A community health education magazine made possible by generous donations from Watson Clinic Foundation’s supporters.Watson Clinic

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We’ve expanded!Phase 2 of Watson Clinic Highlands now open

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A healthier you Small changes can add up

2 HEALTH SCENE

From minor mishaps around the home to worrisome fevers and sore throats, Watson Clinic’s Urgent Care at Main and XpressCare at Highlands options can address a wide range of pressing medical needs that demand immediate attention.

Both locations welcome walk-in visits without an appoint-ment for new and established patients. They offer expanded operating hours on weekdays and weekends, and are staffed by a highly skilled team of pri-mary care physicians, nurses and medical professionals.

XpressCare at Highlands2300 E. County Road 540ALakeland Highlands, FL 33813

Call for more info: 863-393-9472

Urgent Care at MainWest Entrance

(off of Morrell Drive)1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd.Lakeland, FL 33805Call for more info: 863-680-7271

HEALTHCARE

SOMETIMES it’s obvious when a trip to the emergency department is needed. Problems such as chest pain or heavy bleeding are clearly serious situ-ations that require in-depth emergency care.

Many times the situation is less clear. Your illness or injury isn’t severe enough to require emergency care, or to endure the long wait times and high fees associated with an emergency room visit. But you don’t want to wait for a regularly scheduled appointment with your physician either.

That’s when Watson Clinic’s Priority Care can come to the rescue. Headed by board-certified family medicine physician Dr. David J. Remmer from the expanded Watson Clinic Highlands location, the department offers same or next day appointments for new and established patients who are 2 years of age and older.

The department provides treatments

for a variety of non-emergency con-ditions, including urinary and respira-tory tract infections, sprains, strains, various physical impairments, and much more.

“Whether you’re visiting Watson Clinic for the first time or have been coming here for many years, we can usually accommodate your care needs on the same day you call for an appointment with us,” says Dr. Remmer.

Patients can also enjoy quick and convenient access to x-ray, laboratory and additional medical support tools as needed.

Priority Care Highlands2300 E. County Road 540A, Lakeland, FL 33813

Appointments: 863-680-7190 More options for fast care

when you need it

David J. Remmer, MD

COST-EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVES TO ER VISITS

Inside this issue

OUR ACCREDITATIONS ADD UP! Watson Clinic continues to impress

4

MEASLES, AGAIN? Immunizations can keep your child safe

The next phase of healthcare in our community FROM THE DESK OF DR. STEVEN G. ACHINGER

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SPRING 2018President, Watson Clinic Foundation, Inc.Richard J. Cardosi, MD

HEALTH SCENE is published three times a year (this is issue 3 of 3) as a special service for the friends and neighbors of WATSON CLINIC. It is supported by generous contributions made to Watson Clinic Foundation, Inc. The Foundation’s mission is to promote community wellness

through education, research and service. If you wish to be added to or removed from the Health Scene mailing list, please write to HealthScene @WatsonClinic.com or Watson Clinic’s Marketing Communications and Media Relations department at 4263 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL 33813, or call 863-904-4653. We will facilitate your request before the next issue.

Watson Clinic Board of DirectorsSteven G. Achinger, MD, FASN, chairman and managing partner; Randel Miller, MD; Richard Cardosi, MD; Faeza Kazmier, MD; Stephen Swengros, MD; Galina Vugman, MD; James Butler, DPM; Jorge Gonzalez, MD, medical director; Stan Piotrowski, chief administrative officer; Keith Pernicano, chief financial officer; Kelly Lonsberry;

Sonia Wellinger; Teresa Aman

Health Scene Communications TeamJenny Baker, Jamey DuVall, Nicole Longo, Jim Tompkins

Information in HEALTH SCENE comes from a wide range of medical experts. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your Watson Clinic healthcare provider at 863-680-7190.

2018 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

100 S. Kentucky Ave., Suite 255Lakeland, FL 33801

Check out our website

WatsonClinic.com

Email us at HealthScene@ WatsonClinic.com.

