The Cleveland Clinic has a well-earned reputation for refusing to speak to the unwashed masses it purportedly serves. Calling there is like drunk-dialing the Pentagon. Employees are trained never to speak to the media, and instead refer calls to PR drones, who then politely refuse to speak.
Now, however, it looks like the Clinic may have met its match in one of its own employees. Dr. Michael Roizen, the Clinic’s wellness guru, is one of the hospital’s biggest names. His RealAge system for improving health and staying young has gained international attention, making him a best-selling author and a frequent guest on Oprah. He’s not about to become a wallflower just because he works for the Kremlin of healthcare…
This article appears in Apr 23-29, 2008.