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A passion
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ON THE COVER
CONTENTS
6 8 9 10 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 25 26
18
spring
21
Letter from the editor / Here’s the dish Community calendar / Endorphin source Construction starts on next phase of Brevard Medical City in Suntree Dr. Lebron – A passion to serve Smartphone app studies heart health YMCA, Florida Blue team up to combat diabetes Pinsky pairs prevention with top performance Florida Dermatology Associates opens Suntree office Haridopolos launches medical practice in Viera
Viera MD nabs gold and silver at ADDY Awards Viera Medical Mile a road to recovery Suntree family credited for new fetal surgery advances Robot surgery a Central Florida first Health screening at Viera Stadium FL Health Care Association sets 2015 legislative priorities
4 | VIERA MD MAGAZINE
2015
22
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letter from the editor
Take a walk alo n g Vi era ‘M edic al Mile’ T
he town of Viera has long been in the works according to a master plan, and now that plan is paying off big time in the medical field. The three sons of Andrew Duda purchased the cattle ranch in the 1940s as much for family R&R than as for commerce. In the 1960s when it was decided that an interstate highway would slice through the A. Duda & Sons property, a plan was hatched to one day develop the land on either side of I-95 into what is now called Viera. (Here’s your fun trivia fact for the day: While DUDA is known nationwide for growing produce [flip over that package of Dandy brand celery and you’ll find that uppercase four-letter word], no edibles have ever grown in Brevard soil, and sod production didn’t start until the 1970s.)
The placement of Health First Viera Hospital in what is now the developing area of west Viera created the anchor needed to draw a new medical community to the area. It will be the center of a growing medical arts community similar to Holmes Regional Medical Center, another Health First hospital that was once the place to go for residents in the Suntree and now Viera communities. Increasingly, to the delight of local residents, the 30-minute drive for healthcare is no longer required. Not far away, and even more conveniently tucked into a residential area, is what we at Viera MD have coined the Viera Medical Mile. Spyglass Hill Road, from Murrell Road to Baytree Drive, is packed with every type of medical practice or diagnostic service imaginable, from pre-infancy to end-of-life care, and many a specialty condition in between. Everything is new and state of the art, typically with upscale design inside and out. Viera residents love it for the convenience, and it could not be more handy for Suntree residents, because zoning from Baytree Drive east to Pinehurst Avenue is all residential. Doctors love spending their workdays in a place that would be great to live, and many of them do, making it convenient for them as well. As a Suntree resident with children, I concur with everything Viera resident Kristen Cook says in the article on Medical Mile on page 20. It could not be better placed. Mike Gaffey
HERE’S THE DISH INGREDIENTS (Makes 4 servings) :
• 1 pound beets, stems/tails removed • 2 teaspoons olive oil • dash of red pepper flakes • Salt and pepper to taste (optional) • 2 cups watermelon puree (place in watermelon in blender and liquify) • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar • 1 tablespoon cooking sherry • Salt (optional) • 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil • 5 cups baby lettuce • 1/4 of a watermelon thinly sliced and cut into triangles • 1/4 cup low-fat crumbled blue cheese
6 | VIERA MD MAGAZINE
vieramd.com Spring 2015 • Volume 2, Number 2
BLUEWATER CREATIVE GROUP 7630 N. Wickham Rd. Suite 105 Viera, FL 32940 242.1235
EDITORS Managing Editor Jill Gaines Editor Mike Gaffey
LAYOUT & DESIGN Cory Davis
COVER PHOTOGRAPH Keith Betterley
WRITERS Mike Gaffey • Katie Parsons Maria Sonnenberg • Melinda Millsap George White • Linda Wiggins © 2015 All rights reserved. Bluewater Creative Group Inc. bluewatercreativegroup.com
A sister publication to Viera Voice. All material contained in Viera MD print or electronic versions is strictly copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Duplication or reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part is prohibited without permission of Bluewater Creative Group, Inc. We cannot accept liability for omissions or typographical errors. Listings, feature articles or advertisements do not constitute an endorsement. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. Viera MD is a free publication and is available at many Viera physician and other business offices.
Red Hot Beet and Watermelon Salad INSTRUCTIONS: Heat oven to 400 degrees.
1. Peel beets if desired. Slice into 1/2 inch
pieces and toss with 2 teaspoons olive oil, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper. Place on a cookie sheet and roast until firm, but slightly tender when pierced with a fork; approximately 25 minutes. Remove from oven to cool.
2. While beets are roasting, place water-
melon juice in a medium saucepan and simmer until reduced to 2/3 cup and mixture has a slight syrupy consistency. Add lemon juice, vinegar, sherry, and salt and return to a simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from heat, cool slightly, and add olive oil. Adjust seasonings.
3. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of dressing over
beets and toss. Place lettuce and 1 cup of watermelon in a large mixing bowl and toss with remaining dressing until thoroughly coated. Transfer greens and watermelon to 4 plates, top with beets and remaining watermelon chunks, then sprinkle blue cheese over the top.