MY name is Dr. Steven Achinger, and I am a dual board-certified nephrologist and internist who has focused on the primary care and kidney disease needs of Watson Clinic patients since 2009.

Recently, I had the honor of being elected managing partner of Watson Clinic. In this capacity, I am tasked with overseeing the management and execution of the clinic’s strategy, helping to devise and implement initiatives that ensure exceptional patient care, and serving as a public spokesman to promote our goals and values.

For more than 13 years, Health Scene magazine has played an important role in furthering our vision for a healthier community. Within these pages, our physicians have a platform to promote disease prevention, as well as the latest minimally-invasive treat-ments, cutting-edge technologies and breakthrough research that saves lives.

This latest issue continues that tradition and includes articles related to cervical cancer, weight loss, healthy eating, cataracts, emergency room alternatives and more.

Our feature article concerns the opening of Phase 2 of our popular Watson Clinic Highlands facility. This nearly 39,000-square-foot addition ensures a full-service medical campus where patients of all ages can find the comprehensive and diverse healthcare experience they deserve.

We continue to work diligently to fulfill the healthcare needs of patients and families across each community we serve. Thank you for continuing to place your trust in us.

Yours in good health,

Steven G. Achinger, MD, FASNWatson Clinic Managing Partner

WatsonClinic.com 3

Steven Achinger, MD, FASN

WATSON News

On your side in the fight against obesity

4 HEALTH SCENE

AAAHCRecently, Watson Clinic earned reaccreditation by the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. (AAAHC).

The process involved a thorough on-site survey conducted by AAAHC expert surveyors, during which our various operations and practices were meticulously scrutinized. These surveyors were particularly impressed with the coordination between each member of our team of more than 220 physicians, which makes for a seamless and all-inclusive healthcare experience.

NAPBCThe Watson Clinic Breast Health Services division has been awarded a full three-year reaccreditation from

Watson Clinic registered dietitians Rita D. Harrison, MSW, MS, RD, LD, CDE, and Nancy Ulm, RD, LD, CDE, recently completed the Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management, an intensive training program of-fered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This certificate is given to individuals who possess a compre-hensive knowledge of their field, and demonstrate an ability to provide long-term guidance to patients with weight management challenges.

“As many as two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese,” says Harrison.

How does your medical care compare to the very best in the country?Accreditations can be an ideal litmus test when you’re trying to determine a

healthcare provider’s quality of care. These accreditations signify that a medical facility offers care that matches or exceeds the strictest national standards.

At Watson Clinic, we’ve understood the significance of accreditations for many decades. In 1969, we were honored as the first medical clinic in the United States to achieve accreditation by the American Association of Medical Clinics. Since that time, we’ve voluntarily participated in a series of rigorous examinations performed by some of the most distinguished patient advocacy groups in the nation, and garnered a reputation for excellence in the process.

Setting the standard

Learn more about these accreditations, and what they mean to you, at WatsonClinic.com/Accreditations.

Annual Report now availableThe Watson Clinic Cancer & Research Center has summarized their efforts in the fields of research, technology and patient care and highlighted the latest community cancer trends in their 2017 Annual

Report. Check it out by visit-ing WatsonClinic.com/AR.

WatsonClinic.com 5

Insurance in the new yearWatson Clinic is honored to accept UnitedHealthcare coverage, as well as a host of additional insur-ance plans. Visit our website at WatsonClinic.com/Insurance to make sure your plan is honored by your Watson Clinic care team.

Rita D. Harrison, MSW, MS, RD, LD, CDE

Nancy Ulm, RD, LD, CDE

the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) for a third consecutive term, an achievement that testifies to the superior breast cancer evaluation and management services offered at Watson Clinic.

