NEWS FLASH

Rockledge-based Wuesthoff Health System includes hospitals in Rockledge and Melbourne. It employees more than 2,000 people, including 500 physicians with staff privileges.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA (BUSINESS WIRE) – Health Management Associates, Inc.  announced that a subsidiary of Health Management has executed a definitive agreement to acquire the 406-bed Wuesthoff Health System ("Wuesthoff") and its associated ancillary facilities. The transaction is expected to be completed by October 1, 2010.

Wuesthoff Medical Center-Melbourne, a 115-bed acute-care hospital, opened in December 2002.

The Wuesthoff Health System is comprised of two hospitals, the 291-bed Wuesthoff Medical Center-Rockledge, located in Rockledge, Florida and the 115-bed Wuesthoff Medical Center-Melbourne, located in Melbourne, Florida, as well as other successful facilities providing a continuum of care.

"For nearly 70 years, the Wuesthoff Health System has served the healthcare needs of Brevard County and its adjoining communities, and Health Management is pleased to have the opportunity to continue that tradition of service as we seek to enable America's best local health care," said Gary D. Newsome, President and Chief Executive Officer of Health Management.

"We look forward to the opportunity to work closely with the Wuesthoff physicians and associates to provide them with the processes, capital and expertise necessary to fulfill their local mission of delivering superior health care to the region."

Wuesthoff Health System generates approximately $290 million of annual net revenue and is centrally located on Florida's east coast. Wuesthoff Medical Center -- Rockledge and Wuesthoff Medical Center -- Melbourne, located less than 40 miles and 20 miles, respectively, from Health Management's Sebastian River Medical Center in Sebastian, Florida, are expected to compliment Sebastian River, creating a network of Health Management clinical synergies for cardiac, neurosurgical and other services.

Health Management enables America's best local health care by providing the people, processes, capital and expertise necessary for its hospital and physician partners to fulfill their local missions of delivering superior health care services. Upon completion of the Wuesthoff Health System acquisition, through its subsidiaries, Health Management will operate 60 hospitals, with approximately 9,000 licensed beds, in non-urban communities located throughout the United States. All references to "Health Management," "HMA" or the "Company" used in this release refer to Health Management Associates, Inc. and its affiliates.

SOURCE: Health Management Associates, Inc.

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Look Beyond Our Healthcare System

I’m tired of seeing and hearing “health tips” everywhere.  I’m sure that you know what I mean.

It seems that I can’t pick up any popular health magazine or visit a web site without seeing titles like these: “7 Hints For Good Health,” “20 Ways To Eat Your Way Thin,” or even “12 Tips For A Better Butt.”

These articles represent the culture we live in now – a culture of information snippets and sound bites.  We don’t need health snippets.  We need to think more deeply.

It’s not that the tips themselves are wrong.  On the contrary, the individual tips or hints usually represent sound advice.  But a collection of short, one-size-fits-all “tips” is not the same as a good plan.  The advice is shallow.  You know it when you read it.

To quote the old TV commercial, “Where’s the beef?”  Perhaps, like me, you have also found them amusing for a minute or two but not really helpful in your life.

You need a solid plan to be healthy - an individual and unique plan - one that you’ve carefully thought out which incorporates elements suited to you and your life.  Tips can’t do that for you.

Plan Carefully

Think of it like building a house, perhaps your “dream home.”  Naturally you would want to do this right.  You’d probably start with explaining your dreams to an architect who would create the plans.

Then you would carefully select a contractor who would design and oversee the construction, selecting materials and coordinating their arrival on the job site.  Finally you would begin construction from the ground up - first laying the foundation, followed by erecting the walls, adding the roof, and so on.

Trying to build your health from tips is like trying to build your dream home from individual contractors dropping off “helpful materials” on your lot.  Supposing different suppliers came by and begun to drop off construction materials - concrete blocks, bricks, asphalt, wood, carpet, doors, roof shingles, nails, screws, paint, etc.

Pretty soon your lot would be covered with items.  Yes they all might be useful in building a house.  But are they useful for your dream house?  Do they all go together?  Can you use them out of order?  How can roof shingles be helpful before there is even a foundation?  A lot of the material will just be in the way, actually impairing the construction activities.

Start With The Basics

Building your good health is more important than building your house.  Focus first on the main principles of health and wellness - healthy eating, healthy moving, emotional balance, relationships and the like.

Assess where you are and where you’d like to be.  Then develop an overall plan to move you in that direction.  It doesn’t have to be perfect.  You can change it over time, but having a plan will keep you on track and improving.

Begin to implement your plan, starting with the basics to create your foundation.  Now you are ready to read any magazine article offering “8 Ways To Trim Your Thighs.”

With the house, you’re able to decide on paint, carpet and other interior furnishings after knowing the floor plan and style of the home.  So too with your health, once you have a plan, you have a framework for evaluating any tips.  Could that fit into my plan?  Would it work well with everything else I’m doing?

Do I want to try it?  Or, is that something that might work for others but not for me?  Then the tips may become helpful.
You might even want to save the tips that aren’t useful.  Things do change, and your plan will need to evolve over time.

Perhaps there is a nugget that you may be able to incorporate in your regimen later, but always remember to focus first on the overall plan.

You Can Do It!

Dr. Pete Weiss

Let me assure you that you can do this.  You can change your health for the better.  Sure it takes time and requires some effort.  But you’ve done a lot of things in your life that were harder and less important.

So take action.  Ask for help from others, make your plan and get going.  Start building the foundation of the new you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peter J. Weiss, MD, FACP is a physician, healthcare executive, author, speaker and health coach with a passion for helping others to health and wellness. “Dr. Pete” has recognized that traditional medical care isn’t helping many people to become well and, in fact, is a major part of the problem. Known as “America’s Wellness Evangelist,” he has undertaken a personal mission to empower individuals to manage their own health. Dr. Pete’s book on personal health, More Health, Less Care, is now available. You can reach Dr. Pete, or order the book by calling 321-794-0298, or log on to www.MoreHealthLessCare.com.

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BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Hospice of St. Francis recognized Pat Rouse for 20 years of service by presenting her with their Employee Service Award.

Rouse celebrated her 20th anniversary with Hospice of St. Francis this month and was hired as the first Home Health Aide/Certified Nursing Assistant when Hospice of St. Francis transitioned to an organization with paid employees in 1990. Hospice of St. Francis' office at that time was a small one–room office in downtown Titusville, Florida.

Currently, Rouse holds the position of DME/Supply Coordinator, and stays busy maintaining the inventory of medical supplies, ordering durable medical equipment for patients and staffing for crisis care.

Pat Rouse

“My hospice career has been a fabulous journey, " said Rouse as she reflected back on her career.   "I love what I do, and I'm learning something new all the time.  It's been exciting for me to be a member of such a top notch staff and to watch Hospice of St. Francis grow.

"Bruce Wolters, Executive Director, and our Board of Directors have been terrific leaders guiding us through our growth to become the organization we are today.  Time has gone so fast, but I still have the dream of seeing a hospice house with Hospice of St. Francis on the sign,” she said.

“Pat has been an invaluable employee for many years,” said Wolters.  “We are thankful for her dedication to caring for our patients and her loyalty to our organization.”

Hospice of St. Francis began operating in 1977 as a totally volunteer run organization.  In 1990, Hospice of St. Francis applied for and received its State of Florida license to operate in Brevard County as a 501(c)3 hospice organization.

In addition to providing hospice services to patients, other programs include: North Star, child grief support program; Adult Bereavement Program; Partners in Compassionate Care, volunteer training and assignment program; Caregiver Education and Resource Program and Pet Therapy Program.  These programs are available to any Brevard County, Florida resident free of charge.

For more information on our hospice services and programs, please call 321-269-4240, toll free 866-269-4240 or log on to www.hospiceofstfrancis.com.

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AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Brevard County Sheriff Jack Parker has been named Honorary Chair for the  2010 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.

Event Chair Lana Saal, and the executive committee, invites everyone to join Parker and the American Cancer Society in the fight against breast cancer at its 7th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk at The Avenue Viera on October 23.

"This inspiring event unites the entire community to honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate women about the importance of reducing their cancer risk, and raise money to fund lifesaving research and support programs to further the progress against this disease," said Saal.

Jack Parker

"Volunteers are also needed to provide their time and talent to ensure this year’s Making Strides event is a success," she said

Parker started his law enforcement career with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in 1983. Prior to being elected Sheriff he served in a variety of capacities in the Sheriff’s Office, including Patrol Major, Jail Commander and Administrative Director.

In 1997, he was recruited by the Board of County Commissioners to assume the position of Brevard County Public Safety Director, leading a department with 700 employees.

Parker has been Brevard County Sheriff since 2005 and is a graduate of Cocoa Beach High School, Brevard Community College and the University of Central Florida.

Parker is one of the few Public Safety officials in Florida to have attended the Police Academy, Corrections Academy and Firefighting Academy – and earned State of Florida Certification as a Police Officer, Corrections Officer and Firefighter. Parker is married to his wife of 21 years, Yvette, and has one son.

To register or for more information about the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K, log on to www.cancer.org/stridesonline; or contact Erica Elliott at 321.253-0361, ext. 5755, or email Erica.elliottt@cancer.org.

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TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

As we as a society are becoming painfully aware with the return of our military personnel who have suffered blast or other traumatic injuries while serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan, concussion injuries to the brain can have not only serious short term consequences, but also, potentially life altering, career changing, disabling permanent, life long effects.

However, concussion injuries, commonly referred to as traumatic brain injuries or TBI , are not limited to war injuries. Often concussions result from motor vehicle collisions, falls, and other life events resulting in concussive forces to the head and brain—often without realization by the person concussed beyond knowing at the time of the event or over time thereafter that the “just do not feel right.”

It is a known medical fact that a concussion to the brain can occur without a direct blow to the head from an object, such as in acceleration and deceleration injuries in a motor vehicle crash and certain blast injuries.

As your doctor will explain to you, the signs and symptoms of a concussion are many, vary from person to person, and overlap in many instances with signs and symptoms of other medical conditions.

Therefore, after an accident or other traumatic event, even if there has been a trip to the local ER, it is important to follow up with your personal doctor to hopefully rule out a concussion if  you “just do not feel right,”which may include one or more of a myriad of symptoms.

Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. Some symptoms are evident immediately, while others do not surface until several days or weeks after the injury.

A person with a mild TBI may remain conscious or may experience a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes. The person may also feel dazed or not like himself for several days or weeks after the initial injury. Other symptoms of mild TBI include headache, confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, blurred vision or tired eyes, ringing in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, fatigue or lethargy, a change in sleep patterns, behavioral or mood changes, and trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking.

A person with a moderate or severe TBI may show these same symptoms, but may also have a headache that gets worse or does not go away, repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures, inability to awaken from sleep, dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the extremities, loss of coordination, and/or increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.

Small children with moderate to severe TBI may show some of these signs as well as signs specific to young children, such as persistent crying, inability to be consoled, and/or refusal to nurse or eat. Anyone with signs of moderate or severe TBI should receive medical attention as soon as possible.”

Most People With A Concussion Recover Quickly and Fully

But for some people, symptoms can last for days, weeks, or longer. In general, recovery may be slower among older adults, young children and teens. Those who have had a concussion in the past are also at risk of having another one and may find that it takes longer to recover if they have another concussion.

Some of these symptoms may appear right away, while others may not be noticed for days or months after the injury, or until the person starts resuming their everyday life and more demands are placed upon them. Sometimes, people do not recognize or admit that they are having problems. Others may not understand why they are having problems and what their problems really are, which can make them nervous and upset.

The signs and symptoms of a concussion can be difficult to sort out. Early on, problems may be missed by the person with the concussion, family members, or doctors. People may look fine even though they are acting or feeling differently.

Danger Signs in Adults

In rare cases, a dangerous blood clot may form on the brain in a person with a concussion and crowd the brain against the skull. Contact your health care professional or emergency department right away if you have any of the following danger signs after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body:

• Headache that gets worse and does not go away.
• Weakness, numbness or decreased coordination.
• Repeated vomiting or nausea.
• Slurred speech.

The people checking on you should take you to an emergency department right away if you:

• Look very drowsy or cannot be awakened.
• Have one pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger than the other.
• Have convulsions or seizures.
• Cannot recognize people or places.
• Are getting more and more confused, restless, or agitated.
• Have unusual behavior.
• Lose consciousness (a brief loss of consciousness should be taken seriously and the person should be carefully monitored).

Danger Signs in Children

Take your child to the emergency department right away if they received a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, and:

• Have any of the danger signs for adults listed above.
• Will not stop crying and cannot be consoled.
• Will not nurse or eat”

Therefore, it is clear from the NIH and CDC information that prompt and proper medical evaluation, care and treatment by your doctor is critical if you “just do not feel right” because of one or more of the noted symptoms, including those which are subtle and do not seem serious but result in you being at a different health and/or functional level physically, behaviorally and/or emotionally after a traumatic event.

It is important to always remember that the term “Mild TBI” refers only to the initial presenting signs and symptoms and does not mean the long term consequences of a “Mild TBI” will be “Mild.”  Even though you may have gone to the ER after a traumatic event, it is important that you follow up with your personal doctor because the role of the ER doctor on the day of the event and the role of your personal doctor after the ER visit are different in terms of evaluating the nature, degree and extent of your traumatic injuries, their effect on you over time and whether or not you need ongoing medical care.

Hopefully, your doctor can rule out a traumatic brain injury. If not, early evaluation and treatment by your doctor can ensure a proper treatment protocol. The recent tragic death of actress Natasha Richardson due to a concussion injury with resulting brain bleed after a seemingly minor fall on a ski slope emphasizes the importance of prompt medical care at an ER and thereafter from your personal doctor after a concussion event.

Effects of Concussion Injuries Subtle and Cumulative

As we see with football players and other athletes, the effects of concussion injuries to the brain are often subtle but cumulative. The athlete may play a physical sport for years without apparent problems, but all of a sudden there is a routine “hit” on or fall by the athlete, such as a tackle in football, that does not appear out of the ordinary and the athlete’s career is over.

Therefore, it is critically important that people with a history of one or more prior concussions see their doctor for a careful evaluation and that the patient gives their doctor an accurate history of their prior concussion and other traumatic injuries. It is especially important that young people playing sports be carefully monitored during and after a sporting activity for concussion signs and symptoms, particularly if the athlete loses consciousness, is dazed or otherwise has an altered state of consciousness during or after a sporting game, practice or other activity.

The CDC  has stated the following regarding a “blow” or “jolt” to the head in high school and youth sports:

The CDC has also created a “Heads Up Tool Kit For High School Sports” and a “Heads Up Tool Kit For Youth Sports” for coaches to reduce head injuries in high school and youth sports.

The CDC has developed excellent resources for coaches, administrators and parents relating to traumatic brain injury in high school and youth sports, including http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/high_school.html and http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/youth.html.

Each kit is a tremendous resource for both coaches and parents who must be ever vigilant regarding concussion injuries. The kit contains easy to use information which every youth coach (and parent) should have at her or his disposal.

This is particularly important at the youth sport level where the coach may simply be a volunteer with little or no formal education in coaching and sporting injuries. Be sure that your child’s high school or youth coach is aware of this online resource and follows proper protocols for identifying concussion signs and symptoms.

There is no glory your child or her/his school or other team can earn in staying in a game after being concussed worth the potential long term consequences of further, repetitive concussive forces to the already injured brain, a fact your doctor, who is your and your child’s best ally in protecting your child after a concussion, can explain to you in great detail.

Finally, the following are some important facts to keep in mind about concussion/TBI, whether mild, moderate or severe, which your family doctor can explain to you in greater detail based upon her or his medical education, training and experience:

HELPFUL LINKS

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the military: www.TraumaticBrainInjuryAtoZ
• http://www.emergency.cdc.gov/masscasualties/blastessentials.asp
• The National Institutes of Health: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/detail_tbi.htm#153863218
• U.S. Center For Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/signs_symptoms.htm
• Tips to help aid recovery after a concussion. http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/feel_better.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James I. Knudson, JD, of Knudson Brain Spine Injury Law Office P.A., is located in Rockledge, Florida. You may reach Mr. Knudson at 321-632-2722.