Nutritional Analysis per serving: 224 Calories; 48 percent fat (12 grams); 2.6 grams saturated fat; 10 percent protein; 42 percent carbohydrate; 210 micrograms folate; 36 milligrams vitamin C; 104 milligrams calcium; 2.2 milligrams iron; 64 milligrams magnesium; 822 milligrams potassium; 198 milligrams sodium; 5.4 grams fiber
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Community Calendar Weekly Events: Viera Community Center 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way; 433-4891
May 3 Eat My Crust 5K Run/Walk, 7 a.m., Viera Pizza;information at vierapizza.com/emc.htm
Tuesdays and Saturdays: Yogi & You Family Yoga 9:15 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, 9:15 a.m. Saturdays
May 10 USA Beach Running Championship Half Marathon and 10K, Lori Wilson Park; half marathon at 6:30 a.m., 10K at 6:45 a.m. information at runonthebeach.com
Tuesdays and Thursdays: Zumba with Heidi, 8:50 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Tuesdays 10:15 to 11:10 a.m. Thursdays May 2: 13th Annual Caring Hearts Benefit, 3 p.m. at the home of Ed and Jeanne Andre, 3800 N. Riverside Drive, Indialantic 775-9530 May 2: Tropical Realty’s 11th Annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit Sturge-Weber Syndrome, 7:30 a.m. shotgun start Savannahs Golf Course, 3915 Savannahs Trail, Merritt Island 259-9115 May 11: Healthy Living Transformation, a free presentation on growing your own organic fruits and vegetables, 1 to 2 p.m. at One Senior Place, 8085 Spyglass Hill Road, Viera; 751-6771 June 13: Children’s Home Society of Brevard. Men’s & Women’s Doubles Tennis Tournament at Kiwi Tennis Club from 3 to 5 p.m; 773-7502
May 16 The Promise Walk for Preeclampsia 3K, 8 a.m., The Avenue Viera; information at promisewalk.org/spacecoast June 7 30th Annual Rotary Pineapple Man Triathlon 7 a.m., Ryckman Park; information at pineapple-man-tri.com June 13
ealth First For Your Heart 5K Run/Walk H 7 a.m., Space Coast Stadium; information at shelley.szafraniec@health-first.org
June 21 Indialantic Boardwalk Triathlon, 7 a.m. Nance Park; information at boardwalktri.com Submit upcoming calendar events to Partners@VieraMD.com
Vrinda Hershberger, MD
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8 | VIERA MD MAGAZINE
C ATA R A C T A N D L A S I K C E N T E R
CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON NEXT PHASE
of Brevard Medical City in Suntree BY MIKE GAFFEY its current location at 903 Jordan Blass Drive and surrounding it with other medical facilities. Eric Hardoon’s brother, Scott, a doctor, also works at the practice. When completed, Brevard Medical City will be an upscale, one-stop shop for residents’ medical needs, Eric Hardoon said. Aesthetically pleasing amenities will include a pavered entrance, a 6½-acre lake, fountains, and a lighted, public jogging trail. A large sign illuminated by LED lighting already has been installed at the complex’s Wickham Road entrance, and another sign has been erected at the Pineda Court entrance. A third LED sign eventually will be added, Hardoon said. The complex is investing heavily in landscaping to enhance its appearance and to attract buyers for offices planned at the site, Hardoon said. So far, the strategy of planting landscaping early is paying off, he said, as three of the 2,000-square-foot units already have been sold. “You can see there’s money put into the landscaping,” said Hardoon, who had a generator installed to suck up water from the facility’s man-made lake to irrigate newly planted trees and shrubs. “We’ve got 59 royal palms here. And you don’t see it from the road but around the lake we’ve got 105 foxtail palms lined up every 20 feet. It’s going to look really nice.”
Photos courtesy of Eric Hardoon
An aerial view shows construction underway at Brevard Medical City in Suntree.
W
ork has started on the newest phase of an all-in-one medical complex in Suntree.
Officials broke ground in March on Viera Diagnostic Center at Brevard Medical City, currently under construction on 24.5 acres at Wickham Road and Pineda Court. It will be a second location for Viera Diagnostic Center, which operates at 7000 Spyglass Court at Murrell Road.
To accommodate traffic, a new turn lane is planned along Wickham Road from Jordan Blass Drive north to Pineda Court, Eric Hardoon said. The Wickham Road-Jordan Blass Drive intersection is the site of Pineda Landings, a new shopping center under construction just south of Brevard Medical City. Both projects are being built by Melbourne-based Certified General Contractors. Brevard Medical City is expected to employ about 100 people, mostly medical professionals, Hardoon said. “It’s truly going to be a one-stop shop,” he said. “And if you’re in the assisted living facility, you can live there, too.” For information on obtaining medical office or retail space, email ehardoon@MeSiteWorks.com or call 407-505-9884. n
Construction of 22 professional condominiums at the site is scheduled to start in April, ME Site Works project developer Eric Hardoon said. Work on a 90-bed, HUD-financed assisted-living facility should begin in August or September, Hardoon added. “That’s going to make things very busy,” he said. The 15,000-square-foot diagnostic center should be finished by year’s end, “and we’ll be actively in construction of the assisted living facility” at that time, Hardoon said. The groundbreaking ceremony and condo construction precede a scheduled May grand opening of Suntree Internal Medicine’s new home, a two-story, 31,000-square-foot facility. Hardoon’s father, Dr. Abe Hardoon, purchased the Wickham Road property with a plan of eventually moving Suntree Internal Medicine from
Viera MD Cory Davis
A grand opening is planned in May for Suntree Internal Medicine’s new home, a two-story, 31,000-square-foot office that’s part of Brevard Medical City on Wickham Road. VIERA MD MAGAZINE
|9
A passion
to serve
By Melinda Millsap
My love of sports is the reason I got into physiatry >
T
ennis has influenced Dr. Juan Lebron throughout his life. Even now, as the medical director for HealthSouth Sea Pines Rehabilitation Hospital, he recalls how his interest in tennis brought him to where he is today. In addition to managing the rehabilitation hospital, Lebron is a physiatrist, also known as a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) doctor. Physiatrists treat disabilities resulting from injuries or disease. Lebron began playing tennis as a child and competed in college. This interest in sports led him to choose the medical field of physiatry where he could treat muscles and joints. “My love of sports is the reason I got into physiatry,” he explained. Both of his parents were in the medical field, so this choice came naturally for him. His mother was a nurse and his father a dentist. He credits both his parents for who he is today as a doctor. “My father gave me clinical insight and the inclination to investigate,” Lebron said. “My mother gave me the ability of caring and communicating with my patients.” Lebron said the best communication trait a doctor can have is the ability to listen because “75 percent of the information we get is from listening.” He emphasized that treating the patient also includes working with and talking to the family to help them cope with their loved one’s condition. Most of what he does as a PMR doctor is helping people avoid surgery. According to the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, physiatrists • Diagnose and treat pain • R estore maximum function lost through injury, illness or disabling conditions • Treat the whole person, not just the problem area • Lead a team of medical professionals • Provide non-surgical treatments • E xplain the patient’s medical problems and treatment/ prevention plan Some of the injuries Lebron and his team treat include stroke, brain injury, amputation, multiple-trauma, neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, hip fractures, and Continued on next page