Watson Clinic’s Breast Health Services division encompasses multi-ple locations, including the Women’s Center, Watson Clinic Highlands, and the Watson Clinic Cancer & Research Center (WCCRC). In addition to mam-mogram capabilities, each location offers access to a range of treatment options including breast surgery, plas-tic and reconstructive surgery, radia-tion therapies, and much more.

ACSCOCThe American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (ACSCOC) bestowed the WCCRC with their highest level of recognition—gold status. Watson Clinic is one of only

six freestanding cancer centers in the country and the only one in the state of Florida with this award of distinction.

The evaluation determined that we exceed the standards the organization set forth in the areas of treatment and overall quality of care, technology, research, and patient education.

These accomplishments just scratch the surface. For the second consecu-tive three-year term, we were hon-ored with Level 3 Recognition as a Patient-Centered Medical Home from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), which reflects our commitment to providing exceptional primary care services across multiple locations.

Watson Clinic has also been awarded accreditations that recognize our Radiology department, Diabetes Education Program and Sleep Disorders Center.

“This alarming statistic also points to an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic and life-threatening illnesses. These patients can benefit from the guidance of a registered dietitian.”

Watson Clinic’s Dietary Counseling and Medical Nutrition Therapy department works closely with patients of all ages to provide reliable guidance on nu-trition, fitness, weight management and other methods for achieving a healthier lifestyle.

“Our department provides medical nutrition therapy, which requires careful consideration of each patient’s individual dietary needs,” says Ulm. “Registered dieti-tians offer evidence-based practices, which make them the most reliable source for nutrition guidance.”

Watson Clinic’s team of registered dietitians counsel patients from Watson Clinic Main at 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd. in Lakeland, as well as Watson Clinic Bartow at 2250 Osprey Blvd., Suite 100, in Bartow. Appointments are

arranged through a Watson Clinic physician referral. For more information, call 863-680-7490.

6 HEALTH SCENE

CHRONIC sinus infections can take a great toll on your quality of life. Just ask Scott Palmer and Patsy Fulbright, two Watson Clinic patients who ex-perienced great discomfort and found little relief from traditional remedies.

That’s when they turned to board-certified otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon Dr. Pranay C. Patel. Thanks to a revolutionary, minimally-invasive procedure known as balloon sinuplasty, he was able to resolve each patient’s discomfort in a single office visit.

“Essentially what the balloon sin-uplasty procedure has allowed us to do is to transition a sinus operation from an operating room event into an office procedure,” says Dr. Patel.

The procedure is considerably less

AS a seasoned musical performer and one half of the popular singing duo Harmony Voices, Marty Pieper often lifts the spirits of her audience. After completing successful treatment for ovarian cancer, she needed some emotional uplift of her own.

She decided to look into plastic surgery.

Visit WatsonClinic.com/Video to watch more patient interviews.

Breathing a sigh of relief

invasive than previous techniques, which results in faster periods of recovery.

“I really started immediately getting some relief with my breathing,” Patsy reported after the procedure.

“Dr. Patel treated me like family,” Scott says. “I like the way I was treated,

A fresh new beginning

my results were excellent and that’s a referral for me.”

You can make an appointment with Pranay C. Patel, MD, at the Watson Clinic Bella Vista Building or Watson Clinic Highlands by calling 863-904-6231.

“I didn’t want to look like I was trying to be 25,” says the 72-year-old Marty. ”I just wanted to look better.”

After reviewing the qualifications of many surgeons in the area, she called and scheduled an appointment with Dr. Faeza Kazmier, a board- certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon at the Watson Clinic Women’s Center. After careful consideration and consultation, she elected to undergo a

total face-lift procedure. “When someone starts operating

on your face, it’s kind of scary,” Marty confided. “But Dr. Kazmier was really good at setting my mind at ease.”

The surgical process could not have been smoother. She arrived for her pro-cedure in the morning and was back home that same afternoon. During her brief recovery, she always felt valued when she called Dr. Kazmier’s office with follow-up questions or concerns.

