Blend of primary and specialty care will enhance access, convenience, coordination for patients

Detroit residents will have easier, more convenient access to integrated primary and specialty medical care with the opening of Wayne Health’s new multi-disciplinary clinic at the Detroit Mack Health Center in Midtown on March 28.

New specialty services at the Wayne Health Multi-Disciplinary Clinic include cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, nephrology (kidney), rheumatology, pulmonary (lung) medicine, heart diagnostic testing and specialized care for high blood pressure. The services complement the primary care services already offered at the Detroit Mack Health Center, located at 400 Mack Ave., which include family medicine, general medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and urology.

“Co-locating these specialty services in the same building as primary care will result in better integration and coordination of care for our patients,” said M. Safwan Badr, M.D., chief clinical officer for Wayne Health, and chair of the Wayne State University School of Medicine’s Department of Internal Medicine. “It allows us to create a hub of primary and specialty care where patients can come to receive one-stop medical attention. The ultimate goal is to improve the health of the population that we have the honor to serve.”

Patients served at the center include those identified and screened through the Wayne Health Mobile Units who require follow-up medical care. Wayne Health operates a fleet of seven vehicles that travel to metropolitan Detroit communities, providing a wide variety of primary and preventive care health screenings. The new multi-disciplinary clinic will help ensure that patients diagnosed with medical conditions through the mobile health screenings have access to timely and appropriate follow-up treatment.

One unique feature of the new multi-disciplinary clinic are dedicated blood pressure rooms staffed by providers specializing in hypertension care. Research has shown that Black adults have a higher incidence of high blood pressure, leading to increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Regular monitoring and early intervention for high blood pressure are key to preventing or lowering the risk of heart disease or stroke.

“This expansion of our multi-disciplinary clinic at the Detroit Mack Health Center is part of our commitment to serve the health and wellness needs of our community by expanding access to care,” said Mark Juzych, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Wayne Health, and chair of the Wayne State University Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences.

The Detroit Mack Health Center opened in September 2020 with primary, preventive and behavioral health care services by physicians and advanced practice providers in internal medicine, family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and behavioral health. The services fall under the umbrella of Wayne Health’s Center for Population Health Accountability, offering innovative, community-based and mobile approaches to whole-person care, addressing physical and behavioral health needs and social determinants that diminish health and well-being.

“Our integrated approach allows outstanding clinical care, cutting-edge research and medical education to work together in unison, advancing our mission to improve the health and well-being of the Detroit community by expanding access to primary, specialty and preventive health services for vulnerable patients,” said Wael Sakr, M.D., chair of the Wayne Health Board of Directors and interim dean of the Wayne State University School of Medicine.

To schedule an appointment with a Wayne Health provider at the Detroit Mack Health Center or another location, call 877 WAYNE-HC (877-929-6342). To learn more about Wayne Health, visit www.WayneHealthCares.org.