VIERA MD MAGAZINE
| 11
Keith Betterly Photography
Acute rehabilitation setting like HealthSouth Sea Pines offer shorter stays and higher discharge rates
spinal cord injury. HealthSouth Sea Pines holds accreditation from The Joint Commission in Disease Specific Care for Stroke, Brain Injury and Hip Fracture. An interdisciplinary team oversees the care of each patient. Doctors, therapists, nurses, case managers and dieticians work together and meet regularly to discuss progress, goals and care plans. The team includes several certified rehabilitation registered nurses. Patients in the acute rehabilitation setting at Sea Pines receive three hours of therapy a day, five days a week. These include physical, occupational and speech therapies. Patients are also seen daily by a consulting Internal Medicine physician and one of three PMR physicians. Dr. Mahathy Katukuri, PMR, and Dr. Dionne Casthely, PMR, are working with Lebron to rehabilitate patients. Casthely is the stroke program director at HealthSouth Sea Pines. Lebron is currently seeing patients in the inpatient setting at Sea Pines, and can be consulted for any PMR needs at Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center, Health First Viera Hospital and Kindred Long-Term Acute Care Hospital. Lebron presents lectures in the community to help people better understand PMR treatment and how this approach is beneficial. He lectures on conditions involving stroke, amputees, Parkinson’s disease, and MS.
12 | VIERA MD MAGAZINE
Sea Pines is the only acute rehabilitation hospital in Brevard County. Acute rehabilitation settings like HealthSouth Sea Pines offer a shorter length-of-stay and higher discharge to home rates than skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers. As a hospital, Sea Pines offers on-site pharmacy, radiology and respiratory therapy. Sea Pines also offers outpatient and home healthcare services for an extended continuum of care upon a patient’s discharge to home. HealthSouth is the nation’s largest provider of inpatient rehabilitative healthcare services. Operating in 26 states across the country and in Puerto Rico, HealthSouth serves patients through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation satellite clinics and home health agencies. HealthSouth’s hospitals provide a higher level of rehabilitative care to patients who are recovering from conditions such as stroke and other neurological disorders, orthopedic, cardiac and pulmonary conditions, brain and spinal cord injury, and amputations. The HealthSouth corporate office is in Birmingham, Ala. Sea Pines is a 90-bed medical rehabilitation hospital that offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and home care services. Serving patients throughout Brevard County, the hospital is at 101 E. Florida Ave. in Melbourne. For more information call 724-5089 or go to healthsouthseapines.com. n
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Suntree YMCA offers free 5-day swim program for kids Suntree YMCA Family Center presents Splash Week, a free, five-day swim program April 20 through 24 for children ages 4 to12.
SMARTPHONE APP STUDIES HEART HEALTH SPECIAL TO VIERA MD Scientists at Stanford University have created a free research app designed to study activity and heart health through users’ iPhones. Stanford scientists, in collaboration with the American Heart Association, plan to use data gathered from the app, MyHeart Counts, to improve methods of preventing and treating heart disease. The effort will be one of the largest cardiovascular research trials ever conducted. App users will be asked several survey questions and must use their iPhone or wearable device to collect activity data for seven days. They’ll be asked to complete a questionnaire to see whether they should consult with their doctor about their ability to increase activity or assess fitness. Participants also will be asked to do a six-minute walk test, then enter information about risk factors and blood tests to determine their risk score. The app will check back every three months to have users update their data. Participants will also enter data about their risk factors for heart disease and their readings from basic lab tests to get feedback on their chances of developing heart disease and to determine their “heart age.” “We are looking for everyone who is curious as to how healthy their heart is to download this app,” said Dr. Alan Yeung, the Li Ka Shing professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford. “Users will be able to see their activity and fitness levels, and their ‘heart age.’ We’ll also be able to study what motivates people to improve their heart health.” Data from the MyHeart Counts study are for research only and will not be used for any for-profit venture. The app is not for clinical care and does not provide personal access to a Stanford doctor. The study is open to all adults over 18. The MyHeart Counts app is available for iPhone 5, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Stanford expects to introduce similar studies on other smartphone platforms in the future. MyHeart Counts is available from the App Store. For more information, go to myheartcounts.stanford.edu. n
14 | VIERA MD MAGAZINE
Participating children will enjoy swim instruction, character development lessons and water safety education. Instructors from YMCA of Central Florida Swim Academy will teach basic stroke development as well as personal safety lessons to help children and parents learn respect for the water. The program is open to the public and will be offered at 20 Central Florida locations. To register or for more information, call Suntree YMCA at 259-2929. n
Photo courtesy of Suntree YMCA
Joe Rowlette, operations director for Suntree YMCA Family Center, and Brevard County Manager Stockton Whitten help cut the ribbon during the Y’s open house March 6 at 6300 N. Wickham Rd., Suite 114. More than 100 people attended the event, which featured tours of the renovated facility, raffle prizes, food and drink.