Marty loves her natural and re-freshed new look. “Don’t go anywhere else. Go to Dr. Kazmier because she knows what she’s doing and she really takes care of you.”

Faeza R. Kazmier, MD, practices at both the Watson Clinic Women’s Center and Watson Clinic Bartow. Call 863-680-7676 to schedule a

consultation.

PATIENT CORNER

WatsonClinic.com 7

What’s the No. 1 killer of American women? Nearly half of all women in a recent national survey couldn’t come up with the right answer—heart disease—even though it’s more deadly for women than all cancers combined.

Heart disease affects women of all ages. While your risk rises with age— especially after menopause—it can also start early. Young women who smoke and use birth control pills raise their risk of heart disease by 20 percent.

While a family history of heart disease doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have it too, it’s your signal to adopt habits that can decrease your risk of developing heart disease, such as eating better, moving more, keep-ing blood pressure low and trimming down if you’re carrying extra pounds.

Don’t downplay heart attack warning signs. Although some are sudden and intense, most start slowly. For men and women both, the most common warn-ing sign is chest pain or discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes. Women are somewhat more likely than men to experience other common symptoms, including shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, back or jaw pain, extreme fatigue, and a cold sweat.

Work with your doctor to control your risk factors.

What treatments are available for cataracts?It’s disturbing when vision blurs, colors seem faded and headlight glare makes it hard to drive at night. It’s also time to see your eye doctor.

These and other symptoms—double vision in one eye or needing more light to read, for instance—could be due to cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens.

Cataracts can develop at any age, but the most common type is age-related, occurring after age 40. Approximately half of all Americans aged 75 or older have them.

In addition to the natural aging process, a variety of other factors—such as smoking, sun exposure and diabetes—can also contribute to cat-aract development. One or both eyes can be affected, and in most cases, cat-aracts develop over a period of years.

Your eye doctor may recommend surgery. Today, these procedures are less invasive than ever before, and overwhelmingly effective. The cloudy lens of the eye is removed and replaced with a clear plastic lens. The implanted lens requires no special care and becomes a permanent part of the eye. They’re flexible and allow for smaller incisions and often no stitches. Patients require no general anesthesia and can go home the day of the procedure.

Is cervical cancer preventable?

Cervical cancer is rare in women who are regularly screened for it, and there’s a vaccine that protects against its most common cause, the human papillomavi-rus (HPV).

Most cervical cancers start with changes that gradually turn into can-cer. Screening can find these abnormal changes, which doctors then treat. This stops cancer from ever developing.

Screening always includes the Pap test and, for some women, the HPV test. Both tests are simple and fast and consist of sample cells from the cervix. The Pap test looks for cell changes and abnormal cells, while the HPV test looks for the virus that causes cell changes.

The American Cancer Society advises that most women should receive a Pap test every three years between the ages of 21 and 29. Starting at age 30, they recommend a Pap test every three years or both a Pap test and an HPV test every five years. Each patient has their own potential risk profile and screening needs, so please consult with your doctor about the regimen that’s right for you.

There are more than 200 types of HPV, but two cause roughly 70 percent of cervical cancers. The HPV vaccine targets those two types, and should be adminis-tered before a patient becomes sexually active.

Musa H. Awan, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist at Watson Clinic Main in Lakeland. Call 863-680-7486 to schedule an appointment.

Richard J. Cardosi, MD, is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist at Watson Clinic Main in Lakeland. Call 863-680-7578 to schedule an appointment.

John G. Canto, MD, FACC, is a board-certified cardiologist at Watson Clinic Main in Lakeland. Call 863-680-7490 to schedule an appointment.

We asked members of our medical staff to answer some common health concerns.

