Marion Healthy Living December 2018

Co-parenting during the holidays

dedicated to women’s diagnostic services. 3D mammography™ exams deliver clear, in-depth images that are 40% more accurate than ordinary mammography –and you’ll gain the experience of RAO’s team of breast imaging specialists, who read all images in-house for optimal speed, precision and interaction with your clinician. For superior accuracy, compassionate service and a personal commitment to your health, call RAO today and schedule a 3D mammogram™ screening exam.

Malcolm E. Williamson, II, MD; Ryan K. Tompkins, MD; Brian Cartwright, MD; Janet R. TerLouw, MD

Florida Hospital will soon be AdventHealth.

cutting-edge care

› PAGE 20

2018 was a year filled with medical advances, innovations and medications that might someday save your life.

› By Cynthia McFarland

the pezz dispenser

› PAGE 26

Ocala-based elite runner, Olympics trials qualifier and running coach serves as the official coach of the Big Hammock Race Series—Season 3. › By JoAnn Guidry

insuring your future

› PAGE 32

Auto insurance is like a good first aid kit—you never know how much you need it… until you need it. › By Jim Gibson

21st century safety

› PAGE 42

How tracking devices and smartphone applications can help keep your family safe. › By Cynthia McFarland

MODERN

HEALTHY beat

› PAGE 5

By Cynthia Brown, Karin Fabry-Cushenbery, JoAnn Guidry, Cynthia McFarland and Melissa Peterson

› 6 Canine Comfort.

› 8 Healthy Living’s Hometown Hero.

› 9 Business bites.

› 10 What to do in December.

› 11 Out and about.

› 12 IHMC’s Evening Lecture Series.

HEALTHY body

› PAGE 13

By JoAnn Guidry, Robyn Lindars and Katie McPherson

› 14 Introducing Grill Girl.

› 15 Eating for your genes.

› 16 Holiday favorites, sans the sugar.

Vianca Torres, Carlos Ramos, Micah Dunseath, Asher Demilio, Elizabeth Martinez

HEALTHY family

› PAGE 37

By Katie McPherson

› 38 Merry co-parenting.

› 48 Seasonal safety 101.

MARION

PUBLISHER Magnolia Media Company, LLC.

OFFICE/PRODUCTION MANAGER

Cynthia Brown art@healthylivingmagazines.com

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITORS

Karin Fabry-Cushenbery karin@healthylivingmagazines.com

Melissa Peterson melissa@healthylivingmagazines.com

SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Vianca Torres vianca@ocalastyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA ASSISTANT

Elizabeth Martinez

FOOD CONTRIBUTOR

Robyn Lindar

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jim Gibson

JoAnn Guidry

Lisset Lanza

Cynthia McFarland

Katie McPherson

Nick Steele

ART art@healthylivingmagazines.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Jessi Miller

Kristy Taylor

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ralph Demilio

John Jernigan

SALES

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Sharon Morgan

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Evelyn Anderson

Kyle K. Bernhard

Skip Linderman

Peggy Sue Munday

Cecilia Sarco

DISTRIBUTION

Dave Adams

Rick Shaw

Rick Willet

beat canine comfort

Lily is a unique member of the Marion County Sheri ’s O ce who provides a very special service.

› By JoAnn Guidry

Photo courtesy of the Marion County Sheri ’s

With her ever-smiling, happy face, Lily is well-suited for her job with the Marion County Sheri ’s O ce. The 6-year-old beagle/corgi cross serves as a registered therapy dog, providing comfort to children in very di cult life circumstances.

“The minute Lily walks into a room, children respond to her immediately,” says MCSO Detective Janeen Henley-Freeman, who serves as the MCSO liaison with the Department of Children and Families and is Lily’s handler. “These children are in situations that cause them fear and stress. Lily helps them relax and be more comfortable. The goal is for Lily to help these children feel more at ease while talking about their situation.”

Henley-Freeman and Lily have been an o cial team for the MCSO since October 23, 2017. But Lily, all 22 pounds of her, wasn’t exactly what Henley-Freeman was looking for in a therapy dog.

“When Sheri (Billy) Woods gave me the go-ahead to pursue a therapy dog for the department, I had in mind a whole di erent kind of dog, definitely a bigger dog,” says Henley-Freeman. “But when I enrolled in the Brevard County Sheri ’s O ce’s Paws & Stripes College in the spring of 2017, I got paired up with Lily. The BCSO had taken over the county animal shelter, and

Lily was one of the shelter dogs put into the program. With that great personality of hers, Lily won me over pretty quick.”

So much so that by the end of the eight-week Law Enforcement Investigative Therapy Dog Course, Henley-Freeman adopted Lily. Next, Lily earned a Canine Good Citizen certification and became a registered therapy dog with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

Henley-Freeman and Lily’s work involves DCF investigations, missing persons, sex crimes, child abductions and child exploitation Internet crimes. In addition to working with DCF, the duo also works with children at Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection and those brought to the sheri ’s o ce because of certain crime situations.

Lily lives with Henley-Freeman, who also has two other dogs. Whiskey is a black Labrador mix shelter rescue, and Tollie is an Australian shepherd mix.

“Every day, Lily comes to work with me wearing her green Therapeutic Dog vest. She loves her job, and the kids love her. When Lily walks into a room, there’s an immediate sense of joy,” says Henley-Freeman. “I tell them that Lily is there to bring them love and kisses. In moments, the children are rubbing her belly and smiling. Lily brings them comfort when they need it most.”

Photo courtesy of the Marion County Sheri ’s O ce

Photo courtesy of the Marion County Sheri ’s O ce

Photo by John Jernigan

Melissa Singleton, PA-C

Dr. Christina Mitchell

Dr. Ashley Cauthen

Katie Keel, ARNP-C

Stacey Klingbeil, PA-C

HOMETOWN HERO

the charitable neighbor

Known for his kind heart and willingness to lend a hand, Capt. Mike Rolls of the Marion County Sheri ’s O ce is December’s Healthy Living

Hometown Hero.

› By Cynthia McFarland

› Photo by Ralph Demilio

Life can be brutal. All you have to do is turn on the nightly news to have that confirmed.

But Captain Mike Rolls, an Ocala native who has been with the Marion County Sheri O ce since 1990, has a di erent take on it. In his view, if everyone just made it a point to help their neighbors, our whole world would be a better place.

Despite the fact that Mike has made a career in a field where he often sees the worst in people, he’ll be the first to admit life can bring out the best in them, too.

Mike himself is a prime example.

In September 2002, as part of the Marion County

Sheri ’s O ce SWAT team, he was shot three times when the team attempted to serve a high-risk warrant at a drug dealer’s house. During the shooting, Mike dove in front of another o cer to shield him. The incident left Mike with life-threatening injuries that required multiple surgeries. He not only survived the shooting but proved wrong the doctors who said he might lose his legs or never walk again.

Mike returned to his job with the sheri ’s o ce and was later awarded a Purple Heart and Medal of Valor. If anything, the experience only strengthened Mike’s resolve to reach out to others.

“I love putting a smile on somebody’s face,” he says simply.

He routinely gets calls from the local organization Community with a Heart about projects that need doing. Mike grabs his tools and takes care of the task at hand, whether it’s fixing a plumbing problem, replacing a toilet, installing a cabinet, mowing a lawn for an elderly neighbor or whatever the issue might be.

“I learned how to fix things from my father and grandfather,” says Mike. “My parents instilled in me to help others. We were taught ‘Love thy neighbor.’ I’m never one to walk past someone who needs help.”

It’s not always manual labor that’s required.

Mike is the kind of guy who notices a veteran in a restaurant, thanks him for his service and quietly pays for his lunch. He’s the man who takes time to shoot

baskets with the neighborhood boys, encouraging them and letting them know they can always talk to him.

Mike is also a hands-on father; he and fiancée Susana Pascuma have five children between them.

“Mike is so humble, and he does so many things to help, even when he isn’t in uniform,” says Susana. “He encourages everyone around him to do their best.”

“People in our society are so quick to be negative rather than positive. They don’t usually have sympathy for others until something traumatic happens, like a hurricane,” says Mike. “We shouldn’t wait until something happens; we should have compassion and help each other all the time.”

prevention pays

Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) recently received 14 cancer exposure decontamination kits from the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council. The decontamination kits are 14 of 4,216 units obtained through a $1 million grant to the Firefighter Cancer Mitigation Grant Program, awarded to 405 fire departments across the state of Florida. Each kit includes tools essential for soot and particulate removal from bunker gear before firefighters leave the scene of a fire. Kits are comprised of a five-gallon bucket, clear bags, duct tape, dish soap, scrub brush, spray bottle, wipes, two 50-foot hose lines with nozzles, adapters and collapsible tra c cones.

According to research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety, firefighters in the United States have a 9 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general population. The purpose of the decontamination kits is to reduce firefighter’s exposure to cancer-causing agents, which result from combustions at a fire scene.

“From vehicle exhaust extraction systems to annual gear decontamination, implementation of a weekly hood washing schedule and quarterly training on cancer prevention behaviors, OFR is invested in protecting the health of our firefighters,” said OFR Fire Chief Shane Alexander. “These decontamination kits are the perfect addition to [the department’s] cancer prevention initiatives in place.”

a new name

Parent company of Florida Hospital, Adventist Health System, one of the nation’s largest health care systems, with nearly 50 hospital campuses and more than 80,000 employees, recently announced that it will soon become AdventHealth. Beginning January 2, 2019, all hospital systems and entities inside Adventist Health System, including Ocala’s facility, will operate under that same name as part of a system wide change. With the name change, the health system will move to being one consumer-centric, connected and identifiable national system of care for every stage of life and health. Although its name is changing, the organization is not changing in ownership or business structure.

“We are transforming to be a more consumer-focused health care system to better meet the needs of those we care for and the communities we serve,” said Terry Shaw, president/CEO for Adventist Health System. “Becoming AdventHealth allows us to be a fully integrated and distinguishable health system across all aspects of the care continuum.”

at the top

Gynecological Surgery at Ocala Health is among the top 10 percent in the nation—as measured by volume-weighted performance— according to this year’s evaluation from Healthgrades, the leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. Ocala Health’s women’s services include a number of diagnostic, medical, surgical and educational o erings for breast and gynecological health.

