ECO Health Matters Fall 2010

HEALTH MATTERS The East County Observer • September 2010

COVER STORY:

Athletic Trainer Katie Gallagher keeps student-athletes healthy.

Pediatrician shares tips to fight flu / 7 Meet the area’s only female interventional cardiologist / 8 ISTOCK PHOTO

Health Matters

SEPTEMBER 2010

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health briefs

Lakewood Ranch to host annual health exposition Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center will present the sixth Embrace a Life of Health and Wellness Expo from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 2, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

The event will feature a variety of health-related activities for all ages, including blood donations, flu shots, and eye and skin screenings. A special Kids Zone will offer family fitness fun, face painting and more for children.

Attendees also will have a chance to meet with East County physicians, specialists and other wellness-related businesses.

For more information, call 907-0202.

Ranch announces hypothermia technology

After suffering cardiac arrest, cooling a patient’s overall body temperature through induced hypothermia can improve chances of full recovery.

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center recently announced its new endovascular system by Zoll Medical. This advanced cooling process complies with the American Heart Association’s established hypothermia protocol for sudden cardiac arrest patients who meet the criteria for induced hypothermia.

“This piece of equipment has the potential to save lives, and I’m thrilled to have it here at the Ranch,” Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Intensive Care Unit Manager Sara Dennard said.

The new technology comes after the hospital’s new accreditations in Heart Failure and Chest Pain by the Society of Chest Pain Centers.

For more information on cardiac services at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, call 782-2273.

Ranch company uploads diabetes site

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Lakewood Ranch-based MD-CAREWARE LLC recently unveiled a new Internet-based diabetes self-management program called DiabetesEASY. According to founder and CEO Dr. Louis Siegel, the program maps users onto the American Diabetes Association’’s standards of medical care and enables people with diabetes — alone or along with their healthcare providers — to monitor and manage their diabetes-related risks, lifestyle, sugars, medications, exams, labs and appointments.

Siegel also has formed a company division called DiscoverDiabetes to provide a kiosk-based, quiz program

to license to retail health and wellness establishments. The quiz helps users learn if they are at risk for having diabetes, and if so, are informed by the program of the recommended blood test obtainable at the lab or from their healthcare provider.

The company plans to market the program to all retail health- and wellness-related establishments such as gyms, athletic centers, nutrition centers, pharmacies and more.

For more, contact Siegel at (585) 7036585 or lsiegel123@tampabay.rr.com.

Manatee Memorial receives silver award

Manatee Memorial Hospital has received the American College of Cardiology Foundation’s NCDR ACTION Registry-GWTG Silver Performance Achievement Award for 2010.

Manatee Memorial is one of only 26 hospitals nationwide to earn the distinction.

The Silver Award recognizes Manatee Memorial’s commitment to and success in implementing a high standard of care for heartattack patients and signifies it has reached an aggressive goal of treating coronary artery disease patients with 85% compliance to standard levels of care outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.

To receive the award, Manatee Memorial followed the treatment guidelines in ACTION Registry-GWTG for 12 consecutive months. These include use of medications such as cholesterollowering drugs, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, aspirin and anticoagulants in the hospital.

“The time is right for Manatee Memorial Hospital to be focused on improving the quality of cardiovascular care by implementing ACTION Registry-GWTG,” said Kevin DiLallo, CEO of Manatee Memorial and group vice president Universal Health Services Inc. “The number of acute myocardial infarction patients eligible for treatment is expected to grow over the next decade due to increasing incidence of heart disease and a large aging population.”

Created by the merger of the American College of Cardiology Foundation’s NCDR ACTION Registry and the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-CAD program, ACTION Registry-GWTG combines the programs into a unified national registry.

SEPTEMBER 2010

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cover story

Braden River’s MVP leyball, cross country and swim teams.

While most high school students simply are trying to avoid the flu, colds or other illnesses, student athletes must take extra precautions. Gallagher prepares players for practice, taping up easily sprained ankles, checking out aches and injuries and even making sure to bandage small cuts to make sure they don’t get infected with MRSA, a form of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, or other infections, for example.

Educating student athletes about the importance of warming up their muscles and stretching, hydration and other issues, also is a critical part of helping to prevent injuries on and off the field.

“It’s a matter of maintenance,” Gallagher said.

