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ORLANDO GRAND ROUNDS
The Physicians Society of Central Florida Welcomes Dr. Charles Chase as President
The PSCF held the 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting on January 26th and welcomed Dr. Charles Chase as the 3rd President of the organization. Dr. Ryan Hall was recognized for his year of service to the PSCF in 2020 as was Dr. Darin Wolfe for his service as President of the PSCF Foundation over the past year. Dr. Cecil Wilson was presented with the Dr. James Wood Hicks Lifetime Achievement Award and honored for his years of service to the medical community.
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The PSCF also welcomed American Medical Association President, Susan R. Bailey, MD as a guest speaker as well as FMA President, Michael Patete, MD. Both shared what the state and national associations have done in response to the pandemic and plan to do moving forward as the vaccination campaign moves along. If you were unable to make the meeting, you can watch a copy of the recording by clicking below. View the Meeting
New Interactive Dashboard Reveals Health Opportunities for Seminole County Residents
Central Florida Regional Hospital Earns Three-Year CARF Accreditation
County Health Rankings from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation help provide a standard for understanding how healthy we are overall, ranging from healthy behaviors such as regular exercise to outcomes such as rates of chronic disease.
2. The leading cause of death in Seminole County is cancer.
Understanding the leading causes of death in our state and community is key to identifying and addressing barriers to optimal health. In 2018, Seminole County reported a rate of 145.3 cancer deaths compared to the
State of Florida with a rate of 141.7. The most common cause of cancer deaths in Florida and Seminole County is lung cancer. 3. In Seminole County, 43,707 people (10%) are without health insurance. For uninsured workers and their families, obtaining insurance coverage can be cost prohibitive.
The 2019 U.S. Census data shows Seminole County healthcare coverage enrollment for Medicare is 3%,
Private Insurance is 80% (Affordable Care Act, direct pay, and employer insurance is included in private insurance), and Medicaid/public 8%.
Florida's VirtaMed Launches Surgical Gynecology Simulation Suite
A new dashboard, (https://dashboards.mysidewalk.com/ seminole-health/), designed by the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County and mySidewalk, gives Seminole residents insights into the social and economic drivers of health. At no time in recent history has attention to the root causes of health been so critical. The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a spotlight on public health; this comprehensive assessment takes the conversation beyond disease outcomes and explores the relationship between environments, behaviors, illness, and length of life. First Look At The Seminole County, Fl Community Health Dashboard This interactive dashboard gives the community access to health data indicators and allows residents to stay informed about what is happening in their county. Included are insights into social determinants of health, leading causes of death and disease, COVID-19 and other public health threats. The graphs and maps are available for public download, and all of the data is exportable in multiple formats. Some compelling findings include: 1. Seminole County is ranked 3rd out of 67 counties in Florida for Health Outcomes and 2nd for Health Factors. The need to learn surgical skills outside the clinical environment has never been greater: COVID-19 pandemic has reduced medical training opportunities in the traditional apprenticeship method, with fewer elective procedures and reduced access for residents to operating rooms. VirtaMed has the world leading validated simulator for hysteroscopy training, and an innovative solution for the acquisition of laparoscopic skills. Unique to VirtaMed’s Gynecological Laparoscopy simulator is the ability to correctly position the patient, surgeons and assistant for a gynecological procedure, and to appropriately place trocars. For the first time, this gives the gynecological trainee a simulation set up that reflects what they will encounter in the operating room, rather than inheriting positions derived from general surgery training. Laparoscopic procedures can be time consuming, and VirtaMed’s innovative approach uses task decomposition to teach key skills needed for ureter identification, tubal patency and ligation, and management of ectopic pregnancies. Organ-specific tissue feedback during tasks such as grasping and cutting, and accurate fluid simulation mirror a real-life experience, Central Florida Regional Hospital, an affiliate of HCA Healthcare’s North Florida Division – Orlando Market, announced its acute inpatient rehabilitation program has again earned three-year accreditation from CARF International. Central Florida Regional Hospital’s CARF recognition represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an inpatient rehabilitation program, highlighting the hospital’s conformance to CARF’s high standards for continuous performance improvement. An organization receiving a three-year accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable and of the highest quality. “Since its founding, Central Florida Regional Hospital has been dedicated to providing our community with highquality healthcare,” said Trey Abshier, CEO. “By striving for and receiving a prestigious three-year CARF accreditation, our inpatient rehabilitation team demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest quality care to patients striving to regain their independence and quality of life after a serious illness or injury.” CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process, as well as continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (now known as CARF International), the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services. For more information about the accreditation process, please visit the CARF website at www.carf.org. allowing for skill translation to the operating room.
