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interested organizations from A to Z or handle any piece in between – all the way from the decision management/ market feasibility stage of a health and wellness center project through the design/development of the center to the successful operation and manage- ment of i t . Ak ron Gene r a l 's responsibility is to take care of what Dr. Stover refers to as the intellectual property piece. "We'll first evaluate each client's community to see if this model makes sense for them. Then we have protocols in place to determine how big the facility should be, what services need to be included and how to clinically integrate outpatient services with lifestyle change services, which is the key component of this," he says. Signet will handle the bricks and mortar side, including comprehensive project management services, legal structuring, creative finance strate- gies, and all underwriting activities. "As strategic real estate and capital partners, we can deliver creative financial solutions for our clients while also handling tactical planning, global project coordination, construction management, and facility management — in this case with Akron General as the consultant," says Manna. He points out that all of these ser- vices will be provided, turn-key and with physician alignment, to health- care systems. "In addition to having offices in the health and wellness center, physicians can also have ownership interest based on a formula that's allowed under the law which helps align the interest of the physicians and the healthcare system to work together," he explains. "So that aspect of physician alignment is another big thing we're bringing to the table. And it is creating a lot of excitement." Corr adds that Akron General's Health & Wellness Center model is a foundational way to get skyrocketing Akron General's Health & Wellness Center-West Akron General's third Health & Wellness Center is nearing completion. Located in Green at I-77 and SR 241, the facility is expected to open in a few months. healthcare costs under control. "Corporations and their employees realize significant savings in healthcare costs when employees lead a healthy lifestyle. Some corporations even sub- sidize their employees' membership fees in health and wellness centers as a way to encourage physical well being and health education," he says. All four men truly believe the health and wellness model is the future of healthcare. They envision that, within the next 10 years, every healthcare organization in the country will have a health and wellness center. "We're offering a turn-key approach to help organizations — healthcare systems, universities and municipali- ties — develop and offer this to their communities," says Ribley. "There will always be sick and injured people that need to be cared for in a hospital," adds Dr. Stover, "and we do that very well at Akron General. But you have to think about that piece of the population out there that's trying to figure out what to do to stay out of the hospital. And you have to help them do that." For additional information or to set up a consultation, contact Matt Edwards or Jerel Klue at Integrated Wellness Partners at 330-344-7550. ■ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 MDNEWS.COM MD NEWS Cleveland-Akron-Canton | 35 PHOTO AND RENDERING COURTESY OF AKRON GENERAL MEDICAL CENTER