YMCA, Florida Blue team up to combat diabetes SPECIAL TO VIERA MD
S
untree YMCA is among the YMCA family centers that could be a host site for a yearlong program to prevent or delay new cases of type 2 diabetes.
people together who need this program. Suntree, with the population there, we know we could do a program. It’s a numbers game. We just need to have so many in the class.”
A collaboration between YMCA of Central Florida and Florida Blue, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, will provide free preventative diabetes care to policyholders who have pre-diabetes or are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Coverage will be provided through enrollment in the 12-month YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program.
The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program resulted from a National Institutes of Health study which showed how healthier eating, increasing physical activity and losing a modest amount of weight could lead to better health in participants and an overall reduction of new type 2 diabetes cases. Such programs have been shown to prevent or delay new cases of type 2 diabetes by 58 percent and as much as 71 percent in adults over age 60.
“To have a partner like Florida Blue makes such a bold statement and is an unbelievable story of their commitment to making Central Florida a healthier community,” said John Cardone, vice president of health strategies for YMCA of Central Florida.
“We know that preventing diabetes is critical for the health of the community and for the health of each individual member,” said Tony Jenkins, Central Region president of Florida Blue. “By taking away the barrier of cost for this evidence-based, Centers Regular classes will be led by lifestyle coaches at YMCA family for Disease Control-approved program, we believe we can curb centers and in workplaces throughout Brevard, Orange, Osceola, the rate at which type 2 diabetes is impacting this community.” Seminole, Lake and Marion counties. The program includes 16 For more information on the YMCA Diabetes Prevention weekly sessions that help people make simple lifestyle changes Program, call YMCA of Central Florida at 407-644-3606, – like eating healthier, increasing physical activity and losing ext. 255, or email diabetesprevention@cfymca.org. n modest amounts of weight. Weekly sessions are followed by eight months of personalized, one-on-one support with providers to help participants reach their long-term health and wellSuntree YMCA ness goals. 6300 N. Wickham Rd., Suite 114, Melbourne Jill Bond, wellness director at Cocoa YMCA and one of two lifestyle coaches for Brevard, said classes could be offered at Suntree YMCA if enough people sign up.
“We can go to Suntree if there’s a need,” said Bond, who taught the class to county employees last year at the Moore Justice Center in Viera. “We can go wherever we can get that group of
259-2929 Open 5:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sunday
SPORTS JUNKIE MD: From No. 1 love to a No. 1 team BY LINDA WIGGINS
D
r. Mark Pinsky, DO, wanted to be a doctor since he was 5 years old. As a teenager, he began to investigate how he could incorporate his huge passion for sports into his professional life, before sports medicine was a real thing.
“I loved sports, and I loved the study of the musculoskeletal system and how the proper mechanics can allow top performance and reduce the risk of injury for everyone from athletes to seniors,” said Pinsky of MDVIP medical practice on the Medical Mile in Viera. The practice is open to patients who pay an annual membership for enhanced care. In college, he began to connect with leaders in the emerging field of sports medicine. During his med school clinicals, he began to spend time with them doing rotations in their offices and on the fields treating injured athletes and assisting with their physicals. During his residency, he spent time at Chapel Hill at the University of North Carolina, Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville trying to figure out how to incorporate sports medicine into private family practice.
It’s not who you know, but who you’ve helped With these connections in place, he was able to win one of only 75 slots in the country for a fellowship in sports medicine. “Sports medicine is a very tight-knit circle,” Pinsky said.
Viera MD Linda Wiggins
Dr. Mark Pinsky, left, goes over post-injury strengthening tips with Viera Hawks coach Kevin Mays and football standout Trés Nixon.
a huge part of the machine that got them there, according to the football coach. “He’s a big piece of our winning season. There are a bunch of moving parts and he’s a big part of it,” coach Kevin Mays said. “As a coach in a high-impact sport, it’s comforting to me to have a doctor on call to help out with any sideline issues to get our guys back to peak performance. It makes my job easier and for our trainers, too, because he is able to help with instruction of the proper mechanics during skill development as well as post-injury recovery. I’m really appreciative of him for what he does.” The feeling is mutual for Pinsky, who worked with Mays when he was an assistant coach at Palm Bay.
