Healthy Living September 2018

THIS SAYS A MOUTHFUL How stress affects oral health.

A PICTURE OF GOOD HEALTH

Meet the area’s top 20 health and wellness professionals

TIME FOR THE SEX TALK

Why it’s important for women’s health

IT’S GOOD THERAPY

Physical therapy helps ailing patients—without drugs and surgery

of Superior Heart Care 20 Years

It takes a team of experienced professionals committed to excellence to deliver superior heart care. Our advanced cardiac care professionals at The Heart Institute at Leesburg Regional Medical Center perform open heart surgeries daily – on average more than 700 per year. With 15,000 open heart surgeries performed in the past 20 years alone, no other heart program in our area has more experience in cardiac care.

What does that mean for you and your family? That you can trust your heart to us.

HARMONY UNITED PSYCHIATRIC CARE

Caring for your needs is our goal and your right.

TRANSCRANICAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION (TMS)

TMS is an FDA approved, non-invasive outpatient treatment for treatment resistant Depression AND is covered by most insurance plans!

to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. This is typically used when other depression treatments

PATIENT BENEFITS:

In order to qualify for TMS Therapy, a patient must have failed to respond to at least one antidepressant. If you have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and your body has either consider TMS therapy. OTHER

TINY CELLS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

John T. Williams Jr.

Orthopedic Surgeon

Alfred J. Cook Jr.

Orthopedic Surgeon

Are stem cells a miracle? Not exactly. However, stem cells are a highly effective means of repairing damaged tissue. Stem cell therapy is a non-surgical procedure that gives the body the tools it needs to heal itself naturally. Stem cells repair damaged tissue and regenerate bone, ligaments, tendons, cartilage and muscle. Pain lessens and range of motion increases after a simple injection—without risk of infection.

Schedule a consult today to see if you are eligible for this cutting edge therapy.

Rosacea? Psoriasis? Thinning Hair? Worrisome Moles or Growths?

The nation’s largest dermatology practice has three locations in The Villages ® community. We now accept UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage.

Buenos Aires Professional Center

1503 Buenos Aires Blvd., Bldg. 100

The Villages, FL 32162

352.753.2812

Dr. Michael Bond (Retiring January 2018)

Dr. Michael Wangia

Dr. Christine Moorhead

Scott Clark, PA-C

Nicole Hwa, PA-C

Dori Hite, PA-C (Coming Soon)

Kimberly Neumann, Licensed Aesthetician

Lake Sumter Landing™ 910 Old Camp Road Suite 166

The Villages, FL 32162

352.205.4959

Dr. Michael Bond (Retiring January 2018)

Dr. Michael Burton

Al Sy, PA-C

Kimberly Neumann, Licensed Aesthetician

Appointments: 866.400.DERM (3376)

Dr. Michael Wangia

After graduating with Honors from Howard University College of Medicine, Dr. Wangia attended University of Florida where he completed his dermatology residency serving as a chief resident. He also completed his dermatopathology fellowship training at UF where he served as an Assistant Professor of Dermatology. He was awarded “The Arnold P. Gold Humanism in Medicine Award”. Today, he is committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive and individualized dermatologic therapies.

Following a storied career, marked by excellence in patient care, Dr. Bond is retiring. Please join us in wishing him well.

DEPARTMENTS

43

44. Lusting for better health? Sex is important to a woman’s overall well-being.

46. A local woman hopes to purchase a diabetic alert dog.

49.

50. Your emotions are what you eat.

52. Watch your mouth. Stress can adversely affect oral health.

55. Language can help us overcome differences.

Ways to beat employee burnout.

61.

Medical decisions could be made by math.

64. Right on the money. Budgetary lessons

COLUMNS

10. Publisher’s letter

11. At your service

Simply the best

Having been raised here, I remember a time when Lake County primarily was known for two things: citrus and bass fishing.

What it wasn’t known for back in the 1980s and ’90s was health care.

You needed open-heart surgery?

That meant traveling to Orlando. You needed back surgery? That meant traveling to Tampa. You needed world-class cancer care?

That meant traveling to Gainesville.

Oh, how times have changed.

In the past 20 years, the county has found itself on a highway to health. Not only does Lake boast four hospitals that have expanded the breadth of their services, the area also has attracted numerous physicians who offer everything from traditional to alternative medicine.

And that brings me to this month’s issue. I am excited to announce that Healthy Living is once again shining a spotlight on the area’s top 20 health and wellness professionals. Votes were cast by you, our faithful readers, and carefully tallied by our staff.

This year’s group of professionals stands out in the fields of health and wellness. Their dynamic approach to medicine and health care, the positive relationships they forge with patients, and their uncanny ability to achieve optimal outcomes all place them at the top of their respective fields.

In addition, this issue also shines a light on some of the trends occurring in the medical world. We delve into topics such as the popularity of multi-specialty groups, the benefits of becoming a nurse or physician assistant, and the shortage of doctors.

As always, we welcome your feedback and would love to know what kind of articles you would like to see in Healthy Living. Also, we would love for you to send us story ideas.

Here’s to a happy and healthy September.

Doug Akers / President doug@akersmediagroup.com

Kendra Akers / Publisher/Editor-In-Chief kendra@akersmediagroup.com

Jamie Ezra Mark jamie@akersmediagroup.com

editorial, design & photography

Leigh Neely Managing Editor leigh@akersmediagroup.com

James Combs Staff Writer james@akersmediagroup.com

Theresa Campbell Staff Writer theresa@akersmediagroup.com

Chris Gerbasi Staff Writer chris@akersmediagroup.com

Anthony Rao Staff Photographer anthony@akersmediagroup.com

Jason Fugate Creative Director jason@akersmediagroup.com

Volkan Ulgen Art Director volkan@akersmediagroup.com

Josh Clark Senior Designer josh@akersmediagroup.com

Michael Gaulin Production Director michael@akersmediagroup.com

Nicole Hamel Staff Photographer nicole@akersmediagroup.com

contributing writers

Dave Ramsey, Irene Hogan, Anastasia Turchetta, Tim Cole, Josselyne Herman-Saccio, Sima Cohen, Dr. Marilyn M. Singleton,

sales & marketing

Tim McRae Vice President, Sales tim@akersmediagroup.com

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Shaena Chastain Sales Assistant shaena@akersmediagroup.com

administration

Deb Matlock Director of Client Services deb@akersmediagroup.com

Kendra Akers

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digital social media

Garrett Reardon / Digital Specialist garrett@akersmediagroup.com

COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? Our goal is to provide you with the best quality publication, so your feedback is

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

The latest editions of Healthy Living, Lake & Sumter Style, Village Style, and Welcome to Lake County

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Subscriptions: Order a subscription of your favorite magazine to be delivered directly to your home for just $84. Each subscription includes 12 consecutive issues of Healthy Living, Lake & Sumter Style, or Village Style. Choose 2 or more magazines for $108 per year. To order, call 352.787.4112 or mail us at: Subscriptions at Akers Media, P.O. Box 490088, Leesburg, FL 34749.

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FHW NAMES NEW CNO

ADVENTIST HEALTH SYSTEM BECOMING ADVENTHEALTH

Effective Jan. 2, 2019, the Altamonte Springs-based Adventist Health System becomes AdventHealth. With nearly 50 hospital campuses and more than 80,000 employees, it’s one of the nation’s largest faith-based health care systems. In addition, it is moving to a consumer-centric, connected, and identifiable national system providing care for every stage of life.

FHW in Tavares will become AdventHealth Waterman with no change to the AHS organization ownership or business structure.

Shaan Sethi, a private equity investor, in hospitals. The unique styles made of moisture-wicking

better, it works as hard as those

Michael Stimson is the new chief nursing officer at Florida Hospital Waterman. He will be responsible for the organization and administration of nursing care for the 269-bed hospital in Tavares, according to a press release.

“He is passionate about creating an exceptional patient experience for all those we care for,” Abel Biri, Florida Hospital Waterman chief executive officer, says in the release. “I’m confident with Mike’s leadership, Florida Hospital Waterman will continue to improve on all aspects of care and patient experience as we fulfill our mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ.”

“I feel blessed for this opportunity to continue serving in this amazing organization and to now join the Florida Hospital Waterman team,” Michael says.

OPIOID PRESCRIBING LAW

In an effort to address the opioid crisis, Florida’s opioid prescribing law recently went into effect. It limits prescriptions to three days. The Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) wants to be sure everyone knows physical therapy can be an alternative to drugs for pain.

“While part of the solution to the opioid crisis certainly lies in limiting and monitoring prescriptions, we’ve got to be thinking about the 92 million Americans and thousands of Floridians who have been prescribed opioids because they are in horrible pain,” Jamie Dyson, FPTA president and trauma care physical therapist, says in a news release. “Physical therapy is a powerful, proven way to fight the cause of pain, restoring movement and mobility.”

The FPTA launched “PT for Pain,” at ptforpain.org, to provide education about the effectiveness of physical therapy, particularly for those who suffer chronic pain. There are also programs for fall prevention, rehabilitation, and more. The site also has a portal to “Find a PT,” where residents can find trustworthy, licensed physical therapists to help with their pain.

