March 2017

The Body Issue MARCH 2017 MANSFIELD ARLINGTON GRAND PRAIRIE EDITION

TO THE RESCUE! OUR 2017 LOOK AT MEDICAL HEROES IN YOUR AREA

JED

HILDEBRAND FAMILY MAN, ADVENTURER, NOT JUST ANOTHER ORTHODONTIST 3-17 MAN.indd 1

2/27/17 12:28 PM

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This Year’s MEETING ALL YOUR FAMILY’S NEEDS FROM

Local medical pros you need to know

PG. 35

ON THE COVER CONTENTS MARCH 2017

20 I HILDEBRAND ORTHODONTICS

TO WELLNESS

AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO GET YOUR IMMUNIZATIONS AND SCHOOL PHYSICALS

36 MICHAEL L. THORNTON, DO, FACOS 38 JOHN BAUER, DDS 39 CODY BAUER, DDS 40 KLEIMAN EVANGELISTA EYE CENTER 41 GEORGE H. BOBBITT, DC 42 SANDI L. HAMM, DDS 43 THOMAS E. EIDSON, DO 44 GARY K. ALEXANDER, MD, FACS 45 JEREMY P. PARCELLS, MD FACS 46 DAVID M. RUTLEDGE, MD FACS 47 PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY OF MANSFIELD 48 DARIEN M. BRADFORD, MD 49 AUDIOLOGY EXPERTS 50 FRANK RODRIGUEZ, MD 51 DANIEL PRICE, OD AND ALLISON PRICE OD 52 IKIDS PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY AND ORTHODONTICS 53 MANDY COTTON, DNP, APRN, FNP-C 54 HAROON ISMAILI, DDS 55 UNITED DERMATOLOGY ASSOCIATES 56 UPTOWN ENDODONTICS 57 Y. ANTHONY NAKAMURA, MD, FACS, PA 58 ANTONIO R. ROZIER, MD 59 ORTHODONTICS BY BIRTH, STEWART & FLETCHER 60 AMERICAN VEIN & VASCULAR INSTITUTE 62 AARON V. SWAPP, DMD, MS 64 METHODIST MANSFIELD MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL ASSOCIATES 65 ARUNPRIYA VADIVELU, MD 66 KATHI PERRY, DC 67 JASON K. LOWRY, MD 68 JOINT PRESERVATION CENTER 69 A WOMAN’S VIEW WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE

IN EVERY ISSUE 2013-2016 VOTED “BEST URGENT CARE”

BY LIVING MAGAZINE READERS.

PRIMARY CARE COPAYS APPLY

WWW.MANSFIELDURGENTCARE.COM

MANSFIELD | 817-473-3979 | 1811 HWY. 287 NORTH, SUITE 150

12 14 16 18 22

FROM THE PUBLISHER SOCIAL CALENDAR BEST BETS TALK OF THE TOWN FRUIT OF THE VINE

70

78

ADVENTURE

MON - FRI 8:30 TO 8:00 PM SAT 8:30 TO 6:OO PM. M A R C H 2 01 7

Why the long neck?

CUISINE

28 I My Month on an Ostrich Farm

100 I Is Your Diet Aging You?

WELLNESS

FEATURES

72 I Our Cancer Breakthrough

76 78 82 86 88 89

BREAKING BAD (HABITS) LIFE IS A CONTACT SPORT OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA TAKE HEART HEALTH IQ: ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION ON THE MIND: VACCINES

104 STAYING HEALTHY, THE FLAVORFUL WAY

24 I Protecting Yourself from Medical Identity Theft

The newest frontier in data security

70 I The Truth about Botox

AESTHETICS

and Migraines

92 I Mouth Health is Body Health

84 I Supporting Your Aging Parents

HOMESTEAD 94 I Trending: Bidet Today

(SUPER TARGET SHOPPING CENTER)

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THE BODY ISSUE

SUPER DOCS

95

DUMP THE SLUMP

The surprising way long-time headache sufferers are getting relief

Keep financial affairs in order to relieve stress

90 I Be Alert to Early Signs of Colon Cancer

11 2/27/17 12:28 PM

PUBLISHING

FROM THE PUBLISHER

PUBLISHER Misty Daniels, mdaniels@livingmagazine.net EDITOR Brandon Daiker, bdaiker@livingmagazine.net SENIOR ADMINSTRATOR Todd Collom EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Lisa Landry, Anna Charles, LaRue Novick, Meredith Knight, Lisa Jenkins-Moore, Lisa Pedersen PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTORS Derek Gower, Dustin Doskocil, Lauren Medean, Diana Raines

Growing up, my family was like a lot of other families.

PRODUCTION

We had a family doctor we saw when someone was sick. The rest of the time we muddled along as best we could, only calling good old Doctor Kent, when something needed fixing. But recently medical science has taken a turn, which I find encouraging.

With ever-lengthening life expectancies, doctors and patients are forming partnerships, not just in sickness care, but in proactive, wellness care. My own doctor meets with me to talk about my diet, fitness, habits, sleep, stress, and proactive things I can do to stay at my best. And because I value that kind of care, I make sure my husband does the same with his doctor.

Here’s something proactive you can do for your health. Hang on to this month’s copy of Living Magazine. Inside are articles about getting and staying healthy. And as we live in a community with some of the best doctors in the world, you’ll find a list of the super docs in our area, as determined by our readers. From eye specialists to foot doctors; from dermatologists to interns, the best of the best are in here.

And in closing, let me say with the apostle Paul, “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well”.

MISTY DANIELS, PUBLISHER mdaniels@livingmagazine.net 682-556-1246

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jen Childers SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Donny Stevens GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Nicole Crenshaw, Van Ngo CLIENT SERVICE MANAGER Jenefer Grady ADVERTISING/SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Lindsay Clark, Kami Anderson, Kathryn Orsak

FOR ADVERTISING/DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION CALL 682-556-1246.

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The Body Issue MARCH 2017 MANSFIELD ARLINGTON GRAND PRAIRIE EDITION

TO THE RESCUE!

Get the March 2017 issue now.

LivingMagazine.net

OUR 2017 LOOK AT MEDICAL HEROES IN YOUR AREA

JED

HILDEBRAND FAMILY MAN, ADVENTURER, NOT JUST ANOTHER ORTHODONTIST

12 3-17 MAN.indd 12-13

Living Magazine is published monthly by Chansen Media Group, Inc. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Living Magazine is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Advertisers and their agencies assume all liability for advertising content. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission in writing from the publisher.

L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

2/27/17 12:28 PM

SOCIAL CALENDAR management and much more. A veterinarian will be present for health tips for our fur family members. Enjoy good food, fabulous raffle prizes with all proceeds going to Mission Arlington Metroplex. 10am-2pm.

1921 W. Pioneer Pkwy.

Pharmacy Solutions-Arlington

MARCH 25 GOLFAPALOOZA Bring the family for a day of golfing fun. Test the newest equipment on the driving range and much more. Prairie Lakes Golf Course, 3202 SE 14th St. 10am-2pm. FREE! For details visit gptx.org.

Grand Prairie

MARCH 28 SPRING FLING BARBECUE We’ll barbecue some hot dogs with all the trimmings and play Bingo! Senior Rec Center New York. 4-5:30pm.

Arlington Parks and Recreation

MARCH 31

TENTS AND TALES CAMPOUT Join us for a night under the stars as we campout at River Legacy Park. Make sure to pack your tents and sleeping bags as we set out for the wilderness right here in the city! The night will include dinner, a movie under the stars, sleeping bag story time and s’mores roasted over a fire pit. $10 per person. Children 2 and under free. No pets please. Must preregister. Call 817-459-6434.

Arlington Parks and Recreation

MARCH 11 AND 25

MARCH 18

MOBILE PET ADOPTION EVENT

ST. PADDY’S PICKLE PARADE & PALOOZA

Adoptions will be at the Petsmart® in South Arlington, 203 E. I-20 (Arlington Highlands) 10:30am-3:30pm.

Arlington

MARCH 13 - 17 REC CENTER SPRING BREAK 7am-6:30pm. Various locations. Visit natuallyfun.org for more information.

Arlington Parks and Recreation

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Enjoy all day long events beginning at 8am.

Enjoy food, music and of course the world’s only St. Paddy’s Pickle Parade. For details visit pickleparade.org.

Mansfield

MARCH 25 MISSION POSSIBLE: DYNAMIC WELLNESS EXPO Physician presentations on several health topics such as hormonal balance, weight

MARCH 25

BRUNCH & BRUSHES Moms and Daughters come enjoy a morning with beautiful paintings and a tasty brunch! $15 mothers/$5 daughters.

10am-12pm. Dottie Lynn Rec Center.

Pre-registration required. 817-277-5001.

Arlington Parks and Recreation L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

2/27/17 12:28 PM

BEST BETS: MARCH

EDITOR’S PICK

Ronnie Milsap became country music’s first successful blind singer, and one of the most successful and versatile country “crossover” singers of his time. His biggest crossover hits include “It Was Almost Like a Song”, “Smoky Mountain Rain”, and “(There’s) No Getting Over Me.” Credited with six Grammy Awards and forty No. 1 country hits, third to George Strait and Conway Twitty, he was selected for induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2014.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3RD, 7:30 - 9:30PM ARLINGTON MUSIC HALL

DOUG STONE FRIDAY, MARCH 10TH 7:30 - 9:30PM ARLINGTON MUSIC HALL

RICHARD MARX FRIDAY MARCH 10TH @ 7PM VERIZON THEATRE GRAND PRAIRIE

THE PRICE IS RIGHT - LIVE THURSDAY, MARCH 16TH 7:30 - 9:30PM ARLINGTON MUSIC HALL

SYMPHONY ARLINGTON WITH FEATURED PIANIST ALEX MCDONALD & ROBERT MCDONALD

17

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

EMMA WATSON, LUKE EVANS DIR. BILL CONDON (DREAMGIRLS, TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN)

The animated classic returns for a new generation as an effectsheavy live-action remake of the 1991 original, following in the footsteps of 2015’s Cinderella and last year’s The Jungle Book and Pete’s Dragon.

MARCH 3

LOGAN

THE LAST WORD

HUGH JACKMAN, PATRICK STEWART DIR. JAMES MANGOLD (WALK THE LINE, 3:10 TO YUMA)

SHIRLEY MACLAINE, AMANDA SEYFRIED DIR. MARK PELLINGTON (ARLINGTON ROAD)

A world-weary take on Marvel’s popular X-Men hero Wolverine, Logan sees the character care for his aging mentor Professor X in a hideout along the Mexican border while dealing with the appearance of a young mutant girl.

An aging former businesswoman/control freak attempts to carefully oversee the journalist who is to pen her obituary, resulting in a unique and heartwarming friendship.

MARCH 31

GHOST IN THE SHELL SCARLETT JOHANSSON, PILOU ASBÆK DIR. RUPERT SANDERS (SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN)

Johansson stars as cyborg counter-cyberterrorist The Major in this neo-futuristic sci-fi action film based on the groundbreaking Japanese film.

SATURDAY, MARCH 18TH 7:30 - 10PM ARLINGTON MUSIC HALL

IN MY LIFE - A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES SATURDAY, MARCH 18TH @ 8PM VERIZON THEATRE GRAND PRAIRIE

BRYAN FERRY FRIDAY, MARCH 24TH 7:30 - 9:30PM ARLINGTON MUSIC HALL

CHUBBY CHECKER

MARCH 7

EDITOR’S PICK

YOU ARE HERE:

AN OWNER’S MANUAL FOR DANGEROUS MINDS JENNY LAWSON

From popular writer/blogger Jenny Lawson comes a compendium of handcrafted illustrations, elaborate doodles, and painstakingly pencilled patterns accompanied with words of encouragement—both for the author and her readers. You Are Here is art therapy meets inspiration.

SATURDAY, MARCH 25TH 7:30 - 9:30PM

MARCH 14

MARCH 28

ARLINGTON MUSIC HALL

WRITER, SAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY

MISSISSIPPI BLOOD: A NOVEL

NICHOLAS REYNOLDS

GREG ISLES

GENE WATSON 16 3-17 MAN.indd 16-17

Sting, live in Milan, in 2006: Photo courtesy of Yancho Sabev, Wikimedia Commons: CC BY-SA 3.0. | Still from the trailer for The Lego Batman Movie (2017), Warner Bros./DC Entertainment, fair use for non-commercial illustrative purposes.

Book cover from A Separation, by Katie Kitamura: Penguin/Riverhead Books, fair use for non-commercial illustrative purposes.

RONNIE MILSAP

Boost your website to get more business

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L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

2/27/17 12:28 PM

TALK OF THE TOWN

MANSFIELD/GRAND PRAIRIE/ARLINGTON

Glamour and Giving Mansfield Cares, a local supporter of charitable programs in the area, raised money with style at their annual Mansfield Cares Charity Ball on February 18. The VIP event was held at the Walnut Creek Country Club—and is the community’s largest individual charity fundraising event.

Each year, over $150,000 is raised to support local organizations during a fantastic night of fun, food, and support from the community. The nearly 20-year-old event has become a tradition in the Mansfield area, providing a regular opportunity to help raise money for deserving charities.

Guests enjoyed live and silent auctions featuring fantastic prices such as a 200th anniversary pistol from Colt, box seats for a Dallas Stars hockey game, a diamond necklace from Mansfield Fine Jewelry, golf packages, and much more.

Mansfield Police Chief Tracy Aaron and wife Sherri

Mayor David Cook and Tonya Cook

Larry and Cindy Broseh

Jon and Heidi Gallini

Dr. and Mrs. Michael and Raquel Thornton, Dr. and Mrs. Grant and Christine Tarbox

Valentine’s Bash February 2017 marked 10 years for United Dermatology Associates and they celebrated by throwing a big bash on Valentine’s Day. They had a photo booth, amazing food and gave away thousands of dollars worth of prizes. It was a way for Dr. Jeannine Hoang to celebrate and give back to all of her loyal patients from the last decade.

“United Dermatology would like to sincerely thank the community for allowing us to be a part of your care for the past 10 years,” said Dr. Hoang. “We promise to work hard for you, always striving for excellence in all that we do, so that we can continue to serve you for many years to come!”

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L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

M A R C H 2 01 7

19 2/27/17 12:28 PM

ON THE COVER Jed Hildebrand Family Man, Adventurer, Not just another orthodontist

Hildebrand Orthodontics

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEREK GOWER PHOTO SHOOT LOCATION HEMISPHERES, ARLINGTON TEXAS

TEXAS MONTHLY – SUPER DENTIST 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

TOP DENTIST AWARD 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

D MAGAZINE – BEST ORTHODONTIST AWARD LIVING MAGAZINE – BEST ORTHODONTIST AWARD

J

life couldn’t be more idyllic, with a beautiful, wife (a fellow dentist), a curious, bundle-of-energy son, and a bouncing baby daughter (who has him twisted around her little finger).

His practice, Hildebrand Orthodontics, is bustling, because all the kids want to go to him and he enjoys nothing more than making a connection, laughing, sharing, and getting to know each one of them. His is a cool, boutique practice that resembles a casual hangout with its beach-themed murals and two-story open, sky-lighted treatment bays. The painted ceiling reflects a blue, tropical sky and the waiting room includes 12 free-play video games, iPads for patients to use during visits, and an oversized HD LCD television. There’s even an in-office coffee bar for parents.

(Although with a “no-wait” policy, no one is hanging around for long.)

Personalized Care

Dr. Hildebrand and his stellar staff not only know each patient by name but their siblings and parents as well. In fact, many a parent has been so happy with the work he’s done on their child’s teeth they’ve decided to have their own teeth

Dr. Hildebrand is awesome at making the kids feel comfortable and at ease.

His treatment plans are always very well explained and very affordable. I’ve recommended many of our friends and they too love his practice. I wouldn’t go to anyone else.”

— KELLY N.

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Jed, Kim, Kai, and Liv

ed Hildebrand is a family man and also an adventurer, orthodontist, and philanthropist, and is always striving to be the best and most over-thetop about them all. Family

L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

“I really appreciate how friendly, positive, and kind everyone in the office is.

Dr. Hildebrand and his staff took care of my kids very well. I loved them so much I came back for me. They’re always willing to take the time to explain anything, from the treatment to the financial side of things, which I greatly appreciate.”

— DANIELE S.

CTS A F N U F

you can start treatment now and be done by this time next year,” he said.

Did you know?

NASA originally created the thermal wires used for braces.

Braces have been around for nearly 300 years.

Egyptian mummies have been found with cords of animal intestines wrapped around their teeth, much like modern braces today.

straightened. Dr. Hildebrand is committed to seeing every patient at every visit.

“Arlington is a big city with the heart of a small town,” he said. “Our goal is to treat a small number of patients very well. I’m truly blessed to do the thing I love in the place I love with a staff that’s as dedicated as I am to treating our patients like family.

And now after 30 years of our practice being in Arlington, our first generation of patients has grown and they are now bringing their own kids for treatment and a beautiful smile.”

Dr. Hildebrand hails from a family of dental professionals. His two brothers, Dr. Brody and Dr. Sloan, and his father, Dr. David, are also dentists with specialty practices in Dallas. He even married a dentist, Dr. Kim Hildebrand, who was a dentist in private practice but has retired temporarily to be full-time Mommy to the two Hildebrand children.

M A R C H 2 01 7

Straighter Teeth Faster

Dr. Hildebrand employs the latest, high-tech thermal wires, which respond to the temperature of the mouth allowing him to straightened teeth faster than ever before and with far less discomfort to patients. “We’re excited to be pioneering this new technology,” Dr. Hildebrand said. “Throughout your treatment, we’ll change out your wires to these new flexible wires that leave your teeth less sore than before. No more tightening of braces and no more bands on back teeth, which means far less risk of cavities. We’re also doing great things with new mini braces, the smallest braces on the market. It’s exciting to watch the transformation of a patient’s smile with this new technology that cuts treatment time down by six months.”

Braces—Not Just for Kids

Although Dr. Hildebrand prefers to see a patient for the first time at age seven, many of his patients are adults who either never had braces as a child or who had braces but didn’t wear their retainer long enough. No worries. With Invisalign clear tooth aligners and new clear braces, he can straighten your teeth and no one need know about it. “Braces go on during the first appointment, so

Dr. Hildebrand has enjoyed participating in Christian dental missionary work in Mexico and has traveled overseas to dental clinics in refugee camps in Cambodia, India, and Thailand.

Dr. Hildebrand was a contestant on the hit CBS reality TV show Survivor V: Thailand in the fall of 2002. He has appeared on numerous TV shows, including MTV’s TRL, The Carolyn Rhea Show, CBS’ The Early Show, Entertainment Tonight, Extra, E!, Inside Edition, and The Ticket talk radio show.

He’s now accepting new patients at Hildebrand Orthodontics. Call (682) 622-8936 to schedule an appointment.

(817) 468-4141 2200 Interstate 20 W Suite 100 Arlington, Texas 76017 HildebrandOrtho.com

“I’ve had my Invisalign® and my daughter’s braces done here. The staff is very friendly and helpful.

Never have to wait very long—that’s a big plus. Dr. Hildebrand is friendly and knowledgeable and all the kids love that he is a ‘Survivor’ celebrity. It’s a fun place for them.”

— GLORIA P.

21 2/27/17 12:28 PM

FRUIT OF THE VINE

Protection not Rejection

BY LISA JENKINS-MOORE

Innate in all of us is the desire to be recognized, appreciated, and accepted.

Some of us are born into the arms of a loving family; others experience rejection fresh from the womb.

Regardless of how early or late it comes, all of us will eventually experience the pain of rejection. I was an adult before I fully understood how rejection can be a form of protection.

When we review the Biblical story of Joseph, we can see God guiding his destiny even through Joseph’s mistreatment. He had no idea why he was being rejected, but God knew each of Joseph’s painful steps was bringing him closer to his life purpose. Rejection by men would ultimately lead him to a place to offer redemption for an entire race of people. God was protecting Joseph’s destiny and that of his family and designing the preservation of the entire nation of Israel.

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L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

Rejection can drive us into a closer relationship with Christ. God knows trials and tribulations produce something worthwhile in our hearts: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience, but let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4). God wants us to be perfect and complete, and as long as we need man’s approval to feel worthy, we will not be. God wants us to need Him and then to come to the same realization of the psalmist, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:6, 8).

Rejection by man can turn our heart to God or away from Him. God’s desire is for us to run to Him, to see Him as the psalmist did, “For You have been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings” (Psalm 61:3, 4). If we run to God, even rejection can work in our favor. God’s ultimate goal is to perfect, establish and strengthen us: “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you” (I Peter 5:10).

The Great Commission was given by Jesus when He said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19, 20). Our primary purpose on earth is to know Christ and make Him known. How do we make Him known, if we ourselves do not know Him? How can we know Him if we cannot identify with Him? Christ suffered great rejection; “He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him” (Isaiah 53:3). He was rejected by His own people, the Jews, and is still rejected by much of mankind even today. Yet we are to come to Him and identify with His rejection: Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, Behold I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone, and a stumbling and a rock of offense (I Peter 2:4-8).

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Rejection by man can turn our heart to God or away from Him. Christ came to unite Jews and Gentiles—those who kept the law and those who knew nothing of the law. Likewise today He offers salvation to all who believe—not just those who were taught Christianity. Christ was the stone the builders rejected. The rejection Christ endured was a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and protected His destiny to be our redemption. Though our egos may suffer, we must realize often rejection is God’s protective hand intervening on our behalf. He loves us so much that when we do not heed His conviction, He will protect us through other means.

