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BellaVista Dental Care Sitting down with Dr. Rashmi Bhatnagar, DMD, MPH Pages 6-7

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Dr. Stone M.D., is a physiatrist who is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He specializes in Sports medicine, injections, diagnostics and interventional pain management and worked with “Southwest Spine and Sport” prior to opening their new office.

They have made it their goal in creating a unique environment to evaluate, diagnose and treat most neurological and musculoskeletal conditions in one office. Their team includes Medical Doctors, Chiropractors, Physical and Massage Therapists. They have an in house digital x-ray, EMG, NCV, lab services and other diagnostics.

Patients often choose to have more than one type of service in their office and have found that combining services can be very effective in certain situations. In these cases the doctors will work together to communicate about the patients care.

“We have found this to be very effective and it has reduced the overall cost and time associated with treatment,” say the Doctors.

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Publisher: Steven Pope

Ahwatukee Medical: Your resource for staying healthy

Associate Publisher: Emily Martin Editor: Kelly Mixer Advertising Sales: Terry Davenport, Karen Mays, Laura Meehan Contributing Writers: James Gingerich, Allison Hurtado, Daniel Ochoa, Shelley Ridenour, Eric Smith Design and Art: Steve Burks, Christy Byerly, Stacey Cooper, Tonya Mildenberg, Erik Maurer, Chris Pitts, Holli Roach, Amanda Rohrer, Emily Whitmore

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Associate Publisher, Ahwatukee Foothills News

ooler days and nights are on the way to allow for more activity and exercise. Whether you are hiking, enjoying high school football games, going for a run or walking your dog, this year’s Ahwatukee Medical is designed to be a resource for your entire family.

This four-color glossy magazine makes it more convenient for you

Cover Photo: David Jolkovski to keep as a guide designed to give the latest updates from our local medical community. While there are a lot of means of finding health information, this guide offers you information on the local medical community — folks serving you right here in the Ahwatukee Foothills area.

Our goal is to help keep our readers as fit, happy and educated as they can be about

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health issues, and this magazine will help you do just that.

Enjoy your time with Ahwatukee Medical and stay fit.

Sincerely, Emily Martin Associate Publisher Ahwatukee Foothills News

Ahwatukee Foothills News 10631 S. 51st St. Suite 1, Phoenix, AZ 85044 (480) 898-7900 Ahwatukee.com ©2015 AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS all rights reserved, no part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without the publisher’s permission. statements and opinions printed in this magazine are of the contributors and not necessarily of ahwatukee foothills news or its advertisers. dESIgNEd IN THE EAST vALLEy.

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Music has dramatic impact on dementia patients

By Allison Hurtado

A

AhwAtukee Foothills News

hwatukee Foothills resident Jerry Ebel has found his calling as a volunteer for Hospice of the Valley, but that calling rose to another level the day he took music into a visit with a patient.

“He was a difficult patient, supposedly,” Ebel said. “He rarely ever talked. The social worker came with me to protect me. We were in Vietnam in the same year, in the same unit, and I knew it was meant to be when I saw a Vietnam cap.”

Ebel was asked to visit the man several times and each time the patient would hold his hand and sometimes mumble “best friend” as they visited. After a few visits Ebel

was shown a documentary called “Alive Inside” about the effects music can have on a patient and decided to put it to a test.

“I found out he was a musician and he loved Barry White. I love Barry White. So I took Barry White,” Ebel said. “He was laying there and he would always hold my hand. I put on Barry White and turned it up and he started squeezing the beat of the first two songs in my hand. It was remarkable. The third song came on, his eyes popped open and he screamed ‘Favorite!’ He sang that entire song out loud. I just left there crying like a baby.”

From then on Ebel set out on a mission to make sure every volunteer witnessed what he had witnessed.

“Jerry has jumped on the bandwagon bringing it to the attention of people who may not be aware of it and in so doing seeing if they’re willing to participate in donating items,” said Maribeth Gallagher, dementia program director for Hospice of the Valley.

Hospice of the Valley has been attempting to use music in its practice since 2005 when Gallagher came on board. At the time they were limited by CDs and equipment, but today the program is growing steadily through donations of iPods and iTunes gift cards.

Scientific evidence backs up the Music and Memory Program.

Studies have shown that music can be so deeply rooted in an individual that it creates a powerful response.

“Music is the language of the soul,” Gallagher said. “Dementia is a disease of the brain, but not of the heart or soul where a person is still whole. As it touches them it is so evident when other attempts have not proven to be successful. It can take somebody from sadness or loneliness or anxiety and just within the first couple notes can help transcend the boundaries that have been imposed by the disease.”

Through the Music and Memory Program Hospice of the Valley staff and volunteers try to find music that’s meaningful to the patient who’s suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. The music depends on the region they grew up in and how old they are. If that information is not available Gallagher said the >> See Hospice on page 32

2015 AHWATUKEE MEDICAL •

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BellaVista has goal to reach out to the community

By Allison Hurtado

A

AhwAtukee Foothills News

lot has changed at BellaVista Dental Care in eight years in business with new technology and many new patients, but what has always remained a constant is a team of professionals passionate about their work.

“We just really mesh together,” said Dr. Rashmi Bhatnagar, DMD, MPH, owner of BellaVista Dental Care. “We have the same goals in mind for our patients.

I think patients feel that flow in the office. There’s not too much difference between one provider and another because we’re all on one page.”

That teamwork takes effort, Bhatnagar said. They do it by

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• AHWATUKEE MEDICAL 2015

Bella Vista Dental is located at 15715 S. 46th St., Suite 104. [David Jolkovski/AFN] I can share it with other providers and my patients then I don’t feel like I’m utilizing my resources wisely. It’s a selfgratification of spreading that Those reminders of each patient knowledge.” give the office a small-town feel.

The staff at BellaVista also “We have the most amazing began reaching out this year by patient base and such a closetaking on one pro-bono case for knit staff that we really get the year. to know everyone personally Bhatnagar said she considered and we take pride in that,” said traveling and doing a medical Amy Derscheid, an employee mission, but when a current at BellaVista Dental Care. “It’s patient offered to pay for the amazing how many patients dental work of a co-worker, we have that come back to Bhatnagar became excited to us that we see all the time. help someone local improve We are a small-town dentist mentality with all the high-tech their dental health. equipment you can imagine.”

Her staff agrees.

Bhatnagar began BellaVista at “I think we’re a team of a time when the economy was professionals that seriously struggling and she was brand consider how to make each new to the area. She made person smile,” said Sandy it a goal to get to know the Fussner, a hygenist at Bella community through volunteer Vista. “It’s a group of people work and even door-to-door that take everything into outreach. consideration with a patient.”

Throughout the years she’s kept that same practice in mind, Bella Vista Dental is located at 15715 S. 46th St., Suite 104. For but today she reaches out to more information, visit www. the community through guest bellavistadentalcare.com. lectures and columns in the newspaper.

• Contact writer: 480-898-7914 or holding team-building events for their staff and also meeting each morning to go over the cases they’ll see that day.

“I spend approximately 200 hours per year doing continuing education,” she said. “Unless

ahurtado@ahwatukee.com.

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Advances in dentistry

T

he old story of President Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), and division of National George Washington Institute of Health is isolating an crossing the Delaware inherited gene mutation called River with wooden LAD-I that makes some humans teeth is actually not more prone to gum disease. true. Washington actually This particular gene also had one natural tooth is responsible for chronic remaining when being skin and ear infections. sworn into office, and his Periodontal disease is the special set of dentures leading cause of tooth loss were made from ivory, in United States, according brass and gold. The ivory to NIDCR. Therefore, to make teeth in the 1700s Rashmi researchers are trying to were often carved from animal ivory such as elk’s Bhatnagar find the sources of tooth loss stemming from the ivory. Since then, dentistry gene level so they can has come a long way. find ways to combat it. This is The evolution of dentistry pretty exciting progress since the is strongly scientifically and President Washington era. medically driven. Now researchers Researchers at University of understand the strong connection between the mouth and total body Washington in Seattle participated as a whole. The National Institute of in a study to evaluate if decay in

children can be predicted during the in-utero stage. They found that children born from mothers who had higher stress during pregnancy were more likely to have high incidence of dental decay. The biological markers of chronic stress called allostatic load (AL) were analyzed during the mothers’ pregnancy in this study, then the children were followed after birth up to age 2-6 to find the incidence of decay data. This study is another example of how medical research is helping to understand and advance dental concerns and treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that U.S. tooth decay affects 18 percent of children ages 2-4 years. This study data from the University of Seattle may influence medical and dental institution programs in their

fight against dental decay within communities.

Everyday dentistry is evolving from the digital and 3-D diagnostic imaging, the materials that are used to adhere filling materials to the tooth, to the equipment being used to create crowns and bridges.

Researchers are finding bonding agents that will last longer, polish better, and stain less. Crowns materials have progressed from all metal to all ceramic while creating the same or better longevity and strength. Patients who have had to struggle with a temporary crown for weeks can now have their permanent crown completed in one visit with CAD/CAM technology.

From the days of George

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>> See Bhatnagar on page 31

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Rashmi Bhatnagar, DMD Dallin Birch, DMD 2015 AHWATUKEE MEDICAL •

Loose Leaf Tea Market offers natural remedies for stress relief

By Allison Hurtado

T

AhwAtukee Foothills News

he owners of Lose Leaf Tea Market in Ahwatukee Foothills say they often come across patients suffering from stress, but rarely do they know what’s causing it — or how many natural ways they can address the

situation.

“It affects people in so many different ways,” said Kita Centella, co-owner of the shop which features herbs, teas and natural remedies for a variety of ailments.

“Sometimes we have to work round about in order to help people identify it.”

Centella said many customers

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come in complaining of anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, a lack of energy or a low immune system. All are symptoms of stress, but all can be helped with some all-natural products.

Teas

One particular tea mix Centella recommends for people feeling wound up is Anxiety Relief, a tea with a blend of herbs that help naturally calm the body and mind.

Co-owner Nick Brown often refers people to a tea called Coffee Quitter.

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“They may not get enough sleep, but they’re not getting enough sleep because they’re under too much stress during the day,” he said. “Because they’re not getting enough sleep they look for stimulants during the day like caffeine. The caffeine never gets out of their system so they can’t sleep, so they look for more stimulants when they wake up, like coffee. It’s a cycle.”

Coffee Quitter helps break that cycle by drastically reducing a person’s caffeine intake without causing a withdrawal.

Capsules

A popular capsule to help people relax naturally is Take a Chill Pill.

This capsule (or liquid extract) contains a class of herbs called nervine. They’re very relaxing without being sedating, Centella said.

“It turns that stress knob down so you can take life as it comes with a much more relaxed attitude,” she said. “When you relax that tension it’s going to have so many other benefits. Your blood flow increases, your breathing deepens which will send more oxygen to your brain and your extremities. Your digestion will flow better. You’re also setting yourself up for a better night’s sleep.”

Another capsule option is Deep Adrenal. The tea contains a class of herbs called adaptogens which have the ability to protect the body from negative effects of stress.

For those looking for a sedative a capsule or liquid called Knock Out can help. It can help a person get to

• AHWATUKEE MEDICAL 2015

sleep and stay asleep through the night.

“The plants work with your body to restore balance rather than hijacking it,” Centella said. “Our bodies respond to things like light and dark. Our hormones will shift when it gets darker to ease us to sleep. The herbs help nature along more than the drugs, which will knock you out even if you take it at noon.”

Aroma therapy

Aromatherapy provides very quick relief from stress. Lose Leaf Tea Market has several mixtures that help people relax or focus to handle a stressful situation.

“It goes to a nerve that goes directly to the limbic function of the brain,” Centella said. “That part of the brain is responsible for your feelings and emotions. The essential oils in aromatherapy will affect how you’re feeling in seconds.”

For relaxation, Loose Leaf staff makes a formula called Chill Mist.

“We make this formula ourselves right on site,” Brown said. “Single essential oils include lavender, clary sage, geranium, sandalwood, frankincense and ylang ylang.”

The staff at Lose Leaf Tea Market are well versed in their products, but they’re always aware they’re no doctors. For serious medical concerns they recommend visiting a doctor, but for natural remedies to help calm life down a bit they’re happy to help.

“It’s nice to know how to take care of yourself,” Centella said. “I feel like it’s really important to learn how your body works and how to take care of it yourself. It’s simple things. If something requires medical attention and medical intervention — do that. But for simple things, home remedies are good.”

Loose Leaf Tea Market is located at 4025 E. Chandler Blvd., Suite 5. For more information, visit looseleafmarket.com or call 480759-0695.

• Contact writer: 480-898-7914 or ahurtado@ahwatukee.com.

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Will the future be blurred for today’s kids?

D

oes your child wear glasses? Do they need to be changed every year? Are their eyes getting weaker and weaker? They are not alone. In the last 40 years the number of Americans needing glasses to see better in the distance has increased by 66 percent. In other Asian countries the increase is even higher. Why is this happening? What could be the cause? Can anything be done to slow it down?

that allowed kids to choose.

Additional research shows that sunshine increases a special chemical in the eye called dopamine. Dopamine has shown to increase the strength of the walls of the eye. Could this chemical help strengthen the eye and thus reduce the potential of near sightedness?

