- Florida Health Care News

TAKE ME HOME!
The Villages Edition
For additional information and to read our blog, visit us at
www.ifoundMYdoctor.com
Winter 2016
The expertise of
this board-certified
cardiovascular surgeon
inspires confidence in
this discerning patient.
T
PRSRT.STD.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Tampa, FL
Permit No.2397
He said, Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle it.
“When the day came to do a procedure on my vein, I asked the woman at
my primary care doctor’s office if she had
any credentials. She said, I’ve been doing
this for twenty-five years.” Those were her
qualifications.”
That wasn’t good enough for Terri.
When she visited her heart specialist,
the doctor convinced Terri to let her do
Terri’s leg procedure. Warily, Terri agreed.
But when she asked the doctor about her
background, it didn’t match what Terri
had been told about her.
Premier Vein Centers
RAVI SHARMA, MD
“She was already doing my leg, so I
wasn’t very happy,” Terri recalls. “I called
Dr. Sharma and explained the situation to
him, and he said, You’d better come in and
let me look at your legs.”
Terri knew she should have gone to
Dr. Sharma in the first place. She thinks
very highly of him. Terri knows he does
exceptional work, and the impressive credentials he has to back it up.
“I think Dr. Sharma is brilliant,
a very smart man,” says Terri, “and he
knows what he’s doing. He has great credentials, and he’s a super nice person. Dr.
Sharma has an excellent bedside manner
and makes you feel very comfortable. He’s
just an all-around wonderful doctor and
a great guy.”
Health Care Patron
Carrier-Route Pre Sort
Detecting vein disease
The vascular system in the human body
consists of a series of blood vessels. Blood
that has been enriched with oxygen flows
from the heart to the rest of the body
though vessels called arteries. Veins are
the mechanisms to return oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart. There
are three types of veins: superficial veins,
lying close to the skin; deep veins, lying in
groups of muscles; and perforating veins,
ARTICLES
Vein Treatment
Say
GoodBye to
leg Veins
he visible veins on Terri
Colonna’s legs were not
pretty, but the Connecticut
native had gotten used to
their appearance over time. She started
to worry, however, when her legs began
to ache, swell and turn colors.
“My legs were bothering me,” she
remembers. “I couldn’t walk very well. I
hadn’t walked the dog in months. I had
discoloration, too, and I was very upset
about that because I never had that in my
life. I never had swollen legs, either.”
Terri had previously been to Ravi
Sharma, MD, a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon with Premier Vein Centers
in The Villages, for treatment of her varicose veins. Dr. Sharma has an intimate
knowledge of, and years of experience
working with, the vascular system. But
when Terri initially visited her family
physician, he guided her in a different
direction.
“My legs swelled up one night, so I
went to the primary care doctor I had at
that time,” describes Terri. “I told him I
would go back to my vein doctor because
he’s excellent and I think the world of
him, but my doctor said, Oh no, you can
stay in this office. We do those things here.”
I said, You don’t do veins. I never heard you
talk about that. What are your credentials?”
Featured
connecting the superficial veins to the
deep veins.
When the leg veins cannot pump
blood back to the heart, the condition is
called venous insufficiency. Chronic venous
insufficiency (CVI) has multiple causes.
Over a long period of sitting or standing,
the blood in leg veins can pool, increasing
the venous blood pressure and weakening the vein walls and valves. Damaged
valves prevent proper blood flow back to
the heart.
Venous insufficiency has many signs
and symptoms. These include bulging varicose veins, swollen legs, aching, stinging,
burning, itching, nighttime leg cramps,
thickening and discoloration of the skin
of the ankles or legs, and restless legs.
These are strong indications that the veins
are not functioning properly.
“Patients with varicosities often
complain of an aching, heavy feeling or
swelling in the legs at the end of the day,
and their symptoms may worsen at night
with leg cramps or phantom sensations,”
observes Dr. Sharma. “When patients
experience symptoms like these, they
need to have their veins assessed. Leaving
the condition untreated can lead to more
serious difficulties, including leg ulcers,
infection and a breakdown of the skin.”
Because varicose veins are not always
visible through the skin, many patients
do not recognize the onset of vein disease.
Venous insufficiency is a significant source
of disability, fatigue and lower extremity
pain. A simple ultrasound will diagnose
and characterize venous insufficiency.
Premier Vein Centers provide a free initial
consultation and accept most insurance,
including Medicare.
What can be done
Surgical vein excision, also called vein
stripping, is a procedure during which
the vein is removed from the leg. It was
the only treatment available for patients
with bulging varicose veins until just a
few years ago. Performed using general
(see Say GoodBye to Leg Veins, page 4)
2
5
11
HealthCare Partners
Family Medicine, LLC
Toxic Breakdown
Valencia NeuroSpina
Center, P.A.
Undiagnosed
Discoveries
Regenerative
Orthopedic Institute
No Need for Knee Pain
Also In This
EDITION
3
6
7
8
8
Lake Advanced
Dentistry
Sit Back and Relax
L. Amarchand, MD, FACP
Bypass Clogged
Arteries Naturally
Citrus Diabetes
Treatment Center
Managing Diabetes
with Weight Loss
Interventional Pain Institute
of West Florida
Pain Free, Drug Free
South Florida
Eye Clinic
Eye Floaters?
9
10
St. Joseph’s
John Knox
New Home,
New Life
Florida Interventional
Specialists
New Relief for
Prostate Enlargement
12
Village Dental
Smiling with
Confidence
Find us online at:
or on
Page 2 | Florida Health Care News | Winter 2016 | The Villages Edition
Toxic Breakdown
Holistic Medicine
Chelation therapy is a safe, proven
way to effectively remove heavy
metal toxins from the bloodstream.
will affect memory and concentration.”
In order to effectively treat patients
with heavy metal toxicity, it must first
be properly diagnosed.
“In the past, doctors did blood tests
and would come back and tell me they
couldn’t figure out the problem,” Marvin
recalls. “But, that is not the proper way
to diagnose heavy metal toxicity. A urine
test or hair sample has to be given. And
that is the first thing Dr. Kraucak said he
was going to do, a urine test. Right away, I
knew I’d put my health in the right hands.
He knew what he was doing.”
NELSON KRAUCAK, MD
AARON PERRY, DOM
Marvin is much more aware of ways to keep himself healthy when
working on cars.
Y
ears of working as a car
mechanic and owning
his own repair shop
took a toll on Marvin
Stone’s health.
Several years ago,
Marvin was diagnosed with heavy
metal toxicity, which directly affects
the arterial system, specifically targeting the weakest parts of the body.
The condition is characterized by toxic
build-up in the bloodstream over time.
Marvin suspects his condition developed because he failed to wear a safety
mask while working in the shop, such
as when he was painting cars or working on brakes.
In his case, the lower extremities were
affected: his feet and toes.
“My feet were blue and I had no circulation in my toes,” Marvin explains.
“It was very painful. Surgeons eventually amputated all five of my toes and
part of my left foot. I went for years
Nelson Kraucak, MD,
FAAFP, ABCMT, IBALM,
ABHM, MOCI, completed his internship in
internal medicine and his
residency in family medicine at Albert Einstein
Bronx-Lebanon Medical
Center in the Bronx, NY.
He is a diplomate of the American Board of
Family Practice, the American Board of AntiAging Medicine, the American Board of Clinical
Metal Toxicology and the American Board of
Holistic Medicine. He is a fellow of the American
Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Kraucak is a
member of the Oxford College of Immunologists,
Florida Medical Association, American Academy
of Environmental Science and the Association of
American Physicians and Surgeons.
Aaron Perr y, DOM,
received both his Bachelor
of Science degree in health
science and his Master’s
degree in oriental medicine from Florida College
of Integrated Medicine. Dr.
Perry served as the former
director of rehabilitation for
Chapman Health Group before joining HealthCare
Partners Family Medicine in 2003.
afterward thinking there was no hope
whatsoever and things would just continue to get worse.”
And that is exactly what happened.
Following a routine blood test, Marvin’s
primary care physician advised him
that his condition had worsened to the
point that both his legs would need to
be amputated.
“Heavy metals affect every
part of the body, so whatever part of your body is
the weakest will be
affected the most.”
“I was beyond devastated,” he
recalls. “I feared it would come to that,
and I had to start preparing myself for
the worst case scenario. But, the idea of
losing a limb is something that is just
so hard to truly accept.”
One day, a customer was talking to
Marvin about his situation and asked if
he had heard of chelation therapy.
“I was beyond intrigued,” he recalls.
“I’d never heard of it before. I did some
research online and was pleasantly surprised at what I found. I wanted to save
my legs. I told my wife, Cindy, that it was
too bad I had not heard of this sooner. I
made an appointment with a doctor in
Arizona who offers treatment.”
Unable to sleep one night, Marvin
decided to research local doctors who
practiced chelation therapy so he would
not have to travel so far from home for
treatment. To his delight, he found
Nelson Kraucak, MD, at HealthCare
Partners Family Medicine in The Villages.
Choosing chelation therapy
“Heavy metals affect every part of
the body, so whatever part of your
body is the weakest will be affected
the most,” Dr. Kraucak explains. “In
Marvin’s case, his lower extremities
were affected, but for others it may be
the heart, which can cause cardiovascular issues, or even the brain, which
Once he properly diagnosed Marvin
with heavy metal toxicity, Dr. Kraucak
recommended a series of intravenous
chelation therapy treatments. So far,
Marvin has undergone at least 30 treatments in six months’ time and has
managed to save both legs.
“The molecules in the IV solution
attach themselves to the exposed toxins
and then those toxins are excreted through
the urine,” Dr. Kraucak explains. “When
those heavy metals are removed, we see
the symptoms improve. For Marvin, his
circulation improved, and the blood flow
increased in the lower extremities. He has
regained health in his legs and feet, and
his future prognosis is good.”
Chelation therapy can also be used in
patients with Alzheimer’s disease, autism,
high cholesterol and arteries clogged with
plaque. It can be an effective and less
expensive alternative to coronary artery
bypass surgery, angioplasty and other conventional medical treatments. In addition,
chelation therapy may be used to reduce
pain from arthritis, lupus, scleroderma
and other chronic inflammatory diseases.
Renewed life
Marvin says he is pleased with the
results he has seen from the chelation
therapy treatments. He credits Dr.
Kraucak and the staff at HealthCare
Partners Family Medicine with saving
his limbs, and his life.
“I told my wife that if I had heard
of this five years ago, I would have never
lost a single toe,” he says.
While he has returned to work in
his automotive shop, Marvin says he
now takes extra precautions where his
health is concerned.
“I’ve learned a lot because of what
I have been through, and I don’t take
chances anymore. I wear masks when I
need to, and I teach others to do so. I
want to be able to walk and live a full life.
“Thanks to Dr. Kraucak, I can do that
now. He is one of the most knowledgeable
doctors I have ever met. I love his holistic
approach to solving a medical problem.