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THE DEN with Jim Van Veen of Running Zone

Whether to run barefoot or not is a heavily debated topic in the running world right now and one that our customers ask us about quite frequently.

We at Running Zone have done our best to take an objective look at the research behind both sides of the debate and everything in between. We feel that it is best to address the issue based on the individual and not with a blanket statement.

Here Is What We’ve Found

Barefoot or minimalist running is a great way to strengthen the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your feet thus making you less prone to injuries and to be more efficient.

It forces you to have a more compact stride because you have no protection under your heel. This lessens the braking effect and reduces the shock on your legs. These are all great benefits but before you go throw your shoes in the ocean there are many things to consider.

While it may be true that our ancestors ran barefoot, most of them had smaller frames and bone structures, ran on natural surfaces, and had no access to footwear.

This is also true with the Kenyans and Ethiopians in today’s world. With that said, the structure of the foot develops over the first 6-8 years of our lives.

Most of us were wearing shoes during the majority of that time and thus our feet are not as inherently strong as our African counterparts.

This can be changed over time, but takes a very gradual approach to avoid becoming injured. Also, as we age, the fat pads on our feet wear down after years of pounding so it is very important for older runners to use caution when implementing barefoot running. The best way to look at minimalist running is that it is weightlifting for your feet. It is a good supplemental tool, but should not be used exclusively for the majority of runners.

The first and most obvious setback to running barefoot is the lack of protection for your feet. In an ideal world, we would have miles of perfectly manicured flat grass surfaces with no debris.

Unfortunately most of the surfaces we encounter are unnatural and not designed to cushion our feet. Concrete is 16 times harder than natural surfaces and asphalt isn’t much better. The best way to get the benefits of running barefoot while protecting your feet from debris is by wearing lightweight, minimal shoes or racing flats.

Many barefoot enthusiasts are quick to point out that running shoes cause injuries and make people over-stride. This is not true. Modern running shoes are designed with flex grooves and anatomical uppers to mimic the natural motion of your foot while cushioning and guiding your foot into the Neutral position.

Getting fit for the proper shoe for your foot is the best way to stay injury free. Shoes do not cause over-striding, lazy runners do. The most efficient way to run is with your foot striking directly under your body.

This can easily be done by focusing on keeping a compact stride whether barefoot or in shoes. Most elite Olympic level runners incorporate some type of supplemental barefoot running into their regimen but none of them train barefoot exclusively. It should also be noted that most African runners who are given the choice to wear shoes jump at the chance.

Minimalist Running

If you want to try minimalist running, we recommend starting out on a flat, soft surface like a soccer field and run barefoot or in a racing flat for 5 to 10 minutes at the end of your regular run. Do this no more than twice a week starting out. You can increase gradually as you see fit but be cautious not to overdo it.

We believe that minimalist running is a great tool that most runners should try in a controlled manner. If you have more questions about barefoot running or want to try some minimal shoes we’d be happy to help you implement it into your training in a safe and enjoyable way.

Don and Denise Piercy

ABOUT THE RUNNING ZONE

Serving Brevard, Volusia and Indian River Counties in Florida, Running Zone  specializes in helping you select a pair of shoes that will enhance your running and walking experience. Their knowledgeable staff will assist you through a comprehensive fitting process to make sure this goal is achieved. The owners, Don and Denise Piercy, help promote fitness and exercise in the community, offering training clinics, weekly fun runs and walks, and support over 20 races a year through their sister company, Running Zone Race Management, Inc. For more information call 321-751-8890 or CLICK HERE.

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HEALTHCARE PERSPECTIVE

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a lecture on strategy presented by a renowned consultant for a prominent healthcare technologies company.

The emerging markets of China and India represent close to 40 percent of the world’s population.

I was fascinated by his enthusiasm and insights, and I can assure you I was not alone. He emphasized that while businesses need to focus on current operations and a short-term strategy (3-5 years), they also need to be devoting sufficient resources to drafting their own vision for 2030. Yes 2030!

Now we all understand that technologies such as the internet and Skype have made it easier for businesses to compete more effectively on a global level. And much of the drive for global competition is represented by the potential opportunities of the emerging markets of China and India, which combined represent close to 40 percent of the world’s population.

To put that in perspective, the U.S. is the third largest populated country behind China and India representing a mere 4.5 percent of the nearly 7 billion people on earth.

The consultant then went on to describe two devices out of 100 being developed by this company over the next six years that will transform the way healthcare is delivered globally, and ultimately impact the delivery of care here in the U.S.

The first is a $1,000 hand-held electrocardiogram device, and the second is a PC-based ultrasound machine that costs $15,000 – both of which can easily be carried around and utilized remotely in rural areas of China and India.

These innovations are revolutionary, not only because they are small and inexpensive, but because they are transforming the delivery of healthcare.

For example, in several large U.S. cities, ambulances are now equipped with these devices and are able to provide more timely and accurate care at the site of accidents, thereby improving outcomes and saving lives.

This prompted me to started thinking about what healthcare would look like in 2030.

We often hear about physician shortages, but is there really a shortage of physicians, or are they bogged down by the complexity of the system, not effectively being utilized for their true expertise?

Much of the care provided by physicians today could be provided by physician extenders in the future. Currently registered nurses, advance registered nurse practitioners, pharmacists and physician assistants aren’t being utilized as effectively as possible.

We could free-up scarce physician resources if we empower these extenders to provide more of the basic care, increase automation via electronic health records, evidence-based medicine and e-prescribing – while reserving doctors to focus more on complex patient care and not the administrative burdens of practicing medicine.

Healthcare provider consults could take place as needed via satellite or on our smart phones without requiring a physical face-to-face visit to a physician’s office.

For the future, I picture smart toilets that test your urine and stool daily and smart scales assessing your body mass index. Homes will be wired with equipment to submit blood samples, sugar levels, heart rate, pulse and other biometric data to remote healthcare providers that will monitor daily health progress.

Healthcare provider consults could take place as needed via satellite or on our smart phones without requiring a physical face-to-face visit to a physician’s office. Personalized daily menus will be texted to us based on that day’s biometric results.

For example, a low iron level will result in a suggestion of consuming a serving of red meat or broccoli.  Exercise and nutrition can be tracked by entering data into our smart phones with immediate feedback provided for guidance exactly when it’s needed – and personal trainers accessible via satellite on your home TV when it best suits your schedule or particular circumstances.

Medical Tourism

However, until we get to what I term the “Jetson” era, I believe we will continue to see medical tourism grow and thrive, especially in light of the recent healthcare reform legislation that in the short run will drive up costs significantly if not addressed with future legislative fixes.

A forecast by Deloitte Consulting, published in August 2008, projected that medical tourism originating in the U.S. could jump by a factor of ten over the term of the next decade.

It is estimated that a million and a half patients sought healthcare outside the US in 2008 and according to an article published by the University of Delaware:

The cost of surgery in India, Thailand or South Africa can be one-tenth of what it is in the United States or Western Europe, and sometimes even less. A heart-valve replacement that would cost $200,000 or more in the U.S., for example, goes for $10,000 in India – and that includes round-trip airfare and a brief vacation package.

Similarly, a metal-free dental bridge worth $5,500 in the U.S. costs $500 in India, a knee replacement in Thailand with six days of physical therapy costs about one-fifth of what it would in the States, and Lasik eye surgery worth $3,700 in the U.S. is available in many other countries for only $730. Cosmetic surgery savings are even greater: A full face lift that would cost $20,000 in the U.S. runs about $1,250 in South Africa.

It’s no wonder why large self-funded employers are offering employee incentives to travel abroad for medical care, and that United Healthcare has begun contracting a global healthcare network.

And while quality is not the same everywhere, many of these medical tourism destinations are credentialed by the same body that credentials U.S. facilities, and coupled with highly trained physicians, are potentially providing better outcomes than those achieved in the U.S.

So while we focus in the “short run” of improving the U.S. healthcare system’s technological infrastructure, we have to keep in mind that we are facing global competition and that the old standard way of thinking isn’t going to get us where we need to be to position ourselves for the future delivery of healthcare.

It will take dynamic leadership, cooperation across all sectors and extraordinary vision to craft our future and remain competitive and viable in 2030.

Angela Handa

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Angela Handa is vice president of Sales & Service at Health First Health Plans. A cum laude graduate of Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts/Economics and Psychology, she has also earned accreditation as a Certified Financial Planner, Certified Managed Care Executive, and Certified Employee Benefit Specialist. The views expressed in this article are hers alone and do not represent the views of Health First Health Plans, Inc. or Health First, Inc.

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THE BUSINESS OF HEALTHCARE

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Although physicians would much rather heal patients than tend to interminable paperwork, doctors– particularly those in solo practices – often must give up time that could be spent caring for patients in order to navigate through complex insurance requirements.

With Brevard Physicians Network, however, the doctors gain strength, and most importantly, time, by banding together. Insurance companies appreciate the fact that the Network provides them with a single contact to help negotiate.

Dr. Williams

Dr. Ahmed

Formed in 1995 by a group of local physicians, Brevard Physicians Network was created as a vehicle to free doctors from insurance hassles so they can do what they do best: care for their patients.

“It assists physicians with enrollment and credentialing,” said Dr. David Williams, president and CEO of MedFast Urgent Care Centers and a member of the BPN board. “I believe it is the way to go.”

Nephrologist Dr. Tim Ahmed has been part of the Network for nine years.

“It’s been very useful,” said Ahmed, who is part of Medical Associates of Brevard, an umbrella group of private practitioners. “I don’t know what it would be like without it. I joined because you need a voice larger than an individual’s to negotiate reimbursement rights.”

BRENDA RADKE took over the helm as CEO of Brevard Physicians Network in July of last year.

Currently over 300 physicians in the Space and Treasure Coasts are part of the network, representing 101 primary care docs and every imaginable specialty.

“BPN acts as intermediary between physicians and the insurance companies,” said CEO Brenda Radke. “It is very good for the community, because we have the opportunity to improve the quality of care.”

Take, for example, the often confusing array of Medicare Advantage Plans.

Last year, four new plans were introduced in Brevard. BPN signed agreements with three out of the four, adding more freedom of choice to patients.

“If the doctor they went to did not accept the plan the patient wanted, the patient may either have to select another physician or not get the plan,” said Radke.

“We Do The Work”

The Network frees physicians from the ever-growing administrative tasks of continually evolving payer requirements, for the organization has the authority to negotiate contracts for all members.

BPN currently manages 35 different insurance contracts. Network members have the option of accepting all 35, or picking and choosing those that best suit their practice’s needs.

“If they didn’t belong to the network, every single physician would have to sit down and read these 40-page contracts from each of the 35 different insurances,” said Radke. “We do the work.”

BPN staff reports to a seven-member board composed of local physicians. A three-person executive committee, consisting of administrators from large medical groups, helps the Network develop best practices.

“This is my front-line group,” said Radke. “They’re a great sounding board.”

Network Clout

THE CANCER CARE CENTERS of Brevard are part of the BPN network. The Cancer Care team includes (from left on stairway): Drs. Giuseppe Palermo, Ravi Shankar, Carl Tahn, Isaac Esseesse and Silas Charles. Front row: Drs. Todd Panarese, Diely Pichardo, Nicola Ally and Fe Pancito.

BPN’s goal has always been to provide the highest quality medical care to patients, while keeping that care at a cost that is acceptable to both insurance companies and to physicians. The insurance industry, always conscious of costs, has high regard for Network clout.

“The insurance companies view us as a great resource to save time and money,” said Radke. “Working together, we are able to negotiate the best rates for managed care contracts and other services.”

Because BPN physicians must meet high credentialing standards, consumers can be confident they will receive care from well-qualified, high quality professionals. That’s the domain of credentials director Trish Beaulieu, tasked with checking the background of all physicians applying for BPN membership.

“We have access to the National Practitioners’ Date Base,” said Radke.

“We also contact the educational institutions that granted degrees to our physicians and also ask for several letters of reference. We verify everything. We are as thorough as the insurance companies with background checks, which is something insurance companies appreciate.”

Radke, who joined BPN in 2008, brings 17 years of experience in the insurance industry to the bargaining table.

“I can see both sides, so I bring a reality check to both parties,” she said.

“Knowing the needs of both sides can offer a better perspective and a more harmonious relationship.”

President Obama’s healthcare reform will undoubtedly provide additional challenges to physicians, but organizations such as BPN will help alleviate the confusion and hassle.

“There are so many moving pieces to the plan, but right now, physicians stand to see a 21 percent decrease in Medicare payments, which could potentially mean a reduction in office hours or staff,” said Radke.

Membership in BPN, however, could help doctors compensate for cutbacks in reimbursement through savings in medical malpractice insurance and other necessities of the trade.

BPN’s agreement with The Doctors Company and Oros Risk Solutions, for example, has snagged substantial insurance savings for member physicians.

BREVARD COSMETIC SURGICAL CENTER: BPN members Dr. Frank Venzara, right, and Dr. Robert Bashore, left, with Physician Assistant Dan Daniels, center, in one of their two fully equipped surgical suites. Drs. Venzara and Bashore are Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, and have over 50 years cumulative experience. Daniels is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and holds hospital privileges with several local hospitals.

“Many solo doctors found they can save 15 to 20 percent in malpractice insurance costs,” said Radke.

The Network also offers a group purchasing program with discounts that significantly reduce practice overheads.

“We also do a background check on all of our vendors, which can save physicians a lot of legwork,” said Radke.

Filing insurance claims can be a migraine-producing task for even the most seasoned office staff, but this tedious and complicated task can be simplified, thanks to BPN’s input.

“We will sit down with office staff to help them with billing,” said Radke.

“The more streamlined they become, the more profitable the practice can become, so if healthcare reform brings a decrease of income, physicians can continue to practice without cutting back on hours or staff,” said Radke.

If a particular claim is denied, the Network steps in as ombudsman.

“In many cases, the claim has been denied because of a technicality,” said Radke. “We are often able to correct the problem and have the claim approved.”

For patients and physicians traveling through the maze of today’s healthcare, Brevard Physicians Network is a guide to lead the way.
“It’s a win-win situation for all involved,” said Radke.

Related posts:

1. Radke Has the Tickets To Grow the “Network”
2. Long-Term Care Insurance Helps If You Become Physically Impaired
3. Dr. Broussard Pioneered Eye Care In Brevard

HEALTHCARE NEWS

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA (July10, 2010) –Dr. Anil Dhople, a native of Satellite Beach, Florida, has joined MIMA Cancer Center after completing his internship and residency training at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Dr. Dhople

Following his residency, Dhople served as Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiology Oncology at the University of Maryland where he treated patients, participated in numerous institutional and national clinical trials, and educated residents and medical students.

“We are so pleased that Dr. Dhople can return home to the community he knows and loves to practice medicine,” said Dr. Al O’Connell, MIMA’s chief administrative officer. “He brings experience from many of the most respected institutions in the country including St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.”

Dr. Al O’Connell

A board certified radiation oncologist, Dhople completed sub-specialty training rotations at a number of internationally recognized cancer centers including Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, William Beaumont Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, and Washington University (Barnes-Jewish Hospital). He is an expert in the utilization and delivery of state-of-the-art radiation options such as Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, Image Guided Radiation Therapy and Stereotactic Radiosurgery.

Growing up in Satellite Beach, Dhople achieved his Eagle Scout designation as a member of Troop 301 and is the son of Padmini and Arvind Dhople, PhD., a world-renowned researcher in the field of Infectious Diseases and Professor Emeritus at Florida Tech.

“To provide medical care in the area where I grew up has been a goal of mine since I earned my medical degree,” said Dr. Dhople. “I look forward to not only taking care of patients, but also becoming an active and productive member of the community.”

Dhople received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and his medical degree from University of Florida College of Medicine.

For more information call 321-409-1956, ext. 7718 or CLICK HERE.