He was recruited during his fellowship to come to Brevard County “He and (defensive coach and linebacker coordinator) Derek Smith in August of 1996 and he never left. During his former Saturday have done amazing work to build a powerhouse team for us in morning sports medicine talk show on WMEL, he was recruited Viera,” Pinsky said. “The team will travel to Dallas this year to face on air by Melbourne Central Catholic coach and athletic director a highly ranked national team, and a number of the players are Mike Riazzi. He later added Palm Bay High School to his winning being heavily recruited for Division I. Mays turned the tide after a roster just down the street, helping to build a powerhouse football rough start for the school, which went through four coaches in its team. He cared for athletes during their home games, “at the half.” first five years.” Another invitation ensued, Pinsky is also involved with the baseball and track and field teams, this time close to his heart and is available for any sport that requests his input. The school logistically and relationally. is in talks to develop a sports medicine academy under Pinsky’s “It was hard to leave Palm Bay because the program and the coach were really good to me, but at the same time I knew I would have a child who went to Viera High School – my son’s a sophomore there now – and I wanted to be a part of developing a special type of program.”
Building a machine, again Viera MD Linda Wiggins
Wellness visits take 90 minutes, and regular office visits are typically 30 minutes, giving Dr. Mark Pinsky plenty of time to get to the root of health issues. Pictured with Katie Winans.
16 | VIERA MD MAGAZINE
The result has been an undefeated season for the Hawks and a first trip to the state football playoffs. Pinsky has been
guidance.
Giving back He does the physicals for team members and any monies he earns are donated back to the sports program. “That’s been huge considering the budget constraints have been enormous in the past years, and the school sports programs are especially in need of funds,” Pinsky said. He summed up the difference the change in his practice has made to his dual love of sports and medicine. With the new premium membership format he was able to reduce his patient load from 4,000 to 400 and not only give his VIP patients more TLC, but have more time for family and community. “Combining my passion for sports medicine with my love of family practice, and now having the time to be all I can be for both, has been the perfect solution for me and for my patients.” For more information on MDVIP, located at 8045 Spyglass Hill Road, go to mdvip.com/MarkPinskyDO or call 255-2289. n
Florida Dermatology Associates opens Suntree office
Mohs surgery saves skin in critical areas BY GEORGE WHITE Dermatologist Ruben Moreno of Florida Dermatology Associates averages 1,200 procedures annually of a specialized type of skin cancer surgery credited with high success rates and minimum impact to tissues surrounding the cancer. Mohs surgery, named after its inventor Frederick Mohs, involves a procedure where the doctor removes a skin cancer and, after processing of the sample, personally checks under a microscope to make sure all the lateral and deep margins are free of cancer cells. A map is made of the shape and size of the tissue removed, where residual cancer is found so that the surgeon can go back and remove tissue only from that spot. This allows for maximum tissue preservation, and the highest cure rates, Moreno said.
Viera MD Mike Gaffey
Florida Dermatology Associates has opened a new branch office at 7640 N. Wickham Road, Suite 118 in Park Place at Suntree plaza.
BY MIKE GAFFEY
F
lorida Dermatology Associates has opened a new branch office at 7640 N. Wickham Road, Suite 118 in Park Place at Suntree plaza. Florida Dermatology Associates also has offices at 5070 Minton Road, Suite 5 in Palm Bay, 80 Woodland Ave. in Cocoa Beach and 4260 N. U.S. 1 in Port St. John. FDA recently opened another location at 500 N. Washington Ave., Suite 109 in Titusville. Services include mole and growth removal, Mohs Micrographic Surgery for removing skin tumors, and treatment for acne, warts and skin disorders such as psoriasis and rashes. A licensed aesthetician and skin care specialist provides cosmetic skin treatments such as facials and skin massage therapy.
“We do have a lot of existing patients who are closer to that office and they are pleased that they don’t have to drive as far,” Laurie Betterman of FDA said of the Suntree location. “And we’re trying to get new patient clients also instead of just pulling patients out of our existing offices.” Three physicians are on staff. Dr. Ruben Moreno was an assistant professor at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, where he taught general and surgical dermatology. He began his practice in Florida in 1988. Dr. Frank Lee has been practicing dermatology in Florida since 1985. He joined FDA in 2010. Dr. Kathleen Elmer practiced dermatology, cosmetic dermatology and general surgery for the U.S. military until 2010. She joined FDA in 2013. Florida Dermatology Associates accepts Blue Cross, Blue Shield Medicare, Health First, Cigna, Aetna, United Health Care, Champus and other forms of insurance coverage. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 768-1600 or go to fldermatology.com. n
The procedure can be done on any type of non-melanoma skin cancer on any part of the body. It is most commonly used to treat skin cancers on areas where preserving skin is important, such as the face, ears, and hands, he said. Although the procedure can be time consuming with the surgeon often removing multiple layers, the results are worth it, Moreno said. “The time is variable. If we get clear margins after the first layer is removed, we can close the wound and that patient may spend 45-60 minutes in the office. For every layer after the first, you can add about 30 minutes more to the visit. Most cases I do, generally are clear in one to three layers. “Nothing is perfect, but Mohs cure rates are the highest a patient can achieve. Published reports are cure rates of 98 percent,” he said. Insurance coverage for Mohs procedures is variable, but it is usually covered for the face and ears and in cases where the cancer has been treated before and the cancer has come back, he said. It is used most often on basal and squamous cell cancers since they are the most common type of skin cancer. It can be used on many other types of skin cancer such as sebaceous carcinoma, and merkel cell carcinoma, he said. The Mohs procedure by definition has to be done by the same doctor. It is not Mohs surgery if one doctor cuts the tissue out, and another looks at it under the microscope. “The challenge is being both a surgeon and a pathologist at the same time,” he said. n
Dr. Ruben Moreno VIERA MD MAGAZINE
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MILLENIUM MEDICAL WELCOMES HARIDOPOLOS D
r. Stephanie Haridopolos has joined a Viera medical center to launch Viera Health & Wellness primary care services. The highprofile community leader and medical spokesperson will serve alongside Deuk Spine Institute and Viera Orthopedics, all under Millennium Medical Management, led by Dr. Ara Deukmedjian. Haridopolos and her husband, former Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, were longtime Suntree residents during his time in the Florida House of Representatives representing the Viera/ Suntree area. They have three children. “I have been very good friends with Dr. Deukmedjian for many years and we had thought that it would be a great idea to bring family practice to Millennium Medical Management,” Haridopolos said. “It’s a beautiful building in a great location and I was excited to be a part of it.”