I am thankful I did not have to travel far
from home to get this therapy, and I am
glad I found him. His staff is great and so
is he. He truly saved my life!” FHCN article
by Judy Wade. Photos by Jordan Pysz.
Visit HealthCare Partners Family Medicine online at www.healthcarepartnersfl.com.
Services available at
HealthCare Partners
Family Medicine
include:
• Family medicine
• Concierge medicine
• Chelation and IV
nutrient therapy
• Autoimmune disorder
treatment
• Acupuncture
• Bio-energetic testing
• Massage and lymphatic
drainage therapy
• Magnetic wave therapy
for urinary incontinence
• Stem cell therapy/
regenerative therapies
• Bio-identical hormone/
pellet therapy
• Nutrition
• Weight loss
Additional treatment
options for chronic pain
offered at HealthCare
Partners:
• Prolozone Therapy:
Prolozone is an injection
that targets the soft
tissues of the body, and
supplies the oxidative
stimulus that is needed
to bring them back
into a positive state of
energy production.
• HYALGAN® Injections:
HYALGAN injections are
used to relieve knee pain
due to osteoarthritis.
They are intended for
patients who do not get
adequate relief from
exercise and physical
therapy.
• Neural Therapy:
Neural therapy involves
injections of local
anesthetics, or saline
solution, into scars,
glands and other tissues.
A Natural Approach
HealthCare Partners Family
Medicine treats patients
who are seeking the benefits
of alternative, holistic and
natural healing. To schedule
an appointment, call (352)
750-4333. The office is located
at 1501 N. US Highway 441,
Suite 1700, in Lady Lake.
Implant, Cosmetic
Sit
Back
and
and
General Dentistry
The Villages Edition | Winter 2016 | Florida Health Care News | Page 3
RE L A X
IV sedation and a comforting chairside manner
calm patient’s fears.
F
or years, Jerry Mitchell had a
difficult time when he went to
the dentist. A gag reflex would
cause him anguish and embarrassment. Several dentists, he says, told
him they could “no longer provide him
adequate care” and sent him on his way.
“I would immediately start gagging
and felt like I was going to be sick in the
chair,” he recalls. “I think I scared every
dentist I went to. They didn’t want to deal
with it, so they politely told me, in so
many words, to find another dentist.” But,
Jerry had a difficult time finding a dental
provider who could get past the issue.
LAKE
ADVANCED
DENTISTRY
Eventually, his own apprehensions
kept him from seeking the help he needed
to better secure his denture, with which
he was having issues.
“I’ve worn dentures for years, and I
would gag a lot when I was putting them
in,” Jerry recalls. “They were loose and it
was a mess, really. I just got to a point
where I had to do something, but I still
had that fear in me, which is why I kept
putting it off.”
One day, Jerry decided to research
dentists in his area who provide sedation
so he could relax during procedures. He
discovered Lake Advanced Dentistry in
Lady Lake where he was seen by Shridhar
Reddy Sagili, DDS.
Intravenous sedation
Lake Advanced Dentistry offers conscious
intravenous sedation (IV sedation), which
places the patient in a state referred to
as twilight sleep. Conscious IV sedation
can help patients who have traumatic
Lake Advanced
Dentistry
specializes in
all aspects of
dentistry, including
but not limited to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Dental implants
Extraction of teeth
Crowns
Deep cleaning
Bleaching
Root canals
Dentures
Partials
Bridges
Cosmetic dentistry
IV sedation
memories of dentistry, who have a low
tolerance for pain or who require extensive dental work.
Unlike general anesthesia or deep
sedation, during conscious IV sedation
patients are conscious, they can cooperate with instructions and there is no
airway tube involved. Most of the time,
they do not remember anything, even
though they are awake.
Most importantly for Jerry, under
IV sedation the gag reflex is enormously diminished.
“I just wanted the tension and the
fear to disappear,” he admits. “Once
I discovered that Dr. Sagili off ers IV
sedation, I was so relieved. Not many
dentists provide it.”
“Conscious IV sedation is a very safe
and comfortable way to undergo minor
treatment,” observes Dr. Sagili, “especially
for patients who typically experience high
levels of anxiety when faced with the prospect of someone working in their mouth.”
Conscious IV sedation is safe, predictable and affordable.
“I am happy to be able to provide this
to patients like Jerry,” says Dr. Sagili. “Our
office is one of very few that offer this safe,
reliable service with the IV sedation. It
makes us unique that we can provide this
to patients. And we made sure that it was
affordable for Jerry, just as we would do
with any of our patients. Affordability is
important to us and to the patient.”
Sinus lift
Dr. Sagili conducted a thorough examination of Jerry’s mouth and suggested
implant-supported dentures. But before
he could start on the implant process,
sinus lift surgery was necessary to create
additional space in the mouth.
“I looked at the CT scan and his sinus
membrane was pretty low, so there was
not enough bone support in that area,”
Dr. Sagili explains. “I performed the sinus
lift procedure on him using IV sedation.
That procedure resulted in additional
space in which to secure the implants.”
Dr. Sagili is one of few dentists in
the Lady Lake area who perform sinus
lift surgery.
“A sinus lift adds bone to your upper
jaw in the area of your molars and premolars,” he explains. “It’s sometimes called
a sinus augmentation. The bone is added
between the jaw and the maxillary sinuses,
which are on either side of your nose. To
make room for the bone, the sinus membrane has to be moved upward.”
Several months after the sinus lift was
Smile for Life
Lake Advanced Dentistry welcomes
the opportunity to help you improve
your smile. They invite readers of
Florida Health Care News to visit them
in Lady Lake at 109 N. US Highway
27/441. To schedule an appointment,
call (352) 205-8355.
Jerry can
smile with
confidence
once again.
completed, Dr. Sagili was ready to move
forward with Jerry’s treatment plan.
“We had to give the area time to
heal properly before we could place the
implants,” he explains. “This recovery
period allows time for the grafted material
to mesh with your bone.”
A firm fit
“Once he was healed, Jerry was the
ideal patient for implants to be placed
to support the dentures,” Dr. Sagili says.
“With his gag reflex, just trying to get
the removable dentures in every day was
not working for him.”
Dr. Sagili says there are many reasons
the permanent denture placement is beneficial for Jerry.
“One advantage is aesthetics,” he
describes. “The final product, the restoration, sits directly on the gumline and
is crafted to match the patient’s facial
structure. Also, the shading is done to
be virtually identical to the natural teeth
adjacent to the implants.
“They also provide stability because
the implants are permanently fixed to
your jawbone,” Dr. Sagili continues.
“They never come out and they never slip
out of place; therefore, you don’t have
to worry about embarrassing moments
when you’re talking or eating. And you
don’t have to restrict your diet like you
do with traditional dentures.”
There are oral health benefits as well.
Dental implants are the only type of restoration that can prevent jawbone atrophy,
which is the loss of jawbone that occurs
in the absence of teeth. Because of their
position and function, implants preserve
the bone in the jaw and prevent further
deterioration.
Implants are also lasting and durable.
With proper care and quarterly dental
hygiene visits, implants can last a lifetime,
unlike other technologies that might need
to be replaced every ten to 15 years.
Permanent smiles
Fortunately, dental implants offer a much
better option for patients than the gradual
decline of jawline and bone loss caused by
ill-fitting dentures.
“Implants don’t slip, don’t slide and
don’t move because they are anchored in
the bone,” says Dr. Sagili. “They are fused
to the jawbone. Because there is no movement, you’re able to function long term a
lot more efficiently and effectively.”
Dr. Sagili says patient satisfaction is
their top priority.
Before meeting Dr. Sagili, Jerry was
advised by other dentists that he would
incur extensive treatment cost for his
implants and implant over dentures.
However, Dr. Sagili performed
bilateral sinus grafts, six implants in the
maxilla and four implants in the mandible
with maxillary implant over denture all at
an affordable cost.
“When you visit our office, your
overall health is our primary concern,
and we believe it starts with your
smile,” he says. “We strive to provide
quality care at an affordable price and
to deliver the same care to you as we
would give to ourselves.”
Jerry is pleased with the choice that
was off ered to him at Lake Advanced
Dentistry, and says his dental fears are
a thing of the past.
“Not only am I pleased with the look
and feel of the dentures, I’m happy that
I no longer have to be afraid to have any
dental work done,” he says. “I don’t have
to worry about gagging or having a hard
time. Now, I am relaxed and everything
goes very smoothly.
“I am so glad I found Dr. Sagili.
The staff there is really great, and they
make you feel at home and comfortable.
I feel very fortunate that I found Lake
Advanced Dentistry!” FHCN article by Judy
Wade. Photos by Jordan Pysz. Graphic from istockphoto.com.
Shridhar Reddy Sagili, DDS, earned his dental degree
in India in 1995. He is board certified. Dr. Sagili completed
his residency in oral surgery at Moscow Stomatological
Institute in 1999. He later served an internship in the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery at Louisiana State
University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. He graduated from the New York University Dental School in 2010.
He is a member of the American Dental Association, Florida
Dental Association, Central Florida Dental Association and
the Lake County Dental Association.
To learn more about Lake Advanced Dentistry, visit www.lakeadvanceddentistry.com.
Page 4 | Florida Health Care News | Winter 2016 | The Villages Edition
Say GoodBye
to leg Veins
(continued from page 1)
Vein Treatment
Without the
aching and
swelling in
her legs, Terri
can walk
Oliver with no
problem.
215 Bullard Parkway
Temple Terrace, FL 33617
(813) 989-1330
Winter 2016
Barry P. Levine
Executive Publisher
Gina L. d’Angelo
or local anesthetic, it involves making one or more incisions, usually in
the groin or leg, through which the vein is pulled out from the body.
A full range of minimally invasive, more advanced treatment
options for addressing varicose and spider veins are available today at
Premier Vein Centers. These advanced treatments are performed in a
comfortable office setting with little to no downtime or discomfort,
resulting in a quick recovery and long-term results.
One procedure, called endovenous laser ablation (EVLA),
introduces a sterile laser fiber into the incompetent vein via a
small puncture in the leg. Laser energy is delivered through this
fi ber, painlessly closing the vein in less than 30 minutes and
requiring only local anesthesia.
A microphlebectomy is the most effective treatment to achieve the
best outcome in some cases. Again, this is minimally invasive, and it
is performed in the office setting.
Spider veins, which are tiny, dilated blood vessels in the skin that
become swollen with stagnant blood, can be treated with sclerosing
injections to gently close the problem vessels. Also known as telangiectasias, they are smaller than varicose veins and are closer to the
surface of the skin. Dr. Sharma uses ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy, or
UGS, to image the vein and guide his injections. By using ultrasound,
the physician can see all elements of the incompetent vein and treat
even its very small branches.
