Pioneer Physicians

12/24/2025

✨ Happy Holidays from all of us at Pioneer Physician Network ✨

As the year comes to a close, we want to thank you for trusting us with your care. We’re grateful to be part of your health journey and are honored to support you and your family throughout every season.

Wishing you a safe, healthy, and peaceful holiday season, and a bright start to the new year. We look forward to continuing to care for you in the year ahead.

— Your Pioneer Physicians Primary Care Team

12/22/2025

We’re growing and looking for compassionate, team-oriented professionals to join our practices across Northeast Ohio! If you’re passionate about patient care and want to be part of a supportive healthcare team, we’d love to hear from you.

Current Open Positions:

Medical Receptionist
📍 Fairlawn Family Practice – Fairlawn
📍 Stow-Hudson – Hudson

Medical Assistant
📍 Medina Primary Care – Medina
📍 Northampton Primary Care – Cuyahoga Falls
📍 Family Practice Associates – Massillon

Medical Scribe
📍 Columbia Woods – Norton
📍 Family Practice Associates – Massillon

Enjoy working close to home, serving your community, and being part of a physician-led network focused on quality care.

👉 Apply today or share with someone who may be interested!
https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Pioneer-Physicians-Network/jobs

12/19/2025

🎙️ Pulse Check: Episode 4 is live!
https://youtu.be/MX_ecPC7g5k

In this episode, Dr. James Phillips breaks down metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), one of the most common and underrecognized consequences of modern metabolic health.

Dr. Phillips covers:

• What MASLD is and how it develops
• Why it matters far beyond the liver
• Its strong links to obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease
• How MASLD is diagnosed (and the limits of labs and imaging)
• Who should be screened
• Evidence-based strategies that actually improve liver health

If you’ve been told you have fatty liver, or you have metabolic risk factors and want to stay ahead of them, this episode offers a clear, practical framework grounded in real-world medicine.

🎧 Listen now: Episode 4 of Pulse Check
📺 Watch the full video

In this episode of Pulse Check, Dr. James Phillips breaks down metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), one of the most common and u...

12/18/2025

🎉We’re proud to announce a new partnership between Ohio Independent Collaborative (OIC), McKesson and Provista.

🤝This partnership is focused on strengthening independent medical practice by lowering supply cost and increasing efficiency.

🩺The OIC is comprised of the independent medical practices of:
✅Pioneer Physicians Network, Inc.
✅Northern Ohio Medical Specialists Healthcare
✅Central Ohio Primary Care
✅Premier Physicians
✅Community Health Care, Inc.
✅Physicians Group of Southeastern Ohio
✅PriMED Physicians

Pictured: Ben Petersen (McKesson), Dr. Gary Pinta (President of OIC) and Matt Wulf (McKesson) representing the leadership and collaboration behind this new partnership.

12/18/2025

Health Fact of the Week:
Did you know that walking just 30 minutes a day can reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and boost your mood?

If 30 minutes feels like too much at once, break it into three 10-minute walks. Movement doesn’t have to be intense to be effective.

Start the year with a habit your body will love. 🚶‍♂️💙

12/15/2025

A fresh year is the perfect opportunity to set realistic, sustainable health goals, not overwhelming resolutions that fade by February.

A few small changes that make a big impact:
• Add one extra serving of fruits/vegetables a day
• Walk for 10 minutes after a meal
• Schedule your annual physical early in the year
• Prioritize sleep (your body will thank you!)
• Drink more water and less sugary beverages

Your healthiest year yet starts with one small step. We’re here to support you every step of the way. 💙✨

12/11/2025

As the year wraps up, December is a perfect time to check in on your health goals and schedule any screenings or visits you’ve been putting off.

