Vol. 9, Issue 5, May 2021
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Tampa Dental Wellness of Westchase and Carrollwood Delivers Smiles and So Much More By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Most teenagers don’t know their future career path. Dr. Amy Creech-Gionis knew she wanted to follow in her dentist’s footsteps at age 14. While her mother had extensive dental work, he allowed her to sit a watch the procedure from a nearby chair. “At one particular visit for a cleaning, my dental hygienist, Sandy, asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told her ‘I think I want to do what you do.’ She smiled and said, ‘Amy, do what HE does!’” The seed was planted. A Florida native, she attended Stetson
University, studying Biology and Chemistry, and then went on to University of Florida College of Dentistry to complete her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. “My intention at the beginning of dental school was to become an Orthodontist, however once I got to the clinical portion of dental school, I realized that there are so many cool aspects to dentistry I did not want to limit myself to just one thing for the rest of my career. I loved it all!” She graduated from UFCD in 1995 as a General Dentist and moved to Tampa to join her fiancée and opened her first practice in a high rise in Downtown Tampa. Though she loved her patient See “Dental Wellness” on page 16
QuickHIT Fitness Lab- Changing your Lifestyle 20 Minutes at a Time! By Morgan Fliss
days a week in the gym. They guarantee results in as little as 20 minutes a week! If you believe in exercising to live Owners Lisa Dallas and Frank Ochoa and not living to exercise...then QuickHIT started QuickHIT after undergoing injuries Fitness Labs is the place for you! If you’re that hindered their ability to perform the type of person that values time and is traditional exercise. “We used [QuickHIT] not interested in wasting it in the gym then as a kind of [rehabilitation] towards getting QuickHIT is the place for you. QuickHIT stronger after injuries. Lisa had a double has revolutionized a path to better Health hip replacement from years of teaching and Wellness and is for everyone! It competitive Tap and Jazz.Frank had a doesn’t matter if you’ve never exercised spinal bone fusion on his L4, L5 due to before or simply don’t have the time for 6 See “QuickHIT Fitness” on page 8
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Editor................................................5 Renaissance Relocates Amid 2021 Challenges Tickets on Sale NOW........................................12
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MAY 2021 3
4 MAY 2021
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May is a busy month! Full of holidays, commemorations, proclamations, awareness events, and Mexican food! Let’s start with Memorial Day, formally known as Decoration Day. This is a federal holiday observed yearly on the last Monday of May. This year, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 31st, 2021, and it is a day to commemorate all men and women who have died while serving in the military for the United States of America. Many local business owners understand the significance of this Holiday and show their support by offering amazing Memorial Day specials, one-of-a-kind offers, and fantastic discounts on merchandise, products, and services. Make sure to carefully browse this issue of Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles, so you can take advantage of those great deals and save big this upcoming Memorial Day! Aside from Memorial Day, the month of May houses a few other special days as well. On the 2nd Sunday of May, we celebrate International Mother’s Day. This 2021, we will be celebrating on Sunday, May 9th. I would like to personally wish all mothers, grandmothers, foster mothers, and even pet moms a very Happy Mother’s Day! I would also like to take this opportunity to personally wish my own mother, Berardina Tedeschi, a very Happy Mother’s Day. I couldn’t have asked for a better role model. I love you so much. Thank you for never giving up on me. Remember, successful mothers are not the ones that never struggle or get frustrated; they are the ones that never give up, despite the struggles and continue loving unconditionally. Are any of our readers Star Wars fans? May the 4th be with you! Star Wars Day, May 4, celebrates George Lucas’ Star Wars. Fans of the media franchise observe it by re-watching the Star Wars movies, wearing costumes, sharing movie quotes, and posting funny memes on social media. The date was chosen for the pun on the catchphrase “May The Force Be With You” as “May The Fourth Be With You.” Also, in May, many of us look forward to “Cinco de Mayo,” which is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. You wouldn’t guess it, but Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, but in the United States has evolved into a huge commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, and the Holiday is frequently confused with “Mexico’s Independence Day,” which takes place on September 16th. So make sure you