Pam Eubanks

As a high school and collegiate athlete herself, Braden River High School Athletic Trainer Katie Gallagher loves working with athletes and making sure they are safe.

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In the blink of an eye, Katie Gallagher could be sprinting down the field with as much determination a wide receiver chasing down a bomb from his quarterback.

As the athletic trainer for Braden River High School, Gallagher can’t afford to waste a single second when a potential emergency arises on the field. The vitality of each player lies largely in her hands.

“It’s a big responsibility,” Gallagher admits. “But at the same time, that’s what we’re trained to do. I just hope to make the best decision regarding (the athletes’) care.”

With the start of the school year, Gallagher is keeping extra busy, working with student athletes on three football teams (freshman, junior varsity and varsity), as well as on vol-

During the fall sports season, Athletic Trainer Katie Gallagher is responsible for the health of 354 student athletes.

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SEPTEMBER 2010 letic teams may need. Athletes with histories of sprained ankles or other injuries, often get treatments before games or practices, whether having their ankles or wrists taped or a shoulder iced.

And once the students have received cared, Gallagher heads to the practice field — usually for football — to attend to any injuries that occur on the gridiron.

At game time, Gallagher and her team of student trainers are ready for anything. An ambulance on the sideline and medical doctor are on site to offer support as needed, but Gallagher is the first to rush to the field when injury strikes. Her student trainers also are trained to provide support, helping with first aid, equipment care, hydration and other details.

Gallagher recalled one football game during which she was tending to a football player on the sidelines. She was coaching him through a knee injury when a parent shouted her name from the stands and pointed toward his son who had just taken a fall on the field.

Having missed the play, Gallagher took off without any idea of what she’d see.

“Games hopefully, we just kind of watch, but if somebody gets hurt, that’s when we initiate our emergency action plan,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher herself attends to the athlete on the field, while her student trainers either assist her directly or get the supplies she needs.

Gallagher finds a bag hanging on the wall and pulls out a device that looks much like set of pliers — an FMX tractor tool. The tool is used for cutting off the face mask, and having to use it may signify the player has a spinal injury.

“It’s a $400 tool that every school should have, but I hope I never have to use (it),” she said.

“That would be the most severe case.

“We had to splint someone on the field last year,” she said. “You just hope nothing happens, but you prepare for the worst.”

— Pam Eubanks

“

“

“Prevention is key.”

In this fall sports season, Gallagher already has 354 athletes enrolled in sports at Braden River — about 243 boys and 111 girls.

Because the numbers are so high, Gallagher can’t possibly rehabilitate each student who needs physical therapy every day.

And so, Wednesdays are utilized as a training day of sorts, where Gallagher works with injured athletes and teaches them rehabilitation exercises they can do at home. Each student is sent home with a rehab plan to implement individually, and each plan is customized to that student’s needs.

“It’s like a mini rehabilitation clinic,” Gallagher said of her office, which athletes pile into for treatment and counsel after the last bell rings.

The hour that follows is a flurry of activity as Gallagher and any of her 10 student athletic trainers who help her quickly begin working on athletes or preparing first-aid kits, water bottles or other items Braden River’s ath-

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Katie Gallagher, Braden River High School athletic trainer: ‘It’s a big responsibility. But at the same time, that’s what we’re trained to do. I just hope to make the best decision regarding (the athletes’) care.’

Health Matters

5

TRAINING REGIMEN

When it comes to strengthening and conditioning student athletes, training regimens couldn’t be much more diverse.

Because each sport puts different demands on an athlete’s body, athletes must adapt their training schedule accordingly.

In football training, for example, players often need to lift heavy weights to help build strength, but they also need to practice running short and long sprints to improve speed and endurance.

“It comes down to what the sport is, the positions and what you need to achieve,” athletic trainer Katie Gallagher said. “You always want to be in good cardiovascular strength.”

For example, a receiver may need to do more for speed and jump training, while an offensive tackle may need to spend more time in the weight room.

— Pam Eubanks

Our Focus Is on You Comprehensive eye & vision care for the entire family.

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SEPTEMBER 2010

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vision

Eyes Wide Open Although children rarely complain about their eyesight, it plays a critical role in their education.

Up to 80% of all learning comes directly from it.