SAFE GRILLING

Preparing meat with intense heat, such as broiling or grilling, may lead to the formation of potential carcinogens, according to a news release from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR).

The AICR offers these five steps for cancer-safe grilling:

• Marinate—Studies suggest marinating meat before grilling decreases the formation of heterocylic amines (HCA).

• Pre-cook—When grilling larger cuts of meat, reduce the time on the grill by partially cooking the meat in the

• Go lean—Cutting off fat means less chance of flare-ups and charring. Cook meat in the center of the grill and turn it frequently.

• Mix it up—Use smaller portions of meat cooked with vegetables to shorten cooking time.

• Go green—Grilling vegetables and fruits produces no HCAs, so enjoy the veggies.

WINNING THE GOLD!

Florida Hospital Waterman Cancer Institute recently received the CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation in recognition of its commitment to the health of employees, according to a news release.

“Our mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ as we care for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—drives our passion of care for our employees, their families, and our community,” Anita Young, chief operating officer of Florida Hospital Waterman, says in the release. “We are proud to demonstrate our commitment to support the health and well-being of our employees.”

The CEO Roundtable on Cancer, a nonprofit organization of CEOs founded by former President George H.W. Bush, created the Gold Standard to recognize employers for caring enough to ensure the health and wellness of their employees.

‘‘ Estimates are that 6.7 million people in the United States suffer from chronic wounds, which, left untreated, can lead to diminished quality of life and possible amputation of the limb.

Source: Healogics, the country’s largest provider of wound healing services.

Voices of kindness

Choir’s music has charms to soothe patients on the ‘threshold.’

Story: Chris Gerbasi Photo: Nicole Hamel

When members of the Threshold Choir of Leesburg showed up to sing at a long-term care facility, they encountered a woman who completely tuned them out. She was withdrawn and wouldn’t talk to anybody.

Over the course of more visits, the woman opened her ears, and her heart.

“In the last few months, we’ve gotten her much more engaged, she’s brighter, and she sings along with us,” Leesburg Chapter Director Rochelle Santopoalo says. “Music has such a wonderful effect on people.”

The Threshold Choir is an international women’s a cappella musical ministry with more than 150 chapters. Groups of three or four volunteers go to hospice houses, assisted-living facilities, and other sites to sing nondenominational songs to patients at bedside, free of charge.

At hospices, members sing comforting, lullaby-like “threshold” songs because the patients are on the threshold of death, Rochelle says. At other locations, they pull out “back-pocket songs,” which are more upbeat and wellknown to older patients. These songs include “Home on the Range,” “Down by the Riverside,” and patriotic songs such as “America the Beautiful.”

“They’re casual songs that everybody knows, but they’re also singalong songs,” says Rochelle, adding that the choir takes requests, such as one for “Sunshine on My Shoulders” by John Denver—“That’s as close as we get to pop,” she jokes.

The Leesburg chapter formed in 2014 and has 18 members, most of whom are hospice-certified caregivers. The choir sings each month at six facilities around Lake County, and also performs at celebrations of life, charity shows, and the Leesburg Arts Festival. Meanwhile, another chapter covers The Villages, singing primarily at Cornerstone Hospice. Both chapters are busy, but they did get together once for a joint rehearsal to teach each other new songs, Rochelle says.

Rochelle joined the organization because she believed in its mission.

“I wanted to be involved with something that was going to do good for the community,” she says. “All the members like singing in the choir because it’s a nice gift we give to people. I think we get as much out of singing to them as they get from us.”

That may be, but the gift to patients is priceless.

“They sing along and, even for a few moments, they’re transported into a happier time or they at least resurrect old memories,” Rochelle says. “They seem happy.”

To serve patients faster and better than ever, Lake Eye is thrilled to announce that two innovative young doctors have joined our healthcare team, Adria Anguita, OD (left) and Lindsey Walsh, OD (right). Both are optometrists, doctors qualified to provide a wide range of eye health and vision services. Drs. Walsh and Anguita have extensive training and experience not only testing vision and prescribing lenses, but also performing comprehensive diagnostic examinations for problems like dry eye, infection, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and more, as well as providing nonsurgical treatments to restore vision and eye health.

Come into Lake Eye and meet our amazing new doctors –your eyes will be happy you did!

Before joining Lake Eye, Dr. Anguita completed her residency at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, working with specialists in retinal and corneal diseases, glaucoma and other specialties. Dr. Walsh was an extern at the renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, one of

the nation’s top eye hospitals. She has specialized education in prescribing and fitting contact lenses, including scleral lenses suitable for many patients with corneal abnormalities. Both doctors are certified in corneal refractive therapy to help correct childhood myopia.

Don’t let fear of falling keep you from living your best life. ng

This smart watch could save your life or the life of a loved one.

Physicians and caregivers are endorsing this new generation of multi-functioning fitness and fall detection. You can set goals and track vitals through BrightLife’s smartphone app that saves historical readings. Family members also like that they can easily log and see that their loved ones are getting up, out and staying active with their exercise, wellness and medication protocols. Call BrightLife Services to find out more!

As active as you want to be. As independent as you are.

A ofpicture healthgood

The area’s Top 20 health and wellness professionals.

WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR JOB? Who couldn’t be passionate when every day they see lives radically changing—people healing physically and emotionally, developing healthy relationships with food and ending years of bondage, clients reducing or eliminating medications and basically taking ownership of their health! Warms my heart!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR FIELD? I have been a family nurse practitioner since 1995, however, I transitioned to Nutritional and Lifestyle medicine in 2006.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT?

and restorative medicine and earning my second master’s degree in 2012 in nutritional and metabolic medicine. As it relates to my career, I am most proud of my business, Total Nutrition and Therapeutics. When I started this practice, many of my colleagues urged me to reconsider, stating that this type of practice would never work. Now, this practice is thriving and although it is a very nontraditional medical practice, it is now becoming what many people are looking for. I am so grateful that God allowed many things to occur in my life that allowed me to start and grow TNT. We have successfully most importantly understand the power they have to be their best version of them! Rewarding, very rewarding.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS?

First , without a doubt is my relationship with Christ. Trusting God’s plan has been key to my success. He has been faithful to provide every opportunity to grow, He has practice medicine that matters. As a result of complete trust, I can have a positive mindset, and never-give-up attitude and willingness to try and fail, learning through the process and knowing that is a part of the plan. I am grateful for each opportunity I have to use my knowledge to help others.

Lori Esarey, MS, ARNP-C, CS, CFT, ABAAHP, FAARFM- OWNER // TOTAL NUTRITION AND THERAPEUTICS

Photo by Nicole Hamel

Joanne M. Keller,

FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER, OWNER //

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR FIELD? 33 years

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT?

I became an RN in May 1985, an ARNP in 1996. My greatest career achievement is owning and operating my independent nurse practitioner practice for the past 17 years.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Always looking for the best in people, situations, and events. Never giving up despite

ARNP

M. KELLER, ARNP HEALTH AND WELLNESS PRACTICE

adversity that came my way. Constantly staying ahead of the curve with new and innovative ideas to attract people who want to improve their quality of lives.

PET PEEVE: People who insist on texting while driving, despite the law that prohibits this activity.

FAVORITE QUOTE: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”—Mahatma Gandhi

GUILTY PLEASURE: Binge watching “Grace and Frankie” on Netflix

Dr. Joshua Olcott

OWNER/OPERATOR // OLCOTT CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLNESS CENTER

WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR JOB? I love helping people get pain-free and back to doing the things they love to do.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR FIELD? 10 years

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT? Opening

my own clinic from scratch.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Determination and hard work.

PET PEEVE:

FAVORITE QUOTE: “That’s what I do, I drink and I know things.”—Tyrion Lannister

GUILTY PLEASURE: A quality Old Fashioned…nothing beats it.

FAVORITE EXERCISE: Longdistance running FAVORITE HEALTH SNACK: Spinach

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES? Spending time with my son typically at Universal or Disney.

FAVORITE EXERCISE:

FAVORITE HEALTH SNACK: Organic Granny Smith apple with lots of almond butter

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES? Protecting sea turtles, flower bed gardening, crocheting.

Juli Romero, RN, CCWS, ACC WELLNESS PROGRAM COORDINATOR // CENTRAL FLORIDA HEALTH

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR FIELD? A long time! I am thrilled to see the continual integration of prevention and wellness growing within the traditional medical model; it wasn’t always this way.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT? My current position as the wellness program coordinator at Central Florida Health (Leesburg Regional Medical Center & The Villages Regional Hospital)

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Even when the answer is “no”, don’t let it stop you, there is always another way. I also surround myself with a strong, positive like -minded team and we work together to achieve the successful outcomes we desire.

GUILTY PLEASURE: Chocolate, of course.

FAVORITE EXERCISE: Short and

FAVORITE HEALTH SNACK: Apples, mangos and kiwis.