Related posts:

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2. Dr. Govind Sriramineni Joins MIMA
3. Husband-Wife Team Joins MIMA

CHILDREN’S SERVICES

COPING WITH GRIEF: Gail Beagley, Benefit Ball Chair; Sandy Grutta, Health First Foundation Coordinator; and Cynthia Koppler, Program Administrator for the Bright Star Center. The art pieces are graphic depictions of personal grief journeys created by Bright Star teens in conjunction with the Brevard Cultural Alliance.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – In 2005, the Pochy family of Merritt Island had to face the unthinkable: the death of their youngest daughter. Seven-year-old Sarah died after a one-year fight with brain cancer, leaving behind inconsolable parents and two siblings.

Fortunately, Bright Star Center for Grieving Children was there to help the family to slowly begin to heal after their tragedy.

“After Sarah died, I heard about Bright Star,” said Jennifer Pochy. “I don’t know how I would have gotten through without it. My children loved their sister.”

CAMP BRIGHT STAR offers children lots of outdoor fun at Gleason Park. Conquering one of the climbing challenges are (from left) Sarah, Jeff, Barbara Evans, Certified Hospice CNA and Camp Facilitator, and Alyssa.

Death is part of life, as is grieving, which allows us to heal and renew, but when death strikes a family, the adults may often be too preoccupied with their own overwhelming emotions to realize that the children, although their grief may manifest itself differently, are hurting nonetheless.

“As a parent, you’re grieving, and you don’t  know how to help your children cope with their grief,” said Pochy.

These young “silent grievers” take a path towards healing that is different from the way an adult undertakes the difficult journey.

“Grief is normal, but it doesn’t feel normal when you’re a kid and it’s the first time you’ve experienced it,” said Cynthia Koppler, program administrator for Bright Star Center for Grieving Children.

Realizing the specific needs of grieving children, most hospices have instituted specialized programs such as Bright Star, a collaborative effort of Brevard’s Hospice of Health First and the New Hope Center for Grieving Center in Maitland.

Modeled After Dougy Center

Bright Star, which has served more than 1,200 children in the last ten years, encourages children ages three to 18 to experience their grief both verbally and through positive play. Services are modeled after the Oregon-based Dougy Center, a program founded in 1982 by nurse Beverly Chappell in tribute to Dougy Turno, a young boy who died from a brain tumor.

In her profession, Chappell had found that physicians, clergy and teachers often did not have the training to guide children through their grief. She immersed herself in the work of Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, the pioneering author in the field  of dying.

Chappell met Dougy after he wrote a letter to Kubler-Ross to ask why no one would talk to him about dying, even when he knew his death was imminent. Kubler-Ross wrote back and encouraged Chappell to meet Dougy.

The youngster’s plight led Chappell to develop the support groups for grieving children that were to become the Dougy Center, now an internationally recognized model for peer support programs to help children coping with the death of a family member.

“It’s primarily the philosophy of kids helping kids,” said Koppler.

Volunteers Are Critical To Success

A core staff of mental health professionals with experience in bereavement counseling helps lead age-specific groups for children who have lost important persons in their lives. Aiding the staff is a corps of almost 50 volunteers, who have received extensive training and who help facilitate the groups and make the families feel at home.

GREATER PALM BAY Senior Center Volunteer Joe Dodi helps Rachel complete her watermelon craft as part of this year’s Bright Star Camp indoor activities. Each year these volunteers, who contribute the craft supplies, assist children in building a project to take home.

“Volunteers are the most important people in the world to us,” said Koppler. “We typically have five or six per group. Most of our volunteers have had a death in the family when they were young and they didn’t get help at that time. Most work full-time jobs but come here to help because they so believe in what we do.”

Since Bright Star receives no government funds or insurance payments, families in the program are asked to contribute to help defray operational costs, but no child is ever turned away.

Next year should prove a great year for Bright Star, thanks to the $350,000 gift the program received from this year’s Health First Foundation Ball.
“We’ll have more space so we can do even more innovative things,” said Koppler.

The funds will allow Bright Star to leave its current rented and modest home on the second floor of a downtown Melbourne building for a completely renovated 4,300-square-foot facility in Babcock Center, almost doubling the available space and providing for dedicated areas for activities such as art, as well as the “Hurricane Room,” an area where children can safely vent their grief and frustration in a padded room.

“One of the things children need to work through are their anger and other strong emotions,” said Koppler.

Art also provides a valuable – and creative– venue for healing, as witnessed by the three-foot-by-three-foot paintings done by teens during a Bright Star partnership with the Brevard Cultural Alliance.

“The works are amazing,” said Koppler of these stunningly visual expressions of a young person’s journey through grief.

Two of the paintings are by Keith and Jenna Pochy, Sarah’s older brother and sister.

Since the time their sister passed away, the siblings have remained part of the Bright Star family. Now, as teens, they serve to facilitate in groups and in the camp.
In spring and fall, Bright Star hosts a one-day camp at Gleason Park in Indian Harbour Beach. Volunteers from the Greater Palm Bay Senior Center help out as kids do crafts and activities that help them forge new friends young and old.

“We want them to feel comfortable with each other,” said Koppler.

After lunch and a transitional activity such as children’s yoga, the children come together in grief groups and to write notes on rice paper to the person they’ve lost.  One of the most emotional moments of the camp happens when the notes, together with flowers, are set free to float on the park’s pond.

PRESENTING A CHECK for $350,000 that will help Health First to provide a permanent home for the Bright Star Center is, from left to right: Cynthia Koppler, Program Administrator of Bright Star; Ball Chair Gail Beagley; Larry Garrison, HF Executive VP and COO; Kevin Nigel Williams, Bright Star Program; Mike Means, HF President & CEO; and Ball Underwriting Chair Kimberly Meehan Agee.

Giving Back

Teens in the Bright Star program take pride in giving back to the community through a pet food bank that donates food to families in the hospice program. Once a month, the young people convene at Hospice of Health First offices on dairy road to help distribute the food.

Over 1,700 pounds of food have arrived from Melbourne High School alone. Local businesses, such as Harris Corporation, Petco and Sam’s, support the endeavor. An individual donor provided $2,000 for the bank.

“When you help other people, you realize you have a purpose,” explained Koppler about the concept behind the food bank.
For parents like Jennifer Pochy, Bright Star is indeed a light at the end of darkness.

“I tell people about it all the time,” she said.“I doesn’t matter how the loved one died or how long ago it was, but the children still need it.”

HOSPICE CHILDREN SERVICES

HOSPICE OF ST. FRANCIS NORTH STAR PROGRAM

WUESTHOFF HOSPICE CAMP HOPE

CAMP BRIGHT STAR FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN

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SKIN CARE

JACK LALANNE, an American longevity icon, is still going strong and looking great at age 95. LaLanne gained worldwide recognition for his incredible and prodigious acts of strength and endurance. A pioneer, he studied Henry Gray’s Anatomy of the Human Body and concentrated on bodybuilding, chiropractic medicine and weightlifting – something virtually unheard of in the 1930s.

This is a great time to be alive.  People are living longer, healthier lives, staying more active than ever before, and most importantly, feeling good into their 90s – and beyond!

Some of this is due to lifestyle changes, with exercise and diet playing the largest role, but some of it is a fundamental change in medical treatment that is based upon keeping people physiologically younger.

Not only are we feeling and living better, but also we have options now that let us look as good as we feel.  It is truly amazing.

All of the hallmarks we used to have to endure, from the age spots to the wrinkles to the changes in facial architecture all can be fixed, for the most part, without surgery. And it is fun to compare methods of the past with those of the present, “then versus now.”  We’ve come a long way, baby!

Liver Spots

Take for instance the “liver spots” that start to show up on our faces and hands in our late 30s and 40s.  Back in the day, people tried creams to fade the spots, but the creams were pretty ineffective.

Now, we have lasers and Intense Pulsed Light machines that treat those spots that you accumulated over the course of years in a matter of minutes.

Once the spots are gone, we have an excellent maintenance system that starts with the Obagi NuDerm System, a scientifically based system designed to stimulate collagen production, keep dark spots from returning, gently exfoliate the skin and give your skin a healthy glow.

Spider Veins

How about those tiny little blood vessels, the so-called “spider veins” that start to show around our noses, on our cheeks and chin?  Up until the last decade or so, we dermatologists were stuck with either using anti-rosacea creams, which did not help very much, or we tried to treat the individual vessels with a painful laser.

Now, we can treat those tiny little blood vessels with the Intense Pulsed Light, and they just shrink and disappear, leaving clearer, younger looking skin!

Use the Best Sunscreen

Once the fine lines start to develop around our eyes, usually in our late 30s to early 40s, it’s the ideal time to start a prevention program.  First, of course, wear the best sunscreen you can afford.  Ultraviolet light not only causes wrinkles and age spots, but also thins out the skin, causing redness and blotchiness, not to mention sin cancer!

Great sunscreens for the face are made by Obagi, SkinCeuticals, and LaRoche-Posay.  They are cosmetically elegant, persistent and they block both the Ultraviolet A (aging) rays as well as the Ultraviolet B (burning) rays.

Other products, such as those made by Neutrogena, Bull Frog (my personal favorite), Aveeno and Ocean Potion are good for the arms, legs, back and chest.

Botox Still the Gold Standard

Next, try to look critically at your wrinkles.  Are they caused by crinkling your eyes or furrowing your brows?  If so, the product that makes many of Hollywood’s most glamorous people look so good can do the same for you.

Ever wonder why some stars are ageless?  Almost always, Botox is part of the solution.  The stars know that overactive muscles lead to the deep furrows between the brows and crow’s feet that radiate away from the outer corner of the eye, which make them look tired, angry and more mature than they would like to look.

In the past, people would try to erase these lines using (I am not making this up) Scotch Tape and other adhesives, as well as mud masks (“to draw out impurities”), but the problem wasn’t impurities or tape deficiencies, it was merely the repetitive action of muscles which corrugate the skin, creasing it over and over again.

Botox is the first product to treat this effectively, and it still seems to be the gold standard in this regard.

Fractionated Lasers

For changes that can’t be corrected by Botox alone, there are even more options. Fine lines, wrinkling, and also age spots on the face, neck, chest and hands are remarkably responsive to lasers.  Just a few years back, lasers were geared toward completely resurfacing the skin of the face, which often resulted in unnatural, pale, shiny skin.

THERE ARE a host of volume repleting agents, known as “fillers,” which are useful in restoring the original look to our face.

The wrinkles were gone, but the end result was so different from normal skin that patients often were relegated to wearing cosmetic foundation all the time, just to camouflage the laser treatment.

Now, however, there are a host of new “fractionated” lasers that have changed the game.  When Reliant Corporation  (recently purchased by Solta Medical Corporation) rolled out their Fraxel Laser, they immediately changed the way we think about treating skin damaged from the sun and from time.

With a host of scientifically based studies, they showed that we can cause not only reversal of discolorations, but also can completely change the way our collagen producing cells work, stimulating them to erase wrinkles and lines.  There have been many improvements to those first Fraxels, and the results are pretty dramatic.

Stick With Tried And True Fillers

Finally, look at the shape of your face., then compare it to when you were younger.  Chances are, you’ll notice several things:  cheeks that are less full, more prominent lines between your cheek and your upper lip, perhaps even between your cheeks and your chin.

Those lines are caused by loss of volume, and that volume loss changes everything.  In the past, the only remedy was a facelift, which often resulted in a tighter, but not necessarily more aesthetic outcome.  Now, there are a host of volume repleting agents (known as “fillers”), which are useful in restoring the original look  to our face.

Among these fillers are Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane, and Perlane.  It is important to stick with the tried and true fillers, because there have been a host of fillers recently taken off the market because of  undesirable outcomes.

So, once again, this is a great time to be alive.  Now, we can not only grow older gracefully and happily, but also look great doing it!

Dr. Larry Bishop

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Bishop attended Wright State University medical school and then served nine years in the Air Force as a flight surgeon. An affiliate of MIMA in Melbourne, Florida, he specializes in cosmetic and surgical dermatology, including Mohs Micrographic Surgery, and non-surgical rejuvenation of the face. For more information you may call Dr. Bishop at 321-751-9097 or CLICK HERE.

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NEWS FLASH

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA (July 7, 2010) – Dr. Heidar Heshmati has been re-hired to his former position as the Director of the Brevard County Health Department. Before retiring last April from the department, Dr. Heshmati served as the director for 13 years, and prior to that, was the assistant director and with the department as a physician.

Dr. Heidar Heshmati has been re-hired to his former position as the Director of the Brevard County Health Department.

After a three month search, a six-member panel re-hired Dr. Heshmati over finalist Dr. Celeste Phillip, a physician with the Polk County Health Department, and Dr. Bruce Alper, a general surgeon with the Veterans Administration.

Under Dr. Heshmati's leadership which began in 1997, Brevard was the only county in the U.S. with 10 of its health department programs to be chosen as best modern practices by the National Association of County Health Offices.

Dr. Heshmati was also awarded the Florida Surgeon General's Health Innovation Prevention and Management Award for the county's adult dental clinic, maternal health services and the integrated school health program.

"Brevard is the only county in Florida that has a maternity program in which every pregnant woman can have prenatal care," said Dr. Heshmati.

Brevard County also recognized Dr. Heshmati's excellent work by naming the new county health services building in Viera after him.

A native of Iran, Dr. Heshmati worked as an orthopedic surgeon after receiving his M.D. from Teheran University, Iran School of Medicine. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1980 and came to Brevard County because his wife was studying psychology at the Florida Institute of Technology.

"I'm glad to be back because it's a rewarding job where you can do something for all the people," said Dr. Heshmati. "Preventing diseases and providing services is something I've enjoyed doing the last 27 years – and look forward to continuing," he said.

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HEATHCARE NEWS

Byrne

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Chris Byrne has joined Buena Vida Estates as Director of Health Care Services. Byrne has more than 27 years experience in nursing, risk management and patient-centered customer service.

Buena Vida Estates is a retirement community designed for the independent senior, 65 years and older, located in West Melbourne, Florida on a 13-acre campus.

The facility offers private apartments, maintenance-free living with resort-style amenities, activities and programs with on-site independent, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory support care.

“I am delighted to join such an innovative, caring organization that anticipates the needs of older adults in our community,” said Byrne. “It’s a pleasure to work with such an incredible team of caring professionals to further enhance the resident’s experiences here,” she said.

Under the direction of Dr. John Potomski, Buena Vida’s Medical Director, Byrne is responsible for the design and continuous improvement of case management and nursing care processes as it applies to the use of medical services offered. Additionally, she will participate in the continuum of the integrated case management program throughout the Continuing Care Retirement Community.

Spalding

“We are especially pleased to have Chris join the Buena Vida family,” said Don Spalding, gerontologist and executive director at Buena Vida Estates. "We welcome area professionals to meet Chris on July 20th, from 5-7 p.m. and take a tour of our new assisted living facility,” he said.

Prior to joining Buena Vida, Byrne was the Risk Manager and weekend Facility Supervisor for both the Wuesthoff Assisted Living Facility and the Wuesthoff Progressive Care Center in Viera, Florida.

Byrne has a nursing degree from the State University of New York and holds multiple clinical certifications as well as a license in risk management and training for Assisted Living Facility administration.

For more information or a tour of the community call 321-724-0060 or visit www.buenavidaestates.org

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AL NEUHARTH’S TAKE

U.S. COMMITMENT TO SPACE

Kennedy

“I hope the federal government, from the White House on down, will realize that you can’t be No. 2 or 3 in space if you want to be No. 1 on Earth. Jack Kennedy had it right, and Lyndon Johnson believed it just as strongly.”

WHY HE NEVER GOLFED

Neuharth enjoyed tennis and jogging in the past, and still likes to walk, ride a three wheeler on the beach, and swim. Golf takes too much concentration, when exercise time could be better spent letting his mind roam and process problems.

“I like to think about a lot of things.”

RUSH LIMBAUGH

Limbaugh

Neuharth occasionally listens to the conservative commentator in the car, often hearing his entire show during long drives across his native South Dakota.

