Cleveland Clinic in Your Community

24/09/2025

Diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia or FTD at 57, Sean Durbin is learning how to navigate life with the progressive brain disease alongside his wife, Lisa.

“I used to be Sean 1.0, now I'm Sean 2.0,” says the loving husband and father from Mentor, Ohio.

Before his diagnosis, Sean struggled with finding the right words during conversations at times and experienced moments of distraction. After explaining his symptoms to Lisa and undergoing testing, neurologist Dr. Jagan Pillai diagnosed Sean with FTD, which refers to a group of diseases that affect the brain's frontal and temporal lobes.

“Essentially, FTD describes a syndrome characterized by changes in mood, thinking, behavior, personality, judgment and the ability to solve complex problems,” says Sean’s certified nurse practitioner, Matthew Zgodinski.

To help others grasp what Sean's now facing, the couple referenced Bruce Willis’s FTD diagnosis. Highlighted in an Innovation in Aging article, Dr. Pillai and colleagues found the news coverage of Bruce’s diagnosis raised awareness and highlighted the need for public education about the disease.

“If you say Alzheimer's, people know immediately what that is. If you say FTD, people give you a blank stare. It was so helpful to follow up and say it's the same thing Bruce Willis has,” says Lisa.

While there are currently no available treatments, an early diagnosis is important as it helped Sean and his family make plans for the future and connect with resources like social worker Grace Knorr.

“We’re grateful for Grace and our network of support because otherwise we’d be trying to figure all this out on our own,” says Lisa.

Sean and Lisa have since found life more manageable by starting each day with a plan and using a calendar to stay organized. They're continuing to learn how to navigate life with “Sean 2.0.”

“We had our wedding anniversary recently, and Sean said, ‘I think we're stronger than ever together,’” Lisa recalls. “I guess sometimes adversity helps you out. I'm grateful every day that I have and every moment that I have with Sean, and that hasn't changed.”

23/09/2025

Joint pain doesn’t just affect movement. It reshapes how we live and connect. It’s a reality Dr. George Muschler and his wife Cathie Bleck have lived through—each making the decision to pursue joint replacements to regain their mobility.

George is a recently retired orthopaedic surgeon and researcher, who recognized the signs in himself when hip pain began interfering with his ability to stand for long periods during surgery and move freely. At 69, and after 37 years in medicine, he knew what to look for and how important preparation would be.

He focused on prehabilitation—staying active, even sailing and hiking with poles in Norway a month before surgery—to maintain his strength and balance. Three months after his hip replacement, George is back to most activities, building endurance and regaining independence.

Cathie, an artist, began experiencing severe knee pain that made everyday tasks difficult. Cathie stayed active through swimming and biking and used a cane or wheelchair when needed.

“I didn’t want to give up the things I enjoy,” Cathie says, now 69 years old. “So, I kept moving however I could because I knew recovery was possible, and I wanted to be ready for it.”

She underwent two total knee replacements within a year, each followed by physical therapy and a milestone vacation with George.

Both George and Cathie turned to orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Nicolas Piuzzi for their care.

With three kids and five grandkids, George and Cathie are embracing their roles as grandparents—whether playing or just keeping up.

“This isn’t just about getting back to walking,” George says. “It’s about reclaiming the life you love with the people you love.”

George and Cathie will celebrate their 43rd wedding anniversary in November. The adventurous duo plan to go diving in Indonesia.

The couple is inspired by Walk of Joints—a community event taking place on October 18, in Cleveland, Ohio, that celebrates recovery, honors loved ones and supports orthopaedic research. It serves as a powerful reminder of the journey they’ve shared with each other and many others, and of the freedom that pain-free movement and mobility can bring.

22/09/2025

When Emma Heming Willis hears Sean and his wife, Lisa, share their journey with frontotemporal dementia, she recognizes familiar moments.
For Sean and Lisa, early signs led to a diagnosis and a new chapter of advocacy, connection and support.
https://cle.clinic/424pCBR

18/09/2025

Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital is helping our neighbors breathe easier.
In collaboration with the Cleveland Department of Public Health, nearby residents can now check air quality via an interactive dashboard, thanks to a new air monitoring trailer.