When animals were studied and treated with a substance that reduced how much dopamine was produced, the result was an increase in near sightedness. Some parents do not seem concerned The human eye is very complex. about this mounting There are over 2 million epidemic. They say their moving parts. Our life for child can just wear glasses most of us revolves around until they get older then our eye sight. they can have Lasik. While While most research agrees that is an option, most that our eyes are getting Lasik surgeons say there worse, the cause is still is a limit to how much near unclear. Genetics seems to Dr. Mark sightedness is safe to treat make sense. If both parents with a laser. The other side J. Page are near sighted, then it is effects of near sightedness much more likely that their are not as obvious. The eye actually children will be near sighted as well. increases in size or grows when the However, genetics do not cause a prescription increases. This growth 66 percent increase in 40 years, or elongation of the eye may cause there may be an environmental the inside of the eye to stretch. or nutritional or behavioral Too much stretching can cause the component as well. We know that inside of the eye to break or detach. over the last 40 years computers, Kind of like blowing up a balloon. iPads, and smartphones have taken Too much and it will pop. over our lives. If the main reason This can lead to what is called a for this increase were all these retinal detachment. Other side electronics, the increase would effects of stretching can cause be expected to be even higher. A an increased risk of glaucoma, more interesting but less obvious cataracts and degeneration. The factor is the amount of time that kids spend outdoors. Whether kids cost to treat these conditions can climb to the $10,000 to $20,000 prefer to play video games inside, range. Insurance can help, but a 66 or parents are concerned about percent increase can put a major letting their children play outside squeeze on already rising medical where we read about horrible costs. Will everyone have to pay crimes and violence, today’s kids higher premiums to cover these spend a lot more time inside.

Emerging research is concentrating treatments? What can parents do? The best advice is to have on this reduced exposure to sunshine. For comparison purposes your kids spend two to three hours the amount of light outside exceeds outdoors every day. They should have on appropriate sun screen 10,000 lux, while indoors rarely and sunglasses to protect against exceeds 500 lux. Could this UV radiation that can cause skin relatively dim lighting be a cause? cancer. They should also take their Researchers encouraged schools kids for an annual eye examination to require children to spend all with an eye doctor. The pediatrician scheduled break time outdoors instead of giving kids the options of is not equipped to determine staying inside. The result was about a child’s prescription. Other a 30 percent decrease in near >> See Page on page 13 sightedness compared to schools 2015 AHWATUKEE MEDICAL •

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Ahwatukee couple in the business of keeping people feeling well

By Eric Smith

J

AhwAtukee Foothills News

on and Bonnie Brovitz had grown weary of the corporate world.

They no longer wanted to work for someone else, they wanted to do it for themselves.

With both of them having MBAs, they figured that starting their own business would be a good idea. But, the first thing they had to figure out was what kind of business they wanted to start.

What the Brovitzs needed was something they were passionate about as well as something where they could help other people feel well. Having recently purchased Massage Envy memberships, they soon found their business calling.

“We just really liked the business, I mean it was a brand new franchise, and we just could see being a part of it,” Bonnie said. “We loved getting massages, we loved the concept of being able to provide massages to everyone at an affordable rate … we thought we could be successful doing it because we were passionate about it.”

Owners Jon and Bonnie Brovitz in their Ahwatukee location of Massage Envy on Aug. 5. [David Jolkovski/AFN] Within a year of moving from California to Ahwatukee Foothills, the Brovitzs opened their first location, even though at first there was hesitation from their family.

Jon said he and Bonnie invested “pretty much our entire life’s savings” into the business,

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including the money from the house they sold in California to finance the startup.

“We were probably the fourth or fifth franchisee in the entire network,” Jon said. “Everybody thought we were crazy. They said, ‘Massage membership?

That’ll never work.’ Even our family told us not to do it, so we went against their wishes and I didn’t tell my dad we did it until about six months after we were in business.”

Since then, though, the Brovitzs have expanded. From the one store they started with, they now own nine.

a great team in place, we have amazing managers that run the clinics on a daily basis … the team in place, they do a great job and provide a great service.”

It wasn’t always easy; in fact, they admit it was downright scary to put everything they had into starting their own chain of franchises, but the gamble paid off and their locations throughout the Valley prove that sometimes a leap of faith, and a little belief, goes a long way.

“Each time we committed to a new location, we definitely were out of our comfort zone,” Bonnie said. “It was like, ‘Are we crazy for doing this?’ (But) we took some risks and it paid off.”

The key, Bonnie says, is to hire the right staff and make sure everyone they hire well represents the brand • Contact writer: 480-898-6549 or and what the Brovitzs are trying to esmith@evtrib.com or follow him on twitter @Eric_Smith_evt. accomplish.

“We currently have over 450 employees,” she said. “We have

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COPD is 4th leading cause of death in the U.S.

P

exhaled within the first second. retend it is your It can also measure the entire birthday and there is a volume of air exhaled until that beautifully decorated point where you think cake in front you have blown out every of you with last drop of breath you candles lit and glowing. have and you gasp for Friends and family gather the next breath. The first around to root as you measurement is known as take the deepest breath FEV1, or Forced Expiratory you can to blow them all Volume in 1 Second and out. This act of blowing the second measurement out birthday candles Agnes is FVC, or Forced Vital actually represents a real Oblas Capacity. maneuver that is used to measure lung function.

These measurements are When a patient takes a extremely important if you are a deep breath and blows as hard patient suffering from a condition and fast as he can into a machine commonly known as COPD, or called a Spirometer, the machine chronic obstructive pulmonary measures the volume of air

(lung) disease. We know how much air a normal, healthy pair of lungs can hold and how much these healthy lungs can exhale in one second. Since we know that, we can rate the degree of impairment for someone with COPD. For example, a patient with an FEV1 of 30 percent of that predicted for a normal patient would have a more serious case of COPD than another patient whose FEV1 was 75 percent of predicted.

undoubtedly, is the No. 1 culprit responsible for this situation.

Inhaled cigarette smoke (even second-hand smoke to a certain extent) initiates a cascade of inflammatory events that involves macrophages, neutrophils, nuclear factor-B, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, elastase/ antielastase imbalance, proteinase mucus stimulants... Need I say more? The net result is a vicious cycle of inflammation in which the bronchial walls thicken, thereby narrowing the airways. Blowing out birthday candles just isn’t fun anymore.

The take home message really should be the fact that people with chronic lung disease suffer from obstructed airflow that Fortunately, there are some leaves them in various degrees of breathlessness. Cigarette smoking,

>> See Oblas on page 13

2015 AHWATUKEE MEDICAL •

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Dirty electricity: Tips to reduce EMF exposure

O

ur environment is increasingly being bombarded by electromagnetic frequencies

(EMFs) and electromagnetic pollution: radio frequency radiation (RFR), poor power quality, low frequency electric and magnetic fields, and ground current.

fans and many other electronic devices that require a transformer to convert the voltage will dirty the electricity that enters your home.

This form of dirty electromagnetic fields (EMFs) is invisible to the eye, but has a biological effect on the human body and has been associated with a wide variety of illnesses.” said Magda Havas, PhD, associate professor Paula of Environmental and Owens Resource Studies at Trent University.

“Dirty electricity can be used to describe electric power that has become corrupted by our use of modern appliances. Items such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, cell phone transmission antennas, power supplies for portable computers, cell phone chargers, dimmer switches, variable speed

EMFs are major problems that affect everyone’s health. The damaging effects are cumulative.

Sources include: wireless routers in our homes, offices and schools,

Are you suffering from?

cell phones, microwave ovens, smart meters, exercise equipment, baby monitors, security systems, CFL bulbs, faulty wiring, airplanes, office equipment, and living close to electrical wires, power lines and cell phone towers. Dirty electricity flows along wires and can enter your home from neighbors through your electric panel.

EMFs are an invisible source of exogenous electrical currents and environmental stress that enter our bodies and the bodies of animals, our pets, and plants altering normal function. High frequency voltage transients in electrical wiring have been linked to many modern health conditions and diseases.

EMF contamination and cell phone

radiation affects children more than adults. Toddlers, infants and unborn babies are especially vulnerable to the damage. With that in mind, it’s probably smart to limit exposure during pregnancy and minimize your child’s exposure to wireless devices including cell phones and tablets. (Also consider the potential adverse effects of too much screen time on their sleep quality, attention spans, focus and cognitive development).

Studies have shown that EMFs may be linked to birth defects, miscarriage, infertility, hypertension, migraines, ADHD/ADD, learning disabilities, diabetes, thyroid disorders, heart arrhythmias, Alzheimer’s, depression, suicide, leukemia, >> See Owens on page 13

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Owens >> From page 12

lymphoma, chronic fatigue, MS, brain and nervous system cancers, melanoma and breast cancer.

EMFs have also been associated with nausea, fatigue, anxiety, dizziness, mental confusion, memory loss, digestive problems, hair loss, insomnia, decreased testosterone, itchy skin and skin rashes.

In humans, EMFs have been found to: • Alter circadian rhythms, enzyme activity, DNA synthesis and cell division.

blankets and heating pads.

• Remove electrical devices from your sleeping area. If you must use an electric alarm clock, keep it at least 5 inches from your body when sleeping. Or, opt for a battery-operated clock.

• Move power strips at least 3 inches away from your feet.

• Switch to flat-screen TVs and computer monitors as these emit less EMFs than the older styles.

• If you live in close vicinity to or underneath electrical wires, power lines or cell phone towers, you may want to consider moving.

• Replace cordless phones with corded phones.

• Affect the pineal and hypothalamus area of the brain.

• Stand 3 to 4 inches away from microwave ovens when in use.

• Affect neurotransmitter production.

• Consider shielding devices to reduce EMFs from cell phones, cordless phones and landline speaker phones.

• Increase blood-brain barrier permeability.

• Ask your electric utility provider • Accelerate infections. to remove wireless smart meters • Create artificial stress responses. and replace them with a wired smart meter.

• Over-stimulate the immune • Walk barefoot on the sand, grass system initially, then suppress it. or dirt. This common practice known as earthing or grounding • Induce oxidative stress. allows the healing negative ions • Promote malignant tumor from the ground to flow into our growth specifically concentrated body and have been shown to in the central nervous system, the reduce stress hormones and blood and skeletal systems, and in inflammation. glandular tissue.

• Use 100 percent beeswax candles and Himalayan salt lamps in your Tips to reduce EMF exposure home and office to absorb EMFs from the air. Salt lamps serve as • Use cellphones as little as possible and only in speaker mode. natural room ionizers, emitting negative ions into the environment Never hold it next to your ear. that effectively bind with all the • Never carry your cell phone in excess positive ions, reducing your pocket, underneath your bra EMFs, killing bacteria and purifying strap or anywhere on your body. If the air. you must carry it in your pocket, Awareness is key. Educate yourself put it on airplane mode. and your family about the health • Never use laptop computers on risks of chronic cell phone use, your lap.

EMFs and dirty electricity. Remove, protect and distance yourself • Switch out compact fluorescent as much as possible from EMF light (CFL) bulbs for incandescent pollutants. light bulbs.

• Turn off Wi-Fi routers (home and office) when not in use, and especially at night a few hours before bedtime.

• Consider replacing Wi-Fi routers with Ethernet cables.

• Never charge your phone in your bedroom while sleeping.

Always charge it in another room in airplane mode or turn it off at night.

• Avoid electric water beds,

“Electromagnetic (EMF) pollution may be the most significant form of pollution human activity has produced in this century and all the more dangerous because it is invisible and insensible,” Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. • Paula Owens, M.S., is the author of “The Power of 4” and “Fat Loss Revolution.” An Ahwatukee resident for 22 years, she is a leading expert in nutrition, functional health, fitness and fat loss with more than 20 years of experience. For more information, visit www.PaulaOwens.com.

Page

while the lenses are removed for swimming. An additional option that may be used is having kids >> From page 9 use special eye drops that dilate their pupils. This appears to be methods that may slow down effective in slowing down the the rate of progression include increase, but special bifocal Orthokeratology. This is similar tinted glasses are required to to braces for teeth, where specially shaped lenses are worn help the child see properly.

The best thing is to get them while they sleep. They can help outside to play and schedule kids see without glasses for them for a comprehensive eye the day and slow down the rate examination. Procrastination is of increase. Another option is your enemy. There is no benefit specially designed bifocal-type soft contact lenses worn during in waiting. the day. Care must be taken as the risk of infection wearing soft • Dr. Mark J. Page, OD, is with Arizona’s Vision, located in lenses while swimming is greatly Ahwatukee at 15215 S. 48th St., Suite increased. The effect of slowing 180. Reach him at 480-351-4879 or down the increase may be lost visit www.azglasses.com.

Oblas >> From page 11

very good medicines that are delivered directly to the lungs via inhalers. But again, wouldn’t it be better to stop the process before it even begins? If you smoke, do whatever you can to stop. It’s never too late to quit.

If you have never smoked, why start? COPD is the fourth leading

cause of death in the United States with related health care costs estimated to be about $23 billion a year. I know we will never eradicate death; but maybe we could eradicate COPD as one of the causes.

• Agnes Oblas is an adult nurse practitioner with a private practice and residence in Ahwatukee Foothills. For questions, or if there is a topic you would like her to address, call (602) 405-6320 or email aoblas@ newpathshealth.com. Her website is www.newpathshealth.com.

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2015 AHWATUKEE MEDICAL •

13

ahwatukee

medical

How Medicare covers diabetes

D

iabetes is a serious disease. It can lead to kidney problems, glaucoma and other eye disorders, foot ulcers, amputation of feet or legs, stroke, diabetic coma, and even death.

If your doctor thinks you’re at risk for diabetes, Medicare covers screening tests for it. And, if you develop the disease, Medicare covers a wide variety of medications, home testing equipment, supplies, and selfmanagement training to help you cope with it.

Screening tests are used to detect diabetes early. Some of the conditions that may qualify you as

14 • AHWATUKEE MEDICAL 2015

being at risk for diabetes include: • High blood pressure.

• Dyslipidermia (a history of abnormal cholesterol and triglycleride levels).

• Obesity (with certain conditions).

• Impaired glucose (blood sugar) tolerance.

David Sayen

• High fasting glucose (blood sugar).

Medicare will pay for two diabetes screening tests in a 12-month period. After the initial screening, your doctor will determine when to do the second test.

You and your doctor can discuss diabetes and any other health concerns you have during a

“Welcome to Medicare” visit.

