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SARASOTA

Health Matters Observer

JUNE 2021

NOT YET READY Many vaccinated individuals are still feeling anxious thanks to the effects of the pandemic. RYAN KOHN | SPORTS REPORTER

s the pandemic — and all the ills that come with it — finally coming to a close? It depends on who you ask.

While some Americans are returning to large-scale

events, either masked or unmasked, a large group of people is hesitant to fully live life like they did in prepandemic times just yet. SEE PAGE 2

HEAT-FREE DISHES

INSTITUTE EXPANDS

UNIQUE FITNESS

PAGE 3

PAGE 4

PAGE 6

Try a healthy, no-cook meal during this hot summer.

SMH welcomes cancer facilities in Sarasota, Venice.

Silks, heat and poles provide alternative exercise choices.

HEALTH MATTERS

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JUNE 2021

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Katie Zupan, 30, still wears a mask around strangers even though she’s fully inoculated, having received both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. She and her boyfriend of 15 years, Alan Newman, live in Gulf Gate with their two dogs, a SharPei named Boba and a pug mix named Nori. Zupan, a freelance graphic designer, and Newman don’t go many places. Sometimes they’ll pick up food from Thailand Gulf Gate or get groceries from Costco or Target. Otherwise, they stay home. “It’s been weird,” Zupan said. “I have social anxiety generally, but the pandemic made it way worse. It has kept me in a small bubble.” Zupan is a self-proclaimed introvert, but prior to the pandemic, she would often venture to Bayfront Park to play Pokemon Go or head to a movie theater to see a new release. Zupan, who moved to Sarasota four years ago from Denver, used her hobbies to get to know her new city — at least until March 2020. In the throes of the pandemic, everything changed. Zupan rebuilt her backyard, including a creek, to have a nice place to hang out. She carved out space to work from home in her guest room and is in the process of redoing her lanai. Zupan said she is not sure when she’ll begin regularly venturing into public spaces again, and when she does, she’ll likely continue to wear a mask. Zupan said she worries about contracting the virus and spreading it to someone unvaccinated or someone highrisk, something possible even though she herself is protected. She’s also become used to the way things have become and does not

COMFORT WILL TAKE TIME

CURRENT CDC RECOMMENDATIONS As of June 1, the Centers for Disease Control states vaccinated individuals can return to any activities they did prior to the pandemic without wearing a mask or social distancing, except where required by federal, state or local law. The CDC also says if vaccinated individuals have been around someone who has COVID-19, they do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless they begin to show symptoms.

Ryan Kohn

feel a rush to change them. Zupan is not alone in her worry. The American Psychological Association’s 2021 Stress in America survey, published in March, found that 48% of U.S. adults “do not feel comfortable going back to living life like they used to before the pandemic,” while 49% said they feel uneasy about transition back to in-person interactions post-pandemic. That second percentage is consistent between both vaccinated (48%) and nonvaccinated (49%) respondents. According to data from WebMD, the site saw a 251% increase in searches for anxiety medication in April, when the vaccine rollout began to widen. Tariq Halim, a psychiatrist in Lakewood Ranch, believes it might be awhile before those numbers start to fall. Halim said he has seen an uptick in patients suffering from anxiety in group settings in recent weeks, coin-

Above: Katie Zupan has built up her backyard during the pandemic to have a nice area for relaxing. Zupan does not feel rushed to return to her pre-pandemic life. Left: Psychologist Tariq Halim says a daily routine can help people become less anxious about returning to social events.

According to Bethany Teachman, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia, feeling anxiety about returning to “normal life” is nothing to feel ashamed about. Instead, Teachman believes clinical psychological science can help people push past that anxiety and get out of our pandemic habits. Writing at The Conversation, Teachman said one of the best ways to overcome this anxiety is exposure therapy. Social interactions, especially indoors or in large crowds, will feel strange at first, but the more you experience them, the more normal they will feel.