celebrate safely, and if possible, support some of our local restaurants, even from the comfort of your own home. Lastly, I want to bring your attention to something of importance that also takes place during this beautiful spring month, Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Many states and counties have taken steps to raise awareness regarding Lyme and tickborne diseases. Declaring May “Lyme Awareness Month” is one move to help remind people spring is here, ticks are out, prevention, and proper education are your best tools to staying healthy. With the spread of the disease to all 50 states, Lyme awareness, education, and early intervention are critical. Even though Lyme disease may not be common in Florida, you can still get infected. Take it from someone who is currently battling this debilitating and life-altering condition. Please be prepared and learn the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. If you have symptoms such as; high fevers, chills, body aches, weight gain/loss, TMJ, headaches/ migraines, extreme fatigue, muscle and joint aches, arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly on the knees and other large joints, severe inflammation, heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat, and problems with short-term memory amongst others, please contact your primary physician. Ask him or her to advise you and refer you to a Lyme Disease specialist near you. If you’d like to personally talk to me about my Lyme disease journey and the doctors that have helped me, please feel free to email me directly at carla@ nnlflorida.com. You are not alone! Fighting Lyme has been an uphill battle, but with the proper diagnosis and treatment, you’ll be one step closer to a healthier you. It’s been tough to open up to everyone about this, but if I can help raise awareness with my own story, then so be it. The COVID pandemic is still in full force, but there are many kinds of diseases still out there that can also mimic similar symptoms. Proper diagnosis is key. If your health fails, it can overshadow everything else that’s going on in your life. Please take care of yourself, eat a healthy diet, make sleep a priority, find a fitness habit that works for you, and don’t get too stressed out. Stress can wreak havoc on your body. Treat everyone with kindness, starting with your own self.
Until next time,
Carla M. Dubis Tedeschi.
6 MAY 2021
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MAY 2021 7
“QuickHIT Fitness” - continued from page 1
sustaining too many injuries from traditional sports and exercise. After experiencing one 20 minute session at QuickHIT they realized that it was something special. The technology that QuickHIT has, allowed us to exercise to our full capacity,” said Operating Partner, Frank Ochoa. Lisa and Frank immediately recognized how amazing this was and committed their futures to it. They believed in using their passion for fitness to help everyone find exercise no matter their physical ability. As natives of both St Louis, Missouri and Destin, Florida they decided to plant roots in Tampa Bay. They are now residents of Lakewood Ranch and look forward to opening their 4th location there in 2022. QuickHIT Fitness is an exercise facility that uses a state of the art patented resistance machine, along with certified personal trainers, to create a safe and effective workout. The Robotically Controlled Resistance machine adjusts to every user to ensure that they are receiving the best workout for their body and physical ability. “Our machine makes decisions every millisecond and millimeter of a movement, so that it is perfectly applicable to whomever the user is. So, it doesn’t matter if you are 17 or 70, whatever your current physical ability is, we can help you achieve your goals,” Frank explained. Client Carole M. shares her experience at QuickHIT by saying, “I am an overweight, 65-year-old woman who does work out regularly, but not as
8 MAY 2021
efficiently as QuickHIT works. I can build my strength and keep getting stronger as I age, instead of getting weaker! No need for sweatbands or shower afterwardyou’re ready to go on with your day. The trainers keep your posture correct and ensure you’re working out safely! Try it now! Each session at QuickHIT is only 20 minutes long yet provides all the benefits that come with an intense workout. As well as this, clients only have to come 1,2 or 3 times a week in order to meet all of their personalized goals! Each workout helps clients improve muscle strength, lose weight, improve bone density, increase energy levels and improve cardiovascular fitness. The program at QuickHIT is even backed by medical doctors and exercise scientists. “I have been using the QuickHIT program for 6 months and have noticeably more strength throughout my body. Lifting a 50-pound bag of softener salt is now effortless. For less than 20 minutes, one time a week, you cannot go wrong with this program,” said pleased client, Todd W. QuickHIT programs are perfect for those who are recovering from injuries and looking for a way to safely return to exercise. With slow, controlled movements and a personal trainer by your side the whole time, there is no doubt that QuickHIT is the safest way to reach your physical goals! This machine erases the dangers that come with weightlifting and other forms of tedious exercise. Client Holly H. shared her positive experience with QuickHIT stating, “I was diagnosed with a