Medicare covers this one-time review of your health, including counseling on any screenings, shots, or other care you may need. (You must have this visit within the first 12 months you’re enrolled in Medicare Part B).

In addition, Medicare covers an annual wellness visit with your doctor, during which you can develop or update a personalized prevention plan, based on your current health and risk factors.

If you do develop diabetes, Medicare pays for self-management training to help you learn how to successfully manage the disease. Your doctor must prescribe this training for Medicare to cover it.

The training covers a variety of topics, including the risks of poor

blood sugar control; nutrition and how to manage your diet; options to improve blood sugar control; exercise and why it’s important to your health; and how to take your medications properly.

Also, Medicare covers medical nutrition therapy services, to help you learn what foods to eat and how to follow an individualized diabetic meal plan.

Generally, Medicare Part B (medical insurance) covers services and supplies needed by people who have or are at risk for diabetes. Medicare Part D (the prescription drug program) helps pay for supplies for injecting or inhaling insulin.

Here are some of the items covered under Part B: >> See Sayen on page 15

ahwatukee

medical

Tools to help consumers make health care decisions

W

medical services. Providing health ith smartphones care prices to the public, health now in the hands of care professionals and other nearly two-thirds stakeholders could reduce U.S. of U.S. health care spending by more than $100 billion consumers, the number during the next decade, of people turning to according to a 2014 report. mobile devices to Mobile resources can manage their lives is also track appointments, soaring, according to a manage prescriptions, new study from the Pew check claims or enable Research Center. The David people to pay their medical most commonly searched Allazetta bills. Here are a few subject: health care. apps that can put your More than 60 percent of smartphone to work for smartphone owners have used better health: their device in the past year to look up information about a health Health Care Navigation: condition.

Apps such as Health4Me help Special to aFN

Consumers now have access to mobile apps that can update them on their health benefits and even comparison shop for

Sayen >> From page 14

• Home blood sugar monitors and related supplies, such as test strips, lancet devices, and lancets.

• Foot exams and treatment (needed by people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and loss of protective sensation).

• Glaucoma tests.

• External insulin pumps and insulin the devices use.

• Therapeutic shoes or inserts.

consumers make more informed decisions about their health, and help save time and money. The free appenables anyone to locate

Prescription Tracking: Five out of six people older than 65 take at least one medication, and almost half of them take three or more, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Apps such as ScriptHub enable all consumers to enter their medicines for themselves, or for their family members, and find a nearby pharmacy. The medicinereminder feature can set when (e.g., at noon), how (e.g., with food), and how often (e.g., daily) to

Well-Baby Care: More apps are targeting consumers in key life stages with specific health needs.

One is Baby Blocks, a mobile program that helps pregnant women and new parents with prenatal, post-partum and well-baby care. Some maternityrelated apps can track ovulation cycles or provide users with email appointment alerts and wellness-related text messages, while offering rewards for keeping appointments.

In this new era of consumerfocused health care, transparency and education can help people be more engaged in their health.

• David Allazetta is the CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Arizona.

• Orthopedic shoes (for people whose feet are impaired but intact).

• Cosmetic surgery.

You can do many things to control your diabetes. Talk with your doctor about what, how much, and when you eat. Also talk with him or her about how much you should weigh, and the different ways you can reach your weight goal.

Take your medications as directed, and discuss any problems you encounter with your physician.

Be active for a total of 30 minutes most days. Keep tabs on your blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

• Screening tests, “Welcome to Medicare” visits, and annual wellness If you smoke, quit. Medicare also checkups. covers counseling on how to stop smoking, if your doctor orders it.

Items covered under Part D include: For more details on Medicare’s • Drugs for maintaining blood sugar. coverage of diabetes, read the • Insulin that isn’t administered with brochure titled “Medicare’s Coverage of Diabetes Supplies & Services,” at: a pump. https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/ Medicare doesn’t cover everything, pdf/11022.pdf of course. Among the diabetes supplies and services not covered • David Sayen is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, are: • Eye exams for glasses (called refraction).

take medications.

nearby health care providers as well as review market average prices for more than 755 medical services. For example, in Phoenix the cost for a knee MRI can range between $287 and $1,326, while the price for childbirth can be between $7,399 and $12,913.

Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Territories. You can get answers to your Medicare questions 24/7 by calling 1-800MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

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ahwatukee

medical

Aqua Therapy provides hybrid for physical therapy

By Daniel Ochoa

A

Tribune

qua Therapy Clinics in Gilbert is taking a new and innovative approach in terms of physical therapy by introducing flotation therapy as a viable and medical option.

Introducing Flotation Therapy as a viable health option rather than a spa treatment, which in most cases it’s used for, is what both Chief

Executive Officer David Grywul and Chief Operating Officer Mark Ector envisioned back in 2014.

Patients who visit Aqua Therapy are given an assessment of what they’re needs are to complete physical therapy.

They meet with the clinic’s physical therapist, Troy Babel, who devises a road map toward a successful recovery. >> See Aqua Therapy on page 34

Morseller Ector floats in an isolation tank at Aqua Therapy Clinics in Gilbert on Aug. 6.

[David Jolkovski/AFN]

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www.ahwatukeefootandanklecenter.com 16 • AHWATUKEE MEDICAL 2015

ahwatukee

medical

Children with asthma suffer from worsening air quality of parks, hospitals and at least 32 major public schools lie within this range. Yet, according to Byrne, this has proven to be an arbitrary number as multiple studies have shown the proximate range of effect may be as far as 1,600 feet, a distance that would dramatically increase the number of potential residents affected.

Quality Flag Program run by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

Even though the number of children with asthma is at a historic high, the rate of children suffering from asthma continues to grow in America and scientists simply do not understand why.

“The flag concept is simple – schools receive an alert each morning about that day’s air quality with instructions to fly one of four flags: green for good air quality, yellow for moderate, orange for air that is unhealthy for sensitive groups and red for air “As the Valley grew, air quality that is unhealthy for everyone,” may not have been factored into Byrne said. “With the flag flying, important planning decisions parents of students with asthma – such as where homes should be built, how freeways should connect or other breathing ailments would know what to expect, and on or whether the state should demand cleaner-burning cars and bad-air days teachers could take precautions to protect all kids.” trucks,” said Byrne.

While the cause of the increase is unclear, what is evident are the threats these one in 10 children face in Arizona – threats that become more serious this time of the year and in this part of the country.

The growing number of residents, the worsening air quality and the rising rates of asthma have combined to create a public health problem for families in the Valley, with some steps being taken to address this issue.

A number of additional risks manifest themselves in Arizona, including a monsoon season that spurs mold spores, a year-round pollen season and a generally higher concentration of dust and air particulates. Yet all these factors were present 50 years ago, with air pollution leading the way in Phoenix and the East Valley’s path toward increasingly poor conditions for those who suffer from asthma.

By James Gingerich

A

AhwAtukee Foothills News

sthma is the leading cause of chronic childhood illness in the United States, surpassing diabetes and mental illness. Yet, the 7 million children affected are rarely a topic of concern among the general public.

Chief among those threats is air pollution. For the last several years the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area has ranked among the worst polluted areas in the country, and that is a distinction that poses a serious health hazard for asthma sufferers.

“Air pollution is a major contributing factor to asthma attacks due to the reaction of the lungs from inhaling ground-level ozone or particle pollution,” said Kimberly Byrne, the pediatric asthma program manager at Banner Health. “Although high levels of pollution affect everyone, people with asthma are more sensitive and experience the effects more quickly and severely.”

Arizona used to be a respite for people afflicted with asthma due to the Valley’s warm, dry air. However, as air quality has deteriorated in Phoenix and the East Valley, what was once a place of reprieve has become a metropolitan region with among the worst conditions for those with

the disorder. That is partially due to the same warm climate that was once appealing to people with respiratory illness.

“Ground-level ozone is found near the Earth’s surface and is a serious pollutant that is produced when sunlight combines and reacts with chemicals produced by cars, power plants and factories,” Byrne said.

“That is why ground-level ozone, a main component of smog, tends to be higher in sunnier climates or during hot, still weather that occurs in Arizona frequently.”

Conditions are particularly poor for individuals who live near highways. The Environmental Protection Agency has identified the risk zone as being within 300 feet of a major highway or intersection.

“Living or working in that zone puts people at an elevated risk of respiratory troubles, from allergies and wheezing to more serious ailments, because they are exposed to harmful pollutants in vehicle exhaust and dust particles kicked up by traffic,” Byrne said.

In the Phoenix Metropolitan area, upwards of 300,000 residents live inside this zone, and a multitude

As children with asthma are particularly vulnerable to these environmental conditions, public schools have been among the chief targets where the city seeks to raise awareness about poor air quality and to protect residents with respiratory disorders from harm.

One such program is the Air

• Contact writer: 480-898-6581 or jgingerich@evtrib.com.

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Ehsan Pourshirazi, D.D.S.

G UA R A N T E E D D E N TA L S O LU T I ON S Your Choice for Quality

Y

our smile is often the first thing people notice about you. Having missing, damaged or diseased teeth can be a source of fear, shame and isolation, holding you back from reaching your dreams. However, at Guaranteed Dental Solutions in Ahwatukee, a set of state-of-the-art dental implants can restore your confidence, provide a beautiful new smile and change your life.

Dr. Ehsan Pourshirazi and his dedicated staff offer a complete array of dental care services, from teeth whitening to full mouth reconstruction and everything inbetween. However, dental implants – the permanent replacement of damaged or missing teeth – have made Dr. Pourshirazi and Guaranteed Dental Solutions the go-to location for a dazzling new smile.

“Dental implants are aesthetically pleasing and feel very natural. Implants are surgically placed below the gums over a series of appointments,” said Dr. Pourshirazi. “With time, they fuse to the jawbone and serve as a base for individual replacement teeth, bridges or dentures.”

Guaranteed Dental Solutions features the “All-on-4” treatment concept, in which only four titanium posts are used to surgically attach a full set of implants in the jaw. Dr. Pourshirazi uses the latest in high-tech

dental instruments to examine and custom measure each patient. That includes a three-dimensional Cone Beam CT Scanner, which provides a more accurate and more detailed 360-degree image of each tooth and not just a scan of one side.

Dental phobias and dental anxiety can make it very difficult for patients to keep up with their dental care. Guaranteed Dental Solutions offers a combination of kindness and medications which alleviates patients’ fears. They have several options to help make patients feel relaxed and comfortable during their treatment, including oral sedation and IV sedation.

Guaranteed Dental Solutions has its own on-site dental lab to ensure the quality of all prosthetics. Most other dental offices save money by sending such work to an outside lab, which takes more time and removes quality control from of the dentist’s hands. Having their own professional lab technician significantly shortens the time it takes to complete your dental implants and assures higher quality and a better fit.

While dental implants are an important part of Guaranteed Dental Solutions’ practice, they provide a full spectrum of dental services including X-rays, exams, cleanings, root canals, extractions, crowns and veneers, dentures (full and partial) and composite fillings. The office also offers cosmetic services in addition to implants, including teeth whitening, veneers, tooth-colored composite bonding, porcelain crowns, bridges and full-mouth reconstruction.

Other high-tech

equipment used by Guaranteed Dental Solutions includes Oral ID, a fluorescence technology for fast and painless oral cancer screening; Digital X-ray, for early identification of dental problems; Ultrasonic Scaler, using vibrations to help break down plaque and calculus that cause gingivitis and periodontal disease; Lasers, which replace the drills previously used for many procedures; Intraoral Scanner, which makes examinations more comfortable; and DIAGNOdent, a painless laser used to locate hard-to-find cavities.

“No two mouths, or patients, are exactly alike, which is why we offer personalized service,” Dr. Pourshirazi says. “It doesn’t matter how major or minor the procedure, we’ll provide you with a beautiful smile that is sure to boost your self-esteem.”

Guaranteed Dental Services is located at 4530 East Ray Road, Suite 170 in Ahwatukee. The office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and offers Saturday appointments as needed. Call 480-485-7430 for an appointment.

To learn more about Guaranteed Dental Services, Dr. Pourshirazi and his highly qualified staff, go to www.guaranteeddentalsolutions.com.

-- By Mark Richardson

FREE CONSULTATION AND 3D CT SCAN! 18 • AHWATUKEE MEDICAL 2015

ahwatukee

medical bios Heather Akerson, MS, FNP-C Nurse Practitioner

Ahwatukee Skin & Laser 4425 E. Agave Rd., Ste 148 Phoenix, AZ 85044 480-704-SKIN (7546) www.ahwatukeeskincare.com Heather Akerson is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She grew up in Northern California and moved to Arizona in 1997 to finish her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Physiology with a minor in Spanish. Heather worked her way through college as a Physical Therapy Technician with the intention of becoming a Physical Therapist. Feeling a pull in a different direction, Heather began nursing school. Heather worked her way up the chain in the hospital as a Nurse Assistant, then Licensed Practical Nurse and then Registered Nurse.

Heather had the opportunity to work as part of the Wound Care and Ostomy Team at the hospital, as well as a Hospital Interpreter. Working in Wound Care only strengthened Heather’s love for Dermatology, which started at a young age and grew as she had her own problems with acne.

Heather took a hiatus from work to raise her two young children, Kalib and Keira, while earning her Masters in Nursing. Heather has worked at a local Family Practice but has been with Ahwatukee Skin & Laser since January 2012, pursuing her true passion in Dermatology. Heather has always had a love for Dermatology and a desire to help people.

Dr. Dallin Birch Dentistry

Bella Vista Dental Care

15715 S. 46th St. #104 Phoenix, AZ 85048 480-598-5900 www.bellavistadentalcare.com Dr. Dallin Birch is originally from southeastern Idaho and came to the Phoenix area in 1998. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Arizona State University. Dr. Birch graduated from Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has also received post-graduate training in endodontics, CEREC and Invisalign. He is an artist by nature and is very meticulous as he strives to deliver the highest quality dental care. Dr. Birch is very compassionate and tries to give every patient the most comfortable experience possible.