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Palm Shores Bistro B reakfast • Lunch Di n n e r • Cate ri ng
The recently built complex at 7955 Spyglass Hill Road and Baytree Drive includes the shared Surgery Center of Viera and a state-of-the-art video conference center. An additional 24,000-square-foot building is planned. Haridopolos, formerly with Omni Healthcare, is a board-certified family practice physician who completed her residency at Albany Medical Center in 2002. She has practiced family medicine in Melbourne since 2002, and will focus primarily on patients ages 17 and up for Millennium Medical Management. “I will be supplying all preventative medicine, health measures for men and women, pap smears, immunizations and of course sick visits and being the ‘quarterback’ of the patient’s health care,” she said. In time, Haridopolos hopes to offer rejuvenation and cosmetics services, weight loss programs and to give seminars on how to live a healthier lifestyle.
Make the trip East to the river. Soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers & Chef inspired specials.
Haridopolos currently is accepting new patients. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 751-3389 or go to vierahealthandwellness.com. n 321.752.5222 • Palmshoresbistro.com • 5060 U.S. 1
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Viera MD nabs gold and silver at ADDY Awards Viera MD won top awards for best magazine cover and publication design from the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Space Coast chapter on Feb. 21. The Gold ADDY and Silver ADDY were awarded at the annual Great Adsby Gala. Viera MD is a product of Bluewater Creative Group, which also publishes Viera Voice, Senior Life, Boomer Guide and the Charlie Corbeil Birding Guide. The company also hosts expos and events in tandem with the print and online products. ADDY Awards honor excellence in advertising and cultivate the highest creative standards in the industry. Viera MD will move on to regional AAF awards in May and, if successful, to national awards in June. “The ADDY Awards recognize excellence in creativity in advertising and we are always excited to see the work being created here on the Space Coast,” said Amelia Woodbridge, local ADDY Awards chairperson and CEO of Amelia Woodbridge Consulting, a marketing and advertising firm. Viera MD’s spring 2014 Gold ADDY-winning cover was photographed by Cathy Heinz of Cathy Heinz Photography. It featured colorectal cancer gastroenterologist Dr. Marina Kaufman discussing the challenges of her profession and the underwater pastime that helps keep her centered. Sitting on her desk wearing pink swim flippers, the cover headline was “Cancer Fighter, Scuba Diver.” The Silver ADDY was for the fall 2014 pink “Movember” issue highlighting October women’s and November men’s cancer awareness months. Both award-winning issues were designed by Mike Oliver of Zephyr Studio. Bluewater Creative Group CEO Jill Blue-Gaines credited readers and advertisers for the awards. “We provide consumer-driven information made possible by advertising,” Blue-Gaines said, “in publications specifically designed to get consumers to take action, to pick up and peruse a publication, to ultimately consider the purchase of a product or service, to generate a certain positive feeling by association.” n
For more information, call 242-1235.
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Health services with a smile, it’s all here on Viera Medical Mile on a 24,000-square-foot building adjacent to the new one to create a comprehensive diagnostics, rehabilitative therapy, patient education and conference center. On the opposite end on the north side of Medical Mile at Murrell Road is one of the original buildings, Spyglass Medical Building at 7000 Spyglass Ct. The relatively large building at 30,000 square feet and three stories is made of red brick and reflective glass surrounded by a fountaincentered pond that like all of Viera remains a haven for wildlife. “I love having my practice here because I can go sit by the fountain and decompress from my busy day. My patients get very excited to see ‘the duckies.’ It’s just beautiful here,” said pediatrician Dr. Ellen Altenburg, whose offices are on the first floor overlooking the water. “Whatever my patients need, there is every type of specialty along the Medical Mile, from dentists Viera MD Linda Wiggins to diagnostics, that specialize in children.”
Dr. Ellen Altenburg, fresh from a St. Baldrick’s buzz cut to battle childhood cancer, loves the relaxing wildlife-attracting design of the Spyglass Medical Center at the start of the Medical Mile almost as much as do her diminutive duckie-loving patients.
BY LINDA WIGGINS
Patients say they are thrilled with the convenience, no longer having to travel 30 minutes to medical office complexes surrounding Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, and there is one other factor that is less tangible but nonetheless vital.
I
t started a few years ago with a gorgeous building here. A cool looking structure there. Then a pattern began to emerge. Businesses along Spyglass Hill Road in Viera from Murrell Road to Baytree Drive all followed a health and medical theme or were placed there because it was a thriving, growing medical community. It did not arise out of coincidence, but according to a master plan for the town.
“There is an amazing variety of medical services here” said Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, who recently capped the south end of the street at Baytree Drive with the Millennium Medical building, home to Deuk Spine Institute on one side of the 20,000-square foot building and Surgery Center of Viera on the other. Deukmedjian first occupied 3,000 square feet of a building down the Medical Mile to the west, then took over the entire 5,000 square feet before relocating to accommodate practice growth. Now, rather than sell the old building as originally planned, he is considering moving his administrative offices there to make more room for bustling medical services.