Though Christ was rejected, and is often still rejected today, the Word says His day is coming: “For as the lightening that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day. But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation” (Luke 17:24, 25). He will be powerful, magnificent, majestic, and kingly. We too will reign with Christ one day: “If we endure, we shall reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12). We must endure and concur with Paul: “But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith” (Philippians 3:8-10).

I challenge you to evaluate the times in your life you have felt rejected. How many of those times eventually produced positive outcomes? Remember to “Hold fast the confession of [your] hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). Although rejection may not always be protection, protection will be the final outcome if we trust God. He will always protect us. His Word says “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

He is the God of protection, not rejection, and He can and should be trusted.

A portion of this piece was taken from Lisa’s new book, Knowing the One Who Knows the One, available on Kindle.

All Scripture references are NKJV. To connect with Lisa or follow her blog, visit: LisaJenkinsMoore.com

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Visit Our Website at www.pleasantridgemedicine.com.

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PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM MEDICAL IDENTITY THEFT

Arunpriya Vadivelu M.D., OLUBUNMI AWE, FNP

Theresa D. Stretch, M.D. | Chelsea Doyen, M.D. Arunpriya Vadivelu, M.D. | Healther B. Rich, FNP Olubunmi Awe, FNP | Katherine Johnson, FNP

THE STRENGTH OF A TEAM

At Pleasant Ridge Internal Medicine, our experienced team is committed to building relationships with patients ages 17 years and older, and providing them with the highest level of service within a warm and friendly atmosphere. e’ve all heard the horror stories. Criminals strike from the shadows, stealing personal information and gaining access to our accounts, our contact information, and our medical records. We’re talking about identity theft—specifically medical identity theft.

According to the Fifth Annual Benchmark Study on Privacy and Security of Healthcare Data by the Ponemon Institute, the major cause of sensitive data compromise for the past few years had been the theft or loss of electronic devices. But in 2014 a shift occurred, after which the majority of medical identity theft incidents resulted from a direct cyber-attack.

This trend continues, and these days more than 90 percent of healthcare organizations have lost data to hackers at least once in the past two years.

Hackers have found that medical institutions are easier to crack than financial institutions.

In the financial sector, more effort has been put forth to protect accounts against intrusion and exploitation by hackers, thieves, and even terrorists.

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“They may also have the ability to change your personal information.”

Consequently, the financial sector has developed a hardened cyber-defense compared to the medical sector.

The fact that medical institutions present a softer target, combined with the high potential payoff to thieves of gaining individuals’ sensitive personal information, has silhouetted the health care sector as the prime target for cyber-attack.

personal medical information. However, we can take certain precautions to mitigate the risk of medical identity theft. Criminals always choose the softest target. When we take personal data security seriously, we can make our accounts look like a well-lit house with bars on the windows. If thieves don’t see an easy way in, they’ll move on down the street.

When criminals steal someone’s personal medical data, they gain access to social security numbers, address and phone number, and things like credit history and credit accounts. They may also have the ability to change your personal information. For example, a criminal might apply for a new credit card and have it sent to a different address. If they gain access to a person’s drug prescriptions, they may be able to purchase prescription drugs in the victim’s name. Worse yet, the criminal could change information in a victim’s records, such as identified allergies or blood type.

• Keep a sharp eye on your finances. You need to know about it right away if a criminal gains access to one of your accounts. Look for transactions that don’t make sense, and question the account or records custodian.

If you live in Texas, and someone just used your credit card to buy a tank of gas in Idaho, it’s time to sound the alarm. Less obviously, if you find prescriptions in your record for drugs you don’t use, or if unfamiliar addresses or phone numbers appear, look into it. It could be a simple clerical error, or it could mean a struggle for your identity is around the corner.

One victim of identity theft, Mary, describes her ordeal.

She says that her medical records were compromised during her treatment for a serious illness at one of the nation’s most prestigious hospitals. The thief used her social security number and other personal information to gain control of her credit card accounts. The speed with which the thief acted amazed the victim, and by the time she gained control of the situation, she had lost thousands of dollars. Months later, she had trouble with the Internal Revenue Service stemming from cross-contamination of her identity with that of the thief. She has no idea whether the security breach resulted from a stolen computer at the hospital, a disgruntled employee, or at the hands of a hacker. Two years later, she’s still trying to clear things up with the IRS. Not surprisingly, she says, “It’s a nightmare. Nothing I do seems to make it go away.”

• Review your medical records. We can’t control luck, but we can take steps to improve our chances of avoiding medical identity theft. When was the last time you reviewed your medical records? Go ahead and take that trip into the past. Relive all your most unpleasant injuries and illnesses. You may find something you don’t recognize. It might not even be fraud. Patients with similar names can have their information mixed up. In any case, it’s worth correcting.

What can we do to protect ourselves against threats we can’t control? We have no choice in today’s high-tech society but to rely on others to manage our

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over your medical insurance provider’s · Read explanation of benefits. It tells you what to expect, and it may be the first tip-off that someone is using your benefits without your knowledge.

These days, it seems like everyone wants our social security number and a credit card number to “keep on file.”

Sometimes, depending on what type of business we’re doing, it’s necessary. Sometimes it’s not. When asked for sensitive information, ask why. It’s your data. It’s your identity.

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2/27/17 12:28 PM

ADVENTURE

Don’t Try This at Home OBSERVATIONS FROM MY MONTH

I found this volunteer position through WWOOF, or WorldWide Organized Organic Farming. Each country has its own WWOOF website which puts volunteers in touch with farmers to arrange an exchange. Volunteers are provided with a place to stay, three meals a day, and a thoroughly unique experience.

ON AN OSTRICH FARM

BY MOLLY KNIGHT

The first thing I learned about ostriches is that there is no reason they should exist. They are too delicate, too stupid, too vulnerable, too diseased to survive, and yet somehow they do.

This was explained to me as I knelt on the floor beside a Styrofoam incubator full of ostrich chicks who had nearly broken free of their eggs. Just weeks before, I’d been working behind a desk at an art museum in the States. Now here I was—on a little mismatched farm in the mountains on the far side of Bulgaria, the furthest I’d ever been from home—calling myself a volunteer ostrich farmer.

I watched in wonder as the chicks emerged, exhausted, shaped like they were still in the eggs, with round, watery rumps like water balloons. My first impression was that they

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looked like porcupines, with their salt-and-pepper mix of wet, budding feathers poking out from round bodies.

The next lesson I learned was that ostriches are not shy.

The first time I entered the barn with the one, two, and three-week old chicks to give them food and water, I was welcomed by a barrage of tiny beaks pecking at the laces of my shoes. The older chicks in their pens were more interested in my belt loops and the straps of my shirt, and the full-grown birds in the fields went after the part of me closest to their eye level: my hair.

These experiences became part of my daunting montage—lifting, carrying, dragging, hiking, spraying, dumping, mowing, stacking, whacking, pushing, and cutting, wondering what in the world I was doing at an ostrich farm.

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ADVENTURE

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Over the next week, though, I settled into the rhythms of the place, the needs of the animals, and the welcoming shade during the sunniest times.

On the farm, cliché though it may sound, the sun counted the hours and the moon counted the days. Never had I been so in tune with the outside world, or so taken aback by the changes in my body. My arms lost their pale desk-job sheen and turned a golden brown, and muscles I didn’t know I had started pushing through. Trips hiking up and down the mountains, which overwhelmed me throughout my first week, became a matter of course, and the oversized bags of feed for the birds I’d dreaded dragging to the troughs at the beginning ultimately found their way onto my shoulder, carried with ease.

My favorite task was collecting the eggs in the evenings.

After making sure the birds had food and water to last through the night and ushering the younger birds into their houses, I’d grab a bucket and head towards the silhouettes of the birds down the mountain. The lengthening shadows made me feel taller, and the perspective made each night’s sunset an unmissable show. Armed with a stick, I’d wait until none of the males

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ADVENTURE were looking, duck under the fence, and scramble to the giant dirt nests to recover the eggs and stack them gently in the bucket.

Then, I’d deliver the eggs to the hatchery, where they were washed to be rid of any bacteria, carefully marked with the date, and placed in an enormous incubator. From time to time during their next few weeks in the incubator, we would take them out and check them with a flashlight.

The flashlight test was simple, but in the dark coolness of the hatchery, surrounded by the powerful smell of foreign disinfectant, it always struck me as surreal. The ostrich farmer would choose an egg, hold it at eye level, and press a flashlight to the outside of the shell. The egg would glow like it was illuminated from within, and its shadows would reveal the status of the chick inside. In a good egg, the shadow of the embryo would hint at the developing chick, and by the time an egg was ready to go to the hatchery, it would be almost entirely dark with a sliver of yellow glowing through like a quarter moon.

were set straight, we’d tape them back into the eggs so they didn’t get too dry before they were ready. In my month on the farm I was able to follow a batch of chicks through from eggs in the nest to pens outside the chick house.

In the semi-stillness at the end of each day, just as fatigue and hunger from the day’s frenzy set in, the other volunteers and I came together with the farm’s owners and their family on the patio to share a meal, swapping stories of the day’s near-disasters while we passed the plates. The meals were simple and hastily prepared. No five-star restaurant ever tasted so good.

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Once the eggs were ready to hatch, we would crack a small hole in each one and peek inside to be sure the chicks were facing the right way to break through the egg’s membrane without getting tangled in it. The farm’s owner oversaw this process, and it was mesmerizing to watch him tug and prod the tiny wet birds into position. Once the birds

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MANSFIELD COSMETIC SURGERY CENTER, UNDER THE MEDICAL DIRECTION OF DR. MICHAEL THORNTON, OFFERS EXCELLENCE IN COSMETIC SURGERY AND NONSURGICAL AESTHETIC TREATMENTS, INCLUDING:

Michael L. Thornton, DO, FACOS

Mansfield Cosmetic Surgery Center

• • • • • • • • • •

Facial Cosmetic Surgery Breast Cosmetic Surgery Mommy Makeover Liposuction Cosmetic Surgery for Men Nonsurgical Facial Rejuvenation Aesthetic Medical Spa Botox® & Dermal Fillers CO2 & Erbium Laser Skin Resurfacing PicoSure Laser Tattoo Removal

knowledge in the management and reconstruction of complex injuries.

CONTACT

Michael L. Thornton, DO, FACOS 550 N. Walnut Creek Drive, Suite 120 Mansfield, TX 76063 (817) 477-9000 MansfieldCosmeticSurgery.com

W

hen you choose to have Cosmetic Surgery no factors are more essential to the ultimate success of your results than the level of training, board certification, skill, and experience and of your cosmetic surgeon. Dr. Michael L. Thornton is a fellowshiptrained, dual board certified Cosmetic Surgeon and Diplomate of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery providing you various procedures in facial cosmetic surgery, breast augmentation, breast lift and reduction, body contouring abdominoplasty and liposuction, mommy makeover, cosmetic surgery for men, and non-surgical aesthetic skin rejuvenation from our Medical Spa. In addition, Dr. Thornton enjoys performing complex revision or reconstructive cosmetic surgery for those patients who have experienced misfortunate procedures elsewhere.

Dr. Thornton grew up in Frisco and graduated from Baylor University in Waco and is a strong supporter and follower of the Baylor athletic program.

He completed medical school at UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth, followed by a comprehensive fiveyear residency in General Surgery and one-year fellowship in Surgical Critical Care and Trauma Surgery at the internationally recognized R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where he acquired extensive

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L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

Following a creative passion for surgical artistry, Dr. Thornton completed a dedicated 12-month AACS accredited fellowship in Cosmetic Surgery that focused on facial plastic surgery, rhinoplasty, cosmetic breast surgery, liposuction, abdominoplasty and liposuction, non-surgical aesthetics, skin care rejuvenation, and laser medicine.

Dr. Thornton routinely attends national cosmetic surgery meetings and participates in advanced courses to offer his patients the latest techniques in cosmetic surgery. With close to 20-years of combined surgical training and operative experience, it’s no surprise Dr. Thornton is consistently recognized as a SuperDoc in the specialty of Cosmetic Surgery and was recently selected as Living Magazine’s Readers Choice as “Best Cosmetic Surgeon 2016”.

Dr. Thornton is the immediate past President of the Texas Cosmetic Surgery Society and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) where he also participates as an oral-board examiner for the ABCS for the past five years. In addition, Dr. Thornton is the current Vice Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center.

Soft spoken, passionate about his work and devoted to his patients, Dr. Thornton’s appreciation for beauty and strong Christian faith are central to his relationship with his patients and his approach to surgery. Dr. Thornton is also a gifted pianist with an amazing ability to compose and play music by ear. His innate artistry combines seamlessly with his meticulous attention to detail to produce beautiful results for his patients.

Dr. Thornton’s caring personality and genuine warmth are reflected in his chair-side manner as he personally M A R C H 2 01 7

Your complimentary private consultation is booked for approximately one hour and Dr. Thornton will spend as much time necessary to answer your questions. enjoys getting to know his patients. Your complimentary private consultation is booked for approximately one hour and Dr. Thornton will spend as much time necessary to answer your questions.

This level of personal attention from Dr. Thornton is what defines his surgical practice, as Dr. Thornton chooses not to use a patient coordinator, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant (PA) to perform consultations. In addition, he will personally see you during every postoperative visit following your surgery and actively engage in your healing process to provide the highest physician-level care.

Mansfield Cosmetic Surgery Center, under the surgical directorship of Dr. Thornton, was established in 2008 and your experience with Dr. Thornton begins the moment you step into his 3500 sq. ft. office beautifully adorned in Mediterranean style, featuring a large and spacious foyer accented in Tuscan grandeur, decorative PHOTOGRAPHY BY DUSTIN DOSKOCIL BY MIMI KNIGHT

sconces and stylish chandeliers, three private examination rooms, a Med Spa facility, and a private procedure room.

Personal attention to detail defines his surgical practice and his entire medical staff is dedicated to putting you at ease.

Dr. Thornton’s employees have been with him for many years and collectively shares his philosophy for compassion and excellence. Because of their ability to build genuine personal relationships, Dr. Thornton and his staff are frequently recommended to friends and family, and patients return for additional treatments knowing they are in excellent hands.

From extensive Mommy Makeovers and cosmetic breast surgery to face lifts and non-surgical rejuvenation, browse his gallery of stunning before and after photos at MansfieldCosmeticsurgery.com or call 817-477-9000 to schedule your own complimentary consultation.

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John Bauer, DDS

Cody Bauer, DDS

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Mansfield Family Dentistry

Mansfield Family Dentistry

ansfield Family Dentistry is a family practice in every sense.

It’s a practice built as much on relationships as on excellent dental care. For Dr. John Bauer, it’s the way that his family caters to the families around them in the Mansfield community. He goes to work each day happy to spend time with his wife and business partner, Terri Bauer, who serves as a dental hygienist and the manager of the practice, and to share the practice with one of his four children, Dr. Cody Bauer, who followed his father’s path into dentistry.

Together, the Bauers and their friendly, inviting staff brighten the lives and smiles of their patients with loving care and a wide range of dental services.

For his patients, going to the dentist is a family habit as well. In some cases, Dr. John has cared for three generations of the same family. “What we do is not just fixing teeth,” he says. “It’s about building relationships and actually changing lives by giving people hope, confidence, and a more positive outlook on their life and circumstances.” Dr. John has watched the Mansfield community grow and it’s his joy to dedicate himself to providing the best technical care available and to continue to stay abreast of all innovations in the field of dentistry.

The practice has grown with the community, and is proud to offer cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentistry along with routine dental services. One of the most important things they offer their patients, however, is education. “While we’re happy to see every person who walks through that door, we’re happiest when the visit is under good circumstances,” he says. “With proper patient education, we can ensure the

CONTACT

(817) 473-0291 100 Carlin Road Mansfield, Texas 76063 MansfieldDentistry.com

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r. Cody Bauer is part of what puts the “family” in Mansfield Family Dentistry. He grew up in Mansfield, and after going away for college and getting his DDS at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, he came back to join the practice his mother and father have built in his hometown. Mansfield Family Dentistry has always been a part of Dr. Cody ‘s life, and he’s always admired his parents’ passion for giving back to their community. Now, he’s delighted to share in their vision for the practice and join them in their fervent efforts to cultivate relationships within the Mansfield community.

Over the years as the practice has grown, it’s welcomed more than twenty highly-trained, passionate employees into the fold. healthiest smiles and better overall health for our patients.”

Over the years as the practice has grown, it’s welcomed more than twenty highlytrained, passionate employees into the fold. These staff members are a valued and integral part of the practice who work as a team to provide a seamless and welcoming experience for each and every patient.

When he’s not taking care of the Mansfield community at large, he spends his time outdoors at the family farm.

Family values reign at the Bauer home as well, and the doors are always open for his four children and their growing families. In fact, Dr. John calls himself

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEREK GOWER

“a full-time dentist, part-time ranch hand and all-the-time Baba to eleven awesome grandkids”.

Dr. John is proud to say that in Mansfield Family Dentistry’s three decades of practice, he and his staff have never turned away anyone needing their help, no matter the circumstances. He sees giving back to the community as a privilege, and has always felt lucky to be able to improve the lives of his neighbors. He believes there’s nothing more important than family, and patients to his clinic in the heart of Mansfield would agree that the Mansfield Family Dentistry staff and their patients have become something of a family in and of themselves.

L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

For Dr. Cody, dentistry has always been about the people. His passion for helping others makes being a dentist the perfect job for him. “First and foremost, I love getting to help people on a daily basis, whether it’s by alleviating a patient’s pain or helping to improve their self-esteem by improving their smile,” he says. And those relationships don’t stop at the dentist’s chair. Many of the Mansfield Family Dentistry’s patients are members of entire families who’ve been coming to the practice for decades and have been a part of Dr. Cody ‘s community, for as long as he can remember.

In order to provide the very best services for the community, Dr. Cody and the rest of the Mansfield Family Dentistry family do everything they can to stay on top of the latest advancements in the field of dentistry.

This begins with the state-of-the-art facility and extends to the sizable list of services available, including advanced technology like laser therapy, precision dentistry, Invisalign clear tooth aligners, and much more.

CONTACT

100 Carlin Road Mansfield, Texas 76063 (817) 473-0291 MansfieldDentistry.com

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Many of the Mansfield Family Dentistry’s patients are members of entire families who’ve been coming to the practice for decades and have been a part of Dr. Cody ‘s community, for as long as he can remember.

Dr. Cody also focuses on preventative dentistry, combining patient education with regular check-ups, to ensure healthy teeth and gums for each patient.

The members of the Mansfield Family Dentistry team do their best to support their community, and the comprehensive dental services they offer are just the beginning. “We’ve been blessed with a business that’s able to give back in many ways,” Dr. Cody said. The practice is proud to support many local charities and ministries, including Mansfield Cares and Mansfield Young Life, and to offer mentoring programs for people interested in pursuing careers in the dental field.

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEREK GOWER

Dr. Cody’s greatest joy outside of the practice is his family. He and his wife, Stacey, have three charming children: their daughters, Blake and Tenley, and their son, Noah. He dedicates time every week to Walnut Ridge Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon and Sunday school teacher, and he’s also an avid golfer, when he can find the time. He and Stacey are natural hosts inviting friends and family to visit, as often as possible, to share food and fellowship. He couldn’t be happier to be raising his kids in the place where he grew up, and enjoys every moment he spends giving back to his Mansfield community.

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Kleiman Evangelista Eye Center

George H. Bobbitt, DC

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rowing up George Bobbitt felt the call to help people feel better. “I set my dreams on becoming a medical doctor,” he said. “After high school, I enrolled in pre-med and excelled, graduating Summa Cum Laude with the highest GPA in my class. My senior year I was inspired to look into the field of chiropractic.”

re you searching for LASIK surgeons in the Metroplex? The LASIK team at Kleiman/Evangelista Eye Center have helped tens of thousands of patients enjoy improved vision with blade-free LASIK. “The LASIK (laser vision correction) procedure has become very popular for correcting vision issues due to its quick recovery time and because our laser eye surgeons are able to treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism with LASIK,” said Dr. David Kleiman, founder, head surgeon, and medical director of Kleiman/Evangelista Eye Center.

George found he agreed with the philosophy that the body can heal itself from inside out, if given the opportunity. “I learned for the first time how the nervous system controls all functions of the body,” he said. “If there’s an interruption in the nervous system, the body can’t operate or function at full capacity, leading to mal-function and disease. The cause of this interruption is often a misalignment of the vertebrae in the spine. If the spine can be realigned, health and function could be restored.”

Dr. Kleiman together with Drs. Anthony Evangelista, Kelly Frasier, and Loan Ramsey provides excellence in cataract treatment, dysfunctional lens syndrome (over-40 vision) treatment, multi-focal and specialty lenses, comprehensive care for a range of eye diseases, and state-of-the-art refractive surgery as well as a relatively new Corneal Inlay Procedure.

Corneal Inlay Procedure “Everybody loses their capacity to see up close around age forty,” Dr. Evangelista said. “We’re one of the few practices in the metroplex able to place a tiny inlay within the cornea of just one eye, allowing patients to see up close again and freeing them from the need for reading glasses.” Dr. Kleiman said.

