June Health Matters

The East County Observer • JUNE 2012

HEALTH MATTERS

COVER STORY: Stella Olinger shares her story of searching for a diagnosis and finding an unexpected answer. / Pages 2-3

Health Matters

JUNE 2012

www.yourobserver.com

cover story

The Gift of Life

Lakewood Ranch resident Stella Olinger has had lung problems since 1997, but she never expected her diagnosis — or, rather, lack of one — would lead to what she now faces — a lung transplant.

By Stella M. Olinger

Pam Eubanks

Lakewood Ranch’s Stella Olinger’s lung condition places her in the top 10% of need for receiving a lung transplant. She now is waiting to receive donor lungs.

ALL ROOMS ARE

“Hi, we’re here to talk about your lung transplant.”

This statement, delivered calmly and directly, resonates in my mind’s eye in black bold, capital letters followed by a screaming exclamation point.

There are few statements that have had such a foundation-shaking impact on my life. Others have sent me reeling, but, with those, I realized I had alternatives: I could compromise, negotiate or effect a change. This statement was in a class all its own — no bargaining, no do-overs and only one unacceptable alternative.

I never saw this coming.

I’ve had a lung problem since in 1997, when my doctors heard “crackling” in my lungs. Biopsies and CT scans showed I had lost half the capacity of my lungs, but no cause could be identified. Pulmonologists watched the condition for years, but nothing ever changed.

I experienced some limitations — climbing hills; two or more flights of stairs; and uncontrollable fits of coughing set off if I attempted to laugh (I really miss laughing). I assumed my age and lack of physical conditioning had more to do with those issues than did my lungs.

Last summer, I returned home from

a trip to Italy feeling very tired — jetlag, a virus or too much walking? I couldn’t put my finger on it; neither could my doctors. In late October, things really began to change — I became short of breath walking across the room, my heart raced while taking a shower, mundane chores were physically overwhelming. Something was very wrong. Within a few weeks, I had gained nearly 25 pounds and could barely function.

After Thanksgiving, I saw my cardiologist, who determined I was experiencing extreme congestive heart failure and rushed me to Manatee Memorial Hospital for emergency surgery.

A “window” was cut in the pericardium sac surrounding my heart and 300ccs of fluid were drained. This fluid was squeezing the heart and stressing it terribly. Other organs were getting insufficient oxygen, causing my body to retain massive amounts of fluid.

The surgeon told my husband that, if it had been a few days later, I might not have survived.

I returned home — attached to an oxygen tank 24/7 — so weak that daily activity was nearly impossible. My doctors soon determined I had a rare condition called “primary pulmonary hypertension.” My primary-care physician thought Tampa General

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Hospital’s (TGH) Heart and Lung Transplant Center might offer an effective course of action.

Within days, my husband and I were sitting in an exam room at TGH being told that without a double lung transplant, I had less than two years to live!

The news knocked the wind out of me. So many thoughts flew through my mind, but I couldn’t verbalize a response.

But, as reality set in, I knew that I was being offered a rare gift of life.

There was no choice but to embrace the opportunity. Within weeks, I went through extensive physical tests and a battery of interviews with surgeons, social workers, a psychologist, a dietician and others.

All this information was evaluated by a formal medical panel and scored. Ultimately, I was accepted into TGH’s transplant program and placed on its transplant list with a numeric (criticality) score.

The current numeric score rating system places those with the greatest need at the top of the transplant list. My score places me in the top 10% of need, nationwide.

My donor lungs likely will come from this area but can be offered from anywhere else in the nation providing they match my specific requirements. Since acceptance into TGH’s program, my physical condition has improved due to several exotic drugs, a fistful of more common drugs and a medically supervised physical therapy program. These aids have enabled me to resume some of my normal activities.

I still have severe limitations, and I tire easily. All household chores, including cooking and shopping, have been assumed by my incredible husband, who provides care and immeasurable support on a daily

Health Matters

3

basis. I know I am not alone in this battle. More importantly, the drugs and exercises are buying me time until the right lungs become available. I could wait months before I get “the call.”