CFO/HR Manager
Judy Wade
Editorial Manager
Michelle Brooks
Creative Director
Brian Levine
Project Coordinator
Patti DiPanfilo
Susan Hemmingway
Editorial Staff
Laura Engel
Production Assistant
Nerissa Johnson
Graphic Designer
Nerissa Johnson
Jordan Pysz
Photography
Steve Turk
Vincent Ortiz
Dennis Mazanec
Jeff Hamilton
Distribution
Contributing Editors
Wonderful result
Dr. Sharma treated Terri’s venous insufficiency with EVLA and UGS
and is continuing to treat her minor veins using UGS.
“The procedures were pretty easy,” notes Terri. “I would do
this over major surgery anytime. Plus, Dr. Sharma knows what
he’s doing, and things turn out pretty well when the doctor knows
what he’s doing.”
Things did turn out well for Terri. She’s thrilled with the results
she’s achieved thus far. Her symptoms are gone and she’s back to
activity as usual.
“It’s really working out wonderfully for me,” she reports. “I’ve
gotten rid of a lot of pain in my legs, and they don’t feel as heavy.
I don’t have any swelling now. I’m walking the dog again, and it
feels good to walk.”
The atmosphere at Premier Vein Centers also helped take the
sting away from her vein procedures. She says the staff was efficient
and worked well with each other and the patients. It made visiting
there very welcoming and comfortable.
As for Dr. Sharma, she has one wish.
“I hope he doesn’t go anywhere,” she reflects. “I hope he stays
in this county. We’d be lost without him.”
Dr. Sharma responds, “When patients are compliant with the
after-procedure instructions, as Terri was, they achieve excellent
results.” He goes on to assure, “I’m here to stay. I came to this
country when I was an infant and can’t imagine living anywhere
else. I love my work, my patients and my team. I am a very
blessed doctor.” FHCN article by Patti DiPanfilo. Photos by Jordan Pysz.
VARICOSE VEINS
Risk factors
Complications
Prevention of
These factors increase your risk
of developing varicose veins:
Ulcers. Extremely painful ulcers
may form on the skin near
varicose veins, particularly near
the ankles. Ulcers are caused by
long-term fluid buildup in these
tissues, caused by the increased
pressure of blood within
affected veins. A discolored spot
on the skin usually begins before
an ulcer forms. See your doctor
immediately if you suspect
you’ve developed an ulcer.
Blood clots. At times, veins
deep within the legs become
e n l a rg e d. I n s u c h c a s e s,
the affected leg may swell
considerably. Any sudden
leg swelling warrants urgent
medical attention because it
may indicate a blood clot – a
condition known medically as
thrombophlebitis.
While there’s no way to
completely prevent varicose
veins, improving your circulation
and muscle tone can reduce your
risk of developing them. The
same steps can be taken to treat
the discomfort from varicose
veins. Improve your circulation
and muscle tone by:
Age. The risk of varicose veins
increases with age. Aging causes
wear and tear on the valves in
your veins that help regulate
blood flow. Eventually, that wear
causes the valves to allow some
blood to flow back into your
veins, where it collects instead
of flowing up to your heart.
Sex. Women are more likely
to develop the condition.
Hormonal changes during
pregnancy, premenstruation
or menopause may be a factor.
Female hormones tend to relax
vein walls. Taking hormone
replacement therapy or birth
control pills may increase your
risk of varicose veins.
Family history. If other family
members had varicose veins,
there’s a greater chance you will,
too.
Obesity. Being overweight puts
added pressure on your veins.
Standing or sitting for long
periods of time. Your blood
doesn’t flow as well if you’re
in the same position for long
periods.
Florida Health
Care News
• Watching your weight
• Eating a high-fiber,
low-salt diet
• Avoiding high heels and
tight hosiery
Vein Treatment
HealthCare Partners
Family Medicine, LLC
Holistic Medicine
Lake Advanced Dentistry
Implant, Cosmetic and
General Dentistry
Valencia NeuroSpina Center, P.A.
Neck and Back Pain
L. Amarchand, MD, FACP
Cardiology
Citrus Diabetes
Treatment Center
Diabetes Treatment/Weight Loss
For premier
vein treatment
Interventional Pain Management
Dr. Sharma, a board-certified
South Florida Eye Clinic
cardiovascular surgeon,
invites you to have your
leg veins evaluated, initial
evaluation is complimentary,
at Premier Vein Centers,
located at Spruce Creek
Medical Center, 17820 SE
109th Ave., Suite 109, in
Summerfield (The Villages),
phone (352) 693-2052, and
7767 S. Suncoast Blvd. in
• Elevating your legs
Homosassa, phone (352)
• Changing your sitting or
standing position regularly
621-0777, or visit www.
• Exercising
Premier Vein Centers
premierveincenters.com.
Ravi Sharma, MD,
is board certified by
the American Board
of Surgery and
American Board of
Thoracic Surgery. He
completed his undergraduate studies at
the University of Maryland at College
Park and attended the University of
Maryland Graduate School, Baltimore,
before receiving his medical degree
from Eastern Virginia School of
Medicine, Norfolk. Dr. Sharma
completed his internship and residency in general surgery at Eastern
Virginia Graduate School of Medicine
Department of Surgery, Norfolk,
and completed a residency in thoracic surgery at George Washington
University, Washington, DC.
Interventional Pain Institute
of West Florida
Ophthalmology
St. Joseph’s John Knox
Continuing Care Retirement
Community, AL 4110
Florida Interventional
Specialists
Interventional Radiology
Regenerative
Orthopedic Institute
Stem Cell Therapy/
Pain Management
Village Dental
Comprehensive Dentistry
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FOR ALL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS HAVING
ARTICLES IN THIS PUBLICATION:
THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON
RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO
REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT OR BE
REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER
SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT WHICH IS
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SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT.
Neck
and
The Villages Edition | Winter 2016 | Florida Health Care News | Page 5
Back Pain
Dedicated neurologist uses hands-on
evaluation to treat patients.
T
en years ago, Judy Jacobson
relocated from the Chicago
area to The Villages. In
Illinois, she ran a family business, worked as a phlebotomist and then
part-time for a retirement community
after she retired. Here in
CHRISTOPHER L. VALENCIA, MD
Valencia NeuroSpina Center welcomes the
opportunity to provide you with competent
and compassionate neurologic care and back
pain relief through the NeuroSpinaCARES
protocol, including IDD Therapy:
Oakland Hills Professional Center,
Bldg. 300, Ste. 302,
13940 US Hwy. 441,
Lady Lake
(352) 391-9057 and
2726 Winguard Circle, Ste. 101,
Wesley Chapel
(813) 973-8167
Florida,
she enjoys herself
most as a member of the
local Aloha E. Kohala dance group.
Active is the way Judy likes it, but
that way wasn’t without drawbacks. For
her, activity often came with pain that
could, at times, stop her in her tracks.
“I can’t describe the pain in my
neck,” says Judy. “There was a stiffness with the pain, and I would have
to massage it with a big massager,
especially if I was tense. It was an
everyday occurrence, and riding in
the car got to be very painful.”
Judy lived with the pain for
years, but eventually it worsened
to the point that she decided to
seek medical help. Fortunately,
she knew exactly where to
turn. She turned to neurologist Christopher L. Valencia,
MD, of the Valencia
NeuroSpina Center.
“ We were introduced to Dr. Valencia
in The Villages Regional
Hospital when my husband
had a stroke, and we were very
impressed with him,” shares Judy. “I was
having some back pain with the neck pain,
and headaches, so I decided to call him and
make an appointment.”
Several months before her appointment, Judy found herself in a bed at The
Villages Regional Hospital. This time,
she feared she had had a stroke. However,
doctors at the hospital could find nothing
wrong. They determined her blood pressure was elevated, kept her overnight for
observation and released her untreated.
“I was given no prescriptions, no
medications at all, so I assumed my blood
pressure was the cause,” notes Judy. “I had
just gotten a little upset and overreacted.
But when I went in to see Dr. Valencia
and he heard about my episode in the
hospital, he decided to do an MRI on
my neck and head.
“He discovered that I had two compacted discs in my neck that were causing
the pain I’d been suffering.”
Looking closer
Christopher L. Valencia, MD, is a Diplomate of
the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
and the American Board of Internal Medicine.
He completed his residency in neurology at
the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee,
and his residency in internal medicine at Mercy
Hospital, Buffalo, NY, where he also received an
Excellence in Research award. He was chosen
as Teacher of the Year at the State University
of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine. Dr.
Valencia is a member of the American Academy
of Neurology and Lake Sumter Medical Society.
At Valencia NeuroSpina Center, every
patient receives a comprehensive evaluation as part of his or her diagnostic
work-up. The evaluation includes a general physical exam and all aspects of a
neurologic examination.
During the exam, the neurologist
looks at all factors that can contribute to
the patient’s pain, enabling the doctor to
pinpoint the real cause or causes of the
problem. In that way, all factors, as well as
any associated conditions, can be appropriately treated.
“Judy came to me with an initial complaint of headaches and neck
pain,” observes Dr. Valencia. “I also
found that she had had a subclinical,
or ‘silent,’ stroke.”
Dr. Valencia successfully treats
patients with neck and back pain using
noninvasive intervertebral differential
dynamics, or IDD Therapy, a unique and
research-backed form of spinal decompression. He suggested this therapy for Judy.
“I prescribed antihypertensive medications for high blood pressure and treated
her neck pain with the IDD Therapy.”
The neurologist stresses the importance
of treating the patient, not the diagnostic
tests. He notes that a proper examination
still requires touching the patient.
“It’s very disappointing when I hear
patients tell me other physicians never
touched the area they were complaining
about,” he offers. “I recently saw a patient
who complained of headaches. The first
doctor didn’t even touch her head; he
just ordered a CT scan. It turned out the
problem was all tension, something a CT
scan won’t show.
“Here, we’re still hands on. We treat
patients, not tests, and we save patients
time and money by not ordering unnecessary tests. We let the evaluation direct the
testing, which is the way it’s supposed to be.”
Quick relief
With the medication Dr. Valencia prescribed, Judy’s blood pressure is now
under control. Her neck pain, back pain
and headaches have been relieved as well.
“Two weeks after my last IDD treatment, we took a road trip,” recalls Judy.
“We drove to Minnesota and back, and
I didn’t have any pain. I rode in the car
day after day with absolutely no back or
neck pain whatsoever.
“I can now turn my head,” she
adds. “I can turn and look all the way
beyond my back. Driving the car, I
can turn my head so I can see behind
me, when before I had to rely on the
back-up camera in my car.”
Judy is grateful to Dr. Valencia. He
made her feel comfortable and reassured
throughout her treatment. She raves
about his skill and the exceptional experience she had in his care.
“He gives you the sense that he knows
exactly what he’s talking about, and he
has proven himself right on every occasion
that we have dealt with him,” states Judy.
“He tells you exactly what he thinks it is.
He then tests to prove what he told you,
and we were just very impressed with his
knowledge.