Advanced Cataract Treatment Previously necessitating a lengthy recovery, cataract surgery has progressed to a sophisticated laser procedure requiring only a tiny incision to CONTACT

(800) 714-2020 350 East I-20 Arlington, Texas 76018 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 545 Plano, TX 75093 3645 Dallas Parkway, Suite 545 Plano, Texas 75093 4633 North Central Expressway, Suite 300 Dallas, Texas 75205 (Coming soon to Southlake) LASIKSurgery.com

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George withdrew his application to medical school and applied to Texas Chiropractic College instead. “I learned how incredible and

CONTACT

remove the cataract followed by lens implantation. “The technology is constantly evolving,” Dr. Evangelista said. “And we’re dedicated to pioneering each advancement as it occurs.”

Kleiman/Evangelista performs the latest in cataract surgery—No-Drop Cataract Surgery that helps reduce or eliminate the frustrating postoperative drop regimen for patients.

Concierge Care The surgeons and staff at Kleiman/Evangelista Eye Center take pride in offering patient-centered concierge care. “We treat our patients like family,” Dr. Frasier explained. “The best part of our day is getting to know our patients, helping them choose the best treatment option and lenses for their lifestyle.”

“It’s gratifying to change someone’s life with a simple procedure like LASIK or the Corneal Inlay Procedure,” Dr. Ramsey said.

Meet the Kleiman/Evangelista Team David Kleiman, MD In practice for 34 years, Dr. Kleiman is experienced in LASIK, cataract, corneal, glaucoma,

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEREK GOWER

and strabismus surgeries marrying patient-centric care to state-of-the-art technology and ophthalmological dexterity. “We offer an option for everyone from 18 – 90,” he said.

Anthony Evangelista, MD Dr. Evangelista has a passion for enhancing his patients’ eyesight and quality of life through corneal inlays and Lifestyle Lenses.

He specializes in LASIK, cataract, glaucoma, corneal, and strabismus surgery.

Kelly Frasier, MD For Dr. Frasier the best part of his job is getting to know his patients and their families, taking time to answer all their questions and address all their concerns. “I view each patient as a family member, and put their needs and lifestyles first when recommending treatment or lenses,” he said.

Loan Ramsey, MD Dr. Ramsey is fellowship-trained in glaucoma care and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and performing laser refractive and cataract procedures.

L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

Mansfield Chiropractic Center, LLC (817) 453-3999 1071 Country Club Drive, Suite 101 Mansfield, Texas 76063 MansfieldChiropractic.com Kennedale Chiropractic (817) 330-3600 405 W Kennedale Parkway Kennedale, Texas 76060 KennedaleChiropractic.com Arlington Chiropractic Center, LLC (682) 276-1532 2401 West Pioneer Parkway STE 145 Pantego, Texas 76013 ArlingtonChiroCenter.com Neighborhood Weight Loss Center 1071 Country Club Drive, Suite 101 Mansfield, Texas 76063 (817) 453-3999 LastWeightLossProgram.com

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miraculous the body really is,” he said. “I learned the inner workings and the healing arts and was hooked on chiropractic from that point on.”

George again graduated Summa Cum Laude, second in his class. Since that time, he has combined the healing benefits of spinal manipulation, spinal decompression, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, massage, and weight loss. “Using these healing arts all together gets the best results in the shortest amount of time,” he said.

“I’m passionate about helping people get well without the use of unnecessary drugs or surgery and, I am researching techniques to heal and correct chronic pain in the spine that traditional methods aren’t helping, chief among them spinal decompression, and looking at the effects of stress on the nervous system, ” he said. “It hurts my heart to think that many are suffering and dying unnecessarily because they don’t know what they

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEREK GOWER

don’t know. I have a desire and passion to help as many people as possible in their quest for health; to educate them about their health, so they can live longer, be healthier, stay healthy, feel younger, and have the best quality of life possible.”

A lifelong learner, Dr. Bobbitt spends his free time learning how to be a better healer. “I have a burning desire to be a great healer, mentor, philosopher, writer, and speaker,” he said. “I also have an un-quenching desire to fulfill and learn everything I can about God. I spend my free time going to church, studying the Bible’s teachings, teaching Sunday School, and helping facilitate Financial Peace University. I serve on the Life and Mission Counsel for my church and volunteer my leadership for many of the activities to better the mission of making disciples for Jesus Christ that love God, love others, and serve the world.” Dr. Bobbitt is also a four-year mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

41 2/27/17 12:29 PM

Sandi L. Hamm, DDS

Thomas E. Eidson, DO Atlas Vein Care

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our teeth are vital to your happiness every day. And when those teeth form into a smile, they can broadcast confidence, express appreciation, and reassure the ones you love.

Each smile is unique and each is precious in its own way.

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on’t look now but swimsuit season is almost here. Are your legs ready? If you’re one of the 50+ million Americans who suffers from painful, unsightly varicose veins, your answer might be a tentative, “Probably not”. The bad news is that vein issues can leave you with problems including spider veins, leg aches and pains, hair loss, itching, restlessness, and skin breakdown or discolorations. The good news is that Atlas Vein Care and Dr. Thomas Eidson are experienced in treating varicose veins and so much more.

Dr. Sandi Hamm spends her days making sure those smiles stay radiant, functional, and healthy. “One of the things I love about dentistry, is it can allow us to perform life changing procedures. Dental technology and knowledge are continually and rapidly advancing. That requires me to fervently seek to learn all that I can.” She does this through continuing education, above that which is required of her, and by participating in dental study clubs. “We meet regularly to listen to renown speakers and dental experts and to participate in complex dental planning sessions,” Dr. Hamm said. “It’s an exciting time to be practicing dentistry with so much to offer my patients.”

Dr. Hamm and her seasoned staff handle everything from routine cleanings and check-ups to complex restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Specializing in complete smile makeovers including porcelain crowns/veneers, teeth whitening (in house or take home), teeth grinding relief, snoring relief and gum disease therapy. We also offer Invisalign clear braces, dental implant restorations and implant retained dentures.

We always try to find a solution to meet your dental goals.

For Dr. Hamm, the most important part of her practice is not the state-of-the-art technology she offers but the friendly, know-you-by-name service she and her

CONTACT

1830 East Broad Street, Suite 100 Mansfield, Texas 76063 (817) 477-4441 Drsandihamm.com

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“It’s an exciting time to be practicing dentistry with so much to offer my patients.” staff provide. “I want to keep my practice relationship-oriented and create beautiful smiles along the way,” she said. “I’ve been blessed with a staff who shares my philosophy of not only providing our patients, of all ages, with the very best dental medicine available but to genuinely care about them and their lives. We take a holistic approach to dentistry, because what affects the mouth affects the rest of the systems of the body.”

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIANA RAINES

A longtime Mansfield resident, Dr. Hamm is active in our community and enjoys supporting the non-profits that are important to her patients. She holds membership in the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and Dallas County Dental Association and is now accepting new patients. Call (817) 477-4441 to schedule an appointment. Also visit her website at Drsandihamm.com to read more about her, her dental staff, view patient photos and read about procedures that she performs.

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More Than Varicose Veins “Only about 20% of our patients have visible varicose veins,” Dr. Eidson said. “Most suffer from other issues in their legs like skin discoloration, pain, or swelling. In fact, vein issues are one of the most common causes of swelling and pain in the legs. Some of our patients don’t have any visible symptoms on the surface but have issues such as leg heaviness and fatigue or night cramps.

Once we get them under ultrasound, we see that their veins are damaged, giving them medical symptoms. You don’t have to have visible signs to actually have a vein problem.”

Vein Care Dr. Eidson begins with a painless, in-office evaluation and diagnostic study for vascular concerns in the legs. Dr. Eidson and his staff provide cutting-edge, minimallyinvasive treatment for underlying vein issues that may be related to symptoms such as leg swelling, leg pain, restless legs, leg heaviness and aching, night cramps, skin

CONTACT

(817) 795-8346 2705 W Arkansas Lane Arlington, Texas 76016 AtlasVein.com

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darkening, even skin wounds. As Dr. Eidson says frequently, “Vein disease issues include much more than just varicose veins and if nothing is done, the problems will just get worse.”

Personalized Care Dr. Eidson strives to treat every patient the way he’d like to be treated. “My staff and I try to add a WOW factor daily for our patients; to provide ‘Ritz Carlton level’ customer service,” he said. “It’s my goal that not one of our patients would hesitate to recommend us to their friends and family.”

Meet Dr. Eidson Dr. Eidson and his wife both grew up in the DFW metroplex. “I’m a born-and-raised Arlington boy,” he said. “I graduated from Arlington High and even received my bachelors from UTA, before going all over the country for my medical degree and specialty training. I achieved board certification in both venous and lymphatic medicine (phlebology) and family medicine then returned to DFW as fast as I could to begin my career in 2012 focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of vein related concerns ranging from the purely cosmetic to the medically significant.”

Any visit to Atlas Vein Care includes faceto-face time with Dr. Eidson. “No concern is too big or too small,” he said “If it’s concerning to our patient, it’s concerning to us. Our staff undergoes continuing leadership and personal development training to enable them to grow and excel, not only within our medical practice, but in life as well.”

Dr. Eidson has safely and successfully performed thousands of vein treatments to help improve patient self-confidence and quality of life. When not on the job he is a husband, fisherman, hunter, gym buff, and musician. He volunteers with his church and Special Olympics and mentors local students aspiring to enter the medical field.

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT

43 2/27/17 12:29 PM

Gary K. Alexander, MD, FACS

Jeremy P. Parcells, MD FACS

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Surgical Associates of Mansfield

Surgical Associates of Mansfield

r. Gary Alexander always loved putting things back together.

From a young age, he knew he either wanted to be an engineer or a surgeon. “These were the only two things on my radar,” he said, “and it didn’t take me long to realize it’s more fulfilling to take care of people than to build things.”

r. Jeremy Parcells remembers the moment he knew he’d be a surgeon. He was in high school and had been given the opportunity to watch a surgical procedure in action. He was mesmerized from beginning to end. “My interest in medicine began in that second,” he says. “I was just a teenager, but I knew without a doubt I wanted to pursue a career as a surgeon.”

Today, he’s a general surgeon at the Surgical Associates of Mansfield, a practice he helped conceive, and he takes the people part of the job very seriously. “I’m not going to send you home with an approach you don’t need.” A large part of his job to making sure his patients understand their options. “If there’s a non-invasive option that would work better than a surgical procedure, we’re happy to let our patients know and do everything we can to point them in the most conservative direction.”

If a surgical procedure is needed though, Dr. Alexander’s patients can rest assured they’ll get the best care possible at the Surgical Associates of Mansfield. The largest robotic surgery practice in the area, it offers a wide range of minimally-invasive surgeries. Dr. Alexander and his associates are not afraid to tackle complex cases, and they take pains to ensure each procedure is as minimallyinvasive as possible. For their patients, this means less pain, shorter recovery, less risk of infection, less trauma to surrounding tissue, and less scarring.

This year, Dr. Alexander and his associates are thrilled to be settling into a new location in Mansfield. After five years of planning, the new, state-of-the-art facility for the Surgical

CONTACT

(682) 518-8619 2975 East Broad Street Suite 200 Mansfield, TX 76063 MansfieldSurgery.com

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After high school, it was on to Wheaton College in Illinois, where he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in biology, and then to Baylor College of Medicine for his medical degree. He completed an internship in general surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and a residency at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

He then went on to hone his craft with a fellowship in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. It was here he discovered he had a passion for weight-loss surgery.

Dr. Alexander and his associates are not afraid to tackle complex cases, and they take pains to ensure each procedure is as minimally-invasive as possible.

Associates of Mansfield, which Dr. Alexander was instrumental in planning, is finally complete, and Dr. Alexander and his associates are proud of the result.

Dr. Alexander loves Mansfield for its small-town feel and big-city amenities.

“It’s nice to be able to grow with the city, and to know you’ve contributed to that growth.” Certainly, he’s doing his part for our community. Dr. Alexander feels the new location for the Surgical Associates

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTO BY DUSTIN DOSKOCIL

of Mansfield is perfect for collaborating with the medical community and he looks forward to watching the practice grow.

The new facility is not the only big change for Dr. Alexander in 2017. He and his physician wife are expecting their first child, a little girl. The timing couldn’t be better, and he’s glad to have the new location finished and operational before he welcomes his baby girl into the world.

L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

“I realized what a potent and life-changing tool bariatric surgery can be for patients and that was that,” he said. Bariatric weightloss procedures include gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy and can be the first step for many patients to live a life free of obesity and obesity-related conditions. “It gives me joy to provide immediate solutions to my patients’ healthcare concerns,” he said. “I’m always proud to be able to see the results of my education and hard work and know it’s improving someone’s day-to-day life.”

Dr. Parcells performs a wide range of procedures including hernia, gallbladder,

CONTACT

(682) 518-8619 2975 East Broad Street Suite 200 Mansfield, Texas 76063 MansfieldSurgery.com

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“It gives me joy to provide immediate solutions to my patients’ healthcare concerns,” he said. anti-reflux, colorectal, bariatric surgery, and a full range of complex laparoscopic and robotic surgeries performed through a much smaller incision and resulting in shorter recovery times, less risk of infection, less scarring, and less pain for his patients.

The Surgical Associates of Mansfield use the next-generation da Vinci Surgical System. With a whole new level of robotic surgery precision, this high tech tool gives Dr. Parcells and his associates the ability to control the movements of instruments for a surgery, with a magnified, high-definition view of the operation, and translating the tiniest of hand movements into the movements of surgical instruments at the site. “Traditional open colon surgery, for instance, meant a 7 to 10 day hospital stay,” Dr. Parcells said. “Laparoscopic surgery

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTO BY DUSTIN DOSKOCIL

took that down to four or five days. Now with da Vinci robotic surgery, patients are routinely going home in one or two days after surgery, with even better results.”

“Robotic surgery represents the next stage of growth and innovation, allowing us to perform operations we’re already performing laparoscopically, only better.

Every year we’re finding new ways to push the technology further.” His strong belief in the benefit of robotic surgery for his patients has led Dr. Parcells to be the highestvolume robotic surgeon in Tarrant County.

Dr. Parcells and his wife, Carolyn are raising two phenomenal boys in the South Arlington area. In their off time, they enjoy getting outside and going to Rangers games.

45 2/27/17 12:29 PM

David M. Rutledge, MD FACS

Pediatric Dentistry of Mansfield

Surgical Associates of Mansfield

Deborah C. Sullivan, DDS, MS, and Danny Wright, DDS

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s Dr. David Rutledge was settling into his office in the new facilities of Surgical Associates of Mansfield, one of the first things he added were his speakers. “If you’re gonna’ listen to music, you might as well do it right,” he said of the enormous subwoofers flanking his new space.

While electronics are a lifelong passion, he also enjoys fixing things. “I’m a tinkerer,” Dr. Rutledge said. He spends his spare time fiddling with and fixing everything from cars to electrical wiring and doesn’t doubt this interest had a hand in leading him to his surgical career.

Born in Texas but raised in New Orleans, Dr. Rutledge completed his undergraduate at Duke University then returned to Texas for medical school and a general surgery residency at University of Texas Southwestern.

He practiced for fifteen years in Fort Worth and is thrilled to be joining Surgical Associates of Mansfield where he’s restoring patients to health through minimally-invasive surgical procedures including laparoscopic gallbladder surgery for digestive disorders. “Traditional open gallbladder surgery requires a longer recovery period and a good deal of pain,” he said. “But less-invasive laparoscopic surgery is so minimally-invasive patients offer return to normal activities within a week.”

Surgical Associates of Mansfield takes things one step further with a da Vinci Surgical System, a cutting-edge robotic platform designed to expand traditional surgical capabilities. The da Vinci works in real time and translates the surgeon’s hand movements into precise micro-movements of the instruments at the surgical site,

CONTACT

(682) 518-8619 2975 East Broad Street Suite 200 Mansfield, Texas 76063 MansfieldSurgery.com

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he goal at the practice of Drs. Deborah Sullivan and Danny Wright is to encourage a generation of children to approach dentistry with confidence. They do so by treating their young patients with kindness, compassion, and smiles. Because they realize each young patient has a lifetime of dentistry ahead of them, they’re not only committed to their oral health but to their attitude toward and experience in the dental chair. Far more important than any one tooth, filling, or crown is the child’s confidence in their dentist and in dentistry in general.

He stresses the importance of proper preparation, and says being a surgeon is much more about planning than he expected when he was getting into the field. allowing Dr. Rutledge to perform major surgery through the smallest of incisions.

Although highly skilled at robotic surgery, Dr. Rutledge is cautious in its application.

“It’s all about using the right tool for the right job,” he says. “Robots are great, but I never proceed with a robotic surgery when traditional surgery might be more effective.”

He stresses the importance of proper preparation, and says being a surgeon is much more about planning than he expected when he was getting into the field.

“With the proper planning, the actual operation only takes up a small percentage of my time,” he said. A crucial part of this planning is sitting face-to-face with the patient to fully comprehend their needs. “It’s the thought process before and during the surgery that’s important,

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTO BY DUSTIN DOSKOCIL

not just the wielding of a knife,” he says.

“It takes planning to do the right thing and ensure each patient gets the treatment I’d want for myself or a family member.”

Dr. Rutledge is ardent about staying on top of advancements in his field, and is excited by the rapid rate of improvement in modern medical science. “Antibiotics have only been around for eighty years, and surgery was pretty difficult a hundred years ago. Who knows where we’ll be fifty years from now.”

The da Vinci and other technological advancements at Surgical Associates of Mansfield have made surgeries exponentially safer and simpler than ever before, and the care Dr. Rutledge brings to his craft ensures his patients get the very best care.

L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

From the very first visit, parents are included in each dental experience. Whether it’s a new patient exam, a regular check-up and cleaning, or a restorative treatment, parents are encouraged to accompany their children into the treatment areas. As the dentist, hygienist or assistant works with the children, they engage with the parents and educate them about helping their children develop good dental hygiene habits.

Because the doctors believe that including parents in their child’s dental experience encourages confident children, throughout treatment parents are there to help their children settle into their chairs. Then they’re welcome to observe from the parent’s chair while treatment proceeds.

Drs. Deborah Sullivan and Danny Wright are also committed to teaching parents the latest preventive measures to keep their children cavity-free. They discuss diet,

CONTACT

(817) 473-7171 1830 E. Broad Street, Suite 104 Mansfield, Texas 76063 PediatricDentistryOfMansfield.com

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From the very first visit, parents are included in each dental experience. hygiene, and the latest and greatest helpful hints for parents. Can we raise a cavity-free generation? The caregivers at Pediatric Dentistry of Mansfield are convinced we can.

When dental treatment is necessary, Drs. Deborah Sullivan and Danny Wright provide the highest quality restorations.

The office is amalgam-free, using instead white fillings and esthetic crowns whenever possible. To make young patients comfortable and relaxed, they provide all levels of anxietyreducing sedation and are thrilled to hear every week from astonished parents whose children actually look forward to visiting the dentist.

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTO BY LIVING MAGAZINE

Pediatric Dentistry of Mansfield employs the latest, next-generation technology in digital radiographs, intraoral imaging, and laser treatment and provides a 24-hour emergency service. Both board-certified pediatric dentists, Drs. Sullivan and Wright are diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

They offer aesthetic white fillings and white crowns to keep smiles looking beautiful and authentic looking. They have staff privileges at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth and Texas Pediatric Surgery Center. And for patient and parent convenience, they offer appointments before and after school.

Visit them on Facebook to find out about their March Munchkin promotion!

47 2/27/17 12:29 PM

Darien W. Bradford, MD

Audiology Experts

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Lisa B. Fell, AuD and Kristin Robbins, AuD earing issues are a game changer.

They effect entire families, careers, marriages, and friendships.

“Hearing loss should be as concerning to us as heart disease and high cholesterol,” said Dr. Lisa B. Fell, co-owner of Audiology Experts in Arlington. “Untreated hearing loss can negatively impact daily communication and cognitive function and can lead to isolation and depression.”

n the past, the very idea of open-heart surgery conjured up draconian images: sternums cracked open, hearts stopped momentarily, grotesque scarring, and long, arduous recoveries. However, thanks to pioneering doctors like Darien Bradford, what was once a grueling ordeal is far less invasive, with easier, less painful recovery, fewer instances of complications, and excellent success rates.

It’s for that reason that she and her partner, Dr. Kristin Robbins devote themselves to providing thorough assessment, accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of hearing loss for patients whether that management be a referral, amplification, assistive devices, or auditory rehabilitation.

Board-certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Dr. Bradford is a cardiothoracic surgeon trained to diagnose and treat diseases of the chest, esophagus, diaphragm, heart, lungs and trachea. As one of only a handful of cardiothoracic surgeons offering less-invasive alternatives to traditional open-heart and open-chest surgery in Tarrant County, Dr. Bradford performs procedures as delicate as coronary artery bypass grafting, valve replacement and repair, and lung surgery through incisions as small as three inches. For his patients, this means, less scarring, less risk of infection, less pain, and recovery in a fraction of the time.

After these far less-invasive surgeries, patients return to their normal life, in as little as two weeks. “Because each patient is unique, I work closely with my patients and their physicians to tailor a treatment program designed specifically for them,” Dr. Bradford said. “My goal with each of my patients is to offer advanced treatment and to do so in a way that minimizes pain, risks, and recovery time for them; to improve each patient’s quality of life.”

Minimally-invasive surgery of the chest, heart, lungs, esophagus, diaphragm, and

trachea is just one way Dr. Bradford is pioneering medicine advancements in Tarrant County. Continually on the forefront of his profession, Dr. Bradford is also utilizing a new mechanical heart valve which requires less anticoagulation. Additionally, Dr. Bradford has a patient-centric office, where patients and their families are afforded the time they need to ask any and all questions and never leave until they feel comfortable.

