Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles. Westchase Magazine. Vol. 10, Issue 9, September 2021.

Vol. 10, Issue 9, September 2021

®

Your community. Your magazine. ™

The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To Over 15,000 Homes In Citrus Park, Westchase & Surrounding Areas This Independent Community News, Business & Dining Guide Is Directly Mailed Once Each Month To:

Arlington Park • Aston Villas • Bay Arbor • Berkeley Square • Calf Path Estates • Enclave At Citrus Park • Fawn Ridge Fawn Lake • Forest Lakes • Hampton Lakes • Highland Park • Lake Chase • Mandolin • The Eagles • Tree Tops Twin Branch Acres • Waterchase • West Hampton • Westchase • Westchester • Westwood Lakes • Windsor Place

TLC Spells Pediatric Associates

By Tom Bostock What do you get when you mix cutting edge medical knowledge and caring experience with a generous dose of tender loving care in a nurturing, supportive environment? Add the skills you get only after years of experience and you have the recipe for the success of Pediatric Associates, the largest private pediatric practice in Florida with offices throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Duval, Hillsborough, and Seminole counties, with additional offices in Texas and California. With availability 365 days a year, they are ready, willing, and able to provide quality medical help for your child with the exceptional services Pediatric Associates is

known for, whenever there is a need.

A sick or injured child can be a traumatic experience for the entire family. With the onset of the pandemic of COVID-19 and the latest highly infectious DELTA variant, attacking both children and adults, it is especially important now to have a local pediatrician you and your child can count on.

As their website notes,” with a focus on outstanding care and unshakeable enthusiasm, Pediatric Associates team members are a notch above the rest. Our most successful team members don’t see this as a job, but as an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our patients. Walk into any of our locations across Florida and

See “Pediatric Associates” on page 10

Board-Certified Pediatrician Dr. Gaud

Tre MedSpa and Tre Nail Lounge where Tre = Young Dr. Pham’s Prescription for Youthful Skin and Beautiful Nails When considering the vast array of options available for skincare, or the latest procedures for anti-aging, many seek the counsel of an experienced and trusted physician, Dr. Ngoc Pham, MD. In addition to practicing medicine for over 20 years, Dr. Pham opened Tre MedSpa in response to her patients seeking aesthetic medical treatments ranging from Botox and Fillers to Laser Hair Removal and IPL (to treat sun damage and age spots).

Other services include Facials, Dermaplaning, Chemical Peels, Microdermabrasion, and Micro-

Needling.

Tre Medspa has been open since 2016 and has built a significant following of clients that have seen excellent results. They are now proud to introduce the latest addition to the spa, Tre Nail Lounge, a beautiful new facility next door that features manicure and pedicure services, waxing and facials, eyebrow tinting in addition to mani/pedis for kids. Tre Nail Lounge offers you the latest generation of nail trends in a unique upscale atmosphere. They have added See “Tre Med Spa” on page 12

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Editor....................5

Easidance Ballroom..............8

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Explore Tampa Bay - Support Local Businesses!

I’ve lived in Tampa Bay since 2004, and I am still surprised at the amount of hidden local gems I have yet to explore.

From adorable boutiques to food trucks and everything in between, Tampa Bay has numerous amazing small businesses just waiting for you to visit!

With the pandemic numbers still rising, and with many business owners struggling to stay afloat, I am encouraging everyone to continue supporting your locally owned stores.

Explore your neighborhood and surrounding areas for small shops that offer goods and services you would normally purchase online or at big chain corporations. There are hundreds of businesses around you that are dying for an opportunity to win you as a customer.

People that will greet you by name when you first walk in, people that still believe in family values and that go above and beyond to make you feel appreciated for your business.

During one of my “adventures” exploring local shops, I found myself at “Salty Paws” in Downtown Dunedin. It happens to be the first doggie ice cream shop in Florida, and it is a dream come true for any dog owner in town! Salty Paws Dunedin is owned and operated

by Florida native Robyn Nackino, and Michelle Bimble, who has lived in Tampa since 1999. Robyn and Michelle are family-oriented women who enjoy supporting local businesses and have a passion for animals. I encourage everyone to spend a day exploring Dunedin and its multiple small local businesses, including Salty Paws! But be careful though, their “dog treats” look

so beautiful and delicious that you may be tempted to bite one!

Recently, my mother and I have found ourselves on the fun quest to find Tampa Bay’s most unique “locally-owned coffee shop.” We spend every weekend supporting one new coffee shop/bakery in town, getting to know the owners, and exploring their menu options. Our dates are usually less than $20 and we leave having made new friends in a new place.