File photo

ciding with rules about masks and other things becoming more lax. Halim said one patient, a teacher, gets panic attacks every time she ventures to the grocery store, even though she waited a month after getting her second vaccine to return to society, double the necessary two weeks. To combat these feelings of anxiety, Halim suggests creating a list of 10 activities people completed outside of their houses before the pandemic, starting with the least stressful activity. Then, complete them in order, taking it slowly if

necessary. This gradual return to normalcy is the key to becoming comfortable again, Halim said. “If your feelings are directly interfering with your ability to complete instrumental part of daily living, like shopping, cooking or driving, then you should see someone,” Halim said. Halim said he is hopeful that this uptick in anxiety in social settings will dissipate in a few months, as more people receive the vaccine and more is learned about their efficiency. Zupan said it is the current

unknowns that gives her the most pause. When in a crowd of people, Zupan said, she doesn’t know who has been vaccinated and who has not. Zupan said she will likely wait until the vaccination rate in Florida gets close to the 70% mark to start thinking about returning to her pre-pandemic lifestyle. As of June 1, the vaccination rate was 39%. Until then, Zupan said, she will continue to enjoy her stream of Thai takeout and Netflix movies. “We have everything we want or need here,” Zupan said.

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JUNE 2021

No-cook meals to keep you cool this summer PEACH SLAW

ARUGULA, FIG AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

precut slaw or 1 cup each of Napa, red and green cabbage n 2 ripe peaches or nectarines n 1 scallion, thinly sliced n 1/2 cup toasted almond slivers. For a nut-free version, try dried berries. n 1/2 to 1 cup lemon-maple dressing (or poppy seed dressing) n Maldon salt and freshly ground pepper. Anderson said this flaky salt is a gamechanger. Find it at Artisan Cheese Co. in Sarasota.

n 1 pound baby arugula, washed. Anderson said to find the brightest green leaves — from a local market is ideal, and there are options at the Sarasota Farmers Market. Anderson uses Homestead Hydro Farms. n 6 ounces high quality goat cheese (log, not crumbles, because prepackaged crumbles can lack taste and texture) n 8 ounces dried figs cut into quarters. Fresh figs work too, and the fruit comes into season late in the summer. n 1/2 cup chopped marcona almonds, salted roasted pistachios or toasted almond slivers. For a nut-free version, try toasted chickpeas. n 4 slices prosciutto (optional) n Maldon salt and freshly ground pepper

n 1 package of rainbow

Courtesy photos

Tina Anderson

NAT KAEMMERER | STAFF WRITER

emember how much you loved chili about five months ago? That warm,

thick stew that kept you near the heat of the stove as you cooked? If the idea of standing close to any heat source makes you feel ill now, in Florida summer, you’re not alone. Longboat Key Chef Tina Anderson shares some meals that will keep you away from any extraneous sources of heat.

Lemon-Maple Dressing n 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice n 3 tablespoons maple syrup n 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice n 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil n Maldon salt and pepper

Honey Chive Dressing n 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil n 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar

n 1 tablespoon honey n 2 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives

Right before serving, toss arugula in a bowl with 3-4 tablespoons of dressing. Arrange fig quarters, dollops of goat cheese and prosciutto on greens. Season with salt and pepper, drizzle with dressing, and top with chopped nuts. For a heartier salad, add precooked shrimp, shredded rotisserie chicken or confit duck. For the dressing, mix all ingredients in a mason jar, and shake well. Chill until ready to serve. Keeps about a week.

