For What It’s Worth

Ok, so here’s the latest scoop on the medical situations regarding my last several columns, having to do with inability to get to a doctor from Cleveland Clinic in a timely manner. Yes, for those of you who insisted I name the dreaded hospital that I was writing about, it is, in fact, Cleveland Clinic. e reason I am now going to put a name to the place is because I was invited by Dr. Singh, the President of Cleveland Clinic to have a meet and greet this a ernoon. Just when you think you know how your week is going to go, wham, a personal invitation to speak with the president himself, who read my articles and wanted to talk. Okay, so I’ll admit I was nervous, anxious, worried, but also armed for bear in the event that he wanted to minimize the situation, but in fact, surprisingly, he was caring, open to suggestions, and transparent with regard to how Cleveland Clinic took over Martin Memorial North and South, and what he strived for going forward. I was impressed, and I’m not easily sold on lip service, but between him and the head of Patient Experiences, Karen Ludwig, who was also present, it was apparent that he knew and understood the frustrations the general public has been experiencing getting seen by a physician in a timely manner.

I have to give him credit. His information was forthcoming, addressing my concerns, sometimes even before I had

by Dr. Melfi, Ph.D.

the chance to list them. Also to his credit, he was young-ish, a physician himself, and has only been the president of the hospital for one year. In that year, he and Karen had an earful of complaints and they had plans to address all of them by way of hiring almost 60 new physicians, twice as many nurses, and ongoing training for those people on the front lines, who take the calls and make appointments. I was shocked, in a good way. He never tried to make excuses, nor did he make false promises. He said getting things turned around was not going to happen overnight, but he does strive to make this hospital the best it can possibly be, within a reasonable amount of time. He is there to speak with, to read emails, and to even give out his cell phone number (No, sorry, I can’t pass it along, lol) but from what I understand, he has done that frequently to others as well.

He loves this community, he loves this hospital, and he loves medicine. He is not one of those people who sits in their ivory tower, having no pulse on medical practices. He wants to do better, and promises he will do better, but this is what he has been handed, well, that, and the pandemic, which has seen the resignation of good nurses and doctors who no longer wish to expose themselves and their families to infection. I get it. Much as I loved hospital nursing, I have asked myself many times if I had stayed in nursing, would I quit? I feel like the answer is a hard “no” but it’s easy to say from the sidelines, and not in the midst of potentially deadly chaos.

My point is this. He wants things to change, and he has ideas to change them, many of which it is not my place to share. I came in with a list of suggestions, but before I could get my ideas out of my mouth, he already verbalized them. We were on the same page! So, the bottom line is this.

For What it’s Worth, he’s young, he’s enthusiastic, he wants to make things better, and he wants Cleveland Clinic, Stuart, to be exactly what we all want it to be, a place we can trust with our very lives. Let’s be fair and give him time to get it together. If I was a gambler, I think I’d put my money on him.

By Gabby Gregory

Every 5,000 miles, like clockwork, you take your car to get its oil changed and tires rotated. It’s basic, routine maintenance, but that consistent attention and upkeep is vital for your vehicle to run e ciently, especially over a number of years. Your body, much like your vehicle, requires regular care and treatment to keep it healthy. And, again like your automobile, your body needs support from someone other than yourself, a professional who can guide it to achieving its utmost abilities and to retaining its peak performance.

Getting older, playing sports, or having a condition like sciatica or arthritis shouldn’t hold you back from living your life! You can feel like your younger self again, the one who didn’t feel any aches or pains when walking, running, jumping, or even sitting… all you have to do is visit Stretch Zone.

Drew Brees, former quarterback of the New Orleans Saints, is the newest partner at Stretch Zone who advocates for people to regularly get stretched. A er personally going to Stretch Zone for an assisted stretching session, Drew was impressed with the uniquely e ective and nationally accredited Stretch Zone Method®, which is administered by a highly-trained and Stretch Zone-certi ed stretch practitioner.

Here’s How It Works:

1.) Your rst session begins with lling out an intake form and having a consultation with your experienced and knowledgeable stretch practitioner. Based on your medical background and your personal goals, the stretch practitioner will personalize the ensuing 30-minute assisted stretching session to meet your individual needs. On subsequent visits, you’ll simply do a check-in with the practitioner to update your medical pro le with any recent changes and/or any new pain or discomfort that you might be experiencing.

2.) e stretch practitioner initiates the rst steps of the approved Stretch Zone Method®, utilizing Stretch Zone’s special patented straps to encourage your body to relax and ease into the stretches. You won’t nd these straps anywhere else!