Viera MD Linda Wiggins
Beautifully designed, upscale and state-of-the-art buildings are the norm along Viera Medical Mile, up and down Spyglass Hill Road from Murrell Road to Baytree Drive.
“It’s convenient, but also everything is updated, clean and very “We saw the growth that was taking place in Viera, a shift in growth welcoming. Everybody’s very friendly, smiling, happy to see from the south part of Brevard County to north Melbourne,” you. That is a very big thing for me and something I have not Deukmedjian said. “We decided this was the place to build experienced anywhere but this area,” said Kristin Cook, whose an international medical practice where people would want to son Ethan is Altenburg’s patient. The family also patronizes come for state-of-the-art surgery that we feel is the best in the other professional services on the Medical Mile. world. It’s close to the new Viera Hospital should any situation That factor did not go unrecognized by Chuck Nell, who arise during surgery requiring emergency care, and every type traveled from Columbus, Ohio for his surgery by “Dr. Deuk” of specialist that our osteopathic patients might need is right here on the Medi- and collaborating providers on the Medical Mile. cal Mile, including “I went to so many places and never got relief, never even got primary physidoctors to answer my questions. It was very frustrating,” Nell cians who refer said. “So I researched the web and found Dr. Deuk, and from patients to us.” the start the staff was so welcoming. They put us up at the Holiday Inn. Staff sat with my wife while I was in surgery, which Within the next was very successful. Where else do you find that? It’s definitely three years, he will break ground worth the trip.” n
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Health First to host free CPR training, 5K Race BY KATIE PARSONS
S
ometimes waiting even a few minutes is too long when it comes to medical help. The basics of CPR are not only valuable skills to learn – they could save a life.
Health First’s CPR training event in 2014 drew 5,000 visitors. Health First photo
Each year, Health First hosts a free CPR training event for the community to equip as many residents as possible with this life-saving proficiency. This year’s event will be from 7 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 13 at Space Coast Stadium.
In addition to the 5K run and CPR training, Health First will award prizes to all kids who come dressed as superheroes, and will provide other free kids’ activities. A heart-healthy cooking demonstration, physician information and a demonstration of a Health First helicopter landing will all be part of the morning’s activities. “Our goal is to help make our community a safer place to live, work and play by training as many of our citizens as possible to recognize sudden cardiac arrest and deliver hands-only CPR. Each year this free event trains thousands of Brevard County residents of all ages in life-saving skills that can more than double the chances of survival for a victim,” said Bill Calhoun, president of Community Hospital at Health First.
The “Be a Superhero - Learn to Save a Life” event will kick off with a free 5K run at 7 a.m., followed by the official CPR training session that starts at 8:30 a.m. Last year 5,000 people took advantage of the training session and CPR certification process. Registration is required for both the race and the training.
At the end of the training session, participants will receive a CPR certificate that applies to friends and family. It is not, for example, the standard certificate that employers would accept. This will be the seventh year Health First has hosted the free community event. “This year we’re adding more activities for the family as we focus on keeping our community healthy,” said Erika Hodges of Marketing and Communications at Health First.
Photo courtesy of Health First
“You never know when or where tragedy may strike, but by being trained in CPR and ready to respond, you could wind up being someone’s hero.” There are no prerequisites for CPR certification, but those who want to participate must register first atHFcpr.org n
Health First’s 7th Annual CPR Training Event Saturday, June 13 5K race kicks off at 7 a.m., CPR Training starts at 8:30 a.m.
Space Coast Stadium To register for free race and training, go to HFcpr.org
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Central Florida’s first robot-assisted,
direct anterior hip replacement By MARY BROTHERTON
W
hen Melbourne resident Lynn Heine felt the first twinge of pain radiating from her knee to her hip, she recalled friends who had undergone hip surgery.
“They had so much pain afterwards,” Heine said, “so I put mine off as long as I could. It wasn’t from a fall, so I could wait.” Eventually the pain was too much to bear so she visited Health First orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Perry. “I was Dr. Perry’s guinea pig. He asked if I would be willing to be his first patient in Central Florida to have the robot surgery. I had complete confidence in him so I told him to go for it,” Heine said. MAKOplasty® technology enabled Perry to complete Heine’s hip replacement in about an hour, making this the first robotassisted, direct anterior hip replacement in Central Florida. Perry is one of three surgeons credentialed in MAKOplasty® for total hip replacement and partial knee resurfacing with privileges at Health First Holmes Regional Hospital. “We hope to improve placement, reduce human error,” Perry said. “When you are recreating bony anatomy, this technology helps improve accuracy.” The Hip® and RIO® system enables the accurate alignment and positioning of implants with the assistance of a highly advanced, surgeon-controlled robotic arm and 3-D imaging. “This is the next step in guidance,” Perry said. “I was able to use a 3-D image of her hip based on a pre-operative CT scan. This meant I could place everything in the proper position. Proper position means better success. It was a much less-invasive approach.” Heine’s surgery was on March 2. The day after surgery, she was walking with a walker. Within two weeks, she was alternating use of the walker with a cane. “It’s remarkable,” she said. “I never needed to wear those surgical stockings, and every day I do a little more. It’s amazing.” For more information, call 434-4300 or go to health-first.org. n
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Photo courtesy of Health First
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Perry, center, and his surgical team used the new robotic MAKOplasty® hip replacement system for the first time in early March.