Dr. Troy Bedinghaus loves the moment gling to see, Bedinghaus said. when a child puts on his or her pair “To kids, when it’s blurry far away — of glasses for the first time and looks to them that’s normal,” Bedinghaus through the lenses. said. “They get used to blurry Their reaction 100% of the vision. Kids just don’t complain time is one of sheer exhilaraabout their eyes very much. If tion, he said. they do, it’s usually a real prob“They can see the detail,” lem.”

Bedinghaus said. “It’s amazWhile adults often begin ing (to see their reactions).” to have trouble focusing on But Bedinghaus, owner of close-up things as they age, Lakewood Family Eye Care, children generally have the also recognizes the signifiopposite problem, Bedinghaus cance a child’s eyesight plays Dr. Troy Bedinghaus, said. Sometimes their focusing in nearly every other area of Lakewood Family Eye mechanisms can be so good his or her life, noting that up it can actually cause problems Care to 80% of a child’s learning such as eye fatigue or eye turns. occurs through vision.

Those problems, in turn, can cause “That’s pretty profound,” Bedinghaus more struggles, particularly at school. said.

“Kids with reading problems get The day a child complains about his or agitated,” Bedinghaus said. “It may be her eyesight is relatively rare, but there mistaken for ADD or other behavioral are other indicators such as headaches problems. They may just act out because or squinting that a child may be strugthey can’t see well. They have barriers in

SYMPTOMS OF VISION PROBLEMS

Dr. Bedinghaus shares some indicators that your child may be suffering from vision loss or other potential vision problems.

1. Squinting (may indicate vision problems) 2. Sitting too close to the television (may indicate vision problems) 3. Tilting the head frequently (may indicate eye-muscle problems) 4. Losing their place easily while reading (may indicate astigmatism) 5. Covering one eye when looking at something (may indicate the child has lazy eye or is seeing a double image) 6. Excess tearing, especially in the morning (may indicate eyelid problems) 7. Rubbing eyes frequently (may indicate eye fatigue due to vision problems) 8. Pointing to letters with finger while reading (may indicate lazy eye) 9. Light sensitivity (may indicate exotropia, or an eye turn) 10. Headaches, especially in the front of the face (may indicate vision problems) 11. White/gray pupil (as opposed to red eye) in pictures, particularly in infants (may indicate an eye tumor or eye turn)

life academically, socially and athletically.

“High-quality eye care helps kids to reach their greater potential,” he said.

Bedinghaus also treats many children for eye allergies. Although they often are more inconvenient and uncomfortable for the patient than dangerous, they actually can cause scaring of the eye and inflammation, among other complications. Fortunately, such allergies often can be treated easily with eye drops or other medications.

Industry standards recommend children have their vision checked at ages 6 months, 3 years old and 5 years old.

Bedinghaus recommends at least having your child’s vision checked at age 4 or 5, depending when she or he is entering a school setting, or even younger if your family has a history of eye disease or high prescriptions.

If your child is anxious about visiting the eye doctor, Bedinghaus recommends stopping by the doctor’s office for “test drive” so the child can see the office and has a better understanding of what to expect before the actual visit. He also recommends the concept of “show and tell,” using books such as “Eye Spy” to teach about what to expect or even to prepare him for the visit by practicing putting drops of artificial tears in his eyes.

— Pam Eubanks

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Health Matters

7

vaccinations

Fighting Influenza MANATEE COUNTY — One Children ages 6 months to 9 year after 2009’s H1N1 panyears who have received the seademic, the American Academy sonal vaccine more than once, of Pediatrics has revised its as well as the H1N1 vaccine last recommendations for influenza year, only need one dose this vaccination for 2010. year.

This year’s trivaChildren ages 9 lent vaccine contains and older only need strains to combat one dose regardless three different influof vaccination history. enza viruses — A/ Children younger than H1N1 (pandemic), A/ 6 months cannot be H3N2 and Influenza vaccinated.

B. However, the acadRecently, some antiemy’s recommendavaccination groups tion for this year’s have criticized influvaccination depends Dr. Joseph Placheril, enza vaccinations on what vaccination, because they contained pediatrician if any, a child received Thimerserol, a mercury last year. compound they believed could be linked to autism. However, RECOMMENDATIONS several of the approved vacChildren ages 6 months to 9 cines for 2010 — including years who did not receive the Fluzone, Agriflu, Fluaric, Afluria H1N1 vaccine last year, have not and FluMist — do not contain received the seasonal vaccine or Thimerserol in single-dosage only received the seasonal vacquantities, the academy reports. cine for the first time last year Mild complications because should be given two doses of this of the influenza vaccine include year’s vaccine (four weeks apart). soreness or redness at the loca-

As we enter flu season, pediatrician Dr. Joseph Placheril offers some tips to help keep the bug from biting your family.

tion of the vaccination, hoarseness, red, itchy eyes, fever and aches. In extremely rare cases, vaccines can cause life-threatening allergic reactions. These usually occur within a few hours after vaccination.