VirtaMed’s hysteroscopy training has been updated for 2021 to include 16 cases for MyoSure® tissue removal, added to over 50 cases in diagnostics, polypectomy, myomectomy, tissue ablaOrlando Health Cuts Ribbon on tion and advanced electrosurgical resection. All cases include competency-based objective feedback and a variety of patholo- Newest Hospital in Central Florida gies with increasing procedural difficulty, including complica- WINTER GARDEN - Orlando Health held a ribbon- higher level of care to the residents who call this communition handling. cutting ceremony for its newest facility, the Orlando Health ty home,” said Wetzel, “but we’ve built the medical campus
VirtaMed believes combining the highlights of the new - Horizon West Hospital. Located in Winter Garden in the in such a way that as Horizon West grows, our facilities LaparoS with all the experience from GynoS Hysteroscopy rapidly developing community of Horizon West, Orlando can also grow to meet the inevitable growth in demand for will be a great step forward in safe, realistic, proficiency- Health leaders, physicians and team members were on hand healthcare services.” based healthcare simulation training for surgical gynecology. to celebrate the completion of the latest phase of the Hori- The hospital’s patient bed tower is adjacent to the The simulator will continue to be aligned with the Accredi- zon West medical campus. Horizon West Hospital will be the 78,000 sq. ft. emergency department and medical pavilion tation Council for Graduate Medical Education and Europe- health system’s 10th acute care facility and the organization’s Orlando Health opened on the site in September 2018. an Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynecology training first newly constructed hospital in more than 15 years. The emergency department includes 24 total patient exam guidelines and milestones. “We’re very excited to be here today to celebrate another rooms and six patient observation rooms and the medical
VirtaMed is the world leader in data-driven medical edu- milestone for our Horizon West medical campus,” said Brian pavilion features services that include primary care, family cation using mixed reality simulators for minimally invasive Wetzel, chief operating officer, Orlando Health – Horizon medicine, OB/GYN, general surgery, laboratory, orthopediagnostic and therapeutic interventions in obstetrics and West Hospital. “We’ve been proud to serve the growing dics, neurology, urology, cardiology, pharmacy, outpatient gynecology, including ultrasound, hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, community of Horizon West since we opened our emergen- rehabilitation and a center for health improvement. IUD placement and embryo transfer. VirtaMed simulators cy department and medical pavilion here in 2018 and the The hospital is set to begin receiving patients on January provide the most realistic training environment, combining hospital is a vital piece of our community commitment.” 30. Once fully operational, the Orlando Health – Horizon photorealistic graphics with adapted surgical instruments and The six-story, 228,000 sq. ft. facility will initially open West Hospital will create more than 150 new permanent anatomically correct rubber models. with 30 acute care patient beds, four surgery suites, a cath lab healthcare jobs in phase 1 of operations. The total hospi-
Physicians around the world use the VirtaMed GynoS™ to and imaging services including MRI, X-Ray and CT, and was tal project cost is $145 million. Orlando-based Robins & learn in a risk-free training environment, and VirtaMed has constructed with the capacity to add an additional 90 patient Morton Corp. is the project general contractor and Huntonpartnered with medical societies and associations to develop beds, surgery suite and cath lab to meet future demands. Brady Architects PA is the architect. standardized simulation courses using competency-based “The hospital not only allows us to provide an even proficiency assessments and eligible for Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credits. 15 || ORLANDOMEDICALNEWS.COM || FEBRUARY 2021
DOH-Marion Continues to Increase Vaccine Efforts in Community; Residents Able To Pre-Register For Vaccine
The Florida Department of Health in Marion County is increasing the number of COVID-19 vaccinations it provides in the community. DOH-Marion provided 3,508 vaccinations at the Paddock Mall last week; this week, a total of 6,597 vaccinations are scheduled at the mall.
The number of vaccinations is increasing as the first large group of individuals who need their second dose of vaccine are having their appointments. Days of operation at the mall vaccination site continue to expand to accommodate the increase in vaccinations. Vaccinations are now provided Monday through Friday and some select Saturdays. Hours of operation run from approximately 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. depending on the number of doses scheduled per day.
Vaccinations are available by appointment only. The site is a joint venture of the Department of Health in Marion County, AdventHealth Ocala, Marion County Emergency Management and Paddock Mall. The site provides both Moderna and Pfizer vaccine.
The state of Florida has developed a statewide COVID-19 vaccine pre-registration system. Through signing up in the system, residents are placed in a queue to be proactively contacted once vaccine is available in their community at state-supported vaccination sites.
To pre-register for vaccine in Marion County, visit https://myvaccine.fl.gov/ or call 866-201-6768 (833-476-1519 TTY). For questions relating to sign-ups, residents can call 833-540-2070.
Residents who have already pre-registered with the Department of Health in Marion County during its COVID-19 vaccine signups in late December and early January do not need to sign up for vaccine through the new state site. DOH-Marion will continue to contact and schedule individuals for vaccinations through its original pre-registration system. Once this effort is complete, the department will begin pulling registrants from the new state system vaccination queue.
Encompass Health Rehabilitation
After suffering a stroke, Thomas Bologna, 64, had little hope that he would be able to return to his former life.
When he entered Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Ocala, he was skeptical that therapy could make a difference. He had Bells palsy, and the stroke left him extremely weak on the left side.
He needed assistance with what were once automatic tasks, such as walking, getting out of the bed and dressing himself. It was those basic tasks that he wanted to return to, so he could care for himself, as well as his beloved dog.