JOANNE

Photos of Dr. Joshua Olcott and Joanne M. Keller by Fred Lopez

John Theeck

DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC

WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR JOB? I love making a difference in people’s lives. It is my goal to make sure I help improve my patients’ health by providing the knowledge and education needed to lead healthier lifestyles, without the use of drugs or surgery.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR FIELD? 9 years.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT? Winning the Top Chiropractors in America Award and being publicized in the Leading Physicians of the World magazine.Wellness physician for Team USA inline and having one athlete make the Winter Olympics in speed skating.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Focus, drive, dedication, and “never give up” attitude. I strongly empathize with my patients and truly care about helping them, so I always give everything I have to make sure they improve.

PET PEEVE: Unnecessary back surgeries

FAVORITE QUOTE: “The doctor of the future will give no medication but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.”

—Thomas Edison

Al Cardiello

PERSONAL TRAINER AND OWNER // INFINITY FITNESS

WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR JOB? My passion comes from the personal relationships and the lifelong friendships with my clients. Some of my clients have been with me for over 10 years.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR FIELD? 20 years

WHO IS YOUR HERO IN THE HEALTH FIELD? My hero will always be Arnold Schwarzenegger. His book entitled “Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding” changed my life and gave me the direction, drive, and knowledge to match my passion.

PET PEEVE: Slow walkers. Nothing is worse for me then having to walk behind someone inching along. Of course, I remain courteous, but I think bad thoughts!

FAVORITE EXERCISE: My favorite exercise in the gym is

Photo by Anthony Rao

Richard T. Bosshardt, MD

PLASTIC SURGEON

WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR Mark Twain said the two most important days in anyone’s life are the day they were born and the day they realized why. I feel that plastic surgery is what I was meant to do. I wake up in the morning feeling blessed and excited to come to work.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR FIELD? 40 years, 29 as a plastic surgeon.

Leigh Cavalli

FITNESS, WELLNESS, & PERFORMANCE SERVICES SUPERVISOR // THE NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER AT SOUTH LAKE HOSPITAL

WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR JOB? The people, I truly love helping people. Whether it’s leading my amazing team so they can best serve others in their journey through health and wellness, working with a business leader to create a wellness program for their employees, or leading our South Lake Hospital employees through our

Healthy Back program, I feel I can truly affect someone’s journey to a healthier life.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR FIELD?

Longer than I feel old, that I can tell you—ha! I’ve always

I played sports all my life, at the age of 15, I was an EMT by the age of 16, I

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT? My reputation. I worked very hard to build a good reputation as a plastic surgeon who does good work and who cares. As the saying goes, you are only as good as your last success.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? I love what I do and continually strive to be better each day. Getting paid is icing on the cake.

WHO IS YOUR HERO IN THE HEALTH FIELD? I have two grandfather, Dr. Abel Tavares de Lacerda, who influenced my decision to pursue medicine, and my professor and mentor, D. Ralph Millard Jr., MD, who trained me to be the best plastic surgeon I could be.

studied exercise science and community health in college, and since then have worked the last 17 years.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT?

Helping others, it’s really that simple. I rewrote the answer to this question about 20 times so far, but this is truly what it’s all about.

Isaac L. Mitchell, MD

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR JOB? The understanding that God has blessed me with certain talents and abilities that allow me to greatly improve other people’s lives.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR

FIELD? 15 years

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Never forgetting where I started.

WHO IS YOUR HERO IN THE HEALTH FIELD? Charles Drew, MD

FAVORITE QUOTE: “They will never count me among the broken men.” —George

Lester Johnson

FAVORITE EXERCISE: Basketball

FAVORITE HEALTH SNACK: Trail Mix

Photos of Iscaac

L. Mitchell and Richard

T. Bosshardt by Fred Lopez, photo of Leigh Cavalli by Anthony Rao

Christopher Cheshire,

DOCTOR OF ORIENTAL MEDICINE

WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR JOB? Every day I help people achieve their optimum health.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR FIELD? 18 years, treated over 20,000 patients, performed over 100,000 acupuncture treatments.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Listening— patients will tell you what

Jeffrey

is wrong with them if you just listen long enough.

WHO IS YOUR HERO IN THE HEALTH FIELD? My mentor, Dr. Rong Da Zhu

GUILTY PLEASURE: Vinyl—Listening to jazz on vinyl records.

PET PEEVE: Squeeky wheels on shopping carts.

GLOVER CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS?

WHO IS YOUR HERO IN THE HEALTH FIELD? A fellow classmate of mine, Dr. Josh Axe. He is pretty famous now but we

things wouldn’t work and focused more goal he had at the time.

PET PEEVE: Negativity

FAVORITE QUOTE: can or you can’t, you’re right.”—Henry Ford

GUILTY PLEASURE:

TRI COUNTY HEART INSTITUTE

FIELD? 7 years

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT? Being able to be independent in order to spend more time with my family.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Practice medicine with the highest

Photos of Dr. Nitza I. Alvarez and Jeff rey Glover by Fred Lopez, phpto of Christopher Chesire by Nicole Hamel

McCLain

CERTIFIED YOUTH SPECIALIST. CO-OWNER/ WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT

obesity. I want to help older people keep their independence by helping them to be able to move their bodies a long time.

My heroes are our clients that come in

When someone doesn’t think they can do CrossFit, it’s for everyone. Everything is Everything happens for : Donut King! I only get it

Photo of Micehlle McLain

by Fred Lopez

Joy Kristofferson

GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR// NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR JOB? Helping members reach their goals regardless of what they might be.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR FIELD? I got my

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT? Being nominated again for this honor.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Listening to my

WHO IS YOUR HERO IN THE HEALTH FIELD? My friend/ PET PEEVE:

Kevin Grogan

OWNER //GEAR FOR MULTISPORT ATHLETIC STORE

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT?

FAVORITE EXERCISE: and maybe the next day…LOL.

camaraderie most.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? I

It feels pretty good to come in to the store on Monday mornings my the store to recap the

PET PEEVE: warm Florida.

FAVORITE HEALTH SNACK:

Photo of Joy Haley Kristoff erson by Fred Lopez, photo of Kevin Gorgan by Nicole Hamel

Dr. Steven Rivers, William Garofolo, Dr. Kevin Taylor, Dr. Pablo Reyes, and Kristina McLean

Is there a doctor shortage?

The US may be looking at a shortage of 120,000 doctors by 2030.

Chris Gerbasi

The country is facing a critical shortage of doctors in the near future if the numerous projections issued in recent years are accurate. The “why” and “when” are heavily debated, but

CAREERS

Florida has millions of people who do not have adequate access to health care. Doctors are retiring and medical schools cannot turn out replacements as quickly as needed. There is also a shortage of nurses; however, medical professionals say the state limits what physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, and nurse practitioners can do, adding to the dilemma. Here are the facts on what this means to Lake and Sumter counties.

as Americans live longer and require health care for more years, medical schools and hospitals must keep pace to provide a sufficient number of physicians.

A shortage of up to 120,000 physicians may impact the United States by 2030, according to a report released in April by the Association of American Medical Colleges, a not-forprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. The report cites projected shortages in primary care and particularly in specialty care. Training for new doctors can take up to 10 years, so potential shortages would pose a risk to patients in the next decade.

Locally, Florida Hospital Waterman in Tavares works closely on the issue with organizations such as the American Medical Association and the Florida Hospital Association, says Anita Young, the hospital’s chief operating officer. Physician workforce development is a top priority for

Waterman and most medical centers in the country, she says. Administrators at Central Florida Health and South Lake Hospital did not respond to requests for comment.

“Florida Hospital Waterman regularly evaluates our medical staff and community physician workforce and develops strategies to address any concerns related to shortages,” Anita says in an email. “This often includes recruiting new, highly trained specialists and primary care physicians to serve the residents of north Lake County. Residency and physician training programs at Florida Hospital enhance our ability to recruit physicians to our hospitals and communities.”

The major drivers of the projections are a growing and aging population requiring increasingly complex care, in tandem with an aging physician workforce, the AAMC reports. The U.S. population is estimated to rise by almost

11 percent by 2030, and the 65-andolder age group is expected to increase by 50 percent. One-third of all active physicians also will be 65 or older within the next decade.

increased by nearly 30 percent since 2002, and graduation rates are steady.

produce about 3,000 new residency positions each year over the next five years, according to the AAMC.

Training for new doctors can take up

“In Central Florida, physician shortage concerns are compounded by large population growth and the average age of our residents,” Anita says.

However, numbers related to medical school are on the rise, the AAMC reports. Enrollment has

The breakdown is occurring at the residency level, where a longtime federal funding freeze has prevented an increase in residency slots. An increase in federal support could

“We must start training more doctors now to meet the needs of our patients in the future,” Dr. Darrell G. Kirch, AAMC president and CEO, says in a news release. “Now it’s time for Congress to do its part…without an increase in federal support, there simply won’t be enough doctors to provide the care Americans need.”

Is there a nurse in the house?

Labor bureau projects more than 1 million job openings nationwide by 2024.

Theresa Campbell

Nurses remain in high demand. Hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities offer lucrative pay and sign-on bonuses, and these offers are bound to continue, according to a local college administrator.

“We receive calls daily for recruitment of our students,” says Kathy Perfumo, coordinator for the health science department at Lake Technical College. “The good news is, they are getting jobs and actively being recruited.”