A par t of Orlando Health
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Removing Isaiah’s brain tumor could’ve damaged the nerves that controlled his facial expressions. But you wouldn’t know that from his smile. When it was discovered that a brain tumor had wrapped itself around Isaiah’s brainstem, everyone was concerned. One mistake during a very long and very delicate operation would be disastrous. However, a er twelve painstaking hours of surgery, every piece of the tumor was removed. His mom thought it would take a miracle for him to come out unscathed. But he did. Thanks to the expert care he received at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Now Isaiah feels a whole lot beer, and the look on his face can tell you that. Isaiah is just one of the thousands of kids Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children has helped over the past 25 years. To see his full story and many others, visit 25yearsofcaring.com/Isaiah
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Wuesthoff Medical Center – Rockledge is proud to announce that pediatricians from Nemours Children’s Hospital of Orlando are now caring for newborns and children right here in our newly opened pediatric unit. Nemours Children’s Hospital focuses exclusively on pediatric care. And this new partnership means that if your child ever needs to be hospitalized, our specially trained staff and Nemours pediatricians will work together to provide compassionate care, close to home. For more information, visit Wuesthoff.com.
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24 | VIERA MD MAGAZINE
Suntree family credited for new fetal surgery advances The Brianna Marie Foundation 5K run raised more than $30,000 for research on new fetal surgery devices and techniques March 14 at Wickham Park. “We couldn’t have been Viera MD Photo happier with the turnout at Aran Hissam, left, was credited by the event,” said Aran Hissurgeons Dr. Eftichia Kontopoulos and sam of Suntree, who with Dr. Ruben Quintero, along with Lonnie husband Patrick started Somers of the Fetal Health Foundation, the foundation in 2012 affor advancements in fetal surgery that ter losing their only daughhave resulted from fundraising efforts ter less than a day after with husband Patrick. she was born. “We had 429 registered runners/walkers, 60-plus volunteers, and lots of great supporters that came out with their families and friends.” Fetal surgeon Dr. Ruben Quintero of the Jackson Fetal Therapy Institute in Miami, which serves families in Brevard, used new techniques that allowed the baby to develop full term and be born, against all odds. Appearing at the Melbourne event with surgical partner Dr. Eftichia Kontopoulos, Quintero said major advancements will be put in play soon. The Hissams were tapped to serve as the Brevard County March of Dimes Ambassador Family for the March for Babies walk at Space Coast Stadium April 25. For more information go to briannamariefoundation.com. n
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V I E R A
M D
P H YS I C I A N
S P OT L I G H T
Jason J. Ross, , M.D. Board Certified Ophthalmologist Specialty: Eye Plastic Surgery Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, U.S. Naval Academy Doctor of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Residency, National Naval Medical Center Fellowship in Oculoplastics at the University of Cincinnati Dr. Ross is a recognized expert in orbital decompression surgery and in the reconstruction and management of other complex oculoplastic conditions. 502 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne 5510 Murrell Rd., Viera floridaeyeassociates.com 727-2020
Florida Health Care Association sets 2015 legislative priorities GOAL IS TO SUPPORT LONG TERM CARE PROVIDERS AND RESIDENTS UNDER THEIR CARE With more than 60 percent of residents in Florida’s skilled nursing centers relying on Medicaid, the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) has set legislative priorities that focus on restoring Medicaid funding, making improvements to Medicaid managed long term care and protecting seniors from unexpected medical bills. More than three in five residents of skilled nursing centers depend on Medicaid to cover the cost of their long term health care needs, and another 20 percent rely on Medicare funding. Funding cuts in recent years have significantly affected resources to care for this population, and restoring previous cuts will allow for upgrades to physical plants and equipment, according to FHCA executive director Emmett Reed. “As Florida’s skilled nursing centers prepare to meet the needs of aging baby boomers, it’s important we modernize our aging buildings, enhance our technologies and continue placing focus on a more personcentered environment,” Reed said. “Adequate funding opens the door to so many necessary options and will enable our centers to continue making strides in quality care.” Florida’s skilled nursing centers have experienced more than $700 million in Medicaid reductions since 2008. Despite some funding recoupments during the past few years, Medicaid still currently underfunds skilled nursing care by $15.46 per person per day. Florida has more than 73,000 residents in skilled
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nursing centers, and those centers lose an average of about $377,000 per year due to this Medicaid shortfall. FHCA will ask the Legislature to restore Medicaid funding for nursing center care as a top priority this session. FHCA is calling for the Legislature to review Florida’s Medicaid Managed Care System. Florida’s nursing center residents are experiencing a lack of coordination of care as a result of having two separate plans – one for long term care and another for their traditional health care needs. “Our hope is that the Legislature will review the system to ensure residents who rely on Medicaid are receiving the appropriate access to care,” Reed said. FHCA is also supporting SB 768 and HB 309, which aim to educate consumers regarding their hospital admission status. Seniors are often unaware that Medicare will not cover the cost of follow-up rehabilitative care in a skilled nursing center if the hospital classifies them under “observation status” rather than admitting them as in-patient during their stay. “Many of the residents cared for in skilled nursing centers come from the hospital, often needing rehabilitative or restorative care before they are ready to return home,” said Reed. “This legislation will ensure that they are properly informed about their hospital admission status and help protect them from serious financial burdens.” For more information about the Florida Health Care Association and its legislative priorities, call 850-224-3907 or go to fhca.org.
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