“Quality patient care is our top priority,” says Chad Christianson, CEO of Ocala Health. “This recognition from an objective source validates the outstanding quality of care our physicians and sta deliver to our patients.”

Ocala Health’s other notable Healthgrades recognitions include:

One of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery for 5 Years in a Row (2014-2018) and One of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery™ for 6 Years in a Row (2013-2018).

day by day

Fun events, helpful tips and monthly to-do’s for December

Write out Christmas cards to send to family and friends.

Clean out and deodorize the fridge and freezer.

Ocala Health Breakfast Cooking Demo, 10:30am

Ocala Health Taking Control of Your Diabetes support group, 10:30am

Don’t forget to attend for this Saturday’s BHRS Season of Hope (Race 5) 5K/15K, Boulware Springs State Park in Gainesville.

First Friday Art Walk downtown, 6pm Ocala Reindeer Run 5K and Christmas Parade, Silver Springs Blvd.

See The Nutcracker at the Ocala Civic Theatre (through Dec. 17).

Check Pinterest for some great Christmas craft ideas.

Ocala Health Low Back Pain and Sciatica Workshop, 1pm

Research volunteer opportunities that interest you and sign up to help.

Go for a walk and explore Silver Springs State Park.

Start a good book you’ve been wanting to read.

Grab stocking stuffers for family members’ stockings.

Children’s Storytime at Barnes & Noble, 11am

Winter Break begins for MCPS

Visit Santa on the Square between 6-8pm.

Trains at the Holidays at CF (through Dec. 30)

Have a last-minute gift-wrapping session.

CHRISTMAS EVE Start a new tradition of gifting PJs or a new holiday book to read.

Christmas Day Relax and take the day off.

Take a trip to the Museum of Natural History in Gainesville to see Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs

Make cookies with the kids.

Visit the Ocala DriveIn for family movie night.

NEW YEAR’S EVE

*To register for Ocala Health events, call (800) 530-1188 or visit OcalaHealthSystem.com

Visit Let’s Skate Ocala at Tuscawilla Park.

After Dark in the Park Movie Series Beauty and the Beast at Tuscawilla, 7pm

Start thinking about those New Year’s resolutions.

Put up and trim the Christmas tree.

scholarship & awards gala

The Black Nurses Rock Ocala chapter held its second annual Scholarship and Awards Gala on September 22 at the Elliot Center. Guests were treated to live entertainment, a silent auction, vendors and guest speaker Vivian Filer.

Photos by Ralph Demilio@ the Elliot Center

Miriam and Marcus Alexander

Drumeka Rollerson, Cynthia Mitchell, Shaneka Crosby

Jokisha King, Kristy Robinson

Jokisha King, Shekeita Perry, Drumeka Rollerson, Kimaira Archie, Rashana Willson, Kristy Robinson

Latoya Clark, Queen Freeman

Erica Franklin, Pamala Howard

Marcy Owens, Nikki Neal

Marcy Owens, Tonee Davis, Kim Nisbett, Drumeka Rollerson, Heather Miller, Nikki Neal, Meisha Bernard

Corey, Drumeka and Caleb Rollerson

Shavellory Roundtree, Peggy Recanzone

Lori Williams, Myriam Alexander, Chrisy Hawkesworth, Pat Turner, Henrietta Flanders

Sarah Brown, Karen Johnson, Padmini Kumar, Rachael Drayton, Vivian Filer

it takes a family

By Cynthia McFarland

We tend to think of the college years as an exciting time of learning, growth and selfdiscovery. Although that may be true, it can also be a much darker period for many individuals.

Last year, 30 percent of college students were diagnosed with or treated for a mental health disorder and 22 percent were diagnosed with or treated for an anxiety disorder. Also last year, 18 percent of college students were diagnosed with or treated for depression and 13 percent seriously considered suicide, while 2 percent actually attempted suicide.

For Dr. Marcia Morris, these numbers are more than troubling statistics. They represent young men and women she sees on a daily basis as a board-certifi ed psychiatrist at the University of Florida.

If things are going to change for the positive, Dr. Morris firmly believes it will take the involvement of parents and

family. This is of paramount importance because studies show that only half of students with positive anxiety or depression screens in the last year got any mental health treatment, and untreated depression is a major risk factor for suicide.

“It is critical that parents, family and friends ensure their loved ones get the mental health treatment they need, including encouraging an appointment, going to an appointment and helping navigate insurance challenges,” notes Dr. Morris. “Let your child know that talking with a therapist can be helpful for personal growth. If one is experiencing any symptoms of depression or anxiety or having any kind of suicidal thoughts, they should see a therapist or psychiatrist.”

Parents often are left out of the picture, yet their involvement is critical at a time when mental health disorders are soaring on campus.

“If a college student is seeing a psychiatrist or therapist and

parents have concerns about their mental health, they can ask their child to sign a HIPAA Release of Information form so they can talk with their child’s mental health provider,” Dr. Morris adds.

A graduate of Harvard College and Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Morris is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and associate program director for student health psychiatry at the University of Florida. She currently writes a parenting blog for Psychology Today on college wellness. Her book, The Campus Cure: A Parent’s Guide to Mental Health and Wellness for College Students (Rowman and Littlefield), was

published in January 2018. Join Dr. Morris as she speaks on “Curing the College Mental Health Crisis: It Takes A Family” at the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition’s Evening Lecture Series. Although Dr. Morris works with college students, the information is valuable for anyone who has a loved one with a mental health issue.

Learn More › IHMC EVENING LECTURE SERIES › Marcia Morris, M.D. › Thursday, January 24, from 6-7pm, doors open at 5:30pm › ihmc.us › (352) 387-3050

Marcia Morris, M.D., talks curing the college mental health crisis at Ocalabased IHMC’s Evening Lecture Series on January 24. ›

holiday flavors

Photos and recipe courtesy of Grill Girl Robyn Lindars

Free up some valuable oven space and cook your holiday turkey outdoors this year on your grill. By spatchcocking, i.e. butterflying your turkey, you’ll see it cooks much more evenly and quickly than when roasted whole in the oven, with the added advantage of crispy skin and a smoky flavor from the grill. Once you’ve done your turkey this way, oven roasted turkey will be a thing of the past! This recipe is naturally low carb, paleo and keto diet friendly.

lemon herb butter spatchcocked turkey

1 stick butter, softened

1 large bunch rosemary, tarragon and thyme leaves removed o the stems

juice of 2 lemons

sea salt, large pinch

fresh ground pepper, large pinch

1 organic young turkey, spatchcocked with back bone removed (Save yourself the trouble and have your butcher do this!)

If brining, brine overnight, and then pat dry. › In a small mixing bowl, combine butter, herbs, salt, pepper and lemon juice with an immersion blender. › Lay the turkey out on a big cutting board or plate, and spread it out. › Slide your fingers under the skin, and separate it from the meat to place the butter. › Slather butter underneath the breast, legs, etc.— anywhere you can get butter underneath the skin. This is what is going to keep it moist—the not-so-fun part but the results are worth it!. › Heat your grill to 350°F, creating a direct and indirect zone. › Grill the turkey on the indirect side, flipping halfway through, until an internal thermometer reads 160°F internal temperature in the breast. This will take approximately 2 hours or more depending on the size of your turkey. › Finish the turkey on the direct side to achieve grill marks and crisp the skin, flipping halfway through, until an internal temperature thermometer reads 170°F. This will take another 1020 minutes, depending on the size of your bird. › Remove the turkey from the grill and tent under foil for 10 minutes to let the juices re-absorb. › Serve with your favorite sides, and prepare to be amazed at the juicy results!

Robyn Lindars, a.k.a. Grill Girl, has been writing about healthy grilling and smoking since 2008 when she started her awardwinning blog GrillGirl.com. Robyn regularly competes on a competition barbecue team alongside her dad in Memphis at the World Championship BBQ Cooking Competition, aka The Superbowl of Swine, and has been instrumental in exposing women to the world of grilling by regularly teaching womenfocused grilling classes. Robyn has competed on Chopped Grillmasters, was featured as the new face of grilling on the Cooking Channel’s Foodography and has cooked pizza on live television alongside Carson Daly on the Today show. Robyn has developed recipes for brands such as Kingsford Charcoal, Walmart, Smithfield, Stubb’s BBQ Sauce, Green Mountain Grills and many more. Robyn lives in South Florida with her husband, son and two dogs. She owns 12 grills and counting.

eating for your genes

DNA nutritional analysis aims to help you make the best sciencebased dietary choices.

›

By JoAnn Guidry

Cauliflower needs to become my BFF vegetable. When it comes to fruit, my goto should be raspberries. And tilapia filet, not salmon, is the best seafood for me.

So you’re thinking I recently visited a registered dietician and we spent hours going over what I eat, my activity level, body type and health history. You’d be wrong. The aforementioned dietary recommendations came via a DNA nutritional analysis from only my saliva sample. In fact, those are just bullet points of the fairly detailed analysis done by Milwaukee, Wisconsinbased GenoPalate.

“GenoPalate empowers you with your genetic information to help you eat smarter for a healthier life,” says Sherry Zhang, a molecular biologist who founded and is CEO of GenoPalate. “We analyze 100-plus genetic markers to determine your specific needs of 26 vital nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates and protein. Your genetic profile is then

computed with over 3 million genetic and nutrient variables to recommend the best foods for you.”

For instance, cauliflower is my best vegetable because it is low in sugar while high in omega-3, folate and vitamin E, the nutrients I need to increase in my diet. The report selects your top pick with other options in 14 food categories. Because eating cauliflower all the time would be boring, other good veggies for me are broccoli, Brussels sprouts, yellow squash and okra.

What impressed me the most was what GenoPalate got right that I already knew. My report noted that I have a moderate sensitivity to lactose and gluten. From digestive issues experiences, I have known this

for years. And here’s another tidbit from my report: Ca eine and alcohol get removed from my system at a slower rate than average. If I drink co ee or eat dark chocolate in the late afternoon, there’s a sleepless night ahead for me. As for alcohol, I did drink socially a little, emphasis on little, in college. Just a drink or two would leave me hung over for days. Hence, I’m a teetotaler.