Vaccinations should be administered as soon as they become available. East County pediatrician Dr. Joseph Placheril received his shipment last week, and many clinics throughout the area now have vaccines in stock.

BEYOND VACCINES

Although Placheril certainly recommends vaccination to all his patients, he cautions it is not 100% effective — particularly because of the virus’ ability to change.

“Vaccination helps a lot; there’s no doubt about it,” he said. “But the flu virus changes periodically during the season and also between seasons.”

Because of this, he said, sometimes a vaccination can prove ineffective — especially

later in the season, which typically begins in November and lasts through May. Recently, most infections have occurred in January and February.

“It’s a little bit like a shot in the dark,” he said of vaccination creation.

In addition to vaccinations, Placheril recommends a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables to keep immune systems healthy. He also recommends sneezing into your sleeve rather than your hand and staying away from anyone who is exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

DON’T IGNORE SYMPTOMS Placheril said one of the most common mistakes parents make when their child has the flu is not to see the pediatrician. Often, parents will assume the symptoms — fever, cough, sore throat, chills, fatigue, muscle aches and headaches — are caused by the flu and won’t make an appointment with the doctor. However, other problems — pneumonia,

FLU STRAINS 2010 A/H1N1 (pandemic) A/H3N2 Influenza B Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

meningitis and more — also could be present and, if left untreated, potentially fatal.

“Death is almost always due to complications other than influenza,” Placheril said. “There can be an underlying bacterial infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics.”

Placheril said any child exhibiting symptoms such as respiratory problems should be seen by a pediatrician immediately.

For more, contact Placheril’s office, 8623 54th Drive E., at 758-1285. For more information about the influenza vaccine, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/ flu or the American Academy of Pediatrics at www.pediatrics.org.

— Michael Eng

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SEPTEMBER 2010

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nutrition

physician spotlight:

Obesity Awareness Dr. Pareena Bilkoo Two Lakewood Ranch doctors recently joined a local organization dedicated to fighting child obesity.

Dr. Joshua Kreithen, of Lakewood Ranch Plastic Surgery and Skin Care, and Dr. Andrea Kreithen, of Lakewood Ranch Weight Loss Center and Lakewood Ranch Family Medicine, are board members of Stop Child Obesity Now. The initiative is part of 6KidsNFit.com, a local organization founded by authors, educators and parents Jim and Louise McKenzie to promote healthy lifestyles for children.

“Our aim is to raise funds to form a non-profit organization and open the region’s first Child Obesity Awareness Center using the best minds in health, wellness and nutrition, to join forces with skilled medical practitioners to fight the epidemic by educating children and families in healthy living,” said Jim McKenzie. “Drs. Andrea and Joshua Kreithen are the perfect fit for this program. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience.”

Through his practice, Joshua Kreithen specializes in reshaping bodies after massive weight loss.

“What is remarkable is that so many of the health issues

and problems we see in adults, start with their being overweight as children,” he said.

“Prevention and early intervention will make a difference in the health of this generation.”

Andrea Kreithen agreed.

“By the time an adult comes to me at LWR Weight Loss Center, they are already suffering from the effects of being overweight,” she said. “This includes, joint problems, diabetes, heart conditions and more.

Many of these patients have battled weight challenges since they were children.”

The McKenzies also are members of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation in Washington, D.C., a nationwide foundation working with Discovery Channel and Meredith Publishing to reduce child obesity by 2015.

Through Stop Child Obesity Now, the McKenzies will host several local events, including a Child Obesity Awareness Day in Spring 2011. The McKenzies have also designed a Healthy Kids Club that currently is running a pilot program with the Boys and Girls Club. The initiative is looking for participating partners and sponsors.

For more information on Stop Child Obesity Now, 6kidnfit.com — The Observer staff

HeartCare Consultants’ Dr. Pareena Bilkoo is the only female boardcertified interventional cardiologist in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

SARASOTA — When Dr. Pareena Bilkoo speaks, she does so with reassuring confidence and authority.