Dr. Birch is an accomplished musician, having played piano for over 26 years. He enjoys performing with his band and spending time with his ĂœÂˆvi >˜` ĂŒĂœÂœ ĂžÂœĂ•Â˜} V…ˆÂ?`Ă€i˜° À° ÂˆĂ€VÂ… ÂˆĂƒ >Â?ĂƒÂœ yĂ•iÂ˜ĂŒ ˆ˜ -ÂŤ>Â˜ÂˆĂƒÂ…Â°

Rashmi Bhatnagar, DMD, MPH

Dr. John Boardman, DC

BellaVista DentalCare

Boardman Family Chiropractic & Spinal Aid Center

Dentistry

15715 S. 46th Street, #104 Phoenix, Arizona 85048 480-598-5900 www.bellavistadentalcare.com Dr. Bhatnagar, the founder of Ahwatukee’s BellaVista DentalCare, began her successful practice with a vision. She said, “I was determined to provide exceptional dental care with state-of-the art procedures and highly skilled, gentle, caring providers.â€? +P QTFGT VQ HWNĆ‚N JGT XKUKQP &T $JCVPCICT WPFGTUVCPFU VJCV NGCTPKPI KU C NKHG long journey. Along with her 200 hours of continued education per year, she is completing a Fellowship/Mastership program with the Academy of General &GPVKUVT[ C RTGUVKIKQWU CEJKGXGOGPV VJCV KU TCTG KP JGT Ć‚GNF p&GPVKUVT[ KU ever-evolving. I want my patients to have the best treatment and procedures available.â€?

Dr. Bhatnagar obtained her Doctorate in Dental Medicine and Masters in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh, and completed an advanced residency program at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia.

Chiropractic

10235 South 51st Street, Suite 170 Phoenix, Arizona 85044 www.azspinalaid.com Dr. John Boardman has been helping people alleviate pain and regain their healthy, active lifestyles for 17 years. His clinic services include chiropractic care, spinal decompression, massage, rehabilitation, and modern diagnostics, including computerized range of motion and strength testing.

Dr. Boardman is specifically trained in the medical procedure known as Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, and utilizes the FDA Cleared Z-Grav Table to perform the treatment. In doing so, he is particularly dedicated to treating those suffering from chronic or severe neck/low back pain due to cervical/lumbar disc herniations, bulges, degeneration, sciatica, stenosis, and facet arthrosis. This procedure reverses the high intra-discal pressure, drawing back in the bulging disc material and nutrients, which relieves the nerve pressure and allows the disc to heal.

2015 AHWATUKEE MEDICAL •

21

ahwatukee

medical

Dental implants are something to smile about

I

special to afn site, archaeologists found that n the past when a person’s teeth had been replaced with teeth were no longer stones, jade and shell fragments savable, their only option while the person was alive. It was a removable was a medical accident in denture or false 1952 that identified the teeth. While a removable metal that would finally denture does provide provide long lasting functionality they can success to modern dental be uncomfortable to implants. An orthopedic wear and are not the surgeon discovered that most natural looking. In he could not remove a 1965 Swedish surgeon small titanium cylinder Thomas Per Ingvar Branemark he had placed in a bone Mattern placed the first modern because the titanium dental implant and metal had bonded to today dental implants the bone. The special property are a viable and highly successful that titanium has of fusing to treatment option. bone is the biological basis of Amazingly, dental implants were modern implants and it is what Dr. Branemark used to create his placed by ancient civilizations. first dental implant.

When excavating a Mayan burial

20 • AHWATUKEE MEDICAL 2015

Modern dental implants were first used for people who had lost all of their teeth but still had enough jawbone to place a dental implant into. Over the last several decades we have seen massive improvements in the technology which has expanded their use. The original one size fits all implant has developed into multiple sizes and designs.

The placement of dental implants has also dramatically advanced.

Bone and tissue grafting is now used to allow placement where it was not possible in the past. Cone beam three dimensional X-ray units provide dentists the ability to see the exact bone structure of the jaw. Advanced software can use these images to identify the precise size and location of the implant for the most effective

and aesthetic solution. We have reached the point today that a patient can arrive to a dental office with a broken or decayed tooth and within just a couple hours leave with an implant and crown.

Modern dental implants have provided the dentist with another highly successful option for repairing a person’s smile. We now know how important it is to improve a person’s smile. The evidence is overwhelming that a smile affects a person’s brain, body, psyche and those around them. A smile activates the release of dopamine, endorphins and serotonin reducing stress, decreasing heart rate and blood pressure and increasing feelings >> See Mattern on page 35

ahwatukee

medical bios Heather Akerson, MS, FNP-C Nurse Practitioner

Ahwatukee Skin & Laser 4425 E. Agave Rd., Ste 148 Phoenix, AZ 85044 480-704-SKIN (7546) www.ahwatukeeskincare.com Heather Akerson is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She grew up in Northern California and moved to Arizona in 1997 to finish her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Physiology with a minor in Spanish. Heather worked her way through college as a Physical Therapy Technician with the intention of becoming a Physical Therapist. Feeling a pull in a different direction, Heather began nursing school. Heather worked her way up the chain in the hospital as a Nurse Assistant, then Licensed Practical Nurse and then Registered Nurse.

Heather had the opportunity to work as part of the Wound Care and Ostomy Team at the hospital, as well as a Hospital Interpreter. Working in Wound Care only strengthened Heather’s love for Dermatology, which started at a young age and grew as she had her own problems with acne.

Heather took a hiatus from work to raise her two young children, Kalib and Keira, while earning her Masters in Nursing. Heather has worked at a local Family Practice but has been with Ahwatukee Skin & Laser since January 2012, pursuing her true passion in Dermatology. Heather has always had a love for Dermatology and a desire to help people.

Dr. Dallin Birch Dentistry

Bella Vista Dental Care

15715 S. 46th St. #104 Phoenix, AZ 85048 480-598-5900 www.bellavistadentalcare.com Dr. Dallin Birch is originally from southeastern Idaho and came to the Phoenix area in 1998. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Arizona State University. Dr. Birch graduated from Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has also received post-graduate training in endodontics, CEREC and Invisalign. He is an artist by nature and is very meticulous as he strives to deliver the highest quality dental care. Dr. Birch is very compassionate and tries to give every patient the most comfortable experience possible.

Dr. Birch is an accomplished musician, having played piano for over 26 years. He enjoys performing with his band and spending time with his ĂœÂˆvi >˜` ĂŒĂœÂœ ĂžÂœĂ•Â˜} V…ˆÂ?`Ă€i˜° À° ÂˆĂ€VÂ… ÂˆĂƒ >Â?ĂƒÂœ yĂ•iÂ˜ĂŒ ˆ˜ -ÂŤ>Â˜ÂˆĂƒÂ…Â°

Rashmi Bhatnagar, DMD, MPH

Dr. John Boardman, DC

BellaVista DentalCare

Boardman Family Chiropractic & Spinal Aid Center

Dentistry

15715 S. 46th Street, #104 Phoenix, Arizona 85048 480-598-5900 www.bellavistadentalcare.com Dr. Bhatnagar, the founder of Ahwatukee’s BellaVista DentalCare, began her successful practice with a vision. She said, “I was determined to provide exceptional dental care with state-of-the art procedures and highly skilled, gentle, caring providers.â€? +P QTFGT VQ HWNĆ‚N JGT XKUKQP &T $JCVPCICT WPFGTUVCPFU VJCV NGCTPKPI KU C NKHG long journey. Along with her 200 hours of continued education per year, she is completing a Fellowship/Mastership program with the Academy of General &GPVKUVT[ C RTGUVKIKQWU CEJKGXGOGPV VJCV KU TCTG KP JGT Ć‚GNF p&GPVKUVT[ KU ever-evolving. I want my patients to have the best treatment and procedures available.â€?

Dr. Bhatnagar obtained her Doctorate in Dental Medicine and Masters in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh, and completed an advanced residency program at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia.

Chiropractic

10235 South 51st Street, Suite 170 Phoenix, Arizona 85044 www.azspinalaid.com Dr. John Boardman has been helping people alleviate pain and regain their healthy, active lifestyles for 17 years. His clinic services include chiropractic care, spinal decompression, massage, rehabilitation, and modern diagnostics, including computerized range of motion and strength testing.

Dr. Boardman is specifically trained in the medical procedure known as Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, and utilizes the FDA Cleared Z-Grav Table to perform the treatment. In doing so, he is particularly dedicated to treating those suffering from chronic or severe neck/low back pain due to cervical/lumbar disc herniations, bulges, degeneration, sciatica, stenosis, and facet arthrosis. This procedure reverses the high intra-discal pressure, drawing back in the bulging disc material and nutrients, which relieves the nerve pressure and allows the disc to heal.

2015 AHWATUKEE MEDICAL •

21

Angela J. Christopher, DC, ART, MUAC

Collin N. Ito, D.M.D.

AZ Spine Disc & Sport

Sonoran Hills Dental Family & Cosmetic Dentist

Chiropractor

4530 E. Ray Road #110 Phoenix, AZ 85044 480-759-1668 www.AZSpineDiscAndSport.com Dr. Christopher has been a practicing chiropractic physician and physiotherapist in the Ahwatukee are since 2005. She is well respected in the community and was voted “Best Phoenix Chiropractor” in 2010 by “Phoenix Health and Wellness Magazine” and a “Best of Ahwatukee” chiropractor by the “Ahwatukee Republic” in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Dr. Christopher graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic with a B.S. in Biology and as a Doctor of Chiropractic in 2005. She relocated from St. Louis, Missouri after she completed school to practice in Arizona.

Dr. Christopher’s philosophy is based on active corrective care. Her goal is to provide a detailed treatment plan for each unique condition, including the maintenance tools that each patient will need to keep themselves healthy after their care has been completed.

Dr. Christopher is currently certified in Active Release Technique, Manipulation under Anesthesia, and Kinesio Tape. She is proficient in biomechanics analysis and active exercise training. She has also dedicated continuing education hours to understanding diagnostics and the treatment of specific injuries relating to work related accidents and automobile collisions.

Dr. Christopher is very involved in her community as a member of the Chamber of Commerce and as a local tri-athlete. She is especially adept at understanding sports injuries and can help you maintain peak performance. For the past several years, she has been part of the ART Ironman treatment team and has treated various injuries on Elite athletes and age groupers alike. Dr. Christopher recently completed her first Ironman triathlon in 2013 and looks forward to competing in another Ironman event.

Lisa Cockrell, RN Cosmetic Injectables

Ahwatukee Skin & Laser 4425 E. Agave Rd., Ste 148 Phoenix, AZ 85044 480-704-SKIN (7546) www.ahwatukeeskincare.com Lisa Cockrell is Certified as a Registered Nurse Injector by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and has been performing cosmetic injectables since 1999. She is also a National Trainer for Galderma®, and travels across the country training doctors and nurses in injection techniques.

Lisa offers Dysport or Botox to minimize wrinkles of the forehead and around the eyes. She also offers Restylane® Lyft, Perlane®, Voluma®, and Juvederm® to restore volume in the cheeks and lower face, and Restylane® and Restylane® Silk to restore and enhance the lips. ®

®

Her goal is to provide a refreshed and more youthful look, while maintaining a natural appearance, and she encourages her patients to return for a visit in 2 weeks to ensure that she has met her goal and her patient’s expectations.

Dentistry

4909 E. Chandler Blvd., Ste 501 Phoenix, AZ 85045 480-785-9191 www.sonoranhillsdental.com

Collin N. Ito, D.M.D., has been providing general, aesthetic dental services in Ahwatukee for 15 years. As the sole practitioner in his private practice, with a long term staff, patients appreciate the continuity of seeing Dr. Ito at every visit, as well as his respectful, relaxed, and personable approach. Dr. Ito enjoys the long term relationships built with patients and their families in Ahwatukee, where he resides with his wife and two children. His continued professional development supports his emphasis on creating beautiful, healthy, lasting smiles and supporting overall health and well-being. Services offered include porcelain crowns & veneers, implant restorations and bridges, bonding, tooth V Ài` w }Ã] ÌiiÌ Ü Ìi }] À Ì V> > Ã] iÝÌÀ>VÌ Ã] `i Ì> V i> }Ã and periodontal services. He offers an in-house Discount Savings Plan for patients without insurance, interest free payment plans through PayPal, and is contracted with most dental insurance companies. His practice, Sonoran Hills Dental, is located at the SE corner of 48th St. and Chandler Blvd.

Find out more at www.sonoranhillsdental.com.

Brian Dalton, DMD Dentistry

Gillis & Dalton Dentistry 4435 E. Chandler Blvd., Suite 110 Phoenix, Arizona 85048 480-753-1300 www.gillisanddaltondentistry.com Dr. Dalton graduated in 2008 with his Doctorate in Dental Medicine (DMD) from the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health in Mesa. ASDOH is a state of the art teaching institution that focuses on treating a patient’s overall health and well being, as well as their dental needs. Their curriculum includes extensive studies in preventative dentistry, digital radiography, public health, implant technology, and more. Dr. Dalton continues his school’s mission to provide the best, most conservative dental care for all of his patients. After graduation, he practiced in Tempe at SunWest Dental Center for 6 years. Dr. Dalton was born in Colorado and raised in Glendale, Arizona. He attended Arizona State University. When not working, he enjoys the outdoors, fixing up cars, and golfing.

Kelly de Simone, OD Optometry

Eye Priority 15725 S. 46th St., Suite 112 Phoenix, Arizona 85048 480-893-2300 www.eyepriority.com Kelly de Simone has provided general optometric services as well as customized vision therapy programs for children and adults for 24 years. She is the owner of Eye Priority, P.C. A Foothills resident with children in college, high school and middle school, de Simone is “passionate about vision” and provides eye care to a wide range of patients.