BURRATA AND STONE FRUIT SALAD

Thinly slice peaches. Toss slaw mix or cabbage in a bowl with dressing and sliced scallions. Start lighter and add more to taste. A great slaw has a nice crunch but absorbs a bit of the dressing for a good bite. Let sit for about 15 minutes. Right before serving, fold in peaches, salt and pepper, and arrange on plates or in a bowl. Sprinkle nuts on top. Add shredded rotisserie chicken for protein. For the dressing, combine all ingredients, and place in a mason jar. Shake until emulsified. Chill until ready to serve.

n 8 ounces fresh burrata or fresh mozzarella n 11/2 pounds heirloom tomatoes n 3 or 4 stone fruits (such as plum, nectarine, peach, apricot) n 8 fresh basil leaves cut into a chiffonade n Maldon salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Pistachio-Lemon Vinaigrette n 1/2 cup roasted pistachios n 1 lemon, juiced n 1 tablespoon honey (preferably local — Anderson uses Myakka Honey) n 1 teaspoon sambal n 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Drain liquid from cheese, slice and center along a platter or on individual plates. Slice tomatoes into long wedges, removing stems and white fiber. Slice stone fruits into thin wedges, and arrange tomatoes and fruit over cheese. For the vinaigrette, chop roasted pistachios, and place in a bowl with the lemon juice, honey and sambal. Whisk in olive oil until well incorporated and emulsified. Season with salt and pepper. Immediately before serving, season with salt, pepper, basil and vinaigrette. Can be stored refrigerated for up to three days.

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JUNE 2021

Courtesy rendering

The Sarasota Memorial Hospital main campus will soon have two new buildings dedicated to providing a continuum of cancer care.

SAVE A LIFE THIS SUMMER The dire need for blood never takes a break – and you can help. Summer marks the start of several challenging months for collecting desperately-needed blood donations across the country. Schools are no longer in session and families finally set their sights on relaxing vacations, resulting in frequent donors delaying their blood and platelet contributions. But the dire need for lifesaving blood doesn’t take a day off – and SunCoast Blood Centers has developed several convenient, painless processes for you to generously donate during the most pivotal stretch of the year. You can give the gift of blood products anywhere via six strategically-placed, easily-accessible donor centers in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Venice, Bradenton and Port Charlotte. SunCoast Blood Centers also offers convenient donations facilitated by eight blood mobiles scattered across the region, and its daily locations can be searched within seconds by zip code, city, county and more at donor.suncoastblood. org. Blood contributions can even take place steps away from your front yard through the “At Home” Concierge Donor Program – a unique service in which a minibus drives to your home or office by appointment

for a one-on-one interaction inside the vehicle. SunCoast Blood Centers has further expedited the giving process, which typically takes about 45 minutes, by implementing QuickPass, designed to initiate your blood donation within comfort wherever you’re located. It’s an efficient web-based, selfinterview program for answering required health history questions within minutes, skipping long sheets of onsite paperwork at a donor center or blood mobile. QuickPass, after the screening’s completion on the day of your desired donation, issues an emailed or printable barcode that provides SunCoast Blood Centers safe and discreet access to your answers – all while saving you time.

SMH greenlights next phases of cancer institute Following the completion of an oncology tower, the hospital begins plans for two facilities. BRYNN MECHEM STAFF WRITER

Although crews are still putting the finishing touches on an inpatient oncology facility at Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s main campus, plans are underway for two new outpatient facilities. This fall, the hospital is slated to open its eight-story tower dedicated to cancer patients, but hospital board members unanimously approved a motion to allow

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staff to begin work on preliminary schematics and site plans for two outpatient facilities to complete the institute’s continuum of care. The two projects mark the third and fourth phases of the hospital’s Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, a comprehensive cancer care program SMH began developing in 2018. The Brian and Sheila Jellison Family Foundation gifted the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation $25 million for the institute, the largest gift to date. The $220 million institute allows cancer patients access to the most up-to-date treatments, technologies, support services and clinical trials. When the institute first began,

