Charles S. Modlin, Jr.

Charles S. Modlin, Jr. is a kidney transplant surgeon, a board-certified urologist, and a health equity advocate. He is the host of the podcast “Muzic & Medicine” and author of the book It Isn’t Difficult To Do It If You Know How To Do It. Modlin was the first African American Staff Kidney Transplant Surgeon and Urologist at Cleveland Clinic. In addition, he is one of fewer than 20 black transplant surgeons in the United States and the only one who is also a urologist.Currently, Modlin practices urology and acts as the Vice President & Chief Health Equity Officer at MetroHealth Medical Center.
==Early life and education==
Modlin, a native of New Castle, Indiana, was born to the late Grace and Charles S. Modlin, Sr. He graduated with the class of 1979 at New Castle Chrysler High School. Modlin was the first chair trumpet player in the wind ensemble and the lead trumpet player in the jazz band, directed by William Prichett. He was also selected as the first coronet player in the 1979 Indiana All-State High School Band. Modlin earned the John Phillip Sousa Award and the Oberdofer Academic Scholarship upon graduation. Since, he has been recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus and inducted into the high school’s Hall of Fame. Modlin has also delivered keynote addresses at the academic honors achievement ceremony and the retirement ceremony for teachers.
===Undergraduate years===
In 1983, Modlin obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Northwestern University. During his college years, he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity, participated in the Northwestern University Wind Ensemble, contributed as a writer to the Daily Northwestern school newspaper, and sailed on Lake Michigan with the sailing club.
===Medical school education===
Modlin completed his medical degree at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in 1987 and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society. He held a three-term elected position on the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Alumni Board and served as an alumni interviewer, a representative of his medical school class, reunion co-chair for the Class of 1983, and as the leader of the Class of 1987 Scholarship Endowed Chair campaign.
===Internship and residency===
Modlin finished a six-year residency in general surgery and urologic surgery at New York University Medical Center from 1987 to 1993 after receiving his MD from Northwestern University. His residency was overseen by Pablo Morales, MD, the Chairman of the Department of Urology.During his training, Modlin underwent rotations at New York University Tisch Medical Center, Manhattan Veterans Administration Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Bellevue Hospital.
===Fellowship===
Following his Urological Surgery Residency, Modlin moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to pursue a three-year fellowship in Kidney Transplantation and Renovascular Surgery. From 1993 to 1996, he trained at Cleveland Clinic under the leadership of Andrew Novick, MD. Simultaneously, Modlin conducted basic science immunology research with Robert Fairchild, PhD, at the Lerner Research Institute.
===MetroHealth Medical Center (2021-Present)===
Modlin joined the staff of MetroHealth in 2021 as the inaugural Medical Director of Equity, Inclusion & Diversity (EID). He currently practices urology and serves as the Vice President & Chief Health Equity Officer. In 2022, Modlin initiated the Minority Men’s Health Fair at MetroHealth.
===Public engagement and media appearances===
Modlin has appeared on the Tom Joyner Morning Radio Show, the BBC, Cleveland’s Ideastream, Cleveland’s Sounds of Ideas. He has also spoken at the City Club of Cleveland.
==Awards and recognitions==
* Cleveland Magazine Best Doctors Recognition
* Lifebanc of Ohio, Lifetime Achievement in Renal Transplantation Award (2018)
* Northwestern University Alumni Medal Award (2023)
==Personal life==
Modlin’s late father, Charles S. Modlin, Sr. (1924 – 2010), holds 4 track and field event records for men over the age of 80 in the National Senior Games. He also served as the lay leader at Wiley United Methodist Church in New Castle, Indiana. Modlin’s late mother, Grace Modlin (1924 – 2003), graduated from Ball State University Teachers College and was an elementary school teacher. She was the first black schoolteacher in the history of Henry County, Indiana. Modlin has four children. His wife, Sheryl Modlin, is a pediatric and adult anesthesiologist and a graduate of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Class of 1987.
Category:People from New Castle, Indiana
Category:New Castle Chrysler High School alumni
Category:Northwestern University alumni
Category:Transplant surgeons
Category:Urologists
Category:Health equity