It’s a strong trait for Bilkoo — especially as an interventional cardiologist. And it’s one she’s learned through years of being the only female in a maledominated field. “(Throughout my training) I was always the only female,” Bilkoo said. “And I’ve always been treated just like one of the guys.”

Now, after joining Sarasotabased HeartCare Consultants in June, Bilkoo continues to represent women as the only female board-certified interventional cardiologist in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

“I’m honored to be the first here,” she said of the distinction. “This (specialty) is an old boys club. Typically, women don’t like it because you have to super-specialize. … It’s eight years of training on top of medical school.”

But for Bilkoo, it’s the perfect career.

Bilkoo — whose mother is an English/literature teacher and father is a mathematics professor — showed her love for medicine early.

“As a child, I always had an interest in playing doctor,” she said. “My mom always wanted to be a doctor, but she couldn’t afford to go to medical school.

She’s my biggest inspiration.”

Originally born in Africa, Bilkoo grew up in California. At 18, she attended medical school

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Dr. Pareena Bilkoo said she is honored to represent females in her specialty. at Bangalore University in India.

She completed her residency at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago and then her cardiology training at the University of Connecticut. Finally, she attended the University of Kentucky for her interventional cardiology training.

“For me, cardiology was the most fascinating,” she said. “Of all the body’s systems, cardiology made the most sense. It was fascinating for me to learn how the heart works and all the functions it controls.”

An interventional cardiology is a super-specialty within the cardiology field that includes added training that enables doctors to perform angioplasty and stenting in both the coronary and the peripheral arena.

It also allows Bilkoo to treat her patients for longer periods of time.

“Our goal at HeartCare is complete care — from the very beginning through the end,” she said.

And as a female, Bilkoo said she is excited to help draw more attention to cardiology specifically for women.

“Of all the studies out there, 60-70% of the patients studied are male,” she said. “Because of this, a lot of the therapies in cardiology are male-focused.”

However, organizations such as the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women are placing a spotlight on cardiovascular problems and how they relate to females.

Dr. Bilkoo’s East County office is located at HeartCare Consultants, 6310 Health Park Way, Suite 120, Lakewood Ranch. For more information, call 907-8951.

— Michael Eng

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Health Matters

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tech-minded

discussion

Tweet by Tweet

Coastal Orthopedics and Pain Management recently opened its operating room to the social networking world by providing play-by-play details through Twitter.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Coastal Orthopedics and Main Management in July joined the ranks of the social-networking savvy as it invited the public into its operating room through Twitter.

On July 29, Dr. Lora Brown, a pain management specialist with Coastal, performed Vertos mild, a back-pain procedure, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. Throughout the procedure, a scribe interacted with curious followers, broadcasting updates and answering questions.

“We wanted to try to utilize the technology we have available,” Brown said of Twitter. “This way, we are able to keep the public up to date and informed.”

Vertos mild is a relatively new procedure, and Brown was the first doctor on the West Coast to be trained for it. Through a port measuring just 5.1 millimeters wide (smaller than

the head of a pencil eraser), Brown was able to treat the 66-year-old female patient who had a long history of lumbar spinal stenosis. With 2,000 cases reporting 70% effectiveness, Brown said the procedure is a viable and exciting alternative to pain medication for patients suffering from chronic back pain.

“This was a case of new technology, a new approach to address spinal stenosis,” Brown said. “It’s an excellent option for folks.”

Coastal CEO Paul Duck agreed.

“Vertos mild is relatively new, and social media gives us yet another means to educate patients on what has proven to be life-changing for many who had

been living with chronic back pain,” he said.

Through Twitter, Coastal was able to give potential clients an up-close, live view of the procedure. Moreover, the dialogue can help assuage some apprehension and mystery of the operating room.

“We want to keep the public informed and let them know there are options other than pain pills,” Brown said.

July’s procedure was Coastal’s first live Twitter event, but the practice already is planning to host more.

“It went well,” Brown said. “It was like some people were (experiencing the surgery) vicariously through (Twitter). Several people tweeted in, and we received a lot of follow-up response. People were following all over the country, which was neat.”

Coastal’s venture into the Twitter realm follows a growing trend in the medical community. The first recorded live-via-Twitter surgery took place in January 2009 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Mich.