Some 75 students are enrolled in the licensed practical nursing (LPN) program at Lake Tech (a 1,350-hour program that takes more than 12 months to complete), and Kathy says her school has a close relationship with Lake-Sumter State College in encouraging students to further their studies to become registered nurses (RN).

“Nationally, there is a nursing shortage that is expected to grow dramatically for a multitude of reasons. The

to 10 years, so potential shortages would pose a risk to patients in the next decade.

biggest reason is as baby boomers retire, the population of the elderly grows as does the need to provide them with medical care,” Kathy says. “At the same time, a large number of nurses are boomers, so retirement is escalating with our nurses.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the RN workforce will have 1.09 million openings by 2024 due to growth and replacement of retiring nurses.

“The RN shortage will be most intense in the South and West,” states an American Journal of Medical Quality 2012 report.

Kathy says a shortage in this region is understandable. “Florida is a very desirable location among the elderly for retirement,” she says, adding snowbirds come to this area to spend winters away from the cold up north.

As a hospital nurse for more than 40 years, Kathy is now committed to her work at Lake Tech. The college has three primary LPN instructors and six adjunct instructors.

“We have a 90 percent completion rate, and we are above the national average with our pass and our completion rate,” Kathy says. “When we train students, we train them to be great nurses and we prepare them to take their state licensure exams. However, we don’t complete a student who is not ready.”

Some students leave the program due to health reasons, family obligations, or maternity leave.

“We do a lot of work to keep our students in school, and we have a student success counselor who will meet with students if they need help with study habits or help with test-taking skills,” Kathy says.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the RN workforce will have 1.09 million openings by 2024 due to growth and replacement of retiring nurses.

“Nursing can be very hard work and it can also be very rewarding,” she adds. “We really need to nurture our nurses and not get into the cycle of not enough nurses, stretch them too thin with stress (so) that they leave. We need to keep feeding the profession with new nurses so that everyone can have a nice quality of life.”

Doctors united

Group medical practices provide a completeness of care by having a team of doctors, medical records, and services all in one location.

Story: James Combs

Years ago, treatment at Buchanan Health Center in Leesburg consisted primarily of gentle, quick adjustments of the lumbar and cervical spine.

Now, the chiropractic practice offers much more. Patients can be treated for common colds, receive steroid injections for joint pain, undergo treatment for hormone deficiencies, and enroll in weight-loss or rehabilitation programs.

That’s all possible thanks to a growing team of health-care providers who offer multiple services under one roof.

“For years, my patients have told me they want high-quality care in one location,” says Dr. Tige Buchanan, who opened his

practice in 2000. “I think my practice has fulfilled a growing need in the area.”

Indeed, the winds of change have blown through the medical community in the past few years, turning medicine upside down. Physicians who previously were formidable competitors are now merging and becoming partners. There’s an upside to this model. When doctors of various medical backgrounds work together, share ideas, and discuss treatment options, patient outcomes are optimized.

The same can be said for patient convenience. When Dr. Buchanan expanded his practice to include a fully licensed and

operational medical facility, patients who formerly came in for low back and neck pain began coming for flu treatment or annual blood tests. He also added a full-service rehabilitation department to treat injuries relating to bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles.

“Before, my patients had to go to the emergency room or urgent care when

they needed medical treatment,” he says. “Spending half a day in the emergency room is just silly, and if they tried to get a primary care doctor, it could take three months for the first visit. Now, they can come here when they are sick and work with physicians and staff they are familiar and comfortable with. The same goes for patients who need rehabilitative

services. It’s extremely difficult for patients who work to take a couple hours off work on different days to go to different health-care facilities. We eliminate that obstacle.”

FHV Health in Leesburg also positioned itself to meet the evolving needs of patients in today’s health-care market. While the practice was once limited to offering cardiology services, its founder, Dr. David C. Lew, formed a multi-specialty group in 2006 that today boasts an ever-growing staff of cardiologists, endocrinologists, nephrologists, vascular surgeons, general practitioners, registered nurses, and physician’s assistants.

“Through our collaborative care, we offer leading-edge treatments for a variety of problems across a broad spectrum of health-care specialties,” Dr. Lew says. ”I’m very pleased with the results and success of our multi-specialty group. We operate on a foundation of proven quality and remain on the forefront of always trying to improve patient care.”

There are other benefits. Multispecialty groups have greater purchasing power because physicians can share the expense of new technology and medical equipment. Moreover, physicians in a group setting have easier access to a patient’s medical records.

“Having their records at our fingertips reduces medical error,” Dr. Lew says. “For instance, if we are not sure what a doctor outside our practice prescribed, then we may give them medication that is in conflict with their current medication. Also, if a patient has physicians who are far away from us, it can be a daunting task to get all the information we need. In our practice, various specialists are sharing medical records under one umbrella. It’s a speedier and safer way to deliver health care.” And it allows physicians to focus on the totality of a patient’s health-care needs.

Physicians who previously were formidable competitors are now merging and becoming partners. There’s an upside to this model. When doctors of various medical backgrounds work together, share ideas, and discuss treatment options, patient outcomes are optimized.

The value of PAs and NPs

Unlike many jobs in the healtheld, physician assistants (PAs), advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs), and nurse practitioners (NPs) are in a growth spurt right now. In 2001, an estimated 103,612 NPs and PAs were employed, according to the U.S. Library of Medicine in the National Institutes of Health. Since that time, the number of graduates has increased every year, according to the blog midlevelu.com, an online community of nurses and physician assistants. The number of NPs steadily increases 3,000-4,000 students per year, which is likely due to more online courses being offered, the blog says. Courses for PAs have not made it online yet.

The Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners believes ARNPs and NPs could be the answer to Florida’s health-care problem, part of which is 48 percent of physicians in Florida are expected to retire in the next 10 years. However, Florida’s restrictions to NPs keep lling the gap caused by FANP says removing these restrictions could ease the burden

for patients who would otherwise go to an emergency room for treatment. This drives up cost, which is then placed on taxpayers. Removing the restrictions for NPs, according to FANP, and letting these qualified medical professionals practice to the fullest extent would require no extra dollars to

the state budget, but would mean easier access to health care, immediately reducing ER visits.

Beverly Connolly, PA-C, is a physician assistant at MacInnis Dermatology in Leesburg, Mount Dora, and The Villages. “As a PA, my goal is to provide patientcentered care and treat everyone as I would like to be treated,” Beverly says.

“A PA is a reflection of their supervising physician. I am fortunate to work with Dr. (Colleen) MacInnis and Dr. (Kay) Johnston, two amazing people, as well as exceptional dermatologists. There is never time when a PA stops learning, and when one can learn from the best, it can only make us better.”

With a possible income of up to $120,000, it would seem beneficial for current college students to consider this as an advantageous career.

The number of NPs steadily increases 3,000-4,000 students per year.

LET’S GET

Drugs and surgery are not the only options to combat pain. Physical therapy enables patients to regain movement and function.

The next time she experiences severe dizziness, Claudia Jones of The Villages will know exactly where she can have it treated.

That’s good news because in November 2017 her world was spinning out of control. She developed vertigo after falling and landing on her head while attending a Marine Corps birthday ball. The accident left her feeling dizzy, disoriented, and confused.

“I felt totally turned around because my equilibrium was unstable,” says Claudia, who moved to The Villages five years ago. “I couldn’t perform routine chores like cleaning the house because I would lose my footing.”

Fortunately for Claudia, her condition was successfully treated after only four sessions at All Coast Therapy in Lady

Lake. Mike Horsley, a physical therapist, utilized a series of gentle head and neck movements to relocate calcium carbonate crystals to the inner ear. When they are out of place, these crystals disrupt the flow of fluid in the ear canal, negatively affecting motion and balance.

“I was a new person,” says Claudia, who spent 26 years as a nurse in Missouri.

Claudia is one of millions of people across the globe who have relied on physical therapy to help them regain mobility and, in turn, a higher quality of life.

Physical therapists evaluate, diagnose, and treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Their success stems from a highly individualized, hands-on plan of care that reduces pain and restores function. By using noninvasive, drug-

Story: James Combs

free techniques, they help some patients avoid negative side effects of medication and the long recovery periods of surgery.

“Some patients spend $250 to $300 trying to fix their problem with overthe-counter medication before they decide to try physical therapy,” Mike says. “And as far as surgery, that should always be a last resort because it’s not always successful. An unsuccessful surgery may lead to a lifetime of pain.”

Mike is a licensed physical therapist who joined All Coast Therapy in 2003. After an initial evaluation during a patient’s first visit, he assesses their disease or injury and then develops a plan of care that may include strengthening weak muscles and stretching tight connective tissue.

He treats common conditions like degenerative disc disease, rotator cuff tendinitis, osteoarthritis of the knee, spinal stenosis, and plantar fasciitis. He also treats lesser-known ailments such as Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a common cause of severe dizziness.

“I had one patient who had BPPV for 38 years, and doctors told her she would have to live with it,” Mike says. “After three treatments with me, she was totally rid of it. Another man came in with such severe back pain that he bent forward and flexed to the side when he tried walking. He couldn’t even lie down to have an MRI. Through traction, manual therapy, and McKenzie extension exercises, he never had to have surgery.”