I must stay as healthy as possible, for as long as necessary, to be strong enough for the transplant and have the needed endurance to recuperate from the surgery. My surgery at TGH will include being placed on a heart bypass machine while my lungs are removed and replaced, which can take up to 12 hours. Up to five days in ICU followed by three weeks of hospital recuperation are the standard for such transplants.

Since being placed on the list in mid-February, I’ve learned that more than 114,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for organs. One person can provide life-changing gifts for as many as six to eight people — organs, cornea, bone and skin. Becoming an organ donor gives each of us the opportunity to have our lives count for something immeasurably rewarding.

It’s easy to become a donor at any age. Just log on to organdonor.gov or donatelifeflorida.org to register.

The process takes only minutes but can mean a lifetime to others.

But, it is not enough to register as a donor. You must inform your family and request that they carry out your wishes when the time comes.

I have a great deal of support from family and friends throughout the world. Their prayers, good wishes and frequent notes of inspiration help me remain strong and upbeat.

As they say, attitude is everything; mine is positive — I’m ready for the fight of my life.

Stella Olinger is a resident of Lakewood Ranch, an active member of the Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club and a freelance writer.

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JUNE 2012

Dr. BRIAN RELL

Dr. Brian Rell is certified in an ankle-replacement system that recently was approved for use in the United States by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — As an athletic trainer in college, Dr. Brian Rell always was fascinated with sports-related injuries, particularly those that affected feet and Erick E. Calderon Cynthia Bosch ankles.

Jason Okuhara, D.O. Eric E. Calderon M.D., FACC, to FSCAI ARNP More than a decadeM.D., later,FACC, as a FSCAI A checklist a healthy heart A checklist atohealthy heart reconstructive foot and ankle surgeon, Do have you have a family history of heart disease?

Do you a family history of heart disease?

Rell’s enthusiasm hasn’t wavered.

In fact, he’s even more committed to ♥ Do you have Diabetes Mellitus? ♥ Do you have high blood pressure? ♥ Do you have Diabetes Mellitus? ♥ Do you have high blood pressure? providing options for care to his patients. ♥ Are you overweight? ♥ Did you ever smoke? ♥ Are you overweight? ♥ Did you ever smoke?

Rell, a physician with Coastal ♥ Do you know what your Cholesterol level ♥ Do you have a sedentary lifestyle? ♥ Do you know what your Cholesterol level ♥ Do you have a sedentary lifestyle?

Orthopedics, recently was certified andsensitivity high sensitivity CRP are? and high CRP are? in SBi’s Scandinavian Total Ankle you answered of these questions, it’stotime take and hearttake andaction. take action.

Dr. Erick Calderon Replacement If you Ifanswered yes toyes anytoofany these questions, it’s time taketoheart Dr. Erick Calderon and and (STAR Ankle) system, an ankle-replacement procedure that allows Dr. Jason Okuhara with Lakewood Cardiovascular Consultants, to schedule a consult Dr. Jason Okuhara with Lakewood Cardiovascular Consultants, invitesinvites you toyou schedule a consult and and for better bone in-growth, and ♥ Diagnosis & Treatment of Venous cardiovascular testing to your keepheart your hearthealth and health theitbest can a complete ♥preventative Advanced Lipidyou and testing Coumadin ♥ Do have Mellitus? ♥WeDo you have high bloodstabilization pressure? preventative cardiovascular toDiabetes keep and the best can itbe.

Webe. offer aoffer complete bone preservation by using a three-piece Cardiovascular Diagnostic Outpatient Test Center forVeins your convenience.

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Clinics ♥ Are youDiagnostic overweight? ♥ Did you ever smoke? mobile bearing, un-cemented device. The Please call and schedule your appointment today.

Please call and schedule your appointment today. system consists of three parts — one that ♥ Peripheral Angiography ♥ Holter♥Loop Monitor for your ♥ Do you have a sedentary lifestyle?