QUESTIONS EXPERTSFOR

THE3 TAKE

8 HEALTH SCENE

N 2015, Watson Clinic Highlands altered the landscape for healthcare in our region, particularly for residents of south Lakeland, Bartow and surrounding communities. This 35,000-square-foot, two-story facility expand-ed the availability of popular specialties like Family Medicine, Dermatology, OB-GYN and XpressCare. At the same time, it introduced several departments to the area for the first time in Watson Clinic’s history, including ENT, Facial Plastic Surgery, and our Audiology/Hearing Center.

Now, the Highlands campus has more than doubled in size with the opening of Phase 2, an ambitious expansion that delivers more

GREATER ACCESS, and A HEALTHIER COMMUNITYPHASE 2 OF WATSON CLINIC HIGHLANDS NOW OPEN

doctors, more specialties and more conve-nience than ever before.

Phase 2 provides even greater access to the doctors you trust most and the specialties that enrich the lives of you and your family. When combined with Phase 1, Watson Clinic Highlands functions as a full-service medi-cal campus that is of tremendous benefit to patients and families in this segment of the community and beyond.

With this second facility on the Watson Clinic Highlands campus, patients can expect the following:• Expanded offerings in the departments of

Otolaryngology (ENT)/Facial Plastic Surgery, Pediatrics and OB-GYN.

• A host of new specialties, including General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery/Sports Medicine, and Hand Surgery.

• Enhanced radiology and laboratory test-ing facilities, including state-of-the-art MRI imaging, x-ray, DEXA bone density scanning, ultrasound, CAT scan and 3D mammography.

• Additional specialties, services, doctors and medical providers to be announced in the coming months.

• A second location for our popular Medical Spa at Watson Clinic.

More doctors,

I

WatsonClinic.com 9

Room to growIn addition, the second phase facility makes room for other departments to expand or move in to Phase 1, including a new Priority Care office headed by Family Medicine specialist Dr. David Remmer. Phase I will also soon accommodate a Nurse Clinic for regular maintenance of patients who require medication injections for chronic conditions, dressing changes, port access for blood draws, and more.

For more information and to schedule an appointment, visit WatsonClinic.com/Highlands.

10 HEALTH SCENE

A healthier weight, a healthier you

Brett J. Widick, MD, a board-certified family medicine specialist at the Watson Clinic South location.

Pedro J. Flores, MD, a board-certified family medicine specialist at the Watson Clinic Highlands location.

IF YOU’VE STRUGGLED with excess weight, you’ve probably tried a number of ways to drop some pounds. Maybe you experimented with a few fad diets. Or perhaps you took advan-tage of a special New Year’s deal and joined a health club. You may even have bought some clothes a size too small, just for motivation.

Some of these strategies may have worked in the short term, but when the diet ended or the gym discount expired, the weight you lost came creeping back.

Losing weight is hard. Keeping off the weight you lose? That can be even more difficult. The key, experts say, is to realize that long-term weight loss requires long-term change: a life change.

Changes for your healthThere’s little doubt that fitting into a smaller pair of pants or going down a dress size is one of the benefits of weight loss, but there are some healthier gains to be had.

If your doctor has talked to you about your weight, he or she may have mentioned that excess pounds can make you vulnerable to type 2 diabetes.

“Being overweight also puts you at risk for high blood pressure, heart dis-ease and some kinds of cancer,” says Dr. Pedro J. Flores, a board-certified family medicine specialist at the Watson Clinic Highlands location.

“Years of supporting extra pounds are hard on your knees and other joints, which may lead to osteoarthritis in older age. Also, women who are overweight are more likely to have difficult pregnancies.”

It’s true that being overweight or obese tends to run in families.

One reason is the genes passed down from parent to child, but there’s another factor: Kids are likely to share the same dietary and exercise behav-iors as their family.

For parents, that doubles the rewards of each healthy lifestyle change you make. That’s because whatever you do, your children proba-bly will do too. And over time, healthy changes can become healthy habits for the whole family.

Slow and steadyDespite what the infomercials, ads or Facebook feeds filled with exclamation points may suggest, there is no big secret to weight loss. In most cases, it’s a matter of eating less and exercising more.