By doing this we’re not only supporting small businesses, but we’ve also gotten to know our city better and all the wonderful things it has to offer.

For information on art festivals, concerts, farmers markets, and other local events in town please get online and visit https://www.unation.com/fl/ tampa-bay or eventbrite.com for the latest information on local activities.

Another great way to support local organizations is through volunteering.

The scope of the need is unprecedented.

If you have the time and resources to volunteer at any local non-profit, please don’t hesitate. In these trying times, your help is always needed.

Metropolitan Ministries and Feeding Tampa Bay are organizations that are always looking for volunteers, and they help ensure that local families can find help when they need it most.

If you’re ready to start, visit https:// www.metromin.org/volunteering-areas/ and https://feedingtampabay.org/ respectively.

Stay safe and stay kind, always!

Carla Dubis Tedeschi

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Easidance Ballroom Celebrates Twenty Years Bringing Social and Competitive Dance Training to Carrollwood

By Deborah Bostock-Kelley

wanted more control over their travel schedule, they decided to In September, Easidance open a dance studio on Gunn Ballroom is celebrating its twentieth Highway in Tampa, then settled anniversary in its Carrollwood into their permanent Carrollwood location. Owners, husband and wife, location four years later.

Timothy and Michele Mason, are From six years old to millennials renowned in the professional dance to business people, retirees, and circuit in both the United Kingdom professionals looking for trainers, and America.

Easidance Ballroom caters to ages Originally from the United and all experience levels. Timothy Kingdom, Michele started dancing and Michele take pride that whether at the tender age of 4 and learning competitive dance, a Timothy from 8. choreographed first wedding “Our paths finally crossed dance, a dance to feel comfortable in 1987, into 1988, where we on the dance floor, or simply an were both looking for new dance opportunity to socialize with likepartners. I was professional, and she minded dance enthusiasts, everyone was in the high amateur ranks. We is treated like family. got together and had a successful Thirty-three five-star Google tryout for a month and took it to reviews attest to “top-notch our coaches, who liked it. We then instructors and an atmosphere formed a professional partnership. second to none.”

We continued to train and study “We teach all levels of dance – under our coaches in the U.K. and people who are wanting to have a compete in the European circuit.” new hobby, maybe a date night for In their early twenties, an some, and competitors. We offer it opportunity arose for Timothy and all at the studio,” he said. “There Michele to embark on a four-andare so many benefits of dance, not a-half-year contract in New York just the joy that brings to people.

City to work in one of the leading Some people are dancing for studios in Manhattan. They began fitness. They come to us and say, ‘I competing in the American circuit can’t do the treadmill thing and the as well as the European circuit. bike. I love music, and I want your By the time the couple ballroom studio to be my gym.’” retired from competitive dance, Ballroom dancing is as physical they had ranked second in the as going to the gym; however, less U.S. and eleventh in the world. stressful on the joints and muscles.

A professional partnership and Dancing can also be healing friendship turned to love, and the in those who have dementia couple married in 1994 and moved and has been prescribed as part to the Tampa Bay area. of therapy. Because Ballroom In 1999, they retired from dancing is mentally challenging as competing, though continued to it requires listening and problemtravel, doing shows, coaching, solving, studies have found that this judging, and lectures. As they challenge to the mind may prevent

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or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s in older adults. Because ballroom dancing involves precise physical activity, listening to the beats in music, remembering dance steps, and taking a dance partner into account, it is mentally stimulating.

“So many articles have come out proving how it is an effective form of exercise physically and also psychologically. Studies have come out showing how in later years it is successful in keeping seniors’ minds active with the thought of learning to dance, step patterns, and coordination – aside of the physical complements that it has.”

Ballroom dancing is not a solo experience. It requires communication and teamwork and helps build friendship bonds and a sense of community. Much like the owners themselves, romantic relationships have been born from holding hands and consciously listening and responding to the

moves of your dance partner.

“There’s been many stories how dance changes people’s lives.

Maybe someone has lost a loved one, and they’ve been for years set indoors, and they find the courage to go back out again. They walk into the studio, and it opens up a new lease on life both with a new set of friends and family and exercise, and a whole new social world that wasn’t available to them before.”

It isn’t just about the social aspect of dancing; Easidance is recognized as a place that trains champions to reach the highest level of competitive dancing.