But I didn’t provide any information even hinting of these dietary nuances to tip the report in those directions. My unique reactions to those substances were sussed out solely from my DNA.

The saliva kit that I ordered from GenoPalate.com cost

$199, and you receive a digital report within four to six weeks. If you’ve already done a DNA ancestry analysis, that data can be used and the fee drops to $99. The company also o ers personalized registered dietician coaching and meal plans for additional fees.

As for me, I’m o to buy cauliflower.

Learn more › genopalate.com

Photos courtesy of GenoPalate

Sample Report Cover

holiday favorites, hold the health concerns

For most of us, overindulging during holiday meals is just par for the course. But for those with diabetes, holiday meals can be full of potential pitfalls that can actually endanger their health.

› Recipe and photos courtesy of Mr. Food Test Kitchen

Howard Rosenthal is the author of Mr. Food Test Kitchen’s GuiltFree Comfort Favorites, a book created in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association. Each of the 130 recipes inside meets the ADA’s nutritional guidelines so home cooks can enjoy holiday dishes without compromising their health.

“These are recipes that taste of comfort, and you’re eating them and saying, ‘This can’t be diabetic-friendly,’” says Rosenthal. “Our goal is to make people feel satisfied but keep your doctor happy by following their guidelines.”

Although some cookbooks centered on health seem to forget flavor, Rosenthal kept his reader’s taste buds in mind while testing these recipes.

They’ll even win over holiday guests who aren’t watching their sugar intake.

“I think it’s good to get excited about food and try something you traditionally wouldn’t try. These recipes are designed for the whole family to enjoy whether you have a sugar sensitivity or not. It’s just good food, and it’s good for everyone,” Rosenthal says.

And this cookbook isn’t just about sharing recipes but educating readers so they can lead healthier lives all around. It explains how to read a nutrition label, the basics of portion control and essential science behind eating for better health.

Mr. Food Test Kitchen’s Guilt-Free Comfort Favorites is available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.

sheet pan oasted turkey and veggies

Serves

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 fresh lemon, halved, divided

3 sprigs fresh rosemary, stems removed, chopped

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon paprika

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper

1 1⁄4 pounds lean, boneless turkey tenderloins, halved

2 bell peppers, one red, one yellow, cut into 2-inch chunks

1 zucchini, cut into 1-inch chunks

1 cup mushrooms, halved

1⁄2 red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks

Preheat oven to 400°F. › In a large bowl, combine oil, juice from 1/2 lemon, rosemary, garlic powder, paprika, salt and black pepper; mix well. › Add turkey, and toss until evenly coated. › Place on a baking sheet. › Add bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms and onion to oil mixture, and toss until evenly coated. › Place vegetables and lemon halves on baking sheet. › Roast 25 to 30 minutes or until no pink remains in turkey and vegetables are tender. › With a pair of tongs, squeeze roasted lemon halves over turkey and vegetables, and serve immediately.

buttery mooth mac ‘n’ cheese

Serves 8 (1/2 cup per serving) › Prep: 20 minutes › Cook: 40 minutes

2 tablespoons light, trans-fat-free margarine

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 cups fat-free milk

2 cups shredded fat-free cheddar cheese

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper

1⁄2 (12-ounce) package frozen mashed butternut squash, thawed

8 ounces whole-grain elbow macaroni, cooked according to package directions

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375°F. › Coat a 1 1/2-quart baking dish with cooking spray. › In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt margarine. › Whisk in flour, and cook 1 minute. › Add milk, whisking until smooth and mixture begins to thicken. › Stir in cheddar cheese, dry mustard and pepper, and cook until cheese is melted. › Stir in squash and pasta; mix well. › Place mixture in baking dish, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. › Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through and the top is golden.

Nutritional values: calories 190, calories from fat 20, total fat 2g, saturated fat 0.5g, trans fat 0g, cholesterol 5mg, sodium 340mg, potassium 210mg, total carbohydrates 28g, dietary fiber 3g, sugars 5g, protein 16g, phosphorus 280mg

triple berry cheesecake

Serves 16 › Prep: 20 minutes › Cook: 50 minutes › Cool: 2 hours

1 1⁄2 cups quick-cooking oats

1⁄2 cup walnuts

brown sugar substitute equal to 1⁄2 cup brown sugar

4 tablespoons light, trans-fat-free margarine

2 8-oz. packages fat-free cream cheese, softened sugar substitute equal to 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 eggs

1⁄4 cup reduced fat milk

1 cup reduced fat sour cream

for berry auce…

2 cups strawberry halves

3⁄4 cup blueberries

1 cup raspberries

1⁄3 cup water

sugar substitute equal to 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 350°F. › In a food processor, pulse oats and walnuts until finely chopped. › In a medium bowl, combine oat mixture, brown sugar substitute and margarine. › Press mixture firmly into bottom of an 8-inch springform pan. › Bake 10 minutes. › Meanwhile, in a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar substitute until creamy. › Beat in flour and vanilla until well combined. › Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. › Beat in milk and sour cream, just until blended. › Pour batter into crust. › Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until center is just set and slightly jiggly. › Turn oven o , and leave in oven for 30 minutes. › Remove from oven, and let cool at room temperature. › When cool, refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. › To make berry sauce, in a saucepan over medium heat, combine strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, water and sugar substitute. › Cook 10 to 15 minutes or until fruits start to break down and sauce starts to thicken up. › Before serving, gently remove side of springform pan. › Place cake on serving platter, cut into slices and serve with berry sauce.

Recipes and photography courtesy of Mr. Food Test Kitchen.

Ocala Eye Moves Into The Future

With their combined experience, this ophthalmology practice is bringing some of the most sought-after eye diagnostics and procedures to the Ocala community.

For more than 45 years, Ocala Eye has been the largest multispecialty eye care practice in North Central Florida. That’s why they recently opened a brand-new, state-of-the-art o ce in Market Street at Heath Brook. Here, patients will find leading medical technology and amenities and even a pager system so they can shop and eat while waiting for their appointment. This location also makes access easy for patients from all over the Marion County area.

Ocala Eye o ers medical and surgical eye care services, including comprehensive eye exams, aesthetics, eyeglasses, cataract and refractive surgery, and even hearing services. The Heath Brook o ce features a dedicated aesthetics center where trained aestheticians provide advanced skincare treatments like facials, microdermabrasion, microneedling and more.

But the most important part of any medical practice is, of course, the providers. It’s said that a great surgeon has the eyes of an eagle, the heart of a lion and the hands of a lady—Ocala Eye has three such surgeons practicing at their new location.

Jodie Armstrong, MD, FACS, and Hina Ahmed, MD, specialize in cataract surgery, laser eye procedures and diseases of the anterior segment of the eye. Dr. Armstrong

Photo by John Jernigan

is an Ocala native, and Dr. Ahmed has called this community home for more than a decade. Together they have more than 25 years of experience.

“Ocala Eye is di erent from the rest because it is the only comprehensive eye practice in the Marion County area,” says Dr. Armstrong. “We can perform almost any eye service, from contact lens fittings and regular comprehensive exams to diabetic screenings and eye reconstruction. Ocala Eye only sta s board-certified surgeons. Many are subspecialty trained and fellows of the American College of Surgeons. We have certified scrub technicians assisting in our spacious, eye-only surgery center. We o er the most state-of-the-art testing and surgical equipment.”

One of the Ocala Eye’s guiding principles is education—of sta , patients and the community. Ocala Eye o ers extensive technical training programs for their sta and encourages them to earn industry certifications. Providers here also host educational symposia for other eye

care professionals in the region. Most importantly, Ocala Eye takes time with each and every patient to teach them about their eye condition and treatment options.

If one of those treatment options includes surgery, patients of Ocala Eye are in good hands.

“Our state-of-the-art surgery center is the only one like it in Marion County,” Dr. Ahmed explains. “Our surgical team is dedicated to eye surgery only. This creates a unique environment that gives our surgeons a laser focus on the procedures we perform. I have worked at other surgery centers, and I can tell you that this di erence is palpable. With the addition of Dr. Kim, this adds to the breadth of services we o er.”

Sarah Kim, DO, recently joined Ocala Eye as an oculoplastic surgeon. Oculoplastics includes a wide variety of surgical procedures that deal with the eyelids, tear ducts, orbit (eye socket) and surrounding tissues. It also includes reconstruction of the eyelids and associated structures.

“Ocala Eye has a diverse group of physicians, and the fact that there are three female surgeons is really rare. When deciding to join Ocala Eye, I was excited that there were two women on the board, and this was a big draw for me,” Dr. Kim

says. “Also, I was interested in a warm, neighborly community. When I came for my interview, I was really drawn to the friendliness in the community everywhere I went and that Ocala Eye was very involved with the local community beyond only business.”

As the only doctor of her kind in the Ocala area, Dr. Kim provides medical and surgical management of issues like correcting age-related changes to the eyelids, alleviating blocked tear ducts, removing tumors and cancers around the eyes and reconstructing eyelids after trauma, Mohs surgeries or thyroid eye disease. She also o ers cosmetic eyelid surgeries and minimally invasive facial rejuvenation, including dermal fillers.

“I was drawn to the field of oculoplastics early on in my ophthalmology residency. I trained at a very busy trauma center in California where I saw numerous patients with complex eyelid lacerations and facial traumas, including dog bites and gunshot wounds to the orbits and face. While repairing a patient’s eyelids in the middle of the night, I realized that I really enjoyed this type of work. I find it extremely rewarding to be able to improve an individual’s visual function and physical confidence. It is a true blessing and privilege to have a career where I can make a meaningful di erence for someone by doing what I love.”

Photo by John Jernigan

Photo by John Jernigan

CuttingEdge

2018 was a year filled with medical advances, innovations and medications that might someday save your life.