A graduate of Wayne State University School of Medicine, Dr. Bradford

CONTACT

515 West Mayfield Street, Suite 404 Arlington, Texas 76014 (817) 465-5311 BradfordMD.com

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completed his internship and residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. For almost two decades, he has perfected his skills in our area where he has privileges at several local hospitals. He has lead the way with many life-saving techniques, such as minimally-invasive surgery for coronary artery disease, cancers of the lung, esophagus and chest wall, abnormalities of the great vessels and heart valves, as well as birth defects of the chest and heart. Dr. Bradford is currently accepting new patients.

For almost two decades, he has perfected his skills in our area where he has privileges at several local hospitals.

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTO BY LIVING MAGAZINE

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For almost two decades, the pair has witnessed hundreds of success stories. Unfortunately, not everyone seeks or finds help for their hearing loss. “The reason may be affordability, false information or too much confusion in advertising,” Dr. Robbins said. “That’s why patient education is such an important part of our job. It’s important for us to slow down, listen to the patient and then explain to them and their loved one, their unique diagnosis and how it can best be helped.”

Step through the doors of 1261 West Green Oaks Boulevard, Suite 105 and you enter a warm, welcoming environment. Every effort is made to keep wait times brief and insurance issues ironed out upfront.

Audiology Experts works with most insurance companies for hearing testing and hearing aid benefits.

Longtime office employees are pleasant and amiable and the doctors are thorough: listening, gathering extensive case histories,

CONTACT

1261 West Green Oaks Boulevard Suite 105 Arlington, Texas 76013 (817)451-4818 AudiologyExperts.com

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Our patients are more than their hearing aids.

We get to know their life-story. and answering all questions. “No one is a sale or a set of hearing aids to us,” Dr. Fell said. “They’re a person with family, friends and co-workers. They have fears, worries, concerns, and all of those need to be addressed. It’s important that each patient knows they are heard and understood.”

“We pay close attention to the mood and comfort of our patients, as well as their spouse or loved one,” Dr. Robbins said.

“We make sure they understand our results and check to see if they need a follow-up, more reassurance, or for the explanation to be repeated. We select the best choice for each patient, based on our knowledge of them, not what we have to sell or what’s on our shelves. Then we help them feel comfortable with their

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT

hearing aid, not afraid of breaking it or vain about it being seen.”

The best part for the doctors is when a patient gets to hear what they’ve been missing “Still our job isn’t over, we continue to listen to the hearing aids, clean them, visually inspect them, provide supplies, and ask the patients at each follow-up how they’re doing”. Our patients are more than their hearing aids. We get to know their life-story. We get involved over time and become invested in who they are—not what hearing aid they’re wearing.”

“There’s no cookie-cutter recipe, when it comes to hearing loss,” Dr. Robbins said.

“Each person needs something different and we work to discover it and then provide it to them.”

49 2/27/17 12:29 PM

Frank Rodriguez, MD

Daniel Price, OD and Allison Price, OD Advanced Eyecare

Arlington Orthopedic Associates

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t Advanced Eyecare, optimum eye health is a family affair. Drs. Allison and Daniel Price spend their days getting to know their patients and providing everything from comprehensive eye exams for glasses and contacts, to treatment of eye infections and glaucoma, and diagnosis of complex eye problems due to diabetes, high blood pressure, or the natural effects of aging. They see patients from five to 105 and have an onsite lab where they can make glasses, often in as little as an hour.

Going the distance for charity.

AOA’s Dr. Frank Rodriguez competes in Boston Marathon for the Hale of it. octors help people every day of course, but Dr. Frank Rodriguez is going out of his way to improve life for more than his own patients. He is, in fact, going all the way to Boston to raise money for a charity that is dear to his heart. This April 17th, Dr. Rodriguez will not only run his sixth Boston Marathon, but he will be raising money to benefit low-income students through Hale Reservation Inc.

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Hale Reservation Inc. is a private, non-profit organization that offers educational and recreational opportunities that develop selfconfidence, inspire a passion for learning and encourage an appreciation for the natural environment. Their Hale Outdoor Learning Adventures (HOLA) program encourages Boston youth to lead active, healthy lifestyles, and resonates with Dr. Rodriguez because of his own lifelong love of the outdoors. “I loved exploring the outdoors when I was a kid,” explains Rodriguez. “Those carefree and adventurous days gave me confidence and helped make me the orthopedic surgeon I am today.”

The HOLA program specifically addresses the “summer learning slide” that most adversely affects low-income students. It’s designed to encourage academic gains and develop social-emotional skills during the summer months so students are ready to begin the next grade in the fall.

“Every child should be – and needs to be – outdoors,” emphasizes Rodriguez, “because exploring and enjoying nature provides an

CONTACT

800 Orthopedic Way Arlington, TX 76015 2801 East Broad Street Mansfield, TX 76063 (817) 375-5200 www.arlingtonortho.com

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“Being a family-operated small business we spend our days talking to patients about their upcoming weddings, new babies, and family vacations,” Dr. Allison said. “We see patients we’ve been treating since grade school head off to college, then come back and bring their own kids to us. We cry alongside the ones going through a loss or major illness and celebrate with that new grandbaby or job promotion.”

ideal opportunity to learn life lessons. I’m running this year’s Boston Marathon to give this opportunity to as many children as possible.”

Rodriguez may be doing the running, but everyone else can play a part in supporting this important cause. Dr. Rodriguez has offered to match dollar for dollar any amount donated, and stresses that donations of any size are welcome and greatly appreciated. “It’s easy to take outdoor activities for granted here in Texas. But in a large city like Boston, so many young girls and boys don’t have a chance to explore and experience nature. Simple activities such as fishing, swimming or just running around outdoors – they don’t get to do that. I hope by partnering with HOLA, we will be able to stimulate these kids to learn more.”

Making a donation is as easy as visiting www.everydayhero.com and searching for Frank Rodriguez. Along with your PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEREK GOWER

financial support, you can leave a message of encouragement.

When he’s not devoting his time to charitable interests, Dr. Rodriguez is dedicated to making life more enjoyable for those who suffer from hip, knee, shoulder, or ankle pain. A fellowship trained and board certified orthopedic surgeon, in practice with Arlington Orthopedic Associates at both their Arlington and Mansfield clinics, he specializes in sports medicine and joint reconstruction. “It is very gratifying,” says Dr. Rodriguez, “to help someone in pain be able to resume their active lifestyle.”

Whether you need help yourself with orthopedic pain, or want to help support a worthwhile charity, Dr. Rodriguez would love to hear from you.

To donate to the Boston Marathon effort in support of HOLA: www.everydayhero.com (search for Frank Rodriguez)

L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

“We do our best to take time with each patient and make sure all their questions are answered,” Dr. Daniel said. “We’ve been in our Arlington location for 12 years now and in Grand Prairie for over four and are extremely thankful for all of our patients’ support. Any success we have is due to our patients and our outstanding staff.”

Meet Dr. Allison Price Allison graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M University in College Station

CONTACT

Advanced Eyecare 5224 South State Highway 360 Suite 200 Grand Prairie, Texas 75052 (972) 602-4545 AdvancedEyecareTX.com Arlington Location: 827 East Lamar Boulevard Arlington, Texas 76011 (817) 275-0655 VisionCareArlington.com

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and received her doctor of optometry from the Southern College of Optometry, graduating in the top 10% of her class. She completed an externship in Plano and Morrow, GA where she gained experience in the diagnosis and management of ocular diseases such as cataracts, diabetes, and macular degeneration. A licensed therapeutic optometrist and glaucoma specialists, Allison is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Texas Optometric Association.

Meet Dr. Daniel Price Daniel received his degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Georgia and his doctor of optometry from the Southern College of Optometry. A licensed therapeutic optometrist and glaucoma specialist, he belongs to the American Optometric Association and Texas Optometric Association. He completed his externship at Dorfzaun Eye Group in Marietta,

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTO BY DUSTIN DOSKOCIL

Georgia and Morrow Eye Center in Morrow, Georgia.

When not on the job, the Prices spend time with their “smart and spunky sixyear-old girl” and “non-stop, kind-hearted five-year-old boy. Allison stays busy as room mom and PTA committee chair and they both can be found chauffeuring kids to karate, tee-ball practice, and birthday parties. They’re active in church and Sunday school at First Methodist Mansfield and love to travel and try new restaurants. Daniel is an avid outdoorsman and attempts to golf.

The Prices support the Wesley Mission Center in Mansfield and Wesley Foundation at UTA. They’re both on the committee for Young Life in Mansfield.

Allison is a member of the Junior League of Arlington and a wish granter for Make a Wish. Daniel is a member of the South Grand Prairie Lions Club.

51 2/27/17 12:29 PM

iKids Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

Institute for Hormonal Balance and BioTE

Blane R. Hamilton, DMD Randy W. Hamilton III, DMD Ross L. Hamilton, DDS

Mandy Cotten, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

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andy Cotten has a heart for helping men & women. She does so by offering personalized care at the Institute for Hormonal Balance that caters to the individual, no matter what stage of life they are in. “We’re passionate about helping our patients achieve the best quality of life possible,” she said. “We’re not concerned merely with longevity, but with helping our patients live life to its fullest potential.”

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he dentist’s chair can be a frightening place, when you’re small. Luckily, iKids Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics was designed to take the scary out of a trip to the dentist. From the moment your child walks through the door, they can relax knowing they’re in a friendly, kid-centric space. From the smiling faces of the iKids dream team of Drs. Blane, Randy, and Ross Hamilton, all three daddies themselves, this is a place that’s all about kids. With a philosophy that’s based on the Disneyworld model, iKids team members treat the whole child and welcome parents to share in the dental experience.

Their state-of-the-art dental offices in Mansfield, Fort Worth, North Fort Worth/Keller, Burleson, Waxahachie and Arlington, offer a wide range of services from preventative care to orthodontics, including affordable pricing, a comfortable kid-friendly environment, over-thetop customer service, and dental professionals who’ve been called upon to share their expertise on TV shows, including Fox 4 News and CBS‘s American Health Front.

Meet Dr. Blane Blane R. Hamilton is a specialist in pediatric dentistry focused on helping kids have positive dental experiences, with his calming nature that

CONTACT

ARLINGTON 3801 South Cooper Street., Suite 109 (817) 467-9089 MANSFIELD 1756 Broad Park Circle North., Suite 100 (817) 453-2800 WAXAHACHIE 2171 N. Highway 77 (972) 351-9910 iKidsDental.com

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Mandy uses the BioTE® method of hormone optimization which includes balancing estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, and vitamin status, which work together in the body to establish true health status. “Balanced hormones are essential for good health and disease prevention as we age,” she said. “At the Institute for Hormonal Balance, we use the BioTE® method to optimize hormone levels with tiny pellets just under the skin.”

puts kids at ease while he treats them. Dr. Blane received special training in sedation, hospital dentistry, advanced behavior management, anesthesia, trauma, and oral health care of the special needs patient. Dr. Blane is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He lives in Mansfield with his wife, Sarah, and their four boys.

Meet Dr. Randy Randy W. Hamilton III has been practicing dentistry for over 17 years, is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Randy had the privilege of serving in the U.S. Air Force prior to completing his residency in Pediatric Dentistry. He is a lecturer and a published author of the book “Grin and Bare It, A Parents’ Guide to Little Teeth” which helps parents answer many questions about their children’s oral health. He’s one of a handful of pediatric dentists in the state certified in IV sedation. Dr. Randy is thankful to work along side his brothers and resides in Mansfield with his family.

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTO BY DEREK GOWER

Meet Dr. Ross Ross L. Hamilton combines his experience in cosmetic dentistry with impeccable artistic skill to give your child a beautiful smile, while ensuring they’re having a great experience. After receiving his doctorate of dental surgery from the prestigious Baylor College of Dentistry, Dr. Ross trained with some of the most respected pediatric dental specialists in his field. He and his wife, Ileana are proud new parents.

Together they offer the families of Mansfield, Fort Worth, North Fort Worth/ Keller, Burleson, Waxahachie and Arlington, preventative care starting as young as infancy, restorative and cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, habit prevention and management, emergency treatments, oral home care instruction, and hospital dentistry. And they and their team have a heart for treating their special-needs and medically-compromised patients.

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Because each patient is unique, Mandy and her staff partner with their patients to develop individualized care plans which involve patients intrinsically in their own care. “I truly believe in having a collaborative relationship with my patients, so their needs are met and they understand any treatment plans presented,” she said. “Patient education is paramount.”

Mandy received her Bachelor’s degree in nursing from TCU, completed her doctorate

CONTACT

Arlington Office: 2304 I 20 West, Suite 120 Arlington TX 76017 Irving Office: 1875 West Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 100 Irving, TX 75038 Office: (817) 467-7474 BioTEMedical.com

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at Loyola University in New Orleans and began her career as a labor and delivery nurse, woman’s health nurse, and recovery nurse. “I served in leadership at John Peter Smith Hospital,” she said. “I have worked for Dr. Gary Donovitz, a world-renowned expert in hormone optimization and have been practicing the BioTE® method of hormone optimization for four years, with wonderful success.” Mandy is the clinical coordinator for BioTE® Clinic and Research and is currently conducting a study with veterans on PTSD and hormone balance.

“My patients, BioTE®, and the Institute of Hormonal Balance are a large part of my life,” she said. “I also teach office personnel and my fellow practitioners how to offer BioTE® in their offices and about

the BioTE® method.” When not on the job, she is head-over-heels mama to her sweet, baby girl, Rylie Rose. “She’s the light of my life,” she said. “At two and headstrong just like her momma, she definitely keeps me on my toes. My husband, Casey, and I enjoy spending time with friends and family, whenever we have free time. I’ve always been passionate about caring for others.

Being a nurse practitioner allows me to live that passion to its fullest.”

At The Institute for Hormonal Balance and BioTE, Mandy Cotten helps her patients age healthier and live happier through services such as well-woman care, gynecological care, BioTE Hormone Optimization, Botox, Juvederm, Voluma, Vobella and Slim Shots.

“At the Institute for Hormonal Balance, we use the BioTE® method to optimize hormone levels with tiny pellets just under the skin.”

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN SLY - OMNI VISUAL MEDIA

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Haroon Ismaili, DDS

United Dermatology Associates

Park Forest Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center

Jeannine Hoang, MD

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P

oard Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Haroon Ismaili, places an emphasis on patient education.

Since 2002 he has offered excellent care in fields of dental implants & extraction of wisdom teeth for thousands of patients in the metroplex.

erhaps like many people you’ve thought of dermatology as an aesthetic field rather than a medical one. But dermatologists like Dr. Jeannine Hoang of United Dermatology spend their days doing much more than treating acne, warts, and rashes. She is daily called upon to diagnose and treat serious—even life-threatening— skin conditions, such as cancer. But thanks to advancing technology, they’re also able to identify pre-cancerous areas and head cancer off, before it begins. “Skin cancer is highly treatable, when caught early,” Dr. Hoang said.

“That makes routine skin checks paramount.”

With his naturally friendly demeanor and hand-picked team, he has offered patients peace of mind, as he takes time to get to know each one and assures that they have all the information they need to make educated and informed decisions about their treatment.

Meet Dr. Ismaili Dr. Ismaili completed his oral surgery residency program as chief resident at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. He currently serves as a clinical and trauma assistant professor at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, and holds surgical privileges at Baylor Grapevine and Medical Center Arlington. He employs innovative technology, including the use of laser surgery, CT technology, and the latest intra-oral scanner, allowing for the most advanced and comprehensive treatment planning, which leads to predictable and extraordinary results.

His exceptional surgical skills have garnered him many awards, as a resident, attending physician and private practitioner. The Consumer Research Council of America has named him one of America’s top oral surgeons. Dr. Ismaili has also served our community with donated services at Mission Arlington, Mansfield Cares and as past president of Arlington Dental Study Club.

CONTACT

2304 West Interstate 20 Suite 150 Arlington, Texas 76017 (817) 466-8080 pfoms.com

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And because skin conditions are often a bellwether of problems elsewhere in the body, Dr. Hoang has become increasingly interested in other aspects of healthcare, fitness, and nutrition. “I’m passionate about preventive medicine and anti-aging and actively learning about proactive approaches to maintain health and function through healthy lifestyle habits,” she said.

Dr. Hoang has studied the benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement, believing that His practice has also been named the Best Oral Surgical Office in Arlington and Mansfield by Living Magazine for three years in a row.

structure is fully developed, as early as 12 or 13 or as late as the early twenties.

IV sedation can be used for a safe and comfortable experience.

Wisdom Teeth The term “wisdom teeth” refers to our third molars, located in the back of our mouths, appearing sometime between the middle teenage years and early twenties. When inadequate space prevents wisdom teeth from erupting, they can become impacted or fail to erupt into the proper position for chewing and cleaning which can lead to complications ranging from cysts, infection, crowding of teeth, and damage to adjacent teeth.

Dental Implants Dentures are undependable, unrealistic looking, and provide only a fraction of the biting power of natural teeth. Dental implants, however, allow for naturallooking crowns to be placed atop titanium anchors affixed to the jaw bone and serve as a permanent replacement for lost teeth. These crowns are fully functional and natural looking!

Dr. Ismaili recommends evaluation of wisdom teeth in the mid-teenage years to determine whether they are impacted, if there’s space for them to erupt, and how difficult they will be to remove. If he sees potential problems, he recommends extraction sometime before the root

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTO BY DEREK GOWER

Dr. Ismaili offers dental implants to replace one tooth or a whole set of teeth. The in-office procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes for one implant and two to three hours for multiple implants. Please call us to see if you are a candidate for implants!

To find out more about Dr. Haroon Ismaili and Park Forest Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center visit us at www.pfoms.com.

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CONTACT

2800 East Broad Street Suite 124 Mansfield, TX 76063 (817) 539-0959 723 North Fielder Road Suite C Arlington, TX 76012 (817) 539-0959 780 NE Alsbury Suite B Burleson, TX 76028 (817) 529-1753 2560 Central Park Avenue Suite 395 Flower Mound, TX 75028 (469) 635-5990 United-Derm.com

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natural hormonal balance throughout life is an integral component of health and wellness and is actively pursuing further education in this field through the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.

Brian Cook, Kyla Crispe, Tiffany Bivens, Uyen Mimi Phan and Paige Herlihy. She has personally trained each to strive for excellence in service, clinical acumen, and delivering superior results.

“When the body is healthy and balanced, it will show through healthy, radiant skin,” Dr. Hoang said. “My goal is to practice preventive, proactive medicine, empowering my patients to care for their skin to prevent disease, cancer, and aging, while addressing the overall health of their bodies.” She also offers non-invasive and minimally invasive cosmetic enhancement technologies that provide her patients enhanced beauty in the most natural looking way possible.

Meet Dr. Hoang Jeannine Hoang graduated summa cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin and earned her MD at Baylor College of Medicine. She completed an internship in internal medicine at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas and a residency in dermatology at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. With her board certification completed, she opened Mansfield Dermatology where her patient base grew so rapidly she soon opened additional locations, this time as United Dermatology Associates. Now with thriving United Dermatology practices in Mansfield, Arlington, Burleson and Flower Mound, Dr. Hoang offers a full menu of medical and cosmetic services to her ever-growing patient population.

Dr. Hoang oversees each United Dermatology facility and has handselected a talented group of caregivers who share her vision of preventative, proactive medicine, including physician’s assistants Lisa Moody, Allison Wilbanks,

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEREK GOWER

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Uptown Endodontics

Y. Anthony Nakamura, MD, FACS, PA

Jill Peterson, DDS, MPH, PhD

Accent on You Cosmetic Surgery Center and Medi-Spa

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opefully you have a family dentist you trust, someone who partners with you to maintain the optimum health of your teeth, gums, and jaw. But there are times when a problem with a tooth is so severe it’s outside of the realm of your general dentist’s care. That’s when it’s time to call in a highly-trained endodontist to treat the inner tissue or pulp of your tooth. For many patients and general dentists in the Arlington area, that means calling Dr. Jill Peterson.

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on’t you love the scene in My Fair Lady when Professor Higgins takes Eliza to the embassy ball?

She sweeps in and not a soul can take their eyes off her. She glides across the dance floor captivating everyone in the room, as guests whisper about who this glorious creature could be. When was the last time you captivated a room? When did you last enter the room with unbridled confidence?

When did you last shop for an outfit—even (gasp) a swimsuit— to showcase your figure, not camouflage it?

“It’s my job to save teeth by performing surgical or nonsurgical root canal therapy,” she said. It’s what she’s loved doing for 20 years. “I also treat children with developing teeth that are threatened by cavities or trauma and need pulp therapy to continue tooth development. And if a child’s tooth becomes necrotic or dead due to deep cavities, I’m implementing regenerative endodontic techniques into my practice to continue development with new pulp tissue.”

Dr. Peterson is big on patient education.

“I prefer to present alternatives to pulling salvageable teeth,” she said. “I try to help my patients understand their dental disease and how I’m able to help them save their teeth. Basically, I serve as a bridge to achieve specialty care with root canal therapy and thus act as an additional provider offered by their general dentist.”

Dr. Peterson received her DDS from Baylor College of Dentistry and advanced training in Endodontics.

CONTACT

906 North Fielder Road Arlington, Texas 76012 (817) 461-4292 UptownEndo.com

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To stay abreast of her specialty, she partakes in cutting-edge continuing education offered across the United States and abroad.