“We’ve had some students taken from what, we consider, a bronze level, and they’ve gone on to be national champions in the ProAm level, where the student is dancing with their instructor. We train people not just looking at dance as a hobby, but a dynamic sport.”

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of dance. They discover self-confidence, grace, and poise, and the ability to communicate with others.

Easidance Ballroom’s mission is to create a safe, nonjudgmental place where anyone – no matter what the level of experience – can have a fun time learning to dance.

“We’ve three options: private, group, and social dances. Typically, students embark on all three. We hear stories from couples, ‘we go out to a lovely meal, and we sit there and watch other people dance. We don’t want to be the person anymore. Help us.’ It’s our goal to help them feel more confident on the dance floor.”

Easidance Ballroom is located at 5111 Ehrlich Road, Suite 140.

Coming out of the pandemic, masks are optional from June 1st and will be worn by instructors if requested. 40--minute private lessons are available weekdays daily, morning, afternoon, and evening.

Group lessons are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Social dances are Friday evenings. Call (813) 908-3340 and learn more at easidanceballroom.com.

Whether a student is seeking private lessons working one-on-one or in a group setting, Easidance has a class for all interests. These include Latin-flavored dance classes in Mambo/Salsa, Rumba, Merengue, Bachata, and Cha Cha, and timeless dance floor classics of Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Tango, Bolero, Quickstep, Paso Doble, Jive, Foxtrot, East Coast Swing, Country Two Step, Line Dances, and Hustle.

Timothy and Michele also host weekly social dances.

The couple finds joy in witnesses firsthand the transformation of someone learning to love to dance. Timothy relayed a story of how a young woman came to the studio and sat in her car in the parking lot numerous times before finally taking a deep breath, braving walking through the doors, and learning to gain self-confidence through dance.

With over two decades of touching lives, Timothy explained that there were many similar stories of introverted teens, adults, and senior citizens that came out of their shells and blossomed through the social community

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“Pediatric Associates” continued from page 1

you will truly see the fruits of our patient-first philosophy. This compassion carries through everything we do and is seen in every personal interaction - we are the embodiment of Pediatric Associates values.”

The latest addition to the Pediatric Associates family in Tampa Bay is conveniently located in Citrus Park at 12871 Citrus Plaza, Tampa, FL 33625.

Led by eminently qualified, and board-certified pediatrician, Dr. Gaud, I purposely wrote ‘family’ in referring to the newest facility because that was the way she proudly referred to the practice and her patients in our recent telephone interview. She noted she can provide services for her patients from newborn until they reach the age of twenty-one and are ready to move on to a general practitioner.

Dr. Gaud brings an interesting background to her practice of medicine. She was born in Puerto Rico and attended

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the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, graduating in 1992. While in medical school, she had the opportunity to intern in Miami Children’s Hospital.

She became interested in and wanted to take advantage of more extensive opportunities and the latest technologies, moving to the United States, and completing her Pediatric Residency at the University of Florida, HSCJ; it wasn’t surprising she specialized in Pediatrics.

Dr. Gaud said her mother told her she had told her she wanted to be a baby doctor before she was even ten.

Rotations in surgery, emergency medicine, as well as a host of other specialties solidified her choice of pediatric medicine as her lifetime career. Almost thirty years later, Dr. Gaud’s many satisfied patients can attest to the fact that she made the right choice.

Dr. Gaud’s enthusiasm for Pediatric Associates and the facilities they offer her young patients was contagious. Unlike most typical children’s practices, hers offers in-house lab facilities

for routine blood and urine diagnostic testing, minimizing the trauma to a child. “Children,” Dr. Gaud noted, “are fun to work with.” We become part of each other’s family. They become my kids in a way.”

Even when the doctor requires more extensive diagnostic testing, the actual blood draw, or specimen to be tested, is obtained in the friendly, familiar surroundings of the Pediatric Associates office, with the test forwarded to local,

specialized labs for processing.

The office then calls the family as soon as the results are available.

It effectively helps to reduce a child’s stress.

Dr. Gaud was especially excited about the proprietary ‘KidzDocNow’ telemedicine platform offered by Pediatric Associates. Much like Zoom or other media communications platforms, it offers the convenience of telecommunications from any device after downloading the

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free app. The app makes it easy to see a doctor from anywhere at anytime from a cell phone, tablet, computer, or similar computer equipment.