Residents living near South Pointe Hospital now have access to near real-time air quality data through an interactive online dashboard.

11/09/2025

What if the loudest sound you hear is coming from inside your own head? That was Lisa Jilbert’s reality after developing pulsatile tinnitus, a rare condition that caused her to hear the rhythmic pulsing of blood through veins in her brain—loudly and constantly. “It was similar to if you took a bass drum and beat it loudly, just wailing in my head,” she recalls.

Initially unable to get answers for her debilitating symptoms, she began withdrawing from nearly all activities except work, hoping the relentless drumbeat would stop. After seeing neurologist Dr. Andrew Russman, he referred her to otolaryngologist and neurotologist Dr. Edward Doyle.

Dr. Doyle worked with Lisa to find the cause of her pulsatile tinnitus. He collaborated with interventional neuroradiologist Dr. Scott Raymond to further evaluate Lisa’s condition.

“They never gave up on me,” Lisa says. “I went into that appointment feeling alone on my journey, but I did not leave feeling alone.”

Testing helped the team identify abnormally large veins as the source of the problem. Using real-time X-ray imaging, Dr. Raymond performed a diagnostic procedure to temporarily block blood flow in the suspected vein. When Lisa confirmed the sound diminished, he permanently closed off two problematic veins using five platinum coils. The treatment resulted in a 90% reduction in the volume of the thumping sound.

“Our main consideration was we couldn’t close off veins critical for brain tissue drainage,” says Dr. Raymond. “Lisa’s vein was redundant, and there was another route for the blood to flow.”

Lisa now manages the remaining sound through exercise—especially swimming. She just completed her first triathlon at Cleveland’s Tri CLE Rock Roll Run and is training for future races. She also plans to begin behavioral therapy.

“Don’t give up. And don’t trust anyone who tells you that you just have to live with it,” she says. “Nobody knows your body better than you do. I’m so lucky I kept looking until I found a team who could help me.”

08/09/2025

08/09/2025

🎉We are excited to announce the opening of our new community pharmacy at South Pointe Hospital!

The opening comes at a time when many communities across the country face a growing trend of retail pharmacy closures.

The impact is especially noticeable in Cuyahoga County’s eastern suburbs, which have seen a sharp decline in pharmacy access. Many areas are now classified as “pharmacy deserts,” creating challenges to obtaining medications, clinical support, and essential pharmacy services.

The pharmacy is part of Cleveland Clinic’s broader mission to create healthier communities by addressing social drivers of health. In 2024, South Pointe opened a community resource center dedicated to tackling issues such as food insecurity, digital access, employment, and medical care. The center includes offerings such as a food pantry, a computer lab, and career development resources.

Cleveland Clinic now operates 27 retail pharmacies as well as various specialty pharmacies and programs.

06/09/2025

Many men are unaware that certain conditions can appear as s*xual health issues in men, according to our new survey.

The survey is part of Cleveland Clinic’s 10th annual MENtion It® campaign, which aims to encourage men to talk more openly about their health.
The survey examined the link between men’s physical activity and s*xual health. Among American men, 61% said their physical fitness directly impacts their s*x drive or s*xual performance.

Despite this, nearly 1 in 5 men reported experiencing low s*xual desire in the past year (18%), and 15% reported difficulty with erectile dysfunction. These issues are often misunderstood or brushed aside as part of normal aging, but they can be linked to underlying health conditions.

The majority of men surveyed were also unaware that s*xual health complaints, like erectile dysfunction and low s*x drive, can be early warning signs of a more serious, undiagnosed health problem.

▪️72% were unaware they can be a sign of heart disease
▪️74% were unaware they can be a result of uncontrolled diabetes
▪️65% were unaware they can be a result of high blood pressure
▪️59% were unaware they can be caused by mental health issues, such as depression

Learn more: https://cle.clinic/3HV1kmO

05/09/2025

Together with community partners, we are proud to open a new Community Resource Center at Euclid Hospital.