herniated disc in my lower back a few years ago. It got to the point where I had to use a walker to get around. I did physical therapy, massage therapy and had medication, but it was not getting better. I started a new job in July 2018 and QuickHIT is on the 1st floor of the building I work in, so I figured I had no excuse! I decided to try it and I am amazed at the improvement to my quality of life since I started. I have never felt stronger, and I don’t have lower back pain anymore!” QuickHIT Fitness provides a judgement free zone as they are “Tampa Bay’s only 100% completely private facility.” There is only one machine and one facility director in the entire studio, ensuring that you get complete and undivided attention when you are working out. All sessions are booked by appointment only, to make sure no one will be working out with you. All trainers work very hard to ensure a comfortable environment every time you walk through the doors! QuickHIT Fitness prides themselves in following three pillars of health and wellness, which includes fitness, nutrition and accountability. Along with providing safe and effective workouts, QuickHIT also offers nutritional advice from certified dietitians. “You can’t out exercise poor nutrition,” Frank explains. A dietitian will work one-on-one with you to learn about your dietary needs and restrictions, to create a plan that will work best for you. QuickHIT does not force anyone to buy supplements or go on fad diets. Instead, they will work with you to figure out how you can improve your current
nutrition to promote healthy muscle development. Everything at QuickHIT Fitness Labs is completely personalized to every client. Every new client will first go through a free consultation, before jumping into any of the exercise components. During this consultation, a personal coach will learn about your exercise history and any current or past injuries. Then, they will work with you to form personalized goals and work out plans. Your personal coach will also follow up with you after every workout to see how you are feeling to ensure proper recovery. Along with The Robotically Controlled Resistance machine, QuickHIT also utilizes a Body Kiosk System which helps clients learn more about their body! The Body Kiosk System completes a near- infrared scan of the body and can provide a client with their lean mass, fat mass, current body fat percentage, and resting metabolic rate. This machine helps clients to “understand where their caloric intake should be and how exercise and the actual macronutrients you eat go together,” says Frank. “QuickHIT is a great way to lose fat, gain muscle strength, and build lean muscle mass in 20 minutes. It’s a holistic approach with nutritional guidance. Also, the trainers are experienced and knowledgeable. They are sincere about helping you to meet your fitness goals. The best value I’ve ever gotten in the fitness industry. Best of all...it works! I love how my body has transformed and I look forward to making more gains,” says happy client, Frances Lewenstein. With the continuing spread
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Owners Lisa Dallas and Frank Ochoa started QuickHIT after undergoing injuries that hindered their ability to perform traditional exercise. “We used [QuickHIT] as a kind of [rehabilitation] towards getting stronger after injuries. Lisa had a double hip replacement from years of teaching competitive Tap and Jazz.Frank had a spinal bone fusion on his L4, L5 due to sustaining too many injuries from traditional sports and exercise. of the COVID-19 virus, QuickHIT has many protocols in place to ensure the safety of both clients and staff. All staff members are required to wear a mask at all times and promote social distancing. Along with this, every area is disinfected after use and all clients are required to wash their hands once they enter.
For the month of May, QuickHIT is offering 10% of any package of 12 weeks and 20% off any package of 24 weeks!
There are three QuickHIT locations in Florida near Sarasota, St. Petersburg and Carrollwood. Give any location a call to schedule your free phone consultation today! “There are 10,080 minutes in a week and I only exercise 2 times a week for 20 minutes! I Have never been in better shape in my entire life!”
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says Frank. To start becoming the healthiest you, call QuickHIT Fitness Lab in Carrollwood at 813-448-2735. QuickHIT Carrollwood is located at 13008 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Carrollwood, FL 33618. For more information visit www. quickhitfit.com.