For more information about Coastal, visit www.coastalorthopedics.com.

— Michael Eng

Below is a copy of the tweets Coastal Orthopedics published during the July 29 surgery. Like on Twitter, the most recent Tweet is first. # @MagTwit2 ^LB “Patients will recover within a few days, but I tell patients to refrain from strenuous activities for two weeks” — 3:12 p.m., July 29 via web in reply to MagTwit ^LB “Using device to create a window to allow access to back part of the spine” #livesurgery — 3:09 p.m., July 29 ^LB “Successfully treated the left side now starting the right” #livesurgery — 3:04 p.m., July 29 @smsbuild ^LB “Patient is able to breathe on their own but not completely under just feeling sleepy” #livesurgery — 3:03 p.m., July 29 @Ssweetie821 ^LB “It’s our plan to have the patient go home today” — 3:01 p.m., July 29 via web in reply to Ssweetie821 ^LB “There’s been over 1,000 procedures of the mild and of that none have

had complications” #livesurgery — 3 p.m., July 29 via web ^LB “Comparing pre-op MRI with current pics to make sure we’re on the right track” #livesurgery — 2:55 p.m., July 29 ^LB “Just asking if patient is OK and comfortable” #livesurgery — 2:52 p.m., July 29 All the work that’s done for mild is smaller than an eraser head on a pencil WOW #livesurgery — 2:47 p.m., July 29 Patient is put at a 45-degree angle to allow the docs to view the spinal canal #livesurgery — 2:44 p.m., July 29 Patient has osteophyte of the spine, which causes LSS, causing pain in the back and even leg — 2:43 p.m., July 29 Patient is under and under great care with Dr. Brown, Drema, Cindy, Ron, and Rita by her side — 2:38 p.m., July 29 It’s our lucky day...2 sx! @ 2:30 we’ll join a procedure already in progress once that’s complete we’ll walk you through from start to finish — 2:29 p.m., July 29

LWR Family Medical Healthcare for the Whole Family

YNe OBe/nG ’s Centr

Complete Woman’s Healthcare

• Annual Complete Physical with Breast & Pelvic/Pap exams • Mammogram referral (next door is Rose Radiology) • BRCA Analysis, if close family member has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer • Colonrectal cancer screen • Labs (**listed below) Denise Elswick, MSN, ARNP

Complete Men’s Healthcare

Dedicated to a Lifetime of Women’s

• Complete Physical with Testicular, Prostate, Hernia exams • PSA, Testosterone level and other labs** • Colonrectal cancer screen

Health

Both Male & Female Exams can include EKG & labs: **Chemistry panel, Lipid panel (cholesterol); Urinalysis; Complete Blood Count, STD’s. Blood Drawn in office.

Adult & Family Care Nurse Practitioner Specializing in Internal Medicine Oscar Espinosa, MD Family Healthcare Physician Minor Office Surgery, Internal Medicine (Habla Español) Mary J. Mott, MPAS, PA-C Adult & Family Care Physician Assistant Specializing in Allergy & Asthma

10910 State Road 70 E. Suite 102 • Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

Jorge E. Alvarez, MD, FACOG • Jennifer R. McCullen, MD, FACOG Elizabeth R. Burchard, MD, FACOG M. Joanne Bevers, CNM • Jill S. Miller, ARNP

Office

941-896-3900 •

Fax

941-896-3901

Located 1 ½ mile East of I-75 on SR70 - Spring Forest Office Park with Rose Radiology. Between River Club Blvd. & Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

YourObserver.com You. Your Neighbors. Your Neighborhood.

• OB/GYN Certified In Essure® Permanent Birth Control • Comprehensive Women’s HealthCare • Office Cryoablation

• In Office Hysteroscopy • Bone Densitometry • Urinary Incontinence • Board Certified Physicians

Serving Bradenton & Sarasota since 1997

Se Habla Español | Accepting New Patients | Most Insurance Accepted 8340 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Ste. #240 M-F 9am-5pm | Closed 12-1pm

www.obgynwomenscenter.com | 941.907.3008

Click. Read. Repeat.