The center expands access to vital medical and social services for residents in Euclid, Ohio.

Mayor Kirsten Gail joined Cleveland Clinic leaders, caregivers, and community partners to celebrate the opening of the new center.
A variety of services are offered including:

▪️A resource closet with hygiene items and gently used clothing
▪️A food pantry in partnership with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank
▪️Community Health Workers supporting patients with follow-up care after emergency department visits
▪️Onsite Medicaid enrollment assistance provided by Centauri Health Solutions, Inc. and Elevate Patient Financial Solutions
▪️A computer lab with digital literacy classes and MyChart access for virtual visits, funded by the Ashbury Senior Computer Community Center (ASC3)

Services are available by referral to ensure support reaches those who need it most.

Patients and community members can be referred to the center by a Cleveland Clinic social worker, case manager or community health worker.
To qualify, individuals should reside within Euclid Hospital’s service area or be a current patient or family member and demonstrate a need for essential items.

05/09/2025

Claire Firrell has been on chemotherapy since 2018, treating her cancer as a chronic illness. As she nears her 200th round of treatment, the devoted mother of three has continued living life to the fullest even after learning her colorectal cancer had spread.

“When the doctor told me it moved to my lungs, I thought I can’t not be here for my kids. I wanted to see my youngest graduate high school. Well, I did that – and now she’s halfway through her college career,” says Claire.

Claire’s health journey began in 2015, when she started having severe abdominal pain. After a colonoscopy, Claire was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer at 46 years old. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy, but the cancer would go on to return twice despite treatment.

“Due to the type of advanced cancer Claire has, she needs to be on chemotherapy for an indefinite amount of time to keep it suppressed,” says medical oncologist Dr. Alok Khorana.

Following her second recurrence in April 2018, Claire has been on chemotherapy every two weeks since. Being an active mom, Claire’s care team continually works with her to maintain her quality of life. This includes using a portable pump to undergo her treatments at home.

“I’m very grateful for the pump because you used to have to be in the hospital for three consecutive days. I don't know how I would have managed that with three kids,” says Claire.

As she approaches her 200th round of chemotherapy, Claire’s cancer currently remains stable with no signs of growth. She continues following up with her care team to monitor her condition and look for any signs her treatment needs adjusted.

“I know medicine is constantly changing. There are always new treatments being developed, which is why research is so important,” says Claire.

That’s one of the reasons Claire continues riding in VeloSano’s Bike to Cure event, where 100% of participant-raised dollars go directly towards funding cancer research at our hospital system.

“Sometimes people feel helpless or powerless. But taking part in VeloSano is something you can do that’s really going to make a difference – all the money raised is going to the cause,” says Claire.

03/09/2025

When men don’t exercise, they say it takes a toll on their health, confidence and s*x drive.

Yet one in three still skip it, according to our new survey.

The survey is part of Cleveland Clinic’s 10th annual MENtion It® campaign, which aims to encourage men to talk more openly about their health. This year’s focus was on the connection between exercise and overall well-being, including physical, mental, and s*xual health.

The national survey of 1,000 U.S. men 18 years of age and older found that 30% do not engage in regular physical activity, although of men who exercise regularly, 81% report changes such as fatigue/lower energy (47%), more stress or irritability (33%), and decreased mental well-being (37%) when they don’t exercise.

The survey also examined the link between men’s physical activity and s*xual health. Among American men, 61% said their physical fitness directly impacts their s*x drive or s*xual performance.

Despite this, nearly 1 in 5 men reported experiencing low s*xual desire in the past year (18%), and 15% reported difficulty with erectile dysfunction. These issues are often misunderstood or brushed aside as part of normal aging, but they can be linked to underlying health conditions.

30/08/2025

Bike to Cure weekend is September 5-6! For everyone who wants to end cancer, there’s an opportunity to get involved in VeloSano. Join as a rider or volunteer in Bike to Cure, fundraise your way anytime and anywhere as a virtual fundraiser or simply make a donation! No matter how you participate, your support funds lifesaving cancer research.

Learn about how you can get involved: https://www.velosano.org/get-involved/