Winter Garden HorizonWest | Oakland | West Orange
Issue 3, 2014
Dr. Mope’s Family-Centric Care Also Inside:
Innovations In Tattoo Removal Heroes Corner
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around the garden Oakland Nature Preserve - Events
Save a Life/Give Blood:
in full-sun areas, so sunscreen and a water bottle (there are water founInsect Safari tains available for refills) are also First Saturday monthly, 12 – 1p recommended. A sufficient number The Central Florida Insect Enthu- of tools are available, but if you have siast are now meeting at ONP! Bug a favorite gardening tool of your out with our insect scientists as they own, please feel free to bring it. take you on a guided insect catching tour of the Preserve. Learn how to catch, identify, preserve and admire Insects of all shapes and sizes. Great Open Volunteer Work Day for Children and Adults of all ages! Third Saturday monthly, 9 – 12pm Please bring close-toed shoes, water Spend a day volunteering on your and a pair of sunglasses. choice of many projects to improve
Take a Hike!
the preserve. Open to people of all ages. Please come wearing long pants and closed toe shoes.
Second Saturday monthly, 2 – 3:30p Join naturalist, Shane Overstreet For more info, call 407-905-0054. from Rollins on a guided tour of the preserve. Learn about the history of ONP and the plants and animals that live in the Preserve. The Group Save a Life/Give Blood assembles in the visitor center before hitting the trails at 2pm. Please Winter Garden Village(WGV) : bring water, wear hiking shoes and July 14, 21, 25, 28, 30, 2 - 7pm sunglasses. July 26, 12 - 5pm; July 27, 1 - 6pm July 31, 11 - 8pm Garden of Weedin’ August 8, 22 2 - 7pm Every Wednesday, 8 – 12p August 9, 23 1 - 6pm If you like playing in the dirt, August 29, 30, 31 12 - 5pm join other like-minded folks each Wednesday morning. Jackie Rolly, Other Locations: a member of the Tarflower Chapter July 12, 12 - 5pm and July 13 1 of Florida Native Plant Society, leads 6pm: Old Navy, WGV this group and is very happy to train July 26, 1 - 6pm: 4Rivers you to recognize the native good July 22, 1 - 6pm: City of Ocoee guys and invasive-exotic bad guys. 150 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ocoee You will quickly learn the difference July 24, 1 – 6pm: Walgreens between Mulhly grass and Natal 13720 West Colonial grass- saving the good and pulling July 25, 11 – 4pm: Windermere the bad. Wear Comfortable clothing Police Department, 530 Main St. you don’t mind getting dirty, a hat July 28th & August 11, 4 - 9pm: and gloves. Work is often performed Planet Fitness
Pg.4 | Summer 2014 WinterGardenMag.com
July 31, 2–7pm: Publix, West Point Commons August 3, 1 – 6pm: Walmart Ocoee August 7, 2 – 7pm: Walgreens 22353 Ocoee-Apopka August 8, 9 – 2pm: Health Central Park , 411 N. Dillard St. August 16, 9 – 2pm: W i n t e r Garden Farmers Market August 16, 12 – 5pm: Old Navy, WGV August 20, 1 – 6pm: H e a l t h Central, Ocoee August 24, 9 – 1pm: Church of Christ of West Orange, 1450 Daniels Rd. August 26, 10 – 3pm: C e n t r a l Florida Christian Academy, 700 Good Homes Road August 26, 1-6pm: McDonalds, Good Homes August 29, 2 – 7pm: American Legion, W. Plant
Orlando Philharmonic (orlandophil.org)
Opening Night of the 2014 Season. September 20, 2014 8:30pm Bob Carr Theatre
Music Director finalist Alondra de la Parra conducts three very distinct styles to showcase the Orlando Philharmonic’s beautiful sound and mastery of three great periods of symphonic music. Program: MOZART Symphony No. 31 “Paris” MÁRQUEZ Danzón No. 2 MAHLER Symphony No. 1 “Titan”
contents
Food Truck Mania!
Ocoee: Monthly, every third Friday at Bill Breeze Park, 6 - 9p Fine Dining and a Movie on Lakeshore Drive at Starke Lake! Windermere: July 25th, August 22nd, September 26th Family Food Truck Night 5 - 9p 520 Main Street
Windermere Family Health Fair October 4th 10am - 4pm
520 Main St.
Celebrating good health, wellness and fitness. Enjoy a day full of fun and awareness for the whole family, with free screenings, activities, nutrition and much more! FREE TO THE PUBLIC. Can’t wait for our Saturday Farmer’s Market? Windermere Farmer’s Market is open every Friday from 9am to 2pm. Located on Main Street in the heart of Windermere, the Market features fresh produce, fresh bread, hanging baskets, plants, homemade pasta, local honey and much more.