“I find it very amusing, and I leave it on for the whole thing. I’m amazed that otherwise intelligent friends take it seriously. I’d call it entertainment and propaganda and a little bit of news.”

PLAIN TALK

Neuharth’s goal for his weekly 300-word column is to be current. Beyond that, any subject is fair game. He’s had several topics that he could rely upon to generate feedback.

Obama

“Whenever I criticized George (W.) Bush, the heavens would fall on me from Republicans or conservatives, who are more inclined to react than moderates or Democrats or leftists – whatever you want to call them.”

He also has urged the U.S. military to leave Afghanistan. “The very positive reaction to my saying let’s get the hell out is almost as strong as when I criticize George Bush.” His take on the world reaches readers all the way to the top.

Neuharth chatted with President Obama at a recent function, and said the president commented, “I read it, even when he criticizes me.”

STAYING INVOLVED WITHOUT HOARDING CONTROL

As a former CEO, Neuharth knows the importance of allowing a new leader free rein – but believes that if a CEO was any good, he or she still can offer valuable input. He attends board meetings of Gannett Co Inc., as well as committee meetings for the Freedom Forum.

“I made sure I did not have a vote, but I would always have a voice.”

CABLE NEWS

Neuharth flips between CNN, Fox, CNBC and MSNBC throughout the day. He rates CNN best at doing the most credible job of fair presentation. Fox is prejudiced toward the right, and MSNBC, he finds, is almost as prejudiced toward the liberal point of view.

INTERNET BLOGS

“Much of what you get on the web is crap.”

The media hasn’t done a good job of explaining the difference between the researched and well-sourced stories traditional news organizations provide, as opposed to the opinion let loose in blogs. The latter have their place, but they’re not a serious source of information.

“They’re like the pamphlets in Ben Franklin’s days – they were fun to read, but they didn’t tell you a hell of a lot.”

THE FUTURE OF NEWSPAPERS

“I am sure the news industry will do better than ever in the future because of the tremendous hunger for news and information in the world. What forms it will take, I don’t know. I’m sure there are some we haven’t thought of yet.”

DEMANDING HIGH STANDARDS

Neuharth is known for requiring excellence from his employees, quickly sending a note on his trademark peach paper asking that something be fixed if he finds a chink in quality.

He tells the story of delivery issues he had in the past, with FLORIDA TODAY and USA TODAY sometimes arriving after the promised 5 a.m. delivery time. He’d informed Frank Vega, then publisher of FLORIDA TODAY, of the problem and promised to call Vega at home next time one of his papers was late.

Sure enough, he soon went outside to find FLORIDA TODAY but no USA TODAY, and called Vega at 5 a.m. The publisher didn’t miss a beat and told Neuharth, “Well, chief, don’t usually publish on Saturday, but if you want us to start, we will.”

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Newspaper Icon Makes Every Day Interesting, Fun

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – As a husband, a father of two  grown and six younger children, writer of a weekly nationwide newspaper column and participant in a non-profit of his own founding, Al Neuharth knows how to manage an active life. And as an octogenarian, he knows plenty about maintaining health and vitality.

AL NEUHARTH’s home office includes mementoes of his accomplishments, including a USA TODAY newspaper box.

Neuharth, founder of USA TODAY, celebrated his 86th birthday this year. He also passed the two-decade mark in retirement, a period that has seen a new marriage, a house full of children and a busy travel schedule for his professional and philanthropic pursuits.

Commitment To Health

“What I try to do is make sure that every day is interesting, and includes some fun. I’m pretty serious about my physical condition and health, and I have been for a long time,” said Neuharth, a longtime resident of Cocoa Beach, Florida. The lifelong newspaperman also founded TODAY – which later became FLORIDA TODAY – in 1966.

He dates his commitment to health back to age 22 and the end of World War II. The South Dakota native had just gotten out of the Army, having served in Europe and the Pacific.

“Then, I ate some healthy food and also a lot of crap. I decided that I wanted to avoid becoming obese, and food and exercise were the way to do it,” he said.

Jogging was his exercise of choice for decades, through the years of building the Gannett Co. Inc. newspaper chain, launching the country’s first general interest newspaper and setting the course for the Freedom Forum, a nonpartisan foundation dedicated to First Amendment freedoms.

The easily accessible activity leaves no excuse for people who say that they don’t have time to exercise, or that they travel too much.

“Every street has sidewalks. I’ve pounded a lot of pavement all over the world,” he said.

CENTER STAGE in Neuharth’s office is his 1926 Royal typewriter, which he still uses to write his weekly newspaper column. “The computer has too soft a touch. I like to take my frustration out on the keys,” he said.

He concedes that discipline might have led to knee problems that forced double knee replacement surgery earlier this year. The procedure was performed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, N.Y.

"I should have done it long ago,” Neuharth said, but he admits he was put off by the 10 days of hospitalization, followed by 10 days of rehab and two months of physical therapy.

The daunting recovery also motivated him to get both knees done at once. “I was afraid if I did one, I wouldn’t have the guts to go back for the other,” he said.

Worth the Pain

Still, if the surgery was the price he paid for health benefits he gained from years of jogging, Neuharth counts the payoff worth the pain.

Today, he goes easy on the knees by cycling on the beach instead of running. He takes his three-wheeler out on the sand for 40 to 45 minutes at low tide. “It’s terrific,” he said. “You get to see the beach and exercise your legs at the same time.”

BEACH CRUISER: Al Neuharth goes easy on the knees by cycling on the beach instead of running – his exercise of choice for decades. He takes his three-wheeler out on the sand for 40 to 45 minutes at low tide. “It’s terrific,” he said. “You get to see the beach and exercise your legs at the same time.”

Alternatively, he can swim in his pool or use the exercise machines in his office. Feet away from his desk sit two Nu Step machines, one for all-over toning and the other for legwork.

They’re situated so the self-described news junkie can keep an eye on the television, also viewable from his desk. Count on the set being tuned to a news channel: cable during the day, then the network news. He flips between the three newscasters. “That’s an evening ritual for me,” Neuharth said.

His morning ritual starts at 5 a.m., with delivery of six newspapers: FLORIDA TODAY, USA TODAY, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Orlando Sentinel and Investor’s Business Daily. When traveling, he gets USA TODAY as well as the local newspaper.

Stick To the Basics

As for diet, he sticks to the basics. Breakfast is hot tea and orange juice, toast or some sort of bread, and mixed fruit. Neuharth eats fruit and vegetables three times a day, and keeps fresh fruit on hand and accessible.

Lunch, prepared by a staff member, is the same every day: canned vegetable soup, tossed salad, tuna sandwich on whole-wheat toast, and fresh fruit for dessert. “I will sometimes shock her and ask for chicken noodle or minestrone,” he said.

JUST A FEW FEET AWAY from his desk sit two Nu Step machines, one for all-over toning and the other for legwork (below). I’m pretty serious about my physical condition and health, and I have been for a long time,” said Neuharth, a longtime resident of Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Dinner usually features beef or another meat, sometimes fish, as well as a variety of vegetables, though he’s partial to spinach, broccoli and corn on the cob. Neuharth sits with the family during the kids’ meal, but he prefers to eat later.

“They like to gobble. They would find it boring to have a leisurely meal with me,” Neuharth said. “I just listen and tell stories and try to get them to talk.”

Chances are good the dinner table is rarely quiet. Neuharth is father to six children with his third wife, Cocoa Beach chiropractor Rachel Fornes. All were adopted at birth.

“Every time we adopted, we added more logs,” Neuharth joked, referring to Pumpkin Center. His oceanfront Cocoa Beach estate, named for a famous crossroads and gathering place in South Dakota, started as an overgrown log cabin has expanded with subsequent additions to the family.

After the first adoption, Neuharth and Fornes decided daughter Alexis should have a sibling. So they took her to the hospital to visit a newborn girl available for adoption, and allowed Alexis to hold the baby.

Neuharth remembers the huge grin on Alexis’s face as she announced, “Everybody who wants to take her home, raise your right hand.”  She subsequently tried to rescind her vote when her younger sister annoyed her, Neuharth said with a smile.

They later adopted two sets of twins and today the clan includes Alexis, 19; Karina, 13; Andre, 12; Ariana, 12; Ali, 10; and Rafi, 10.

Fornes does most of the work getting the children ready for school, but Neuharth plays his part. “I pull the covers off and tell them to get the hell out of bed. You know how it is,” he said.

When he’s not traveling, he sits with the kids at breakfast and takes three to their Montessori school in Indian Harbour Beach. (The Neuharth vehicles are easy to recognize: One license plate reads GANNETT, another MCPAPER.)

Second-grader Ali takes the bus to Cocoa Beach Elementary, which is better equipped to accommodate his autism. The severity of his case has lessened significantly over the years, Neuharth said.

“I credit the other kids with that more than his mother and me. He was reluctant to get involved with us old folks,” he said. Ali’s siblings, however, engaged the boy and drew him out. “I saw it develop.”

NEUHARTH FAMILY PORTRAIT: Al and his wife, Rachel, have adopted six children (including two sets of twins) and today the Neuharth clan includes Alexis, 19; Karina, 13; Andre, 12; Ariana, 12; Ali, 10; and Rafi, 10.

Dare To Dream

He talks regularly to the kids about a healthy lifestyle, and also about their futures.

“I make it clear from first grade that they should realize what a great variety of opportunities are out there,” Neuharth said, noting that children’s career plans should be expected to change over the years.

Andre, for example, now dreams of being a professional basketball player. Alexis, a Valencia Community College student, is considering medicine.

“She realizes she might change her mind a few times,” Neuharth said. No matter what stage they’re in, though, his encouragement to the kids is the same: They should learn as much as they can about what they think they want to do.

Neuharth certainly serves as a positive example of enjoying a career.

Bradlee

AL NEUHARTH has been among the most influential forces in American newspaper history.

His home office includes mementoes of his accomplishments, including a USA TODAY newspaper box, a framed telegram from a Gannett executive informing Neuharth that USA TODAY had turned a profit (a telegram that in fact, Neuhart had sent to himself) and an engraved plaque with the following quote attributed to former Washington Post Executive Editor Ben Bradlee: If USA TODAY is a good newspaper, then I’m in the wrong business.

“He was serious at the time, but we laugh about it now,” Neuharth said.

Center stage is Neuharth’s 1926 Royal typewriter, which he still uses to write his weekly newspaper column. “The computer has too soft a touch. I like to take my frustration out on the keys,” he said.

As manual typewriters began to disappear, Neuharth sent out word to Gannett locations to buy as many Royals as they could. They found 15, mostly from antique stores. Neuharth even knows the average price – $17.25. He still has five or six that work, and he saves expired models to scavenge for parts. Surprisingly enough, he can still buy the ribbons.

His office does include a computer, which he uses for fact checking or to look up more information on a story he’s interested in. But it’s more regularly used by his children. “They think using dad’s computer is a real treat,” he said.

Healthy Necessity

At 86, his only medications are a daily aspirin, part of his routine since his mid 40s, and a B-12 supplement, to counteract a deficiency discovered during a checkup a few years ago. And, of course, a vodka.

Neuharth has rarely missed a day enjoying a vodka on the rocks, with an olive. He even convinced a doctor friend of its necessity and had his drink smuggled in during a short hospital stay once.

“I used to drink gin, but there’s good gin and bad gin,” Neuharth said. He solved the problem by switching to vodka. “It’s tasteless all over the world.”

The success of his anti-aging formula is in the results, as Neuharth enjoys family life and continued involvement in his career of choice. “I’ve just been lucky to be able to do some things I thought were important, and lucky to still be active in them,” he said.

AL NEUHARTH (above center) sponsors the Free Spirit Scholarship and Journalism Conference program in Washington D.C., which annually awards college scholarships to high school seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in journalism and who demonstrate qualities of “free spirit.”

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HEALTHCARE NEWS

James Atkinson has joined the American Cancer Society as the Area Executive Director for Brevard, Volusia and Flagler counties. He brings over 20 years experience in international sales and marketing, business development, training, team development and long-term strategic planning.

James Atkinson

To welcome Atkinson , The American Cancer Society Brevard will host an open house on Aug. 2 from 4 -7 p.m. at it’s new location at 4450 W. Eau Gallie Boulevard, Suite 280 in Melbourne, Florida.

Prior to joining the American Cancer Society, Atkinson was the sales director for Solar Blue where he developed sales divisions for two of its core businesses.  Atkinson also worked for Acorn Stairlifts where he led the expansion of the sales division. James was instrumental in the cross communication between the international divisions of Acorn and managed a diverse portfolio including market analysis studies, customer satisfaction measurement, staff development and cross function support.

From 2003 through 2008 Atkinson joined Transit TV, a digital based media company as National Sales Manager, where he expanded the sales division from a local sales team to a national six market sales organization. James developed markets in Orlando, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Chicago New York and Los Angeles, and sat on the board of the Out of Home Video Advertising Bureau where he led the development of their website design.

From 1985 through 2003, James was the Regional Sales Manager for British Gas, managing sales functions with revenues in excess of $200 million. He was an integral member of the development of four new sales divisions, where he helped lead the project valuation, due diligence, deal parameter and negotiation processes.

Atkinson is originally from England and immigrated to Florida in 2003 with his wife Diane and son Connor.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.

For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org

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COSMETIC & LASER SURGERY

Maintaining Youthful Skin

Your skin is your barrier to protect you from this world.  It is also the organ that is most tied to our appearance.  In the quest to maintain youth, most people focus on the skin and skin health to preserve that youthful look.

There are many variables that contribute to the aging of the skin but first you must have an idea of the anatomy of the skin to appreciate the many facets of skin aging and correction.

DR. FRANK VENZARA,above right, and Dr. Robert Bashore, left, with Physician Assistant Dan Daniels, center, in one of their two fully equipped surgical suites. The doctors are Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, and Daniels is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

The skin is an organ.  Just like other organs of the body, such as the heart, lungs, liver, etc. the skin has its own unique cells and structure.  To simplify the discussion the skin can be divided into 3 main layers, the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissues.

Each one of these layers factor into the aging process and special techniques are used to combat the effects of aging at each of these levels.  When putting together a plan to correct the effects of aging on the skin we take all these layers into consideration and put together a plan that is either comprehensive or targeted on one of these layers.

n First there is the epidermis.  This is the top layer of skin and contains the pigment cells of the skin (melanin).  The epidermis is what we see when we look at each other and is also our major defense against the sun.

The effects of the sun on the skin and its role in aging are called photo-aging.   Melanin is our major defense against blocking out the UV rays, which in turn causes photo-aging.  Even with the protection of melanin, there are significant changes with the epidermis over time.  The UV rays damage the basal level of cells and alter their genetic composition, causing unevenness of the skin’s tone.

Brown and red spots start to become visible over time, and they typically don’t get better without intervention.  Staying out of the sun and using sunscreens can prevent some of these changes, but many of us were unaware of the harmful effects of the sun until 15-20 years ago.  Unfortunately much of the damage is already done.  The epidermis is also altered my many other factors not just the sun.  Some common offenders are hormonal fluctuations, environmental exposures, smoking, and diet.

• So what can we do to help?  Fighting fire with fire applies here, and we treat photo-aging with photo-rejuvenation.

Advanced platforms utilizing IPL (intense pulsed light) and lasers as well as multiple other light based procedures can typically reduce the amount of brown and red spots and restore and improve skin tone.  Selective photo-thermolysis is the process of transferring light into heat and destroying a lesion or vessel.

This is the concept that drives most laser platforms.  The Lume 1 manufactured by Lumenis® has multiple wavelengths of pulsed light that can be used to reduce the most stubborn brown and red spots.  Chemicals can also be used to fight the effects of photo-aging by stimulating epidermal cell turnover and bleaching out the clumps of old pigment.

Obagi© is a skin care system that combines the prescription benefits of retinoic acid (Retin-A) and hydroquinone with blenders and toners to maximize their effectiveness.  Dermabrasion can also be used.

The dermabrader mechanically destroys the epidermal cells and stimulates new skin cell growth.  The disadvantage to the dermabrader when compared to chemicals, IPL, and laser treatments is that the dermabrader treatments typically involve a significant amount of downtime if they go deep enough to alter the lesion’s characteristics.