“With a great staff, certified opticians and certified vision therapists, we can assess and treat eye health and vision disorders whether a patient is 6 months old or 90. Everyone deserves optimal vision, and we have the technology to make it possible. I think we bring a unique approach to optometry and our community has responded with loyalty for all of these years.”

Dr. de Simone is board-certified in Vision Development and is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. She is a member of the Arizona Optometric Association and the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association. Eye Priority is also a proud member of LocalFirst AZ and the Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce. Dr. de Simone was the recipient of the Chamber’s 2011 Palo Verde Businesswoman of the Year Award.

22 • AHWATUKEE MEDICAL 2015

Kelly Fields,

Lee Ann Jewell, LMT

Certified Laser Instructor

Total Therapeutic Touch

LPN, LE, CLT, LSO, ARRA Ahwatukee Skin & Laser

4425 E. Agave Rd., Ste 148 Phoenix, AZ 85044 480-704-SKIN (7546) www.ahwatukeeskincare.com Kelly Fields has been in the Medical Aesthetic industry for 12 years. She started her career and training under world renowned Dr. Stephen W. Perkins, MD (past president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery). Throughout her career, she has worked with multiple respected Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, and top laser companies providing, high end medical aesthetic services and clinical education. As a Licensed Practicing Nurse (LPN) and a Licensed Aesthetician (LE) she focuses on anti-aging procedures and a variety of cutting edge laser treatments. The treatments Kelly offers include Ultherapy, Cosmetic injections, Micro Needling, IPL, miraDry, Chemical peels, and a variety of laser treatments. Kelly currently is a West Coast Clinical Educator for Ulthera, Inc. (Ultherapy) and Alma Lasers.

This allows her to be a part of the most current technology. Her focus is to keep you feeling youthful and enjoying every step of the way!

John E. Gillis, DMD, PLLC Dentistry

Gillis & Dalton Dentistry 4435 E. Chandler Blvd., Suite 110 Phoenix, Arizona 85048 480-753-1300 www.gillisanddaltondentistry.com Dr. Gillis’ overall exposure to the field of dentistry began in childhood as his father and uncle, both private practitioners, demonstrated their expertise, commitment, and superior patient care in dentistry.

Coincidentally, Dr. Gillis also has a twin brother who is a dentist specializing in Oral / Maxillofacial Surgery.

After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Southern Mississippi and completing his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1998 where he graduated 3rd in his class, Magna Cum Laude, Dr. Gillis entered the United States Air Force and was selected to serve as the flight dentist for all pilots stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona.

After completing his service with the Air Force, he worked as an Associate Dentist for a well-established practice in Central Phoenix before opening his own practice in May of 2004.

As a private practitioner in general dentistry, Dr. Gillis is confident in his ability to promote the advancement and progress of dental health care, through his sincere dedication and commitment to quality oral health care. Dr. Gillis has received awards and honors for his expertise in Oral Medicine, Periodontics, Restorative Dentistry, and Prosthodontics and has 19 years of clinical experience. Dr. Gillis is Board Certified in the state of Arizona. He continuously advances his skills in dentistry through education and training in order to provide the most current, technologically advanced dental treatments available.

Therapeutic Massage

Comprehensive Assessment to Improve Optimal Body Performance

4425 E. Agave Road; Bldg 4, Suite 116 Phoenix, AZ 85044 www.T3TotalTherapeuticTouch.com Lee Ann grew up in Milwaukee, WI and relocated to Ahwatukee in 1999 with her family. She is a Licensed Massage Therapist with the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy. Her focus is to utilize multiple modalities to aid in a client’s reduction of muscle tension and increase joint mobility.

You may have heard of Swedish, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Sports, Pregnancy or Medical massage but Lee Ann believes in striving to learn additional techniques to help her clients. The body’s joints are designed to lift, twist, bend, lunge, walk, run, push and pull but the efficiency of these movements can be improved. This is a common goal and result of athletic training. Lee Ann views all her clients as athletes. For example, a parent will squat, bend, twist and lift to pick-up their child whereas an athlete will perform these same movements to play basketball or baseball.

This drive has lead Lee Ann to obtain additional certifications: • Certified Fascial Stretch Therapist • Certified Medical Massage Practitioner • Gentle Touch for Individuals Living with Cancer • Z-Health Movement Reeducation Specialist • Z-Health Movement Integration Specialist

Janet Jordan, DDS Orthodontics

Ahwatukee Orthodontics

12010 S. Warner-Elliot Loop #2 Phoenix, AZ 85044 480-598-3659 www.ahwatukeeorthodontics.com Dr. Janet Jordan established Ahwatukee Orthodontics 19 years ago with a mission statement of providing each patient and family a comprehensively exceptional experience. Dr. Jordan is committed to catering to each patient’s individual needs in a gentle, professional and respectful manner in all aspects of their experience with Ahwatukee Orthodontics, from the front office to the dental chair. She and her staff are experienced and caring. Dr. Jordan is a specialist provider for Invisalign® and is a specialist in Dento-facial Orthodontics. She received her Doctorate and Specialty in Orthodontics from NYU where she graduated in the top of her class earning awards and honors. Subsequently, she worked as an associate professor at NYU and later at UOP in California before returning to Arizona where she now lives with her husband and family.

Tracy Hill, PT, DPT, FAFS, CSCS

Patricia Kao-Hutt, Au.D.

Spooner Physical Therapy

Aloha Hearing Solutions

Physical Therapy

16611 S 40th St #130, Phoenix, AZ 85048 480-796-1199 SpoonerPhysicalTherapy.com Tracy Hill has been a practicing physical therapist since 2006. She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy at Northern Arizona University. In 2010, she became Fellowship Trained in Applied Functional Science, which has given her the ability to look at a patient in his or her entirety. This allows her to better treat the source of a patient’s pain rather than just the symptoms.

She is well known in the running and triathlete community of Ahwatukee, having treated them for years and being a runner herself. After recently having 2 baby boys, she has realized the disconnect between prenatal and postnatal care for a woman. She is passionate about helping women bridge the gap after experiencing childbirth and resuming their normal function safely. As a result, she has received special training for pelvic floor dysfunctions including pain and urinary incontinence. She strives to care for a person as a whole in order to help them move better and live better.

Doctor of Audiology

15825. S 46th Street #127 Phoenix, AZ 85048 480-652-0680 www.alohahearingsolutions.com Patricia Kao-Hutt, Au.D., has more than 2,000 clocked clinical hours, à i w à i` iÀ >ÃÌiÀà Óää£ > ` V « iÌi` iÀ ` VÌ À>Ìi v >Õ` }Þ] >ÀV Óä£Ó° - i >Ã Ü À i` > Û>À iÌÞ v ÃiÌÌ }à v >Õ` }Þ Ì >Ì V Õ`i ë Ì> Ã] Õ ÛiÀà ÌÞ] «À Û>Ìi «À>VÌ Vi] i>À Ãi Ì À >Ì] > ` «ÕL V ÃV ° - i >à > à ÃiÌ Õ« vwVià v À Ì iÀ V «> ià > ` w > Þ «i i` iÀ Ü V V] Óä£Ó Ƃ Ü>ÌÕ ii° Ƃ > i>À } à > à > º > ` « «» V «> Þ° Ì Ã Ì V ÌÀ>VÌi` À ë à Ài` LÞ > Þ > Õv>VÌÕÀiÀÃ] LÕÌ Ã «>ÀÌ v > LÕÞ } }À Õ«° / à à LiV>ÕÃi à i Li iÛià wÌÌ } Ì i i>À } ÃÌÀÕ i ÌÃ Ì «>Ì i Ì ii`Ã] À>Ì iÀ Ì > vÕ w } Ã> ià } > à ` VÌ>Ìi` LÞ > Õv>VÌÕÀið - i i ÞÃ Ü À } Ü Ì ` Û `Õ> à > ` Ãii } Ì i ÃÕVVii` Ü Ì LiÌÌiÀ i>À } > ` «À Ûi` à V > Ûið iÀ ëiV > ÌÞ V Õ`ià i>À } > `à > ` i>À } «À ÌiVÌ ° 2015 AHWATUKEE MEDICAL •

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Mary Jo Kutler, DO

Carmen Orozco, CMLT

Ahwatukee Pediatrics

Ahwatukee Skin & Laser

15715 S. 46th St., #102 Phoenix, AZ 85048 480-496-6444 www.ahwatukeepeds.com

4425 E. Agave Rd., Suite 148 Phoenix, AZ 85044 480-704-SKIN (7546) www.ahwatukeeskincare.com

Pediatric Medicine

Dr. Kutler founded Ahwatukee Pediatrics in 1993 and has been serving the East Valley’s pediatric population since then. She was born and raised on Long Island, New York. She completed a pediatric residency at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Maricopa Medical Center. She is Certified by the American Board of Osteopathic Pediatricians and the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Kutler is married for almost 32 years and has two children.

Dr. Kutler is passionate about pediatric medical care, prevention, and wellness and has an emphasis on allergy testing and treatment, as well as, weight loss for adults and children in her practice. “Weight loss discussions revolve around a multifaceted approach and lifestyle changes. I think we offer that opportunity for patients if they are willing to accept the challenge.”

Licensed Aesthetician

Carmen Orozco, graduated from Carsten Institute and has been providing skin care services for over 13 years with the last 5 years at Carmen’s Skincare at Ahwatukee Skin and Laser. Carmen specializes in the latest technologies with continuing education, personalized skin care regimens with using a variety of skin care products to suit your skin’s needs. She is highly attentive and is focused on overall skin health and well being. Whether she provides acne treatments or her ”Destresser Facial”, Carmen provides each and every person with ultimate service, care and results.

She is a native Arizonan, married Nach in 1977 and currently resides in Tempe, Az. She has 4 children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren all living in the valley of the sun. After 25 years in the industrial retail business, she decided to pursue her education in Cosmetology and found that skin care is her passion.

Sarah Neumann, MMS, PA-C

Dr. James Pierce, DC

Dermatology

Chiropractic Medicine

Ahwatukee Skin & Laser

AZ Spine Disc & Sport

4425 E. Agave Rd., Ste 148 Phoenix, AZ 85044 480-704-SKIN (7546) www.ahwatukeeskincare.com Sarah has been practicing dermatology PA since 2001. She grew up in Wisconsin where she received her Registered Dieticians (RD) license after completing her undergraduate degree in Community and Medical Dietetics and Psychology. She went on to travel and find her true passion for medicine. While completing a medical mission in Central America, she found herself wanting more advanced training to better serve the people. After returning to Arizona, she received her Master’s of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Midwestern University.

Sarah’s passion for skin started as a teenager who battled severe acne for years. After she was successfully treated, she committed her life to helping others achieve self esteem about their appearance. Her practice style is one of compassion, understanding and commitment to quality care. Sarah takes pride in developing meaningful relationships with clients and strives to create a positive welcoming environment in her office.

Agnes Oblas ANP-C Certified Nurse Practitioner

New Paths to Healthcare, LLC

13838 S. 46th Place, Suite #340 Phoenix, Arizona 85044 602-405-6320 www.newpathshealth.com Agnes Oblas, as a Nurse Practitioner, my aim is to keep you healthy and to care for you during illness. The Arizona State Board of Nursing recognizes Nurse Practitioners as licensed providers of high quality health care without the need for physician supervision.

I have two Graduate degrees in Nursing; sat for the National board Certification in 1980 and have maintained certification ever since.

In 2004, I was awarded the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Arizona Award for Excellence in Nursing. I was voted Ahwatukee’s Best Nurse Practitioner in 2010. I am an active member of the Nurse Practitioner Chapter of the Arizona Nurse’s Association.

Come to New Paths to Healthcare, LLC where you get “Medical Care with a Nurse’s Touch”.

• Contracted with Medicare and major commercial health plans • Competitive, reasonable cash-pay fee schedule • 30-60 minute office visits • Same day appointments • Phone calls answered/returned personally and promptly

24 • AHWATUKEE MEDICAL 2015

4530 E. Ray Road #110 Phoenix, AZ 85044 480-759-1668 www.AZSpineDiscandSport.com Dr. Pierce recently relocated to Arizona from Long Island N.Y. after maintaining a private practice for 24 years. His focus, since the onset of his career, has been centered around spinal rehabilitation and fitness. Dr. Pierce and his wife enjoyed much success over the years with the health club they owned in Westhampton where Dr. Pierce had his practice. His emphasis toward the practice of chiropractic medicine is and always has been patient centered.

Dr. Pierce’s philosophy is that the best results come from getting the patient, especially the chronic patient, actively involved in their own care. This active involvement, according to Dr. Pierce, involves exercise and proper nutrition, both of which he will gladly help the patient develop. Student and professional athletes have also been a big part of his practice.

Dr. Pierce was one of several chiropractic physicians for the New York Islanders as well as for one of the most successful high school football and baseball programs on Long Island. Being part of the AZ spine and disc team is an exciting new venture for Dr. Pierce and he looks forward to becoming part of the city of Ahwatukee and surrounding communities.

Dr. Ehsan Pourshirazi

Murray S. Pratt, OD

Guaranteed Dental Solutions, PLLC

Lifetime Eye Care

Dentist

4530 E. Ray Rd. Suite 170 Phoenix, AZ 85044 (480) 477-3090 www.guaranteeddentalsolutions.com Dr. Ehsan Pourshirazi, or “Dr. Poursh” for short, is the Ahwatukee area’s leading dentist in dental implants with a modern, gentle approach to oral care.

His reputation for creating perfect smiles by restoring missing and damaged teeth is founded on dental implant technology, the best choice for a natural smile. He is thrilled to have his dream dental practice, Guaranteed Dental Solutions, as a part of the Ahwatukee community.