Although there are other programs, there is one important difference noted on the Pediatric Associates website: “Every provider is a board-certified pediatrician or pediatric-trained advanced practice provider. Your child will never be seen by an adult practitioner. Our providers are experts in virtual care, and for the most part, KidzDocNow is a full-time job. It is 24/7/365 access to pediatric care on the go or from the comfort of the home.”

See KidzDocNow.us.

With the specter of Covid-19 coronavirus impacting every industry and business, medicine is no exception. Pediatric Associates has instituted CDC recommended procedures to protect both their patients and their families. Prior to the onset of the current level of COVID infections, they began controlling the number of patients waiting, and the duration of their wait time to reduce potential

exposure to the virus. The staff employs all required safety measures to limit the possibly of exposure.

Their website contains a wealth of useful information regarding possible infection.

“Pediatric Associates is committed to the well-being of all children and to providing the safest environment for patients, employees, physicians, and our community. We are dedicated to providing you with the most informative and accurate information.”

Do you know what you need to know to protect yourself from the COVID-19 coronavirus? The Pediatric Associates website offers a wealth of information in easy-to-understand language.

With some of the more severe symptoms including “fever, cough, and shortness of breath,” the disease, the website reminds us, “some people may have no symptoms at all.”

Spread mainly by personto-person contact through sneezing, the sick person infects others through the droplets he sprays around. It may take up

to fourteen days for an infected person to become sick and you should allow at least twenty-four hours after they no longer show any symptoms.

The disease can also spread by touching something infected with the virus and then touching your face, eyes, nose, or mouth. The site also offers some commonsense suggestions to avoid infection, including washing hands for at least twenty seconds with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

There may be many other pediatric practices to choose

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from in Florida, but there is only one whose locations provide caring, supportive family-centered services, Pediatric Associates. If your child needs medical attention, Pediatric Associates should be your destination of choice. They are as close as your phone. In the Citrus Park area, call Dr. Gaud at 813 471 4445 and your child will receive compassionate care in our welcoming, nurturing surroundings. We love what we do and are waiting for your call.

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“Tre Med Spa”

continued from page 1 amenities such as heated neck warmers, ample comfy modern seating, smartphone charges at each station, as well as complimentary beverages and snacks.

“This salon is amazing! So beautiful and clean,” says Donna W. on her 5-star google review. “The staff was friendly, very professional, and made me feel welcome. They wore face shields and gloves. Drinks, treats, and even heated neck pillows are offered. My nail tech did a great job which included a long leg & foot massage. I will definitely return!”

Located next door to Tre MedSpa at 11011 Countryway Boulevard in the Westchase area of Tampa, Tre Nail Lounge is the next level of modern salons. Discover a new authentic spa experience where luxury and pampering meet impeccable detail.

The stylish, elegant, and upscale atmosphere and the calming ambiance of Tre Nail Lounge is the vision of Dr. B. Ngoc Pham.

She has put her personal touch in making sure her clients are WOWED the moment they walk in. And being a physician, she is very mindful and specific in providing exquisite services that focus on hygiene and cleanliness that meet medical standards. Dr.

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Pham has set specific safety protocols at her nail salon that are strictly followed. For example, BRAND NEW nail files, buffers, and pumice stones are used for every client, and they are DISCARDED after each use.

“Impeccable attention to detail at Tre Nail starting from the ambiance, decor to services and all the little extra touches,” says regular Yelena M. on her recent 5-star google review. “The lounge is absolutely beautiful and spotlessly clean. You are greeted by uniformed staff and offered a beverage and a snack. The environment is more spa-like than a nail salon. I typically get a dip manicure and pedicure by

Dr. Ngoc Pham, MD Michelle and is very detailed and a perfectionist. Highly recommend!”

In addition, all metal instruments used are cleaned with medicalstandard Cavicide, a hospital-grade disinfectant that kills bacterial/viral/ fungal organisms. Then they are ALL placed in a hospital-grade autoclave machine that heats up to 270 degrees to provide a higher level of sanitation.

Nail industry standards do not require

such measures, but Dr. Pham adds these extra medical-grade sanitation steps at her nail salon.

Other safety measures that are followed due to Covid at Tre Nail Lounge are as follows: Fiberglass partitions are placed at each manicure station.

Every client is asked to wash their hands immediately.

Every technician is required to wear a mask.

They go above and beyond to ensure that each client is being pampered and getting exceptional services and that those services are rendered with the client’s safety and comfort in mind.

“This is a phenomenal salon!