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10 MAY 2021
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MAY 2021 11
Renaissance Relocates Amid 2021 Challenges Tickets on Sale NOW The show will go on! The Bay Area Renaissance Festival has relocated to the spectacular, ancient forest of Withlacoochee River Park. Please join us as we partner with Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources for a once in a lifetime celebration. This year the Festival has relocated from MOSI. Join the Villagers of Fittleworth and Queen Katherine Parr and her court as they invite one and all to the magical 16th Century European village featuring 4 stages of exciting entertainment including: musicians, magicians, jugglers and mimes. Over 100 artisans fill the Festival marketplace to display and sell their handcrafted goods for a truly fabulous and endless shopping experience. Patrons will
interact with memorable characters and enjoy full-contact live armored jousting, 6 theme weekends, and fabulous food fit for a king or queen! The first weekend of the 2021 Bay Area Renaissance Festival kicked off on Saturday, April 17th and will run 6 weekends (Saturdays & Sundays) through May 23rd. A festival tradition for over 40 years, the Bay Area Renaissance Festival brings some of the most unique entertainment, shopping and educational opportunities. Each weekend features a different theme that connects specialized entertainers, vendors, and artisans who help bring the theme to life! This year’s theme weekends are: Wine, Romance & Song, Pirates &
Pups, Barbarian Brew, Shamrocks & Shenanigans, High Seas Adventure and Wonders of the World. The 43rd annual Bay Area Renaissance Festival runs 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. rain or shine. The festival is located ¬at Withlacoochee River Park - 12449 Withlacoochee Blvd, Dade City, FL 33525. At the gate: Adults $22.95; Children 5-12 $14.95; four and under are free. Free parking, rain or shine. Tickets are on sale now and are available online at: https:// www.etix.com/ ticket/v/18455/bayarea-renaissance-festival For additional information including safety precautions and frequently asked
12 MAY 2021
questions, visit the webpage at: https:// www.bayarearenfest. com or call the office 1-800-601-4848 for more information. We can’t wait to Celebrate! Huzzah!
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14 MAY 2021
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MAY 2021 15
“Dental Wellness”
- continued from page 1 base of business professionals and others who worked in the heart of the city, in 2001 she moved her practice to where she had planted roots with her husband and growing family – Westchase. “I built my first “scratch” practice in Westchase in 2001 on Sheldon Road and have practiced in that community ever since! I love being close to home and serving my friends and neighbors. I don’t think I have ever had a trip to Publix without seeing a familiar face from the office,” said Dr. Creech. Since 2012, Dr. Creech continued to expand Tampa Dental Wellness from her flagship location in Westchase to a second location in central Carrollwood. “Both practices are very focused on the patient receiving the very best dentistry has to offer in terms of technology, variety of services available under one roof, customer service, technology and current treatment. We enjoy patients of all ages, even very little ones as young as a few years old. Parents of very young children or of children on their first visit generally have a parent accompany them into treatment rooms, but our goal is always to establish a trusting relationship with the child, and gradually most children are comfortable coming to see us for treatment without their parents in the room. With Covid-19 protocols, we aim to minimize any additional people in the office unless they are directly receiving care. We take safety of our patients and team very seriously!” Dr. Creech has invested in technologies, protocols and equipment to provide an extremely clean, safe environment where everyone can relax and know that they are being cared for with the utmost safety. As a “paperless” office, all records are digital. Payments and completion of routine forms can be completed in a touchless manner. Upon arrival at the office, patients remain in their car
16 MAY 2021
until they have completed a quick Covid Screening Text, a masked team member records their temperature, and then the patient is escorted directly to their treatment room to minimize contact with others or the need to touch general surfaces. “Along with our normally stringent sterilization and disinfections protocols, we are utilizing additional Hypochlorous Acid foggers to clean the office and treatment rooms between patients safely and very completely. All team members wear masks and/or faceshields at all times inside the building. Hand sanitizer is used frequently by all non-clinical staff, and appropriate physical distancing is carefully practiced. In the clinical areas, all team members wear PPE that includes full water resistant surgical gowns, headcovers, surgical masks and faceshields. Safety is first priority!” A typical first visit to Tampa Dental Wellness of Westchase and Carrollwood includes a medical and dental history “get to know you” dialogue, diagnostic digital xrays, a complete examination by the dentist and the dental hygienist using The Florida Probe, which measures around each tooth and can aid detection of what may have been “silent” gum disease issues, an oral cancer screening, and pictures of the inside of the mouth and the teeth displayed on a large screen TV to the