When not on the job, Dr. Peterson divides her time between her beloved Shetland Sheepdogs who come to her through DFW Sheltie Rescue, and traveling to wonderful places to better understand our world, especially home to Castle Rock, Colorado to spend time with her family.

“As a hobby, knitting is a type of personal meditation and very calming,” she shared. “I’m an Episcopalian and have spent a couple of summer vacations attending theological training at Christ’s Church, Oxford University in England.

In fact, my knitting studio is called “The Land of Yarnia”, a reference to author, CS Lewis. Theology on the other hand is not a hobby but a way of life. A profound

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT

personal commitment to Christ and connection to the Trinity is crucial to her life balance.”

She also devotes time to a nonprofit organization called 29 Pieces (www.29pieces.org) in Dallas where she serves on the board of directors. The mission statement of 29 Pieces is to use art to awaken, uplift, and give voice to the creative human spirit to make a genuine, positive social change.

“Every profession is about relationships; about learning how to communicate,” she said. “In healthcare, listening is crucial. I’m blessed with an eclectic mix of patients, an outstanding staff, and exceptional referring dentists. My working world is my extended family. So, I also try to be who I am with my patients. It’s all a lot easier, when you love what you do.”

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If you’re feeling apprehensive about the more-revealing clothes of summer; if you’re not feeling beach or pool-ready, or if you’re unhappy with the changes you see in the mirror, you need to know that A-list plastic surgeon Y. Anthony Nakamura can have you looking forward to your own My Fair Lady moments this summer. It’s what he’s done for thousands of your Arlington area neighbors—both women and men—and the procedures he performs are less invasive now than ever.

With almost 30 years of experience, Dr. Nakamura is a recognized expert in plastic surgery and body contouring, providing excellence in care while taking a personal approach with every patient. As a boardcertified plastic surgeon and cosmetic enhancement expert, he understands that each patient’s cosmetic and health goals are

CONTACT

ACCENT ON YOU (817) 417-7200 South Cooper Street Arlington, Texas 76015 AccentOnYou.com

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as unique as they are. Within his state ofthe-art, fully-accredited surgery center, Dr. Nakamura offers aesthetic excellence and the very latest, next-generation technology in a comfortable, welcoming environment.

Fully-accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc., his Accent on You Cosmetic Surgery Center effectively marries cutting-edge, sciencebased technology to know-you-by-name consultation and care from a veteran plastic surgeon.

Dr. Nakamura walks hand-in-hand with each patient, as they explore treatment options, including likely outcomes and any potential risks and complications of surgery. From breast augmentation and body contouring to face rejuvenation and rhinoplasty, Dr. Nakamura and his team offer specialized services that are as individualized as you are. The relaxed, friendly atmosphere they’ve cultivated

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT

enables you to carefully consider your options, so you know the decision you make is the right one for you.

A graduate of the University of Texas, Dr. Nakamura completed medical school at UTMB Galveston and his internship and residency training at LSU School of Medicine, Charity Hospital New Orleans.

He returned to UTMB Galveston for residency training in plastic surgery.

Dr. Nakamura is affiliated with the Methodist Mansfield Medical Center and the Medical Center of Arlington and is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Society Medical Association, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, and Texas Medical Association. He’s also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Nakamura provides you with the medical knowledge and nurturing care you need to feel great about yourself again.

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Dr. Cristi Fletcher

Orthodontics by Birth, Stewart & Fletcher

Antonio R. Rozier, MD

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en is a state of mind that embodies calmness, stability, and clarity.

But it also carries with it the idea of total togetherness of body and mind. It is with this attitude that Antonio Rozier approaches his physical medicine and rehabilitation practice. His patients are not just medical conditions or pain cases to him. They are husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, daughters, sons, friends, coworkers, and neighbors.

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or more than 31 years, the doctors and staff of Orthodontics by Birth, Stewart & Fletcher (BSF) have provided their patients with high quality, comprehensive orthodontics in the Fort Worth, Arlington, Keller, and Burleson areas. They believe that everyone deserves to have a beautiful, healthy smile that will enhance their self-esteem and confidence.

“The challenge for me and other caregivers is to ask ourselves, ‘Now that we‘ve added years to life, how do we add life to the years’,” he said. “That’s what I want to spend my days doing for my patients. God created each of us ‘fearfully and wonderfully’. I try to take a holistic approach to medicine, to seek out innovative solutions to treat the whole patient: body, mind, and spirit.”

Dr. Rozier specializes in interventional spine and musculoskeletal medicine, providing a multitude of services both conservative and invasive with the goal of providing maximum pain relief, and to improving patient function.

He also executes ultrasound-guided, regenerative interventional techniques. “I believe my holistic approach allows for more efficient and effective care,” he said.

Many patients come to Dr. Rozier with a poor quality of life, due to conditions such as fibromyalgia, sciatica, pain in the knee, back, foot, leg, hip, or neck, headaches, or neuropathy and he provides relief in the form of epidural and facet injections, medial branch and peripheral nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, trigger point injections, and quantitative sensory testing. (For a full list of services visit RozierMD.com.) An avid

CONTACT

(682) 253-2986 Zen Interventional Pain and Wellness Center Mansfield/Arlington/Grand Prairie RozierMD.com

“Now that we’ve added years to life, how do we add life to the years.” he said. wellness buff, he also offers wellness and weight loss management including nutritional counseling and healthy dietary supplements. He provides stem cell treatment and Biologic products.

When not on the job, Dr. Rozier says he is a “God-fearing active member of the community, a big brother and a loving son.” He enjoys international

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BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTO BY SONAY NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

travel, medical mission trips, all water sports, and music festivals.

Dr. Rozier volunteers regularly with Boys and Girls Club and serves as a mentor to underprivileged children and prospective students. He also undertakes regular international medical mission trips, including this past June to Haiti, where he cared for over 700 patients.

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Treatment Beyond Braces The team of Drs. Sheila Birth, Charles Stewart, and Cristi Fletcher has offered orthodontic care for thousands of patients by being a practice that is unique and the “go-to location for modern orthodontic care.” “We believe that orthodontics is much more than braces,” shared Dr. Birth.

“While teeth straightening and giving you the beautiful smile you want is important, we are also committed to improving the overall oral health and well-being of all our patients.” The practice works with patients for optimal health in orthodontic treatments such as braces, Invisalign, and Invisalign Teen, prevention of surgery and extraction

CONTACT

Keller Office 4420 Heritage Trace Parkway, Suite 300 Keller, Texas 76244 (817) 348-0910 Fort Worth Office 3060 Sycamore School Road Fort Worth, Texas 76133 (817) 370-0268 Arlington Office 2011 W. Bardin Road Arlington, Texas 76017 (817) 557-0025 Burleson Office 109 W. Renfro Street Burleson, Texas 76028 (817) 546-0770 BSFOrtho.com

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of teeth, widening dental arches to open airways and improve breathing, simple orthodontic appliances for sleep apnea, and drug and injection-free treatment of migraines and headaches as well as jaw and neck pain.”

The doctors of BSF have years of experience treating orthodontic problems, while staff members are knowledgeable and up-to-date on the latest trends and technology.

“We educate our patients about their treatments from their initial consultations up until the day they complete their treatments. Together, we strive to make sure our patients are treated respectfully and feel like part of our BSF family,” said Dr. Fletcher.

“We let our patients know that if they should ever have any questions about their orthodontic treatment, whether it’s during their adjustment appointment or after hours, we are always here for them and their family.”

The BSF Difference Continuing education is an integral part of the practice. “We all regularly participate in classes in an effort to provide patients with the most advanced and efficient treatment options available,” said Dr. Fletcher.

BY CLARE HEEKIN LYNCH

The doctors also teamed up with a neurologist to better learn about the muscles in the mouth. “This doctor developed a system where it’s possible to balance the muscles with the teeth. In pairing up with him, we have been able to provide a 95 percent success rate in curing migraines, TMJ, and other similar issues,” the orthodontist continued.

Digital impressions, 3D X-rays, and having a strong working relationship with a local radiologist, all offered in an up-todate, spa-like environment, set BSF apart from their competition. “We love what we do, and everything we do is to make our patients feel comfortable and confident that they are in good hands.”

Visit Orthodontics by Birth, Stewart & Fletcher “Since every patient, every smile, and every treatment goal is different, we can’t tell you which solution is best for you. But we welcome you to come in and speak with us,” said Dr. Fletcher. “After a brief appointment, you will have the knowledge necessary to make a wellinformed opinion about the next step in your treatment, if you decide to move forward with it.”

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clinic for their patients. The Arlington clinic offers convenient hours for working patients (some days 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.), and they are more than willing to make special arrangements for appointments as needed.

Not only does American Vein & Vascular Institute pride itself in exemplary patient care, Dr. Gibbs is among the top providers in his field. Though some practitioners have minimal training, his is extensive. He has over seven years of training in Vascular/Interventional Radiology, and his oversight of eight clinics has prepared him for everything from the most minimal of issues to those that can be life-threatening. Dr. Gibbs is sought out by others in the field as a great resource, and dozens visit his clinics to receive training from one of the best sources in the industry. He is part of the faculty for Medtronic which makes medical devices, and teaches aspiring doctors from around the world about vein care.

American Vein & Vascular Institute

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ur high-tech, Google-ready society has more knowledge available at its fingertips than ever before, yet there is always more to learn. For instance, did you know nearly 30 million people suffer from venous disease? Venous disease includes varicose veins, spider veins, leg swelling, aching, and cramping, and while some may assume correction is merely cosmetic, it is not. Venous disease can cause mild discomfort or even debilitating symptoms and is classified as a medical issue.

Consequently, treatment for vein disease is covered by most insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Dr. Gordon F. Gibbs at American Vein &

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Vascular Institute is acutely aware of the importance of healthy veins and is an expert in the field. He and his wife, Erin Gibbs, opened their first office in Colorado in 2009 and now have eight locations to serve patients, including the one in Arlington, Texas, which opened in 2012. Dr. Gibbs was initially trained as a vascular interventional radiologist to treat complex vascular problems including vein issues. Once he realized the consistently positive outcomes of patients undergoing vein treatments, he was hooked. He is passionate about his work and takes great pleasure in seeing the life of his patients permanently altered in a positive way. His desire to help others influenced his decision to open additional clinics. He says, “It may be selfish, but as a human being it makes me feel great to provide a better life for people, and as a physician it’s very interesting work to do.” Dr. Gibbs truly enjoys his work because simple procedures can bring profound relief and even life-changing results for his patients.

Dr. Gibbs’ love of his work and sincere care for his patients is clear. He believes the medical industry is decades behind contemporary business in its understanding

BY LISA JENKINS MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY BY GUY T

CONTACT

American Vein & Vascular Institute 515 West Mayfield Road, Suite 407 Arlington, Texas 76014 (682) 330.7703 Fax: (800) 276.7170 AmericanVein.com

American Vein & Vascular Institute is on the cutting edge of technology providing minimally invasive procedures. Radiofrequency Ablation and Laser Ablation have made vein stripping a thing of the past.

While both techniques provide the same results, the latest processes are far more elegant and recovery times are minimal.

Venaseal Closure System is a highly coveted procedure offering optimal treatment for vein disease; according to Venaseal, it “is the only non-thermal, non-tumescent, non-sclerosant procedure approved for use in the U.S. that uses an advanced formulated medical adhesive that closes the diseased vein.” Venaseal will soon transform the venous disease industry and may be covered by insurance as soon as 2018.

Meet Dr. Gordon F. Gibbs Exceedingly knowledgeable, yet personable, Dr. Gibbs defines the meaning of “good

bedside manner.” Patients take solace in his expertise but recognize his commitment to them is more than a job—it’s his passion.

While venous disease may not always be debilitating, the positive results Dr. Gibbs has witnessed in his patients’ lives have encouraged him not only to continue practicing, but to teach others how to excel in their field, through both knowledge and excellent patient care. Dr. Gibbs says, “Our patients are our first priority and we will bend over backwards to exceed their expectations.” His desire to make things work better is seen not only in his medical procedures, but in everyday life, and has earned him the office nickname of “McGyver.” While not in the clinics, Dr. Gibbs enjoys the company of his wife and three children. He loves the great outdoors, spending time skiing, running, and mountain biking. He also likes to travel and cook and encourages his patients to ask him about a favorite locale or recipe during their visit.

Meet LaTasha Vines, CNP, APRN LaTasha Vines, NP, is a board certified family nurse practitioner and phlebologist with a background in vascular and interventional radiology at American Vein & Vascular Institute. Vines received her training through the fellowship program developed and led by Dr. Gordon Gibbs, American Vein & Vascular Institute Founder and Chief Medical Executive.

Completion of the fellowship ensures that doctors are trained in the American Vein & Vascular Institute treatment philosophy, which focuses on patient-centric, personalized care paired with compassion and expertise. Vines moved to Texas early last year and has really encompassed our ‘Southern charm’. She has made herself known to the local community and has great ambitions to further her care in DFW. You’re likely to see her jogging, biking, and hiking the local trails. LaTasha loves the outdoors and leads a healthy and active life style with her husband and son.

of customer service and he has determined to be a forerunner in putting the patient first. He and his staff provide an unexpected experience—the atmosphere, educated staff, friendly environment, and attention to detail—which sets them apart from others. In addition, American Vein & Vascular Institute is unique in its approach to venous disease as they have a “deep bench.” They provide practitioners from a variety of medical backgrounds, giving them a broader approach to managing venous disease. They value team work, looking to experts within their organization to contribute to thorough patient care. Nurse Practitioner and Phlebologist, LaTasha Vines, works with Dr. Gibbs in order to expand the hours and availability of the L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

In most cases, the benefits of vein treatment far outweigh the risks as the in-office procedures are quite safe and result in little discomfort. By identifying and treating the problem veins, Dr. Gibbs is able to maximize blood flow efficiency, giving the patient relief from aches, pains, and swelling as well as improving the surface appearance. Dr. Gibbs is hopeful that as the negative effects of vein disease are recognized and the positive outcomes of treatment are readily available, more and more people will utilize their insurance coverage and take advantage of this simple, but life-transforming treatment.

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to put in the extra three years after dental school to obtain his orthodontic degree. It was an exciting time for Aaron, even more so when he met a lovely young woman who would become his wife.

Aaron V. Swapp, DMD, MS Swapp Orthodontics

Now with a growing family and his own booming orthodontic practice, Aaron does his best to follow in the footsteps of the men who so inspired him. “Our practice is very family-oriented,” he said. “I treat every patient as if they were a member of my own family. My staff and I are always looking for ways we can go above and beyond for our patients; to offer them things they might not find elsewhere.”

“We place a huge emphasis on keeping teeth healthy throughout orthodontic treatment,” he said. “I’ve seen situations where the teeth are really straight at the end of treatment, but there are white scars around the braces from not brushing properly. To prevent this, we place a protective seal around all the braces. It’s an additional step that most offices don’t do. But it gives me peace of mind knowing the teeth will be safer and the results will be better.”

CONTACT

800 Matlock Road Mansfield, Texas (817) 477-9283 SwappOrtho.com

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r. Aaron Swapp has extolled the virtues of dental floss to many a patient. Then he discovered a use he’d never dreamed of. “My wife, Ashley, and I had our fourth child in December,” he said.

“The baby came so fast that we didn’t have time to make it to the hospital. I ended up delivering her in our bathroom, with the 911 operator on the phone.”

Dr. Swapp admits he didn’t really do much. “The operator told me to catch the baby because they’re slippery,” he said.

“After she was born, I used dental floss to tie off the umbilical cord. Everything worked out great. The baby is perfect and healthy, and my wife is amazing.”

It’s just one more chapter in what has been a fulfilling life for Aaron. Born the oldest child and only boy in a family of eight, he enjoyed an active childhood camping, scouting, working on cars, and off-roading in his Jeep. He was blessed with several positive role models, including his scout leader and other family friends, all of whom were dentists.

Dr. Swapp strives to always be available to speak with patients personally, even after hours. “Every patient sees me at every visit,” he said. “I try to learn more about them, and support them whenever I can. We try to keep things fun and light-hearted and offer ample after-school appointment times, so patients rarely miss school to see the orthodontist.”

Dr. Swapp prefers to see kids by age seven to determine whether they need early intervention. “I am very conservative, and recommend early treatment only when it’s absolutely necessary,” he said. “In most cases I complete orthodontic treatment in one phase after all adult teeth have erupted.” But not all of his patients are kids. “About 25 percent are adults,” he said.

“Because adults are more concerned about esthetics, they appreciate that we offer clear braces and Invsialign aligners at no extra charge. We also have a new state-of-the-art iTero 3-D scanner that allows us to capture

a 3-D impression of a patient’s teeth without using gooey impression material. It’s a great option for our Invisalign patients.”

Swapp Orthodontics is the only private practice orthodontic office in the Arlington/ Mansfield area to offer the Damon bracket system to every patient. “These braces have little doors on them that can hold the wires on the patient’s teeth. In certain situations, this allows for faster initial tooth movement,,” Dr. Swapp said. “With this system, the colored elastic ties used for most braces can be optional. Those ties are what usually stain when someone has clear braces, so the clear Damon braces look amazing.”

Meet Dr. Swapp Dr. Swapp graduated from UNLV Dental School, where he finished summa cum laude, and was given the Dean’s award for top academic honors. He completed his orthodontic training at Baylor and received the Baylor Orthodontic Oscar for the best treated

It wasn’t long before he entertained thoughts of a dental career himself. “I was able to shadow my scout leader in his family practice, and eventually work in a dental lab to determine if it was the right path for me,” Aaron said.

That’s when another mentor emerged, an orthodontist who encouraged Aaron

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L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

orthodontic case in his class. Next, he put in the extra time and study to obtain his board certification, which only 33% of orthodontists acquire. He accepted a teaching position at Baylor College of Dentistry, where he teaches about dental lasers, 3D X-rays, and new technology in orthodontics.

Dr. Swapp has published multiple dental articles and recently received the Watson Award, given to the highest-rated research article of the year in the most prestigious orthodontic journal. He’s a member of American Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists, Texas Orthodontic Study Club, Southwestern Society of Orthodontists, and Greater Dallas Association of Orthodontists.

When not on the job, Dr. Swapp enjoys spending time with his wife, Ashley, and their four amazing children. They are active in their church and the community.

Dr. Swapp is still a scout leader with weekly meetings. He gives a class to local troops where they can earn the dentistry merit badge. “If I ever find time, I still love working on cars,” he said. “I also like to camp, hike, and do other outdoor activities.

I enjoy wood-working and have made several pieces of furniture in our home.”

Dr. Swapp is also working with local schools to make custom mouth guards for their athletes with all proceeds donated back to the team and school.

“It was hard to know if I would like orthodontics when I started on this educational journey,” Dr. Swapp said. “But I’m one of the fortunate people who love what they do.”

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BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY DUSTIN DOSKOCIL

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Methodist Mansfield Minimally Invasive Surgical Associates

Arunpriya Vadivelu, MD Pleasant Ridge Internal Medicine

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r. Arunpriya Vadivelu believes the most important thing she can give her patients is time. “When someone comes to see me, whether it’s for a wellness exam, for treatment for a common ailment, or management of a chronic condition, they’re taking time out of their busy day to see me,” she said. “I never want them to feel like I’m rushing them through their visit. At that moment, they’re the only patient to me and I want to slow down long enough to answer all their questions and address all their concerns.

The doctor/patient relationship is all about mutual trust and respect.”

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urgery today is nothing like the fearsome last-resort it was in the past. Modern medical advancements and techniques make surgery a mere bump in the road. And the doctors at Methodist Mansfield Minimally Invasive Surgical Associates go a step forward to make their patients’ experiences as seamless as possible. Drs. Joshua Trussel and Andrew Standerwick embody the clinic’s motto, “Healing through surgery. Helping with recovery.”

Minimally-invasive Surgery Drs. Stankderwick and Trussel have been extensively trained in minimally-invasive surgical techniques to reduce their patients’ pain and recovery time. With techniques, such as laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery, the risk of complications plummets and patient discomfort is greatly reduced, as is scarring, risk of infection, and trauma to surrounding tissue.

The surgeons of Methodist Mansfield Minimally Invasive Surgical Associates offer procedures for a wide range of conditions; including surgery for benign and malignant disease of the colon, and gallbladder, and the repair of various inguinal, ventral, and hiatal hernias. They further possess expertise in weight-loss surgeries; including bariatric procedures in the form of Roux-en-Y gastric

CONTACT

(817) 225-0560 2800 East Broad Street Suite 304 Mansfield, Texas 76063 950 East Belt Line Road Suite 100 Cedar Hill, Texas 75104 MansfieldMinimallyInvasive.com

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bypass and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and always emphasize a minimally-invasive approach.

Meet Dr. Andrew Standerwick Dr. Standerwick has a personal motto, just as straightforward as the man himself. “Do it right.” This simple mantra carried him through medical school at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, his residency at University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, and his fellowship at Summa Akron City Hospital in Ohio and now guides him at his practice back home in Texas. On the job, he is a general surgeon specializing in bariatrics. Off the job he’s a running enthusiast and into all things hockey.

Dr. Joshua Trussell Dr. Trussel emphasizes that surgery is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. “I strive to learn each patient’s needs as well as possible and then tailor my approach to fit their specific situation,” he said. As

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT

a general surgeon, he performs a wide range of procedures, and specializes in hernia treatment. “I take hernia treatment very seriously and follow my hernia patients’ recovery throughout their lives,” he says.

Robotic surgery options have made hernia repair a much safer and simpler procedure than ever before, and Dr. Trussel takes care to stay on top of the latest technological advancements in the field.