Microdermabrasion is a way to get around the downtime issue of dermabrasion but typically it takes many treatments to possibly make a small difference.

• The second layer of skin is the dermis.  The dermis is the white layer of skin that we sometimes see after we scrape or injure our skin.
• The dermis is very vascular and one of its major functions is to supply blood to the epidermis.  The dermis also gives the skin its turgor or firmness.  As we age, the skin at the dermal layer gets thinner and more relaxed.  This leads to wrinkles and sagging skin.  Unfortunately there are typically no creams or ointments that can penetrate to this deep dermal level without significant downtime.
• To get around this issue we incorporate resurfacing lasers and surgery to manipulate the deep dermal layers of skin.  CO2 resurfacing laser is the gold standard of laser resurfacing and it works by contracting the dermis through heating and in turn stimulates new collagen growth.  Active FX is a treatment that involves CO2 resurfacing and is related to minimized downtime and pain.
• The extremes of skin laxity from the effects of gravity and weathering still require surgical corrections.  Surgical options like face lifts, neck lifts, forehead lifts, blepharoplasty, etc. all involve removing excessively lax skin and repositioning the skin into a more youthful placement.
• Surgery is still the most effective and dramatic way to correct sagging skin but it also typically involves more costs and more downtime than other options.  Surgery has been around a long time and it still is the single best way to correct skin laxity.
• Combining surgery with some of the above mentioned procedures can truly transform your skin and restore a more youthful look.  There is a reason that surgeries have withstood the test of time and that reason is because they work.
• Lastly there are the subcutaneous tissues. By definition the word subcutaneous means under the skin and technically this tissue is not skin organ tissue. When we refer to subcutaneous tissue in this article we are typically referring to the layer of fat and collagen that acts as a bed for our skin to lie on.  Again, aging takes its toll on these tissues and typically changes the distribution of fat.  Losing fat from our face and hands is what often happens, and it can make these areas look thin and gaunt.
• Replacing the lost volume is the goal in combating this, and dermal fillers are a quick and effective counter to this phenomenon.  Products like Restylane and Juvederm, which are brand names for hylauranic acid based dermal fillers, are the first line of defense.
• Products like Sculptra offer a more permanent correction but are stimulatory in nature and require more patient commitment to get a noticeable result.  Sometimes, we actually do fat grafting which involves harvesting fat from an area that has a significant amount and relocating to an area of need.
• Unfortunately, fat grafting usually causes more downtime compared to other dermal fillers, and does not guarantee that you will have more persistence of correction than the other methods of re-volumizing.

Chemical, Laser, Or Surgical

Using all of the options mentioned and applying them appropriately to an individual’s needs is the real art involved in cosmetic medicine. Taking care of our skin is important to our general health and well being but it is also vital in maintaining our aesthetic appearance.

As a patient, the utmost importance will always be placed on protecting our skin from the sun and its cancer causing rays.  However, when it’s time to work on and correct the effects of aging on the skin it will come down to one of only three choices: chemical, laser, or surgical.  Protection first, correction second and when you’re ready for correction we will be there.

Dr. Frank Venzara

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Frank Venzara was born in Chicago and has resided for the majority of his life in South and Central Florida.  He is a graduate of both University of Miami’s Undergraduate Program and Medical School.  He trained as a surgical resident at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami and as a plastic surgery fellow at the University of Missouri’s Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.  He has practiced in the Central Brevard Area for 25 years as a Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.  When not attending to his surgery schedule, Frank enjoys surfing and fishing. Dr. Venzara can be reached at 321-452-3882, or log on to www.brevardplasticsurgery.com.

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MEN'S HEALTH

Bioidentical Hormones For Men

Q: What is testosterone?

A: Testosterone, progesterone and estrogen are the three sex hormones made by the human body.  Testosterone is vitally important for a sense of well being and strength. It is produced by the testes, from which it gets its name. Men have ten times more testosterone than women, and women have far more estrogen than men.  Too much estrogen can cause problems in men, as does too much testosterone in women.

DR. LANCE MAKI, 63, made his mark in the world of stand-up paddle and tandem surfing, and is currently ranked among the top Masters competitors in the world. Dr. Maki directs and sponsors the National Kidney Foundation Surf Festival’s Tandem and Stand-Up Paddle Surf events, held at the Cocoa Beach Pier.

Q: What are the primary functions of testosterone?

A: Testosterone is our primary sex hormone. It affects libido (desire for sex) as well the ability to have sex (get an erection and maintain it until reaching orgasm). It is also very important for strong bones, elasticity, strong heart, maintaining muscle mass, overcoming inflammation and helping to have a positive outlook on life.

Q: Why should testosterone be replaced?

A: Most men’s testosterone levels peak around 35 and start to decline slowly at the rate of 1-2 percent per year.  Some men, Jack LaLanne, for example, seem to do very well for decades without losing their vitality. However, most people start a slow decline, and by age 50 begin to notice that something is missing.

Unlike menopause, which happens fairly quickly (6-12 months), andropause (the male version of menopause) takes many years and isn’t as obvious.  One day you wake up stiff in all the wrong places and wonder where all your energy went. It happens so slowly and insidiously that a lot of men just say they’re getting old.

But, it’s important to realize that we don’t have to accept as inevitable the ravages of hormone decline.  We have excellent testosterone bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) treatments that can make you feel and perform at the same levels as when we were much younger.

Testosterone Deficiency Quiz

Take this ADAM (androgen deficiency of the aging male) test to see if you might have a testosterone deficiency:

• Low sex drive
• Less strong erections
• Lack of energy
• Decrease in strength or endurance
• Loss of height
• Don’t enjoy life
• Grumpy and/or sad
• Fall asleep after dinner
• Decreased work performance

If you answer yes to either of the first two questions or four total you may have a testosterone deficiency.

Q: I scored enough points to think this could be me. What’s next?

A: Seek out a physician who is willing to take the time to go over your personal signs and symptoms to help determine if testosterone replacement is a reasonable option.

It’s very important that you find a physician who will talk with you about what you are feeling and personalize your treatment. While lab tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis of low testosterone, treatment is not solely based on lab values, but rather how each person feels.  Long term results depend on individually treating each person based on both labs and the achievement of overall well being.

Q: What forms of testosterone replacement are there?

DR. LANCE MAKI, and his wife Kris Maki, RN, (at left) specialize in longevity and life quality. The Maki’s combine 43 years of marriage and comprehensive medical credentials to help Boomers live more satisfying lives.

A: All testosterone for men is given as a bioidentical hormone (BHRT). Many men start by receiving regular intramuscular injections;  others prefer transdermal (skin) applications of a cream or gel (testim, androgel).  Some men are good candidates for pellets (testopel) that are inserted just under the skin along the hip. In no case should oral testosterone be taken as it has been shown to cause liver damage and cancer.

Q: Are there any side effects from taking testosterone?

A: Fluid retention, erythrocytosis (too many red blood cells), infertility, breast enlargement are some possible side effects. These tend to be temporary.  Previous concerns were that testosterone caused prostate enlargement and cancer have been unfounded.  Just a few years ago, many urologists told their patients that “using testosterone was like pouring gasoline on a fire.” This has been shown to be an untrue statement and most up to date urologists have no problems prescribing testosterone.

Q: What can I expect as a candidate for testosterone replacement?

A: Once you choose the type of testosterone that suits you best, you should start feeling the effects within a few weeks. Blood tests will be ordered regularly until you have the right regime and proper dose of your medicine.

Depending on what was missing when treatment was started, most men feel a greater sense of well being and improved clarity of thinking. Depression and moodiness are gone or greatly diminished. Muscle mass and elasticity has returned, along with a general reduction of general aches and pains.

And, of course, for those who thought sexual desire and performance were things of the past... well they’re back and better than ever!

Although some say it’s on the horizon, we don’t have the ultimate anti-aging solution yet.  However, whether that’s true or not, most men will improve their quality of life by just adding back the testosterone that has seeped away.

My father passed away at age 89 from a hip fracture. He had severe osteoporosis (fragile bones). He was trim, ate well, and did exercise every day. He broke his hip while walking and died in a hospital with post op complications.

I am convinced that had he been offered testosterone when he went through andropause, he would still be enjoying life today at age 94.

Dr. Lance Maki

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Lance Maki became interested in anti-aging medicine when a close friend suffered a heart attack and died at age 52. Dr. Maki attended California State University at Fullerton through the Marine Reserves and flew jets as an Air Force pilot before attending medical school. Dr. Maki received his M.D. from Texas Tech University Medical School in Lubbock, Texas, and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology through the integrated residency at Wright Patterson AFB/ Miami Valley Hospital/ Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He was an Air Force Flight Surgeon and Aerospace Physiologist and is board certified, and a fellow, in both OB/GYN and Anti-Aging/Functional Medicine. You may contact Dr. Maki at 321-305-5970.

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eNEWSFLASH

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – After considering feedback from the community, "Indian River Volunteers in Medicine" has been officially changed to "Space Coast Volunteers in Medicine" by the organization's executives.

“We are changing the name for one simple reason – residents of Brevard want a volunteer health clinic with a name that reflects our region," said Executive Director Paul Ringenberger.

Ringenberger

"We selected the original name because of the beautiful Indian River, but people want a name that eliminates any confusion with our neighboring county to the south," he said.

Volunteers in Medicine is a highly respected national organization with 77 clinics nationwide, and with four clinics currently operating in Florida. A fifth clinic is set to open in Fort Pierce, and  Brevard organizers hope to be the sixth clinic in the state when they open early next year.

The organization recently opened their executive offices and classrooms in Melbourne, courtesy of Dr. Mitchell Greenberg, Director of Injury Treatment Solutions in Melbourne, Florida.

The clinic, scheduled to be open by February of next year, will host a Founder’s Society Kick-Off on Saturday, July 3 at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club with a goal to secure 500 founders each donating $500 to the clinic.

The new Space Coast Clinic is designed to provide free medical and dental care to the working poor and uninsured of Brevard County. Though other clinics serve the indigent population such as Federally Qualified Health Centers, the Volunteers in Medicine Clinics are different:

• Federally Qualified Health Centers are tax payer funded and supported –  Volunteers in Medicine Clinics are supported by donations, grants, and fund raising events.
• Federally Qualified Health Centers accept Medicare & Medicaid and other forms of insurance – Volunteers in Medicine Clinics are designed for the working population who earns too much for government assistance but not enough to have health care.

• Federally Qualified Health Centers charges for services on a sliding scale – Volunteers in Medicine Clinics provide all services free of charge to those earning up to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guideline (approximately $44,000 or less for a family of four).

• Federally Qualified Health Centers has a staff where nearly everyone employed is paid – Volunteers in Medicine Clinics are staffed primarily by unpaid volunteers- thus the name.

"Space Coast Volunteers in Medicine has been well received throughout the health care community," said Ringenberger.

“Everyday we are getting new volunteers, donated equipment and people eager to join our Founders Society.”

For more information contact Ringenberger at 321-914-2715 or info@spacecoastvolunteersinmedicine.org

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PHYSICIAN SPOTLIGHT

DOSING OUT HUMOR: In addition to her medical career, stand-up comedy act and writing, Dr. Melanie Rotenberg is now nurturing a speaking career that includes more than 70 presentations to the medical and lay community on subjects as wide-ranging as medical ethics to the longevity secrets of the Caribbean.

Series of ‘Laugh Yourself’ Books Planned

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Laughter is the best medicine for Dr. Melanie Rotenberg, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist – and stand-up comic.

The Satellite Beach, Florida physician has done her comic routine at doctors’ meetings and for the staff and families of nursing home residents, as well as in a medical talent show at the Henegar Center a couple of years ago.

Rotenberg recently added author to her list of credits. “Laugh Yourself Thin,” her tongue-in-cheek diet book, has been picked up by Praeger, a publisher of academic textbooks and general reference works.

Although not due out until October, the book has already piqued the interest of “Elle” magazine and other national publications.

On A Dare

How did Rotenberg segue from medicine to stand-up?  “It was on a dare from my husband,” she said.

“We were on an Alaskan cruise for my 40th. birthday and the cruise ship comedian was Kevin Hughes, who mentioned that he used to be a molecular biologist. My husband is also a molecular biologist , but I always said his real talent was in comedy, so I suggested that he should become a stand-up comedian. He didn’t want to be one, but he dared me to become one.”

Rotenberg took up the gauntlet, jotting down all the one-liners, puns, zingers and other silliness that is part of life with husband Mitch and son Aaron.
“I now have about five or six years of material in my PDA,” she said. “I carry my PDA everywhere I go.”
She debuted “professionally” in 2004 during a comedy night at Palm Bay Community Center, delivering her jokes on a stage that was no more than a wobbly table.

“It happened right between Hurricane Jeanne and Frances, but still several hundred people showed up on this horrible night to hear these comedians,” said Rotenberg. “I was one of the fools onstage.”

That night on the makeshift stage, Rotenberg found her version of heaven on earth.
When she’s not practicing medicine, she tells jokes. She even headlined at a friend’s wedding that, as it turned out, was not a fortuitous affair.

“I was too cheap to buy a wedding gift,” she joked. “I did his wedding, but I didn’t do his divorce.”

Thus, the diet book was just a logical progression from Rotenberg’s comedy act.

Most Talented Student

While doing her residency at Moss Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia, Rotenberg took a novel-writing class at Temple University. Her professor, a New York Times book critic, considered her the most talented students in the class and encouraged her to pursue a writing career, but Rotenberg had little time to spare from her medical pursuits. “For 15 years, I put it aside,” she said.

MELBOURNE TERRACE patient John Anderson, Jr. with Dr. Melanie Rotenberg, who also volunteers as assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine – and does medical charity work in South America.

A couple of years ago, however, the writing bug resurfaced and Rotenberg joined the Space Coast Writers’ Guild. At a Guild conference, she pitched her idea for a diet book to a McGraw Hill publisher, who liked what he heard and pointed her to an agent. “Within a month, I had a deal with Praeger,” said Rotenberg.

“Laugh Yourself Thin”  is aimed at a nontraditional market  segment for the diet book genre.

“I want it to be read by people who wouldn’t otherwise think of reading a diet book,” she said. “A lot of diet books are extremely uninteresting.”

While Rotenberg’s book brings with it solid medical information, it leavens the facts with one-liners and humorous anecdotes. “I’m sneaking knowledge in,” she explained.

The subject of a good diet is dear to Rotenberg’s heart, for in her medical practice she daily faces the ravages of obesity.

“I deal with severely disabled patients suffering from major strokes, severe heart disease and diabetes, and I realized that people need good behavioral education to help prevent them from becoming disabled,” she said. “Younger and younger people are becoming disabled because of obesity.”

“Laugh Yourself Thin” is only the beginning of Rotenberg’s writing career.  “I’m planning on a whole series of “Laugh Yourself” books,” she explained.

Next on Rotenberg’s agenda is a book about another mind-grasping subject: sex. “It will be directed at women, with real medical information presented in a funny manner,” said Rotenberg.

Staying Sane

Humor has been Rotenberg’s life preserver while riding the rough seas of nursing home and hospice work. She started in the field as a 15-year-old CNA, earning $2.65 an hour. “It helped pay for college,” she said.

“I always loved working with this population because I feel I’m making such a difference, but the only way to stay sane is to have good coping mechanisms.”

On staff with Health First and Wuesthoff, she is a consultant for rehabilitation program services at skilled and sub-acute centers, including Melbourne Terrace, where she doses out almost as much laughter as medicine. “I use humor all the time to make my patients relax,” she said.

Humor is not the only unique aspect of her practice. “My office is my briefcase,” she said.

Early in her career, Rotenberg decided to eschew a free-standing practice and all its costs and worries.

“The average physician has an overhead close to 58 percent,” she said.

“I have no building, no employees. My overhead is my medical malpractice insurance and my cell phone.”