06 08 10 13
Dr. Melodie Mope’s Family-Centric Care
Innovations: Tattoo Removal
Heroes Corner: Dr. Wilfredo Vega-Montalvo, M.D
Real estate spotlight
Winter Garden magazine is an activity of Stern Media PO Box 1506, Windermere FL 34786
WinterGardenMag.com SternMedia.com Publisher | J. Steven Stern | 407 574-8742 Editor | Elise Carter | 407 574-8742 ECarter@SternMedia.com
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Copy Editor / Graphic Design Mike Cox | MCox@SternMedia.com Advertising Jon Stern | 407 574-8742 Jon.Stern@Outlook.com Winter Garden Magazine/SternMedia does not assume liability for products or services advertised herein. The views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of SternMedia and while every attempt is made to assure the accuracy and authenticity of information appearing in the magazine, SternMedia accepts no liability for damages caused by misinterpretation of information, expressed or implied, within the magazine. No representation is made or warranty given as to the completeness or accuracy of such information. The content of Winter Garden Magazine is copyrighted by SternMedia. It is strictly prohibited to reproduce or transmit in whole or part, any portion of our print or on-line magazine/content without the express written consent of SternMedia. © 2014. All rights reserved.
health & fitness Family Matters: A Different Kind of Healthcare Family history shapes us, enabling us to discover our roots, who we are, and who we might become one day. However, when it comes to healthcare, understanding one’s family history can do so much more; it can significantly enhance good health through every age and stage. This is the foundation for Melodie Mope, MD and Summerport Family Medicine’s vision.
more beneficial when those other family members are also patients of ours—we can treat the family comprehensively.” Treating the Whole Person–The Whole Family
The desire to establish a practice that centered on whole-family health came to Dr. Mope as a young child. In fact, at age four, she al-
As a family physician who obtained her medical degree from St. Matthews University School of Medicine and who completed her Residency at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Dr. Mope feels strongly about promoting the benefits of family-centric care. She says, “Having the ability to treat entire families provides health advantages that many of us would not initially think about. When we treat parents, their children, and their children’s children, we have a real-time understanding of the family’s health history.” The insight behind treating the whole family is particularly beneficial in the prevention and management of potentially serious or chronic conditions. For example, explains Dr. Mope, “When we know that a particular disease or condition— say, thyroid or breast cancer—has impacted a patient’s family members in the past, we can perform early counseling and screening before a chronic problem can develop. It is even Pg.6 | Summer 2014 WinterGardenMag.com
ready had dreams of becoming a physician. “I was inspired by my own family’s doctor who was very protective and proactive about our health,” she explains. “We were treated as if we were part of the family.” This gesture of compassionate care motivated her to create services that would surpass a patient’s traditional expectations of a family doctor’s office. Throughout high school, college and medical school, Dr. Mope made it her mission to lenda helping hand to patients and their families. “I took every opportunity available to volunteer
at hospitals,” she recalls. “I could also be found shadowing hospital physicians and helping families whenever I wasn’t studying. This helped me to understand the importance of treating more than individual symptoms; I learned to treat the whole person and the whole family.” At Summerport, Dr. Mope and her team welcome virtually any medical condition a family might present. Dr. Mope says the office “sees just about every condition,” including sick infants, adolescents, teens, adults and seniors; well-child check-ups, sports physicals, family planning, emotional and mental consults, and screenings and management of chronic conditions such as cancer and diabetes. “We like to go beyond treating problems,” explains Dr. Mope. “We prefer to prevent them. For example, in a situation where a patient’s weight
is impacting a chronic condition, we create a proactive action plan for the patient to safely lose weight, and ultimately reach a goal of getting off of related medications whenever possible.” The office provides more than exams and treatments; it also conducts lab testing and procedures under one roof, which eliminates a patient’s need to go to separate locations. Empowered Patient Care And, while maintaining the core medical care values she has embraced since childhood, Dr. Mope, through Summerport Family Practice, also embraces the evolution of today’s family practice into a vehicle for empowered patient care. “There really is a difference in care today,” she says. “We are focused on preventative care and patient education, and give our patients—our families, really— (continued on pg.14 - see Cover Story)
Pg.7 | Summer 2014 WinterGardenMag.com
health & fitness IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME...