BY CYNTHIA MCFARLAND

You don’t have to be a scientist to appreciate how far we’ve come in the world of medicine and health care. That’s definitely a good thing, as many of the treatments used as recently as the last couple of centuries now sound downright maniacal (kerosene to treat head lice, morphine syrup to ease babies’ teething pain and hydroeclectric baths for chronic migraine su erers, for example).

Although these practices seem bizarre today, they were once accepted treatments. Fortunately, we’ve come a long way. Just this last year has revealed a number of impressive medical advances currently available or on the horizon, as well as new drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat a wide range of diseases/conditions.

condition but who have di culty wearing a CPAP device may be interested in a di erent approach.

Now, new technology utilizes neuromodulation via an implant to open key airway muscles during sleep. The system is controlled by a remote or wearable patch and helps synchronize air intake using a breathing sensor and stimulation lead, which is powered by a small battery.

According to a journal article on the International Neuromodulation Society website, this technology functions as a “pacemaker” by stimulating the genioglossus muscle in the upper airway and making it contract, which widens the airway and increases airflow. Neurostimulation is reserved for patients

in women receiving chemo to treat earlystage breast cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), scalp hypothermia, which was approved by the FDA last year, involves cooling the scalp with ice packs or cooling caps for a period of time before, during and after each chemotherapy treatment. As noted on the ACS website, “Newer versions of these devices use a two-piece cooling cap system that is controlled by a computer, which helps circulate a cooled liquid through a cap a person wears during each chemotherapy treatment. A second cap, made from neoprene, covers the cooling cap to hold it in place and keep the cold from escaping.”

According to cancer.org, the cooling tightens up or constricts the blood vessels in the scalp. This constriction is believed to reduce the amount of chemo medicine that ultimately reaches the cells of the hair follicles, thereby preventing excess hair loss.

Lab-Grown Organs

It sounds like science fiction, but it’s true. A team at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) has not only grown lungs in the lab but then successfully transplanted those bioengineered organs into pigs, whose systems are remarkably similar to humans.

New Way to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea

For years, the often cumbersome and uncomfortable CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure sleep mask) device has been the go-to treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, a common sleep disturbance that impacts as many as 21 million Americans. People su ering from the

who have trouble tolerating the standard obstructive sleep apnea treatment.

Reducing Chemotherapy Hair Loss

A new technology called “scalp cooling” (also known as “scalp hypothermia”) has been highly e ective in lessening hair loss

As reported in an article in The Telegraph this August, scientists took the lung of one pig and removed the blood and cells, stripping it down to “skeleton” level. They then took nutrients and lung cells from the pig that was to receive the new organ and placed them in a tank with the lung “skeleton.” After 30 days, the bioengineered organ was ready for transplant. Not only were the lab-grown lungs quickly accepted by the pigs after transplants, but within two weeks, they had already developed a network of blood vessels. Two months after transplant, the lungs were still functioning and the pigs had 100 percent oxygen saturation. All of the animals stayed healthy.

According to Joan Nichols, Professor of Internal Medicine at UTMB, the ultimate goal is to provide new options for the thousands of people on lung transplant waiting lists.

“Somewhere down the line we may be able to take stem cells from a person

and produce an organ that is their organ, tissue matched to them, with no immune suppression needed that would function the way their own lung originally did,” Nichols stated.

Researchers anticipate human trials could begin in the next five to 10 years.

Worried About Alzheimer’s? Get Moving!

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in this country, and approximately 5.3 million Americans are living with the disease.

Ocala neurologist Jose A. Gaudier, M.D., P.A., notes that several medicines designed to help prevent Alzheimer’s are currently in the research phase.

“In medicine, we often talk about ‘prevention,’ which while widely understood in the non-medical circuits as avoidance

of getting a disease, in medicine it means decreasing the risk,” explains Gaudier. “Exercise has been widely considered among neurologists and neuroscientists as the best way to delay dementia onset, along with diet.”

Gaudier points out the results of a twoyear controlled study in Finland of adults at risk for dementia. This is the first study to prove that a multi-domain intervention of diet, exercise, cognitive training and vascular risk monitoring versus control can improve or sustain cognition in elderly individuals, something medical treatment studies have failed to do.

Adults over age 65 should aim for at least 150 minutes per week of moderateintensity aerobic exercise training (brisk walking is a good option), 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise training or a combination of the two

supplemented by muscle strengthening activities (such as dynamic resistance training) two days a week or more.

No Egg Or Sperm Needed

Forget the traditional “ingredients” of conception. Using only stem cells, “embryologists working at the University of Cambridge in the UK have grown realisticlooking mouse embryos,” according to the MIT Technology Review

The magazine heralded the accomplishment as one of its “10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2018.”

“We know that stem cells are magical in their powerful potential of what they can do. We did not realize they could selforganize so beautifully or perfectly,” said Magdelena Zernicka-Goetz, who headed the team.

The next step? Creating an artificial embryo from human stem cells. That’s exactly what researchers at the University of Michigan and Rockefeller University are currently working on. Obviously, this raises many ethical questions, but making artificial embryos could allow researchers to study the beginning of human life.

Fighting Cancer With Immunotherapy

More strides have been made using immunotherapy techniques, which allow the body’s own immune system to fight back against cancer. Researchers at UCLA’s David Ge en School of Medicine are studying treatments using antibodies that “disrupt” the shield of cancerous tumors, making them more vulnerable to attack. They are also working on treatments in which cells are removed from the patient’s immune system, reengineered and then returned to the body to fight against cancer.

“Immunotherapy—or using the body’s own immune system to fight cancer—has

Adults over age 65 should aim for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise training

literally changed the way we treat cancer and given real hope to patients who previously had very few options,” says Lucio Gordan, M.D., with Florida Cancer Specialists—Gainesville. “While immunotherapy is not yet used in treating all types of cancer, there is a vast amount of research being conducted that we anticipate will produce many more viable drugs in the future.”

Therapeutic Cancer Vaccine

According to a news release dated July 10, 2018, Mo tt Cancer Center has recently entered into a licensing agreement with the company MultiVir Inc. to pursue a personalized cancer vaccine. The therapeutic vaccine is comprised of a patient’s dendritic cells (a type of immune cell), which are treated with a genetically engineered adenovirus carrying the human p53 gene (Ad-p53). If successful, this could provide a new option for patients with relapsed/recurrent small cell lung cancer.

A clinical trial, which is scheduled for completion in April 2020, will evaluate the use of the Ad-p53 Dendritic Cell Vaccine

in combination with the immunotherapy drugs Opdivo® (nivolumab) and Yervoy® (ipilimumab).

“This investigational therapy could provide a new approach for patients with relapsed/recurrent small cell lung cancer. This group of patients, which is about 15 percent of all lung cancer patients, has a low survival rate depending on what stage the cancer is when diagnosed,” says Scott Antonia, M.D., Ph.D., co-inventor of the vaccine and chair of the Thoracic Oncology Department at Mo tt. “We hope this combination therapy will spark the immune system to attack the cancer with minimal side e ects for the patient.”

“There is a lot of potential with this investigational therapy. The p53 mutation is seen in almost half of all cancers. If there is success in small cell lung cancer, there could be an opportunity to expand the vaccine’s use for other cancers,” adds Albert A. Chiappori, M.D., co-principal investigator of the clinical trial and senior member of the Thoracic Oncology Department at Mo tt.

Help For Retinal Diseases

FDA approval is expected imminently for a new gene therapy to treat inherited retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and Leber Congenital amaurosis (LCA).

The therapy is innovative in that it “delivers a new ‘normal’ working copy of the gene that results in a functional protein.” The gene is then placed within a modified virus, and that viral vector actually delivers it to retinal cells, resulting in improvement in visual function.

“Retinal gene therapy has advanced eons in the past 10 years,” wrote Christine Kay, M.D., in the February 2017 issue of Retinal Specialist “With innovations like optogenetics, we can imagine a future where multiple di erent diseases can be treated with a larger window of opportunity for therapeutic e ect. Although exciting to the clinical community, these advances will be even more attractive to our patients who, until very recently, have been told at yearly follow-ups, ‘There is nothing that can be done.’ We are finally at a point where we can o er realistic hope.”

Telemedicine Technology

Researchers say telemedicine technology, also referred to as “telehealth” or “distant health technology,” is a lifesaving advance in medicine. This process removes barriers and extends the health care environment by equipping the patient with attachable devices that record and report medical information, allowing doctors to monitor a patient’s condition when the patient is at home. The goal is not only to make

If successful, this could provide a new option for patients with relapsed/ recurrent small cell lung cancer.

care more e cient but to ultimately have better outcomes.

“There is now a plethora of tools, including wearables and other devices that are generating physiological data such as respiratory and heart rate and rhythm, oxygen saturation and sleep patterns, which by themselves may be helpful if there is a predisposition toward specific abnormalities,” observes William Dalton, M.D., Ph.D., a medical oncologist at Mo tt Cancer Center in Tampa.

In 2018, over 19 million patients were expected to use such remote monitoring devices. Look for telemedicine technologies to increase in the near future as telehealth programs become more common across the country.

Medications New To The Market

A number of new drugs were approved this year by the FDA. If you have any of the following conditions, you may want to

ask your doctor about these new options. Please note, this is not a complete listing of every recently released medication.

