for

military veterans to manage their stress and trauma.

› By JoAnn Guidry

In the midst of a 24-year military career in the U.S. Air Force, Grace Beck was in need of some stress management.

“I had always been an active person. I was a runner, and that did help with managing stress,” says Beck. “But I felt like I needed something more. I did a lot of research and read about different health practices. And that’s how I came to yoga. It just resonated with me.”

Over the years, Beck transitioned from self-practice to classes to finally becoming a certified yoga instructor.

“The practice of yoga brings balance to your life,” says Beck, 47. “It allows your mind, body and spirit to connect, making you whole.”

By the time she retired from the military, yoga had become a lifestyle for Beck. And it only seemed fitting that it became a vocation avenue and a way to give back. In April 2016, she established her Ocala-based Nadi Om Wellness. The name is derived from nadis, which means energy lines flowing through the body; om, a mantra used to bring peace to body, mind and spirit; and wellness, a general state of well-being.

And when Beck became aware of the Yoga For Vets program, it was a perfect fit. Yoga For Vets is a national non-profit organization that assists veterans in managing their stress and trauma through yoga. The organization was founded in 2007 by former Navy deepsea diver Paul Zipes. Yoga For Vets maintains a worldwide directory of studios, teachers, gyms, VA Medical Centers and Veterans Service Centers that offer four free yoga classes.

Count Beck among those listed in that directory. Additionally, she’s reached out to veterans through local organizations to make them aware of the Yoga For Vets program.

“Vets are provided with a free class pass that allows them to attend four yoga classes,” says Beck. “The vets can participate in my regularly scheduled yoga classes, which are small with only eight students in each class. Of course, they can choose to continue past those four initial classes at the regular drop-in rate or through a discounted class pass.”

Being well aware of military camaraderie, Beck also offers “private group classes for vets since they may feel more comfortable in that setting.”

But for Beck, the power of yoga is for everyone.

“Yoga is wonderful for health, for your overall wellness,” she says. “It’s a great way to find balance in your life.”

The More, The Better

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), the largest independent hematology/medical oncology practice in the United States, announced the opening of its new location, the Gainesville Cancer Center. The new state-ofthe-art, comprehensive cancer facility, which more than doubles the size of the previous FCS office, is an expansion of The Cancer Center at North Florida Regional Healthcare and brings medical oncology services under the same roof as radiation oncology, as well as ancillary services, such as patient navigation, acupuncture and support groups.

FCS Executive Board Member Dr. Lucio Gordan, who also serves as Medical Director of Informatics for Florida Cancer Specialists, said, “This new facility increases our ability to offer unique, state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary oncology treatments in a more comfortable and convenient setting so that we can deliver personalized cancer therapies and provide renewed hope to the more than 7,000 patient visits each month in Gainesville.”

A Quality Distinction

Preventative Measures

A Helping Hand

Dementia Friendly America has recognized Citrus as the first county in Florida to accept the challenge of helping those with dementia. The county’s goal is to provide an environment that encourages those with dementia and their families to be actively involved in the community for as long as possible. Citrus County’s Action Team will focus on educating, evaluating needs and making accommodations that will benefit all those with cognitive issues. Through the work of over 35 national, leading organizations, the Dementia Friendly America initiative is catalyzing a movement to more effectively support and serve those across America who are living with dementia and their family and friend care partners. Like Citrus County Dementia Friendly America on Facebook to learn more.

Florida Blue has selected Oak Hill Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Spine Surgery, as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated health care facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community. Spinal surgeries are among the most common and expensive elective surgeries in the United States, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), which creates a significant opportunity to improve quality and value within the health care system.

Deserved Recognition

Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in mammography as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR) Mammography is a specific type of imaging test that uses a low-dose X-ray system to examine breasts. A mammography exam, called a mammogram, is used to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women. The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Parameters and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field.

Citrus Memorial Hospital recently presented its Awards of Distinction, including the Frist Humanitarian Award and the HCA Excellence in Nursing Award. The Frist Humanitarian Award recognizes the highest achievements in serving others, and the HCA Excellence in Nursing Award recognizes accomplishments in the field of nursing.

Winners of the Frist Humanitarian Award are: Sonia Tribble, supervisor of sterile processing; Glenn Rhinesmith, a volunteer in the Citrus Memorial gift shop; and Dr. John Gelin, a family practice physician at Citrus Primary Care in Floral City. Christine Libengood, RN, received the Excellence in Nursing Award in the compassionate care category.

Diagnosing Dementia

A new smartphone game called Sea Hero Quest not only tracks spatial awareness, it helps doctors diagnose dementia.

The game asks players to set sail in search of artifacts that are in the form of memories. As you advance in the game, scientists are able to use generated data to gain an idea of one’s spatial navigation abilities, which is one of the first skills lost from dementia. A new patient is diagnosed with dementia globally every three seconds. With the help of this game, neuroscientists are hoping to not only spot the disease early but prevent it from worsening. The app is available for both Android and iPhone devices. (It looks fun, too!)