DR. MELANIE ROTENBERG can frequently be found at Florida Tech. The school is a Rotenberg family affair, as she has lectured there, her husband Mitch is a volunteer research professor, and son Aaron, who started college classes at age 12, is the youngest student ever admitted to the Melbourne university.

Her eclectic approach allows her time to volunteer as assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, as well as to do medical charity work in South America.

She can sometimes be found at Florida Tech, for the school is a Rotenberg family affair, since she has lectured there and her husband is a volunteer research professor, while son Aaron, who started college classes at age 12, is the youngest student ever admitted to the Melbourne university.

Speaking Career

In addition to her medicine, stand-up and writing, Rotenberg is now nurturing a speaking career that includes more than 70 presentations to the medical and lay community on subjects as wide-ranging as medical ethics to the longevity secrets of the Caribbean.

The happiness she derives from humor anchors her to the positive energy she believes all physicians need.

In her conversations with Dr. Hunter Campbell “Patch” Adams of movie fame, the American physician and professional clown heartily agrees with her attitude.

“He told me that doctors will do themselves and their patients a favor if they took themselves less seriously,” said Rotenberg.

“Laugh Yourself Thin” is available online at www.DoctorRcomedy.com

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BREVARD PHYSICIANS NETWORK SPOTLIGHT

Dr. David Williams served as an aeromedical physician, providing Space Shuttle launch and landing support at Patrick Air Force Base.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Dr. David Williams had three dreams: To enjoy the outdoors as a park ranger, to heal others as a doctor and to fly into space as an astronaut. Williams got two of his heart’s desires and had the third in his sights.

Dr. Williams’ current job as president and CEO of rapidly growing MedFast Urgent Care Centers is tame by comparison to his previous life as park ranger at Yellowstone National Park, not to mention the time he spent as a medical operations physician for a NASA subcontractor at Star City in Russia.

“I have been really fortunate,” he said. “I was able to be intimately involved with the space program.”

AT STAR CITY, Williams directed medical clinic operations during the Mir Shuttle Phase 1 Program, developing a medical support plan of Western medical care for NASA personnel in Russia. Additionally, he assisted in medical monitoring of astronauts training in underwater spacewalk training and decompression chamber exercises, and trained both astronauts and cosmonauts in the use of emergency medical equipment and procedures aboard the Mir Station.

Williams’ unusual occupations started in one of the kitchens of a Yellowstone lodge, where he worked during his undergraduate years at California University of Pennsylvania.

When the opportunity to join the Helitack crew and train in helirappel rescue and wild land firefighting knocked at Williams’ door, he promptly answered.
“My crew was the first ever to perform a helirappel rescue in Yellowstone,” he said.

Some of his friends still work at America’s first national park, and Williams occasionally visits, primarily to hunt and fish in western Montana. Once he scratched the park ranger itch, however, Williams moved on to other pursuits.

While at med school on a military scholarship, Williams was offered the opportunity of a clerkship at the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Lab in Pensacola.

In 1993, he received his wings as a flight surgeon at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute and took off with the Marines as a lieutenant, serving with F/A-18 jet squadrons in Japan, Thailand, Guam, Australia and Hawaii.

“It allowed me to be stationed with the Marine force fleet,’ said Williams.

MEDIVAC PLAN

While on duty in the ‘90s, Williams developed and affected a Medivac plan for more than 10,000 military personnel in Operation Cobra Gold.

After serving his country through the military, Williams returned to complete his residency at the University of Florida. He opted to go for NASA/DOD Space Shuttle Medical Support certification through a course offered at Kennedy Space Center.

“It was there that I met Colonel George Martin, a Viera flight surgeon,” he said.

When Martin discovered Williams’ interest in space, he gladly mentored the young physician. “He directed me to the path to follow to become an astronaut,” said Williams.

While still a resident, Williams was invited to participate in the Johnson Space Center’s Aerospace Medical Program’s Resident Medical Rotation.

“As my project, I created a neurological rating scale to determine when astronauts would be able to return to flying status after space flight,” said Williams.
“It was a tool to be utilized to monitor progress and subtle changes undetected by a normal neurologic exam.”

Dr. Mike Barratt

Dr. Tom Marshburn

Dr. Mike Barratt, now an astronaut, and Dr. Tom Marshburn, an emergency medicine physician who has recently flown on a couple of  Space Shuttle missions, recommended him for a Medical Operations Physician position for the Mir Shuttle Program in Star City, Russia.

“I was back in emergency room medicine when I got the call,” said Williams. “I was released for a six-month sabbatical from my residency and I studied Russian as fast as possible.”

Williams packed his mittens and off he went to Russia, where he was tasked with providing medical monitoring for United States astronauts and their families.

At Star City, he directed medical clinic operations during the Mir Shuttle Phase 1 Program, developing a medical support plan of Western medical care for NASA personnel in Russia. Additionally, he assisted in medical monitoring of astronauts training in underwater spacewalk training and decompression chamber exercises, and trained both astronauts and cosmonauts in the use of emergency medical equipment and procedures aboard the Mir Station.

Dr. Williams in Star City with the Russian Orlon Spacesuit.

Star City, home to the Russian cosmonauts, was both fascinating and exotic. “It was one of the most exciting jobs,” said Williams. “The Russians had been involved with space for a long time and were very good at what they did.”

Williams applied to be a NASA astronaut candidate in 1997. Going to space, however, was not on the horizon for him.  Phase 1 of Mir ended and Phase 2 of the program, which resulted in the International Space Station, would take another two years to materialize. Williams returned to his emergency medicine residency.

“There was really no guarantee of becoming an astronaut and flying in the Shuttle, so I discovered I would be much happier as a physician back home, so I came back,” said Williams.

After his return from Russia, Williams served as an aeromedical physician, providing Space Shuttle launch and landing support at Patrick Air Force Base, and for several years was chairman of the department of emergency medicine for Wuesthoff Health System.

He is also the medical director for Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Fire Rescue, as well as for Titusville, Cocoa and Rockledge fire rescue squads. The doctor is not only great in an emergency, but he can sing, too. As a member of the Naval Aviation Choir, he sang at one of President Clinton’s inauguration venues.

DR. DAVID WILLIAMS examines a Haitian patient on a stretcher in a staging area prior to surgery.

HAITI EARTHQUAKE MEDICAL RELIEF TEAM

When the Haiti earthquake struck last January, Williams was compelled to put his medical emergency expertise to use as part of the Haiti Earthquake Medical Relief Team that traveled to Port-au-Prince.

As a member of a Brevard medical team made up of doctors, nurses, paramedics and orderlies, which performed dozens of surgeries, treated numerous injuries and even helped deliver a baby during the trip to the earthquake-ravaged capital city, he relished being able to make a difference in a situation where human suffering was rampant and the need so acute.

“It was just the right thing for me to do,” he said.

Although his days helirappeling at Yellowstone or being shoulder-to-shoulder with the astronauts or serving with the Marines in the Pacific are over, Williams still finds plenty of excitement as one of the players on the Brevard Red Eyes rugby team.

Rugby is a wild and wide-open sport that provides an outlet for his unlimited energy and a respite from the stress of his everyday life.  It’s a game for young men, and he admits, “I’m one of the seniors.”  But, he holds his own with team mates and opponents half his age, and, like everything else he’s ever done, he plays with the gusto of a man with a mission.

For information about MedFast Urgent Care Centers log on to www.MedFastCare.com or call 321-751-7222.

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U.S. TRANSPLANT GAMES

Olympians In Attitude

When I say the word Olympian do your thoughts automatically turn to visions of finely tuned athletes with bodies of granite – when all their perseverance and dedication will come to fruition and they will stand atop the medal podium and receive their medal for athletic excellence?

If I were to say I won a gold medal, would your thoughts automatically turn to visions of a hospital bed or an intensive care unit? Would you see visions of a weak, frail sometimes gaunt figure struggling for life – probably not.

A gathering of organ donors, organ donor families and organ recipients join together from across the country will be in Madison, Wisconsin, July 30 - August 4, as the chronically ill, now the athlete become one in the same at the 2010 National Kidney Foundation’s U.S. Transplant Games. Over 20,000 people will attend and compete in events such as track and field, running and swimming.

Bill Hahn with Richard Salick, Executive Director Kidney Foundation of Florida, at the Cocoa Beach Pier.

This event shares their joy and rejuvenation as they compete in athletic competition to celebrate the, “Gift of Life."

From all over the United States the world of transplantation will focus on the finish line of all their efforts: the return to a healthy, active lifestyle to all those that have received a life saving organ transplant.

Every challenge is a call to arms and we are all tested to rise up and beat our foes. These challenges are diverse in nature but similar in battle.

The sick have become the fit, digging deep to find the strength to emerge victorious as competitors in the arena of life – and now as athletes on the field.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) will be there in force with a contingent of 150 competitors, including Richard and Phil Salick, founder and co-founder of the National Kidney Labor Day Surf Festival, as well as yours truly, a former pro-surfer, all doing their best to bring the Gold back to Florida.

But the reality is they have all already won the Gold medal of life, having survived kidney failure and now thrive with the joy of living…again!

National Kidney Foundation Labor Day Surf Festival Set for Sept. 2 - 7 at cocoa Beach Pier

On the heels of the U.S. Transplant Games arrives the National Kidney Foundation Labor Day Surf Festival, set for Sept. 2 - 7, at the Cocoa Beach Pier, Florida. This year's 25th landmark event will be the biggest and best yet with many events planned for the entire family.

This event, which began as a local surf shop face off which raised a mere $125 and was hand delivered in a paper bag by Richard and Phil Salick to the local dialysis center, has become a signature event for the NKF. Please help this year to continue our winning ways by attending, volunteering and donating at this year's festival of life.

FOR INFORMATION LOG ON TO www.nkfsurf.com

Bill Hahn

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bill Hahn tells his incredible and inspiring story of battling the chronic illness of diabetes, and going through acute kidney failure only to emerge healthier and happier than ever after a kidney-pancreas transplant in 2009. His story of how he was able to survive and now prosper parallels many of the principles and practices found in the arena of anti-aging and healthy living. Hahn is a former pro surfer, business owner, personal trainer and published Lyrical Photographer. He has owned Home Fitness Warehouse in Melbourne, Florida since 1992. You can reach Mr. Hahn at 866-387-1745, or e-mail amuse6168@att.net.

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PAIN MANAGEMENT

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Space Coast Pain Institute will host a special open house on Thursday, Sept. 2, in recognition of the American Pain Foundation’s National Pain Awareness Month.

The Space Coast Pain Institute Open House will highlight the American Pain Foundation’s campaign to raise awareness of pain – while highlighting breakthrough treatments to solve pain issues for the millions who suffer needlessly.

The open house will be held from 6:30 p.m. -  8:00 p.m. to educate people to the many ways now available to overcome pain. Activities will include mini-seminars, one-on-one Q&A's with the physicians and staff, and opportunities to tour the facilities and learn more about available treatment options.

For more information log on to www.YourPainInsitute.com; e-mail brett@tpifl.com or liz@tipfl.com; or call 321-784-8211.

CLICK HERE to download an information sheet about the Open House.

Personalized Plans

Stanley Golovac, MD

The Space Coast Pain Institute was founded by Drs. Stanley Golovac and Richard Gayles to bring together comprehensive pain treatment options for thousands living in pain in East Central Florida in an easily accessible center.

The National Center for Health Statistics estimates more than 76 million Americans experience chronic pain caused by medical conditions, degenerative effects and accidents or other trauma.

Richard Gayles, MD

“So many people, even doctors and other healthcare professionals, are not aware of all of the methods we can use to treat back and neck pain, osteoporosis, cancer pain and so many forms of pain that come from injury and medical conditions,” said Dr. Gayles, a founding partner at the institute.

“Treatments and research are advancing to the point where really no one has to live with chronic pain anymore.”

Patients at Space Coast Pain Institute each receive a personalized pain management plan. Each plan begins with the least invasive options – including on-site physical and aquatic therapy, out-patient procedures and surgeries, and the very latest in treatment programs and participation in clinical studies.

Professional Staff

Drs. Golovac and Gayles – and their professional staff – focus on quality of care for each patient and the program designed specifically for them.

Dr. Golovac has broad clinical experience in anesthesiology, emergency room medicine and alternative services. He received his medical degree from UTESA University in 1985, and his postgraduate training included an internship at the Family Practice Residency Program at St. Mary’s Hospital in New Jersey, and his residency in the Department of Anesthesiology at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. He also served as Assistant Clinical Professor of Anesthesia at Jackson Memorial and a pain consultant in the Miami area.

Dr. Golovac has certifications in Diplomat, American Board of Anesthesiology and Board of Pain Management, and American Board of Anesthesia subspecialty in Pain Management.

Dr. Golovac is presently a member of Florida Society of Anesthesiologists, American Society of Anesthesiologists, International Anesthesia Research Society, American Academy of Pain Management, International Spine Injection Society, Florida Society of Interventional Pain, Brevard County Medical Society, and Florida Medical Society.

Dr. Gayles has 15 years of research in pain treatment in the United States and England.  He received his Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology from the University of Michigan and his Doctor of Medicine in 1991 from the University of Michigan’s School of Medicine. Dr. Gayles completed his internship at St. John’s Hospital in Michigan. His residency in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, and Pediatric Anesthesia Fellowship was accomplished at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland.

His clinical experience in anesthesiology also includes St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London, England and an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio through a Chronic Pain Fellowship. He is certified for the National Board of Examiners, American Academy of Pain Management, American Board of Pain Medicine, and ABA Special Qualifications in Pain Management.  Dr. Gayles is Board Certified in Anesthesia.

Dr. Gayles holds affiliations with American Medical Association, American Society of Anesthesiologists, RSD Syndrome Association of America, International Neuromodulation Society., International Spinal Injection Society, and American Society of Regional Anesthesia.

Maria King's, ARNP-C, nursing experience includes internal medicine and geriatrics, with a focus on the treatment and management of adults with chronic and acute pain.  In addition, Ms. King is a research coordinator for studies aimed at improving quality of life in patients with chronic pain.  She has served Brevard County as a registered nurse for the past 17 years and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Florida State University, and her Master’s Degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Mari Aldeghi, ARNP-RNC

Mari Aldeghi's, ARNP-RNC, expertise in acute and chronic pain management, psychiatric care and general adult health has been developed over 15 years as a nurse serving Brevard County – with nine years as an advanced practice nurse. Ms. Aldeghi received her Bachelor’s in Nursing from the University of Central Florida and her Master’s in Nursing from the University of Florida.

Kristina Wehby, PT

Kristina Wehby, PT, began her career in physical therapy in hospital physical therapy where she worked in wound care, neurological physical therapy, cardiac rehab and orthopedic physical therapy.  She moved into out-patient physical therapy in orthopedics, sports medicine and cardiac rehab.  Ms. Wehby also owned Body by Kristi for five years, which offered personal training and physical therapy services.  She joined Space Coast Pain Institute as the Director of Physical Therapy in 2005.

Ms. Wehby received her Bachelors of Science in Biology from Florida State University and Bachelors of Physical Therapy from University of Central Florida.  She is currently attending the University of St. Augustine to obtain her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and studying to obtain her Mastery Certification in Manual Therapy and Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner.

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OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE

The Health First Occupational Medicine Center recently moved from its former location at Melbourne’s Diagnostic Center to new space located within Holmes Regional Medical Center. Above, celebrating the opening is Wilhelmina Walters, RN; Sarah Williams; Dr. William Morgan; Dr. Stephen MacDonald; Dr. Michael MacDonald; Joyce Barone and Karen Montalvo.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The MacDonald brothers not only look alike, but they think alike when it comes to their careers. Drs. Stephen and Michael MacDonald both chose occupational medicine as their specialty, a fortunate choice for Brevard County workers who benefit from the twin’s expertise in the field.

The Drs. MacDonald were instrumental in the development of Health First Occupational Medicine Center, a convenient venue for employees of companies big and small.

“We grew up here,” said Dr. Michael MacDonald. “We were doing our residency in occupational medicine at Harvard and we came back during a Thanksgiving break.”