AIMOVIG (ERENUMAB-AOOE): For preventive treatment of migraine in adults (approved May 2018)

ANNOVERA (SEGESTERONE ACETATE AND ETHINYL ESTRADIOL VAGINAL SYSTEM): Vaginal ring to protect against pregnancy for an entire year (approved August 2018)

BIKTARVY (BICTEGRAVIR/ EMTRICITABINE/TENOFOVIR ALAFENAMIDE): For treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults (approved February 2018)

BRAFTOVI (ENCORAFENIB): For treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma (approved June 2018)

DOPTELET (AVATROMBOPAG): For treatment of thrombocytopenia in adults with chronic liver disease scheduled to undergo a procedure (approved May 2018)

EPIDIOLOEX (CANNABIDIOL): For treatment of rare, severe forms of epilepsy (approved June 2018)

ERLEADA (APALUTAMIDE): For treatment of prostate cancer (approved February 2018)

GALAFOLD (MIGALASTAT): For treatment of Fabry disease in adults (approved August 2018)

ILUMYA (TILDRAKIZUMAB-ASMN): For treatment of plaque psoriasis (approved March 2018)

JYNARQUE (TOLVAPTAN): For treatment of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (approved April 2018)

LOKELMA (SODIUM ZIRCONIUM CYCLOSILICATE): For treatment of hyperkalemia (approved May 2018)

LUCEMYRA (LOFEXIDINE

HYDROCHLORIDE): For non-opioid treatment for management of opioid withdrawal symptoms in adults (approved May 2018)

LUTATHERA (LUTETIUM LU

177 DOTATATE): For treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (approved January 2018)

MEKTOVI (BINIMETINIB): For treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma (approved June 2018)

OLUMIANT (BARICITINIB): For treatment of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (approved May 2018)

ORILISSA (ELAGOLIX SODIUM): For management of moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis (approved July 2018)

PIFELTRO (DORAVIRINE): For treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults (approved August 2018)

POTELIGEO (MOGAMULIZUMAB-KPKC): For treatment of two rare types of nonHodgkin’s lymphoma (approved August 2018)

SYMDEKO (TEZACAFTOR/IVACAFTOR): For treatment of cystic fibrosis in patients age 12 years and older (approved February 2018)

TIBSOVO (IVOSIDENIB): For treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (approved July 2018)

TPOXX (TECOVIRIMAT): For treatment of smallpox (approved July 2018)

TROGARZO (IBALIZUMABUIYK): For treatment of multi-drug resistant HIV-1 infection (approved March 2018)

ZEMDRI (PLAZOMICIN): For treatment of adults with complicated urinary tract infections (approved June 2018)

DIS PEZZ THE

PENSER

Ocala-based elite runner, Olympic trials qualifier and running coach serves as the o cial coach of the Big Hammock Race Series—Season 3.

BY JOANN GUIDRY | PHOTOS BY RALPH DEMILIO

Instead of candy, Stephanie Pezzullo, aka Coach Pezz, is dispensing running advice to those participating in the Big Hammock Race Series— Season 3.

“The BHRS is such a unique and wonderful event that brings the community together through a health initiative,” says Pezzullo, 36, who has a degree in kinesiology from Penn State. “I love how it’s inclusive, open to everyone from walkers to serious runners. The series of races gives you plenty of options to suit your health and fitness goals. I am very honored and happy to be the o cial coach of the BHRS.”

Co-founded by Ocala runners Karen Donnelly and Tina Banner, the BHRS is a year-round North and Central Florida run/walk fitness challenge. The BHRS is an all-ages and skill level walk/run program, with finishing each race the only requirement. BHRS PassHolders in the 10race series accumulate points toward medals and season-

SEASON #3 2018 - 2019

ending honors. The BHRS began with the Super RockStar Virtual 5K (open July 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019) and will wrap up with the PACE Derby Run 5K/10K on May 4.

“Coach Pezz is the embodiment of perseverance, strength and indomitable will. She is an incredible motivator and mentor. She demonstrates with action what it takes to build the best you,” says Donnelly. “We couldn’t be prouder to have Coach Pezz as the o cial coach of the BHRS—Season 3.” Donnelly has firsthand knowledge of Pezzullo’s coaching prowess.

“Coach Pezz is my personal running coach. She has helped me work on my head space during training, which is 90 percent of the work,” says Donnelly. “She has customized a very challenging training program for me to reach my goal of a sub-twohour half-marathon. And I have no doubt that my goal is attainable, thanks in large part to Coach Pezz.”

For each Season 3 PassHolder, Coach Pezz has o ered one complimentary Training With Pezz Run Clinic. Visit the Big Hammock Race Series Facebook page and Coach Pezz’s website (trainingwithpezz.com) to find out more about the clinics. Make sure to sign up early, as spaces fill up quickly.

“BHRS PassHolders can sign up on my website for the race clinics,” says Pezzullo. “I love the BHRS and want to help as many people as possible enjoy it as well.”

Although running is her sport, Pezzullo’s fitness philosophy is more wide open.

“I promote movement in general for people who want to be healthy and fi t. It certainly doesn’t have to be all about running,” she says. “It’s not about how much you’re running; it’s that you’re moving on a consistent basis. And that’s where the BHRS comes in. Setting a goal to participate in the BHRS races keeps you moving. And if

you do that, you’re going to be healthier.”

ALL ABOUT THE SHOES

When it comes to running, the only piece of equipment you really need is shoes—make that good running shoes.

“I played college and semipro soccer. You run five to six miles a day in practice and during a match. But I wore very tight soccer shoes and had all kinds of feet issues,” says Pezzullo. “When I transitioned to becoming a pro runner, my first running coach took one look at my feet and said I had been wearing shoes that were too small. Once I got fitted for good running shoes, my feet issues went away.”

Pezzullo suggests getting fitted by a running shoe expert at an athletics footwear store. She adds that “the best-case scenario is being fitted by someone who is a runner, too.”

“People get too hung up on what size shoe they think they should wear or what size shoe they wear in everyday shoes,” says Pezzullo. “But when you run, your foot expands so you need to account for that. Most people need a half-size to whole size larger in running shoes. Running shoes are not fashion shoes; you have to think about form and function.”

Although di erent from fashion shoes, heels do play a part in running shoes.

“My theory is that the less of a heel there is in a running shoe, the better,” says Pezzullo. “This allows for a natural

mid-foot landing strike for running. Sprinters run on their toes, but we’re not promoting sprinting here. We’re dealing with a good, normal running foot strike.”

Pezzullo acknowledges that finding your perfect shoe could take some patience.

“Everyone’s feet and mechanics are di erent. You’re probably going to have to experiment a little bit until you find the absolute best shoe for you. A good coach can give you feedback on your running gait,” she says. “Pay attention to how you feel when you run in the shoes. After you’ve

run in them for a while, check the wear pattern to see if you’re rolling inward or rolling outward. You might need a stability shoe.”

Running shoes generally last 250 to 300 miles. To extend the shoes’ life, Pezzullo recommends, if possible, buying two pairs and alternating them every two to three days. She also adds that “you might want to have your everyday trainers and then another lighter shoe for race days.”

And let’s not forget socks.

“Go for good running socks to keep your feet as dry as possible to avoid blisters,”

COACH PEZZ IS AIMING FOR THE U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALSMARATHON ON FEBRUARY 29, 2020, IN ATLANTA.

says Pezzullo. “Good running socks can be pricey, but they’re worth it.”

GETTING STARTED & BEYOND

It’s basically putting one foot in front of the other, but a little coaching help goes a long way to starting a running program.

“People get intimidated by running, and they really shouldn’t. The first thing I tell someone is that it’s OK to run/walk,” says Pezzullo. “A lot of people think you can’t call yourself a runner unless you just go out the door and run all out, all the time. That’s not true. Again, it’s getting back to just keep moving.”

Pezzullo calls her beginner’s running program “Time On Your Feet.”

“The biggest thing is starting slowly, mixing in running and walking to maximize the time on your feet,” she says. “You can start with one minute running, one minute walking for 10 minutes and gradually build on that. The important thing is not speed but just being consistent and building that base.”

Once a client is up to 30 minutes, Pezzullo changes up the program.

“Depending on the person and what goal they are aiming for, we start to add in di erent elements,” she says. “We maybe add in longer runs. I really like adding in high intensity intervals, especially if someone is planning to run in a race. Again, that’s the beauty of the BHRS. You can run/ walk in everything from a 5K to a marathon.”

For many beginners, Pezzullo considers a 5K (3.1 miles) a good goal, one that seems attainable and not overwhelming.

“I have an eight-week program to get someone ready for a 5K, and that has worked very well for lots of people,”

she says. “The goal of the program is for the person to finish a 5K comfortably and feeling great both physically and mentally.”

When asked about any diet tips, Pezzullo laughs and says, “I’ll admit my eating is all over the place. I do eat cookies and fast food just like everybody else. But when I start seriously training for a race, then I do pay more attention to what I’m eating.”

To Pezzullo, food is fuel, and she eats to train.

“I’m not a nutrition expert, but, yes, there is a connection between what you eat and how your running is going to go,” she says. “I prefer to eat small meals throughout the day and avoid a big dinner. A small snack combining carbs and protein, like peanut butter and a banana, two to three hours before and after a run or a race is also a good thing.”

In addition to helping her clients achieve their fitness goals, Pezzullo has her own running goals. She is aiming for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Marathon on February 29,

2020, in Atlanta. The top three female and male finishers, who have met qualifying performance standards, will be named to the U.S. Olympic Team and compete in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Big Hammock Race Series— SEASON 3 (December

2018 through May 2019 Races)

Race #5 Season of Hope 5K/15K:

Dec. 8 at Boulware Springs State Park, Gainesville

Race #6 Running With The Herd 5K (Super Race #2):

Jan. 26, 2019 at The Villages Charter High School, The Villages

Race #7 Five Points of Life 5K, Half Marathon & Marathon (Super Race #3):

Feb. 16 & 17, 2019 at Celebration Pointe, 3528 SW 45th Street, Gainesville

“I’m no di erent from anyone else. I need goals to motivate me, and I very much want to represent my country at the 2020 Olympics,” says Pezzullo. “Closer to home, the BHRS provides its participants with running goals and is a great motivator to be healthier. That’s a great combination.”

Learn More › bighammockraceseries.com › trainingwithpezz.com

Race #8 St. Paddy’s Day 5K (Super Race #4):

March 16, 2019 at Ocala’s downtown Citizens’ Circle

Race #9 Run for the Springs 5K: April 16, 2019 at Marion County Board of County Commissioners Government Office, Ocala

Race #10 PACE Derby Run 5K/10K (Lucky Charm Challenge Race #2): May 4, 2019 at Florida Horse Park, Ocala

Providing Peace Of Mind

Family members can rest assured that their loved ones will be well cared for at Hawthorne Inn of Ocala Assisted Living.

In 2000, when Jerry and Eileen VanLoozen were ready for active retirement in a warmer climate, they left Redford Township, Michigan, outside Detroit, where they’d raised eight children, and moved to Florida.