Do you Recorders know what Cholesterol level& covers the lower bone of the ankle joint Arrhythmiaand Detection Treatment941-907-1113 941-907-1113 high&sensitivity CRPIntervention are? including Carotid (talus bone), a second that covers the Stenting ♥ Pacemaker/ICK Implantation 6310 Health Park Way, Suite 230 Bradenton, FL in Lakewood Ranch. bottom of the tibia, or “shin” bone, and a 6310 Health Park Way, Suite 230 Bradenton, FL init’s Lakewood Ranch.

If you answered yes to any of these questions, time to take heart third and called takeaaction.

Dr. Erick and mobile bearing, which Calderon acts and Follow Up Clinic Medicare Medicare and most Insurances accepted. and most Insurances accepted. as a spacer between the first two parts.

Dr. take Jason Okuhara with Lakewood Cardiovascular Consultants, invites you to schedule a consult and a moment to browse our website: www.lakewoodcardiovascular.com www.lakewoodcardiovascular.com PleasePlease atake moment to browse our website: “The newer system matches up much preventative cardiovascular testing to keep your heart and health the best it anatomical can be. We offer a complete better to the design (of the Pam Eubanks Please call and schedule your appointment today. foot),” Rell said.

“This has a mobile Dr. Brian Rell currently is planning to Cardiovascular Diagnostic Outpatient Test Center on site for your convenience. participate in an Ironman Triathlon in bearing, so the spacer in the joint is in Canada, providing time allows mobile. It allows for some rotation.

Please call and schedule your appointment today.patients who suffered August for him to complete training.

“Until recently, from osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis of the the STAR system, Rell said, he still does 6310 Health Park Way, Suite 230 Bradenton, FL in Lakewood Ranch. ankle had limited surgical options,” he whatever he can to prevent patients Medicare and most Insurances accepted. said.

“The gold standard for these patients from having to have ankle-replacement 6310 Health Park Way, Suite 230 Bradenton, FL in Lakewood Ranch. would be an ankle fusion, which limits all surgeries. Many foot and ankle issues can Please take a moment to browse our website: movement in the ankle and, over time, be corrected or alleviated with treatments Medicare and most Insurances accepted. www.lakewoodcardiovascular.com places tremendous stress on the other such as cortisone injections, footwear Please take a moment to browse our website: www.lakewoodcardiovascular.com joints in the foot, as well as the knee.” modifications and other alternatives.

Because the STAR system allows the “I really try to treat them,” Rell said. ankle more movement after surgery, it is “I won’t (do a replacement) if other considered less invasive than many other things haven’t been tried. We try to keep procedures. Additionally, the installation (patients) out of the operating room.” of the STAR system calls for minimal bone Rell studied at Binghamton University in removal, which makes future procedures New York before attending medical school less complicated, Rell said. It also requires at Temple University School of Podiatric no bone cement.

Medicine, in Philadelphia, from which he Physicians also hope the design will graduated in 1991. He did a reconstructive allow the replacement to last longer. foot and ankle surgical residency at The Because there is less stress on the spacer, Graduate Hospital, also in Philadelphia. it should break down less quickly, allowing Rell moved to the area and started a ankle replacements to last longer than in private practice in 2002 in Bradenton. many other ankle replacement systems, He moved to Lakewood Ranch fulltime Rell said. in 2004 and joined the team at Coastal The STAR system is the only U.S. Food Orthopedics three-and-a-half years ago. and Drug Administration-approved total Rell and his wife, Erica, have three ankle-replacement system for uncemented children: Rocco, 6, River, 4, and Bodhi, use. who turns 3 next month.

Rell said the system boasts a strong For more information on Rell or Coastal track record in Europe, where it has been Orthopedics, visit coastalorthopedics. used for many years, which prompted com. him to get trained on it when it became For information on the STAR system, available in the U.S. visit fda.gov or totalsmallbone.com.

— Pam Eubanks Although he likes many features of Okuhara, Jason Jason Okuhara, D.O. D.O.

