George E. Kikano, MD, CPE, FAAFP

Dorothy Jones Weatherhead Professor and Chairman

On behalf of the Department of Family Medicine at Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Case Medical Center, I would like to welcome you to our web page.  We are excited about the many positive changes within our institutions and continuing growth in the department. We have expanded our services to increase the focus on geriatric medicine and completed the transition to a unified hospital-based practice plan. Here are a few departmental highlights.

Research.

The importance of ongoing research in primary care cannot be understated. The majority of pieces are in place for us to continue to lead research in our field, in an ever-changing health care system. Our research division is one of the best in our field nationally and internationally.  We continue to be ranked by NIH in the top ten Family Medicine departments nationally.

• Our researchers lead the field with focuses on cancer epidemiology and prevention, cultural competency and obesity in minority women.
• We manage several practice-based research networks and are unique in having a focus on urban practices.
• Our training grants advance the careers of junior investigators and research among residents is fostered via a grant providing resident funding in the three Cleveland Family Medicine programs.
• From a leadership standpoint, Dr. Kurt Stange’s award as Clinical Research Professor of the American Cancer Society marks the first primary care physician ever to receive such an honor.

Community Outreach.

Community service is an appropriate emphasis for our department, as most of the programs established are now in place and working to deliver important care to patients in need.  

• In its fifth year, our House Call Program, serving inner city and disadvantaged seniors, has become a teaching jewel for medical students and residents. With generous support from local foundations, we are able to continue the program and have added much-needed social services.
• The Center for Adolescent Health continues to evaluate health risk behavior in adolescents in urban schools.
• Through a collaborative model with the Department of Internal Medicine and with support from hospital leadership, we developed the Center for Geriatric Medicine. Under Dr. Peter DeGolia’s direction, we recruited several physicians, mid-level providers and implemented multiple initiatives. A focus on providing clinical services to the aging population in Cuyahoga County affords us the unique opportunity to fill a community need, train fellows and students in the care of this population and expand our nursing home affiliations.

Training Tomorrow’s Leaders

Last year the residency program celebrated more than 30 years of training generations of physicians. We are proud of their many successes and the positive impact they have on regional, national and international associations.

• Many of our graduates hold prestigious national and international leadership positions.  
• In recent years, more than half of our residents have remained in Ohio, with many practicing in underserved and rural areas.
• The international health track and the dual residency-MPH program serve as innovative models of training for other departments.
• At a time of decreased interest in primary care, we are proud that 14 medical students chose a career in Family Medicine and that our UHCMC based residency program filled in the match with outstanding residents.

We continue to further our mission of “integrating patient care, teaching and research to prevent disease and promote the health of individuals, families and communities.”