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its director, Kelly Batista, said that upon completion it will help patients receive first-rate care from beginning to end without having to travel or move. “It’s important that when you find a place such as this one where you love to live, and you have friends and your family around, you don’t need to leave that to have great cancer care,” Batista said. Preliminary plans for the third phase show a six-story cancer pavilion will be added to the main Sarasota campus and that a twostory cancer center will be added to the Venice campus to better reach patients in south county. The cancer pavilion on the Sarasota campus will comprise approximately 15,000 square feet across the street from the new oncology tower. Its outpatient services will include outpatient surgery suites, radiation and infusion services, diagnostic services, and integrative and supportive care. It will also house administrative and clinic space for physicians, counselors and navigators to provide coordinated care to both patients and their families. The 50,000-square-foot cancer center at the Venice campus will offer radiation oncology, advanced diagnostic imaging, infusion services, supportive care and medical office space. President and CEO David Verinder said there is great need for the two additions because cancer diagnoses are rising both locally and nationally. About one in three adults will have a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime: 41% of men and 39% of women. Oncology inpatient and outpatient services are expected to grow 11% by 2023. “Cancer care is far more than

facilities, treatments and technology,” Verinder said. “It takes tremendous coordination and collaboration across multiple subspecialties and disciplines to accurately diagnose and develop targeted treatments. That’s where a comprehensive cancer center like Sarasota Memorial’s Jellison Cancer Institute can really make a difference.” In 2020, the hospital opened the first phase of its cancer institute, a $27 million outpatient radiation oncology center at its University Parkway campus, which introduced a new clinical specialty for the hospital. The second phase, the oncology tower at the Sarasota campus, will open this fall. The tower will ensure the inpatient needs of a growing population, such as visiting with specialists and receiving care from nurses, can be met under one roof. In the past, patients had access to a variety of specialists, such as radiation oncologists, surgeons and rehab therapists, but they were often in different locations. In the new tower, they will all be housed together. The third and fourth phases will ensure patients who are undergoing outpatient services will have the same array of doctors at their fingertips. Schematic design on the two new facilities will take six to eight months at a not-to-exceed cost of $4 million, $3 million for the Sarasota addition and $1 million for the Venice facility. Pending further approval and funding by the hospital board, construction could begin late next year. Construct is expected to be complete in October 2023 for the Venice campus and in June 2025 for the Sarasota campus.

