Finding a doctor in the city shouldn't feel like a part-time job. Honestly, when you're looking for care in Ohio City, the McCafferty Health Center Cleveland is one of those names that pops up constantly, but it’s actually a bit of a hybrid animal that confuses people. It isn’t just one thing. It's a city-run public health hub, a MetroHealth satellite clinic, and a community landmark all rolled into one building on Lorain Avenue.
If you’ve driven past that 1970s-era brick building near West 41st, you’ve probably wondered what actually happens inside. Is it a walk-in clinic? Do they take your insurance? Why is everyone talking about it being torn down?
Let’s get into the weeds of how this place works, because the "health center" label is a bit of an umbrella for a few different organizations working under one roof.
The MetroHealth Connection
Most people go to the Thomas F. McCafferty Health Center because of its partnership with MetroHealth. This is where you find the actual "doctor’s office" side of the building. It’s not a massive hospital like the main campus on MetroHealth Drive, but it handles the heavy lifting for the neighborhood.
They do the basics: family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. It’s the kind of place where you go when your kid has a fever or you need your blood pressure meds refilled. Because it's MetroHealth, they use the MyChart system. If you’ve seen a specialist at the main campus, the doctors at McCafferty can see all your notes instantly. It’s seamless.
What’s kinda cool is that they also host the MetroHealth Pride Clinic here. It was one of the first in the region specifically designed to provide specialized care for the LGBTQ+ community. They handle everything from hormone replacement therapy to gender-affirming care in a space that doesn’t feel judgmental. That’s a huge deal for a lot of people in Cleveland.
What Services Are Actually Available?
It's a long list, but basically, if it’s "primary care," they probably do it.
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- Pediatrics: Check-ups, school physicals, and immunizations.
- OB/GYN: Prenatal care and general women’s health.
- WIC Program: A massive resource for moms and infants.
- Specialty Care: They have some cardiology and pulmonary specialists who rotate through.
- Dental: Yes, they have dental services, which are notoriously hard to find for people on certain insurance plans.
The Public Health Side (Cleveland Department of Public Health)
This is where it gets confusing. The City of Cleveland actually owns the building and runs their own programs out of about 25% of the space. While MetroHealth handles the individual check-ups, the Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH) handles the "public" stuff.
They run a Reproductive Health Clinic there. If you need STI testing, HIV counseling, or birth control, and you don’t want to go through a traditional primary care doctor, this is the spot. They use a sliding fee scale based on your income. If you're broke, you usually pay nothing. They even do express testing where you can get in and out pretty fast.
They also handle immunizations—not just for kids, but for adults too. If you need a TB test for a new job or a flu shot, the city clinic side of McCafferty is usually your cheapest and fastest bet.
Why the Building Might Be Disappearing
Here is the "elephant in the room" news. If you’ve been following Cleveland City Council meetings lately, you’ll know that the McCafferty Health Center Cleveland site is on the verge of a massive change.
The building was built in 1971. Honestly? It shows. It’s a 19,000-square-foot facility that the city says is "underutilized." As of early 2026, the City of Cleveland is moving forward with plans to redevelop the 1.3-acre site into affordable housing.
Don't panic—they aren't just cutting off medical care. The plan is to relocate the clinic services. The vision from Councilman Kerry McCormack and the Ohio City Strategic Plan is to build a new complex that has housing on top and social/medical services on the ground floor.
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It’s part of the Cleveland 2030 Housing Equity Plan. The neighborhood has become super expensive lately, and they’re trying to make sure long-time residents don’t get priced out of the very area where they get their healthcare.
Getting Care: The Logistics
If you need to go there now, here is the "insider" info on how to actually get an appointment.
Insurance and Payments
MetroHealth accepts almost everything—Medicare, Medicaid (Buckeye, CareSource, United), and most private plans like Medical Mutual or Anthem.
The City’s Reproductive Health side is different. They don’t turn people away based on ability to pay. They use that sliding scale I mentioned. Just bring some proof of residency and a pay stub if you have one. If you have nothing, they’ll still talk to you. They're good people.
Location and Parking
It’s at 4242 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113.
Parking is usually okay, which is a miracle for Ohio City. There’s a dedicated lot, so you don’t have to hunt for a spot on Lorain and hope you don’t get a ticket.
The RTA #22 bus stops right in front of it. Super convenient.
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Contacting Them
- Main Primary Care: 216-957-4848
- Pediatrics: 216-778-2222
- City Reproductive Clinic: 216-664-6603
One weird quirk: the city clinic is closed on the third Wednesday afternoon of every month for staff meetings. Don't show up then. You'll just be staring at a locked door.
What People Get Wrong About McCafferty
A lot of people think McCafferty is a "free clinic" in the sense that you just walk in and wait for hours. It’s not really like that anymore. Since MetroHealth took over most of the operations, it functions much more like a regular doctor’s office. You need an appointment for most things.
Another misconception is that it’s only for "low-income" patients. While they serve a lot of people on Medicaid, the MetroHealth Pride Clinic and the OB/GYN services attract people from all over the city because the specialists there are actually top-tier. You’ll see people with high-end private insurance in the same waiting room as people utilizing the WIC program. It’s a real slice of Cleveland.
Actionable Steps for New Patients
If you're thinking about switching your care to McCafferty, or if you're new to the area, here is how you should handle it:
- Check your MyChart: If you already use MetroHealth, you can just search for providers at the McCafferty location and book yourself an appointment online.
- Call for Reproductive Health: If you need the city-run STI or family planning services, call 216-664-6603 first. They do take walk-ins, but they are "first come, first served," and they fill up fast in the morning.
- Bring Your Papers: Even if you’re uninsured, bring a photo ID. It makes the intake process ten times faster.
- Watch the News: Since the site is slated for redevelopment, keep an eye on the MetroHealth website or the City of Cleveland news alerts. By late 2026, the entrance for certain services might shift to a temporary location nearby while they start the housing project.
Healthcare in Cleveland is world-class, but it’s often hidden in these neighborhood clinics rather than the giant glass towers downtown. McCafferty has been the backbone of Ohio City for over 50 years, and even as the building changes, the mission of keeping the neighborhood healthy isn't going anywhere.
Next Steps:
- Confirm your insurance by calling your provider and asking if "MetroHealth McCafferty" is in-network.
- Gather your immunization records if you are enrolling a child in the WIC program for the first time.
- Check the RTA schedule for the #22 bus if you are relying on public transit, as frequency can change during the Lorain Avenue construction phases.