Dr. Trussel is a proud Mansfield native, and after medical school at University of Texas Health Science Center’s Houston School of Medicine and his surgical residency at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, he was quick to return home to settle down. He loves his job, is a proud member of the American Hernia Society Quality Collaborative, and volunteers with the physician’s assistant school. But his favorite roles are loving husband to his wife and devoted father to their three little ones.

L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

With a special heart for women’s health, Dr. Vadivelu offers care to patients, of both sexes and ages 17 and older, at Pleasant Ridge Internal Medicine and Wellness including hormone optimization for women in their menopause years, help reaching weight-loss goals, and proactive, preventative care to maximize lifelong wellness. “As women, we have many people depending on us from our spouse and kids, to our friends, extended family, and employees,” she said. “But often we put our own health on the back burner and neglect to do the things we should be doing for ourselves.

Instead we should be our own health advocate.

I’m honored to be a partner to my patients, both men and women, on their wellness journey. I believe that quality medical care must involve a comprehensive, compassionate, and patientcentered approach.”

Dr. Vadivelu advocates a strong doctor-patient relationship. “I’m passionate about patient education,” she said. “It’s my job to present my patients with all their medical options, not

CONTACT

(817) 635-6363 1806 West Pleasant Ridge Road Arlington, Texas 76015 PleasantRidgeMedicine.com

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“ I’m fervent about preventive medicine encompassing proper diet, adequate exercise, stress management, and staying abreast of annual wellness checks, to make sure my patients are on track with their health goals.” to dictate care but to let them know they are part of the decision-making process, to give them all the facts, then partner with them to do whatever they decide.

I’m fervent about preventive medicine encompassing proper diet, adequate exercise, stress management, and staying abreast of annual wellness checks, to make sure my patients are on track with their health goals.”

Meet Dr. Vadivelu Dr. Vadivelu completed her medical school training in India at Dr.MGR Medical University before moving to the United States in 1999, where she completed an internal medicine residency at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston,

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEREK GOWER

New Jersey. For the next 13 years, she worked in a hospital setting at Easton Hospital in Easton, Pennsylvania and as a primary care physician with Lehigh Valley Health Network in PA and Banner Health Network in Arizona before moving to Texas.

Dr. Vadivelu is a proud mother of two who enjoys cycling and yoga and who volunteers her time lecturing about healthy eating and preventive care. She has also volunteered organizing medical camps for the underserved population in India during natural disasters. She is now accepting new patients at Pleasant Ridge Internal Medicine and Wellness. Call (817)-6356363 to schedule an appointment.

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Jason K. Lowry, MD

Kathi Perry, DC

Arlington Orthopedic Associates

Health by Hands Wellness

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r. Jason Lowry’s clinical practice approach is simple, “I strive to treat each & every one of my patients as I would want any of my own family members treated - with professionalism, respect, and a listening ear. My role is to educate and inform patients of their Orthopedic needs, so they can make educated decisions for themselves and be directly involved in their own care.”

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r. Kathi Perry’s “Beyond Chiropractic” solution is focused on helping each patient attain—and retain—life longevity and vitality.

She works with each patient and engages them in every step of their healthcare plan, so they can learn more about their body and how to build a strong, healthy structure for a long life. Her unique blend of chiropractic and other techniques:

Dr. Jason Lowry grew up in a small, country town in Missouri where hard work & resourcefulness were a way of life. Dr. Lowry’s mother worked as a nurse and his father was a physical therapist with his own rehab clinic, introducing Dr. Lowry to Orthopedics at an early age. Dr. Lowry was also heavily involved in sports as a young kid. His decision to pursue a medical degree specializing in Orthopedics was the natural result.

• Help you to build a strong body and enjoy a healthy life • Build awareness of your health in body, health and life pathways • Motivate you to do better with the target that you feel better • Allow you to open up to universal questions about your health in body, mind and spirit Dr. Kathi who is a graduate of Parker College of Chiropractic has dedicated herself to learning over 40 techniques so she can help her patients meet their personal healthcare needs. She shortly opened her private practice in Arlington, Texas after graduation, and has built her one-of-a-kind “eclectic chiropractic” mix of different techniques which people need to get back to optimum health. Dr. Kathi has built her eclectic chiropractic mix of different techniques on a strong foundation utilizing traditional chiropractic techniques, Applied Kinesiology (AK), Sacro-Occiptal Technique (SOT) and the LifeLine Technique. She can also help with Allergy Elimination and strength and sports training with her in-house BStrong4Life System.

For over 20 years she has proudly serviced North Texas patients, those who travel from other areas of Texas and in many cases,

CONTACT

Dr. Kathi Perry, DC, FIAMA (817) 930-0600 2510 Little Road Arlington, Texas healthbyhandswellness.com HBH@drkathi.net

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Dr. Kathi is sought after as an author and instructor, and speaker. from other parts of the United States, Canada and Mexico. Today Dr. Kathi is one of only a few in a 6 state area who practice the Sacro-Occiptal Technique (or SOT) and the Lifeline Technique.

She also is an Advanced BEST Doctor, Questor in the Total Body Modification (TBM) Technique, and holds a Texas State Radiology permit. In 1997 she earned her Fellow from the International Academy of Medical Acupuncturists.

Dr. Kathi is sought after as an author and instructor, and speaker. She recently published her first book “Defying Death: The Road to a Quality Life”, and is involved with seminars through Transformation University and soon to be, Transformation TV. She also is also a contributing writer for “Health and Well Being Magazine” distributed across North Central Texas.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON RILEY HOSS

Recognized by her patients and her community, Dr. Kathi has received the Spectrum Award - City Beat News (2017 & 2016), 2016 & 2015 - Best of Arlington (Texas) Chiropractor (2016 & 2015), 10 Best Patient Satisfaction Award - American Institute of Chiropractors (2016), and MOM Approved - DFWChild.com (2014).

Dr. Kathi is a member of the Board of Directors for Paws For Reflection Ranch which is a unique animal assisted therapy organization located in Midlothian, Texas.

She also is very involved with and has held leadership roles with the Arlington Business Professionals, Women’s Success Network, Student International Chiropractic Association, and the local American Cutting Horse Assn.

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Dr. Lowry was an outstanding student at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Associates of Arts in Theology in 1999. He went on to earn his Doctorate of Medicine at Creighton University School of Medicine in 2003, completing his residency in orthopedic surgery at University of Missouri Kansas City in 2008. Four years later, Dr. Lowry completed the rigorous Fellowship training in Adult Reconstruction at the Center for Joint Preservation and Replacement, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Maryland.

Dr. Lowry’s extensive experience in advanced orthopedics includes his military service as a Major in the United States Air Force, during which he served overseas in Operation Iraqi/Enduring Freedom. Most recently, Dr. Lowry joined Arlington Orthopedic Associates, P.A. where his colleagues note that his outstanding academic credentials, military service and wealth of experience in the latest joint preservation techniques/tissue-sparing technologies make him one of the few surgeons CONTACT

Arlington office 800 Orthopedic Way Arlington, TX 76015 Mansfield office 2801 E. Broad St Mansfield, TX 76063 817-375-5200 JasonLowryMD.com ArlingtonOrtho.com M A R C H 2 01 7

of his caliber in the DFW Metroplex. “I feel fortunate to have learned and trained under leaders in the field of joint preservation, replacement & revision,” said Dr. Lowry. “As such, my approach is based on sound, surgical fundamentals that incorporate advanced methods in joint preservation techniques & tissue-sparing technologies to hasten your recovery, decrease your pain, & decrease the risk of surgery.”

Dr. Lowry specializes in the joint replacement of the hip, knee & shoulder, and is especially passionate about the Direct Anterior Approach for hip replacement. This approach offers a number of benefits, including less pain, shorter hospital stay, lowered risk of dislocation, fewer restrictions, and quicker return to normal daily life and work. “It is a real “game changer” in my practice,” said Dr. Lowry. “From a technical standpoint, we are able to more accurately position and size the hip components using fluoroscopy with the Direct Anterior Approach. This ensures recreation of the normal hip anatomy and mechanics, which in the long run, translates

to increased longevity of the implants. We have had such success with this approach that we are putting together an “Out-Patient Joint Replacement Program” for selected patients.

Stay tuned!” As a noted orthopedic expert with numerous research papers, presentations and publications, Dr. Lowry is actively involved in Orthopedic and other medical education courses. And as a way to give back to his community and fellow Veterans, he has future plans for “Operation Walk North Texas”- a joint replacement program for the working poor, and “Joints for Vets”- a program to outsource joint replacements for Veterans who are on an exceedingly extended wait list at the VA Hospital in Dallas.

In his free time, Dr. Lowry cherishes time with his loving, supportive wife and their two beautiful children. As a family, they are involved in their church throughout the year and enjoy being outdoors hiking, biking and fly fishing when time allows. If your care calls for an exceptionally skilled orthopedic surgeon, turn to SuperDoc Jason K. Lowry at Arlington Orthopedic Associates.

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Joint Preservation Center

A Woman’s View Women’s Healthcare

John Drkulec, MD, Joseph Berman, MD, and Mark Kazewych, MD

Katherine Boyd, DO

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very woman is unique and wants to be recognized as such—even by her doctor. Dr. Katherine Boyd, the sole practitioner at A Woman’s View Women’s Healthcare, knows every woman has a desire to be understood. She is dedicated to listening carefully to the needs of each and every patient and addressing issues individually. Dr. Boyd says, “We don’t rush in and out; we take time to hear the patients true concerns.” Her all-female staff can relate to the uncertainty and anxiety that can accompany a visit to the gynecologist.

With this in mind, they provide a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere where even the most precautious patient will feel relaxed and secure.

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he Joint Preservation Center (JPC) in association with Arlington Orthopedic Associates has long been a pioneer of joint maintenance, restoration and preservation. Now with new surgeon affiliations, Drs. Berman, Kazewych, and Drkulec look to expand those principles.

Working with established procedures of cultured cartilage implants for joint defects as well as bone and cartilage grafts for large defects in the knee, the JPC offers a wide variety of options to the patient who wishes a biologic option to his/her problem. Short of total knee arthroplasty, many pathologies can be treated with a biologic remedy.

For patients who want a non-surgical option, the JPC offers new injection options.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) uses your own blood, concentrated to form an injection rich in growth hormone. Another newer technology uses human cells harvested from umbilical cords and placenta; called Amniotic Suspension Allograft (ASA). These stem cells, as you might guess, are rich in human growth hormone, can be used to form many other types of tissues, have anti-inflammatory characteristics and are bacterial resistant. Lastly, in some cases, stem cells can be harvested from abdominal fat cells or from bone, concentrated and injected into tissues or joints to improve or promote healing.

CONTACT

The Joint Preservation Center at Arlington Orthopedic Associates

800 Orthopedic Way Arlington, TX 76015 josephbermanmd.com arlingtonortho.com (817) 375-5200

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New surgical technologies are available through the JPC. Matrix Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (MACI) uses the patient’s own cartilage cells which are expanded, cultured and grown, placed into a transfer matrix and then implanted back into the patient’s joint to patch articular defects. For larger defects with bone and cartilage involvement, another technology uses fresh donor grafts called Osteochondral Allographs. These grafts allow the restoration of large and multiple defects in a knee joint without the need for metal and/or plastic implants.

One of the most exciting new projects of the JPC is the NUsurface. The JPC is participating in an FDA research study, one of only ten such sites in the USA, which allows patients who still have pain following medial meniscus removal to get relief through the implant of a man made meniscus. NUsurface is an artificial meniscus, which has been used PHOTOGRAPHY BY DUSTIN DOSKOCIL

successfully in Europe and Israel, now being introduced to the USA. It acts as the natural meniscus to absorb stress and act as a spacer within the joint.

Studies to date imply the NUsurface may decrease the inevitable risk of arthritis following meniscus removal.

A leading specialist in the field, the JPC is considered a “Key Opinion Leader” by Vericel Corporation, a leader in biologic implants. Surgeons of the JPC are on the national speaker’s bureau for Vericel teaching surgeons from around the country new cartilage restoration techniques. The JPC has been designated an International Teaching Facility by the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS) recently hosting surgeons from Italy, Sweden and Israel, as well as many surgeons local to the area learning techniques soon to be more common to all surgeons.

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Dr. Boyd has serviced the Oak Cliff community since 1999 and is passionate about her patients. She loves the area and the wide variety of patients she sees— doctors, lawyers, teachers, blue-collar workers, and students, and treats women of all ages. She is a teaching doctor, dedicating countless hours to residents from Methodist Hospital and physician’s assistant students from The University of North Texas.

Dr. Boyd incorporates the newest technology in her practice; she performs Radiofrequency Ablations for fibroids. This laparoscopic procedure sends waves into the fibroid to ablate them, making invasive surgery unnecessary. In the past, the uterus was removed through major surgery and required a six-week recovery time. The new technique is an out-patient procedure and recipients can be on their feet within three

CONTACT

A Woman’s View Women’s Healthcare 2301 South Hampton Road, Suite 200 Dallas, Texas 75224 (214) 339-5336 AWomansViewWomensHealthcare.com

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to five days. Dr. Boyd specializes in pelvic reconstructive surgeries and has a high success rate with Sacrospinous Suspension—a restorative procedure for a prolapsed pelvis.

Meet Dr. Katherine Boyd When not in the office, Dr. Boyd enjoys being outdoors. She is an avid gardener, loves water sports, and likes snow skiing with her son in Colorado. Though she no longer rides horses, she is an animal lover and her five rescue dogs are grateful for her companionship. Dr. Boyd’s favorite past time is spending time with her grandchildren. Dr. Boyd’s academic and professional credentials include: • American Osteopathic Association (AOA) • Continuing Medical Education Program • Licensed by the Texas Department of Public Safety • Member of North Texas Surgical Center & Southwestern Medical Center

BY LISA JENKINS-MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY BY GUY T

• • • • • • • • •

Complete Gynecological Care Annual Exams Diagnostic Testing Radiofrequency Ablations Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery Abnormal Bleeding Pelvic Infections Birth Control Basic Infertility Treatments

• Board Certified by American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOOG) Though Dr. Boyd has decades of experience as an obstetrician, she now practices only gynecology, and is currently accepting new patients.

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HOW DOES BOTOX HELP REDUCE MIGRAINE DAYS? The short answer is that we don’t fully know.

According to MayoClinic.com, it’s likely the injected Botox is taken up by pain receptors in the muscles’ nerves. The medication then deactivates those pain receptors and blocks pain signals the nerves send to the brain.

After several months, the nerves sprout new pain fibers, and the headaches tend to return, therefore; preventive Botox treatments must be recurrent.

For many, treatment with Botox alone is sufficient to control chronic migraine. Others require additional medications to prevent migraine attacks. Also, be aware that Botox is only FDA-approved to treat chronic migraines.

It is not approved as a treatment for other types of headaches, such as tension, sinus, cluster headaches, and episodic migraine, characterized by those with migraine who have 14 or fewer headache days per month.

Eases Lines, Wrinkles… and Chronic Migraines Thankfully, adult chronic migraine sufferers— those who have 15 or more headache days a month lasting four or more hours—have found a friend in Botox, a drug made from the bacteria that causes botulism. Botox’s effect on migraines was discovered coincidentally when people who were getting injections to ease lines and wrinkles in their foreheads noticed their migraine headaches were improved. Botox manufacturer, Allergan, began pursuing FDA approval and insurance reimbursement for medical uses, and in 2010, the FDA approved the use of onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) as a preventive treatment for adults who suffer from chronic migraines. Since then, more than 100,000 patients have been successfully treated with Botox, including Cindy.

Botox Dramatically Reduces Cindy’s Chronic Migraines

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nless you know someone who suffers from chronic migraines, it’s difficult to understand how deeply painful and severe this form of headache can be. Sometimes called “sick headaches,” migraines are often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, along with other debilitating symptoms.

Around 91 percent of chronic migraine sufferers miss work or can’t function normally during a migraine attack, and can end up in the emergency room to rule out stroke and other life-threatening conditions, which share similar symptoms with migraines.

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After suffering from chronic migraines for 30 years, Cindy jumped at the chance to be one of the first participants in the FDA trials which led to the FDA-approval of Botox for chronic migraines.

“I was having more than 20 migraines a month before Botox treatment came along.

Prescription medications worked a little, but I was in bed all the time and didn’t have a life.

I often ended up at the ER, where I would get painkiller injections,” Cindy says. “It took a M A R C H 2 01 7

MIGRAINE FAST FACTS Migraine headaches affect roughly 37 million people in the United States.

Two to three million suffer from chronic migraine. Attacks usually last between four and 72 hours.

Migraine—an extremely incapacitating collection of neurological symptoms—is considered the 6th most disabling illness in the world.

Migraine sufferers are two to three times more likely to develop depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders than those without migraines.

About 25 percent of migraine sufferers have a visual disturbance called an aura, which usually lasts less than an hour.

In 15 to 20 percent of attacks, other neurological symptoms occur before the actual head pain.

while for the Botox shots to kick in, but once they did I was so relieved! Now I have around 13 to 16 migraines over a three-month period. I’m happy to say that Botox gave me my life back!”

The 411 on Botox Chronic Migraine Treatment • In-office injections are done by a specialist trained in Botox treatment for chronic migraines.

• Botox is injected into shallow muscles, not too deeply beneath the skin. Each treatment, which takes around 15 minutes, involves 31 injections in seven key areas of the head and neck. The needles used are very small. People say the injections feel like tiny pinpricks.

• When beginning treatment, reduction in headache days may improve over the course of 24 weeks. From there on out, you and your doctor will decide what’s right for you, with retreatment recommended every 12 weeks.

• Botox is not a cure. People who receive Botox for chronic migraine usually get the treatment about every three months. For some, this is all they need to keep their headaches under control. For others, additional medication or other headache treatment is necessary.

• Like all medical treatments, Botox can have side effects. Most are mild and reversible.

In rare cases, more serious side effects can present themselves. Talk with your doctor about possible side effects and if you’re a good candidate for Botox treatment.

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WELLNESS

Our Cancer Breakthrough Immunotherapy is changing the face of cancer treatment

H ANDCRAFTED F IREPLACE D OORS Immunotherapy is unlike any other cancer treatment in that it’s not completely pharmaceutical. It’s not radiation or chemotherapy, two treatments that cancer patients are familiar with. Immunotherapy uses treatments combined with drugs to stimulate a patient’s own immune system to attack the cancer cells. And it’s revolutionizing the fight against cancer. Some are even calling it a cure for even the most advanced cancers.

Cancer, because it is an accelerated growth of cells, isn’t seen by the immune system as a foreign invader, like a virus or infection is. So the body’s immune system allows the cancer to continue to grow unchecked. Immunotherapy harnesses the body’s ability to attack cancer cells. In essence, the immune system targets the tumors and can eliminate the growth of cancer.

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“Immunotherapy is revolutionary in cancer fighting therapy. It has shifted the paradigm with how we view and treat cancer. As we continue to improve upon this technology, we hope to achieve more sustained remissions or potentially even more cures,” says Dr. Derrick Nguyen with The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Arlington and Mansfield, TX. L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

Serving Oklahoma and Texas

Centuries Ago Handcrafted Iron Fireplace Doors

405-659-7576 • 817-757-4116 • www.centuries-ago.com M A R C H 2 01 7

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WELLNESS How Does Immunotherapy Work?

Immunotherapy, sometimes called biological therapy or biotherapy, works in two ways:

1. by stimulating the patient’s own immune system to work harder and smarter in attacking cancer cells or 2. by giving the patient man-made immune system proteins to stimulate the immune system.

According to the American Cancer Society, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are drugs designed to cause an immune response that destroys cancer cells. Other mAbs “mark” cancer cells so it is easier for the immune system to find and destroy them. These types of monoclonal antibodies may also be referred to as targeted therapy. Targeted therapies like this are known to cause the immune system to halt or reverse the growth of malignant tumors.

A drawback is that they work for a period of time—often years—but will eventually lose their effectiveness.

Treatment vaccines are another form of immunotherapy currently in trial. Vaccines work against cancer by boosting the patient’s immune system’s response to cancer cells.

Treatment vaccines don’t help prevent disease, but treat the disease once it’s present in the body.

In all forms of immunotherapy, the goal of treatment is to stimulate the body to fight the cancer on its own. And although immunotherapy isn’t as widely used as chemotherapy and radiation, clinical trials continue to show the effectiveness of this newest form of cancer treatment.

Many cancers are currently treated with immunotherapy and many are still in the clinical trial stage, yet the advances and results are startling, especially for advanced stages of cancer.

Vaccines work against cancer by boosting the patient’s immune system’s response to cancer cells.

The combination of private and federal funding toward cancer research over the next several years will continue to reveal advances in immunotherapy as a form of cancer treatment.

For more information and resources regarding immunotherapy, visit: The American Cancer Society (Cancer.org) The National Cancer Institute (Cancer.gov)

A second immunotherapy option is the use of adoptive cell transfer.

In this procedure, chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) are removed from the patient. Researchers then study those T cells and isolate the ones most active against the cancer, or modify the genes in them to make them better able to find and destroy the cancer cells. The T cells are then reproduced in a lab and are injected back into the patient’s bloodstream.

The process of growing the patient’s T cells in the lab can take two to eight weeks, depending on how fast they grow. CAR-T therapy is used to treat lymphoma and leukemia. These options are not without side effects, and for some, the side effects can be severe. For others, there are little to no side effects, and researchers are still learning why.