45213

• Pregnancy • Annual Well Woman Exams • Gynecological Surgery • IUD & Implanon Insertion & Removal

45215

Wom

SEPTEMBER 2010

www.yourobserver.com

health/fitness calendar Embrace a Life of Health and Wellness Expo — Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center will host this event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 2, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The event will feature a variety of health-related activities for all ages, including blood donations, flu shots, and eye and skin screenings. A special Kids Zone will offer family fitness fun, face painting and more for children. Attendees also will have a chance to meet with East County

physicians, specialists and other wellness-related businesses. For more information, call 9070202.

Tues., Oct. 12 Newborn Baby Boot Camp —Lakewood Ranch Medical Center will host this event from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Oct. 12, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Conference Room 1, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Dr. Xavier Sevilla, Whole Child Pediatrics, will be the speaker. Because newborn babies don’t come with an instruction manual, here’s your chance to speak with pediatricians from Whole Child Pediatrics. The doctors will discuss

ongoing ALS Association Resource Group — This group meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the first Saturday of each month, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Conference Room 1, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Call 1-888-257-1717, Ext. 130, for information or to make a reservation.

Celebrate Recovery —This group meets at 7 p.m., Mondays, at Faith Christian Church, 5215 Lorraine Road. Don Cahill and Sandra Livingston, 746-5711.

Childbirth Education Classes —Lakewood Ranch Medical Center hosts a variety of programs for expecting parents. Preview Nights will be at 6 p.m., Sept. 23, Oct. 5, Oct. 25, Nov. 9 and Nov. 23. Prepared Childbirth will be at 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays, from Oct. 20 through Nov. 17; and 7 p.m., Mondays, through Oct. 18. Weekend Crash Courses will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sept. 25-26 or Nov. 20-21; and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 23. Baby Care Basics will be from 9 a.m. to noon, Oct. 9 and Nov. 6. Breastfeeding Classes will be from

topics such as colic, sleeping patterns, digestive issues and more. This interactive discussion will provide parents with the opportunity to ask questions specific to their infant.

Refreshments will be served.

Seating is limited; call 800-4548215 to reserve your spot.

What is causing my Shoulder Pain? — Lakewood Ranch Medical Center will host this seminar from 4:30-5:30 p.m., Oct. 13, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Conference Room 1, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Dr. Chris Dillingham, Orthopedic Center of Southwest Florida, will discuss rotator-cuff tears, shoulder arthritis, impingement syndrome and more.

Dillingham recently completed

6:30-9 p.m., Oct. 21 and Nov. 8. Infant CPR will be at 6 p.m. or 7:15 p.m., Oct. 7 and Nov. 4. Prenatal Yoga will be from 6-7 p.m., Mondays. Xtra TLC will be from 7-9:30 p.m., Sept. 30, Oct. 28 and Nov. 18.

782-2229.

Dance, Tone and Stretch —This class meets at 9 a.m.,Tuesdays and Fridays, at Faith Presbyterian Church, 1201 N. Beneva Road, Sarasota. Gail, 586-3464.

Diabetes Self-Management and Education — This Lakewood Ranch Medical Center program offers monthly support groups and three-day educational classes.

Call 782-2123 for information or to make a reservation.

Golf Lessons — These lessons for children age 6 through adults are offered at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA, 5100 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. 782-0220.

Heart Support Groups — Lakewood Ranch Medical Center’s Healthy Hearts and Heart Device Support Group meetings are held on alternating months. Call 782-2273 for more information.

Your Beauty is Our Business

a one-year fellowship in Hand, Shoulder and Arm Surgery at the University of Florida, Shands Hospital. Seating is limited; call 800-454-8215 to reserve your spot.

Health Focus Support Group — This group will continue its Fall Luncheon Series from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Oct. 15, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Conference Room 1, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The October theme will be “High Cholesterol: Treatment and Diet.” Seating is limited; call 800-454-8215 to reserve your spot.

Fri., Nov. 19 Health Focus Support Group

Lakewood Ranch Running Club —This club meets for Early Training Runs at 4:50 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, and at 6 a.m. (long distance) and 7:30 a.m. (three- to four-mile runners) Saturdays, at Summerfield Park. Roger Raddatz, lwrrunner@hotmail.com or 755-7291.

Little Nippers — This group for new parents and their newborns meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesdays, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Lunch available for $3.50 (optional). Call 782-2229.

Manasota Fibromyalgia Support Group —This group meets at 1 p.m., the first Saturday of each month, at Braden River Branch Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E. 355-8664.