Dr. Pourshirazi’s desire to become a dentist began at a very early age. Dentistry was in his blood, and from the young age of 8 he began to follow his older brother’s footsteps and pursue a dental career. Prior to finishing high school, Dr. Pourshirazi was already job shadowing at his older brother’s practice as a dental assistant. It was through this experience that Dr. Pourshirazi realized changing people’s smiles would become his passion in life.

Dr. Pourshirazi grew up in Boston and went to high school in San Diego, CA. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. After graduating, he attended one of the best dental programs in the country, the University of the Pacific’s Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, CA and earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery. Completing his education at this nationally renowned institution of higher education allowed Dr. Pourshirazi to enter the dental profession with confidence and competence. Dr. Pourshirazi is a firm believer in keeping up with continuing education. He is currently enrolled in a Master’s Degree program in Oral Implantology at Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany.

Dental implants are his passion in the dental field. He has placed over 1300 in his career, and he is working towards advancing the field in many aspects of technology. He is currently researching a new, innovative way of taking im pressions for multiple implants which could change industry norms worldwide, resulting in more accurate impressions and ultimately better quality prostheses for patients.

Dr. Pourshirazi’s philosophy on providing dental care involves a conservative approach to the patient’s needs and goals. He is focused on finding affordable, long-term solutions for his patients. He is passionate about giving patients a healthy, beautiful smile they will love. Another aspect of dentistry which intrigues him is the correlation between oral health and overall health. More studies are showing that periodontal health is directly connected to heart health as well as the body’s other major organs. Research has proved that the same bacteria in the gums is also found in heart valves, which is an important reason to visit the dentist regularly.

Dr. Pourshirazi had several goals in mind while designing his practice, Guaranteed Dental Solutions. He is firm believer that state-of-the-art technology is key to a successful dental practice. He has a CB/CT Scanner onsite which provides a 3D image of the patient’s mouth and jaw. Using this type of high tech equipment makes him a better clinician because it is instrumental in diagnosing treatment. Unfortunately this machine is not the standard of care in the dental field even though it should be. Clinicians who do not use this type of technology have a much greater margin for error and can not diagnose properly. He also set up his own dental lab on-site for patient convenience and to achieve better results for his patients. His practice utilizes some of the most high tech equipment available in modern dentistry.

In addition to technology, Dr. Pourshirazi believes that a successful dental practice requires a kind and compassionate staff. He understands many people have anxiety about visiting the dentist, and therefore has selected a respectful and caring staff. Listening and communicating well with patients about their oral health is critical when earning the patient’s trust. He also offers oral and IV sedation options to patients to help alleviate their anxiety about undergoing treatment. Postoperative pain management is also another important aspect for patient comfort after treatment.

In his spare time, Dr. Pourshirazi loves skeet shooting and working out. He enjoys nature and all outdoor activities. He is passionate about giving back to the community and helping those in need.

Call Guaranteed Dental Solutions today at 480-485-7430 to schedule your free consultation. Consultations include a comprehensive exam with Dr. Pourshirazi, CT Scan, and custom treatment plan.

Optometry

3961 E. Chandler Blvd., #106 Phoenix, Arizona 85048 480-706-3060 www.azlifetime.com Dr. Murray Pratt, and his team at Lifetime Eye Care provide comprehensive eye care and optical services to patients of all ages. They are proud to give friendly and personalized service, using cutting-edge technology in a comfortable atmosphere.

Dr. Pratt graduated summa cum laude from Southern College of Optometry and continues to stay abreast of the latest research in eye care. He is a member of many local and national societies. He is experienced in fitting specialty and gas permeable contacts, treating glaucoma, diagnosing diabetic eye disease, treating all types of pink eye, as well as routine glasses and contact lens services.

Outside the office, Dr. Pratt is an active member of the Ahwatukee community with his wife and best friend, Margaret, and their three wonderful daughters.

Bradley Rasmussen, MD Dermatology

Ahwatukee Skin & Laser 4425 E. Agave Rd., Suite 148 Phoenix, AZ 85044 480-704-SKIN (7546) www.ahwatukeeskincare.com Dr. Rasmussen is a Board Certified Dermatologist, and has been in the field for the past 17 years. He currently splits his time between Department Chair at IHC in Salt Lake City and Ahwatukee Skin and Laser focusing on skin cancer surveillance, education and surgical intervention.

Dr. Rasmussen graduated from George Washington University and completed his residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He remains an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

He looks forward to meeting you.

John M. Rowley M.D. Plastic Surgery

15810 S. 45th St. Ste. 140 Phoenix/Ahwatukee, AZ 85048 480-759-3001 www.drjrowley.com Dr. Rowley is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Attending continuing medical education courses and aesthetic meetings to provide his patients with the highest quality of care. He has been practicing in Ahwatukee for the past 13 years, and is committed to providing patients with a pleasant and rewarding experience.

Dr. Rowley has been voted one of the top doctors in the valley by his peers in Phoenix Magazine for the last several years.

Performing both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, he is contracted with most insurance plans. His staff is welcoming and professional, and strives to make each office visit a personal and comfortable experience.

Dr. Rowley, his wife and two daughters reside in Ahwatukee, and he is a member of the Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce.

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ahwatukee

medical Dr. David Stone, MD

Mark Weaver, MPAS, PA-C

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Physician Assistant

AZ Spine Disc & Sport

Ahwatukee Skin & Laser

4530 E. Ray Road #110 Phoenix, AZ 85044 480-759-1668 www.AZSpineDiscandSport.com Dr. Stone is a board certified Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation doctor specializing in sports medicine, interventional spine procedures and general pain management. He graduated from medical school at the University of Virginia in 2009, where he was honored as the Bowman Scholar (given to the top medical student during clinical rotations, voted on by school faculty and attending physicians). After completion of his intern medical year, he moved to Denver, Colorado where he completed his residency training in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. After his time in Colorado, he moved once again to Arizona in the summer of 2013 to train under the supervision of the physicians at Southwest Spine & Sports for a one year fellowship position. He joined the group at AZ Spine Disc and Sport in September 2014 as the medical director for the facility.

During his undergraduate years at the University of Virginia, Dr. Stone was a 4 year starter for the varsity baseball team (UVA was 2014 College World Series runner up). He still owns multiple career records at UVA including most games played (2nd all time), at bats (4th all time), runs scored (6th all time), hits (2nd all time), stolen bases (1st all time) and walks (1st all time). He was drafted in the 2002 Major League Baseball draft by the San Francisco Giants. His professional career was cut short by a series of arm injuries, from which he was unable to successfully rehab.

Due to repeated injury, he decided to retire from his baseball career and started the process of applying to medical school.

Dr. Stone’s mission in the office is to help his patient’s restore function and reduce pain through the most conservative means possible. He is excited to work with an excellent medical team of chiropractors, massage therapists and physical therapists who all have similar goals to him.

Nathan Uebelhoer, DO Dermatologic & Laser Surgery Ahwatukee Skin & Laser 4425 E. Agave Rd., Suite 148 Phoenix, AZ 85044 480-704-SKIN (7546) www.ahwatukeeskincare.com Dr. Nathan S. Uebelhoer, began practicing dermatologic and laser surgery 18 years ago. As an expert in his field, he has since lectured across the United States and throughout the world, authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on the subject, and won awards for his teaching and military service. He grew up in Massachusetts and after completing medical school at the University of New England, he went to the Naval Medical Center in San Diego for internship and dermatology residency. Following Board Certification by the American Board of Dermatology, he obtained sub-specialty training in cancer surgery and facial cutaneous reconstruction through a one-year fellowship in Cosmetic and Laser Surgery at SkinCare Physicians of Chestnut Hill in Boston, Massachusetts. Since then, he has served as the division head of Mohs and Laser Surgery with the Navy in San Diego until retiring as a Commander in 2013. Dr. Uebelhoer was also trained as a Naval Flight surgeon and private pilot and proudly served in this capacity for over 3 years with the U.S. Marine Corps. In addition to Procedural Dermatology, he has been heavily involved in rural and tropical medicine, and he continues to lecture throughout the world on his pioneering work with scar rehabilitation in wounded warriors. When not in the operating room, Nathan is with his two daughters and occasionally takes the time to play golf and the piano.

• AHWATUKEE MEDICAL 2015

4425 E. Agave Rd., Suite 148 Phoenix, AZ 85044 480-704-SKIN (7546) www.ahwatukeeskincare.com Mark Weaver is a board certified Physician Assistant with a deep passion for dermatology. He grew up in northern Utah and worked as a phlebotomist during his undergraduate college years, planning on a career in medicine. Unexpected opportunities came his way, however, and led him to earn his MBA degree and launch into a successful business career. After a few years, Mark knew his desire for a life in medicine wasn’t going away. With his young family on board for the adventure, he made the career switch.

Mark has always been fascinated by the skin and how its health can deeply impact a person’s daily life. From the first day of his dermatology rotation, he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his career in the field.

Mark met and married his wife in Phoenix and is excited to be able to return and practice in the Valley of the Sun. In his free time, he and his wife love traveling with their three young daughters.

Lindsay Whipple, PT, DPT

Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy AZ Spine Disc & Sport 4530 E. Ray Road #110 Phoenix, AZ 85044 480-759-1668 www.AZSpineDiscandSport.com Lindsay Whipple has been practicing Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy in the East Valley since 2011. She earned her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from the University of Tampa in 2006 where she was awarded Graduate of the Year for academic achievement and community involvement. She then returned to her home state of Vermont to complete her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Vermont where she served as a teaching assistant for DPT students in areas of musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment.

Lindsay is certified in Integrative Dry Needling and utilizes detailed biomechanical assessment, a variety of soft tissue and myofascial release techniques, and specific corrective exercise to create an individualized plan of care for each patient to alleviate pain and assist them in achieving their rehabilitation goals. Through her career Lindsay has enjoyed working with patients of all levels including MLB, NFL and Olympic athletes and strives to help her patients achieve their highest level of performance. She is thrilled to be part of the team at AZSDS as she believes strongly in a multifaceted and holistic approach to rehabilitation.

In her spare time, Lindsay also works with the Justin Boots Sports Medicine Team providing care to professional rodeo athletes at PRCA events. She is a lifelong equestrian with accomplishments including a Collegiate National Championship and continues to ride and compete.

Physical Therapy services include: Dry Needling, Myofascial Release, Cupping Therapy, Active Release Technique, IASTM, Postural Restoration, Craniosacral Therapy, Sports Performance Training. Post-Operative Rehab.

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Paul E. English MD, FAAD

English Dermatology 15215 S. 48th Street Suite 120 Phoenix, AZ 85044

Serving you for the past 26 years www. EnglishDermatology.com Ahwatukee - Gilbert - San Tan Valley

Dr. English, attended Weber State University graduating magna cum laude with a major in Zoology and a minor in Chemistry. He attended medical school at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and after graduation, completed an internship in Pediatrics at the University of Utah and Primary Children’s Medical Center. He completed a Dermatology residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and served as Chief Resident. He is certified by the American Board of Dermatology and holds a lifetime certificate. He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and past president of the Phoenix Dermatologic Society.

He has been practicing medicine in Arizona for over 25 years. He opened English Dermatology in Ahwatukee in 1997, added an office in Gilbert in 2000 and San Tan Valley in 2014. Dr. English was voted locally as Best Dermatologist in Arizona Foothills magazine in 2011. He has won 5 placements in the Top Docs Phoenix Magazine, and has also appeared in multiple national publications, such as Good Housekeeping and Prevention Magazine.

Dr. English is active in his church and has spent years working with young people. He volunteers and performs humanitarian work with his wife that serves the people in Mozambique, Africa. Dr. English loves the outdoors and enjoys fishing, hunting, backpacking and gardening. He loves to spend time with his wife and family who have made this all possible.

Dr. English has been the Team Dermatologist for the Arizona Diamondbacks since 1999 and a partner with the Phoenix Suns. He is privileged to be the preferred Dermatologist of Arizona State University Health Services, treating ASU students and their dermatological needs.

Julio Hernandez

Gregory Wing

English Dermatology

English Dermatology

15215 S. 48th Street Suite 120 Phoenix, AZ 85044

15215 S. 48th Street Suite 120 Phoenix, AZ 85044

MD

Dr. Hernandez, was born and raised in Puerto Rico. He studied medicine at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, followed by one year of internship in Internal Medicine in Pittsburgh, PA. He completed a three year Dermatology residency at the University of Puerto Rico in 1984 and became board certified by the American Board of Dermatology that same year. He taught Dermatological surgery as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Puerto Rico until 1987. He moved to New Orleans, LA where he obtained additional training in Dermatological Surgery, which included fellowship training in Dermatological Cosmetic Surgery, Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Dermatological Laser Surgery. He practiced in New Orleans for nine years and has taught Dermatologic and Reconstructive Surgery after skin cancer removal to residents and fellows.

Dr. Hernandez has been practicing Dermatology for over 30 years, performed over 10,000 Mohs cases, and has been a faculty member in multiple national and international Dermatology meetings.

He has been an author of several chapters in medical textbooks. In addition to Mohs surgery, he has expertise in the areas of facial reconstruction after skin cancer removal, using cosmetic surgery techniques.

In 1984 Dr. Hernandez was privileged to meet Dr. Frederic Mohs and spent two days at his Mohs Clinic in Madison, Wisconsin. Besides being a family man and physician, Dr. Hernandez is an avid photographer, runs 5K’s and half-marathons, and is a private pilot.

MD

Dr. Wing earned his bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience at Brigham Young University. He received his medical degree from the University of Colorado and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Dr. Wing completed his Dermatology residency at the University of Colorado and served as chief resident at various clinics including the Denver VA Hospital, Children’s Hospital, and the University of Colorado hospital. Dr. Wing was elected as a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society for exemplifying professionalism and patient-centered care throughout his training. After finishing his residency, Dr. Wing completed an additional year of fellowship training in dermatopathology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. He is board certified in both Dermatology and Dermatopathology by the American Board of Dermatology.