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JUNE 2021

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STAFF WRITER It’s time to throw away your ED medications because you no longer need it to be ready for an evening of intimacy - at a moment’s notice. Imagine returning to those younger days, when here’s more than one way everything worked just fine, without pills, needles or surgery. Finally, there is an alternate solution and the professionals at Prime Medical Solutions can help you now! We are the experts in the to get in shape. The classic newest and most innovative ED treatment on the market today - Acoustic Wave Therapy. Over options of lifting at the gym the last 15 years, hundreds of thousands of men in Europe have thrown away their ED medicaor running a few miles every How much better if you could time, a firm, tions, (or never started them),would becauselife theybe simply don’t needenjoy them tosex get any or maintain day are always good, but they can hard erection and be readywithout for intimacy. pills, needles or surgery? grow stale over time. It’s time to throw away your ED medications because you no longer need it to be ready for an evening of intimacy - at a Fitness-minded people across moment’s notice. Imagine to those youngerYou days, when everything worked just fine, without pills, needles or surgery. What toreturning Expect When Visit Prime Medical Solutions Sarasota have found a variety of Finally, there is an alternate solution and the professionals at Prime Medical Solutions can help you now! We are the experts in ways to workout, some which Whenonyou cometoday to our clinic,Wave we will have some quickof the newest and most innovative ED treatment the market - Acoustic Therapy. Overyou the fill lastout 15 years, hundreds benefit not only the body but the medical A consultant will then thousands of men in Europe have thrownpersonal away their information ED medica-tions,and (or never startedhistory. them), because they simply don’t need emotional and creative sides too. explain science behind Acoustic Wave Therapy and how to them to get or maintain a firm, hard erection and bethe ready for intimacy. get your best possible results in a private one-on-one consultaWhat to Expect When You Visit Prime Medical Solutions tion. Then one of our medical technicians will use a doppler AERIAL SILK When you come our clinic, weyour will have you fill out and some quick personal information and ultrasound to tomeasure pudendal dorsal arteries. This Olga Coronas was born in medical A consultant then explain the science behind Wave Therapy helps ushistory. document yourwillcurrent blood flow. He willAcoustic introduce you Kazakhstan and started trainhow to get yourdemonstrate best possible results a private one-on-one Thenlike, one of to our Storz Wave generation and machine and its inworkings. Then ifconsultation. you would ing with a local circus at age 6, our medical technicians willtreatment use a dopplersession. ultrasound to measure your pudendal and dorsal you can take advantage of a FREE, no-obligation beginning a career of performing arteries. This helps us document your current blood flow. He will introduce you to our Storz across the world with the RingWave generation machine and demonstrate its workings. Then if you would like, you can take See What Other Men, Just You, Are Saying... ling Bros., Barnum & Bailey and advantage of our gift to you Like a FREE, no-obligation treatment session. Cirque Des Voix. “WOW! Never thought I could get it back at 80 years old...but I did thanks to you. Not only do I See What Other Men, Just Like You, Are Saying... Now she teaches silks and lyra thank you but my wife does as well...and all she had to do was sit at home looking pretty while I “My name is your Bryansix andtreatments I first sought assistanceWave from Therapy...and Prime Medical Solutions in December 2019. underwent of Acoustic that was back it...hard again likeofback at the Circus Arts Conservatory. Prior to my visitthirty I spoke theI staff phone Prime Medical Solutionsforand impressed the when I was orwith forty. wantover to the thank youatand your technician theI was pleasure youwith gave Coronas specializes in training professionalism and their knowledge of the business. My wife and myself were very pleased with how quickly me...and my wife. It's been great. I assure you I will be coming back for a tune up every few locals from 8 to 60 years old how the results were. If you follow the wisdom and guidance from the staff at Prime Medical, you will only experience months.” - Conrad W. clinics that do this type of therapy, Prime offers the most for the cost along with added to climb, hang and spin around success. Compared to other

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from silks dangling from the air. During the hourlong classes, up to 10 students stretch, learn silk basics and end with strength conditioning for the muscles specific to navigating the silks. Working with silks presents a new learning experience for students in managing each limb and operating carefully, sometimes while being completely upside down. “It’s a total body experience,” Coronas said. “Sure, you can go to the gym, but you won’t experience anything in the air. I get their attention 100%. You can go to the gym and think about what you

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have to do after, but that doesn’t work in my class. When you’re in the air, you have to hold yourself and pay attention.” Students start by learning the ropes on the ground before climbing their silks into the air. It’s a constant workout that builds muscle in the core and arms and allows students to get creative, which delights Coronas the most. “When they do their first flip or trick, you have to see their faces,” Coronas said. “Their faces say it all. Once they do their first, they don’t want to stop and want to try 20 more times.”

Mariah Ferrell teaches students at her aerial yoga class.

AERIAL YOGA AND HOT YOGA

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CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY Cost: $30 for one silks class; other packages available Address: 2075 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota Phone: 355-9805 Website: CircusArts.org/aerial-silks

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mid-June that will teach beginner classes for men and women age 18 and up. “Sometimes you get far enough into a sport that you just want to teach it,” Morgan said. She said the first thing students develop is abdominal and shoulder strength while moving around the pole, not to mention active flexibility. A big focus for classes is flexibility, where students spend time learning how to shape their limbs to pose into various positions after they’ve developed the needed strength. “You can put your personality into your exercise,” she said. “It challenges you in strength, flexibility and how to haul your body weight into different positions. People always feel accomplished.” 350400-1

Nicole Morgan, a 35-year-old Sarasota dietician, has taught Pilates and exercise in the past but is now turning to a new endeavor. She’s starting pole dancing classes out of the Dynasty Dance studio in Lakewood Ranch in