Amazing Strides in Tattoo Removal by Douglas Gearity, M.D., FACOG - Medical Director, Metamorphosis Aesthetics Division, The Women’s Center
Many people go through their whole lives happy with the tattoos they acquire. However, in a 2012 poll by Harris Interactive, 14% of American adults who have tattoos regret getting one. From another study conducted by Myrna L. Armstrong, Ed.D, R.N., FANN of Texas Tech University, here are the top six reasons why participants made the choice to have their tattoos removed:
intensity laser energy pulses that pass through the epidermis and are selectively absorbed by the tattoo pigment. The laser breaks the pigment into small particles which can be excreted by the body, or transported to and stored in lymph nodes or other tissue.
1. Just decided to remove it (“shift in their identities” and wanting to do away with their past) 2. Embarrassment 3. Lowered body image
Fewer treatments, better results with Picosecond process
4. New job/career
Newest Innovation in Laser Tattoo Removal
5. Problem with clothing
On December 4, 2012, Cynosure, Inc. received FDA clearance for the PicoSure laser workstation (“PicoSure”) for the removal of tattoos and benign pigmented lesions. The PicoSure delivers short-pulse bursts of energy to the skin in trillionths of a second. According to Roy Geronemus, M.D. and Director of the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of New York, “The picosecond lasepulse duration erases tattoo pigment more efficiently, leading to a higher level of patient satisfaction and improved results compared with current nanosecond technology”.
6. Experienced stigma Unfortunately, removing the tattoo is not a simple process. Tattoos are created by injecting ink into the skin, past the epidermis, and depositing the ink into the dermis, the second layer. The cells of the dermis are more stable than the epidermis; therefore the ink stays in place permanently. Lasers have been used to remove tattoos for more than 20 years. The laser works by using highPg.8 | Summer 2014 WinterGardenMag.com
Dr. Geronemus said “Our study shows the picosecond technology more effectively targets blue and green pigment, which is typically difficult to remove. In addition, PicoSure more rapidly lightens other colors, with improved recovery time due to less collateral injury to the surrounding tissue”. As described by Cynosure, Inc., Picosure “delivers ultra-short bursts of energy to the skin in trillionths of a second, enabling
unmatched photomechanical impact. Picosure’s patented Pressure Wave technology shatters the target without injury to the surrounding skin. Even dark, stubborn blue and green inks, as well as previously treated, recalcitrant tattoos can be removed.” What it all means is better clearance with less fluence (the quantity of light measured on a surface); half the fluence as compared to the older Q-Switched nanosecond
(continued on pg. 14, see TATTOO)
For a free consultation, call 407-418-9122
Pg.9 | Summer 2014 WinterGardenMag.com
a closer look Heroes Corner: Making a Difference Dr. Wilfredo Vega-Montalvo Twice a year for the past four years, Wilfredo Vega-Montalvo, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., a board certified gynecologist with The Women’s Center of Orlando, followed his passion to the Mountains of the Dominican Republic. To borrow a quote from the Diocese of Orlando website: “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” – Saint Augustine Dr. Vega-Montalvo is a volunteer, a member of the Surgical Mission Team of the Diocese of Orlando that travels to the Mountains of
to educate and encourage the members of the Diocese of Orlando to use their time, talent, and treasure to reach out to those in need.”