Dr. Wing has a strong background in clinical dermatology and enjoys seeing patients of all ages.

He has had several article and textbook publications related to the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.

Outside of work, Dr. Wing loves to spend time with his wife and three children. He is an avid tennis player and is excited to be in Arizona where he can play year-round.

Cynthia (Cindi) Franco

Megan Kohrs

English Dermatology

English Dermatology

36359 N. Gantzel Road Suite 103 San Tan Valley, AZ 85140

15215 S. 48th Street Suite 120 Phoenix, AZ 85044

MS, PA-C

Cindi, is a native Floridian who graduated valedictorian of her high school class.

She completed her B.S. degree at Florida State University where she received the prestigious Florida Academic and Presidential Scholarship Award. After earning her undergraduate degree, Cindi attended the United States Sports Academy where she attained her Master’s Degree in Sports Medicine with a 4.0 GPA. After a seven year engagement working in sports medicine, United States Air Force Civil Service, and as an Adjunct Professor, Cindi entered the celebrated MCP Hahnemann Physician Assistant Program at Drexel University. MCP Hahnemann is the second oldest PA training program in the nation and holds the distinction of being within the top 25 Physician Assistant Training Programs in the country.

Cindi developed her love of dermatology during her training. Through the years, Cindi has had the fortune to train closely with several distinguished physicians.

As a result, she has amassed a vast repertoire of medical, cosmetic, and surgical skills. Cindi joins English Dermatology with a wealth of 12 years of Dermatology experience that includes medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology skills. With a genuine, compassionate, and energetic treatment style, Cindi communicates her remarkable abilities and respect for her patients. Cindi is board certified by the NCCPA and licensed to practice in the state of Arizona.

28 • AHWATUKEE MEDICAL 2015

MPAS, PA-C

Megan, an Arizona native, joined English Dermatology in 2013. She graduated with her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at A.T. Still University.

Prior to receiving her master’s, Megan had the prestigious honor to sign a National Letter of Intent for The University of Texas at Austin where she was a scholarship athlete and a member of the Texas Longhorn’s Division I Women’s Rowing program. While attending UT Austin, Megan balanced her academics with her athletics and graduated, earning her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology: Health Promotion and Fitness.

Megan loves all aspects of Dermatology (medical, surgical and cosmetic) and has a true passion for skin care. She is an active member of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants. Megan is board certified by the NCCPA and licensed to practice in the state of Arizona.

During Megan’s spare time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and trying new restaurants in the valley.

Annie Sullivan MMS, PA-C

Michael N. Desvigne MD, CWS, FACS

English Dermatology

English Dermatology

15215 S. 48th Street Suite 120 Phoenix, AZ 85044

15215 S. 48th Street Suite 120 Phoenix, AZ 85044

Annie, has been with English Dermatology since 2014. She has been practicing as a physician assistant for the past 7 years in dermatology and 6 years in family practice prior to that. She attended college on a full Division I athletic scholarship and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition. In 2002 she received her Master of Medical Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Midwestern University-Glendale.

Dr. Desvigne, is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon specializing in cosmetic surgery and has over 20 years of experience in the medical field.He is board certified in Plastic Surgery, General Surgery, Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine.

Annie enjoys practicing medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology, with a special interest in detecting skin cancers. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Board Certified by the NCCPA, licensed by the state of Arizona and a Diplomate of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants.

Following his training, he served the Air Force at Osan airbase, Korea as a general surgeon and flight surgeon. He established himself as an outstanding physician and clinician and was awarded the honor of Pacific Air Force’s Flight Surgeon of the Year.

In her free time Annie enjoys running. She has also participated in volunteer clinics in Guatemala, homeless clinics in downtown Phoenix and has been a foster parent for the Arizona Humane Society.

Dr. Desvigne has been practicing in the “Valley of the Sun” since 2006. He specializes in performing cosmetic surgery under local anesthesia. He recently has opened a new office CoolBody Contours™ designated primarily to Coolsculpting® which is an FDA cleared fat reduction technology that is non invasive and nonsurgical, so there is no downtime. CoolBody Contours™ provides a unique boutique like setting located near Fashion Square Mall where the client experience is their # 1 priority.

Mary Connolly RN, CNP

Dr. Desvigne attended the University of Maryland College Park and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.

He graduated with honors and was elected to the Omicron Delta Kappa Leaderdship honor society. He was offered the opportunity to attend the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), department of defense medical school. He accepted and served 12 years in the United States Air Force as a medical student, flight surgeon, and general surgeon. He performed his General Surgery training at David Grant USAF Medical Center in northern California, and completed 2 additional years as a research fellow in Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine.

After Korea, Dr. Desvigne completed a 3-year residency training program in Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas San Antonio, followed by additional fellowship training in Cosmetic Surgery in Maui, Hawaii.

Mindy Hendrickson MMS, PA-C

English Dermatology

English Dermatology

3011 S. Lindsay Road Suite 111 Gilbert, AZ 85295

15215 S. 48th Street Suite 120 Phoenix, AZ 85044

Mary Connolly, prior to joining English Dermatology Centers in April of 2001, had already devoted twenty years to her nursing career. She received her undergraduate degree at Chapman University in Orange, CA and her nursing degree at the University of Phoenix.

A member of The Dermatology Nurses’ Association, Mary brings a wide range of knowledge and experience to our practice. She especially enjoys working with young women and teenagers facing issues with acne and other skin conditions.

Mary has been actively involved in community education for many years. She has two sons and enjoys spending her leisure time in Northern Arizona.

Mindy, has been with English Dermatology since October of 2007. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree at Arizona State University. She then entered the Physician Assistant program at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ where she completed a master’s portfolio and practicum in dermatology. She graduated from Midwestern University in 2007 with a Master of Medical Science degree.

Mindy is originally from Northern Minnesota. She enjoys running and other outdoor activities. Her work related interests include minor cosmetic procedures, skin cancer prevention, and pediatric dermatology.

She is a member of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants and the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants. Mindy is board certified by the NCCPA and licensed to practice in the state of Arizona.

Ali M. Rkein

Brian Brinegar

MD

MPAS, PA-C

English Dermatology

English Dermatology

3011 S. Lindsay Road Suite 111 Gilbert, AZ 85295

3011 S. Lindsay Road Suite 111 Gilbert, AZ 85295

Dr. Ali Rkein, received his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering from Arizona State University. He received his medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine, where he was elected to the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and Gold Humanism Honor society. He was also awarded the Outstanding Senior Award for graduating at the top of his class.

Brian Brinegar, has been with English Dermatology since 2010. He is certified by the NCCPA and is licensed to practice in the state of Arizona. Brian completed his Bachelor of Science degree at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. In 2002 he received his master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California.

Dr. Rkein completed his internship at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, and Dermatology residency at the Henry Ford Medical Center, serving as chief resident during his final year of Dermatology training and receiving the top research award by the Michigan Dermatological Society for his work on lasers. At Henry Ford, Dr. Rkein trained under Dr. Henry Lim, a world renowned expert in photodermatology.

Brian is trained and skilled in all areas of Dermatology. He specializes in dermatologic skin conditions, including skin cancer. Brian also has expertise in cosmetic dermatology including laser procedures, injectable fillers, and sclerotherapy for vein reduction.

Dr. Rkein has authored several book chapters and journal articles covering topics in the field of dermatology, dermatologic surgery and lasers. He has been invited and presented at the national level at the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery and the American Academy of Dermatology.

Dr. Rkein specializes in General Dermatology, with a special interest in surgical treatment of skin cancer and disease, laser skin treatments, and cosmetic skin treatments.

Outside of work, Dr. Rkein enjoys spending time with his wife, traveling, reading, and cooking. Dr. Rkein is accepting new patients.

Before joining English Dermatology, Brian worked as a dermatology physician assistant in California. He has also worked in numerous areas of the medical field. He has served as a physician assistant in a Plastic Surgery office and a Gastroenterology practice. He has worked as a national trainer and educator for a medical technology company providing training to doctors on the use of lasers and IPL machines.

In his spare time, Brian enjoys snowboarding and spending time with his family. He and his wife were raised in Southern California and are proud parents of four children.

2015 AHWATUKEE MEDICAL •

29

Banner Children’s takes health care on the road

By Shelley Ridenour

O

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

ne of the best-kept secrets in the Valley is the children’s healthmobile operated

by Banner Children’s, according to the hospital’s child health and wellness senior manager.

Megan Christopherson said the mobile health clinic began operating in 2013, but was shuttered for nine months before re-opening in October 2014 and staying in operation since. Banner has operated school-based health clinics around the Valley since 1994, also geared at providing care to children.

She wishes the offerings weren’t so unknown, referring to their lack of visibility as “unfortunate.”

Both the in-school clinics and the healthmobile serve uninsured and underinsured children, newborn through age 18. Services are free.

In-school clinics operate in Mesa, Chandler, Glendale and Tolleson

on varying days of the week. The hospital leases a tiny space inside schools. The Tolleson program opens next month, in a larger space specifically designed by school officials for the Banner clinic.

Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert were chosen in 1994 when Banner began the school-based program, Christopherson said, because it was where Banner officials noticed the highest numbers of children going to an emergency room for primary care.

“Places where we see a high utilization in our ERs, that’s where we go,” she said.

Likewise, the healthmobile sets up in four cities where patients were driving as far as 50 miles to a Banner ER. It visits Apache Junction, Buckeye, Maricopa and Queen Creek.

The mobile clinic and the school clinics serve different purposes.

In the schools, the Banner employee is a nurse practitioner, able to conduct sports physicals and check on common illnesses like

Nurse Practitioner Laura French examines David Blanco while he sits on his mother Juana’s lap in the Banner Children’s Healthmobile at Banner Ironwood Medical Center in San Tan Valley on July 30. [David Jolkovski/AFN] coughs.

“We’re not the school nurse,” Christopherson said. “We do primary care.”

Most patients at the schools have appointments to see the nurse, but walk-ins are accepted.

The children’s healthmobile is a licensed outpatient treatment center that operates like a mobile doctor’s office.

Medical care for infants, children & adolescents

Allergy Testing and Treatment Available.

Weight Loss Programs for Children and Adults.

Patients can receive treatment for health problems, get their sports physicals, receive routine annual check-ups and get immunized.

Patients are asked to make appointments. Walk-ins are accepted.

A three-person Banner team staffs the healthmobile — a nurse practitioner, a medical assistant and a registered nurse.

coordinate low-cost consultations for clinic patients who need to see a specialist, Christopherson said.

Generally, she said those end up costing the patient between $5 and $10.

When a patient needs a prescription, Banner is able to utilize a program where it will cost no more than $4 to fill most prescriptions.

And, Banner has partnerships with Valley businesses for discounted imaging and X-ray costs for healthmobile patients.

The healthmobile was paid for with a grant from Banner Children’s.

That grant covered capital costs, but not operational costs, Christopherson said. The Banner Foundation pays operating costs to the tune of about $800,000 a year.

Banner is a not-for-profit >> See Mobile on page 34

Banner employees are able to

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Cataracts: Leading cause of blindness among adults

S

tatistics show that nearly 25.7 million Americans over the age of 40 have cataracts, and more than half of all Americans have cataracts by the time they are 80 years old. Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center is sharing some general information about cataracts, symptoms of cataracts, advice for prevention, and treatment methods.

arising in response to some medication, eye infection, or eye disease.

Symptoms and detection of cataracts

In most cases, a cataract does not cause any pain, redness, or tears. However, you might experience blurred vision, double vision, ghost images, or the sensation of a “film” over your eyes, indicating the presence of a cataract. At times, What is a cataract? lights may seem too dim for reading and your Cataracts are a clouding Dr. Scott vision may appear out of of the lens in the eye, Perkins focus. There are a couple located behind the pupil of different methods that and the colored iris, can be used to detect which ultimately blocks cataracts including a visual acuity or changes the passage of light test measuring how well you can into the eye, resulting in vision see from different distances, a impairment. Cataracts most dilated eye exam, or tonometry commonly occur as part of the assessing the pressure inside your body’s natural aging process, but eye. there are a couple of additional types of cataracts. Congenital cataracts are present at birth Treatment due to infection, inflammation, or A diagnosis does not mean that potentially genetics. Traumatic you will need immediate treatment cataracts occur when there is for a cataract. Symptoms of damage done to the lens from a an early cataract have the hard blow, cut, or puncture. The potential to be improved by final type of cataract is secondary,

simply acquiring new eyeglasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses, or magnifying lenses.

Unfortunately, if these quick fixes do not help, surgery is the only effective treatment. But do not worry; with more than two million surgeries performed each year, cataract surgery is one of the most common operations performed in the United States.

Surgical removal should be considered when vision loss begins to interfere with your everyday activities, such as driving, reading and watching television. Surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Over the years, newer techniques using lasers have been developed to help surgeons potentially improve vision.

The most common procedure performed is phacoemulsification which includes a small incision on the side of the cornea and the insertion of a tiny probe that releases ultraviolet waves to soften and break up the lens for removal.

• Dr. Scott Perkins is a cataract surgeon and medical director of Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center. For more information, or to schedule an eye exam appointment, call 866-742-6581.

Bhatnagar >> From page 7

Washington where he was rumored to have experimented with tooth implanted from other people, we now have great success with titanium implants to replace a single tooth or help secure full or partial dentures. In cases where children are congenitally missing teeth, surgeons are now borrowing forming teeth from one site in the mouth and successfully transplanting them into a more needed area of the mouth. Dental specialist are working together creatively to treat children during the developing years so the children can have the least amount of dental struggles in the future.