Success stories like those are also common at Mount Dora Physical Therapy Specialists, which is owned by

Dave Moulder and his wife, Ana. Both became physical therapists after graduating together from the College of St. Scholastica in Minnesota. The couple opened their practice in 2012.

For them, patient education is the most crucial part of the treatment process.

“Physical therapy isn’t instant gratification; it’s a lifestyle change,” Ana says. “We educate them on their pathology and teach them about therapeutic exercises they can perform at home so they can maintain an active lifestyle. We don’t heal people. The body heals itself. We try to remove roadblocks, whether it’s bad posture while looking at a laptop or spending too much time on the recliner.”

Although physical therapists do not prescribe medication, they use guided exercises and technical tools to achieve

optimal outcomes. The cornerstone of physical therapy treatment is manual therapy, a hands-on approach that involves massage, mobilization, and manipulation to address pain and tension in muscles and joints. Stretching exercises and trigger-point release for muscle knots are other hands-on therapies designed to promote healing.

Physical therapists also utilize specialized tools as part of their arsenal of treatment options. At All Coast Therapy, Mike uses ultrasound, which provides deep heating to soft tissues in the body, and electrical stimulation, which uses electric impulses to reduce inflammation and swelling around a joint.

“There’s not a joint in the body I cannot treat,” Mike says.

The Moulders have enjoyed successful outcomes with cold laser therapy, a tool that uses low-power laser to enhance cellular function and accelerate the healing process. They also use a handheld device called point stimulation, which applies small electric current to acupuncture points utilized in traditional Chinese medicine.

“People are living longer and demanding more of their bodies,” Dave says. “Therefore, we’ll use every intervention available to a patient to maximize healing and reduce pain.”

In addition to being prescribed as a treatment for acute and chronic conditions, physical therapy helps patients recover from surgery. Katie Boyer, a clinic manager and physical therapist at CORA Physical Therapy in The Villages, works with many patients who have undergone total knee

“Physical therapy isn’t instant lifestyle change. We educate them and teach them exercises they can they can maintain an active lifestyle. heals itself.”

— Ana Moulder, Mount Dora Physical Therapy Specialists

replacement and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee surgery.

Much like treating injuries, patient education is an equally important component of the post-surgical recovery process.

“I show them what exercises they can do at home to speed up the recovery process, and I provide guidance so they can begin doing activities again without reinjuring themselves,” says Katie, who earned a doctor of physical therapy degree from Washington University in St. Louis. “Out of 168 hours in the week, I see them for a total of three hours. Therefore, if they do not do exercises at home, then their recovery will be prolonged.”

Katie also serves as the first line of defense in detecting post-surgical complications.

“If something is wrong, such as infections or blood clots, I will be able to tell because I see post-surgical patients three times a week,” she says. “As physical therapists, we are musculoskeletal experts and educated in anything going on with the muscles, bones, joints, and nerves.”

Seeing patients live fuller, more independent lives makes a physical therapist’s job rewarding. After all, these patients have been struggling with regular movement and have difficulty completing daily tasks.

“They stop doing leisure activities because they are in so much pain,” says Beulah Scott, chief executive officer of All Coast Therapy. “Then they come in here and after a round of therapy, they’re feeling better. They’re going back to living again and doing activities that make them happy.”

For Katie, having a patient return for the same illness or injury is deemed a failure.

“I tell them all the time that if I’m doing my job right, then I shouldn’t have to see them again.”

always successful.

Photo: Nicole Hamel

With eight conveniently located ERs in Central Florida, you’re

Simple ways to avoid injury

Typically, a weight training injury can be prevented by a small tweak or adjustment to form. Take these simple steps during Pain Awareness Month to prevent muscle strain and/or injury when hitting the gym:

• Warm up your muscles before each workout.

• Recovery is crucial. Always get a good night’s rest after working out. When you need a rest day, look to “active rest” exercises like yoga to improve your body’s overall mobility.

• Stretching exercises reduce muscle soreness and improve muscle flexibility, making them less susceptible to injury.

• Know your body’s limitations. The intensity of your workouts should grow only as your body’s strength grows.

• Stay hydrated. Consuming liquids helps your body digest the nutrients it needs to repair muscle damage.

Source: Dr. Armin Tehrany, founder of Manhattan Orthopedic Care and honorary surgeon for the New York Police Department. Used with permission.

Let’s talk about sex

Story: Irene Hogan

Let’s talk about sex, baby. So how is your libido? What libido?

I hear you say I’m too tired, stressed, fill in the blank for sex.

Nearly 50 percent of women have a low or nonexistent sex drive. So you’re normal. Did you

know a woman’s sexuality is important for her self-image and well-being?

A healthy sex drive is linked to longevity. Yes, sex is anti-aging. Hormones, stress, drugs, aging, and lifestyle all may affect a woman’s libido or sex drive. For women, both her mind and body must be functioning optimally for a healthy sex drive. Anti-depressants and antianxiety drugs frequently prescribed for menopausal symptoms can reduce libido and the ability to orgasm and some drugs cause vaginal dryness.

Sexual activity is important in a woman’s life. However, our never-ending list of demands on time cause a decline in sexual activity that spirals and intensifies relationship issues. Despite knowing sex is important and

satisfying, women tend to put it aside and forget to nurture themselves.

Both physical and psychological issues affect our ability to have a satisfying sex life. Vaginal dryness, pain with intercourse, lowered desire, inability to reach orgasm all are issues to addressed. They may cause or worsen existing depression and anxiety.

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT?

Most women have heard about testosterone, the hormone of desire. Though not a cure for every woman, it is certainly a hormone that improves sexual desire and orgasm in women. It normally does not have side effects for most women. Some may experience increased hair

growth, but it also may improve mood, mental functioning, metabolism, and muscle mass.

A compounding pharmacy can tailor therapy for you in partnership with your physician. Other herbs that may be useful include macca, tribulus, l-arginine, ginkgo biloba, and fenugreek.

Sex is good for you and improves your quality of life. So what are you waiting for? If it’s an issue, talk to someone about your libido today.

WRITER → Irene Stronczak-Hogan is

A nose for danger

A trained dog could help a Tavares woman with diabetes.

Story: James Combs

Dog owners teach their furry friends to heel.

Katie Cowham is hoping to purchase a diabetic alert dog that teaches her to heal.

A 21-year-old resident of Tavares, Katie has battled Type 1 diabetes since being diagnosed at age 3. Every night for the past 18 years, her parents, Glenn and Joy Cowham, quietly entered her room, pricked her fingertip with a small needle, and put a drop of blood on a glucose meter to make sure she has not slipped into a diabetic coma.

“We set our alarm and do this every two hours throughout the night,” Joy says. “Diabetes does not go away when you sleep. There have been many cases of Type 1 diabetics falling into a coma during sleep and never waking up.”

Katie is not willing to take that chance now that she wants to move away from home for the first time. Without her parents providing

repeated care throughout the night, a diabetic alert dog could be a potential lifesaver. The animal could warn Katie whenever her blood sugar falls or spikes to dangerous levels.

One obstacle remains. The canine comes with a hefty price tag of $13,500, which does not include the additional cost of training. As of late June, Katie, a phlebotomist at a private medical practice in The Villages, had raised $7,415 using a GoFundMe account.

She feels confident she’ll raise the rest of the money. In fact, she already has narrowed down a list to two potential names for a male dog: Indy or Maverick.

“I have always loved dogs,” Katie says. “Even if you’re not feeling well, you can’t look at a dog and not be happy.”

Katie hopes to purchase a Labrador retriever from Lily Grace Service Dogs, an Idaho-based company that trains dogs to assist patients with diabetes, autism, post-traumatic stress disorder, and limited mobility. The owner, Lily Grace, has trained service dogs for 16 years.

To train diabetic alert dogs, she collects three samples of a patient’s saliva—one sample when blood sugar is low, one sample when blood sugar is normal, and one sample when blood sugar is high. Then, when the puppies are 8 weeks old, she begins scent training so they can effectively use their sharp snouts to detect acetone scents as a sign of low blood sugar and sweet, fruity smells as an indication of high blood sugar.

“I put the saliva in tins and put the tins on different parts of my body,” Lily says. “Whenever the puppy smells a tin

with the saliva representing low or high blood sugar, it earns the puppy a click and a treat. If the puppy smells the tin with saliva of normal blood sugar, I don’t do anything.”

Once the dogs complete scent training, they learn how to alert their human partner.

“I teach my dogs to paw diabetic patients because with this disease people can get loopy or pass out,” Lily says. “They will know when the dog makes physical contact they need to check their blood-sugar level.”

After six to eight months of undergoing an extensive training and obedience program, dogs are delivered to owners. For the Cowhams, Katie’s hopeful companion cannot arrive soon enough. In May, Katie was hospitalized for 10 days after her body went into diabetic ketoacidosis, a “serious complication of diabetes that occurs when your body produces high levels of

blood acids called ketones,” according to the Mayo Clinic.

“She has been in and out of the hospital her entire life, but this was her longest hospital stay,” Glenn says. “Her hormone levels were imbalanced, she had fluid around her heart and lungs, and her body was bloated. At one point, doctors thought she had gone into congestive heart and kidney failure.”