For 15 years they were busy with golf, garden club and volunteering with the Special Olympics. They even became certified clowns. Their independent, active routine was fine until life interrupted—as it often does—with health issues.

“Dad developed Parkinson’s disease, and because of that, he became very dependent on my mom. It got to be that there were too many issues for them to continue to live on their own,” relates oldest daughter Beth Beson, who lives in Jupiter, Florida. Beth says that she checked out numerous assisted living facilities before finding Hawthorne Inn of Ocala, where they could provide the support her father needed through their customized approach to assisted living.

With a choice of standard or deluxe suites, the accommodations are fully furnished. Residents are encouraged to bring special mementos, bedding and accessories to personalize their suite.

Beth appreciates that the daily rate includes three meals a day, snacks, utilities, housekeeping services, laundry and recreational programs. She was also relieved to know that because Hawthorne Inn is part of the full-service retirement community Hawthorne Village of Ocala, there is skilled nursing, inpatient and

Eileen and Jerry VanLoozen

outpatient rehab, and AJ’s fitness available on campus as well, if and when her parents’ needs change.

“At one point, Mom fell out of bed and was in the hospital for a few days,” says Beth. Her mother was brought back to this campus and admitted to the Bounce Back Rehab program at Hawthorne Village of Ocala. Because she was right next door (the assisted living and the skilled nursing center actually share a parking lot), her father could visit her there.

Having been married for 63 years, Jerry, 85, and Eileen, 84, love the fact that they still get to share a home. That home is now a deluxe suite at Hawthorne Inn of Ocala Assisted Living where they’ve lived for three years. There are two bedrooms, a bathroom and a separate living area.

Eileen, an avid reader, is often in the living room with book in hand, while Jerry is into sports. You’ll find him watching a game on the TV in an adjacent bedroom.

And, of course, there’s also a bright and spacious common living area and dining room, as well as outdoor areas where residents can enjoy fresh air and sunshine on a cozy bench. Bird feeders outside many residents’ windows make for close-up bird watching. And residents have many choices when it comes to activities, including attending special outings and events on the Hawthorne Village bus with sta .

With a maximum of 36 residents, there’s defi nitely an extended family atmosphere, in a lovely home-like setting.

“It works perfectly for my parents’ needs that this is not a huge facility,” says Beth. “They get very personalized attention, and that’s so important. It’s very clean, and there’s no big turnover with the sta . There’s a good ratio of sta to residents; the one-on-one care is very good. They also o er some medical overview, such as weighing every month, checking blood pressure and also bloodwork, if needed.”

“The best thing is that we can be here together,” reiterates Eileen. “Jerry and I play gin (cards) every day. The meals are wonderful, and the desserts are great. I save room for them at both lunch and dinner!”

As added peace of mind, Eileen wears a call button necklace. If she needs assistance with anything, a push of a button will bring a sta member to help within minutes.

For Beth, Hawthorne Inn’s location is another plus.

“This is conveniently located to fly into Orlando and get up to Ocala, which is a bonus for my six siblings who don’t live in Florida,” she says. “But the biggest thing is the peace of mind having them here.”

Assistance Enhances Daily Living

Hawthorne Inn of Ocala Assisted Living provides the ability to live “independently” and still have assisted care day or night. This lifestyle allows seniors to do as much as possible for themselves. At the same time, well-trained sta can step in quickly and assist with help that is needed in basic daily activities, such as bathing, grooming, dressing and medication assistance. Residents can live as independently as possible, while their families take comfort

in knowing they are safe and well cared for. Because the daily rate includes all meals, utilities, housekeeping services and recreational programs, you are guaranteed convenience without the hassle of multiple bills.

Hawthorne Inn of Ocala Assisted Living is part of Hawthorne Village of Ocala, a full-service retirement community providing independent senior living in the luxurious Estates apartment homes, as well as a state-of-the-art inpatient and outpatient Bounce Back Rehab and skilled nursing center—all of this, on one beautifully manicured and easily accessible campus.

“They get very personalized attention, and that’s so important. It’s very clean, and there’s no big turnover with the staff.”

On February 6 of this year, I was broadsided in the driver’s side by a car that ran a stop sign. My vehicle was a total loss, and I su ered temporary but very painful injuries. At that moment in time, I thought nothing on Earth could be worse than the physical pain I was feeling… I was wrong. The true pain came as I sought reimbursement for my vehicle and compensation for my injuries.

I was transferred by ambulance to a local hospital where I was treated and released. I hobbled home and called my doctor’s o ce to set up an appointment for the

Three times during my first appointment, I was asked if I had an attorney. After the third prompting, the realization slowly sunk in. I looked at my wife and said, “I think we need to find an attorney.”

Five months following the accident, my case was settled out of court. Looking back, I don’t believe I would have received one penny for my lost vehicle or pain and su ering if I had not hired an attorney to guide me through the bureaucratic maze I had entered. However, I do believe that if I had been properly insured, many of my problems would have been solved much more quickly. Here are the basics you need to be properly insured.

“Basically, what this means is that you use your own insurance company for the first $10,000 in medical insurance and your PIP covers 80 percent of your medical bills,” he says. “If your medical bills are more than $10,000, then you would either have to pay them yourself if you initiated the accident or you would need to seek restitution from the person responsible.”

Insuring Your Future

BY JIM GIBSON

next day. To my surprise, the receptionist told me that my doctor wouldn’t treat me because I was injured in an auto accident. She said that as far as she knew, no primary care physician would treat an auto accident victim.

She gave me a phone number to a company called MedDesk. She told me to contact them and set up an appointment with a clinic that would accept automobile personal injury protection (PIP) as payment. MedDesk asked me where I lived and then gave me a phone number to a nearby health clinic that “specializes in automobile injuries.” I called the number and set up an appointment for the next day.

Personal Injury Protection

“PIP is mandatory for anyone who owns a vehicle in the state of Florida,” says Allstate agent Kevin McDonald of the McDonald Agency in Ocala. “Florida is a “no-fault” state, and PIP was created to keep minor injury claims out of the court system. It is basically a $10,000 pool of money that can be used to pay for medical care received from injuries received in an auto accident— no matter whose fault it is. It also has a lost wages and death benefit, if needed.”

McDonald explains that PIP covers anyone injured by an automobile, whether he or she is the driver or a passenger, or even if that person is walking or riding a bicycle.

My PIP coverage paid for 80 percent of the ambulance service, emergency room care, medical and rehabilitative care, and a CT scan I underwent weeks after the accident. I would have been responsible for the remaining 20 percent, but the entities involved all adjusted their bills accordingly. If you want 100 percent coverage, then talk to your insurance agent concerning med-gap coverage. I kept a meticulous log of all my medical expenses and stopped rehabilitative care on my own after four weeks. At that point, I had totally exhausted my PIP coverage.

Liability

“I consider liability to be the most important part of any auto insurance policy,” says McDonald. “It pays if you injure someone or damage their property, and it also pays to represent you legally when you are at fault. For example, if you have $100,000/$300,000 liability, this means that

if you cause an accident, your policy pays up to $100,000 per person injured and up to $300,000 total for the entire accident. If medical bills exceed this amount, then you are responsible for payment.”

Many assets, such as your primary residence, annuities, pensions, life insurance, IRAs, disability income, social security and others are protected from being seized or garnisheed in Florida, but wages can be subject to garnishment. Be aware, in Florida, the driver at fault and the owner of the auto involved in the accident (if di erent from the driver) can be sued for damages relating to a car accident—so be very careful who you allow to drive your vehicle.

“What makes liability important in Florida is that it has two aspects: property damage and bodily injury,” says Xen Stelnicki, a Geico agent in Gainesville’s local o ce. “By law, drivers are only required to carry property damage liability. This covers damage to the other driver’s vehicle but not medical bills due to injuries. So, if you are involved in an accident with a person who has only property damage liability and the accident is their fault, you may have no other recourse but to sue the other driver for reimbursement of your medical costs.”

I know this one firsthand. The person who hit me had no bodily injury liability insurance. She was delivering flowers at the time she hit me, and that made a world of di erence… but not in a good way.

Because she had signed an agreement with her insurance company stating that her car was for personal use only, the company said her policy wasn’t in force at the time of the accident due to her failure to live up to her part of their contract. Under normal circumstances, they would have paid to replace my totaled vehicle. Now, they refused. On top of this, the woman who hit me refused to reveal the name of her employer… and then she disappeared, possibly leaving the country. In order to get any form of restitution, I would have had to sue her personally. My attorney informed me that this type of

litigation is very rarely successful, because most persons who carry only the minimum amount of auto insurance usually have very limited financial resources.

Only after my attorney threatened to sue the other insurance company did they finally agree to reimburse me for the loss of my vehicle. I received payment for my Jeep more than 10 weeks after the accident. We were fortunate enough to have a second vehicle, or my wife and I would have had no personal transportation for that time.

Uninsured Motorist

My uninsured motorist (UM) coverage saved me. It is not mandatory in Florida, but it should be mandatory for you. Because I could not file a claim against the insurance company of the person who hit me and she was nowhere to be found, I filed a claim against my own insurance company through my uninsured motorist coverage, and they negotiated a pain and su ering settlement with my attorney. They called shortly after settling and informed me that they were suing the woman who hit me to recoup their expenditures.

“In Florida, it is very, very important to carry UM coverage,” says Stelnicki. “There is a huge number of drivers in the state who have no bodily injury liability. Honestly, this is a pretty nasty setup. If someone hurts you in an accident that is their fault and they don’t have bodily injury liability, then you must pay any medical bills that exceed $10,000. That number can be reached quickly with the cost of health care today. If those bills were to run up into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, then you would be responsible for them while your attorney seeks a judgement

against the party who hit you. Meanwhile, it is feasible that you could end up having to file for bankruptcy while waiting for a court settlement. UM covers that. It pays medical bills, pain and su ering, lost wages, replacement services and several other things. It doesn’t pay for your vehicle, but either the other driver’s property damage liability or your own collision insurance would do that.”