Comparable to a thunder jacket for your pets, they are meant to calm your mind so that your entire body is perfectly loose, thus allowing the stretch practitioner to stretch your body to its full potential and, as a result, provide you with both preventative maintenance and pain relief.

3.) Assisted stretching (a/k/a passive stretching) is di erent from physical therapy in that your body is being stretched by someone else, you’re not actually doing any work. roughout your 30-minute session, the stretch practitioner will be steadily interacting one-on-one with you, ensuring that you are completely comfortable and not experiencing any pain. Ultimately, you are in control of the stretch, even as your practitioner guides your body through each and every step, because you tell the practitioner when you feel your best stretching position. e more you communicate, the better results you’re going to get!

Take advantage of Stretch Zone’s incredible New Year Special: get one FREE

30-minute stretching session! Anybody and everybody can and should be stretched. In fact, one Stretch Practitioner I spoke with at Stretch Zone says, “98% of the people I see in front of me really need to be stretched. is is something you should not live without.” Remember, it’s just like getting your oil changed! Plus, celebrities and professional athletes have been getting stretched for years, so it’s time for the general population to be clued into the secret!

Get Stretch Zone’s New Year Special for yourself or get them for a friend or loved one… what better way to say you care than to give the gi of making life easier, of feeling healthier, lighter, and younger, and of feeling like yourself again?

By Gina Zuk

The Florida lifestyle provides us with a host of options for getting from point A to point B... from scooters to speed boats, we’ve got them all! e golf cart in particular has, with all of the gated communities in the Sunshine State, become an easy and convenient way to get around the area. Golf carts aren’t just for private neighborhoods or the links though; in fact, they have even become a quick way to tote the kids to and from the bus stop every day! Do the prices at the pumps tempt you to put the car in the garage for a while? Head to Ace of Carts, the area’s largest golf cart superstore with the best selection of golf carts, golf cart accessories, and top-notch service!

Ace of Carts is a family-owned and operated business led by Nick Rotundo and his dad, Rock Rotundo. Nick and Rock were in the automotive business together before making the move from upstate New York to south Florida seven years ago. Nick explains that a er moving, his family had a di cult time purchasing a golf cart for his grandmother, who had moved into a gated community. So, Nick and Rock ventured into the golf cart sales business together, becoming an authorized retailer for ClubCar, Yamaha, Icon, and Polaris Commercial golf carts.

In 2018, the Rotundo family moved the business to its current Stuart location (formally Tri County Golf Carts). Ace of Carts now employs over 30 sales, service, and customer care personnel, and is the highest volume sales dealer of golf carts in the area! In addition to golf carts, Ace of Carts has an inventory of electronically-assisted bikes (ebikes) for the bike rider who wants a more comfortable option when it comes to pedaling uphill.

Aside from their vast inventory, Ace of Carts is the go-to source for many Palm Beach, St Lucie, and Martin County residents due to Nick and Rock’s industry experience and dedication to exceptional service. In these challenging times of supply and demand, the service team at Ace of Carts does everything possible to guarantee that customers have their service and sales needs met. Ace of Carts’ factory-trained technicians have the knowledge to provide quality diagnostics, service, and repair for any golf cart. ey realize that golf carts are important to lifestyle routines, so they make timely service a priority.

One of many happy Google reviewers says of Ace of Carts, “I purchased my Club Car cart from Ace of Carts about four years ago and have been supported by them the entire time. If I have questions, I receive answers by a call or text immediately. ey truly want the entire experience to be as close to perfect as possible. Nick and the entire family are fantastic… and I like supporting a family business…”

In addition to their Stuart location, Ace of Carts has expanded to two more locations, one in Daytona Beach and the other, newest one in Tequesta, the Grand Opening of which is later this month. Tequesta’s premier 3,000 square foot showroom will still have the same o erings as the other locations, but will be more focused on the customer experience. Nick explains, “ e Tequesta location will be geared more toward the golf customer.” ere will be a digital golf simulator on the premises, along with other interactive displays and attractions that customers can explore while shopping for carts and accessories! Nick adds, “ e customers will leave the store more informed than when they walked in.”

Like Ace of Carts’ other locations, the Tequesta location will provide FREE cart pick up and delivery with almost every sale. Ace of Carts also o ers 0% nancing for 48 months on select products, making it easy to purchase a golf cart that will absolutely be the envy of the neighborhood.

Find the perfect golf cart at Ace of Carts, and stay tuned for the Tequesta Ace of Carts Grand Opening!