The MacDonalds used their vacation very wisely, visiting Holmes Regional Medical Center and suggesting to former president Foley that they were the guys who could deliver a new healthcare service to the area.

“Every hospital wants an occupational medicine center, but less than 10 percent have one,” said MacDonald. “Holmes is the only hospital in Brevard with an occupational medicine center.”

The reason for the scant number of occupational medicine centers lies in the number of physicians trained to run them.

“There’s definitely a need, but there is only 80 to 100 occupational residents graduating any given year,” said MacDonald.

“There’s zero training in medical school for this field.”

Click on the above image for Central Florida News 13's story about physicians, and twin brothers, Drs. Michael and Stephen MacDonald.

Associated with the facility since its inception in 1995, the two doctors continue to provide employee-oriented health care services.

Both brothers are residency-trained and board certified in occupational medicine. Mike MacDonald succeeded brother Stephen as president of the Florida chapter of the Association of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

They graduated from Florida State and Nova Southeastern University in Miami, then headed for an internship in the Navy before arriving at Harvard for their residency training.

“We were flight surgeons in the Navy and we wanted to be part of the civilian equivalent,” said MacDonald.

Drs. McDonald continue to treat pilots, but this time around, the fly boys they help are commercial or private pilots who are due for their required physicals.

The physician brothers, together with physician assistant George McCullough, depend on a staff of 11 other healthcare professionals to help them provide an array of occupational services that, in addition to FAA-mandated flight physicals, include pdirect screenings, ergonomic evaluations, general physical examinations and chemical exposure treatment.

Patients are typically referred by the companies that employ them. Current or past clients include the Brevard County School District, the Cities of Palm Bay and Melbourne and even Health First itself.

Firefighters, policemen, teachers, bus drivers and hazardous materials handlers are just a few of the occupations that make up the 25,000 patients that are managed by the Center.

Occupational Medicine Center recently moved from its former location at Melbourne’s Diagnostic Center to new space located within Holmes Regional Medical Center.

“It helped us double in size,” said office manager Karen Montalvo.

The Center is now housed at the site of Holmes’ former emergency room treatment area. A ribbon cutting ceremony in May celebrated the official opening.

The Health First Occupational Medicine Center is located at 1350 S. Hickory St., Suite 102, Melbourne. For more information, call 434-8878.

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EVENT SPOTLIGHT

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – On Tuesday, June 29, Beachside Health Studio will host a lecture on Pelvic Dysfunction, presented by David Smith, PT, Certified MPT. This presentation will include information on the anatomy and biomechanics of the lumbosacral spine, the potential sources of dysfunction, and the corrective methods for proper alignment of the pelvic girdle.

David Smith, PT

Smith attended the University of Central Florida where he received his Masters in Physical Therapy, and decided to pursue a career in physical therapy stemmed from his personal experience with the practice. After an injury, he spent six months on his back and another year learning how to walk again. Spine and pelvic dysfunctions are Smith’s passions as is helping people understand their pains and how to treat them.

Beachside Health Studio holds free lectures on various health matters each month which are open to the public. Previous topics have included How to Prevent Back Pain, Triathlon Training and Golf Fitness. All presentations are held on the last Tuesday of each month and given at the company’s new location at 1220 N. Hwy A1A, Suite 115, in Indialantic, Florida.

For more information, times, and to reserve your seat at any of these free lectures, call Beachside Health Studio at 321-725-2267. Beachside Health Studio opened in October 2008, and is a sister company to Beachside Physical Therapy.  Beachside Health Studio provides many health and fitness related services including physical therapy, personal training and group classes.

For more information about Beachside Health Studio, class schedules, or instructor bios log on to www.BeachsideHealthStudio.com.

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SPORTS MEDICINE

We all know that exercise can help athletes reach peak performance and help you lose weight. But did you know that it could also increase longevity. There has been an increasing amount of research on what humans can do to maximize lifespan or longevity.

AT 85-YEARS OLD, Bob Delmonteque runs marathons, cycles 120 miles and bench presses over 250 pounds. Delmonteque has trained astronauts and actors over the past 50 years, and is one of America’s most visible longevity personalities.

The discovery of the fountain of youth through exercise is now being evidenced with mounting facts that exercise can reverse aging and extend longevity. Prior to this finding, much of the research in anti-aging has been on the effects of starving rats and the direct correlation of caloric restriction by eating less and living longer.

However, if starving yourself is not all that appealing, you may want to seek another method to maximize or extend your life.  Fortunately, it has been discovered that, with the right kind of exercise routine, you achieve this worthy accomplishment.

Genetics Play Important Role
To understand the effects of exercise on longevity, it is important to understand a few basics of why and how aging occurs.  Genetics and who your parents are play an important role in our longevity and how fast we age.

Researchers, generally agree that genetics account for up to about 35 percent of the variation of why some people live longer than others.  There are specific genes or what’s in our DNA that makes up these genes, which help some people live longer than others.

This component of aging is caused by certain genes changes and their ability to switch on and off over time. The switching on and off of genes, in many ways, controls the risk of developing age related diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, cancers, dementia, and much more. So if we can’t pick our parents, it may make you feel a little helpless on your fate of achieving maximum longevity.

Deep Within Your DNA
However, there is good news.  Exercise has been proven to help control this inheritable out of control circumstance. Regular exercise literally gets deep within your DNA and in many beneficial ways may help you live longer.

The process of how this occurs continues to be studied with research showing that people who exercise actually have younger appearing and healthier genes that function better than their non-exercising same aged peers. In fact, a recent study has revealed that these genes can be made to appear and function up to nine years younger with regular exercise.
Why is making your genes appear and function in a more youthful manner important? Well it is believed that within your body’s DNA there are continual complex biochemical reactions that occur.

The older appearing and functioning genes are more likely to produce reactions that cause cell damage and ultimately age the body. The younger genes perform better to ward off this damage and prevent illness and disease.

THE DISCOVERY of the fountain of youth through exercise is now being evidenced with mounting facts that exercise can reverse aging and extend longevity.

Increased  Immunity
Besides the benefits of exercise on our genes, there are many other ways that exercise can increase our longevity.  It has beneficial effects on our bones by strengthening them and helping to prevent fractures that can lead to premature death.

Maintaining good cardiac and lung function through exercise can prevent sudden death and lead to a more productive quality of life. Among many other benefits, exercise also has been proven to keep your brain and immune systems healthier and functioning better.

Regular Moderate Activity Best
So now that we know that lifestyle changes such as exercise plays a key role in maximizing longevity, what exercise is the best for our DNA?
The research that has shown the benefits of exercise on longevity, has generally proven that moderate exercise, enough to make you sweat for at least three hours a week, is sufficient. Therefore, an aerobic exercise routine such as biking, running, brisk walk or swimming for at least 45 minutes four times a week should do the trick.
Now, you can look at exercise as not only a way to change the outer you, but also the inner you, down to the smallest core molecule that makes up our genetic blueprint for life: DNA.
As the first days of summer near,  don’t think of only working out but imagine “working-in” on the bodies DNA to reverse aging and maximize your potential longevity.

Dr. Badolato

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A Florida native, Dr. Badolato received his medical degree from the University of South Florida School of Medicine and did his residency training at St. Vincents’ Medical Center in Jacksonville. Dr. Badolato is Board Certified and has fellowship training in sports Medicine with a specialization in non-operative musculaskeletal medicine. Formerly a team physicians at Ohio State University, he was also the medical director for the world-renowned IMG Bollettieri Sports Academy in Bradenton, Florida. You can reach Dr. Badolato at 321-253-2169.

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HEALTHCARE SPOTLIGHT

TO ALL MY FRIENDS: Here is a music video I made for the National Kidney Foundation after my double transplant which saved my life.

My story began nearly 30 years ago when, at the age of 25 and just one week before getting married, I was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Wow, two life changing events in the same week – I was shocked!

I was an avid runner, wasn’t overweight, and maintained a proper diet, but there it was staring me in the face. Obviously, my life would never be the same.

I tried my best to control my diabetes with insulin shots, diet, daily exercise and constant blood glucose monitoring but it was a constant  battle.

I fell victim to the many complications of the disease including blindness, coma and seizures. I only gained good control when I went on an insulin pump 25 years later.

Soon after, I was shocked once again in March 2008 when I was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure – another life changing event.

I went on dialysis three days a week, and though it was tiring, I maintained my fitness and good blood sugar control until receiving a kidney–pancreas double transplant at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida on Dec. 31, 2008.

While you can’t choose your donor family you can choose your hospital. I chose Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. After my visit I knew it was the right choice.

They treated my organs as if they were their own. And, I say this even though I am a Florida State Seminole. In addition, they offer an ‘Art in Medicine’ program that helps patients cope with the rigors of their journey – something I had practiced all my life using my Lyrical Photography and song writing as healthy treatments to escape from the unrelenting beat of chronic illness.

Bill Hahn with Richard Salick, Executive Director Kidney Foundation of Florida, at the Cocoa Beach Pier.

Back To Living

I was one of the lucky ones, having to wait only eight months from the time I was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure until receiving my transplant. That’s when I got my first glimpse of the joy of living...AGAIN!

Now, just one year after receiving my double transplant I’m no longer diabetic, I’m no longer on insulin and I’m no longer on dialysis. Another life changing event!
I now run 20 miles a day, splitting time between my Precor elliptical cross trainer and my Precor advanced motion trainer.

I also continue to practice my art of Lyrical Photography and I’m back to work full time in the health and wellness industry. Because of my transplant, and my improved health and vision, the therapies I maintained to survive are daily habits that have given me the joy of living...AGAIN!

Bill Hahn

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bill Hahn tells his incredible and inspiring story of battling the chronic illness of diabetes, and going through acute kidney failure only to emerge healthier and happier than ever after a kidney-pancreas transplant in 2009. His story of how he was able to survive and now prosper parallels many of the principles and practices found in the arena of anti-aging and healthy living. Hahn is a former pro surfer, business owner, personal trainer and published Lyrical Photographer. He has owned Home Fitness Warehouse in Melbourne, Florida since 1992. You can reach Mr. Hahn at 866-387-1745, or e-mail amuse6168@att.net.

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Founder’s Society Kick-Off Set For July 3

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA –  Indian River Volunteers in Medicine has a new home for their executive offices and classrooms thanks to Dr. Mitchell Greenberg, Director of Injury Treatment Solutions in Melbourne, Florida.

Dr. Greenberg

Dr. Greenberg recently donated over 2,000 sq. ft. of professional office space to the newly formed Volunteers in Medicine clinic, located at 1747 Evans Road, just west of the Melbourne Square Mall.

“We are simply overwhelmed by the generosity of Dr. Greenberg in providing us with a commercial location as we continue our efforts at organizing the clinic,” said Paul Ringenberger, Indian River Volunteers In Medicine Executive Director.

Ringenberger

Ringenberger said that they are looking very closely at several possibilities in Palm Bay where they plan on locating the clinic to provide primary health care and dental services to the working poor and the uninsured – those who earn too much for indigent care, but not enough to have health insurance. All services will be provided free of charge.

The clinic, scheduled to be open by February of next year, will host a Founder’s Society Kick-Off on Saturday, July 3 at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club with a goal to secure 500 founders each donating $500 to the clinic.

“Dr. Greenberg not only has donated the office space, he has also pledged the first $500 for the Founders Society," said Ringenberger.

National Organization

Volunteers in Medicine is a highly respected national organization with 77 clinics nationwide, and with four clinics currently operating in Florida. A fifth clinic is set to open in Fort Pierce, and  Brevard organizers hope to be the sixth clinic in the state when they open early next year.

Dr. Jack McConnell

The Brevard clinic has attracted many volunteer health care professionals who are inspired by its philosophy of a "Culture of Caring," created by Volunteers in Medicine founder, Dr. Jack McConnell. Among those making this happen, and serving on the Board of Directors, are Lorane Smith and Dr. Gene List.

“Personally, IRVIM offers me an opportunity to give back to a needy community through helping care for the dental needs in Brevard County," said Dr. List, a retired dentist residing in Baytree.

Smith also joined Team IRVIM for similar reasons. “I believe in giving back and deeply believe that with prayers and persistence that with IRVIM we will be very successful and hope others will join our effort," she said.

“We’ve been thrilled with the support and encouragement from local government, hospitals and healthcare providers," said Ringenberger. "We are now concentrating on our Founder’s Society that will provide the start up funding necessary to begin clinic operations.”

Family Operation

Ringenberger's wife, Era Singer, grew up in Brevard and attended Titusville High School. After earning an undergraduate degree from Florida State University and a Masters Degree at the University of South Florida, Singer has returned to Brevard to put her 30 years of experience in grant writing, fund raising and public relations to work helping the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic.

Singer

"This project presented a great opportunity for us to return to Brevard and work together on a volunteer clinic for the working poor and uninsured," said Singer.

Singer's sister, Doris Littlefield, is also no stranger to the Brevard healthcare scene having worked many years as a nurse at then Jess Parrish Hospital, and also taught nursing at Brevard Community College.

The group's Medical Advisor is Dr. Barry Kronman who has practiced for many years in Indialantic, and though semi-retired, still volunteers his services at the Brevard Health Alliance.

For more information contact Ringenberger at 321-567-4237, or e-mail info@indianrivervolunteersinmedicine.org

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HEALTHCARE NEWS

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Dr. Alan Marumoto, Medical Director at University Center Imaging, studied cutting edge technology for the identification and treatment of brain tumors as well as diagnosis of other neurologic diseases.

Dr. Marumoto

Professors from Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Stanford and Johns Hopkins lectured on the latest diagnostic and therapeutic applications of Neuroradiology. Also covered was breaking developments in contrast agents, molecular imaging probes and MRI including chemical measurements using spectroscopy.

Advancements in neuroradiology sub-specialties were addressed by representatives of the American Society of Head and Neck Radiology, the American Society of Spine Radiology, the American Society of Functional Neuroradiology and the American Society of Pediatric Neuroradiology.

Dr. Marumoto is a board certified radiologist at University Center Imaging, and has published scientific papers in the journals Radiology and Topics in Magnetic Resonance Imaging and annually attends this seminar to stay current in neuroradiology.

University Center Imaging is owned and operated by Medical Technology Transfer Corporation (MTT), a health care company that provides a wide array of medical services to employers, hospitals, physicians, insurers and the general public. Their services cover the entire continuum of health care ranging from “healthy to “terminally ill.”

Incorporated in 1993 and with nearly 100 employees, MTT has facilities and offices in Los Angeles, California; Marion, Ohio; and, Melbourne, Florida. Within MTT Corporation, there is a combination of complimentary skills and knowledge bases embedded in a team of professionals in the fields of business, science, medicine, pharmacology and radiology.

In Melbourne, MTT Corporation designed, equipped, staffed and operates both Harris Family Medical Center, University Center Imaging and 4CARE Walk-In Clinic. For over a decade, MTT Corporation has provided urgent care, primary care, pharmacy, laboratory, diagnostic imaging, occupational health, mental health, workers’ compensation, wellness and disease management services.

University Center Imaging is a full-service outpatient diagnostic imaging facility with locations in Melbourne and Suntree, Florida offering MRI, CT, Nuclear Medicine, Fluoroscopy, Echocardiogram, Ultrasound, Digital Mammography, DEXA scan and X-ray.

For more information call 321-726-3800 or visit log on to www.universitycenterimaging.com

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HEALTHCARE NEWS

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA  - Health First Health Plans' executives Katie Fleming and Linda Wheeler have earned certification from the American Health Insurance Plans Executive Leadership Program.

Limited to just 50 candidates nationwide, they were selected based on their high level of professionalism, excellent performance in their current positions and a commitment to the health insurance industry. Both Ms. Fleming and Ms. Wheeler were also awarded Certificates of Professional Achievement from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

Linda Wheeler

Hired by Health First Health Plans in 2001 as corporate director of Provider Relations and Physician Recruiting, Ms. Fleming has more than 15 years experience specializing in the managed care insurance industry.  Ms. Wheeler joined Health First Health Plans in 2004, and today serves the company as director of Sales and Marketing and has more than 16 years of insurance industry experience.