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WELLNESS

Br eaking B ad

Beating everyday addictions

We want to stop—or at least be in control of deciding when and if we do those things—but it’s extremely difficult.

(Habits)

BY MARIE PAPPAS

Most of us have a few habits that we know aren’t the best, but that we indulge in anyway. Smoking, overeating, too much caffeine, too much Facebook… we tell ourselves that we earned them, that we deserve it, or that we’re just relaxing after a stressful day. At the same time there’s a part of us that also says “next week I’ll do better,” or “I’ll stop smoking after this big project at work.” Of course, we never seem to quite get around to it.

This is the classic pattern of addiction.

We tend to think of addiction in terms of serious alcohol or substance abuse, but the fact is that we can be addicted to all sorts of things. An addiction is a seemingly uncontrollable urge to do something, particularly when that compulsion interferes with your quality of life, or harms you or your relationships. I suspect if we were honest, we would acknowledge that the most common addictions in the United States today are things like Internet usage, sugar, and overeating.

There is a basic structure to these addictions, known as “cue, habit, reward.” The research into this structure is not new, but it was

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popularized by Charles Duhigg in his 2012 book The Power of Habit.

First, there is a cue, or trigger, that nudges you towards what you’re addicted to. For example, for a smoker, getting into the car to drive home from work might be the cue.

It means the work day is over, and it’s time to smoke a cigarette to decompress. That is the second step: the familiar pattern or routine that you follow. For our smoker, that’s the pattern of tapping out a smoke and lighting up. Once you follow the cue and engage in your habit, the third and final part of the process occurs when your brain releases a neurotransmitter known as dopamine, which creates both a feeling of pleasure and a memory of that pleasure that primes your brain to repeat whatever it was that caused it. The habit is reinforced, and then cycle begins again.

Some other triggers might be walking past the break room (cue to grab a donut) or something as simple as feeling bored in line at the grocery store (cue to pull out the iPhone). But these habits can, and often do, have adverse effects on our health and on our relationships.

Know the Difference While many small addictions can be disrupted by changing habits, a serious substance abuse problem should not be tackled alone. Some red flags that you or your loved one may need help with addiction are:

The truth is, it is extremely unlikely that you will be able to stop by sheer force of will. Having to consciously fight against the urge to smoke, or have a bite of chocolate every time you want will leave you exhausted and burned out, and most people find themselves back at square one before long.

Instead, look for ways to break the cue-habit-reward cycle. Take note of the circumstances in which you find yourself doing the thing you want to quit. If you are trying to quit mindless eating, for example, take a week or two to pay attention and write down when and where you tend to eat mindlessly, and then find the patterns. Maybe it happens when you watch TV or use the computer. Take a couple weeks

to pay attention and identify your personal cues or triggers.

If you can cut the cue itself out of your life, all the better. Someone who stops for a snack on their way home from work every day might choose to adjust the route they drive to avoid driving by that fast food restaurant. The new route doesn’t contain the cue to stop for food, and suddenly the habit is easy to break without even trying.

If the cue is unavoidable (getting into the car, walking past the cupboard, feeling stressed out), replace your addiction with something else.

Don’t try to just simply break it with no plan. That is, if you want to stop drinking soda, don’t just drink nothing—replace it with seltzer water, perhaps with a few drops of flavoring. If you want to stop mindless eating, replace your chips and popcorn in front of the TV with a simple activity that keeps your

hands busy, like knitting or coloring.

If you want to stop eating or smoking to cope with stress, actively choose some things to use as stress relief instead, like taking a bath, going for a walk, or listening to music.

Finally, don’t be too harsh on yourself. Even these “everyday” addictions are hard to beat. If you find yourself slipping back into a pattern you’ve been working to change, don’t decide that you’re a failure and give up entirely. Instead, forgive yourself and figure out what happened. Were you tired, or lonely, or stressed?

These are all common triggers for a relapse. Did you encounter a cue you hadn’t realized existed before?

Pay attention and make a plan to deal with that new situation next time.

Keep moving in the direction you’ve been headed, and you’ll be sure to achieve your goal.

• Sudden and radical changes in behavior, personality, or mood; becoming erratic or unreliable.

• Being unable to perform as usual in school or at work.

• Feeling or becoming defensive and/ or aggressive when the substance abuse is brought up by a friend, family member, or coworker.

• Needing the substance to cope with life, and craving it frequently.

• Being unable to stop using on your own.

• Needing more of the drug or alcohol to get the same effect (developing a tolerance).

• Suddenly having problems and issues in relationships; becoming withdrawn or isolated.

If you are struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Please reach out to someone. One place to start could be 1-800-662-HELP (4357), a free, confidential, 24-hour helpline that offers information about addiction and addiction recovery and referrals to treatment options near you.

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WELLNESS

Life is a Contact Sport Avoid injury while staying active

BY PERLA SARABIA JOHNSON

Living an active life can unfortunately sometimes lead to injuries, and the probability for pain can become more likely as we age. However, regardless of our age group, physicians agree that it’s important to listen to our bodies. Whether we’re at work, participating in recreational or competitive sports, or just working out, physical activity can hurt our bodies if we overdo it or use incorrect form. The result could be sore muscles or joints, and severe injuries can lead to needing physical therapy or even surgery. Sound painful?

Taking the hurt out of strenuous activities all starts with moderation.

Repetitive movements at work or doing the same daily exercise may increase your chances of injury.

Instead, try to add variety to your physical routine and make sure you

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have rest periods. “Cross-training refers to varying your workouts throughout the week to change the main muscle groups and intensity of exercise. This helps clear out the lactic acid build-up from previous workouts and allows muscles to rest and recover,” states Dr. John Green, orthopedic surgeon with The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio. While many of us may feel that exercise without pain means no gain, Dr. Green explains this saying only refers to having sore muscles the day after the physical activity and not any longer.

It’s no surprise that a physician who runs 30 miles a week agrees with him.

“When it hurts, that is not the time to push through. As we age, the idea of ‘no pain no gain’ becomes more and more detrimental.

If you’re uncertain about how long you should exercise or what type of activities are best, use these guidelines from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). One way to benefit your health is through weekly aerobic activity that incorporates all muscle groups of the legs, back, chest, abdomen, shoulders, and arms. Start off with at least 60 minutes of weekly, moderate exercise. Want to pack even more power in your workout?

Get active for a minimum of two hours and 30 minutes a week.

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PERSONAL TRAINING & ACCELERATED RESULTS

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WELLNESS Pain is the body’s way of telling us there is damage, and we all need to do a better job listening to it and backing off,” says Dr. Nicholas Maassen of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

Dr. Maassen’s secret to a successful workout is to add variety and rest, and avoid pain. Although he is a board certified orthopedic surgeon, he also considers Mom an expert. “The advice our mothers gave us is key—‘if it hurts, don’t do it.’ If my knee or foot starts to hurt while running, I move to my bike so as to reduce the impact and use the muscle groups differently,” he adds.

While it’s important to avoid overworking muscles and joints, there’s no doubt that exercise helps combat disease, so being active is vitally important. “Regular exercise may be the best medicine to prevent and treat medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes,” says Dr. Green, who is board certified in orthopaedic surgery and orthopaedic sports medicine.

He stresses that our bodies need more rest as we age, and the longer it’s been since we exercised regularly, the more careful we need to be to start with a steady pace. Being a weekend warrior can have painful outcomes, so try to avoid cramming a week’s worth of physical activity into two days.

Treatment for injuries may include anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, modifying your physical routine, or even surgery.

For those of us who want to live a long, healthy life there’s no better medicine than exercise. Dr. Green points out a study that reveals that even small amounts of exercise can increase life expectancy by 1.8 years.

That fact should motivate us all to keep moving.

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According to the NIH, two minutes of moderate activity equals one minute of vigorous exercise.

Want to reap even more health benefits? Set your goal to five hours of moderate exercise per week, or cut that time in half and get busy with a more strenuous routine. For your workout to truly be aerobic, the activity must last for at least 10 minutes. Your exercise should be evenly spread throughout the week to include at least two days of strengthening at the moderate or advanced level.

Remember, being more active means reaping more rewards. Your prize could be a healthier you.

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WELLNESS

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

CPAPs—the most widely used treatment for moderate and severe sleep apnea—consist of a breathing mask connected to a flexible tube through which a machine supplies pressurized air into the sleeper’s throat. The increased air pressure prevents your airway from collapsing.

PAP therapy studies show that people who consistently use their machines feel better and encounter fewer complications from sleep apnea.

An Important Wake-Up Call

BY ANNETTE BROOKS

Many people, like Jim, find wearing a CPAP to bed is uncomfortable.

He didn’t use it often and things got worse. “Other symptoms appeared.

I felt confused and out of it… just not right,” Jim shared.

Alarmed by his deteriorating condition, Jim became committed to using his CPAP machine.

Life often gets so hectic that we think feeling tired and sleep deprived is normal. But we shouldn’t always just shrug it off and go for that second triple shot latte. It may signal a serious, chronic condition called obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep.

When your airway is either completely or partially blocked, breathing stops and your blood oxygen level can lower. Your brain panics when this occurs, and it rouses the body to restart its breathing.

Usually, this is such a brief awakening most people remain unaware when it occurs. But it can happen over 30 times an hour throughout the night, which significantly disrupts restful sleep cycles and leaves you feeling tired and worn out during the day.

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JIM’S EXPERIENCES WITH OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Most people who have sleep apnea don’t know it. Usually, someone sleeping next to you is the first to notice your signs. Jim, who explains his problem in a video on the National Institutes of Health website, became concerned when sleep deprivation severely disrupted his daily life. He was falling asleep while driving, and often found himself too tired to get out of bed in the morning.

“It’s Saturday morning and the kids are at your bed ready to do something, and I’m like, I have to sleep, guys. I’m sorry, I can’t play with you,” Jim said.

Jim shared his symptoms with his doctor who sent him for a sleep study, which showed that the number of times he was waking was “extreme.”

Based on the diagnosis, his doctor prescribed CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine treatment.

Signs and Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea • Excessive daytime sleepiness • Loud snoring • Observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep • Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking • Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat • Morning headache • Difficulty concentrating during the day • Mood changes, such as depression or irritability • High blood pressure • Nighttime sweating • Decreased libido

Left untreated, OSA can: • Increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

• Increase the risk of, or worsen, heart failure.

• Make arrhythmias—irregular heartbeats—more likely.

• Increase the chance of having workrelated or driving accidents.

L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

“I’m to the point now that when I go to sleep, I’m looking forward to it. I feel better,” he says.

ALTERNATIVES TO CPAP/PAP TREATMENT

Some people never become comfortable using a CPAP machine.

Luckily, oral appliances—worn in the mouth like a sports guard while you sleep—can be an effective first line treatment for many sleep apnea sufferers. These appliances hold the lower jaw forward just enough to keep the airway open and prevent the tongue and muscles in the upper airway from collapsing and blocking the airway. Another option is wearing CPAP and an oral appliance together to help reduce the pressure on a CPAP machine, making it more comfortable to use. In more extreme cases, surgery may be an option.

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Common Sleep Apnea Myths Debunked I’m not overweight, so I don’t need to worry about sleep apnea.

Truth: Sleep apnea is more common in people who are overweight, but it can affect anyone, even children.

I’m a woman, I can’t have sleep apnea. It’s a man’s disease.

Truth: Studies of the general population indicate the ratio is around two or three men for each woman who has the condition, so while not as prevalent, sleep apnea is still quite common in women.

My family doctor will diagnose sleep apnea during my annual check-up.

Truth: Doctors usually can’t detect the condition with certainty during routine office visits. Physicians diagnose sleep apnea based on medical and family histories, a physical exam, and sleep study results. A polysomnogram (PSG)—the most common sleep study for diagnosing sleep apnea—records brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, blood pressure, the amount of oxygen in your blood, air movement through your nose while you breathe, snoring, and chest movements.

Sources: MayoClinic.com, SleepFoundation.org, Nhlbi.nih.gov, SleepAssociation.org

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CREATING A SUPPORT PLAN

Ideally, it’s best to get mom and dad involved in creating a financial plan while they’re able to communicate their wishes. While this isn’t always possible, any preparations you can do before the situation is critical can help you feel better about their financial affairs.

Start by reviewing your parent’s financial situation, covering off on all their assets and liabilities. If he or she is working with a financial advisor, invite that professional to the meeting. Work together on a strategy to make sure mom or dad is able to cover current expenses and prepare for future ones. The following checklist can help you get started: • Designate someone who is committed to the best interest of your parent to take the lead on financial matters.

While many family members may want to be involved in decisions affecting the individual with memory issues, consider choosing one person as the financial contact. This person should make sure bills are paid on time, taxes

Supporting Aging Parents with their Finances

Keeping track of finances takes time, attention and energy at any age.

In the case of older adults, health challenges such as memory loss can make it difficult to manage their financial obligations as well as they did in the past. If you’re the son or daughter of aging parents, here are a few items to keep in mind that can help protect your parents from financial missteps as they grow older.

LOOKING OUT FOR YOUR PARENTS

For many seniors, signs of memory loss or dementia may first become apparent when they start to lose track of financial responsibilities.

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are completed and keep track of mom or dad’s overall finances, looping in other family members as necessary.

Meet with your attorney to discuss if the designated person should seek legal financial responsibility as well, by becoming a “power of attorney.”

• Ensure each asset is properly titled and has a beneficiary that reflects your parent’s wishes. Suggest a meeting with an estate attorney if you think your parent needs to set up or update their will, health care proxy or other estate planning documents.

• Establish automatic bill pay where you can. Suggest that your mom or dad set-up his or her account to receive emails when bills are due or paid so that there’s a paper trail to follow in case of confusion.

• Create a retirement income strategy – or document your parents’ income if they’re already retired – so that it’s clear what their sources of income are and how they will pay for caregiving expenses. Sources of income may

include Social Security, pensions, retirement accounts, annuities or other investments, while their life, health, long-term care and disability insurance policies may provide important coverage to offset expenses. Caregiving costs can be significant, particularly if a higher level of care is needed. Take the time now to explore options and costs for in-home and facility care, and make sure you understand how your parent feels about the various options.

• If your parent is still fairly independent financially, remind him or her about the prevalence of money-related scams.

Demonstrate how your parent can protect themselves against fraud.

If you are concerned about your parents’ memory issues, try to find some time to lay out a caregiving and financial plan of action while your parents are still able to be part of the conversation. Consulting with a financial advisor or an attorney familiar with elder law issues may help get the discussion started.

These signs could include unusual spending patterns, failing to remember which bills were paid or incurring uncharacteristic late or overdraft fees. Unfortunately, seniors are far more vulnerable to financial scams as well. Savvy swindlers routinely target older adults who may not be as quick to discern fraud in the form of phony phone calls, letters, emails or texts.

If you notice that mom or dad is struggling to stay on top of their finances, approach the situation delicately. People experiencing memory loss may not want to admit they’re having difficulties, while other family members may be in denial about mom or dad needing help. Start the conversation by offering a helping hand.

Older adults often want to maintain their independence, so keep that in mind as you start to get involved.

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WELLNESS

Take Heart Heart health is more important than ever, especially as we age. Knowing the signs for heart disease can help keep you well, and can give you the spark you need to maintain—or work your way back—to overall health.

Taking preventative measures to care for your heart is better for your general well-being. A cardiologist can treat your symptoms and advise you on the road back to heart health.

Don’t delay!

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEART DISEASE?

Angina is chest pain that may feel like discomfort, heaviness, and pressure (an elephant on your chest), or an aching and burning sensation. It can often be mistaken for heartburn.

It can also be felt as discomfort in the neck, arm, shoulder, and back. See your doctor for chronic discomfort, but go immediately to an ER for sudden chest pain.

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A cardiologist can treat your symptoms and advise you on the road back to heart health.

Shortness of breath when completing normal tasks can be a sign that your overall fitness needs a tune up, but it can also be a symptom of decreasing heart capacity due to coronary failure. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with normal tasks like cooking, walking to and from your car, or shopping, this could be a sign of something to address.

Heart palpitations (a flip-flip feeling in your chest) are when your heart rate speeds up or is erratic without an external physical cause.

An irregular heart beat, dizziness, and weakness, often combined with nausea, are other signs that your heart may need a check-up.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE?

Quit smoking. There is no better gift to give yourself than this. Every day

without a cigarette is a healthier day for your heart and lungs!

Know your blood pressure and keep it under control. Through weight loss, medication, and regular exercise, you can lower your blood pressure and keep your heart healthy.

Watch what you eat. Adding fruits and veggies while cutting back on red meat and fats can improve not only your heart, but your overall health.

Exercise regularly. The heart is a muscle, so how about treating it like one? A daily walk, weight lifting, and aerobic fitness can improve your cardio health.

Maintain a healthy weight. A doctor can help you determine your target weight and can give you the tools to get there. You don’t have to go it alone!

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WELLNESS HEALTH IQ

Endometrial Ablation

HealthIQ

BY LARUE V. GILLESPIE

Are you finished having children?

Is your regular visit from Aunt Flo ruining your vacations and your life? Would you rather avoid taking oral contraceptives to control your periods? If you answered yes to any of these questions, keep reading.

There is a way to reduce (or possibly even stop) heavy periods without having to remove any lady parts. It’s called endometrial ablation.

Endometrial ablation is a surgical procedure that destroys the endometrial lining (watery tissues) of the uterus. “The goal is to vaporize it all and have it scar down so that no more (or minimal) lining grows back,” said Kevin M. Audlin, MD, co-director of the Minimally Invasive Fellowship in the Division

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WELLNESS

Different endometrial ablation procedures have varying success rates. According to Dr. Audlin, NovaSure uses heat energy and has been known to completely stop periods in about 40 percent of patients. A newer method, Minerva, uses heat energy and water, and has successfully stopped periods in about 70 percent of women, he said. However, if success is strictly measured by a reduction in bleeding, then about 85 percent of women report being satisfied with their procedure. “The goal of the ablation should be decreased bleeding; complete stopping of bleeding is a bonus,” Dr. Audlin explained.

of Gynecology at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. “Less lining [equals] less bleeding monthly.”

According to Gil Weiss, MD, assistant professor of Clinical Medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and partner at The Association For Women’s Health Care, endometrial ablations may be performed in a physician’s office, an outpatient facility, or in a hospital operating room. The procedure involves inserting a device into the uterine cavity and using heat, electricity, or freezing to destroy the lining, he said. It takes less than 60 minutes, and patients can go home the same day. Cramping and vaginal discharge usually continue for up to two weeks.

Women who definitely do not want a period any longer or have experienced a failed ablation might consider having their uterus removed. Sounds extreme, but it’s not as bad as you might think. “As long as you keep your ovaries, you aren’t in menopause so you won’t need hormones,” said Dr. Audlin.

“You just won’t bleed.”

PROS & CONS As with anything, there are pros and cons to consider.

PROS • Short procedure • Minimal pain • Quick return to work • No incisions • Cheaper than a hysterectomy • Very easy to perform and mostly controlled by computer CONS • Not a guarantee to stop bleeding • Some patients have worse pain or may experience postablation syndrome • Some may experience regrowth of the endometrium • Accidental punctures in the uterus or abdomen could lead to complications

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ON THE MIND

Did You Know?

If an ant is infected with a fungus, other ants in their colony lick them to spread the infection throughout the colony, making fellow ants immune to the fungus.

HEADS-UP

What do I need to know about vaccines?

WHAT’S A VACCINE?

SUCCESS STORIES

Vaccines are dead or weakened viruses or bacteria introduced into your body where your immune system is meant to recognize them and create antibodies to defend against future infection.

Subsequent vaccines are credited with decreasing cases of diphtheria, measles, mumps, pertussis, polio, rubella, smallpox, and tetanus by an estimated 92 to 100 percent.

ANCIENT HISTORY

Researchers believe that a viable malaria vaccine could be available for children in the developing world as early as 2017.

Ancient civilizations in India and China were believed to have inoculated their children against smallpox, 1,000 years ago, using a process called “variolation.”

EARLY ATTEMPTS

Physician Edward Jenner first poked around at the idea of vaccines in 1700, when he noticed that milkmaids who’d previously caught cowpox didn’t later catch smallpox.

EUREKA MOMENT

Jenner’s observations led to the first smallpox vaccine in 1798.

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HOPE

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) makes recommendations on which vaccines we should all get at CDC.gov.

OOPS!

Sometimes you or your child can’t receive a vaccine because you’re sick or you just slip up and forget. Vaccine. gov includes a catch-up immunization schedule to get you back on track.

It’s worth mentioning to your healthcare provider if you or your child have allergies to eggs, gelatin, or yeast (which may be found in certain vaccines) or latex (which may be used in syringes or vaccine vials).

HEADS-UP AGAIN

If you plan to travel outside the country, ask your healthcare provider about special vaccines to help protect from diseases present in the areas you plan to visit.

OUCH!

While usually given through injection, some vaccines can be given orally or as a nasal spray. If your child is traumatized by shots, ask your pediatrician if these are an option.

DISTRACT ‘EM

Surprisingly, getting your child to cough or pretend they’re blowing out birthday candles can help relieve injection pain, and so can other distractions like cartoons, books, or toys.

KEEP IT

Your doctor might keep only electronic records. Maintain a paper record of vaccinations for your own reference. You may need proof of vaccination for your child’s school, your job, or a childcare situation.

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“It’s generally agreed that nearly all colon and rectal cancers begin as benign polyps,” Dr. Kandel says.