That sounds simple, but for many of us, it means changing the way we live. It can be a daunting task—unless it’s done in reasonable, gradual steps like the following five:

1Set realistic goals.For example, don’t try to shed

20 pounds by the end of the month. One or two pounds a week is a rea-sonable weight-loss goal.

“In overweight and obese patients, losing just 10 percent of body weight can significantly decrease blood pressure, and thereby decrease the risk of heart disease,” says Dr. Flores.

2Be specific.Rather than saying, “I will exercise

more,” decide on a concrete course of action. Plan to take a 15-min-ute walk after lunch every day, for instance. It will make success easier to achieve, measure and celebrate.

3Keep a food diary.

Write down what you eat and when in a food diary. You may want to record the calories and even what you were doing at the time. That can help you pinpoint bad habits—did you binge on ice cream when you watched TV alone, for example?

You can also include ideas on how you might improve on those bad habits. (“Before I watch a movie again, I’ll prepare a small healthy snack to munch on, like some veggie slices with salsa.”)

4Track your exercise.An exercise log serves much

the same purpose as a food diary. Watching your fitness increase also can be a great motivator to keep going.

Dr. Brett J. Widick, a board-certified family medicine specialist at the Watson Clinic South location, recommends that “You should get at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking or bicycling, each week.“

WatsonClinic.com 11

A healthier weight, a healthier you

“Keep in mind that you may need to bump that time even higher to lose weight. Also aim to do muscle-strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups at least two days a week.”

5Focus on good-for-you foods.You probably have heard the

basics of a healthy eating plan, such as:• Limit saturated fats, trans fats, salt

(sodium) and added sugars.• Emphasize fruits and vegetables.• Choose whole grains—such as

whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat crackers, oatmeal and brown rice—more often.

• Buy low-fat or nonfat dairy prod-ucts, including yogurt and milk.Eat a variety of protein foods, which

include fish, lean meat and poultry, eggs, and beans.

Make a list of foods that fit into a healthy meal plan, and stick to your list when grocery shopping. There are a number of websites that can help you make healthier choices at the store. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at eatright.org is a great resource.Additional sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institutes of Health

Want to fulfill those weight-loss goals in the new year? Watson Clinic’s team of more than 50 family and internal medicine specialists can help. Call 863-680-7190 to schedule an appointment today.

12 HEALTH SCENE

WATSON CLINIC is proud to offer the services of over 220 highly trained physicians who possess expertise in more than 40 medical and surgical specialties.

The care provided by these fine physicians is complemented by an expanded team of nurse practi-tioners, physician assistants and other clinical and support staff members.

Nurse practitioners, or ARNPs, are highly trained and qualified healthcare providers. They’re registered nurses who have additional medical training and national certification, as well as masters or doctoral degrees.

Like doctors, they can diagnose and treat many illnesses and injuries, and they consult with the physi-cians they work alongside when needed.

NPs tend to emphasize prevention, health education, and the overall well-being and health of their pa-tients, which makes them ideal partners in your care.

Say ‘hello’ to our new physicians and providers

ODAY K. ABDALLAH, DOFAMILY MEDICINEMedical school: Touro College of Medicine, Harlem, NYInternship: Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Jersey City, NJResidency: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine–St. John Episcopal Hospital, Far Rockaway, Queens, NYBoard-certification: Family MedicineLocation: Watson Clinic MainAppointments: 863-680-7190

NAHOMY CALIXTE, MDUROLOGYMedical school: Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MAInternship: General Surgery, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NYResidency: Urology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY Fellowship: Urology and Robotic Infertility, South Hospital, Clermont, FLAdditional Languages Spoken: French, CreoleLocation: Watson Clinic MainAppointments: 863-680-7300