Katie left the hospital with an unfortunate diagnosis of gastroparesis, a disease where stomach muscles stop working, resulting in poor emptying of food into the intestine. The condition adds another layer of difficulty to Katie’s ongoing medical battle.

“Because of the gastroparesis, Katie can only eat a few bites of food before she feels extremely full,” Joy says. “If she doesn’t eat enough, then the insulin she administers after her meal drives her blood-sugar level way too low.”

An alert dog would be another valuable tool in helping Katie manage the never-ending complications of diabetes.

“The dog will be attached to me at the hip,” Katie says. “It will sleep with me, go to restaurants with me, and go to work with me. That will give my parents peace of mind.”

And give Katie her independence.

TO HELP THE CAUSE

Anyone who would like to donate to Katie’s GoFundMe account can visit gofundme.com/katiesalertdog.

I teach my dogs to paw diabetic patients because with this disease people can get loopy or pass out. They will know when the dog makes physical contact they need to check their blood-sugar level.

— Lily Grace, owner of Lily Grace Service Dogs

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For better mental health

In today’s busy world, self-care tends to fall off the to-do lists. Be aware, however, that self-care lets you live a more joyful, effective life and builds overall emotional well-being. Take these simple steps to help reintroduce self-care into

• Do something you have always wanted to do, like learning a new activity or taking a break to connect

• Weave mindfulness into your day by incorporating conscious breathing (i.e., taking three slow, deep breaths in the morning before starting your day).

These tips come from Newport Academy, a network of healing centers for adolescents and families dealing with mental health issues, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Its motto is “Empowering Teens. Restoring Families.”

Fat emotions

The link between emotions and food has always been perplexing.

Story: Sima Cohen

You’ve finally decided to go on a health kick. You cut out pastries, you work out regularly, drink more water, follow trainer Kayla Itsines on Instagram, and so on. You’re doing all the right things but something’s wrong. The number on the scale doesn’t budge.

You think you’ve covered everything, but there’s one very important aspect missing: cutting out the fat emotions. Let’s take a deeper look at what they are:

Fat emotions are produced by the inaccessible part of your brain’s control system that rules your physical life by the unpredictability of your ever-changing mood. For example, when you’re stressed, you might eat more chips than you intend; when you’re sad, you might reach for that fourth glass of wine; when you feel helpless, you might eat bigger portions. In the moment, these things feel necessary. That extra chip or the fourth glass of wine seem like the perfect solution to your fat emotions. However, they never are the solutions to the underlying problems.

The most neglected step in most health journeys is taking care of your mental and emotional state. The anger, the blame, the feeling of not being good enough, and being unforgiving build an atmosphere of negativity in your process. When you surround yourself with this attitude, everything suddenly is someone else’s fault. At the end of the day, you’re the one eating chips and drinking wine. It’s your own unresolved mental and emotional hunger leading you down the rabbit hole of bad habits.

I used to have an unhealthy relationship with food. It was hard for me to accept that food wasn’t my biggest problem. The problem was my ability to control my image. I don’t mean what I saw in the mirror, because that came after. I took control of how I saw myself. I took control of my perspective of myself so I could take control of how I saw my problems thereafter. When I took the effort to resolve the emotions that blocked me from taking the next step in health, I realized how easy it was to not only lose the weight or get in shape, but to also feel good about it.

ABOUT THE WRITER → Sima Cohen is a health and wellness expert and author of “Sima’s Healthy Indulgence,” which condenses 20 years of fruitful practice into one book. See simacohenblog.com for more.

Stress and oral health

Don’t sink your teeth into stressing out.

Story: Anastasia Turchetta

Do you say “yes” to the stress? Of course, you do! But did you know that stress is affecting your oral health?

Whether it’s emotional, physical, or financial, stress can stop your momentum as you drive on the highway to good health. Whether it’s short or long term, major life changes or daily conflicts, one fact is certain: the impact of unmanaged stress on your health is nothing to smile about.

Major life changes come in all shapes and sizes, like the loss of a relationship, job, pet, or loved one. It can be a sudden illness or medical emergency, surgery and recovery, or the responsibility of being a caregiver to an aging parent. Moving to a new area means a whole new range of changes, like finding new doctors, health insurance, endless calls or appointments, setting up utilities, and, worst of all, dealing with the DMV.

Daily conflicts, like running late for work, forgetting where your keys are, getting stuck in traffic, almost getting in an accident while driving, arguing with your partner, struggling to pay bills on time, and dealing with drama at work and at home all are extremely stressful situations.

How stress impacts our bodies does not have a fairytale ending. Instead of winding up with Prince Charming, we’re left with high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, a suppressed immune system, headaches, and restlessness.

And unmanaged stress will leave your smile hurting in a number of ways, too. More specifically, we’re left grinding our teeth (bruxism), with sore, bleeding gums and bad breath.

GRINDING TEETH: When we’re stressed, we most likely clench our teeth together. This is common to do in our sleep. It’s called bruxism and the impact is quite a load. Normal pressure from chewing is approximately 20 to 40 pounds. However, when we clench our teeth, it’s more like 250 pounds of pressure. This can contribute to problems with TMJ (jaw joints), muscle soreness, a stiff neck, and headaches. So, what’s the solution? That depends on the wear on your teeth.

Looking in the mirror, gently bite together and slowly move your jaw from one side to the other. If you notice that the edges of your canine teeth are worn and fit in that unnatural jaw position, there’s a good chance you’re grinding your teeth. There are treatment options available to help correct this stressful situation, including being fitted for a custom mouth guard or splints, targeted massage to release the muscle’s tension, and cool laser therapy.

BLEEDING GUMS: It isn’t normal for gums to bleed. Period. Gingivitis and periodontal disease are the two most common reasons your gums will be both sore and bleeding. They’re not the only reasons. Stress is another factor. Your body drives the stress hormone cortisol to suppress your immune system, which allows bacteria to invade your gums. The symptoms will feel like whiplash to your gums.

What’s the solution to stop stress from wrecking your gums? Amp up your oral hygiene regimen. Use an electric toothbrush and an accompanying app to confirm you’re brushing all the surfaces of your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day. It’s also recommended to clean in between your teeth with interdental brushes, floss picks, or a water pick. You also should use toothpastes that focus on reducing gingivitis, not desensitizing or remineralizing. Any way you can remove bacteria is stress management for your gums.

BAD BREATH: Have you ever noticed how dry your mouth gets during those daily conflicts mentioned above? That’s because stress reduces saliva. Add on lifestyle risk factors like a poor diet, coffee, alcohol, smoking, or vaping, and you can really take someone’s breath away—just not in the way you hope. Even medication for stress can be a culprit for bad breath.

How can you extinguish stress-related bad breath before it impairs your self-esteem, intimacy, and potential income? Try chewing gum or mints with Xylitol during the day. You also should discuss which mouth rinse ingredients best fit the current state of your oral health with your dental hygienist.

Each day, we consciously and subconsciously say yes to the stress. Our bodies are our health advocates. They become crystal clear in communicating to us when we need to refuel. Empowerment comes when we listen to our bodies and act before we drive on fumes.

It’s important that we harness our stress management.

ABOUT THE WRITER → Anastasia Turchetta is a health empowerment conversationalist with 30 years in the health-care profession. She is the host of “Coffee Chat with Anastasia” online. Learn more about her at anastasiaturchetta.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

curiosity. It takes practice, but soon Mindfulness expert Julie

Is ‘being human’ a bankrupt idea?

Story: Josselyne Herman-Saccio

Friends are fighting. Families are fighting. Politicians are fighting. Has humanity really been reduced to arguments over who’s right and who’s wrong? What if the key to unlocking a new way of being human in today’s divisive world is as simple as the language we use? Language can help us create a way of being that exists outside our differences.

It’s time to learn this new language: the language of being.

The lid on what’s possible for families, communities, countries, and the people of the world isn’t our circumstances. It’s not what’s happening to us; it’s the language we’re using to deal with what’s happening. To alter what’s possible, we can use language to access new ways of being with the people and issues we encounter.

For example, consider a new term to identify what is happening when we are too busy making people wrong in our minds to actually listen to what they are saying. Let’s call that mental state—that busy, judgmental, chatty inner voice—the “already always listening.”

The “already always listening” is a blind spot for people. It’s a filter through which we’re listening to others speak, and we’re not really listening. This lens or filter of “already always listening” is the internal dialogue in your head whenever you are listening to someone. It is constantly asking: Is it good? Is it bad? Is it wrong? Is it right?

This internal noise adds judgments or opinions to everything that’s being said, so it skews what is being communicated and leaves you receiving something different

based on the makeup of your particular filter. We get so caught up filtering ideas through what we “already” know to be “always” true that we never actually hear what we’re being told.

Now what? We can create the possibility in our lives of not making people wrong. There are as many opinions in this world as there are people, and not one of them is “right.” How much more could we accomplish in our lives, our relationships, and our communities if we didn’t need to make anyone wrong?

It’s time to explore a new way of being in the world through language tools that open a doorway so people can create new possibilities. When we recognize our blind spots, we can begin to make new choices and create new outcomes for ourselves and our lives.