Stelnicki says that other instances where UM coverage might come into play are if the at-fault driver leaves the scene of the accident or they are driving for a noncovered use (such as delivering flowers in a personal-use-only vehicle).

Stelnicki says to ask your insurance agent about stacked UM coverage if you own more than one vehicle.

Rental Car

I chose not to get rental car insurance on my policy in order to save a few dollars each month. I regret that. While waiting 10 weeks for reimbursement on my totaled Jeep, I had to use my second, somewhatunreliable car, and it was very inconvenient.

“Rental insurance varies from agency to agency,” says Stelnicki. “At Geico, we o er di erent per-day rates for di erent premium costs. Most policies provide a limit of $30 per day for 30 days. It’s hard to find a rental car today, and especially an SUV if you have a family, that costs just $30 per day. We o er $50 per day up to $1,500 per accident coverage, and that is closer to today’s rental prices. Make sure your policy covers you adequately for rental car reimbursement.”

Collision

“If your vehicle collides with an object or if an object collides into you, that is when collision comes into play,” says Terri Parramore, the auto and financial service specialist at Angie Lewis State Farm in Ocala. “If you’re driving and you hit another vehicle, if another driver’s vehicle hits you, if you back up into a

“If someone hurts you in an accident that is their fault and they don’t have bodily injury liability, then you must pay any medical bills that exceed $10,000.”

- Xen Stelnicki, Geico Agent

“Fire, theft, windshield loss, vandalism, animal collision and being struck by falling or flying objects is covered by comprehensive insurance.”

- Terri Parramore, Angie Lewis State Farm

tree or if a vehicle should back into you in a parking lot while you’re inside shopping—these are all examples of collision.”

Parramore says that there are instances where fault for the collision can be placed on an individual driver and times that it cannot be determined who is at fault. If fault can be determined, then the driver at fault may see an increase in their insurance premium, so it pays to be a careful driver.

“Collision insurance is used to pay for repairs to your vehicle following an accident,” she says. “Generally, the cost of your premium is based on the deductible you choose, with higher deductibles costing less. The deductible is the amount you will pay out of pocket before your insurance finishes paying repair costs. We o er deductibles ranging from $50 to $2,000. When deciding to purchase collision insurance, you should carefully consider how much your vehicle is worth. Newer, more expensive cars would be more ideal for

collision insurance than older models with a lot of miles on them.”

I was driving my older Jeep at the time of the accident, and I had no collision insurance in force on my policy. If I had chosen to keep collision, my insurance company would have paid for my vehicle promptly and then recouped their money from the insurance company of the woman who hit me—or possibly from her. Think carefully before dropping collision insurance on your aging vehicle.

Comprehensive

“Fire, theft, windshield loss, vandalism, animal collision and being struck by falling or flying objects is covered by comprehensive insurance,” Parramore says. “In Florida, we have hurricanes and hurricanes produce falling trees and flying debris; this type of damage would be covered by comprehensive.”

Like collision, comprehensive also has a deductible. With State Farm it can be as low as $0 or as high as $2,000.

Parramore says collision and comprehensive go hand-in-hand. She

explains that if an object flies out of a truck bed and hits your car, this is covered by comprehensive insurance. If that object flies out of the truck bed and comes to rest on the roadway and you then drive into it, this would be covered by collision insurance. Either way, repairs to your vehicle would be covered.

Be Prepared

I can’t stress how important it is to have adequate auto insurance. I came very close to losing more than $20,000 in property and medical bills—and I thought I was adequately covered. If I had been at fault, I could have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars and watched years of careful financial planning go down the drain.

In order to protect yourself and your family, make sure you have more than enough bodily injury liability and UM coverage. It also pays to have adequate collision and comprehensive coverage if your vehicle isn’t easily replaced. Hope for the best, and plan for the worst, and remember, auto insurance can literally save your financial life.

If fault can be determined, then the driver at fault may see an increase in their insurance premium, so it pays to be a careful driver.

family

Nothing conjures images of families gathering ‘round quite like December does. But during the holiday season, some parents and children are struggling with the emotional and logistical hurdles of co-parenting.

Carol Jordan, Ph.D., LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has been practicing in Ocala for 25 years. She says the golden rule of co-parenting is consideration.

“It comes down to being cooperative, sympathetic and understanding to each other. Kids need a relationship with both of their parents. That is beneficial to their development, their self-esteem and just knowing they’re loved by both people. One person, at some point, may have a special request they want to make. For the one who is being asked, it’s nice to be flexible and give in. That begins a pattern

of cooperation, and in the end, it results in a better relationship,” she says.

Playing nice may prove di cult for parents who are newly divorced and still feeling out their new relationship while dealing with new kidswapping schedules.

“Most people, when they have the divorce, have suggested guidelines for visitation,” Dr. Jordan says. “They will usually include a schedule for the holidays that are pretty specific. In the time when you’re trying to figure out how nice the other person is going to be—frequently parents are sort of unhappy after the divorce and don’t trust each other—stick to the guidelines. Other parents are still friends and are much more flexible. The first year is tense, but if it goes well, it will make the next year easier.”

The first year without both parents in the house is tough. The key is to acknowledge it, Dr. Jordan says, and discuss the situation with the children without giving details they’re too young to understand. Also, adjust traditions accordingly.

“Assure them both of their parents love them and want to be with them, and that they want them to have a good time at both houses. If a family tradition involves grandparents and cousins and you live in a town where all these people are nearby, maybe you want to continue those. If you’re in a city by yourself and you don’t have that support around, maybe you want to start a new tradition like taking a trip,” Dr. Jordan says. “Starting a new tradition that doesn’t involve the family when both parents were together can keep kids from looking at that empty chair and wondering what the other parent is doing right now.”

And despite the discomfort of the first year apart, it’s more important than ever to be in touch about things that may seem trivial, like presents. Specifically, don’t turn them into a contest for the kids’ a ection— this can turn toxic quickly.

“Really make an e ort not to compete with each other for who is going to buy the biggest or the most presents. Just try to complement each other’s selection, because that competition is a bad precedent. It might be with presents or activities, like one parent says, ‘I’m going to make their time at my house better than their mother’s by taking them to

Disney World.’ It’s nice for them to have a good time but not out of vindictiveness or to outdo the other person. Talk to each other about what you’ll buy the kids so you don’t make unnecessary duplications. I’ve seen parents send each other a list and say, ‘Please let me know if you already have any of these things just so I don’t duplicate them,’” says Dr. Jordan.

What about spending the holidays together as a family, even though the parents are no longer in a relationship? Although some parents may worry they’ll give their children false hope for a reunion, spending a holiday together will likely do them good.

“If the parents can be in the same room, be pleasant and enjoy seeing the kids open the presents, I think right from the beginning that would be great. It’s also nice if both parents can still help children pick out a present for the other parent, and both parents should continue to encourage that.”

As children get older, they may start asserting their own opinions about where they want to spend their holidays. Should teens get to choose, or should parents reinforce their existing plans?

“It’s not always about which parent they like best—it may be which cousins they like best or which parent will let them do what they want to do,” says Dr. Jordan. “I strongly believe both parents should encourage sharing so they both have the opportunity to spend time with the kids. If both parents encourage that, it’s more likely to happen. Encourage

them in the same way you would want the other parent to do for you.”

Even seasoned co-parents can run into conflict during the holidays, when schedules are harder to keep and each parent finds their time even more valuable than usual. The key to being

antagonistic, they need to look at the guidelines and just follow them—any requests to the other are likely to be rebu ed,” Dr. Jordan says. “If you can easily do it and it doesn’t alter your plans, that can start the ball rolling by being fl exible and being willing to

accommodating during last-minute changes at these times, well, depends on the parents’ relationship.

“The e ort of co-parenting is the central thing here. If they are very

accommodate the other with the idea that eventually you will have a request, too. You’re taking a chance that it will be reciprocated. I don’t say accommodate at all costs, and one person can’t always

The first year without both parents in the house is tough. The key is to acknowledge it and discuss the situation with the children without giving details they’re too young to understand.

accommodate the other. No parent has the right to change anything at any time.”

One thing Dr. Jordan says many parents don’t consider is that, even though they may have separated from their spouse, that doesn’t mean they can’t keep healthy relationships with their ex-spouse’s family.

“If you’re divorced and you still like his parents, and you’re not particularly friendly with him, you can invite those grandparents or cousins to join you and that sort of allows his family to interact with your kids without causing any issues,” she explains.

Of course, time with the child for one parent means time without for the other. Parents should make sure they’re using their time without the kids to enjoy themselves and keep any loneliness at bay.

“The parent who is alone looks at the rest of the world, seeing them all together with their families, and they may feel

they’re all by themselves. Make yourself opportunities by doing something you enjoy that will keep you from sitting at home and feeling sorry. For example, if you like musicals you might see The Nutcracker. Look for things you’ve never done before or things your kids or exspouse wouldn’t have wanted to do.”

Ultimately, the people who benefit most from good co-parenting are the children. And perhaps a little holiday cheer between parents would brighten everyone’s season?

“The most important suggestion I would have is for parents to avoid confrontations when they’re together or when switching the kids,” says Dr. Jordan. “Most kids, if they could verbalize it, would say the best holiday present would be for everyone to just get along. The lack of tension allows everyone to relax a little more and enjoy the season, and it’s incumbent on the parents to set that mood.”

“If the parents can be in the same room, be pleasant and enjoy seeing the kids open the presents, I think right from the beginning that would be great.”

- Carol Jordan, Ph.D., LMFT

SAFETY 21st Century

How tracking devices and smartphone apps can help keep your family safe.

BY CYNTHIA MCFARLAND

Sure, GPS is handy when you’re trying to find a destination in an unfamiliar city, but it can also help keep you and your family safe through a wide array of tracking devices and smartphone apps.

Cell phones are ubiquitous. In many families, every member has one, making it easy to keep track of each other.

“As long as they’re turned on, I can see where all the devices are that are on my family plan,” says O cer Mike Bowman, who has been a detective with the Ocala Police Department for 14 years. “You can set up your family on the Find My iPhone or Find Friends apps; I think most families do this nowadays.”