I’ve been getting my nails done for 12 years and have visited many salons,” says local and TreNail Lounge regular Brandy H. “This salon knows what it means to have a satisfied customer! Their attention to detail and cleanliness is top-notch. They are extremely friendly and cater to your every need. You feel like you are a true VIP in every sense of the word.

TreNail Salon is a MUST when getting all of your ‘me time’ needs fulfilling.”

At Tre Medspa, a face-to-face consultation is recommended to learn more about individual patient needs and empower patients with information so that doctor and

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patient can collaboratively make informed decisions about the best treatment for the desired outcome. As a board-certified physician, Dr. Pham and her staff place the highest priority on the safety and efficacy of all treatments. Each patient is viewed as an individual, and the spa itself has been designed with patient comfort in mind.

After a thorough analysis of each patient on whom she performs a oneon-one skin/facial evaluation. She takes time to explain exactly what and why she is recommending a particular treatment and how it is performed. She also offers and uses an AccuVein, a handheld scanner that detects the superficial blood vessels beneath a patient’s skin. Dr. Pham can mark off areas of concern, making it easier for her to avoid those vessels, thus significantly reducing the risk of bruising. For clients seeking anti-aging with the use of dermal filler injections, Dr. Pham offers the microcannula technique. This specialized technique is used instead of needles to inject fillers. Using a microcannula can significantly reduce bruising and other issues that can be more often seen with the traditional needle technique. Clients are amazed at their results with very minimal bruising.

“Amazing staff who practices professionalism, cleanliness, and friendliness!

I loved how the Dr took the time to educate me and customize the procedure for my needs,” says Jennifer K. on her 5-star review. “I have been getting botox, filler, etc., for over seven years, and this was the first time I felt prepared before, during, and after. I will definitely be returning!”

Education is an essential part of the patient-physician relationship with Dr. Pham. She was awarded the Residency Award for Outstanding Teaching while serving as Chief Resident for the Ochsner Family Practice Residency Program in New Orleans. She first launched her Medspa back in 2004. Her clients often say that Dr. Pham spends a lot of time explaining each treatment or procedure thoroughly and answers all their questions in detail.

While practicing medicine, Dr. Pham views aesthetics as part of a comprehensive approach to patient care. “I enjoy talking to and educating patients about their skin health, focusing on a comprehensive medical approach to guide me in advising what procedures or skin regimens are safe or most effective for my patients. The goal is to work with my patients to help them feel more youthful and look younger. I focus on enhancing their natural features and not making patients look like someone else; instead, we create a more youthful and refreshed version of themselves.”

A study reported in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology demonstrated that improving aging appearance from a combined facial aesthetic treatment (like Botox/Dysport and fillers) improved social confidence and psychological wellbeing in the patients studied. Botox or Dysport is used to relax facial muscles to help reduce wrinkles gently. At the same time, the dermal filler is a gelatin-like substance that replaces/replenishes volume to the face as we age and start to develop areas of hollowing or sagging to our facial features/frame. Dr. Pham offers both of these treatments to help rejuvenate and give clients a refreshed and youthful look.

Two other highlighted procedures offered at Tre MedSpa are Kybella and PDO thread lift. Kybella is an injectable solution that dissolves the fat under the chin (the dreaded double chin area). It is a quick and permanent treatment.

The PDO thread lift (lunchtime facelift) uses dissolvable threads to gently lift the sagging skin around the lower face, jowls, and cheek to give you a more tightened and youthful appearance. The results of both are excellent!

Helping people look and feel younger was a primary motivation behind Dr. Pham’s Tre MedSpa. “I have a great interest in aesthetics,” said Dr. Pham.

“Coming from a medical background, I have done thorough research into all the devices and procedures that we offer, and we have prioritized those that are evidence-based and minimally invasive. For instance, we use micro-cannulas that are much less painful than standard needles. I select treatments that are more comfortable, safe, and effective for my patients. The safety of my clients is a top priority, and we follow rigorous protocols.”

Understanding that patients have many choices in nail services, skincare, and aesthetic treatments, Dr. Pham and her staff operate Tre MedSpa, and Tre Nail Lounge as a medical facility that follows the strictest guidelines for patients care and protocols for safety. In addition, they have over 15 years of experience in providing state-of-the-art care that makes patients look younger and feel better.

Call to set up your consultation at either location, located at 11013 Countryway Blvd. in Tampa. Tre MedSpa is open Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sat. by appointment only.

Tre Nail Lounge is open seven days a week. For more information, call (813) 749-0918 or visit www.tremedspa.com and www.trenaillounge.com.

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