Of course, the basics of dental oral hygiene will always play a great role in prevention of decay and gum disease. The tooth brushes, mouthwashes, and toothpastes will evolve and advance over time, but brushing twice a day and flossing once a day remains the gold standard. It is important for medical and dental research to continue to supplement prevention. Dental treatment will continue to advance; but maybe, with continued prevention concentrated research, less treatment will needed.

• Dr. Rashmi (Rush) Bhatnagar, DMD, MPH, can be contacted at (480) 598-5900 or visit www.

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31

ahwatukee

medical

Parkinson disease: Coping with the unsafe driver

W

If these services aren’t an option or the driver won’t accept them, let the Arizona Department of If you fell a family member shouldn’t Transportation decide. Anyone be behind the wheel anymore, try can report an unsafe driver at these recommendations: http://azdot.gov/mvd/driverservices/MedicalReview/reporting• Address the issue with calm and an-unsafe-driver. The reporting honest conversation. person’s name will be on the report • Acknowledge that neither you nor but hopefully you have already the driver are experts at assessing informed the driver that you’ve driving abilities. made the report.

• Listen and allow room for grief.

Although initiating the report may This is a loss. Grief is normal, even result in taking a family member’s when the loss is necessary. driving privilege away, the onus of the decision falls on the shoulders • If possible, get the opinion of an of qualified people who impartially impartial third party. There are services that offer assessment and assess driver abilities as their job, not you, and your action may save therapy for drivers that you may the unsafe driver and others from want to explore. future injury or death.

• The Arizona Department of • Judy Talley, program director Transportation lists: Driving to for the American Parkinson Independence, LLC at 480-449Disease Association in Arizona, is a 3331, info@drivingtoindependence. gerontologist who has worked with older com, DriveAble Solutions at 602adults for two decades.

840-2323.

sedan and she took the compact car. That way, she told me, “If he gets in a wreck, he’ll be safer.”

Sadly, that is not a safe solution.

What about the people in other The car is a powerful cars? What about her husband’s icon of freedom, self-determination passengers? What about a family crossing the street or a mother and independence in the western walking in a parking lot with her USA, it is the mechanical version child in the shopping basket of a cowboy’s horse. But seat? the sad truth is that no cowboy (or girl) can ride Few of us want to take on the forever. Whether it’s from role of the bad guy who takes Parkinson disease, a away the car keys. It can stroke slowing reaction generate anger, resentment times, back pain limiting and personal pain, a movement or medications symbolic “theft” of freedom. that reduces alertness Judy It’s important to remember — cowboys and drivers that driving is a privilege, Talley alike may need to put not a right. Being a licensed their horse out to pasture driver means that a person and find other ways to get around. has a basic level of competency — physical and cognitive.

One woman explained the remedy she and her husband came up with It’s frightening to think about giving when his Parkinson disease made up that privilege, but it’s even more driving unsafe. She switched cars frightening to think someone might with him. He got the bigger, heavier be injured or killed because a family

member who can no longer drive safely is still on the road.

Hospice

and they’re singing the song, it is a distraction and a way to provide emotional comfort. It serves as a distraction to where the brain might go if it didn’t have a distraction.”

Special to afn

hat to do when a family member is no longer able to drive safely?

seen less resistant behavior.

>> From page 5

most common songs that affect people are “You are my Sunshine” and “Take me out to the Ballgame.”

Hearing the music often calms a patient and instantly makes them feel more comfortable. Gallagher said when caretakers play music before beginning treatment they’ve

“You sort of feel like a stranger in a strange land with dementia and in the midst of not knowing these things, you hear this song and you know this song,” Gallagher said.

“As a matter of fact, you not only know this song but it creates a feeling in you, it sparks something in your heart and brings comfort at an emotional level. As a person, like a nurse, goes near the person

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Gallagher said the response is also very meaningful for the family, caretakers and volunteers — like Ebel.

“Just imagine what that means when a person hears their voice and experiences the ability to do something successfully,” she said.

“Think about what it means to the loved one who suddenly hears this person’s voice when it has been absent for so long. Think about what it means for the professional caregivers too to get an even deeper glimpse into who this person is.”

Ebel began a grassroots campaign to collect headphones, iPods and iTunes gift cards to help further the mission of the program. So far the response from within his neighborhood has been overwhelming. A 13-year-old neighbor has donated hundreds of dollars in gift cards, more

than a dozen iPods and several headphones as well that he’s collected from his sports teams because he heard about Ebel’s experience. Others have stopped by and dropped off cash — even people Ebel does not know.

“It’s spread like wildfire,” he said.

Ebel’s personal goal is to collect $50,000 for the program so every volunteer can have the resources they need to make a patient feel special through music. If you have questions or would like to donate new or gently used iPods, “over the head” earphones or even cash to purchase iPods and iTunes gift cards, contact the Hospice of the Valley Fund Development Department at 602-530-6992 or funddevelopment@hov.org.

For more information on how music can affect patients with dementia, visit musicandmemory.org.

• Contact writer: 480-898-7914 or ahurtado@ahwatukee.com.

• Check us out and like the Ahwatukee Foothills News on Facebook and Twitter.

ahwatukee

medical

Legislation that could end unwanted medical treatment

R

Special to aFN

oughly 25 million Americans have been subjected to unwanted medical treatment at some point in their lives, and that means we have a health care system that is not listening to patients. We all say we believe in patientcentered health care, and now we have a bill in the U.S. Congress that would put our money where our mouths are. Literally.

when there is time and space to do so thoughtfully, before a crisis and when the patient can advocate for herself.

allows for training of people in the patient’s inner circle of family and caregivers in helping implement their plan when the time comes.

Given my organization’s commitment to improving care and expanding choice at the end of life, we believe this legislation sets the right goals and is smart about how it achieves them.

In short, this legislation recognizes that having our preferences documented is not enough. It is built around the understanding that people need a care plan they create in collaboration with loved ones and experts alike, and that the plan needs to be regularly revisited. The bill further recognizes that the providers a patient meets across a range of medical moments and settings all need to be focused on the patient’s plan, as do the patient’s advocates.

The Care Planning Act will go a long way toward ensuring that once a Medicare recipient Senators Mark Warner has determined and (D-Va.) and Johnny Daniel documented their Isakson (R-Ga.) introduced Wison treatment preferences, legislation recently that those preferences go with would make sure Medicare them. Ideally, everyone has recipients and their an advance directive completed, doctors know how much or how but only a minority of us does, and little treatment those patients they are often ignored, anyway. would want as they approach the The Warner/Isakson legislation end of life. The Care Planning Act creates additional layers of of 2015 would specifically create insurance that the patient’s a Medicare benefit for people wishes WILL be honored, across facing grave illness to work with a variety of settings. It brings in their doctor to define, articulate the patient’s family members, and document their personal friends, religious figures and goals for treatment. Doctors will wider health care team to create be rewarded with reimbursement a community of individuals who for helping patients make very will understand and support the important end-of-life decisions choices the patient makes. It even

focused on the patient’s goals for treatment, and getting those goals met.

One way this legislation ensures its goals will be achieved is by providing reimbursement for advance care planning consultations. It’s called a Planning Services benefit, and it is paid to health care providers under Medicare Part B. In our fee-forservice system, this is the best way to ensure Medicare beneficiaries have a real voice determining the amount of and type of care they receive.

Compassion & Choices is proud to support the Care Planning Act of 2015, alongside a growing list Importantly, Warner’s and of organizations including the Isakson’s bill also takes accountability seriously. It will fund American Academy of Family HHS to develop rigorous measures Physicians and the American of success, where success means a Geriatrics Society. It gets us closer to the patient-centered patient’s documented care plan is completely followed by health care care everyone supports, and with providers. Success also means that its bipartisan sponsorship, there is every reason it should pass health care providers facilitate and give American health care their patients in articulating consumers more power in our and documenting their wishes, whether it’s a family doctor during health care system an annual appointment or an ICU doctor after a patient is stabilized. • Daniel R. Wilson is national and federal programs director of Success means every provider a Compassion & Choices. patient comes into contact with is

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Mobile

healthmobile or an in-school clinic by calling 480-412-6344 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. The scheduler, a medical assistant, speaks English and Spanish.

>> From page 30

institution, Christopherson said.

“Free community care is what we’re all about.”

Her challenge now, she says, is to get the word out about the school clinics and the healthmobile so more patients use the services, boosting her chances at continued and increased grant funding to operate.

People can schedule appointments for the

Banner operates a healthmobile in Tucson through its partnership with University Health. Other in-school programs are in place around Arizona, operated by other hospitals.

• Contact writer: 480-898-6533 or sridenour@evtrib.com.

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Aqua Therapy >> From page 16

“We have patients who have acute or chronic injuries, or those who have pain from sitting down in front of a computer all day,” Babel said. “We also see people who have general aches and pains that they don’t want to deal with anymore, and want to be able to live their life with less pain.”

Patients undergo routine sessions of traditional physical therapy, and are offered flotation therapy afterward.

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Morseller Ector floats in an isolation tank at Aqua Therapy Clinics in Gilbert on Aug. 6.

Flotation therapy is designed to relax your body to its full potential, while allowing it to heal in a more “natural” way. [David Jolkovski/AFN]

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Our experienced, caring providers are responsive to your concerns and devoted to creating a treatment plan to ensure maximum results.

Flotation therapy consists of patients entering a chamber tank filled with water and Magnesium Sulfate (salt) and floating for nearly an hour.

“Sometimes patients will have physical therapy and then after that they will float for about an hour,” Ector said. “During that time is where their body has the opportunity to feel weightlessness, and gives the brain the opportunity to spend 80 percent of its focus on the body itself.”

Patients float inside the chamber tanks in complete darkness, and are not allowed to use any mobile devices during the sessions.

Flotation therapy is designed to relax your body to its full potential, while allowing it to heal in a more “natural” way. According to Aqua Therapy Clinics, taking minor breaks from gravity causes fascinating and

significant changes in the braining, which causes endorphins to be released. Endorphins are powerful, natural pain relievers and mood enhancers for the human body that promote healing benefits.

Such benefits can consist of a decrease in anxiety, stress, nervousness and depression.

Those who are claustrophobic can ask to have the chamber tank’s door open while floating in the dark, and have the option to have some form of light and light music in the background.

Patients are advised to count their breaths during the sessions in efforts to relax their mind and body.

Lisa Stillwell, a patient at Aqua Therapy, said the flotation sessions have done wonders for her back problems and for her brother-in-law, who suffers from multiple sclerosis.

“My brother-in-law hasn’t felt this good in years and it’s because of the type of physical therapy he gets at Aqua Therapy,” she said.

Being fairly new to Gilbert, Aqua Therapy is still trying to get their name out to the community and working with insurance agencies in order for patients to use it as a form of physical therapy, Ector said.

For additional information about Aqua Therapy Clinics or to schedule an evaluation, call 480-773-7766.

• Contact writer: 480-898-4903 or dochoa@evtrib.com.

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ahwatukee

medical

A prescription for joint and back pain

I

>> From page 20

Special to aFN

of happiness. A smiling face is rated as more attractive and a smile is actually physically contagious. All these benefits add up to a longer life. The advancement of dental implants has become one of a number of effective tools for a dentist to give back those smile benefits to their patients.

f you are one of the 30 million Americans who experience everyday aches and pains, here are a few simple things you can do in just five minutes or less to start feeling better. Do them regularly and you’ll be enjoying your workouts, gardening, playing golf and all of your favorite life pursuits with much more ease.

1. Sit with intention. Pay attention to your seated posture, especially while using a laptop or tablet. Studies have found that frequent use of computers, mobile phones and similar electronics is associated with greater rates of neck and lower back pain.

This impacts all ages including teenagers (source: European Journal of Public Health 2006).

Did you know that looking down at your cell phone is equivalent to putting a 60pound weight around your neck?

Michael

Funicello

Sit in a relaxed way so that your shoulders are at ease, your lower back has a gentle curve inward and your torso feels long with your head resting comfortably over your shoulders looking forward. This increases your ability to breathe more fully and helps your body to get the proper blood flow to all your vital tissues.

2. Keep moving. While we often hear about sports injuries, more often than not, it’s the lack of motion that can increase pain and tightness that later lead to chronic issues. Walking is best if you can’t exercise, while at work, for example.

There is an excellent exercise called “bird dog” that you can do in a small space. Start on all fours, then breathe in and extend one leg and the opposite arm in line with your spine, which is in a neutral position. Hold this position for five

Mattern

The Glyder Facet Restoration Device offers patients a long-term surgical treatment for low back pain caused by facet joint degeneration. [PRNewsFoto/Zyga Technology, Inc.] to 10 seconds at a time, making sure to keep your spine long and your head in line with your spine.

Then lower your leg and arm and switch sides. Repeat this process eight to 12 times.

3. Understand your spine.

Hippocrates said, “When in sickness, look to the spine first.”

To learn how each of the 24 vertebrae that make up the spine corresponds to different areas of your body, view the “Interactive Spine” animation on TheJoint. com/spine. The Interactive Spine will help you better understand the impact your spine can have on your overall health and well-being.

The spine protects your nervous system which controls and coordinates all the different functions of your body. Any disruption in nerve communication to your organs and body tissues can result in abnormal function.

Specific exercises for the lower part of the spine, observing proper posture — especially when sitting — and regular spinal adjustments can help start restoring normal nerve function and communication, allowing your body to work how it is designed to, naturally.

• Michael Funicello, D.C. is a doctor of chiropractic at The Joint Chiropractic in Tempe. He has been in practice for more than 15 years. Reach him at dr.michael.funicello@thejoint.com.

• Dr. Thomas M. Mattern, DDS, is a fellow in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and a diplomat in the International Dental Implant Association. He owns the Desert Dentistry offices in Phoenix and has been a longtime volunteer at the St. Vincent DePaul Dental Clinic, Give Kids a Smile campaigns and at Clinica Betel in Atoyac, Mexcio. Reach him at Ahwatukee Desert Dentistry, 480-706-4600.

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