Though Thomas was skeptical that therapy could help him at first, his care team quickly changed his attitude.
During his two weeks at Encompass Health Ocala, Thomas participated in extensive physical and occupational therapy that focused on improving his strength, balance, gait and mobility and activities of daily living.
He practiced using adaptive equipment for self-care and walking. His care team also used various neurodevelopment treatment approaches to aid in his recovery.
“He consistently gave 100% and smiled even when his therapy was challenging,” said Andrea, his physical therapist. “He never said no and was a true inspiration to others.”
By the time Thomas left Encompass Health Ocala, he was walking 220 feet with a walker and was independent with transfers.
OCALA — AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE American: AIM) today announced that it has entered into a sponsorship agreement with the Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR) for the proposed AMP-COV-100 (CHDR2049) clinical study on the safety of AIM’s drug Ampligen as an intranasal therapy, a critical step in the company’s ongoing efforts to develop Ampligen as a COVID-19 treatment.
CHDR, an independent institute located in Leiden in the Netherlands, will conduct and manage the proposed clinical study, titled “A Phase I, Randomized, Double-Blind, PlaceboControlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Activity of Repeated Intranasal Administration of Ampligen (Poly I:Poly C12U) in Healthy Subjects.”
Current study plans call for the enrollment of eight healthy subjects in each of four Ampligen treatment groups and one placebo group, for a total of 40 healthy subjects. They will receive intranasal dosing every other day for 13 days, for a total of seven doses each.
AIM is funding the clinical study. The company is working to finalize the study protocol and will announce new information as it becomes available.
AIM ImmunoTech Inc. is an immunopharma company focused on the research and development of therapeutics to treat multiple types of cancers, immune disorders, and viral diseases, including COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
AIM ImmunoTech Enters into Agreement for Proposed Intranasal Safety Study of Ampligen New Daytona Beach VA Multi-Specialty Clinic
Jess Parrish Medical Foundation and Parrish Medical Center Auxiliary Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for Students Pursuing Career in Healthcare
The Orlando VA Healthcare System has awarded the lease for the Daytona Beach VA Multi-Specialty Clinic. Carnegie Management and Development Corporation will build and lease the new clinic. The Daytona Beach VA Multi-Specialty Clinic will be located off Williamson Blvd, just south of Technology Blvd (West of N. Williamson Blvd. and North of LPGA Blvd.), Daytona Beach, FL 32124.
The new clinic will provide 106,826 net square feet of space which allow services to be located in one facility. Services provided at the clinic will include primary care, mental health, specialty services, and support services such as radiology and lab. Parking at the new clinic will include 750 spaces.
The Daytona Beach VA Multi-Specialty Clinic design and construction is expected to be completed in the fall of calendar year 2023. Once construction is complete, the VA will install equipment and furniture prior to the clinic’s activation, and relocation of staff and services. Patients will be seen at the clinic in early 2024.
Jess Parrish Medical Foundation (JPMF) and Parrish Medical Center (PMC) Auxiliary are now accepting scholarship applications from high school seniors who plan to pursue a career in a medical or healthcare field. The organizations have combined their scholarship programs and will announce scholarship recipients in May 2021.
Scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school seniors who reside in the Parrish Medical Center service area. Undergraduate students pursuing a degree in the human health/medical field are also eligible to apply. Students must have a 3.0 grade point average or greater, based on a 4.0 scale. Students who have been awarded a JPMF scholarship in previous years may reapply provided they are continuing in a medical/healthcare field and have maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average. Graduate students are not eligible.
High school students who attend Astronaut High School, Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School and Titusville High School may obtain an application from the Guidance Office at their school. Others may obtain an application by calling the Jess Parrish Medical Foundation at 321-269-4066 or by visiting www.parrishmedfoundation.com/ scholarships. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, March 5, 2021.
Parrish Medical Group welcomes Dwarka Nath, MD, as its newest boardcertified physician in gastroenterology. Dr. Nath offers gastroenterology care at two convenient locations: Parrish Healthcare Center 5005 Port St. John Parkway, Cocoa, FL 32927 and Parrish Healthcare Center 250 Harrison Street, Titusville, FL 32780.
Dr. Nath completed his medical studies at Mysore Medical College of Mysore University, India. After postgraduate training in Bombay, he then went on to serve in Africa as a staff medical officer. For the past 38 years, Dr. Nath has been practicing gastroenterology and internal medicine in the United States.
Having presented on topics relating to gastroenterology and holding positions in a variety of practice committees, Dr. Nath is an active community leader. During his professional career, Dr. Nath has developed specialties in advanced endoscopic procedures and gallstone removals.
“I want to bring a gastrointestinal service of excellence to the Parrish community,” said Gastrointestinal Physician Dr. Dwarka Nath. “My goal is to provide care in early detection of cancer and advanced management of gastrointestinal cancer, ulcers, gallstones, liver diseases, and pancreatic disorders.”
Parrish Medical Group and Dr. Nath are accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, call 321-268-6868 for Titusville or 321-633-8660 for Port St. John.
