Podcast Summary: Cleveland Clinic CEO – The Future of Medicine Is Already Here

3 Takeaways™ with Lynn Thoman, Episode #298
Guest: Dr. Tom Mihaljevic, President and CEO of Cleveland Clinic
Date: April 21, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Lynn Thoman speaks with Dr. Tom Mihaljevic, President and CEO of the Cleveland Clinic and a renowned heart surgeon. They explore how medicine is rapidly transforming through technology, data, and prevention, how patient care is changing today, and what the future holds for healthcare. Dr. Mihaljevic emphasizes that the future of medicine—personalized care, early detection, and prevention—is already accessible for many patients, and outlines practical steps listeners can take now to protect and improve their health.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. What’s Already Changing Patient Lives (01:37)

• Advancements in Heart Disease & Cancer:
  • Deaths from heart attacks have dramatically reduced in the past 10–15 years.
  • Cancer is increasingly managed as a chronic disease rather than a death sentence.
• Technology’s Broad Impact:
  • Modern tools help not only individuals but also improve population health.
  • “Technology is changing everything and data are essential.” — Dr. Mihaljevic (04:44)

2. Personalized Medicine Is Here (02:26)

• Cancer Treatment Example:
  • “Most patients...will have the sample of their cancer analyzed and we will have the genetic print...we will choose individualized treatment...that is typically more effective and less harmful.” — Dr. Mihaljevic (02:41)
• Genetic and molecular profiling allows for treatment tailored to both the cancer type and the patient.

3. Data and Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (03:18)

• Using Big Data:
  • Collaborations with companies like Palantir Technologies help aggregate years of health records, hundreds of blood tests, and treatment outcomes.
  • Enables providers to track responses over time and fine-tune care to individual needs.

4. What Great Care Should Feel Like (05:00)

• Three pillars:
  1. Ease of access.
  2. Tailored, individualized care.
  3. Outcomes that lead to longer, healthier lives.
• “Great care...is easy to access, tailored to specific needs, and leads to better long-term outcomes.” — Dr. Mihaljevic (05:13)

5. The Revolution in Less Invasive Procedures (05:46)

• Today, heart valves can be replaced via catheter, with many patients returning home the same or next day, compared to long recoveries and significant pain in the past.
• “Today we can replace...valves...without any cuts on the skin of the patient.” — Dr. Mihaljevic (06:30)

6. Staying Healthy: The Essential Habits (07:04)

• Dr. Mihaljevic’s List:
  • Good nutrition.
  • Regular physical activity.
  • Sufficient sleep.
  • Avoid harmful habits (smoking, excess alcohol, drugs, poor diet, lack of sleep).

7. The Importance of Regular Health Visits (07:46)

• There is no single health marker; comprehensive and regular checkups, especially as one ages, are crucial.
• “If there is one recommendation...do your comprehensive health exam.” — Dr. Mihaljevic (08:08)

8. Prevention: Most Disease Is Preventable (09:06)

• With few genetic exceptions, most modern diseases can be prevented by maintaining healthy habits.
• Consistency is key: good behaviors over the years matter more than occasional lapses.

9. The Role and Limits of Annual Checkups (09:54)

• Annual checkups are important, but what those exams encompass matters even more.
• Every five or six years, see a comprehensive team—not just a single general practitioner—for a fuller assessment.

10. The Question Patients Should Ask but Don’t (11:24)

• Always ask providers about their team’s experience and what outcomes to expect for your specific condition.
• “Probably the most important thing...ask is how much experience do they have in the treatment of this condition...” — Dr. Mihaljevic (11:34)

11. Under- and Over-Testing in Healthcare (12:31)

• Under-testing:
  • Compliance with cancer screenings (like colon and breast cancer) is low—only about 30% for colon cancer.
• Over-testing:
  • Emergency rooms are overused for non-emergency care, especially chronic illnesses that should be managed in primary care settings.

12. What’s Coming Next in Medicine (14:15)

• Further advances in cancer care, cardiovascular care, and especially vaccines.
• Major focus is shifting to brain health and finding treatments for dementia and degenerative neurological diseases.

13. Early Detection: Catching Disease Before Symptoms (15:52)

• Genetic screenings already allow early detection and even preventive treatment (e.g., BRCA screening for breast cancer).
• New technologies, like two-minute CAT scans for heart disease, can provide warnings years before major issues develop.
• “We are actually developing new vaccine against certain types of cancer...those vaccines would create an immunity against the cancer type…” — Dr. Mihaljevic (16:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Technology is changing everything and data are essential.”
  — Dr. Mihaljevic (04:44)

• “Today we can replace...valves...without any cuts on the skin of the patient.”
  — Dr. Mihaljevic (06:30)

• “Healthy living is something that we can influence. Something that can be really affected in a positive way by healthy eating, physical exercise and good sleep will keep doctors away for a really, really long time.”
  — Dr. Mihaljevic (18:09)

Important Timestamps for Segments

• 01:37: Major breakthroughs in care for heart disease and cancer.
• 02:34: Personalized medicine is already affecting patient outcomes.
• 03:32: How big data and AI are changing patient care.
• 05:08: What great care feels like for the patient.
• 05:56: The shift to less invasive procedures/surgeries.
• 07:04: Three essential habits for staying healthy.
• 08:00: The importance of regular, comprehensive checkups.
• 09:06: Prevention and the challenge of maintaining healthy habits.
• 09:54: Annual checkups and what they should include.
• 11:24: The key question patients should ask their healthcare providers.
• 12:39: Under- and over-testing in the healthcare system.
• 14:15: What’s coming next in medical advancements.
• 16:00: Early detection of disease before symptoms.
• 18:05: Dr. Mihaljevic’s three takeaways for listeners.

Three Takeaways (18:05)

1. Maintain healthy habits

   • Prioritize nutrition, physical activity, and sleep—these are in your control.

2. Regular comprehensive checkups

   • See your doctor at least once a year and aim for thorough evaluations.

3. Avoid unhealthy behaviors

   • Stay away from bad habits: smoking, excessive drinking, drugs, and poor sleep.

Tone & Closing Thoughts

The conversation is optimistic, practical, and grounded in both the latest innovations and tried-and-true advice. Dr. Mihaljevic emphasizes the real progress being made in medicine but underscores personal responsibility and consistency with health habits. He brings clarity to complex health issues and practical action steps for listeners, combining optimism for future breakthroughs with actionable guidance for better living today.