Dan Brooks runs a thriving business. His Oklahoma-based company is one of the largest providers of remanufactured auto parts in the nation. His goal is to make sure the family business continues to thrive, but his own health often went ignored until something was wrong.

“It was basically when I was sick, I went to the doctor,” Brooks said.

Brooks is not alone. Experts say six out of 10 company leaders don’t have a regular physician. OU Physicians’ new Executive Care Program aims to change that.

“We think, obviously, the health of the leadership in the corporate world is really an asset to a company,” said Dr. Douglas Folger, chief medical officer at OU Physicians. “We think our executive health program can bring value to companies in that we have set up a program that safeguards the health of executives.”

Folger explained the program provides comprehensive health evaluations that have been designed to be convenient for executives. Once executives sign up for the program, they are sent a comprehensive health questionnaire ahead of time that they complete and mail back.

“One of our examining physicians will review the questionnaire information and based on age sex and different information that we obtain from the questionnaire, we develop a set of tests that we think would be appropriate for that executive to have prior to their examination,” Folger said, adding the goal is to do only those tests that solid medical evidence suggests would be worthwhile for each executive.

“A good example of this would be an executive who is 40 years old and has no personal or family history of colon cancer and no gastrointestinal complaints. We’re not going to do a colonoscopy on that patient because that’s early to start screening for colon cancer for this individual.”

The executive physicals take place over two appointments. During the first appointment, preliminary lab tests and other diagnostic tests are conducted.

During the second visit, the executive undergoes a thorough medical exam and spends time talking with his or her physician one-on-one. Results are evaluated; health needs and concerns addressed; and a course for good health charted.

“Our goal is to take a proactive approach to try to identify potential problems and if they’re there to address those problems early,” Folger said.

The program also provides an Executive Care coordinator, who meets the executive in the reception area and starts the process right away. The coordinator’s goal is to help ensure the process is as efficient as possible for busy executives.

Brooks had heard about an executive health program from people at other companies, but the program was out of state.

“About that time I got a mailer from OU President David Boren that told about the program here at OU,” Brooks said. “I checked into it and it turned out to be a very good thing for me.”

Brooks said the Executive Care program was simply easy to use – a big plus for his busy schedule.

“Everything is under one roof here. So, basically you come to one office and whether it’s blood work or other types of lab work or x-rays or anything, it’s all under one roof. You’re just a walk away from wherever you need to be.”

Brooks said the program even turned up some health problems of which he was unaware.

“I found out I had high blood pressure I didn’t know about. I also had a cholesterol issue I didn’t know about. And, both things were caught very early and that wouldn’t ever have happened if I hadn’t been part of the program.”

OU Physicians now has 20 companies and roughly 120 executives on board for the program.

“We think this is a unique program in Oklahoma,” Folger said. “There are some similar sorts of programs across the country, but I think we are unique in this approach in Oklahoma. So far, the response from the executives has been very positive. It’s been a good experience for them.”

Folger expects enthusiasm from executives who have participated to increase participation in the program.

Additional information on the OU Physicians Executive Health Program can be found online at "http://www.ouphysicians.com."