Bowman notes that certain GPS tracking devices allow you to set up “electronic fences” (also called “geo-fences”). Essentially, you draw an electronic barrier on a digital map, for example around your child’s school, around your home, etc. You

can receive notifications every time the device moves out of one fenced area and enters another.

“If you know your child is supposed to be home from school by 3:00, the device will let you know when it exits the school fence and then enters the home fence,” says Bowman, the father of a teenage daughter.

Tracking devices are also extremely helpful if you have an elderly parent or relative with dementia and you’re worried they may wander o . Even if wandering isn’t a concern, some devices come with fall detection and can alert you or call 911 if the wearer takes a tumble and isn’t able to call for help themselves.

NAVIGATING THE OPTIONS

So how do you know which GPS device or app is best for you?

“Devices come with di erent options. Because they work through satellites and cell towers, you need to make sure the cellular company covers the area where you’ll be using the device,” advises Bowman.

“One of the ways to determine the best device for you is to know how often the device reports back to you with information. Many devices report every 30 seconds, but this isn’t very often when you’re trying to track someone,” says Bowman. “You also need to realize that the

more often a device checks in, the faster the battery dies.”

He points out that there are places where GPS signals can be blocked and where cell service is spotty, which directly a ects the e ciency of any GPS device. In our area, the sprawling Ocala National Forest is one area where this can be a problem.

“A GPS tracker will continue to record information but won’t report in if it doesn’t have cell service,” explains Bowman. “Once it connects to a cell tower again, the device will report the history.”

LEGAL ISSUES

With all this technology at our fingertips, it’s worth noting that using tracking devices and apps for the wrong reasons can land you in serious trouble.

For example, “spying” apps that let you keep track of someone’s cell phone without their knowledge can lead to criminal violations for violating one’s right to privacy.

Bowman points out that the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. Using a GPS device to illegally track someone without reasonable cause falls into that category.

“We had a case where a guy stuck a tracking device on his ex-girlfriend’s car,” relates Bowman. “That’s illegal. If you do something like that, you could be arrested on an aggravated stalking charge.”

LOTS TO CHOOSE FROM

Here’s a sampling of just some of the many devices and apps available to help keep track of people or things, increasing safety for your family. (Most devices are purchased outright and require a monthly service fee.)

Find My iPhone

Enable the app in iCloud settings on your device and you can use it to find any iOS device. The app also includes a Lost Mode, so you can

Cell phones are ubiquitous. In many families, every member has one, making it easy to keep track of each other.

lock the device with a passcode and keep track of where it’s been, including recent location history.

“We had a customer come into the store after her iPhone was stolen. Using this app, she logged into her iCloud on a friend’s computer and was able to find her phone, which was on the highway heading toward Tampa at that moment,” says Robert James of TTC Verizon Authorized Retailer in Williston, Florida.

Sprint Family Locator

This app features a mobile browser so you can locate any phone on your Sprint family plan. It can also help locate a lost or stolen phone.

Senior Safety App

Designed to work with any Android smartphones, this app has an SOS feature so the user can send text alerts to emergency contacts notifying them of the phone’s location. It also includes automatic fall alerts with adjustable sensitivity of the fall tracker. The app allows you to set up a geo-fence and receive alerts when the device exits or leaves that area.

HereO

location. Available on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.

Amber Alert GPS Smart Locator

LIFE 360

Download this location-sharing app for iOS and Android to make it easier to message and check in with family members. Create “circles” with private maps. Get notifications when family members leave a zone and arrive at another. The app also includes maps of registered sex o enders.

SpyBubble

A mobile tracking app with GPS location lets parents see where their child’s device (and thus, the child) is at any moment. It alows parents to monitor their child’s messages, calls and use of social sites.

Your kid thinks it’s a fun watch; you know it’s a GPS tracking device allowing you to keep tabs using either an iOS or Android device. Sync to it with the free HereO app using your smartphone and you’ll see a map showing exactly where your child is. Create geo-fence safe zones and get notifications if your child crosses a boundary. There is also a panic alert option.

Verizon’s GizmoWatch

This kid-friendly smartwatch has a GPS locator that provides automated alerts and allows you to program up to 10 contacts for twoway voice calls and messaging.

AngelSense

One of the more popular GPS trackers for kids, AngelSense has numerous features, including two-way voice for instant calls, an ETA feature and a timeline map to show your child’s routes. It allows you to monitor transit speed and get notifi cations if your child is late or in a new place. You can even listen in on their

This pocket-size GPS device runs up to 40 hours on one charge. Use a browser or iOS or Android app to keep track of your child’s location. Set up geo-fence boundaries, and communicate using two-way voice function. The device sends you an alert if your child comes within 500 feet of a registered sex o ender’s home.

Trax

This sophisticated GPS tracking device has a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope, USB charging port and a pre-paid SIM that o ers roaming in over 33 countries. The Android/iOS app provides real-time mapping, augmented reality for close proximity searches, geo-fencing and speed alerts.

GPS SmartSole

Essentially a GPS tracker hidden within a shoe insole, this device is ideal for seniors or children with autism or developmental disabilities. SmartSole uses GPS and cellular service to automatically log its location, allowing you to keep track of the wearer. You can set up a safe zone for the user and receive alerts.

With normal use, the battery life lasts two to three days. The device does, however, send alerts when the battery is low. Can be used wherever T-Mobile coverage is available.

pricing available while eligibility criteria are met. Includes WiFi network access at multiple locations across the country. See www.cox.com/hotspots for available coverage areas and hotspots. No installation charge for standard install on one prewired outlet. Additional instal-lation, applicable taxes, and other fees are extra. Actual Internet speeds vary and are not guaranteed. See www.cox.com/internetdisclosures for complete Cox Internet Disclosures. Then-current Internet service and modem lease rates will apply when program eligibility requirements are no longer met. Re-enrollment not permitted. Offer, prices and eligibility requirements are subject to change. Offer and eligibility are also subject to Connect2Compete program terms and conditions. Call 1-855-222-3252 for restrictions and complete details, or visit Cox.com/C2C. Connect2Com-pete is a program to provide home Internet service for families. It is not a school program, and is not endorsed or required by your school. Your school is not responsible for Connect2Compete accounts. No school funds were used for this notice.

PocketFinder

Keep track of children and seniors with this small personal tracker. Locate and monitor the user from pocketfinder.com or from the free mobile app for select Android or iOS devices. Customize geo-fence zones and receive alerts when boundaries are crossed. Regular locates have a two-minute default setting but can be as quick as 10 seconds when in “track mode.” Device is water resistant to 3 feet and features an SOS button.

Verizon Hum

Install the Hum hardware in your vehicle, download the Hum app and you not only have GPS tracking but numerous safety features, such as 24/7 crash response, stolen vehicle assistance and more. Upgrade to the Humx Speaker for additional features, like occupying kids on long trips. Passengers can stream, surf and game with a mobile 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot that supports up to 10 devices.

How GPS Works

Short for “global positioning system,” GPS is a satellite-based radio-navigation system. Created by the United States military and first used in the 1960s, GPS didn’t become available for civilian use until the ‘80s and has expanded significantly in the decades since.

The GPS system includes two dozen satellites deployed roughly 12,000 miles above the Earth’s surface. Each satellite broadcasts its current position, orbit and exact time. By combining broadcasts from multiple satellites (ideally four), a GPS receiver can accurately calculate its location. Depending on the power of the receiver, it can take anywhere from mere seconds to several minutes for a GPS device to connect with those satellites.

The U.S. government continues to maintain the GPS system, but anyone with a GPS receiver can use it.

holly jollyhazards

By Katie McPherson

Watch out for watch batteries. Keep little ones away from Christmas trees that could tip over. Keep medications out of the reach of children who may mistake it for candy.

Although these warnings are good rules of thumb, Richard Petrik, M.D., director of the emergency department at Ocala Health, has seen firsthand what happens when parents of young children don’t take them seriously enough.

“Gatherings of family bring together new stimuli—new dogs, cousins playing together roughly, grandma’s medications or the family playing a holiday game of football. There are other risks because there are new things in the house that maybe haven’t been babyproofed, like a Christmas tree they’re pulling ornaments down from,” says Dr. Petrik. “The days after a holiday are usually some of our busiest times of the year.”

When most parents think of holiday safety, unsafe toys and swallowing batteries immediately come to mind.

“Most normal batteries are a little too big for kids to swallow, but the worry most physicians have is about button batteries, which tend to be in watches and hearing aids. Those should always be kept away from children,” says Dr. Petrik.

When grandparents come into town for the season, they may bring more than hearing aids. If Grandma or Grandpa takes prescription medication but isn’t

used to thinking about safe storage for it, this can become dangerous.

“That absolutely happens—that’s not a myth. We’ve seen a couple of instances where someone got into a grandparent’s pocketbook,” Dr. Petrik recalls. “Where an older family member may not have to secure a medication at home, they’ll definitely have to at the home of a family who has smaller, curious children. All medications should be secured where the family usually keeps them or just way outside the reach of kids.”

And of course, human relatives can sometimes travel with fur relatives. It’s best to supervise children and animals when together, especially if the pet in question isn’t used to living with children or the child doesn’t know how to safely approach them.

“This is a good general warning. I’ve definitely seen the dog bites of a neighbor’s dog that’s not used to kids,” says Dr. Petrik.

The holidays are also a time when unknown allergies come to light.

“We’re exposed to new foods or an allergy to pets or cats that might be brought along,” he says.

So, what’s a polite parent to do to ensure their guests are thinking safely?

“Family members don’t necessarily want to frisk their loved ones at the door,” adds Dr. Petrik. “Just ask, ‘Do you have anything dangerous for the kids with you? Let’s put that some place safe.’”

The holidays are meant for merriment, but parents should beware the hazards that come into town this season. ›

Emergency

Not all signs of an emergency are obvious. Ongoing symptoms like indigestion, shortness of breath and chest pain could be an emergency in disguise. Thankfully, an Ocala Health ER is here to help. With dedicated emergency experts and faster wait times, you can trust us for even better care. We’re here 24/7 to help you through any emergency — even the tricky ones.

symptoms are good at hiding.

“ Is a little chest pain normal? ”