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JUNE 2012

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Health Matters

5

eye spy

Gotta wear shades Dr. Troy Bedinghaus, of Lakewood Family Eye Care, encourages the community to be ‘sun-wise with your eyes’ by protecting them from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.

By Jen Blanco | Associate Editor LAKEWOOD RANCH — They are two of our body’s most important assets; but when it comes to protection they are often overlooked.

“Most people don’t think about their eyes,” said Dr. Troy Bedinghaus of Lakewood Family Eye Care. “Proper sun protection (can be) cheap. People need to think more about their eyes. It’s not just about wearing sunscreen.”

The same ultraviolet rays that can lead to skin cancer and premature aging of the skin also can be detrimental to your eyes. UV rays can cause both short- and long-term Bedinghaus damage to the eyes.

One of the most common conditions is photokeratitis, which is a painful eye condition caused by exposure to UV rays resulting in visible signs of damage on the cornea (under a microscope), sensitivity to light and pain.

UV light has also been associated with macular degeneration and the development of cataracts; as well as pterygium and pinguecula, which are benign growths on the white part of the eye caused by UV radiation and wind.

“UV light doesn’t cause cataracts; but for those who have a genetic predisposition or a family history of cataracts, it can make it progress faster,” Bedinghaus said.

As a result, Bedinghaus encourages

everyone to be “sun-wise with your eyes.”

“Don’t think because it’s overcast you don’t need to (protect yourself),” Bedinghaus said. “There’s just as much UV light coming through.”

There are several precautions individuals can take to protect their eyes from serious damage. One of the most important measures is to wear sunglasses that filter 99% of UVA and UVB rays. Lenses that are dark enough can block between 75% and 90% of natural light.

Those who spend a lot of time driving or on the water might also look into polarized lens, which help nullify reflection and glare.

“Light bounces horizontally and polarization helps nullify the reflection and glare that can be debilitating when you’re driving a car or boat,” Bedinghaus said. “It’s just a safety factor.”

Bedinghaus also encourages individuals to wear wide-brimmed hats if they are going to be out in the sun to help reflect the light and shield the eyes and surrounding skin.

Finally, when thinking about the sun, Bedinghaus encourages everyone not to forget to protect children’s eyes from the sun as well. Following the same precautions as adults can protect children’s eyes; however, be sure to choose sunglasses that fit smaller faces, have impact-resistant lenses and have lenses large enough to shield the entire eye.

“Eighty percent of all UV damage occurs before the age of 18,” Bedinghaus said.

“Children are especially susceptible to eye damage from the sun. The lenses in their eyes do not block as much UV radiation as in adults.”

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Health Matters

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By Pam Eubanks | Managing Editor

Chiropractic Care From Prenatal to Advanced Age. We will take care of your family matters.

n Intercoastal adds physician,

n LWR couple thanks

Intercoastal Medical Group welcomed its newest physician, Dr. Anthony R. Hemmer, Monday, June 11, at the practice’s Lakewood Ranch location.

Hemmer joins 12 other physicians at the location.

Hemmer previously worked as a family physician at North River Family Health Center for Dr. Hemmer 10 years.

He received his medical degree from the University of Kentucky and completed his residence at the University of Iowa, in Waterloo, Iowa.

Lakewood Ranch residents Kris and Nancy Ector gave special thanks to members of the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center team last month for treatment provided by the hospital.

The couple visited the hospital May 18 to give a team of caretakers a gift basket and plenty of hugs.

The couple had rushed April 27 to the emergency room, where Kris and Nancy Ector doctors worked quickly to remove a blockage from Kris Ector’s artery and insert a stint.

celebrates top doctors

Dr.’s Keri and Nicholas Rowe welcome you to their new practice. We offer complete body well being including Chiropractic, Spinal Decompression, Muscle Modality/Ultrasound and Nutrition.

Watch for our Special Focus Groups and Family Happy Hours where we tailor to specific areas of body awareness and wellness.

n Children’s Dentistry

practice opens in East County

Sea of Smiles, a full-service children’s dental practice, has opened an office in the East County.