“I would trust Dr. Valencia with anything. I think he is just superb.” FHCN staff
article. Photos by Jordan Pysz. Photo from istockphoto.com.
A Quick
Look at IDD
Therapy
Dr. Valencia considers IDD Therapy to
be the best and most advanced spinal
decompression machine available.
“Most other machines are just glorified
traction machines, which did not even
perform their own efficacy or safety
studies,” he explains. “IDD Therapy
using the Spina System is the only
spinal decompression technology that
has research-proven efficacy and been
published in a major textbook on pain
management.”
IDD Therapy with the Spina System
works to distract or decompress the
spine and allow healing nutrients
to diffuse into degenerated or
herniated discs. The gentle mechanical
manipulation of the spine increases
intradiscal space and reduces and
eliminates disc herniations. Facet joints
are also unlocked, and nerve roots and
the spinal cord are decompressed.
IDD Therapy is commonly used for
degenerated, herniated or bulging
discs; radiculopathy; sciatica and failed
surgery syndrome. Dr. Valencia uses the
noninvasive treatment to help patients
deal with acute and chronic back pain
and to avoid the risks, complications
and uncertainty of back surgery and
periodic injections.
“I have been doing IDD Therapy since
2002,” relates Dr. Valencia, “and we
have treated thousands of patients
successfully since.”
“COMPASSION THROUGH
HONEST, PROFESSIONAL
COMPETENCE”
A Comprehensive NEUROLOGY
Practice Specializing in the Diagnosis
and Management of MEMORY,
Cognitive and Behavior Changes/Motor,
MOVEMENT and Gait Problems/SENSORY
Disturbance/PAIN Syndromes
“You will never be evaluated
and examined the way we do:
Comprehensive, Thorough, Professional
and Personal.”
Being also an internist, Dr. Valencia is
particularly concerned about the impact
of the patient’s neurological condition on
his or her primary care and vice versa.
NO DRUG
NO
NO
SIDE
SURGERY INJECTIONS EFFECTS
TAMPA’S FIRST
AND ORIGINAL
IDD THERAPY
CENTER
86%
SUCCESS
Thousands of patient-successes since 2002.
Dr. Valencia has been a consultant at
two of the major manufacturers of spine
decompression machines. Physicians
across Florida and the nation have visited
his clinics to learn about IDD Therapy, and
proceeded to open their own centers.
Page 6 | Florida Health Care News | Winter 2016 | The Villages Edition
Cardiology
s
s
a
p
y
B
CLOGGED

Arteries Naturally
For those who aren’t
candidates for heart
surgery, noninvasive
EECP provides natural
bypass benefits.
L. AMARCHAND, MD, FACP
L. AMARCHAND, MD, FACP
DR. TONG GUO
O
ne pleasant evening in
April, while walking
with his wife, Harold
Orloff felt a sudden
squeezing pressure and
pain in his chest. He put a hand to his
chest and clenched. Quickly, the couple
returned home, and immediately, Harold
contacted his cardiologist.
“I had a heart attack twenty-one years
ago,” shares Harold. “I was fine until this.
I’ve never had any problems. I went to see
my cardiologist and he examined me. He
said it was severe angina.
“I have a few clogged arteries. My cardiologist said I have CAD, coronary artery
disease. He said I’m not a candidate for
surgery because my clogs are inoperable
where they are.”
As Harold’s condition worsened, his
activities became even more restricted.
Symptoms of Coronary
Artery Disease (CAD)
Angina, or chest pain, is the
most common symptom of
CAD. Angina pain might feel like
heaviness, pressure, burning or
squeezing in the chest. Other
symptoms of CAD include:
Shortness of breath
Irregular heartbeat
(such as a faster beat or skipped beats)
Dizziness
Weakness
Sweating
Nausea
HEART
HEALTHY

EECP may be the
nonsurgical alternative
for you! Dr. Amarchand’s
office is located at
750 Desoto Ave.
in Brooksville. For
more information
or to schedule an
appointment, please call
(352) 796-6721.
“I got to the point when the pressure was so bad that I couldn’t even walk
around the block anymore,” he notes.
Harold’s heart doctor considered
treatment options. Surgery was not a
possibility. Drug therapy was limited
because Harold did not tolerate medications well. The physician knew of
another excellent option. He suggested
Harold make an appointment with
L. Amarchand, MD, of Brooksville, a
board-certified cardiologist and internist.
Dr. Amarchand specializes in using
noninvasive enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) to treat patients with
heart disorders such as congestive heart
failure, blocked coronary arteries and
angina pain. With EECP, the physician
has an impressive record of success in
maintaining his cardiac patients’ health
and independence.
“My cardiologist mentioned this
because he had sent some of his other
patients to Dr. Amarchand, and their
treatment was very successful,” says
Harold. “My doctor explained the whole
thing to me and I agreed to consider
it. He gave me a prescription for it, we
researched it thoroughly and then went
to see Dr. Amarchand.”
Dr. Amarchand further explained the
benefits of the therapy and answered all of
Harold’s questions. Having explored the
treatment beforehand, Harold was well
prepared for his visit to the physician.
Dr. Amarchand also introduced Harold
to Dr. Tong Guo, who assists him with
providing the EECP therapy.
“I had gone online and seen a good
video on EECP, which really helped,”
states Harold. “And the day we went to see
the doctor, there was a person in the back
getting the treatment done. We spoke to
him and he described it. I decided to go
ahead and do it.”
A natural bypass
More than 12 million Americans have
found relief from debilitating angina
pain and had their energy restored,
among other benefits, through EECP.
An advantage of EECP is that it is safe
and noninvasive. It works like a natural
bypass procedure.
Symptoms such as feelings of weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath and
a tightening or pressure in the chest
can all be caused by a lack of oxygenated blood flowing through the heart.
As these symptoms worsen, it is not
unusual for patients to restrict their
activities to reduce their discomfort,
and quality of life quickly diminishes.
EECP can reverse these symptoms.
With EECP therapy, compression
cuffs are wrapped around a patient’s
calves, thighs and buttocks to apply pressure in rhythms carefully timed to the
patient’s heartbeat.
“The pressure propels more blood
upward and into the coronary arteries,
enlarging the arteries and improving
collateral circulation,” Dr. Amarchand
explains. “It helps the patient’s own circulatory system bypass coronary artery
blockages and opens up the underused
collateral blood vessels. It provides a
treatment option for patients who want
to try a noninvasive intervention before
resorting to open heart surgery. EECP
is for those who have not achieved
relief with prior surgical procedures like
bypass and angioplasty, and for patients
who are not candidates for surgery.
“Studies indicate that eightyfive percent of patients completing
EECP treatments obtain substantial
and sometimes dramatic relief of their
heart-related symptoms,” the physician
continues. “The same percentage realizes increased exercise tolerance, mental
alertness and reduced need for nitroglycerin to relieve angina pain.”
EECP is FDA-approved and
Medicare-reimbursed. It is typically
accomplished in a series of 35 sessions over
the course of seven weeks. During each
hour-long treatment, the patient reclines,
fully clothed, on a cushioned table while
listening to music or watching a movie.
“The beneficial effects of EECP can
last three to five years, and because it is
noninvasive, it can be repeated as often
as needed,” emphasizes Dr. Amarchand.
Return to activity
Since Harold’s heart attack 21 years
ago, he has had his condition under
control with medication. That changed
on that casual spring walk in April with
his wife. Suddenly, he was facing gripping chest pain. That changed with his
EECP therapy.
Harold, a retired operational manager
for a Clearwater car dealership, noticed
improvement right away after beginning the treatment. Although that is not
unusual, it is critical for patients to complete the entire course of therapy.
“Th e treatment was seven weeks,
fi ve days a week, one hour a day,” he
describes, “but by the second week, I
was feeling better.
“Now, I’m feeling fine. I’m back at
the gym. In fact, I ride the bike and everything. My wife and I used to walk maybe
three miles, not every day, but we’d try
and do it a couple of times a week. We’re
pretty much back to that.”
EECP is safe and noninvasive, and
the doctors and staff at Dr. Amarchand’s
office make the process even easier on
the patients. Harold recognizes the caring manner of everyone associated with
the practice.
“Dr. Amarchand is a very nice person,
and the staff is very kind,” he points out.
“Melissa and Stacey are both wonderful.
Dr. Guo is also very nice. He makes sure
you’re always comfortable.”
Harold learned a lot about EECP
therapy through his research before
meeting with Dr. Amarchand, but actually going through the treatment taught
him the biggest lessons. Some of what
he learned he wishes to share with others who find themselves facing the same
issues as he did.
“It’s not painful,” he assures. “It just
takes time and you have to be patient. It’s
a great alternative to surgery.”
Best of all, it’s effective, as Harold
testifies.
“This therapy really helps,” he says. “I
feel a lot better.” FHCN article by Patti DiPanfilo.
Photos by Amanda Smith.
L. Amarchand, MD, FACP, is
board certified by the American
Board of Internal Medicine. He
completed a residency in internal medicine and a two-year
fellowship in cardiology and
cardiac nuclear imaging at St.
Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ. His
third year of fellowship training included a
clinical and research fellowship in cardiology
and a cardiac nuclear imaging fellowship at
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA,
as well as a research fellowship in medicine at
Harvard Medical School. Dr. Amarchand is former chief of staff (2001-2005) at Brooksville and
Spring Hill Regional Hospitals. He has served
as a medical expert for the Florida Agency for
Health Care Administration. He is a Fellow of
the American College of Physicians and a member of the American College of Cardiology and
the American Medical Association.
Dr. Tong Guo, a pioneer in
obtaining FDA approval of
EECP for use in the United
States, assists Dr. Amarchand
in overseeing EECP, ensuring
the delivery of optimal treatment with excellent outcomes for patients.
Dr. Guo worked as a research fellow in the
cardiology division at Stony Brook Medical
Center School of Medicine, NY, helping to set
up the first EECP treatment centers.
The Villages Edition | Winter 2016 | Florida Health Care News | Page 7
Diabetes Treatment/Weight Loss
Managing Diabetes with Weight Loss
George has lost
30 pounds and
continues to lose
weight, thanks to
Dr. Tawfik.
Diabetic patients can learn how to lose weight
successfully while maintaining healthy glucose levels.
G
eorge Kobayashi readily
admits that weighing 262
pounds impeded his daily
lifestyle.
“I was a healthy one hundred eighty
pounds in high school, but as I aged, the
scale never read that low again,” George
says. “When my weight climbed to well
over two hundred pounds, I became more
and more concerned. And over the years,
the weight increased to the point where
I could no longer bend over to even tie
my shoes. I knew I was unhealthy. I was
eating all the wrong things. Lots of junk
and too many carbohydrates and fats.”
Then, other symptoms started to kick
in. George’s vision was blurry and he was
thirsty all the time.
“I kind of feared I was a diabetic, but
wasn’t sure,” he recalls. “The excessive
thirst kind of gave it away for me.”
