At University Hospitals Cutler Center for Men, the focus is on helping men connect with health care in a non-intimidating setting
By Laura Briedis
Most men don’t listen to a jazz concert with their doctors or cheer on the Browns at a football party in their doctor’s office, but University Hospitals Cutler Center for Men is not your typical medical center.
When you walk into the Center’s flagship location at UH Ahuja Medical Center in Beachwood, instead of a typical waiting room, there are pool and foosball tables, a Zen area where you can relax, and seats from the Browns stadium overlooking an indoor football field. Its relaxed, welcoming atmosphere is a stark contrast to many healthcare facilities that can be a bit sterile or intimidating.
“Our mission is to improve men’s health. Many neglect going to the doctor because they don’t understand how to stay healthy, or may even be scared of seeing a doctor,” says Greg Hall, MD, internal medicine physician and Medical Director of UH Cutler Center for Men. “It is important that men have a primary care doctor who can focus on preventative care that will help them live longer, healthier lives.”
“Women have always had specialized centers to address their healthcare needs, so we wanted a place for men,” adds Dr. Hall, who is also the Edgar B. Jackson Jr., MD, Chair for Diversity & Clinical Excellence at UH.
UH Cutler Center for Men is also focused on reaching underserved populations. “We want all men to have a primary care doctor, get health screenings, and get better access to care when they need it, but we also want to be a resource for other aspects of their life, including healthy relationships, financial security, workplace stressors and more,” says Dr. Hall, who was born and raised in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood and has been practicing internal medicine for 30 years.
“Our goal is to improve men’s health, but also address disparities in health care, specifically for minority men,” says Randy A. Vince Jr., MD, MS, a urologic oncologist who is the Minority Men’s Health Director for UH Cutler Center for Men. “I’m from Baltimore, but Cleveland, like many other cities around our country, is plagued by disparities in health care. My experiences living in the inner city are what drove me to become a surgeon and tackle these problems.”
Though the flagship location is in Beachwood, UH Cutler Center for Men has a network of providers throughout other offices in Northeast Ohio, and it also brings healthcare support to urban neighborhoods.
“I want to meet men where they are, in their neighborhood or at community meetings, to tell them my own story and background and the emotional toll on families when a father, brother, uncle or grandfather dies far younger than he should—perhaps because he never saw a doctor,” Dr. Vince says. “Addressing healthcare disparities is bigger than just seeing a physician. We want to help men in all aspects of life, whether it is mental health or financial literacy. We take a holistic approach to health care.”
Free Membership
When men enroll in University Hospitals Cutler Center for Men, they will get access to health experts, services and resources needed for a lifetime of good physical and mental health.
At the core of the program is access to the Joe Team. A wellness wingman of sorts, this health guide helps navigate patients through all aspects of health care. From helping find specialists to offering relationship advice, these Joes are here to make health care more approachable.
Focusing on prevention, treatment and full-life fitness, UH Cutler Center for Men helps men partner with a primary care provider for an annual exam, provides a network of specialty care experts, if needed, and offers links to holistic health, nutrition and multi-dimensional wellness programs to go beyond what is traditionally considered health care.
To get started on your wellness journey, call 216-285-4JOE (4563) or enroll online at UHhospitals.org/CutlerCenter. UH Cutler Center for Men is located at 3999 Richmond Road in Beachwood.