The new facility is located at 6060 State Road 70, Suite A, in the Health Park East professional park, just west of Interstate 75.

Dr. Lisa LaPresti, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, will lead the practice. She completed her pediatric specialty training in 2006 at Rainbow Babies and Children’s www.RoweFamilyChiro.com Hospital, in Cleveland, and since that time Healing families since 2005 has been treating children in the New Port 6271 Lake Osprey Drive | Sarasota, FL 34240 Richey area.

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Folkens’ name now will appear in list of civil surgeons provided by the Centers for Disease Control, in Atlanta.

Folkens has three clinics in the area, including the Bradenton, Sarasota, and Lakewood Ranch Urgent Care Walk-in Clinics, which are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

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JUNE 2012

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Dermatologist sets sights on skin-damage prevention.

As residents of Florida, we are all particularly vulnerable to skin cancers, due to the sunny, subtropical climate in which we live.

We must educate ourselves about this potentially deadly disease.

Consider these facts: More than 3.5 million skin cancer cases are diagnosed, annually.

It is estimated that there will be about 131,810 new cases of melanoma in 2012 —55,560 noninvasive (in Dr. Elizabeth situ) and 76,250 Callahan invasive (44,250 men and 32,000 women).

Caucasians and men older than 50 are at a higher risk of developing melanoma than the general population.

Although incidence rates of melanoma before age 40 are higher in women than in men, rates after 40 are almost twice as high in men as in women.

The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 98%.

Last month, the American Academy of Dermatology launched an important new website, SpotSkinCancer.org, to help you understand this disease

and change your behavior in terms of exposure to the sun. The AAD campaign’s tagline — “Prevent.

Detect. Live.” — focuses on the positive actions you can take: Prevent: Seek shade, cover up and wear sunscreen.

Detect: Look for new or changing spots on your skin.

Live: See a dermatologist if you spot anything changing, itching or bleeding.

As part of the launch of the SPOT Skin Cancer program, the AAD recently conducted an online survey that found men were more vulnerable to skin cancer than women.

Some findings include that 29% of men said they always protect their skin when outside in the sun, compared with 43% of women, and that 39% of men (compared to 28% of women) said that they prefer to enjoy sunshine and not worry about what they should do to protect themselves from it. Forty-six percent of men (compared to 59% of women) indicated they knew how to examine their skin for signs of skin cancer.

The survey results should serve as a wake-up call for you to be more vigilant about protecting your skin from sun exposure and examining your skin regularly for skin cancer. These exams are vital because the early detection of skin cancer helps save lives.

Current estimates show one

7

health/fitness calendar

skin care

Wear Sunscreen

Health Matters

ACTION STEPS FOR SKIN CANCER PREVENTION Do not burn. Overexposure to the sun is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer.

Avoid sun tanning and tanning beds. UV light from tanning beds and the sun causes skin cancer and wrinkling.

Use sunscreen. Generously apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Reapply, at least, every two hours and after swimming or sweating.

Cover up. Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with 99 to 100 percent UVA/UVB protection, when possible.

Seek shade. Seek shade when the sun’s UV rays are most intense— between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Watch for the UV index. Pay attention to the UV Index when planning outdoor activities to prevent overexposure to the sun.

— U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

in five Americans will develop skin cancer. Educate yourself.

Seek shade, cover up and wear sunscreen. Don’t become a casualty of the Florida sun.

Elizabeth Callahan, MD, is the founder and medical director of SkinSmart Dermatology™ located at 5911 N. Honore Ave., Suite 210, Sarasota, Fla., 34243.

Phone: 308-7546. Website: skinsmartdermatology.com.

To publicize your event in our calendar, please email your information to Managing Editor Pam Eubanks, peubanks@yourobserver.com. Photos are welcome.

mon., June 25

wed., July 11

Women’s Center Preview Night — takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 25, July 11 and July 31, in Lakewood Ranch Medical Center’s Women’s Center , 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

Tour the birthing area, meet staff, register for birthing classes and more. Free to attend. Registration is required. 782-2100.

