University Hospitals Expands Integrative Medicine Offering for Patients with Recruitment of Physician Keary O’Connor, D.O.

CLEVELAND – The value of a comprehensive and evidence-informed integrative approach to health and lifestyle management is gaining in popularity, which is fueling the expansion of the University Hospitals (UH) Connor Integrative Health Network. UH is pleased to announce the addition of Keary O’Connor, D.O., to its team of lifestyle management and integrative health physicians.

Integrative health affirms the importance of the relationship between the patient and care provider and focuses on the whole person. It makes use of all appropriate therapeutic and lifestyle approaches, healthcare professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and pain management.

Dr. O’Connor specifically focuses on:

• Promoting whole health principles for the prevention and reversal of chronic diseases
• Lifestyle habits such as nutrition, sleep hygiene, movement, and stress management
• Review of health history, current health concerns, medications, and supplements
• Creation of a personalized health plan, small and large steps to get patients on track
• Follow-ups to help support and maintain better pain management control

“We’re excited to expand our services to more patients with the addition of such an accomplished physician,” said Francoise Adan, MD, Chief Whole Health and Wellbeing Officer and Director, UH Connor Integrative Health Network and the Connor Endowed Chair of Integrative Medicine. “Keary demonstrates clinical mastery, models compassion, and has proven her ability to serve as a trusted health care partner for her patients. We are thrilled she has chosen to join our team and recognizes the value of working for a program that’s part of a large academic health system.”

Dr. O’Connor received her bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and Theater from Albion College and earned her Doctor of Osteopathy from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her internship and residency in family medicine at Metro Health Hospital in Grand Rapids and Byron Center, Mich. She holds certificates in facilitating the Complete Health Improvement Program from the Lifestyle Medicine Institute, Leadership in Integrative Healthcare from Duke University, Medical Nutrition from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Plant Based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies in Ithaca, N.Y.

Dr. O’Connor is board certified in Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine through the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians and the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. She is a diplomate of both the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine and the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

As a physician in the United States Army from 2010 to 2014, Dr. O’Connor served in Germany, Iraq, and Kuwait. During her service, she earned the Bronze Star, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon. She was honorably discharged from active duty in 2014 and remained in the U.S. Army Reserves through 2018.

“With UH being home to some of the most prestigious clinical trials and research programs in the nation, I am excited about the opportunity of being offered a platform to advance integrative medicine research and bring new evidence-informed treatment modalities to patients in Northeast Ohio,” said Dr. O’Connor. “I’m also looking forward to the cooperative approach to care UH advocates whereby I will be encouraged to develop a personalized care plan through collaboration with my patients and their other UH health care providers.”

Dr. O’Connor joins CIHN from Westwego, La., where she most recently worked in primary care. Having completed previous medical training in the Cleveland area, Dr. O’Connor is excited to return to Northeast Ohio and looks forward to bringing her skills and experience to UH.

Integrative health consultations are covered by most commercial insurances, Medicare and Medicaid. To schedule an appointment with Dr. O’Connor, patients should call 216-285-4070.  

###

About UH Connor Integrative Health Network

UH Connor Integrative Health Network (CIHN) offers integrative health therapies and services that work together with traditional medical treatments to heal the mind, body and spirit. Integrative health affirms the importance of the relationship between the patient and care provider and focuses on the whole person. It makes use of all appropriate therapeutic and lifestyle approaches, healthcare professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing. The benefits of integrative health have grown as patients and traditional health care providers embrace non-pharmacologic treatment approaches, especially in light of the nation’s opioid epidemic. CIHN services include acupuncture, art therapy, chiropractic, guided imagery, integrative medicine consultation, massage therapy, meditation, mindfulness, music therapy, stress management and resilience training, yoga therapy, integrative psychiatry and osteopathic sports rehabilitation. Follow UH Connor Integrative Health Network on LinkedIn. For more information, visit uhhospitals.org/services/integrative-health-network.

About University Hospitals / Cleveland, Ohio Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of 20 hospitals (including 5 joint ventures), more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. The system’s flagship academic medical center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, located in Cleveland’s University Circle, is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. The main campus also includes University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the nation; University Hospitals MacDonald Women’s Hospital, Ohio’s only hospital for women; University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, a high-volume national referral center for complex cardiovascular procedures; and University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation, including cancer, pediatrics, women’s health, orthopedics, radiology, neuroscience, cardiology and cardiovascular surgery, digestive health, transplantation and urology. UH Cleveland Medical Center is perennially among the highest performers in national ranking surveys, including “America’s Best Hospitals” from U.S. News & World Report. UH is also home to Harrington Discovery Institute, part of The Harrington Project for Discovery & Development. UH is one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio with 28,000 physicians and employees. Advancing the Science of Health and the Art of Compassion is UH’s vision for benefitting its patients into the future, and the organization’s unwavering mission is To Heal. To Teach. To Discover. Follow UH on LinkedIn, Facebook @UniversityHospitals and Twitter @UHhospitals. For more information, visit UHhospitals.org.