Both Ms. Wheeler and Ms. Fleming achieved their Certified Health Insurance Executives designation after participating in three intensive academic sessions during the year-long program, and will officially receive official recognition at a commencement ceremony later this year. Mentoring, academic sessions, and site visits were part of the curriculum with a focal point on strategic management practices needed to lead health insurance plans.

In the latest rankings of healthcare plans across America, U.S. News & World Report has rated Health First Health Plans among the country's elite, placing 31 out of the more than 165 health plans that participated in the survey.

The Health First Health Plans commercial plans also ranked in the top 25 percent, placing 60 out of 239 participating plans. Only one other plan in Florida ranked higher for both commercial and Medicare products.

Health First Health Plans is located in Rockledge, Florida, and currently has nearly 60,000 members – including 23,000 Medicare members. Serving residents of Brevard County and part of Sebastian in Indian River County for 14 years, Health First Health Plans was founded as part of Health First, a not-for-profit family of healthcare services that includes Cape Canaveral Hospital, Holmes Regional Medical Center, Palm Bay Hospital, Viera Hospital and Health First Physicians.

For more information, log on to www.HealthFirstHealthPlans.org or call 321-434-5665.

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eHealthWatch Breaking News

Nancy G. Payne

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA  (June 16, 2010) – Nancy G. Payne has joined Space Coast Cancer Centers as the organization's new Executive Director.  Ms. Payne was previously the Executive Director of Cancer Care Centers of Florida in Orlando for the past nine years.

"I'm really excited to be with Space Coast Cancer Centers – this is a great opportunity with a stellar organization that has very high credibility," said Ms. Payne, who has over 25 years experience in oncology practice management and has been certified by the Medical Group Management Association as a Certified Medical Executive.

"The timing was great as I had been hoping to find the right opportunity close to home," said Ms. Payne, a Merritt Island, Florida resident for the past nine years.

Ms. Payne has served as a member of the Executive Board of the Assembly of Oncology and Hematology Administrators of MGMA for the past four years, and is currently the President of the organization.

Considered by her peers as a leader in the field, Ms. Payne has also been published in many professional journals, including Hematology and Oncology News and Issues and Community Oncology magazine.

Dedicated To Brevard's Health and Well-Being

Space Coast Cancer Centers' mission is to provide the highest quality medical care and service to the patients and families of the community, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and dedicated staff.

Serving the residents of Brevard County, Florida since 1983, Space Coast Cancer Centers currently has locations in Titusville, Merritt Island, Rockledge and Cocoa Beach.

Dr. Richard Levine

"Our physicians see patients in each office location and also have privileges at Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Wuesthoff Medical Center in Rockledge, and Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach," said Dr. Richard Levine, President of Space Coast Cancer Centers.

Dr. Levine was selected recently as a member of “Best Doctors of America” – the third time that he has earned this honor in which physicians are nominated by their peers in their specialty.

"Our board certified physicians are committed to excellence, which is demonstrated by our participation as the first of only three oncology practices participating in the American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Oncology Practice Initiative," he said.

"We also participate with the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Institute Quality Oncology Practice Initiative," said Dr. Levine. "The physicians and staff at Space Coast Cancer Center are affiliate members of Moffitt Cancer Center, providing radiation oncology, diagnostic imaging, chemotherapy, clinical trials and quality assurance studies."

As one of five Moffitt affiliates in Florida  that participate in the Florida Initiative for Quality Cancer Care, Space Coast Cancer Center is the first practice in Florida – and the second in the United States – to collaborate with the University of Pittsburgh Medical  Center implementing and monitoring clinical pathways for patients’ chemotherapy treatments that are compliant with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines.

For more information call 321-268-4200, or log on to www.SpaceCoastCancer.com

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HEALTH EDUCATION

EDITOR'S NOTE: Hear Dr. Pete Weiss at the Florida Anti-Aging Expo talk about empowering ordi­nary peo­ple to gain con­trol of their own health. Log on to www.FloridaAntiAgingExpo.com for information.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Dr. Peter J. Weiss' new book, More Health, Less Care, has sold out it's first printing in just six weeks and is currently tagged number one on Amazon in the Wellness category. The book has been endorsed by USA Today Founder Al Neuharth as, "required reading for anyone – especially 50 years or older."

Dr. Pete Weiss

"Dr. Weiss' book on how to take care of your health is absolutely the most realistically practical thing I've ever read about personal health care," said Mr. Neuharth, the 86-year old former chairman and chief executive officer of the Gannett Co.

Dr. Weiss is a physician, healthcare executive, author, speaker and health coach with a passion for helping others to health and wellness.

"My work and life have now merged," said Dr. Weiss.

"My mis­sion is to help oth­ers by com­mu­ni­cating all that I’ve learned in life — from medial prac­tice, from lead­ing an insur­ance com­pany, from being a patient myself, and from work­ing through my own per­sonal issues.  I hope to be a guide, sup­porter and encour­ager to those who can learn from me," he said.

Empowering Individuals

Dr. Weiss has recognized that traditional medical care isn’t helping many people to become well, and his personal mission is empowering individuals to manage their own health.

With a physi­cian for a father, Dr. Weiss was attracted to med­i­cine at an early age.

Intel­li­gent and hard­work­ing, he attended one of the country’s best med­ical schools at Wash­ing­ton Uni­ver­sity in St Louis where he was rec­og­nized as an out­stand­ing stu­dent. Upon grad­u­a­tion Dr. Weiss entered active ser­vice in the United States Navy.

Dur­ing his nine years of active duty, Dr. Weiss com­pleted res­i­dency in Inter­nal Med­i­cine, fel­low­ship in Infec­tious Dis­eases and became Board Cer­ti­fied in both fields.

In 1994, Dr. Weiss entered the pri­vate prac­tice of Infec­tious Dis­ease in Mel­bourne, Florida, where he was acknowl­edged as a supe­rior clin­i­cian.

“It was a great expe­ri­ence to prac­tice with physi­cians of that cal­iber, and I was a bet­ter doc­tor for it,” he recalls.

His high-quality prac­tice and admin­is­tra­tive tal­ent attracted the atten­tion of local health­care lead­ers, and Dr. Weiss was invited to assume the Med­ical Direc­tor­ship of Health First Health Plans based in Rockledge, Florida. He left prac­tice to assume this role on a full-time basis in 2000, ris­ing to become Chief Exec­u­tive Offi­cer in 2007.

“I believe I made a pos­i­tive dif­fer­ence for our mem­bers and our com­mu­nity dur­ing that time. Health First Health Plans is an out­stand­ing orga­ni­za­tion, ded­i­cated to its mem­bers and to doing the right thing. I am very grate­ful for the lead­er­ship oppor­tu­nity I had at Health First,” said Dr. Weiss.

Dur­ing his tenure, Health First Health Plans was named one of the nations top health plans in the US News and World Report/National Com­mit­tee for Qual­ity Assur­ance rank­ings.

More Health, Less Care Alliance

Over his career it grad­u­ally became clear to Dr. Weiss that tra­di­tional health­care, even in the best med­ical cen­ters, wasn’t result­ing in improved health or well­ness for most Amer­i­cans.

“I real­ized that the great­est bur­den of ill­ness in our mem­bers was directly related to their lifestyles, and that more or bet­ter care wasn’t going to help most of them," said Dr. Weiss.

"There­after, I became com­mit­ted to help­ing indi­vid­u­als change their lives, improve their health and avoid ill­ness in the first place.”

Feel­ing this call to action, Dr. Weiss left his lead­ing role in tra­di­tional health­care in Jan­u­ary 2010 to reach peo­ple directly and help them take con­trol of their health, and will soon launch the More Health, Less Care Alliance.

Know as “Dr. Pete, Well­ness Evan­ge­list” he has begun a new career as a pub­lic fig­ure — speak­ing, writ­ing, host­ing a radio show and oth­er­wise help­ing ordi­nary peo­ple to gain con­trol of their own health.

To order More Health, Less Care CLICK HERE

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HEALTHCARE EDUCATION

EDITOR'S NOTE: Meet with representatives of Florida Tech's Nathan Bisk College of Business during the Florida Anti-Aging Expo to discuss their healthcare management program. Log on to www.FloridaAntiAgingExpo.com for information.

Demand High For Healthcare Management Professionals

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – To meet the demand for well-trained professionals in healthcare management, Florida Tech’s Nathan M. Bisk College of Business has added a new degree to its list. Its new master of business administration with a specialization in healthcare management will position graduates to take full advantage of this burgeoning field.

According to Bureau of Labor statistics, employment rates in the areas of healthcare management are expected to increase steadily through the year 2014, despite the nation’s economic downturn, thanks in large part to the graying Baby Boomers, who will continue to drive the need for healthcare services.

Dean Robert Niebuhr

“Due to high demand for healthcare professionals, a number of schools are now offering this type of concentration,” said Dean Robert Niebuhr.

Salaries for those in healthcare management are healthy, ranging from $52,000 to well into the six figures per year, depending upon the size of the clinic being managed.

A manager for a practice with 26 or more doctors will earn on average more than $132,000 a year, while managers of a small practice of six or less physicians may be compensated $72,000 for their efforts.

Significant Advantage

A master’s degree is a significant advantage for workers who desire high-level – and better-paying – positions. In addition to general office management duties, healthcare managers are usually responsible for working with the medical staff to assure the best possible experience for patients. They also manage patient information and overseeing office staff.

IN ADDITION to the traditional business subjects, Florida Tech healthcare management students concentrate on planning and marketing, legal aspects of healthcare, information management in healthcare and healthcare policy.

Opportunities for healthcare management professionals exist in hospitals, clinics, healthcare nonprofits, and long-term care facilities, among others.

The field is a crucial one for successful delivery of healthcare services. Although healthcare management professionals do not typically work directly with patients, their management abilities do directly impact quality of care. Leadership skills necessary for success in the field are addressed in the new Florida Tech program.

While Florida Tech’s healthcare management MBA is new this year, the university had in the 1990’s  offered a master’s of science degree in healthcare. A student can now enroll in the traditional campus MBA program and then add the four-course concentration in healthcare online or opt to take the entire program online.

“The degree offers the traditional business subject areas and then allows the student to gain specific insight into the healthcare field,” added Niebuhr.
“This makes the degree applicable to all aspects of the healthcare field.”

Planning & Marketing

In addition to the traditional business subject areas, students concentrate on healthcare planning and marketing, legal aspects of healthcare, information management in healthcare and healthcare policy.

As with other Florida Tech business studies, the new program helps students develop a background in the science of management, gain relevant skills in the various business disciplines and build a portfolio of practical, hands-on experience.

Rapid Growth

Niebuhr expects the student body to be diverse. “The student population of our college is comprised of traditional college age students and working professionals of all ages, including military and government personnel,” he said.

Florida Tech’s College of Business has grown rapidly to more than 4,500 students.

“We plan on raising the funds for the creation of a new building that will provide the college with a quality facility on campus to handle this wonderful growth,” said Niebuhr.

“We hope to further strengthen our faculty with endowed chairs in business so we can continue to attract the best scholars and teachers for the college. The faculty leadership is extremely important.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Florida Tech’s new MBA healthcare program, call 321-674-7327, or CLICK HERE.

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FITNESS & EXERCISE

EDITOR'S NOTE: Don't miss Dr. Sandi Thomas-Stuart perform an exhibition at the Florida Anti-Aging & Healthy Living Expo on Saturday, June 12, at 11:30 a.m. She will then do a Q&A session. Call 321-615-8111 or log on to www.FloridaAntiAgingExpo.com for information.

Dr. Sandi Thomas-Stuart is a Brevard County, Florida osteopathic physician and emergency room doctor. She earned her fitness pro card last May and competed recently in the 2009 Fort Lauderdale Pro Fitness competition. Dr. Thomas-Stuart got interested in figure and fitness training during her residency. She graduated from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale and has practiced at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach.

I recently competed in the IFBB Europa Pro Fitness Show of Champions, which was held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

For the first time in five years, I was able to perform for friends, co-workers, and family, some of whom hadn’t seen me onstage since my very first show, and others who had never even been to a fitness-bodybuilding competition before. It was an incredibly special experience to be able to share my love of the sport with the people I care about.

Sandi with her husband Scott.

As I walked into the venue on show day, I almost became overwhelmed with emotion of how far I’ve come and how much personal growth I’ve experienced through the sport. I still remember watching my first fitness competition in 2001 and wishing I had the ability and genetics to be up there competing.

It took me four years to get up the nerve to even try, and now, I’m a pro! I’m certainly not the best or the most talented (I placed 11 out of 12), but I definitely feel pride and a sense of accomplishment, given where I started.

Normal People With A Passion

There is a perception by people outside the fitness industry that we competitors are “freaks” or “superhuman,” genetically gifted individuals. While in some cases, that may be true, most of us are just normal people, with normal lives and normal jobs.

For instance, one of my dear pro fitness friends is a registered dietician working on an infectious disease unit in a hospital. Another is a five-year veteran NFL cheerleader, and yet another is a high-powered marketing executive.

I’ve competed with girls who are college professors, stay-at-home moms, pharmacists and dentists. Fitness is our outlet – it’s our time to ourselves.  And while we all have our different daily lives, we share a common bond through our sport.

Every day, I hear people say, “I wish.” Why wish? Do!

Life is too short to sit back and wish it away. You don’t have to paint yourself orange, diet down to single digit body-fat levels and do back-flips onstage like I do, but if there’s something you want to do, ask yourself, “Why NOT?” Isn’t that what most people want to teach their children: to set goals and follow through, rather than making excuses?

Positive and Upbeat

My mother-in-law is a huge source of inspiration for me in that capacity.  Within the span of a few years, she lost a husband, had her children move out, was diagnosed with multiple medical problems, and lost a parent.

Rather than sitting back and becoming depressed, she chose to look life in the face and pursue all the things she’d always wanted to do. She takes art classes, tai chi lessons, yoga, and is one of the most positive, upbeat people I know. I truly feel blessed to have her in my life.  Imagine my joy to have her in the VIP section at the Europa, cheering me on.

At any rate, I was pleased with what I put on stage that weekend. All the hours of training, routine practice, and gymnastics culminated in performance that was my personal best. I can’t ask for any more than that, right?

Except maybe for a celebratory cookie.

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WOMEN'S HEALTH

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – TEPAS Breast Center (TBC), a Central Florida regional comprehensive women’s diagnostic breast center that provides screening and diagnosing breast problems, hosts a support group conducted by Breast Friends of Florida the second Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the TEPAS Breast Center, 1140 Broadband Drive in Melbourne, Florida.

Dr. Emran Imami

"We understand the anxiety of lengthy work-ups and take every effort to expedite your care," said Emran Imami, MD FACS, Board Certified General and Breast Surgeon.

"Our team communicates with you and your physician as soon as results become available from our highly experienced and Board Certified radiologist. All this is performed in a luxurious, soothing setting tailored for your expectations," he said.

One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, and although breast cancer is very treatable, the best approach is early detection.

"We encourage you to perform monthly self-examinations, undergo routine annual mammograms, and see your primary care doctor regularly, " said Dr. Imami.

“When faced with a cancer diagnosis, many people feel helpless. We believe healthcare should restore hope every step of the way. At TEPAS Breast Center, you will experience compassionate service in a warm setting, quick responses to results, access to leading-edge technologies and procedures, and a multitude of informational and supportive resources," he said.

Rachel LeFebvre

TEPAS Breast Center also donates space to the American Cancer Society, which offers one of Brevard County’s only resource centers. Trained volunteers assist those battling cancer by providing wigs, turbans, scarves, prosthetics, bras and helpful information.

Because mental health is an essential part of cancer treatment and recovery, TEPAS offers an on-site psychologist Rachel LeFebvre, Ph.D. for counseling and support. Also, the Breast Friends of Florida, a group of cancer survivors, offers resources that assist friends and family members in efforts to encourage and strengthen each other and loved ones.

For more information log on to www.tepasbreastcenter.com or call Danielle Babcock at 321-733-1901.

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