The more we allow people to have their views and opinions and to be heard by us outside of any need to make them “right” or “wrong,” the more we make room for the possibility of a unified family, community, nation, and world. We have the power to transform the “great divides” in our own lives and, amazingly, that’s also where the global transformation begins.

employee burnout problem— and how to beat it

Your life is not just about your job.

Story: Tim Cole

There’s an epidemic sweeping through offi buildings in the corporate world and across virtually every workplace and industry in this country. It’s insidious, pervasive, and coldly destroying—like the tentacles of a cancer that metastasized.

THE BURNOUT EPIDEMIC

Approximately 100 million full-time employees constitute the workforce in the United States. More than half of them are dying on the job—at least in regard to their desire and passion to be there.

Gallup, the polling company, estimates up to 50 percent are not engaged in their work and another 20 percent are actively disengaged. This suggests that a startling 30 million are left to drive the productivity of this country and the future of our economy.

The Gallup findings are clear on some of the most significant contributors to burnout and employee disengagement. It begins with leaders and their capacity to address three very basic areas:

• Selecting the right people for the job.

• Investing in developing employee strengths.

• Enhancing workers’ well-being.

But the percentages cited above do not represent the full scope of the problem

WHY

ARE SO MANY DISENGAGING?

It could be argued that no point resonates more than issue No. 3. Employees who treat their career like a “corporate athlete” are better prepared to deal with day-to-day adversity.

Specifically:

• First, they build a sense of purpose in their career and their lives and assume a broader view for their physical and emotional conditioning over the long haul. In turn, they’re better able to avoid with stress as a result.

• Second, they link to a mentor or formal leader. Those advisors often help employees recognize “wellness” is never going to be a completely company-issued initiative offering practical perspective that less insightful supervisors are oblivious to.

The “Burnout Busters” below are a summary of some of those time-tested points of advice. Any employee should factor them carefully if they hope to find balance and sustainability in their career. They include:

• Find a gym. Join it. And then actually use it. Routinely. Your body can pay a toll in the corporate world if you allow it to happen.

• Make a commitment to understanding diet and make healthy eating a part of your daily habits. Travel and the associated nuances

can play havoc with what you eat and when you eat. You’ll either learn to negotiate that or you will develop problems.

• Embrace your friends. Social outlets are critical. And if your only outlet is your job, then you are holding on far too tight. The job is always look at you through green-tinted glasses—yes, the same color as the dollars that power it.

• Find a life partner who “gets it” and can support you. If you’re and not be sucked into the tornado.

• If you choose to drink alcohol, limit it and do not make it a part of your work life. That includes off-site business meetings. A general rule I have espoused for three decades: nothing good happens after midnight at company functions.

• Recognize and embrace your faith. All of failures of man and against a higher order.

• Develop and nourish hobbies outside work; far too many make their vocation their avocation—a terrible mistake. Here’s a simple work, check yourself. There is life outside your career, but you need to build it.

• Stay active. It’s amazing how many people I’ve watched grow old because of a sedentary lifestyle.

• Continue to stimulate your most important muscle: your mind. It can be and should be a passion that sustains you long after your career is done.

• Your career is going to knock you down from time to time. No only if you treat your body as any player would.

There are four dimensions to your health and wellbeing. They extend far beyond your professional life. The physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of your world are like table legs. If one collapses then the whole follows. Take the steps to nourish each and your chances for survival increase.

ABOUT THE WRITER →Tim Cole is founder and CEO of the Compass Alliance. His book, “The Compass Solution: A Guide to Winning Your Career,” offers practical direction to both senior leaders and employees on how to cultivate a rich culture and en sure a

Treating GERD

New treatment procedure for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is now available for patients that experience frequent heartburn, regurgitation and / or nausea.

You may be a candidate for the LINX procedure if: Medication has not been successful treating your GERD symptoms, lifestyle and diet changes have not provided you much relief, persistent symptoms severely affect your quality of life, and you prefer to stop taking medication(s) to manage your gastric reflux.

The LINX procedure is a permanent, drug–free treatment for GERD that consists of a small band of magnetized titanium beads wrapped around the lower esophageal sphincter located at the base of the esophagus. This band helps prevent gastric acids from pushing back up into the esophagus from the stomach, yet also safely allows the lower esophageal sphincter to open when required to allow for easy swallowing.

you get

If you’re having financial diffi credit problems, or just want answers about personal finance, there is a place you can go to talk to experts: debt.com/news/ask-the-expert/. There is a place to enter your questions and you can select from a variety of experts who list their specialties. According to the website, you submit any debt or financial question, and a pro will respond as soon as possible.

Is your doctor an algorithm?

Dealing with end-of-life issues.

Story: Dr. Marilyn M. Singleton

Some pundits blamed algorithmic trading for the stock market’s recent wild ride. “Algo-trading” relies on computers programmed to follow ned instructions for placing trades. For example, the computer buys 50 shares of stock when its 50-day moving average goes above the 200-day moving average. Period. This was popularized as a systematic approach that removes human emotion, intuition, or instinct from the transaction.

Advanced medical algorithms may be the next best thing. Their intended purpose is to improve and standardize decisions made about medical care, enabling multiple levels of health-care practitioners to use the same “thought” process.

A medical algorithm can be a list of risk factors for various conditions, such as heart disease, or a simple calculation such as BMI (body mass index) utilizing height and weight to determine ideal numbers. Many algorithms are flow charts with a binary decision tree: if BMI is greater than 25, do this; if not, do that. Newer algorithms based on machine learning, a form of artificial intelligence that simulates how humans learn, can analyze and diagnose radiology images or pathology slides or predict the actual risk of developing certain conditions.

Some of these advances are extraordinary and may add to our medical armamentarium. But they don’t exist in a vacuum. Concomitant with the flow chart revolution, patients complain that shortly after the physician’s first “Hello,” they are handed a “Do not resuscitate” form.

Yes, it is a good thing for a physician to know about a patient’s desires at the end of his life. But it is unsettling when the 35-year-old “provider” cheerfully encourages a ll out the form, crowing that she signed her DNR form. The patient is thinking, “You’ll feel a lot different about it at 65 than you do now.”

Unfortunately, in today’s health-care delivery factories, when illness strikes, “your” doctor may be a hospitalist you don’t know whose only knowledge about you is lab tests, x-rays, findings on physical exam, and a form you signed 10 years ago. Your family relationships, religious views, and the like are not this doctor’s purview. When death actually is near, you want to know and trust those in charge of your life.

In a recent case, a toddler was declared brain dead by one hospital, but apparently showed signs of life. His mother sought but failed to stop the removal of life support. After the plug was pulled, she challenged the constitutionality of California’s Determination of Death Act, which effectively takes away life-and-death decisions from parents. The act provides that a person is dead when, in accordance with accepted medical standards, either the body or the brain has irreversible cessation of all function. A federal court dismissed the case, reasoning that the state

cannot be held responsible for determination-of-death laws, because doctors have “broad and legitimate discretion” to end patients’ life support.

Less obvious but nonetheless devastating, is the power Medicare, Medicaid, and insurers exercise over life and death through preauthorizations and denials of claims.

In a lawsuit against Aetna for denial of benefits, which the patient alleged “almost killed him,” Aetna’s medical director admitted under oath he never looked at patients’ medical records when deciding to approve or deny care.

When physicians have the power over life and death, “if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor”

has added significance as more states adopt physician-assisted suicide laws. Even in Belgium, where euthanasia is legal, its proponents are increasingly uncomfortable with the speedy approval of psychiatric patients’ requests. Discomfort turned to outrage when a dementia patient was euthanized with no evidence the patient asked to die.

As independent physicians, we want to use the best advances to help our patients but we do not want medicine to devolve into paint-bythe-numbers. We dread the day when “algo-medicine” devoid of human emotion, intuition, or instinct will make the decision.

If you want to ensure your doctor has your back, run—don’t walk—to a direct primary care practice. Tell your representatives in Congress to add the 1-page Primary Care Enhancement Act (HR 365/S 1358) to upcoming “must pass” legislation. This allows patients to use a Health Savings Accounts to pay for direct primary care. Your life may depend on it.

Unfortunately, in today’s health-care delivery factories, when illness strikes, “your” doctor may be a hospitalist you don’t know whose only knowledge about you is lab tests, x-rays, findings on physical exam, and a form you signed 10 years ago.

DAVE SAYS

It’s

STOP PLAYING WITH GOLD AND SILVER AND PAY OFF THAT DEBT!

Dear Dave, I make about $240,000 annually, and I will be maxing out my 401(k) contributions this year. I have $60,000 in student loan debt I’m trying to pay off, a small amount left on my home mortgage, plus I’ve been investing in a lot of gold and silver. Those investments are worth about $30,000 right now. In addition to this, I’ve got $10,000 in cash just sitting in a savings account for emergencies. Should I stop the gold and silver investing, and focus on paying off the loans, or keep splitting my money between them?

—Adam

Dear Adam,

I’d stop investing in gold and silver completely. I don’t put money in precious metals at all because they have a lousy long-term track record.