Bridge the Gap Between Cancer and Beauty — takes place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 11, at the Center for Building Hope , 5481 Communications Parkway, Sarasota. Learn corrective makeup techniques to enhance your features and camouflage unwanted, temporary changes in your appearance from chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Registration is requested. 921-5539.

tues., June 26 Open Lines of Communication — takes place from 4 to 5 p.m. June 2, at the Center for Building Hope, 5481 Communications Parkway, Sarasota. Families affected by cancer are invited to learn about maintaining emotional intimacy and talk about difficult subjects. Registration is requested. 921-5539.

tues., June 28 Xtra TLC — takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. June 28 and July 25, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center’s Women’s Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Learn and practice techniques for coping with the pain and stress of labor. Cost included in Prepared Childbirth class, or $15 if not enrolled in Prepared Childbirth Class. 782-2100.

WEd., July 11 Ask the Doctor About Cancer Issues — takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 11, at the Center for Building Hope, 5481 Communications Parkway, Sarasota. Join Dr. Lisa Merritt, of Kinesia Rehab Group, for discussion on health changes during and after cancer treatment. Register required. 9215539.

thurs., July 12 Insurance Coverage after a Cancer Diagnosis — takes place from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. July 12, at the Center for Building Hope , 5481 Communications Parkway, Sarasota. A panel will present information about the availability of coverage for health, life, disability, longterm care and Medicare supplement insurance after a cancer diagnosis.

Registration is requested. 921-5539.

fri., July 13 Nutrition and Cancer — takes place from noon to 1 p.m. July 13, at the Center for Building Hope, 5481 Communications Parkway, Sarasota. Pam Mathis will discuss nutrition concerns and issues relevant to cancer treatment. Registration is requested.

921-5539.

sat., July 14 Baby Care Basics — takes place from 9 a.m. to noon July 14, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center’s Women’s Center , 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

Class is designed to give parents a head start on caring for their baby and includes topics such as bathing and diapering. Cost is $15. Registration required. 782-2100.

LOOKING FOR A NEW ADULT PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR?

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS INCLUDING HUMANA GOLDPLUS PLAN MEMBERS

Christopher Cooper, DO

Catherine Cooper, DO .

Both Board Certified in Family Practice and Osteopathic Manipulation

Andrew Clark, DO Board Certified in Family Practice and Sports Medicine.

COOPER FAMILY MEDICAL (941) 744-5510

5101 4th Avenue Circle East, Suite 200, Bradenton, FL 34208 www.CooperFamilyMedical.com COOPER FAMILY MEDICAL OFFERS MANY SERvICES FOR YOUR CONvENIENCE, INCLUDING:

CALL (941) 744-5510 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!

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• Same Day Appointments for Urgent Care • 24-Hr Physician On-call Availability • On-Site Laboratory Services • Diabetic and COPD Education • Fracture, Arthritis & Joint Pain Management • EKG & Ultrasound

Health Matters

JUNE 2012

www.yourobserver.com

What’s your heart attack risk?

Find out with a free 7-minute survey.

Heart disease kills more Americans than cancer or any other disease.* You can find out if your heart is at risk by taking Lakewood Ranch Medical Center’s free 7-minute Heartaware Risk Evaluation. It’s an easy survey that you can do on your home computer.

Just visit www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com and click on the Heartaware link. When you’ve completed the survey, you’ll receive personalized, strictly confidential information that will help you assess your cardiovascular health and reduce your level of risk. Plus, you’ll be eligible for a free follow-up appointment.

Need a cardiologist?

We have that covered too.

Jason Okuhara, DO of Lakewood Ranch Cardiology specializes in noninvasive and invasive cardiology.

to schedule an appointment, please call 941.556.8930.

Or use your Smartphone.

Get the free mobile app at http://gettag.mobi

8340 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Suite 380 Bradenton, FL 34202 (In the Medical Office Building adjacent to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center)

8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

Bradenton, FL 34202 941.782.2100 www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com

* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Physicians are on the medical staff of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, but, with limited exceptions,are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.

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