Blood tests confirmed George’s fears
and, at age 45, he was indeed diagnosed
with Type 2 diabetes.
Today, at 76, he takes daily insulin injections to control his blood sugar
levels. To lose the excess weight, George
was referred to Eihab H. Tawfik, MD,
a board-certified internist at Citrus
Diabetes Treatment Center.
“With Dr. Tawfik’s guidance, I started
a nutrition and weight loss plan, and I have
lost about thirty pounds so far,” he says.
“My goal is to get to two hundred pounds
and then we will see what comes after that.
One pound at a time is my motto.”
Controlling diabetes
Citrus Diabetes Treatment Center offers
individualized programs designed to help
patients lose weight, manage medications
and develop healthier lives.
Additional Services Offered
at Citrus Diabetes
Treatment Center
• Hypertension & Cholesterol
Management
• Heart Attack/Stroke/Cancer
Prevention & Screening
• Physical Exams and Routine
Care for Men and Women
• Sick Visits & Much More
Diabetes Care for
Type I & Type II
• Insulin Pump Management
• Continuous Glucose
Monitoring (CGM)
• Treatment & Screening for
Diabetes
• Vascular Complications &
Nerve Damage
• Hypertension & Cholesterol
Treatment
• Effective Medical Weight Loss
Program
• Wound Care & Much More
“Approximately fifty percent of our
weight loss patients have diabetes or are
borderline,” states Dr. Tawfik. “It’s a real
danger to be obese if you are already diabetic, or if not, there’s the risk of developing
the disease because of the extra weight.”
CITRUS PHYSICIANS WEIGHT LOSS
EIHAB H. TAWFIK, MD, PA
Age, family history, low activity level,
poor diet and excess body weight, especially around the waist, all increase the
risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Unlike Type 1, with Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas makes insulin, but the
body either doesn’t produce enough of it
or doesn’t use the insulin it does produce
properly. As a result, a high glucose level
builds up in the blood, which can lead to
serious complications with the heart, eyes,
kidneys, nerves, gums and teeth.
The benefits of weight loss alone are
significant and are not limited strictly
to insulin control. Some of those benefits can include increased energy level,
reduced blood pressure, reduced aches
and pains, improved breathing, better
sleep and increased mobility.
“During our first consultation, we meet
with our patients and review their medical
and dietary histories. We perform an EKG,
take their weight and body fat measurements; prescribe applicable medications,
supplements and injections; and design an
exercise and diet program tailored to meet
their individual needs and goals.”
Vitamin injections and appetite suppressants are other factors.
“Weight loss for patients with diabetes can make all the difference,” Dr.
Tawfik confirms. “And in many cases,
diabetic patients can often be freed for
life from insulin injections or other diabetic medications if the weight loss is
significant enough.”
Statistically, obesity is defined as an
excess proportion of total body fat. A
person is considered obese when his or
her body mass index (BMI) is equal to or
greater than 30. Too much body fat can
lead to a host of distressing health issues.
Additional health conditions that can
arise from being overweight can include
heart disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, gallbladder disease, asthma and sleep apnea.
Weight loss miracle
Dr. Tawfi k notes that his program is
based on a combination of appetite suppressant medications, vitamin injections
and a diet program specifically tailored
to each individual, so patients notice
Eihab H. Tawfik, MD, is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Beginning his undergraduate work at St. Peter’s College, Jersey City, NJ, he earned his
BA in Biology from Rutgers University, Newark, NJ. Dr. Tawfik was awarded his medical
degree from Ross University, School of Medicine in Roseau, Dominica and served his
residency at Drexel University Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
dramatic weight loss results quickly.
“Patients typically lose up to ten
pounds in the first week,” Dr. Tawfik says,
“with an average weight loss in four weeks
ranging between twenty and thirty pounds.
“Our program not only changes our
patients’ eating habits, but it also supports
the development of a longer, healthier
life,” he adds.
According to Dr. Tawfik, the program is a combination of healthy diet,
exercise and the proper dose of appetite
suppressants to help control a patient’s
metabolism. The eating program begins
with five days of very lean protein followed by five days of higher-calorie
protein – lean as opposed to very lean –
giving patients more menu options from
which to choose.
At Citrus Diabetes Treatment Center,
non-diabetic weight loss patients see Dr.
Tawfik’s registered nurse on a weekly basis.
She gives them vitamin injections, takes
their vital signs and manages their weight
loss. The doctor sees his non-diabetic
weight loss patients once every four weeks.
For diabetic patients, like George, Dr.
Tawfik says treatment typically necessitates a visit to the office every week. “As
patients lose weight, their insulin requirements decrease, so it becomes critical to
make the proper adjustments.”
Additionally, the doctor shares, unlike
most of the traditional diabetes medications that often make patients gain weight
in the long run, he is particularly pleased
with the results of a new medication to
treat the condition.
The medication, named Victoza®, is an
injectable drug that helps to regulate blood
glucose. According to Dr. Tawfik, the drug
obtained FDA approval in early 2010. It
is a member of a class of drugs known as
incretins, which are gastrointestinal hormones that increase insulin secretion.
“One of the main jobs of incretins,
once they are secreted by the small intestine in response to food, is to increase
insulin production from the pancreas and
slow the absorption of glucose from the
gut,” he explains.
The end result is better glucose control, in addition to losing weight.
“Weight loss for diabetic patients can
make all the difference,” Dr. Tawfik says.
“Many of our patients can eventually be
freed for life from insulin injections or
other diabetic medications.”
Feeling good again
Dr. Tawfik treats his patients based on his
personal experience with excess weight.
“During medical school and my residency, it was very difficult to lose weight
myself,” recalls Dr. Tawfik. “I was overweight at that point in my life. Once I
started practicing, I realized the importance of controlling what I was eating and
how much of it I ate. A patient should not
come to a weight loss center only to see
a doctor who is overweight himself. So, I
did something about it. I want to be an
example to the patients I serve.”
George says he is back to enjoying
everyday tasks and can tie his own shoes
once again.
“I can bend down and tie my shoes,
and I just feel so much healthier now,”
he adds. “Dr. Tawfik is great, and I am
so very thankful to him and his staff for
helping me lose as much weight as I have
lost. It’s very rewarding.” FHCN article by Judy
Wade. Photos by Nerissa Johnson.
HEALTHY RESULTS
Good health care can be a phone
call away, and the staff of Citrus
Diabetes Treatment Center
warmly invites readers to call for
more information or to schedule
an appointment. Please call (352)
564-0444 for the office at 7562
West Gulf to Lake Highway in
Crystal River or (352) 688-9558
for the Spring Hill location. Citrus
Diabetes Treatment Center is now
located along with Christ Medical
Primary Care and Christ Podiatry
Care at 3027 Landover Blvd.
Page 8 | Florida Health Care News | Winter 2016 | The Villages Edition
Interventional Pain Management
PAIN FREE, DRUG FREE
minimally invasive, in-office procedure is
an extremely effective treatment for back
pain, and a very real solution for helping
patients eliminate chronic narcotic use.
C
“All I could ever ask for”
After years taking narcotics, this patient finds low back
pain relief through nerve ablation.
Carlos loves the
opportunity to be
active once again.
Mark N. Hashim, MD, is Board
Certified by the American Board
of Anesthesiology. He completed
his undergraduate degree at
Swarthmore College, PA, and
earned his Doctor of Medicine
degree, cum laude, from the
University of Pittsburgh, PA, where he was a
member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical
student honor society. Dr. Hashim completed
his internship and residency at Medical College
of Virginia, Richmond. He is a Diplomate of the
American Board of Anesthesiology and a member of the American Society of Interventional Pain
Physicians, Florida Society of Interventional Pain
Physicians, North American Neuromodulation
Society, American Academy of Pain Physicians,
American Society of Anesthesiologists and
Florida Society of Anesthesiologists.
arlos Quiles enjoys a different kind of morning these
days. He wakes up pain
free, enjoys a long run and
the best part of it all – he’s no longer
popping pain pills.
“After a weightlifting accident
injured my back and eventually led to
surgery, I endured the nightmare of
being prescribed narcotics for years,” he
explains. “I was given them to ease the
pain of surgery recovery, but the problem
was, the pain never went away, so they
just kept giving me the drugs.”
Wanting an alternative solution,
Carlos sought help from several pain
management clinics, but they all offered
the same treatment: opiates.
“I got put on hydrocodone, oxycodone, even morphine. These are the most
powerful medications available. I was in
bed, watching TV, doing nothing. I hated
the medications. I knew how addictive
they were, and I just knew there had to
be a better way,” he says.
Finding another way
Luckily, Carlos found the Interventional
Pain Institute of West Florida and
Mark N. Hashim, MD, who shares the
same philosophy on prescription pain
medication.
“My whole goal is to resolve patients’
pain and get them off narcotics,” Dr.
Hashim explains. “I don’t think people
understand how dangerous these drugs are.”
He points out that approximately
46 people die every day from prescription opiate overdose, and even when
taken as directed, there are serious risks
and side effects.
INTERVENTIONAL PAIN INSTITUTE
OF WEST FLORIDA
MARK N. HASHIM, MD
“We don’t advocate their use,” says
Dr. Hashim. “Instead, we rely on leading-edge technology to ensure narcotics
are not part of the treatment equation.”
After evaluating Carlos, Dr. Hashim
diagnosed him with sciatica, a type of
nerve pain, and treated it with epidural
steroid injections, which Carlos says
reduced his pain levels after the first
injection. Some pain, however, remained
unresponsive to treatment, so Dr. Hashim
proposed radiofrequency nerve ablation.
“Nerve ablation is a non-operative
approach that pain specialists recommend when patients have exhausted
other alternatives,” Dr. Hashim
explains. “In order to treat arthritis of
the back, which in Carlos’s case was the
pain generator, we use a special radiofrequency needle that delivers a small
electrical current to deaden the nerves
that transmit the pain signal to the
brain. Without the signal being sent,
the patient no longer feels pain.”
D r. H a s h i m s a y s t h i s
“The first time he did the ablation,”
reports Carlos, “I felt immediate relief.
As I progressed, I could sleep through the
night. I started walking for exercise again,
and I’m finally off the pain medications;
I’m not on anything at all. Honestly, he
gave me my life back.”
After two ablation treatments, Carlos
says he can’t believe how good he feels,
and he couldn’t be more grateful to Dr.
Hashim and his team.
“I truly believe God sent Dr. Hashim
to me. The ablation treatment did what I
thought couldn’t be done,” Carlos praises.
“I’m pain free and I’m drug free – and
that’s all I could ever ask for.” FHCN staff
article. FHCN file photo.