Manatee Aging Network — This voluntary coalition of persons representing both profit and not-for-profit health, human and social service organizations and other concerned with aging issues meets at 8:30 a.m., the fourth Tuesday of each month, at Waters Edge of Bradenton, 3132 21st Lane W., Bradenton 34205. 748-7797.

Skin Analysis —Planet Beach Tanning Spa

—This group will continue its Fall Luncheon Series from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Nov. 19, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Conference Room 1, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The November theme will be “Preventing Diabetes and Healthy Living.” Seating is limited; call 800-454-8215 to reserve your spot.

Fri., Dec. 17 Health Focus Support Group — This group will continue its Fall Luncheon Series from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Dec. 17, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Conference Room 1, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The October theme will be “Hypertension and Medication.” Seating is limited; call 800-454-8215 to reserve your spot.

will offer these screenings for UV exposure from noon to 4 p.m., Wednesdays, at its East County location, 8319 Lockwood Ridge Road. 358-8292.

Stress Less Class — Zen Zone offers group and individual classes to reduce stress with effective yoga-based stress reduction practices. Classes take place at 11 a.m., Tuesdays, 6 p.m., Wednesdays, and 10 a.m., Saturdays, at Zen Zone’s Lakewood Ranch location, 8209 Nature’s Way, Suite 217, San Marco Plaza. To pre-register, send an e-mail to cheryl@ zen-zone-yoga.com or call 907-8007.

Women’s Golf League — This group plays every Thursday morning, at Legacy Golf Club, 8255 Legacy Blvd. All level of players welcome. Green fee includes lunch.

Vivienne Tracy, 907-3761.

Water Aerobic Classes —These classes will be available at the Manatee County YMCA, Lakewood Ranch Branch, 5100 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Classes are held weekly, and there are a variety of days and times from which to choose. Cost to nonmembers is $75 per month. 782-0220.

FAMILY HEALTH CARE Harvey S. Mishner, M.D.

Board Certified Internal Medicine

Breast Augmentation • Tummy Tuck Liposuction • Facelift • Eyelid Surgery Botox/Restylane/Juvederm Skin Cancer/Mole Removal/Scar Revision Reconstructive Surgery

Jeanna Hepler, A.R.N.P.

Board Certified Nurse Practitioner Providing family health care, gynecology and bio-identical hormone replacement.

11505 Palmbrush Trail, Suite #220 Phone: 747-2090

Richard Rizzuto, MD

Southeast corner of SR 70 & Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery Fellowship Trained in Cosmetic Surgery (NYC)

45221

Medical Facials now available with Licensed Aesthetician

3938 SR64 East, Bradenton, FL 34208 • 941-746-5900

To publicize your event in our calendar, please send it via fax: 753-8456; by mail: 8788 S.R. 70 E., Ste. 103, Bradenton, FL 34202; or by e-mail: meng@yourobserver.com. Photos are welcome.

Fri., Oct. 15

Wed., Oct. 13

11

Currently acepting new patients ages 12 & up Office hours Mon. - Fri. by appt.

Medicare and all major insurances accepted

45220

Sat., Oct. 2

Health Matters

12

Health Matters

SEPTEMBER 2010

www.yourobserver.com

The Windsor Assisted Living...

Quality Care & Affordability

The Windsor offers a unique experience with private apartments, fun and exciting activities, bus trips, great meals, and best of all, our ideal Lakewood Ranch location. See the difference that local ownership makes in building design, attention to detail, and quality of service.

• Tenured, trained staff available 24/7 to assist with bathing, dressing, grooming and other personal needs

• Housekeeping and linen services weekly • Cultural, social, recreational and spiritual activities

• Medication Assistance

• Scheduled transportation for medical visits, shopping or other errands

• Companion Care

• Concierge Services to handle your special requests

• Licensed Nurse every day of the week

• Choice of 8 distinctive studio and one bedroom apartment styles

• Emergency Response System with intercom in every apartment, for those times when you have an immediate need • Three delicious, nutritious meals each day, with snacks and beverages throughout the day

• Pet friendly with optional pet care assistance • Full service Beauty / Barber Salon

Assisted Living Facility License #10707

45252

Call 907-9177 Today to Schedule Your Personal Tour & Complimentary Lunch 941-907-9177 • 8220 Natures Way • Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 2010-06-LWR-sarasotal herald tribune-10x12.indd 1

6/9/2010 12:52:25 PM