“These pre-cancer growths occur on the bowel wall and may eventually increase in size and become cancer. That’s why it’s so important to remove them during a colonoscopy.”

If cancer is detected, treatment usually requires surgery, sometimes in combination with radiation and chemotherapy depending on the type of cancer. Newer minimally invasive surgical techniques utilizing tiny incisions (called laparoscopy) and robotic-assisted surgery with the daVinci® Surgical System allow for faster recovery times and less scarring.

SO HOW CAN YOU REDUCE YOUR RISK AND PREVENT COLON CANCER?

“While there is no way of preventing colon cancer, there are factors that seem to reduce a person’s risk of developing it,” Dr. Kandel says. “Eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet helps to significantly lower the risk of colon cancer. If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. Alcohol and tobacco in combination are linked to colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers as well. And, of course, exercise for at least 20 minutes, three to four days a week.”

Other risk factors include a personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease, as well as ovarian, endometrial, or breast cancer. People of AfricanAmerican and Hispanic descent are also at a greater risk of colon cancer.

Be alert to early signs and get tested for colon cancer

BY ANGEL BIASATTI, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

Don’t let cancer sneak up on you. Each year, colorectal cancer is the third-leading common cancer in the United States, striking nearly 136,000 people annually and causing 50,000 deaths according to the American Cancer Society. But unlike other types of cancer, colorectal cancer can be detected in its early stages.

colon and rectal surgeon on the medial staff at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center.

“It is a disease that can be prevented through regular screenings, a healthy diet, and regular exercise,” explains Anuj Kandel, MD, an independently practicing certified

Dr. Kandel recommends starting colonoscopies after age 50. If a parent or sibling has battled colorectal cancer, most studies recommend beginning earlier, at age 40.

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“Early detection matters and screening colonoscopies are essential,” he says. “Between 80 to 90 percent of colorectal cancer patients are restored to normal health if the cancer is detected and treated in the earliest stages.”

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While colorectal cancer seldom has symptoms, persistent rectal bleeding and changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea or severe constipation can signal that there is a problem.

“If a person has these symptoms more than four times a month, they should see their physician,” Dr. Kandel recommends.

A little attention to your health goes a long way.

Getting regular screening colonoscopies; paying attention to your health; and recognizing the signs, symptoms, and risk factors associated with colorectal cancer can help individuals take steps to detect colon and rectal cancer at an early stage when the chance of a cure is higher.

To find a colorectal surgeon on the Methodist Mansfield medical staff, call 214-947-6296 or visit MethodistHealthSystem/Answers2.org.

Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System.

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AESTHETICS

Mouth Health is Body Health

Suffer from bad breath?

You may need more than a mint.

Bad breath could be a sign of poor oral hygiene, gum disease, fungal infections, sinus problems, and gastrointestinal issues. The odor can be caused by bacteria on the tongue, so one way to avoid it may be by brushing your tongue with a toothbrush. A more serious cause can be bacteria in the stomach lining, which may lead to gastric ulcers.

B

w Wellne o l l a ss that’s easy to sw

rushing and flossing help keep your teeth and gums healthy, but did you know good oral hygiene can also lead to a healthier body? That’s because bacteria in our mouths can spread to other areas if left untreated—and may eventually lead to serious illness.

As if that weren’t bad enough, many viruses are contracted through saliva, so how we care for our mouths is crucial to overall health.

BY PERLA SARABIA JOHNSON

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Poor health and neglected oral hygiene create a vicious cycle, especially when it comes to diabetes. “Research shows that in patients with poorly controlled diabetes, the incidence of periodontal disease is higher. The end result may even be earlier loss of some or all teeth,” warns Shannon Roberts, DDS, of University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio School of Dentistry.

She explains that the ability to recover is prolonged in diabetes patients. Longer healing times result in an increased risk for infection. The same is true for gum disease. “If the bacteria is allowed to remain there and has a favorable environment for rapid reproduction, then the result could be a periodontal abscess which is highly destructive to the bone surrounding the teeth. If allowed to progress, this abscess could spread to other areas in the body like the heart, blood, and brain,” she adds.

According to Elizabeth Lowery, DDS, of Avery Ranch Dental in Austin, studies link diabetes, heart disease, low weight pre-term birth, and some cancers to gum disease and poor oral health.

“Inflammation in the mouth caused by bacteria running rampant has an effect on overall body inflammation, which is a factor in many diseases,” Dr. Lowery explains.

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She adds that mouth inflammation makes tissues more permeable and allows bacteria to penetrate the blood stream—where it has access to the rest of the body.

Bacteria can then attack vital organs like the lungs, kidneys, or brain. “Diseases which tax these organs are further overburdened by the bacteria, leading to worsening of these illnesses, and even death in severe cases,” Dr. Lowery states.

Babies and children who instinctively love to put things in their mouth are also at risk of catching viruses like cold sores and fever blisters among others.

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The risk for infection in this age group is substantially higher due to their still developing immune system. Dr. Lowery suggests disinfecting toys regularly to avoid some of these culprits.

Regardless of your age, you can help prevent dental disease by remembering Mom’s old advice of brushing your teeth after you eat and flossing daily. Also, visiting your dentist for an annual checkup and twice-yearly cleaning will go a long way in aiding to keep your mouth healthy, which will in turn increase your chances of warding off disease in other parts of your body. Now that sounds like a simple solution for a healthy you.

As always, contact your dentist with questions and concerns.

Another thing to consider is the popularity of electronic vapor cigarettes and the uncertainty when it comes to their long-term effects or safety.

The American Cancer Society has stated that there are questions about how safe it is to inhale certain substances, which are generally unregulated.

“These products can contain irritants that harm cells in the oral cavity and other tissues like the lungs’ lining,” states Dr. Lowery. “Although the body has amazing self-healing capabilities, they can go haywire when overworked by harmful chemicals.”

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HOMESTEAD TRENDING

Bidet Today!

BY BRANDON DAIKER

If you’re like most Americans, you probably have a nebulous concept of what a bidet is, perhaps from tales passed down like legends via friends or family, a scene in a movie or TV show, or maybe a bizarre anecdote shared around on social media.

For whatever reason, be it our stigma against discussing personal hygiene or merely a fanatical love of toilet paper, the bidet in America is more often regarded as a weird device from distant shores than what it actually is— the most hygienic and eco-conscious way to keep yourself feeling clean and refreshed after you’ve done what my grandmother used to call

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Taking Care of Business. Yes, the bidet (pronounced bih-day), to cease mincing words, essentially sprays your underparts with a stream of water originating from the depths below.

The cons are few, and the pros many— according to National Geographic, nearly 27,000 trees worth of toilet paper are sent to the landfill or sewer every single day, the equivalent of tens of millions of rolls. Once you consider the amount of fuel consumed, water used, and emissions released during toilet paper production, you can start to get a better picture of how regular bidet use can reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment.

But perhaps more important to many Americans are the health benefits granted to regular bidet users. It stands to reason that moreso than scratchy toilet paper, water is a better cleanser when dealing with easily exacerbated skin conditions like hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, and other afflictions, and can also help to prevent UTIs as well as bathroom bacteria often transported on hands. If you’re already dealing with a mobility condition that makes it physically difficult to wipe with toilet paper—such as severe arthritis, surgery to resolve an arm or shoulder injury, or tremors—using a bidet can also be far easier.

Though they originated as standalone fixtures akin to chair-level sinks, most modern bidets are attached to the toilet themselves, sandwiched between the bowl and the seat.

Operation can be as simple as a toiletside dial to adjust water flow or as complex as an array of buttons that might have you feeling something like Captain Kirk on the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise while you adjust the stream’s position, aim, pressure, and temperature (some of the most highend Japanese models even include integrated LED night lights, automatic lids, and built-in air fresheners).

Ultimately, whether you want to spend $40 or $400, there’s a bidet out there for you. And most of them are easy enough to install at home by yourself (though for more complex ones that add electrical features like heated seats or warm water, you might want to seek some professional assistance).

Don’t be shy! After a while you might even end up enjoying your new lifestyle enhancement so much you try to convince other people to cast aside their trepidation and give it a shot. Not that I know anyone like that.

L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

Dump the Slump, Feel Better

Little did you know that when your mother told you to sit up straight, it could help you avoid health problems. We now understand that poor posture—a common byproduct of sitting at a desk or computer for extended periods of time, and watching hours of television each week—causes more mental and physical health complications than most people realize.

In addition to back, neck, and shoulder pain, slumped posture can lead to fatigue, headaches, and digestion problems, worsen depression and stress, and more.

Using sheer willpower to force yourself to sit straight and stand without slouching sounds like an obvious solution, but it usually takes more than this. An old slouching habit is difficult to break because your body has adapted to this position.

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HOMESTEAD Around-the-house exercises to improve your posture

In addition to changing things that create postural strain, such as reaching too low for a computer mouse, try these simple posture improvement exercises.

1. The chin tuck addresses forward head posture (“text neck”), which can lead to shoulder hunching. Think of the Mr. Burns character on The Simpson’s TV show and you get the picture. Sit up straight, but not stiffly.

Use a mirror if possible to see if you are aligned properly. Use your neck muscles to pull your chin inward until your ears are over your shoulders.

Imagine someone is pushing on your nose. Keep your eyes and head level.

Your head should glide back, not up or down. Hold for 5 seconds and return to the starting position.

2. Use the doorframe stretch to loosen up chest muscles, which may be

BY ANNETTE BROOKS

pulling your shoulders forward. Line your elbows and hands up with the door frame and step through, going only until there’s a stretch. Don’t force your way through if there’s pain. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds.

3. Wall slides strengthen muscles within the mid back and surrounding scapular (shoulder) region. Stand with your back to a wall while trying to keep your upper back and bottom in contact with the wall. Walk your feet about 12 inches away from the wall. Lift your hands over your head and try to press your forearms into the wall. Slide your arms up and down the wall, by squeezing your shoulder blades. Don’t worry if you can’t touch your arms to the wall; focus on your scapular movement.

Start with one set of 10 reps. Work your way up to two or three sets.

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Yauhen_D / Shutterstock, Inc.

courtesy and unwavering integrity.

And their exclusive One Touch sales process ensures that you work with a single, dedicated sales consultant throughout the entire purchase experience.

HOW TO CHOOSE

A Luxury Car Dealership A luxury car does more than merely get you from point A to point B. It’s an extension of your personal style. Much like buying a new home, purchasing a luxury car is a big decision. You want to make sure you’re selecting the right vehicle for your lifestyle. Should you get something fun and flashy? Or are you looking for more of a family vehicle—reliable, roomy, fuel-conscious?

Do you want something brand-spanking new or a quality pre-owned model?

Where you purchase your car is also important. After all, if you’re going to drive a high-performance car, you’re going to want an equally highperformance dealership experience—the kind you’ll find at Park Place.

ONCE YOU’VE DECIDED IT’S TIME FOR A NEW LUXURY RIDE, IT’S TIME TO DRILL DOWN. Your luxury car buying experience will vary greatly depending on which dealership you choose. But before you do, you must determine what you are looking for in said dealership.

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Your biggest considerations are likely to be price, service and availability.

No one wants to feel like they are paying too much. At Park Place, you’ll find a variety of competitive lease and finance programs to fit your needs.

Their finance experts not only help identify the right options for you, but also ensure you have an exceptional experience with your new or preowned vehicle for years to come.

Spectacular client service fosters trust and repeat business. Most people don’t want to feel rushed into making a fast decision, and don’t appreciate aggressive, harassing salespeople. Park Place Dealerships is proud to offer an award-winning client experience that always treats you with respect,

When you’re ready to get into that new, pre-owned or Certified Pre-Owned luxury vehicle, a dealer that has exactly what you want is a major advantage.

And when it comes to inventory, Park Place is also unparalleled. With sixteen DFW Metroplex locations comprising a huge selection of luxury vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Porsche, Jaguar and many more, you’re sure to find the perfect car for you.

Do your homework. In our digital era, it’s hard to keep poor service a secret. If a client has been displeased with a service or transaction, you can usually read about it on the Internet. Or call up a prospective dealer and ask a few questions. This is a big purchase—you don’t want to have second thoughts or regrets. Once again, Park Place passes with flying colors, boasting loyal, long-term clients who laud the high level of service and personal attention they’ve received.

Your car-buying experience probably won’t end when you drive off the lot in your new ride, and chances are good you’ll return over the years to have your car serviced or repaired. It’s important to choose a dealership with a proven track record. That’s what you’ll find at Park Place, with factorycertified technicians, state-of-the-art service bays and a reputation for excellence spanning nearly 30 years.

Finally, it never hurts to check out the perks. At Park Place, deluxe car washes, luxury loaner vehicles and shuttle services are all complimentary. You’ll also find a work-friendly client lounge, featuring Wi-Fi, computer workstations, gourmet coffee and more. It’s all part of Park Place’s dedication to making you feel comfortable and confident in your decision, delivering the highperformance ownership experience drivers of high-performance vehicles deserve.

L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

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Rebecca Ashbrook Carrell LoveServeShine.com Twitter: @RebeccaLSS 90.9 KCBI/ kcbi.org

Trusting God With Our Strong

After a dramatic and daring rescue, Jack and his “Ma” find themselves in a world that looks vastly different from the one she left.

Ma reunites with her mother, who had since divorced Ma’s father and married the neighbor. Smart phones, text messaging, social media—these are all things that had passed the two by during life in Room.

Fasting reminds us that we aren’t meant to live independent, self-reliant lives, that it is God who sustains us. Through our sacrifice, we remember that every good gift is from Him. Fasting means we trust God with our strong, and in so doing, trust Him to be our strength.

Fasting is not a way of manipulating God into doing what we want. Nor does it gain us favor or approval in His eyes.

We already have that in Christ. It is a way What is your “strong?” to take our focus off What do you rely on ourselves and press in to support you, to pull to the Lord of lords. you through difficult times? I’ve had a wide assortment of crutches through various seasons in my life, including food, alcohol, TV, and social media.

To entertain her inquisitive son, Ma told Jack stories.

One such story must have been Samson and Delilah because Jack believed that his “strong” was in his hair.

As hard as his grandmother tried to get him to cut his long locks, the little boy refused.

Then one night, he found Ma lying unconscious on the bathroom floor. Unable to cope with life outside Room, Ma had tried to take her life.

She spent two weeks with no visitors in the psychiatric ward, and Jack missed his mommy. One night he approached his grandmother with a simple request.

“I want to cut my hair,” he announced.

Grandmother leaned in. “Why?” she asked.

I was raised in an Episcopalian, church-going family.

My mother volunteered anywhere she was needed, my father served on the vestry, and my sisters and I participated in choir, youth group, and other various church activities.

As I grew closer to Christ, I came to see it differently.

I remember my parents observing Lent each year, mainly because my mother would always give up sweets, and if she couldn’t have them, neither could we.

“Superficiality,” he writes, “is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem.” Foster says the world does not necessarily need more intellectual geniuses but points to a great need for those possessing spiritual depth.

When I was a child, Lent never made sense. As a teenager, it seemed pointless. If Jesus suffered for us, why should we purposely suffer?

If we are saved by faith through grace and not by works, why do we need to give up something?

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In his book, The Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster lists fasting as one of twelve spiritual exercises the Christian can (and should) practice to grow in Christ-likeness.

Foster makes the case that the mark of the disciplined is joy, not drudgery. As a parent who desires to see my children grow and thrive in the Lord, I wondered if this was something I should encourage. If so, how much? Scripture makes no reference to children observing periods of prayer and fasting, but neither does it prohibit it.

As I wrestled through it with the Lord, a scene from a movie flashed through my mind.

Room, released as an independent film in 2015, tells the story of a young boy who spends the first five years of his life locked in a shed. His mother, played by Brie Larson, was kidnapped at the age of seventeen, and she gave birth to Jack two years into her captivity.

L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T

“Because my hair is my strong.” Nervously, he glanced at his grandmother and then back down at his hands. “Ma needs my strong. She needs it more than I do.”

This year, my husband and I plan to invite our children to join us as we fast something for a season. Not because we have to, but as an act of love and devotion. Not to get something from God, but to give something to God. Care to join us? Each Friday during Lent, we will take a day to give God our strong, and thank Him for being our constant source of strength.

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CUISINE

Is Your Diet Aging You?

HELP IS AVAILABLE! Call Dr. Linda Amerson TODAY for a hair and scalp analysis Itchy Scalp?

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e’ve all heard the saying, “you are what you eat.” No doubt, the foods we ingest have a big impact on what we see in the mirror — and we’re not just talking about a few extra pounds around the mid-section. I’m just going to give it to you straight. Plain and simple, your diet could be (prematurely) aging you. But, here’s the good news. A few changes to your eating habits now can help to keep your skin looking youthful, and your body healthy for many years to come. It all starts with making better choices.

WANT TO LOOK LIKE A MILLION BUCKS? YOU HAVE TO EAT BETTER.

Experts say poor quality foods (like trans fats) cause inflammation. And aging is basically a chronic inflammatory state, says Dr. Timothy Harlan, an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Tulane University, in an interview with Web MD. You can absolutely look older because you are eating crap.

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Too much sugar and processed carbohydrates like pasta, bread, and baked goods — you know, everything we love — can actually damage your skin’s collagen. (Collagen is what keeps your skin springy and resists wrinkles.) These foods can also affect your overall health. They have been linked to heart disease and diabetes. If you want nice skin (and good health), you’re just going to have to eat more fruits and veggies.

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THIS MEANS YOU WILL NEED TO EAT LESS OF THESE…

• Anything deep-fried in oil can create (or add to) inflammation in your body. Trans-fats can raise your LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and lower your HDL (“good” cholesterol). This can increase your risk for heart disease. So stay away from the French fries and potato chips! They aren’t just bad for your skinny jeans…

• Sugary pastries and sweets (like donuts and cookies) are packed with sugar, which may cause wrinkles, and can even lead to acne. Who wants to deal with that?

• Fatty meats are high in saturated fats. Try to choose something leaner, like a tenderloin cut when you can. Look for ground beef that is at least 95% lean. Or better yet, choose ground chicken or turkey breast.

You should also try to stay away from the processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, and pepperoni.

• Moderate drinking might be good for your heart (the jury is still out on this), but heavy drinking revs up the aging process. Moderate drinking is defined as one drink per day for women, and two drinks for men.

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INSTEAD, CHOOSE A HEART-HEALTHY, MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE DIET.

This means eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lowfat dairy, and lean protein. These foods help fight (rather than cause) inflammation and keep you looking young and fresh. Experts say we should eat whole foods, closest to their natural state. Greens like romaine lettuce, broccoli, spinach, and arugula are all great options. Tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruit, and asparagus are also good, not to mention delicious! Fish like salmon and tuna make the grade, as well as black beans, chickpeas and oatmeal.

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“All foods in moderation are part of a healthy lifestyle.

It is essential for your intake to be balanced. Too much or too little of anything is unhealthy and can result in decreased immune function,” says local Registered Dietician Pam Neumann, MPH, RD, LD. “Those gaps and lack of balance — combined with inadequate physical activity — can become problematic as we get older.”

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Staying Healthy, The Flavorful Way Just because you want to eat healthy this year, that doesn’t mean that you need to sacrifice big, bold flavors!

BY MEGHAN BASSETT

All too often there’s an assumption that healthy food is bland and often unenjoyable. This assumption couldn’t be more wrong (and coming from an avid chocolate, cheese and carb-eater, that’s a pretty big statement!). Whether it’s a quick portable breakfast, or a low-carb, high-protein meal, you can pack a lot of flavor in without packing in a ton of calories. The key is sneaking in some of your favorite flavors to keep the cravings in check.

The time to start working on the swimsuit body is now, and these hearty and nutritious meals will help you stay on track!

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GRILLED LEMON & HERB CHICKEN BREAST Serves 2 3 chicken breasts ¼ cup chopped fresh basil ¼ cup chopped fresh oregano ¹/ cup breadcrumbs ³ ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper 1 lemon, sliced

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Grease a baking dish with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix fresh herbs, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Coat chicken breasts with herb breadcrumb mixture and place in baking dish. Top chicken breasts with lemon slices.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken breasts are cooked through. Slice and serve.

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CUISINE GARLIC CAULIFLOWER MASH Serves 2 1 2 ¼ ¼ ¼

head of cauliflower, cut into florets garlic cloves, smashed teaspoon salt teaspoon pepper teaspoon cayenne

Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat.

Boil cauliflower florets until tender, approximately 10 minutes.

Drain cauliflower, reserving a tablespoon of water from the pot. Add the cauliflower to a blender with reserved water, garlic, salt, pepper, and cayenne.

Puree until smooth. Serve warm.

If you’d like an Asian flair to your cauliflower mash, substitute Chinese five spice in place of cayenne.

CHUNKY DARK CHOCOLATE CHIP BREAKFAST COOKIES Makes 6 to 8 large cookies ¾ cup whole wheat flour ½ cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder Pinch of salt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 3½ tablespoons coconut oil ¹/ cup brown sugar ³ 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup rolled oats ¹/ cup raisins ³ ½ cup dark chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350 °F. In a stand mixer, beat together butter, oil, and sugar until thick and creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, beating to combine. Add flours, baking powder, unsweetened cocoa, and salt. Beat until well-combined.

Fold in oats, raisins and dark chocolate chips.

Roll dough into large balls, approximately 1½ to 2 inches in diameter. Place on lined baking sheet and chill for 10 minutes in the freezer.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown on the edges. Cool and store in airtight container.

You can swap out walnuts for raisins in these breakfast cookies if raisins just aren’t your thing.

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