IF YOU HAVE PAIN
Dr. Hashim invites your inquiries regarding the
management of chronic pain. For information
or a consultation, please call:
Interventional Pain Institute of
West Florida
MARK N. HASHIM, MD
Windsor Woods Professional Center
3737 N. Lecanto Highway
(352) 513-4862
Beverly Hills
7412 Community Court
(727) 861-1000
Hudson
Visit Dr. Hashim’s website for more information at www.markhashimmd.com.
Ophthalmology
Eye Floaters?
E
ye floaters − those tiny specks or
strings that float into your field
of vision periodically − can be
concerning. Typically caused by
age-related changes to the vitreous humor,
the thick fluid inside the eye, eye floaters
become more common with age. But can
they cause blindness?
SOUTH FLORIDA EYE CLINIC
SCOTT L. GELLER, MD
“By our usual definition, of course
not,” says Scott Geller, MD, a boardcertified ophthalmologist at South
Florida Eye Clinic in Fort Myers who has
a special interest in the treatment of eye
floaters. “But imagine if you only had
one good eye. Imagine that the floater in
it was so large that when it came across
your field of vision, you could not even
see the big E on the eye chart. Imagine
if it were a car on the highway or a road
Laser treatment for
eye floaters is safe
and effective.
sign. By the statutory definition of legal word to more ophthalmologists that this
blindness, that would qualify, if only for is a safe technique,” he explains. “And
the short period of time the floater was even more than that, we need to educate
in your field of vision.”
ophthalmologists that in many instances,
Patients with eye floaters of this size − eye floaters can disable.
even if their vision is perfect − are actually
“The current ophthalmic dogma is
quite disabled, stresses Dr. Geller. “Most that an ophthalmologist will say, Well, I
ophthalmologists don’t seem to under- have floaters; what are you complaining
stand that when a patient is complaining about? So they write off the patient and
of serious eye floaters, but their vision is tell them it will go away. In most cases,
20/20, they are actually having a real prob- this is true, but the patients that come to
lem,” he says. “It’s not something that’s me have serious problems.”
only in their mind.”
When eye floaters are severe, some
Dr. Geller should know: he is one ophthalmologists may offer a vitrectomy,
of the most recognized eye floater laser the surgical removal of the gel where
specialists in the United States and the floaters reside. However, this is rare
around the world.
because the operation has some serious
“We have had patients come from drawbacks and complications, and it is
all over the world to our facility in Fort an expensive, invasive procedure.
However, the complication rate for
Myers for treatment,” says Dr. Geller.
laser treatment of eye
“Many patients come
floaters is very low.
from countries where
“ONE
OF
THE
LEADING
Furthermore, there is
medicine is socialized,
and there is a lack of EYE FLOATER FACILITIES no risk of infection with
laser since there is no
training and proper
IN THE US”
equipment. During the
cutting with a scalpel.
www.vitreousfl
oaters.com
past twenty years, we
Dr. Geller has
have treated thousands
treated many medof patients and have performed nearly ical doctors for their eye floaters as
twenty thousand laser sessions.”
well. “When other doctors and ophthalmologists come to you for their
Master of floater treatment
own problems, I would say that speaks
Dr. Geller is a master of this treatment for itself. We love doing laser surmodality. He has trained doctors from gery on eye floaters, and love dealing
Holland, Italy, the United States and with our patients on a personal basis.”
Central America. “We need to spread the FHCN staff article. FHCN file photos.
Scott L. Geller, MD, is board certified by the
American Board of Ophthalmology. He is a
graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and
Rush Medical College. While in medical school,
he was awarded a student fellowship to study
tropical medicine at a missionary hospital in
India, and pursued additional studies at the
famous Brompton Hospital in London, England.
He interned at Presbyterian Hospital, Pacific
Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, and completed his residency in ophthalmology at Sinai
Hospital of Detroit, which was affiliated with
Wayne State Medical School and Kresge Eye
Institute. Dr. Geller was fellowship-trained in
anterior segment and refractive surgery with
Dr. William Myers of the Michigan Eye Institute.
Dr. Geller is a fellow of the American Academy
of Ophthalmology, and has presented papers on
eye floater laser treatment at the International
Congress of Ophthalmology, European Congress
of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, European
Congress of Ophthalmology and the Florida
Society of Ophthalmology.
For eye floater solutions...
Call Dr. Geller at (239) 275-8222 or
toll-free at (877) 371-3937. South
Florida Eye Clinic is located at 4755
Summerlin Rd. in Fort Myers.
www.vitreousfloaters.com
Continuing Care Retirement Community, AL 4110
New Home,
New Life
The Villages Edition | Winter 2016 | Florida Health Care News | Page 9
Finding friendly faces is
effortless for residents
of this North Tampa
retirement community.
F
or 58 years, Carolyn Antonini
and her husband shared a beautiful home in Tampa, raising
four children and making endless memories. When her husband passed
away in 2010, Carolyn says she spent a
year living at home by herself before the
loneliness of it all became unbearable.
“I felt very alone,” she admits. “I
knew my house was much too big for me,
and I didn’t want to be there without my
husband. I knew it was time to move on.”
Hesitant about moving to an unfamiliar place, Carolyn’s goal was to find
a retirement community that made her
feel comfortable and safe. She says when
she arrived at St. Joseph’s John Knox, she
knew she was home.
“It was really important to me to feel a
true sense of community, because I didn’t
want to be alone anymore,” she explains. “I
wanted to find somewhere that offered a lot
of activities, a feeling of safety and plenty of
opportunities to make new friends. I knew
from the moment I walked in, John Knox
was exactly that place.”
Sharing stories
Carolyn’s tale is a familiar one, with many
seniors facing similar transitions. After
sharing her history with fellow widow
and John Knox resident Eleanor “Elly”
Mitleider, the two quickly bonded.
“We had both said goodbye to large
homes we’d spent a lifetime in before
coming to John Knox, and we both took
a leap of faith that it would all work out,”
Elly says. “When you make friends like
Carolyn, people going through the same
transition you are, it’s easier to feel a lot
more comfortable. Besides, with everything that goes on here, it wasn’t very long
before I fell in love with my new life!”
Elly says she doesn’t even have time to
miss her old home – she’s too busy enjoying her new one.
“I’m always doing something,” she
says. “I’m a people person, so it’s so
nice to always be around people. I go
to exercise classes during the day, and I
play a different game almost every night.
There’s Bingo, Rummikub®, Phase Ten…
my friends actually started calling me the
‘Game Lady,’ I play so much!”
Fellow Rummikub players Maxine
and Ted Kenyon agree that friends are easily made on game nights at John Knox, as
well as at the wonderful birthday parties,
monthly socials and entertainment events
available to community residents. The couple found their way to John Knox when
Ted’s health started to decline, and they realized downsizing was their smartest decision.
At the recommendation of their children,
they chose the John Knox community.
These three ladies became fast friends at St. Joseph’s John Knox.
From left: Carolyn Antonini, Eleanor “Elly” Mitleider, Maxine Kenyon
“Our daughters visited first and said
they could see us here,” says Maxine.
“When we arrived, we immediately knew
why. The people here are so friendly, the
food is so good, everyone just looks busy
and happy. That was it for us.”
Total wellness
Not only do Ted and Maxine find plenty
of ways to keep their social life active, the
amenities at John Knox help keep Ted’s
health up as well.
“Ted is unable to walk very far without a walker,” Maxine explains, “so we
take advantage of the pool at John Knox
to keep up his mobility. Walking in the
pool is an exercise that helps him maintain his strength, and the pool at John
Knox is so big and warm. It’s just another
thing we love about being here.”
The screened and heated Olympiclength swimming pool is only one of
many fitness amenities available to the
residents of John Knox. Community
members also enjoy a hot tub, a fully
equipped fitness and exercise room, a
complete holistic wellness program, aerobics, cardio training and water aerobics,
as well as Wii™ fitness games and personal
nutritional guidance.
“We are unique because in addition to giving residents a place to retire
comfortably, we provide an invigorating
environment where people can engage
in the art of living well,” explains Sandy
Ross, senior living counselor at St. Joseph’s
John Knox. “Of course that means health
and fitness, but it means so much more
than that – living well means living fully.”
With options like a movie theatre and
two full libraries to keep them entertained,
on-site living at John Knox is always exciting. A computer center, beauty shop,
manicurist, flea market and two grocery
stores are just a few of the amenities available to John Knox residents.
More than anything, Sandy says John
Knox is a “community within a community,” motivated to provide residents with
the feeling that they are leading full lives
and are a part of something bigger than
themselves.
“Our goal is to make everyone feel
connected in some way, regardless of their
specific interests,” she explains. “We have so
many activities available because we know
that people bond over different things –
some bond over crafts, dance, games, food,
you name it. There’s always a full schedule
available to them, with countless opportunities to make new friends and forge the
kinds of relationships that are essential to
physical, mental and emotional well-being
at every stage of life.”
Peace of mind
With every life stage presenting different
demands, Sandy notes that St. Joseph’s
John Knox offers three living options for
residents: independent living; assisted living, for those who may need help with
activities of daily living; and skilled nursing care, for those who require medical
attention.
Elly says she loves the freedom of independent living, but also enjoys the security
of knowing that someone is always right
around the corner at John Knox.
“When you live alone, if you fall,
you’re in big trouble,” states Elly. “There’s
peace of mind in knowing that I’m safe
and protected here because there are so
many people around.”
She adds that everyone on staff always
offers a smiling face and a helping hand to
whomever needs it.
“The staff is unbelievably kind,” she
praises. “They will help you in any way
they can, and they’re always happy to go
out of their way. It’s really a staff-wide attitude – everyone treats you like a friend.”
Carolyn believes that the friendly
environment nurtured by the staff creates a palpable ambiance that affects all
the residents.
“When you live in a friendly place, it’s
easier to be friendly yourself,” she muses.
“I think the kindness of the staff rubs off
on everyone, and a real community is created. True friendships are built here.”
Having become close friends since
meeting at John Knox, Carolyn and Elly
agree: There’s nothing better than having
a shoulder to lean on.
“Knowing that I have friends everywhere I go here, friends who care about
me and who I can talk to if I’m concerned
about something, it’s just so reassuring,”
Carolyn emphasizes. “At my age, it really
provides me with much-needed emotional support, and truly, I thank God
for the friends I’ve made here.”
Elly wholeheartedly agrees.
“The friends I’ve made here are
invaluable,” she shares. “I’ve been very,
very happy. To be honest, I think living here is prolonging my life, and
it’s the best move I’ve ever made.”
FHCN staff article. FHCN file photo.
Maxine and Ted
enjoy an active
lifestyle at
John Knox.
Experience the art of living well...
St. Joseph’s John Knox looks forward to hearing from you. For
further information or to schedule lunch and a guided tour, please
call (813) 977-6361 or (800) 272-5669. The campus is located at
4100 E. Fletcher Ave. in Tampa.
Visit St. Joseph’s John Knox on the web at
www.stjosephsjohnknox.org.
