Who We Are
The department of Family Medicine at Cleveland Clinic consists of more than 60 staff members. Located primarily at Family Health Centers, many of the physicians are involved in the Family Medicine residency Program at Fairview Hospital. As family physicians, these providers are specially trained in managing patients of all ages from birth to death.
We have family physicians working throughout The Cleveland Clinic. Family Medicine sites include Beachwood, Brunswick, Chargrin Falls, Independence, Solon, Strongsville, Westlake, Wooster and the Center for Family Medicine at Fairview Hospital. Family Medicine physicians are also working in other capacities at the Cleveland Clinic's Main Campus.
We have had a Department of Family Medicine at Cleveland Clinic dating back to 1997.
John Hickner, MD, Cleveland Clinic Chairman of Family Medicine joins us from University of Chicago Department of Family Medicine where he was Vice-Chair. Dr. Hickner is a researcher of patient safety and primary care-quality. Dr. Hickner will continue to see patients, while focusing on primary care issues through the soon-to-be-formed Medicine Institute for Research and Innovation. His research will center on patient safety, access to care and promote primary care as a career choice for medical students. After receiving his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine, Dr. Hickner completed his residency in family medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina and received a master’s degree in Biostatistics and Research Design from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. He is board-certified in family medicine.
What is a Family Physician?
Family Physicians are trained in 3-year graduate medical training (residency) programs after the completion of 4 years of conventional training in medical school. Family Physicians specialize in the primary care of all members the family. This includes the care of newborns, infants and toddlers, school age children, adolescents, adult patients, and elderly patients. The goal of Family Physicians is to provide preventive and primary care across the spectrum of common complaints and concerns that patients encounter. When additional specialty consultative opinion and care is required, Family Physicians take on the task of coordinating these referrals and coordination of the patients overall care. The Family Physician is well trained to take care of the full range of common patient concerns throughout your lifetime. Our Family Physicians will either take care of patients in the hospital setting or arrange for hospitalization in an appropriate environment with the appropriate specialist. For further information about the roles and functions of a Family Physician, see the American Academy of Family Physicians website, www.aafp.org.
Family Physician or Internist?
Choosing the right physician for you and your family. Confused by the differences between a Family Physician and an Internal Medicine Physician? You’re not alone! If you’re looking for a physician for yourself and/or your family, consider the following: Both Family Physicians and Internal Medicine Physicians (or Internists) are highly trained in all major medical areas. The main difference is that Family Physicians specialize in family medicine. In other words, they are trained to care for patients through all the stages of their lives – from birth and beyond. Internal Medicine Physicians specialize in adult medicine. Years of education and training prepare them for preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases primarily affecting adults. Ideally, a Family Physician cares for several members – perhaps even generations – of the same family. They make a point of knowing the family health history of a patient and how it affects the patient’s overall health. Internal Medicine Physicians are able to solve puzzling diagnostic problems and care for adult patients with chronic and multiple illnesses. Both Family Physicians and Internal Medicine Physicians pay special attention to preventive medicine. And they know when to treat patients themselves and when to call a specialist their patients trust.
Contact Us
For questions related to the Cleveland Clinic Department of Family Medicine, please contact 216.445.8915.