Many patients use this month to:
• Catch up on annual physicals
• Review medications before insurance resets
• Check cholesterol, A1C, or blood pressure trends
• Revisit mental health and stress levels
• Refill prescriptions before travel

You deserve to enter the new year feeling prepared and supported.
If you need an appointment before the calendar turns, we’re here for you. ❄️✨

12/08/2025

December is a month full of celebration, but it’s also peak season for cold, flu, RSV, and other respiratory illnesses.
A few simple steps can help keep you healthy during the holidays:

• Wash hands often (especially at gatherings!)
• Stay up to date on flu and COVID vaccines
• Prioritize sleep even during busy weeks
• Stay hydrated! Yes, even in winter
• If you’re feeling unwell, rest and avoid close contact

Your health doesn’t take a holiday break, and we’re here to support you through the season. If you need a check-in before year-end, now’s a great time to call. 🎄💙

12/05/2025

Episode 3 of Pulse Check with Dr. Phillips is live! https://youtu.be/pwgVHhhhwI0

This week, Dr. Phillips breaks down coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring, what it actually measures, what it doesn’t, and how it shapes real-world decisions about statins, LDL targets, and next-step testing.

🫀 Highlights from the episode:
• The difference between calcified vs. soft plaque
• Why a CAC score of zero doesn’t always mean “clean” arteries
• When to turn to CTA or functional testing
• How Dr. Phillips uses CAC in practice, especially for younger high-risk patients and for refining LDL goals
• Why a zero score is almost never a reason to stop statins in older adults

CAC is a powerful tool for risk refinement, and understanding its strengths and limitations can make a real difference in cardiovascular prevention.

🎧 Tune in now and take your prevention game to the next level!

In this episode of Pulse Check, we break down coronary artery calcium scoring—what it measures, what it can’t, and how it guides real-world decisions about s...

11/27/2025

🎙️ Pulse Check Episode 2 is Here!

We’re excited to share the newest episode of Pulse Check from Dr. James Phillips of North Canton Family Physicians: https://youtu.be/NOLxU8pMlH8?si=EClE6HFyzUf071KZ

In this episode, Dr. Phillips dives into one of the most common—and most preventable—health issues affecting families everywhere: high blood pressure. Hypertension often has no symptoms, yet it’s a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and early cognitive decline.

Dr. Phillips explains:
• Why blood pressure matters more than most people realize
• Where cardiovascular risk truly begins
• Why today’s goal is below 130/80 for most adults
• What the SPRINT Trial teaches us about targeting systolic pressures near 120
• How lifestyle changes and the right medications can dramatically improve long-term health

If you want straightforward, evidence-based guidance on protecting your heart and overall health, this episode is a must-watch.

Tune in as Dr. Phillips continues bringing clear, practical, and patient-focused insights to his growing Pulse Check podcast series.

In this episode of Pulse Check, we break down why high blood pressure is one of the most important and most dangerous drivers of stroke, heart attack, kidney...

11/20/2025

🎙️ Introducing the First Episode of Dr. James Phillips’ New Podcast: Pulse Check!

We’re proud to share the debut episode of Dr. James Phillips’ podcast, created by our very own physician at North Canton Family Physicians: https://youtu.be/fLNBxaec6h8?si=DSVFJGddd-HDQaer

In this launch episode, Dr. Phillips tackles an important but often overlooked topic: Lipoprotein(a), an inherited cholesterol particle that can significantly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Because Lp(a) isn’t included in routine labs, many people have no idea they carry this hidden risk.

Dr. Phillips breaks down:
• What Lp(a) is and why it matters
• Why everyone should consider getting tested
• What current research shows about lowering the risks
• How awareness empowers prevention

If you’re interested in heart health, genetics, or clear medical guidance you can trust, this is the perfect first episode to watch.

Listen and follow along as Dr. Phillips brings insightful, patient-centered conversations to the forefront in his new podcast series.

10/28/2025

Stay Ahead with Preventive Screenings! 🎯

Your health needs change as you do and staying on top of recommended screenings is one of the best ways to catch potential issues early and stay well for years to come.

Here are a few key age-related screenings to keep in mind:
✅ 20s–30s: Blood pressure, cholesterol, and routine wellness exams
✅ 40s–50s: Mammograms, colon cancer screenings, diabetes checks, and heart health evaluations
✅ 60s & beyond: Bone density scans, vision and hearing checks, and cancer screenings as recommended

Even if you’re feeling great, preventive visits help your provider catch changes early, when they’re most treatable.

📅 Not sure which screenings you’re due for?
Your primary care physician can guide you based on your age, health history, and family background.

💙 Schedule your annual wellness visit today and take the next step toward lifelong health.