Emerging Trends in Men’s Health Men often think they won’t have any health problems until they reach a certain age, but Dr. Al Peters says that’s not always the case. In fact, younger men are now coming into his office, the Center of Anti-Aging Medicine & Hormone Wellness. We are now seeing men in their 30s and 40s who are suffering from conditions like fatigue, weight gain, loss of muscle mass, low libido, sleep disorders and erectile dysfunction. In his 30 years as a physician, he has never seen so many men with such low testosterone levels. Dr. Peters attributes this trend to

two main factors: lifestyle and the environment. “We live in a very stressed society,” he says. “We’re required to do more day in and day out.” He worries about environmental effects on our health, as well. Toxins in our water and the air can have negative affects on men’s fertility, among other hormonal functions. To uncover all the possible contributing causes, Dr. Peters takes a holistic approach with his patients and their treatment plans. He begins his 1.5-hour

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Dr Al Peters, D.O., F.A.C.O.G. Medical Director, Center for Anti-Aging Medicine & Hormone Wellness, board certified reproductive endocrinologist. His unique approach to patient care blends Western methodology with Eastern philosophies. www.hormonewellness.net initial consultation getting a very detailed history, ranging from diet and nutrition to exercise and sexual function. Dr. Peters also looks at how a patients daily work stress might affect his overall health. After gathering and discussing detailed medical and lifestyle information, very specific medical testing will then take place. Dr. Peters reviews all specialty testing and makes correlations between them and the patient’s symptoms to create a course of action. “It’s not just medications and hormones,” he says. “For many, it’s going to involve a lifestyle change.” Although his patients range between their early 30’s to octogenarians, the typical patient is closer to middle age with kids and a good but stressful job. He complains about increased belly fat, muscle weakness/loss even though he’s still working out, lack of energy and diminished sexual function. Dr. Peters also assesses the patient’s nutritional intake and devises a tailored workout program. Hormone balancing is another important component of the treatment plan. Testing often reveals hormone imbalances which explains many of their symptoms. Working with a trusted

compounding pharmacy like Sarasota Compounding Pharmacy is imperative as we design the customized treatment plan for each individual. These men do extremely well on the treatment plan. They come back reporting that they have lost weight, are doing better at work and experiencing better relationships with their wives and children. His biggest challenge with his male patients is their reluctance to see a doctor. “We still have a bit of a stigma in that if men ask for help, it’s a sign of weakness,” he says. “This couldn’t be further from the truth.” “Men want to slow down the process of aging just as much as women”. Dr. Peters urges men to be proactive with their health. “Put your health first,” he says. “If you don’t keep your body in it’s healthiest state, you won’t be able to be your best for yourself or your loved ones.”

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instructors Kerry Tice and Mariah Farrell at CircuSoul Yoga have found ways to turn up the heat, both figuratively and literally. Farrell and Tice teach a variety of yoga classes beyond the norm, particularly aerial yoga, where students use fabrics and hammocks, and hot yoga, where students embrace new positions and movements in the sweltering heat. Ferrell said the silks and fabric processes work the upper body and engage the core with every posture, not to mention a novelty that distracts people from the physical exertion. “It’s very freeing,” Ferrell said. “It challenges me in a different way than a mat practice does. … The hammock almost distracts you in a way from the physical practice because you’re focused on what you’re doing, and your body takes over.” Tice, who owns CircuSoul, had a career in teaching trapeze and discovered that yoga would help him find mental peace as well as help his body pain and tightness. He said hot yoga brings a greater challenge and concentration for students that more relaxed types of yoga don’t have, not to mention the cardiovascular benefits of learning to breathe better. “It gives you a steadiness of breath,” Tice said. “Even if that’s the only hour you have breathing with your movement, there’s a power to it.”

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Dr. Tanya Schreibman