Page 10 | Florida Health Care News | Winter 2016 | The Villages Edition
Interventional Radiology
New Relief for Prostate Enlargement
A
promising procedure that
shrinks enlarged prostates
offers a new treatment option
for one of the most common
health complaints of older men. The prostate is a male reproductive gland normally
about the size of a walnut. It tends to grow
larger, sometimes much larger, as men age.
In fact, the condition occurs so frequently
that more than half of all men are affected
by an enlarged prostate by age 60.
CLIFFORD R.
DAVIS, MD
SHAWN R.
MEADER, MD
Prostate enlargement, also called
benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH,
is unlike prostate cancer in that it isn’t
a malignancy. But for some men, it can
have a strongly negative effect on their
quality of life.
“The most common issue that men
start complaining about early on is needing to urinate frequently,” states Clifford
R. Davis, MD, of Florida Interventional
Specialists. “They may have to go five or
six, maybe seven times during the day.
When it really starts becoming an issue is
when they wake up three or four times at
night. At that point, it has been proven in
sleep studies that deep REM sleep is interrupted, and men become sleep-deprived.
“One of the things we always look at
when evaluating patients is quality of life.
If they’re having complications, such as
urinary tract infections, or feeling tired all
day from waking up so much, or experiencing frequent urination during the day
or night, that’s when they need to seek
treatment,” adds Dr. Davis.
The trouble starts with how an
enlarged prostate affects the urethra, the
tube that carries urine from the bladder
to outside the body. The urethra passes
through the prostate and is squeezed
when the prostate grows.
Not every man with an enlarged
prostate is affected by symptoms, but
for many, the urge to urinate becomes
more frequent. At the same time, the
condition can make it more difficult to
fully empty the bladder.
“Not being able to empty the bladder can lead to two things we’re really
concerned about,” warns Dr. Davis. “It
can injure the kidneys because they are
constantly infected or not draining all
Minimally
invasive
procedure
requires only
light sedation.
the way. Sometimes, there is a sudden
inability to urinate at all, which is called
acute urinary retention. The urethra has
become so tight that one day you wake
up and it’s closed – this has to be treated
as a medical emergency.”
Prostate artery embolization
Traditionally, enlarged prostates are
treated with medications to relieve troublesome symptoms, or through surgery
called transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP. The surgery physically
removes excess prostate tissue to create
more space for the urethra.
At Florida Interventional Specialists,
Dr. Davis and Shawn R. Meader, MD, are
now treating patients with a new, minimally
invasive procedure called prostate artery
embolization, or PAE. The outpatient procedure is performed in less than two hours
while the patient is under light sedation.
Microscopic particles are injected
through a catheter into the arteries that
supply blood to the prostate. This results
in reduced blood flow, which causes the
prostate to shrink. “The technique is
similar to how uterine fibroid tumors are
treated through embolization,” says Dr.
Davis. “Tiny particles are injected into
arteries that supply the uterus, resulting
in shrinkage of the fibroid growths.”
PAE Studies Recruiting Patients
Interested in learning more about how
to participate in studies now underway
on prostate artery embolization?
Contact patient coordinator Haydy
Rojas at (813) 347-8695.
PAE has been used to treat men in
Europe and South America. Dr. Davis
and Dr. Meader have traveled to Brazil to
train with Francisco Carnevale, a medical
professor in Sao Paulo who is one of the
world’s leading experts on PAE.
The procedure is now in the evaluation process needed for approval by
the US Food and Drug Administration.
Florida Interventional Specialists is part
of a multi-site study in the United States
currently underway to evaluate the procedure’s effectiveness. Dr. Davis is also
leading another FDA-approved study on
the procedure at Tampa General Hospital.
The studies at Florida Interventional
Specialists and Tampa General are being
conducted in cooperation with USF
Health Urology and Florida Urology
Partners. As there are several diseases that
can mimic the symptoms of BPH, including early prostate cancer, Dr. Davis always
performs the procedure in cooperation
with a local urologist to assure no other diseases are present which would not improve
with the prostate embolization procedure.
Urologists specialize in treatments of
the lower urinary tract and offer tests that
can differentiate disease.
“Most men feel that if they have difficulty urinating, they just have an enlarged
prostate but that is not always the case,”
notes Dr. Davis.
Patients are being recruited for both
studies. “The patient coordinator for the
studies can discuss the procedure and
evaluation process in more detail and
discuss criteria,” says the doctor.
“We think PAE is going to offer a
great alternative to traditional surgery,” he
continues. “The promising aspects are that
currently there have been no reports of
associated erectile dysfunction or serious
bleeding associated with PAE. Those are
two major risk factors of traditional surgery.”
Continued improvements
Because PAE requires only light sedation, it’s safe for men with other
significant health issues who aren’t able
to undergo general anesthesia and therefore can’t have traditional surgery for
prostate enlargement.
“This is one of the big advantages
of PAE over traditional surgery. We can
perform PAE on patients who have heart
disease, lung disease, cancer or other
problems and need treatment for prostate
enlargement just to improve their quality
of life,” explains Dr. Davis.
Another favorable difference is that
PAE only requires a urinary catheter
during the procedure itself. Patients who
Clifford R. Davis, MD,
earned his undergraduate degree at Virginia
Polytechnic I nstitute
and received his medical
degree from the Medical
College of Virginia at Virginia
Commonwealth University
in Richmond. He completed
his residency in diagnostic
radiology and a fellowship in interventional
radiology at the University of Florida. Dr. Davis
is board certified by the American Board of
Radiology and is an assistant professor of vascular and interventional radiology at the University
of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine.
For more information, please visit the Florida Interventional Specialists
website at www.flinterventionalspecialists.com.
undergo TURP may need a post-surgery
catheter for one or more days.
“With the PAE procedure, patients
typically will notice a reduction in urinary symptoms after one to two weeks,”
notes Dr. Davis. “Based on studies done
outside the United States, symptoms will
keep improving for three to six months as
the prostate continues to shrink.
“Having a new treatment option may
help men who are just trying to live with
symptoms as best they can instead of seeking a solution,” says Dr. Davis.
“If you talk to men who are sixty and
older, they all sit around and joke about
how they have this condition,” he reports,
adding that too often, men believe their
only treatment alternatives are medications or traditional surgery.
“They might try the medicine, then
stop because of complications or side
effects, but they decide not to have surgery
because they don’t want to take the risk.
“Based on research outside of the
United States and our early findings with
PAE, we think it’s going to give men
a great option for finding relief from
prostate enlargement.” FHCN article by Susan
Hemmingway. Stock photo from istockphoto.com. Graphic
courtesy of Florida Interventional Specialists.
High-quality care
on leading edge
of medicine
Florida Interventional
Specialists specialize in
minimally invasive procedures
i n v a s c u l a r r a d i o l o g y,
neurovascular endosurgery
and interventional oncology.
In addition to treating patients,
FIS doctors are dedicated
to the missions of medical
research and teaching. They
serve as faculty members of
the University of South Florida
Morsani College of Medicine,
Department of Radiology. FIS is
conveniently located in Tampa
at Harbourside Medical Tower,
5 Tampa General Circle, Suite
820, which can be reached by
calling (813) 844-4570.
The Villages Edition | Winter 2016 | Florida Health Care News | Page 11
Stem Cell Therapy/Pain Management
No Need for Knee Pain
Stem cell therapy regenerates aching knee joints.
W
hen he’s not playing
the top courses, golf
pro Joe Blanc spends
hours instructing his
students in the finer points of the game.
He’s a traveling pro who spends most of
his time teaching the game up and down
the east coast of Florida. He’s a natural at
his job, but it’s not his first rodeo.
“Golf is a second career,” he explains.
“I was a manufacturing manager for
Procter and Gamble for thirty years.”
When Joe was able to finally pursue
his true calling, he found a position that is
demanding of both his skills and his body.
Not only does it require traveling, it also
requires strength and stamina.
“I teach golf for National Golf
Schools,” he relates. “These are not
one-hour golf lessons. They usually
are three-day, eight- to nine-hour, very
intense, boot camp-type golf lessons.”
He loves his job, but those long
hours on his feet put a great strain on
his legs and, especially, his knees. Soon,
kneeling down to line up a putt became
more and more difficult. Pain and stiffness in his knees began to interfere in
other areas of his life as well.
“I’d say about ten years ago, I felt
my knees start acting up,” shares Joe.
“Just a little tightness and soreness at
Joe is happy
to have his
golf game
back on track
after his
regenerative
therapy.
first, and then over the past five years, it
got bad enough that I quit in-line skating. I was constantly wearing braces and
living on ice packs and Aleve®.
“It got to the point that when I was
awake, I had the braces on. I was basically
living in knee braces. The Aleve was taking care of the pain, but I couldn’t walk
around with ice packs on all day.”
Joe’s remedies did help him manage, but he knew he was just masking
the pain, which he rated an eight on a
scale of one to ten. His bigger concern
was how the changes in his knees were
affecting his activities, especially those
related to his livelihood.
“It was debilitating,” states Joe. “I
was representing the Putter Company,
which I loved, but I had to give that up
because my legs couldn’t take the eight
hours on demo days.”
With that, Joe had had enough.
He wasn’t interested in any type of
surgery on his knees, but he knew he
had another option because a neighbor
had been to Erick A. Grana, MD, of
Regenerative Orthopedic Institute in
Tampa. Dr. Grana offers leading-edge
treatments for joint conditions using
the patient’s own stem cells to regenerate tissue and heal injuries.
“One of my neighbors recommended
Regenerative Orthopedic Institute,”
says Joe. “He had the procedure with
the stem cells done, and I followed his
progress, which impressed me. Th at’s
what led me to Dr. Grana.”
ERICK A. GRANA, MD
Skip the surgery
The knee problems Joe now faced
are commonly seen at Regenerative
Orthopedic Institute. Dr. Grana and his
staff have extensive experience treating
them, as well as treating other joint issues.
“Joe is a professional golf instructor,
and he was having a difficult time playing golf,” describes Dr. Grana. “He came
to us with complaints of knee pain that
was interfering with his activities, and he
wanted to avoid surgery.”
It’s understandable. Pain, blood loss
and scarring are associated with invasive surgery for joint problems, so many
patients with joint issues seek to avoid
this. However, there is a revolutionary technology today that can enable
patients like Joe to avoid taking on the
risks of a surgical procedure.
“There are other options now that
can be offered to osteoarthritis patients,
especially before they get to the stage
where they need joint replacement,”
informs Dr. Grana. “Not only can we
relieve the pain, but we can also reverse
some of the damage that happens from
osteoarthritis. This is accomplished by
regenerating the cartilage and connective
tissues in and around the joint area.
“Regenerative medicine treats disease
and injuries by harnessing the body’s own
healing powers,” continues the doctor.
“The natural healing process is accelerated
by a combination of growth factors and
bioactive cells, resulting in a safe, effective, nonsurgical treatment.”