patient. Depending on the needs of the patient, the dental hygienist will complete her treatment. Finally, one of their friendly and knowledgeable front office team members will spend time with the patient to discuss any treatment needs that the doctor has diagnosed, and answering all questions. Dr. Creech does not believe in the term dental coward. “We take it seriously that dental anxiety is a very real and valid thing, and because of this, many years ago I attended what was at that time Medical College of Georgia Dental School to receive my training and certificate in IV and oral conscious sedation. Whether it be as simple as warm blankets and lip balm, to creating a unique sedation protocol that fits the needs of the fearful patient, we go to every length possible to make our patients comfortable during their visits with us. My greatest joy is seeing patients that were initially almost too afraid to enter the building, or sit in the chair come back year after year with a smile now, and no longer needing to be sedated for treatment. That is a great testament to my amazing team!” Services at Tampa Dental Wellness of Westchase and Carrollwood cover the gamut from Sedation Dentistry, placement and installation of dental implants, porcelain veneers, full mouth reconstruction, dental crowns,
smile makeovers, dental bonding, teeth whitening, scaling and root planing, and tooth extraction. “I am blessed with an amazing group of professionals that work with me at both offices. The dental hygienists are absolute experts in educating their patients about their health, and they take very personal interest in each and every one and truly care that each person has the information, tools and encouragement to improve and then maintain their oral condition,” she said. “My two associate doctors, Dr. Connie Leal and Dr. Nicole Madahvieh are very knowledgeable, friendly and gentle. Between the 3 doctors, we provide scheduling flexibility and are able to make sure that we can see any patient that has a need very quickly.” Dr. Creech eagerly admits to being a continuing education junkie, having received advanced training in Implantology. “I now spend a considerable part of my practice placing dental implants to restore my patients’ smiles and dental health. I can anchor a loose denture for my seniors so that they can eat, talk and smile comfortably again, replace a single lost tooth without having to damage neighboring teeth for a bridge, or even replace a full mouth of missing teeth with implants. I love surgery, and I have to say this is one of the parts of my practice that brings me the greatest satisfaction.”
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Dr. Creech loves giving back to the patients and communities that welcomed her. From Patient Appreciation basket giveaways, complimentary teeth polishing to brides and grooms-to-be before their big day, Dr. Amy’s Annual Halloween Candy Buy-back and other things to supporting the local elementary, middle and high schools with sponsorships, sponsor youth sports teams and
more every year, they love their communities. When asked what makes a good dentist, Dr. Creech responded, “I truly believe dentists are some of the most caring, empathetic members of the healthcare community. We tend to be detail oriented, sensitive and creative. I would say that actively listening to each person, taking time to hear what
a person expects and desires is just as important as looking for what a person needs, treatment wise. Establishing a relationship is paramount, because a doctor patient relationship is best when it involves mutual trust.” Accepting new patients and inviting entire families, Tampa Dental Wellness of Westchase and Carrollwood is located at 11321 Countryway Blvd.
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(Westchase) and 11123 N Dale Mabry Hwy. (Carrollwood). They take most insurance PPO plans, and offers a Savings Plan for patients who do not have dental insurance so that they can receive two annual preventive visits with the dental hygienist, xrays and exams as well as significant savings on all other treatment. For more information, visit her website at tampadentalwellness.net or call 813.855.2273 (Westchase) and 813.265.2273 (Carrollwood) to schedule an appointment.
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18 MAY 2021
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