We asked Dr. Vega-Montalvo to discuss the conditions in the Mountains, and what theWy encountered on their Mission. “There is a lot of poverty there. The diocese in the Dominican Republic consists of villages in the mountains. There are six or seven villages with maybe three to five thousand people in total. Access is only by truck. There are no paved roads; and when it rains, the roads are not passable. They have no electricity other than solar panels provided by the Diocese to generate a minimal amount of power for lights. The Diocese provided gas generators for the schools. There are the Dominican Republic to provide critical medical care to people in need . The Diocese of no refrigerators and they have limited access to water. The Diocese constructed a water filtraOrlando and the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana in the Dominican Republic initiated tion system to filter the water from the rivers a sister relationship between the two dioceses. and rain to prevent some of diseases they have encountered in the past.” The Mission Office of the Diocese of Orlando “strives not only to empower the people of our sister diocese and improve their lives, but also “The Surgical Mission is broken down into two Pg.10 | Summer 2014 WinterGardenMag.com
weeks. The first week of the Mission, usually at the end of September, is used for screening. There is a hospital down the mountain, but it is a 3 ½ hour trip by truck and the villagers have to pay to ride. Many have to cross rivers and walk to get to the hospital. To see as many patients as possible, we travel up the mountain and set up clinics at strategic locations-- moving every couple of days, generally visiting four to five villages. There is a lot of trauma there – the people work on farms every day. We see a lot of orthopedic problems resulting from old bone fractures, a lot of hernias, prostate problems, gall bladders and gynecological issues. The number of patients we can see is limited by the time we have, and how many doctors volunteered for the Mission. Last year three doctors, of which I was one, screened over a thousand people in that one week. If surgery is required, we give them a ticket and tell them to come down to the hospital during our second week when we perform the surgeries.” “The second week of the Mission is scheduled about 30 days after the initial screening week. We perform the surgeries at the hospital. The hospital is clean, but the equipment is very old. There is not always running water in the hospital, so they maintain a big canister of reserve water. There are eight patients to a hospital room with one bathroom and a bucket of water. We bring in our own instruments and supplies. In the US everything is minimally invasive, there we do what is necessary to save lives. The practice of medicine is a generation behind, and the local physicians will save the complicated surgeries for us to perform if they know we are coming. Last year with just two gynecologists we performed 17 hysterectomies over a four day period due to bleeding and/or pre-cancerous conditions. We do as
[Dr. Vega-Montalvo At the Clinic]
(Dr. Vega-Montalvo interviews a patient)
much as we can, given our limited time and manpower. Outcomes are generally very good, and the patients return to their villages by truck a couple of days after surgery.” “I look forward to going on the mission – I’ve been there eight times over the last four years. The emotions are overwhelming. (continued on pg. 14 - see HEROES CORNER) Pg.11 | Summer 2014 WinterGardenMag.com
City of Ocoee Human Relations Diversity Board, in Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month
Saturday September 27th, 2014 11:30am - 4:30pm Bill Breeze Park 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, 34761 www.ocoee.org (407) 905-3100
ENJOY THE FUN! Latin Cuisine Festive Games and Prizes Pi単atas Bounce House Face Painting Door prizes Salsa Dancing Live Music Magical Train Rides PC Cruiser demonstration by Ocoee Police Department
Thank You to our Sponsors:
Puppet Show by Ocoee Fire Department
Bring Your Own Blanket And Lawn Chair! Pg.12 | Summer 2014 WinterGardenMag.com
real estate & lifestyle Orlando home sales, median price both rise in June 2014 Sales of Orlando homes increased by almost 6 percent in June, which marks the first positive year-over-year sales comparison in eight months. In addition, sales increased by nearly 5 percent when compared to last month. ORRA Chairman Zola Szerencses attributes the bump in sales to more homes being available for purchase. “We’ve had double-digit increases in inventory for months, and the additional supply is accelerating sales,” says Szerencses. “Would-be buyers who were blocked by competition last year are finding more to choose from.” Orlando’s housing market also charted positive for overall median price in June. The overall median price for the month is $165,100, a 9.88 percent increase over June 2013 and a 0.06 percent increase over last month.
greatest jump in median price increase in June, coming in at 16.36 percent higher than June 2013. The median for foreclosure sales decreased 0.47 percent, while that for “normal” sales increased 4.87 percent. The median price of single-family homes increased 7.06 percent when compared to June of last year, and the median price of condos increased 5.13 percent. Closing of bank-owned properties in Orlando increased by 54.66 percent in when compared to June 2013. “Normal” home sales in Orlando increased by 11.31 percent when compared to June 2013 and made up 65.67 percent of the sales pie. Closings of short sales decreased by 57.2 per-
cent. Single-family home sales increased 7.91 percent in June 2014 compared to June 2013, while condo sales decreased 6.91 percent. Compared to last month, single-family home sales increased 5.90 percent and condo sales decreased 0.28 percent. This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association and the My Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service. Neither the association nor MFRMLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the association or MFRMLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Due to late closings, an adjustment is necessary to record those closings posted after our reporting date. ORRA REALTOR® sales, referred to as the core market, represent all sales by members of the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association, not necessarily those sales strictly in Orange and Seminole counties. Note that statistics released each month may be revised in the future as new data is received.
Orlando’s overall median price has now recorded year-toyear gains for 36 consecutive months and has risen 42.94 percent since July 2011. Short sales experienced the Pg.13 | Summer 2014 WinterGardenMag.com
www.orlandodiocese.org. Pg.14 | Summer 2014 WinterGardenMag.com
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