JOSE L. CONCEPCION-RAMIREZ, MDHOSPITALISTMedical school: Medical University of Holguin, Holguin, CubaInternship and residency: Internal Medicine, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brooklyn, NYBoard-certified: Internal MedicineLocation: Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center

KATHLEEN H. GALATRO, DO, FACCCARDIOLOGYMedical school: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJInternship: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Stratford, NJResidency: Internal Medicine, Columbia University/Overlook Hospital, Summit, NJFellowship: Non-invasive Cardiology, MCP–Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PABoard-certified: Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular DiseaseLocation: Watson Clinic MainAppointments: 863-680-7490

G. BYRON HODGE, MD, FACSUROLOGYMedical school: Duke University, Durham, NCResidency: General and Thoracic Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC; Chief Resident, Urologic SurgeryFellowship: Urologic Oncology, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, TXBoard-certified: UrologyLocation: Watson Clinic MainAppointments: 863-680-7300

OM PRAKASH, MDURGENT CAREMedical school: University of Pune, BJ Medical College, Pune, IndiaResidency: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, ILBoard-certified: Family Medicine Additional Languages Spoken: HindiLocation: Watson Clinic Urgent Care at Main

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to our new physicians and providers

ANTHONY R. ZAPPIA, MDGENERAL & ROBOTIC SURGERYMedical school: Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, INResidency: General Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MIBoard-certified: SurgeryLocation: Watson Clinic HighlandsAppointments: 863-680-7486

LAURA A. DIXON, ARNP-CINTERNAL MEDICINEEducation: University of South Florida, Tampa, FLMemberships: American Association of Nurse Practitioners Supervising physician: Dr. Agustin R. TavaresLocation: Watson Clinic SouthAppointments: 863-680-7190

M. ALLISON FOJTIK, ARNP-CCARDIOLOGYEducation: Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FLMemberships: American Association of Critical Care Nurses, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Florida Association of Nurse PractitionersSupervising physicians: Drs. John Canto, Jorge Gonzalez, Mark Mines and Patrick Reddy Location: Watson Clinic MainAppointments: 863-680-7490

VICTORIA K. HARRISON, PA-CRADIOLOGYEducation: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Memberships: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, American Academy of Physician Assistants, Florida Academy of Physician Assistants Location: Watson Clinic Main

HOLLY C. PAYNE, ARNP-COB-GYN/FEMALE PELVIC MEDICINE & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERYEducation: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, and Frontier Nursing University, Hyden, KYMemberships: American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Nurse Practitioners in Women’s HealthCertification: Electronic Fetal MonitoringSupervising physicians: Drs. J. Brian Hopper and Donald W. LangleyLocation: Watson Clinic HighlandsAppointments: 863-680-7243

ANGELA J. RITCHEA, ARNP-CINTERNAL MEDICINE/NEPHROLOGYEducation: Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling, WV Memberships: American Academy of Nurse PractitionersSupervising physicians: Drs. Michael Achinger and Steven AchingerLocation: Watson Clinic MainAppointments: 863-680-7190

Physician assistants, or PAs, can perform your next routine wellness checkup, or help you manage or treat a chronic illness.

Much like NPs, physician assistants—otherwise referred to as PAs—possess the expertise and experience necessary to examine, diagnose and treat patients with input from the physicians they work alongside.

PAs have solid medical education and experience. Their background typically includes a state licensing and extensive clinical training.

The following physicians and providers are the latest additions to our team. Each physician assistant and nurse practitioner works alongside the physicians listed in their credential information. Appointments with each of these specialists are now available, except where noted. Each hospitalist listed is a Watson Clinic physician who treats patients exclusively from a hospital setting.

For more information on these or any of Watson Clinic’s more than 300 physicians and providers, visit WatsonClinic.com/Physician-Search.

14 HEALTH SCENE

Immunizations save livesVACCINATIONS are designed to protect your child against a host of highly contagious and potentially life-threatening dis-eases. It’s important for children of all ages to get their vaccina-tions at the recommended times.

