Putting patients first

 The doctors and practitioners at Eastwest Primary Care have cultivated a style of health care that treats patients to a host of unexpected perks, from same-day appointments to 24/7 emergency care, and following a paradigm of preventive services.

Founded earlier this year by a medical team that had been together at a major Cleveland healthcare system, now the private practice, with locations in Solon and Parma, has the freedom to shower patients with attention. The team includes founder Dr. Haitham Azem, who has more than 40 years in practice, his son-in-law Dr. Christopher Thomas, who has eight years of experience, and a core team that includes PA Maria DeRenzo and certified nurse practitioners Kimberly Ovalle, Christopher Champion, Mary Bargmann and Linda Capwill.

A Continuum of Care

“Our patients are age 16 to 100,” says Dr. Azem. “To make the patient experience convenient, we do the blood lab work here in our offices. If someone needs a specialist, we act as the bridge and make that connection for them, then follow up with them wherever they are, at a hospital, rehab center or senior care facility.”

When it comes to prevention, both doctors say that’s a key focus of their practice.

“It’s elemental to how long you live and how positive the quality of your lifespan is,” says Dr. Azem. “When we see a patient, we thoroughly review their family history and make sure they are getting all the preventive diagnostics on time, from colonoscopies to bone density tests and prostate exams. Cancer treatment has improved so much over the past few years, and the earlier it’s detected, the better the outcomes.”

With the aging population, Dr. Thomas says they also diagnose and help patients manage chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

Eliminating ER Visits

“Being able to save our patients from having to go to an ER is important to us,” says Dr. Azem. “With 24/7 answers to urgent medical issues, we save them a lot of money and the hassle of waiting for hours. Also, the outcomes are better since we have a history with the patient.”

The doctors have connections at both major healthcare systems in Cleveland and can accommodate patients’ insurance requirements.

Thriving not Declining

“Since we own the practice, we are not pressured to see so many patients per day. That freedom makes a difference in the level of care we deliver,” says Dr. Azem. “This is why I wanted to become a doctor; my purpose is to heal people in the best way possible.”

For Dr. Thomas, who grew up in Parma and sees patients out of that location, it’s a pleasure and an honor to also visit patients at nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout the area.

“To facilitate healthy aging, I take time focusing on all the things a patient can control, like diet and exercise, and the importance of maintaining a healthy weight,” he adds. “It’s also crucial to manage their medications, the dosages and possible side effects, and get them off them whenever possible.”

Preventing falls is an area the doctors take the time to go over with patients as well.

“People have more power than they think they do to surround themselves with a safe environment,” says Dr. Thomas. “Oftentimes all it takes is one bad fall to trigger a cascade of decline. For us, it’s rewarding to stop that. Everything we do is geared toward our patients thriving—not declining—as they age.” 

Eastwest Primary Care is located at 6175 SOM Center Road, Suite 210, in Solon. The Parma location is at 6789 Ridge Road, Suite 105. Both locations accept Medicare, Medicaid and most insurances. Call 440-299-3100 or visit EastwestPrimaryCare.com for more information.