quickly and conveniently receive the best care available.”

Gold and Scarborough said UTMC is looking at other sites around northwest Ohio to establish additional clinics where similar University Primary Care Clinics will be located.

Monger also highlighted the high touch / high technology and information security the new office will provide patients.

“Patients will find a much more seamless experience that will automatically and securely connect with the emergency room, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology or other records from patients’ visits at UTMC or future Family Physicians locations,” Monger said.

Monger, who will be the lead physician, is board certified in Internal Medicine – the specialty that provides primary, comprehensive, lifelong care to adolescents and adults with both simple and complex diseases – received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio and completed his residency training at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. He has practiced medicine for more than 17 years, including five as a medical officer in the U.S. Army.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Feb. 15, 2012)
13 ABC, WTOL 11, FOX Toledo and WNWO (Feb. 20, 2012)

Tags: The University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC)