The Internal Medicine Center
of Akron (IMCA) provides comprehensive care for
adult patients 18 years of age and older. Care
is rendered in both the outpatient and inpatient
setting.
Outpatient Care
IMCA physicians diagnose and
manage the medical problems of adults, such as:
- hypertension
- heart and lung problems
- ulcers and abdominal disorders
- diabetes
- arthritis
We also stress health management
and prevention of disease, and focus on screening
examinations and testing for early diagnosis of
medical problems. We do not perform surgery, or
practice obstetrics or pediatrics. Limited testing
and other services are provided within the practice.
Inpatient Care
If you are hospitalized at Akron
General Medical Center, you will continue to be
seen by your physician or an associate physician
from IMCA throughout your stay. Even if your specific
physician does not see you at each visit during
your hospitalization, the attending physician
will work closely with your physician to create
and follow your plan of care.
Notice of Privacy Practices
Your First Appointment
The initial visit for new patients
usually involves a complete history and physical
examination lasting about an hour. Please bring
a list with your current medications and dosages,
or the actual bottles, to each appointment. Blood
pressure checks by a nurse are provided free,
but an appointment is required.
When scheduling, please inform
us of the reason for the appointment so the appropriate
time can be allotted. Calling early in the day
is best. If you are unable to keep an appointment,
please call during office hours and cancel your
visit, giving us at least 24 hours notice if possible.
We make every effort to keep
our office running on schedule, and ask that you
arrive for visits on time. We hope that you will
be patient with us at these times, with the understanding
that you or your family may need that extra time
and care in the future.
Insurance
Be sure to check with your insurance
provider and make sure we are included in your
medical plan. Always bring your insurance card.
Please have your co-pay information and payment
at the time of your visit.
Prescriptions
If needed, prescriptions are
normally written at your appointment. Please remind
us if you will run out of your medications before
your next visit. If you do need a refill between
appointments, please call your physician's direct
line two business days before you will run out
and have the following information ready when
you call: Prescription number, name of drug, dosage,
pharmacy name and pharmacy phone number. We generally
do not refill medications during non-business
hours. If you use a mail-order pharmacy, please
call us three weeks before you run out.
Attending Physicians
All of our attending physicians
have faculty appointments at NEOUCOM (Northeastern
Ohio Universities College of Medicine), and several
are fellows of medical societies. Our attending
physicians, as a group, have received various
teaching and service awards.
Resident Physicians
IMCA is deeply involved with
resident physician teaching, both in the office
and in the hospital. You may be seen by a resident
physician in the office or at the hospital, under
the supervision of an attending physician. A resident
physician is a medical school graduate receiving
specialized training to become certified in a
specific medical area. Our resident physicians
were selected to receive specialized training
in internal medicine.
Medical Students
Medical Students from NEOUCOM
and other schools also receive training at IMCA.
They do not provide medical care, but at times
you may be asked to allow a student to interview
or examine you. This will always be done only
with your permission and under the direct supervision
of a board-certified physician, who will provide
the actual care.
Collaborative Programs
IMCA physicians work collaboratively
with Akron Children's Hospital Medical Center
of Akron to treat adult patients with Cystic Fibrosis
as well as burn patients, starting at the age
of 18. Two physicians are also consultants in
the Burn Unit at Akron Children's Hospital. IMCA
is also involved with The University of Akron's
Nurse Practitioner Program, providing training
and teaching.