Dr. Grana has developed a system
for the delivery of stem cells, platelet-rich
plasma and growth factors into the pain
generators in and around joints, such as
shoulders and knees. This treatment is
called RegenaJoint. He has also developed
a system to treat the spine in a similar
manner using fluoroscopic, or live x-ray,
guidance, a process called RegenaSpine.
These treatments restore function and
improve quality of life, enabling patients
to avoid surgery and reduce, or eliminate,
the need for narcotic medications.
Procedure plus
RegenaJoint and RegenaSpine use stem
cells from the patient’s own body, called
Don’t Operate, Regenerate
For more information, or toschedule a
consultation, please call (813) 868-1659.
Regenerative Orthopedic Institute is located at
8011 North Himes Avenue, Ste. 3, in Tampa.
autologous cells, to regenerate cartilage
and connective tissue in joints, spinal
discs, tendons and ligaments. When
combined with concentrated platelets and growth factors, the stem cells
become a powerful repairing mechanism
for aching backs and painful joints.
“We extract stem cells from bone
marrow or fat and platelet-rich plasma
from the patient’s own blood to use in the
problem areas,” Dr. Grana explains. “We
perform RegenaJoint by placing injections
into the knee joint and ligaments surrounding the knee; the ligaments around
the shoulder and inside the shoulder joint;
or into the hip joint area. If the problem
is in the back, the RegenaSpine procedure
can be performed on the discs, facet joints
and ligaments of the spine.
“Within three minutes, RegenaJoint
reduces chronic inflammation. It restores
the normal joint chemistry, allowing
regeneration that can heal the wear and
tear occurring inside. At the same time,
it can repair some of the damage that has
occurred previously.
“With treatment, patients usually have three goals: first, to get their
pain relieved; second, to resume former
activities that they were not able to do
because of their arthritis; and third, to
avoid surgery. These are the main goals
that most patients want to achieve, and
Joe achieved all three of them.”
Amazing relief
Joe was very pleased with RegenaJoint
and the results he achieved with it. He
especially enjoyed the advantages of
regenerative therapy over surgery such
as the quick recovery and return to
activities. It also requires no rehabilitation after treatment.
“Six weeks after treatment, I was on
my feet for nine hours a day because I give
lectures for group classes from eight in the
morning until eight at night,” reports Joe.
“I was on my feet teaching and going up
and down the hills of North Carolina.
Not once did I take a pain reliever. No
ice packs. No braces. No nothing.
“My golf game is back to where it
was. I’m not worried about twisting. I’m
not worried about pain afterward.”
The personalized patient care he
received from the doctor and staff at
Regenerative Orthopedic Institute also
impressed Joe.
“If you ask Dr. Grana a question,
you’re going to get an answer and you’re
going to get a good answer,” he states. “I
think he has a nice personality, and to me
that’s critical. The staff is very helpful.
They are always on time, and they make
sure that everything works out well.
“I would recommend them to anybody.” FHCN article by Patti DiPanfilo. FHCN file
photo. Stock photo from istockphoto.com.
Erick A. Grana, MD, is a diplomate of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Board
of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, with subspecialty certification in pain medicine. After he received his medical degree from the
University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, he completed his internship and residency at the university’s hospital and was subsequently awarded a fellowship from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle. Dr.
Grana is a former assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and a member the American Medical Association,
the International Spinal Injection Society and the Florida Academy of Pain Medicine.
Visit Regenerative Orthopedic Institute on the web at www.dontoperate.com.
Page 12 | Florida Health Care News | Winter 2016 | The Villages Edition
Comprehensive Dentistry
Smiling with Confidence
A brand-new smile gives him a younger look and better function.
O
ver the years, Andrew
McMurtrie’s teeth have
needed much attention. “I’m sixty. I’ve had
numerous dental procedures over the
years – caps, bridges, partials and everything else,” he confides.
A real estate agent who shows
houses and represents clients, Andrew
loves Th e Villages for its active community. He works out every day, bikes,
runs, swims and surfs.
Andrew works
as a real estate
agent and loves
his new smile.
and inviting. Personal touches include
blankets and massage mats on exam
chairs. Patients can watch cable television during their appointments or listen
to their favorite music, with lights off
during treatment if desired.
Just as importantly, Village Dental’s
commitment to Five Star customer
service includes providing comprehensive care. Its combination of highly
skilled professionals and state-of-theart equipment means many services
that typically require a specialist can
be done in-house. These include periodontal work and implants; diagnostic
imaging and creating dental crowns also
are among services completed on-site.
“Like having perfect teeth”
EDWARD J. FARRELL, DMD, MAGD, AFAAID
RICHARD P. HALL II, DMD, MAGD, AFAAID
MICHAEL H. HARDS, DDS, MAGD, FICOI, FAAIP
PABLO J. SIERRA, DMD, FAGD, FICOI
In 2014, yet another nagging
toothache prompted him to make an
appointment with Village Dental as a
new patient.
“I chose Village Dental because the
location was convenient for me – they’re
near my home – and they took me in
right away,” he continues. The proximity was an advantage, but as Andrew
later learned, his choice brought him
many more benefits. Those included
something he hadn’t expected: a brandnew smile with beautifully uniform
teeth that also are more functional.
In his consultation with Pablo
J. Sierra, DMD, at Village Dental,
Andrew discovered he didn’t have to put
up with removable partial dentures and
worn teeth that made him appear older
than his actual years.
“I needed new partials when I went to
see Dr. Sierra, and my bad tooth needed
to be pulled,” recalls Andrew. “Dr. Sierra
went over different procedures and said,
You know, we can make everything look
really nice and get rid of the partials altogether. I thought that was awesome and
said, Yeah, let’s do it!”
Five Star service
Village Dental has a staff of highly qualified dental professionals who have years
of experience and specialized training.
The practice opened 18 years ago with
one dentist and a staff of four and now
has three convenient offices, four experienced dentists, seven hygienists and
more than 30 staff members to cater to
most all of your needs.
Edward J. Farrell, DMD, Richard
P. Hall, DMD, and Michael H. Hards,
DDS, have provided comprehensive dental services to residents of The
Villages for more than 18 years, and all
have completed their masterships with
the Academy of General Dentistry, a feat
achieved by only three percent of dentists
worldwide. Dr. Sierra is the newest member of the practice and well on his way to
achieving mastership status as well.
The staff has worked hard to earn the
trust of patients and it shows. They are
friendly, caring and highly trained, but
the most important part is how comfortable they make you feel. For this reason,
many patients have remained with Village
Dental for many years.
The philosophy of Village Dental
is simple: Going to the dentist should
be a good experience. That starts with a
home-like environment, where patients
are treated like family.
Instead of being cold and sterile, all
three locations are designed to feel warm
Visit Village Dental online at www.villagedental.com.
Edward J. Farrell, DMD, MAGD, AFAAID, is an Associate Fellow in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and has attained mastership
status in the Academy of General Dentistry. He received his undergraduate education first in pre-medicine at the State University of New York
and then earned his degree in biology from Villanova University in Villanova, PA. Dr. Farrell completed an externship at the US Naval Hospital
in Balboa, CA before being awarded his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
in Philadelphia. He served in the US Navy from 1984 to 1987, when he started in private practice. Dr. Farrell has had advanced education in
implant dentistry and dental sleep medicine.
Richard P. Hall II, DMD, MAGD, AFAAID, is an Associate Fellow in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and has attained mastership status in the Academy of General Dentistry. He earned a BA degree in chemistry with a minor in biology from Wake Forest University
and a DMD degree from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. He served in the US Army Dental Corps from 1988 to 1993, when he
began in private practice. Dr. Hall is a veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm and served as chief dental surgeon for the 3rd Armor Division in
Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait. He has had advanced training in implant dentistry and completed a mini-residency in dental sleep medicine
at Tufts University.
Michael H. Hards, DDS, MAGD, FICOI, FAAIP, is a Fellow in the International Congress of Oral Implantology and the American Academy
of Implant Prosthodontics, as well as a master in the Academy of General Dentistry. He received a BS degree in microbiology from The Ohio
State University College of Biological Sciences in Columbus. Dr. Hards stayed in Columbus to earn his DDS degree from The Ohio State
College of Dentistry. He served at the Naval Dental Center, Naval Training Center and in the Naval Reserve from 1981 to 1984, when he began
in private practice. He has additional education in straightwire orthodontic technique from the American Orthodontic Society in St. Louis,
MO and complex restorative treatment from the Society for Occlusal Studies at Valencia Community College in Orlando, as well as advanced
education in implant dentistry, implant prosthodontics and dental sleep medicine.
Pablo J. Sierra, DMD, FAGD, FICOI, is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry as well as the International Congress of Oral
Implantologists. He has extensive training in implants along with all phases of surgical training. He has special training in all disciplines of
advanced dentistry, including crowns and bridges, dentures, partials, implants and sleep medicine. He is currently working toward becoming
a diplomate of the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and is a member of the American Dental Association and Florida Dental Association.
He is also an assistant clinical professor in the Restorative Dental Sciences Department at the University of Florida College of Dentistry.
For more information, please call (352) 205-7667
To replace one of Andrew’s partials, Dr.
Sierra created a fixed dental bridge that
is bonded into place. His treatment
included a new dental implant to provide
stability for the dental bridge.
“He now has something that gives
him the ability to chew with his back teeth
on that side of his mouth again,” explains
Dr. Sierra. “Andrew also was missing some
teeth at the front of his mouth, and we
replaced that partial with another fixed
bridge. Now, everything looks natural,
and he’s not missing his partials at all.”
Dr. Sierra also addressed the issue of
Andrew’s worn teeth by protecting them
with new dental crowns. “One of the
first signs of worn teeth and problems
with chewing is when the enamel begins
to wear down,” educates the skilled dentist. “This can happen before developing
any symptoms, like teeth becoming sensitive to cold beverages, which can occur
when the inner layer, dentin, is exposed.
There also may be fracture lines or fractured fi llings that put teeth at risk of
breaking apart and then needing root
canal therapy and/or bone surgery in
order to save the tooth.
“In evaluations, I’m looking for these
signs. A lot of people say, Well, it doesn’t
hurt. It might not hurt, but that doesn’t
mean you don’t have an issue going on.
You just haven’t had a broken tooth yet
but the risk is there and is always present.”
Andrew reports that he loves his new
smile and how his teeth function. A real
bonus is that he no longer has to worry
about his partials falling out when participating in sports.
“It’s awesome. My teeth all look the
same now,” he enthuses. “It’s like having
perfect teeth. I can really smile with confidence.” FHCN article by Susan Hemmingway. Photos
by Jordan Pysz.
Three offices to
serve you
Visit Village Dental at one
of its three locations in The
Villages: 540 Fieldcrest Drive,
(352) 205-7667; 111 LaGrande
Blvd., (352) 753-7507; and
2532 Burnsed Blvd. in Pinellas
Plaza, (352) 750-8070. New
patients are being accepted
at all three locations.