My advice would be to cash out every bit of your gold and silver and put the money toward paying off your student loans. That would instantly cut your student loan debt in half. Then, with your salary, you should be able to pay off the rest in just a few months.

The key will be to start living on a very strict budget. Don’t spend on anything that’s not absolutely necessary. I also want you to temporarily stop contributing to your 401(k). Do this just until you get the student loan debt wiped out, then pick it up again like before. If you want to put even more toward retirement, you could check with a quality investment professional—one with the heart of a teacher—to see if you’re eligible for a back-door Roth IRA. When it’s all said and done, Adam, I want you to have 15 percent of your yearly income going toward retirement.

You already know the value of saving and investing. With your income, once you knock out your debt and begin investing again, you have the very real potential to become a millionaire in just a few years!

—Dave

ABOUT THE WRITER → Dave Ramsey is CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven best-selling books, including “The Total Money Makeover.” “The Dave Ramsey Show” is heard by more than 13 million listeners each week on 585 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. Follow Dave on the web at daveramsey.com and on Twitter at @DaveRamsey.

not always best to go for the gold.

Interventional Radiology procedures performed in a

352.261.5502 | mitflorida.com | facebook.com/mitflorida

The Summit Medical Park | 769 Co Rd 466, Lady Lake, FL 32159

What is the Difference?

”If only I had found this place sooner!” “I truly felt like someone finally listened to me!”

These are phrases commonly expressed as patients exit the doors of Medical Imaging and Therapeutics. There is rarely a day without a happy, smiling face, and hardly a week without a thank you card or gift of treats for the staff. Today, I am inspired to write this message after two patients brought in delicious Puerto Rican food as a thank you to the doctor and one of his technologists. It speaks volumes of a physician when his patients go out of their way to express thanks.

Dr. Jacobson’s motivation to build MIT was prompted after many years of working in large, corporate-style medical practices and hospitals, where not only do the patients feel like they are one of many rushed through a busy and mundane system, but he himself felt like a “number” whose ideas and talents were regularly unappreciated, or simply dismissed. Often in these facilities, the doctors are pushed to increase the number of procedures they can do in a day, rather than spend time communicating with each patient they see. As a result, patients are left in the dark regarding treatment, and may leave the hospital feeling negatively about their visit and even their doctor.

This is unfortunately the case in many corporate practices, which are becoming so large they are overwhelmed by even themselves. Timid toward competition, they believe bigger is better. They become dysfunctional, with a central scheduling location that is separate from the practice, often in another town. Patients get lost in the system because the

doctors are usually lost in it as well; the Trickle Down effect.

What is happening to the solo practitioners, the smaller practices? What is happening to quality in medicine? With mergers and acquisitions, and a “bigger is better” mentality, the patients are the ones who suffer most. At MIT, the patient is often amazed a person answers the phone - someone ready to help them immediately. There is no automated system where you are told “press 1 for this and 2 for that” or to leave a message no one may hear. Patients appreciate when the front desk staff know their names after a few visits, and when they actually see the doctor, who shows them a sense of humor and a genuine interest in not only their illnesses but their lifestyles too. In Dr. Jacobson’s experience, oftentimes the missing piece of the puzzle to a diagnosis is hidden within a patient’s story. Listening about what they do at home or at their job gives him clues to help understand their anguish and pain. Family and friends are encouraged to attend consults. Dr. Jacobson asks a lot of questions, and there is a good reason why: he genuinely cares.

At MIT, imaging isn’t just about going in for a scan that might be read by a radiologist in another city, state or even country. As a center for interventional radiology, a critical finding on a scan can often result in a necessary procedure which can also be done at MIT. For example, if you have fluid in your lungs or abdomen seen on Xray, CT or ultrasound, it can be drained using image guidance. If you have a tumor in an organ, it can be biopsied using image guidance. If your MRI shows you have a spine fracture, it can be repaired. If your MRA shows blocked arteries in your legs, you can have

your angioplasty done by an expert. The list of procedures is endless!

Interventional Radiologists such as Dr. Jacobson have the training and skills required for numerous healing therapies. His expertise have made him a choice physician to train Resident and Fellow interventional radiologists from the University of Florida. His Fellow physicians enjoy and appreciate the experience and advice they can take with them as they are prepared to practice on their own.

The next time your doctor recommends an imaging study, ask them to refer you to Medical Imaging and Therapeutics. Since opening in Lady Lake five years ago, MIT has become the preferred provider for diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, and has received tens of thousands of referrals from hundreds of doctors confident in MIT’s ability to take optimal care to their patients.

ABOUT DR. MARK JACOBSON →

Dr. Jacobson hasperformed nearly 1000

“go-to provider” for this procedure, not only because of the number of procedures performed and numerous happy patients, but also because of his participation in the research of radio-frequency ablation of cancerous spine tumors. Local, as well as out of town physicians entrust Medical Imaging & Therapeutics for treatment of their patients’

of Florida College of Medicine as an Interventional Radiology training center for physicians in the interventional radiology residency and fellowship program.

Prostate Cancer: When Should You Test?

Prostate cancers tend to grow slowly—so slowly, in fact, that some tumors never become a problem. But this is not always the case. One monitoring tool is antigen, or PSA.

Treatment Options

1. Monitoring only,

2. Surgery and/or radiation therapy

3. Hormone therapy

PSA is released into the bloodstream from cells in the prostate, a walnut-sized gland that makes Elevated PSA levels can mean cancer

discomfort or pain when sitting because it’s hard to predict which

Did You Know?

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed second-leading cause of cancer death (behind lung

4. Chemotherapy or immunotherapy if the cancer no

by the numbers

HBOC Syndrome

Are you at a higher risk?

What does prostate cancer have to do with

66

The average age of men when prostate cancer is detected.

patient perspective

a higher risk of getting a number of cancers,

74 percent

chance of getting prostate

The increased prevalence of prostate cancer in black men compared to nonHispanic white men.

cancers on the same side of diagnosed with breast cancer, and Ashkenazi

“When you go home [after a treatment], you resume your normal everyday life…So my life, other than giving up that hour each day, didn’t change at all.”

164,690

The estimated number of new prostate cancer cases that will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2018

genetic counseling are getting prostate cancer include familial prostate

prostate cancer (about 5

1in 9

The proportion of men who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

Patient-centered radiation oncology close to home

The Villages 352.259.2200

Ocala 352.732.0277

Timber Ridge 352.861.2400

Inverness 352.726.3400

Lecanto 352.527.0106

RBOI.com

Like us on Facebook

— Bud Conklin, Prostate Cancer Survivor

Faith and football

The South is full of college football fanatics.

Story: James Combs

School administrators at Presbyterian College in South Carolina were geniuses to offer a course called “Religion of SEC Football.” They realize the importance of preparing students for life in the real world.

In the South, college football is a big part of that real world. Conversations about gridiron greats and memorable games occur everywhere and all the time. A lack of knowledge about the sport not only earns you outcast status but also may lead to missed job opportunities.

OK, I’m just kidding. But I’m not kidding when I say college football is a religion in the South. Saturday is the holy day when we gather, rejoice, and say hallelujah after each first down.

We fanatics even bring God into the equation. You’ve no doubt seen bumper stickers that read: “God must be a Florida Gators fan because he made the sun orange and the sky blue.” Talk about delusional. We all know God is a fan of my beloved Kentucky Wildcats because the sky is blue and clouds are white.

Pinpointing the reason for our fanaticism is a little tricky, but we have our theories. Perhaps it has something to do with the Civil War. When Alabama or Florida win national championships on the gridiron, it avenges those crushing defeats suffered many years ago on the battlefield.

Or maybe it’s because the rest of the country places us near the bottom of the social totem pole. In their minds, we’re all illiterate, white-trash rednecks. While some Southerners may be lacking in doctorate degrees and big bank accounts, they’ll always have college football supremacy.

Universities located below the Mason-Dixon line have won 11 of the past 12 national championships. In that same time span, four different Southeastern Conference teams brought home the hardware. Name another conference in America that has four powerhouses capable of that.

Of course, it’s not all about winning. Even the occasional losing season doesn’t stop fans such as Buddy Davidson from showing up every week for love of the game, love of the school, and love of the Deep South way of life. Buddy is

a die-hard Auburn fan who has attended 708 straight Tigers football games.

He understands that nothing defines Southern culture more than God, family, and college football. Students at Presbyterian College are learning that, depending on the time of year, it’s not necessarily in that order.

P NK OUT! N

Pinking Ceremony

Thursday, September 27 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Florida Hospital

Waterman Atrium

Join Florida Hospital Waterman as

Ladies Legacy Luncheon

Friday, October 12 11:30 am

Lake Receptions

Waterman 5k Walk/Run

Thursday, October 18 6:00 p.m. race

Downtown Tavares

Join Florida Hospital Waterman on

This year, former Miss Florida and a cancer survivor, Kristin Beall Ludeke , will be sharing her inspiring story.

Proceeds help promote breast cancer awareness, diagnosis and treatment including mammograms for women in need.

For each donated bra you bring, you will be entered in a drawing for one of our grand prizes.

To register or for more information, visit FHWatermanPink.com