“Over the course of decades, the implementation of a stan-dard vaccination schedule has decreased incidence of these dis-eases substantially,” says Dr. Varsha Ghayal, a board-certified pediatrician at Watson Clinic Highlands. “Vigilance is required if we want this trend to continue.”

Take—for instance—the measles, a disease that appears to be making a comeback even though there’s vaccine that can help prevent it.

Doctors thought they’d mostly wiped out measles in this country in 2000, but there have been outbreaks here since then. Here’s why:

• Most people who get measles aren’t vaccinated.

• Measles is still common in other countries.

• When unvaccinated people from the U.S. travel to other countries, they can get measles. And when they return, they can spread the disease.Measles starts with a fever, a cough, a runny nose and red eyes. Next, a rash of red

spots breaks out all over the body. Kids with measles may also get an ear infection, or they may have diarrhea.

Measles is highly contagious, and it can be serious. It can cause pneumonia and swelling of the brain. Some kids even die from measles.

If you’re a parent, be sure your child’s measles vaccine is up-to-date.It’s safe, effective and it’s a combination vaccine. It protects against measles, mumps

and German measles.Kids need two doses of this vaccine. Here’s a typical timing:

• First dose: 12 to 15 months of age.

• Second dose: 4 to 6 years of age.Adults may also need a vaccine. Ask your doctor if you should get one.

Expanded availability for pediatric patientsWatson Clinic’s Pediatric department offers the convenience of expanded appointment availability and walk-in options.

When your child requires more immediate care than a regularly scheduled appointment can provide, the board-certified pedia-tricians at our Watson Clinic South and Watson Clinic Highlands locations offer walk-in care without an appointment every Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm for established pediatric patients.

Meanwhile, our Watson Clinic North Pediatrics location offers Saturday hours from 8 am to noon to accommodate sick visits only.

Watson Clinic also offers a pediatrician at our Plant City location.

For more information and to schedule an

appointment:Watson Clinic South:

863-647-8012Watson Clinic Highlands: 863-607-3346Watson Clinic North Pediatrics: 863-680-7337Watson Clinic Plant City: 813-719-2500

Varsha Ghayal, MD

WatsonClinic.com 15

Finding the power to quitFIND OUT MORE

about the Foundation’s many community services by visiting

WatsonClinic.com/WCF, or call the program

Coordinator at 863-904-2656.

ACCORDING to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, roughly 1 in every 5 deaths are the re-sult of cigarette smoking. It’s the No. 1 preventable cause of premature death and disease.

The good news is that millions of people have quit smoking over the years. Slightly more than 34 percent of American adults smoked in 1976, and today that number is down to less than 17 percent.

Here’s some more good news: If you currently smoke, you can quit too.

No doubt, it’s hard to give up smoking, but there are many more resources available today for stopping smoking than there were in 1976, including over-the-counter nico-tine replacement gum, patches and

prescription medications to help ease cravings.

The Watson Clinic Foundation offers a monthly education and support class designed to provide an overview of available options for smokers who want to quit. These classes are taught by certified tobacco educa-tion specialists and include infor-mation on various types of nicotine replacements, product samples and much more. For more information and to RSVP, visit our “Events” page.

Make 2018 the year that you finally say good riddance to smoking—forever.

For more information on the Foundation’s class and to RSVP, visit WatsonClinic.com/

Events or call 863-904-2656.

2 weeks–

15

BLOOD PRESSURE&

HEART RATE

DROP.

12 hoursThe balance of carbon monoxide and oxygen in the bloodstream has returned to normal.

Nonsmoker

Risk of stroke can fall to about the same level as a nonsmoker.

5 years with-out smoking• The risk of heart

attack decreases.

• Lungs are working better.

Respiratory problems have started to decrease.

after

1yearafter Excess risk of heart disease

decreases to half that of a current smoker.

50%

BENEFITS OF QUITTING

10years

after1–9 months

after

after

years

The risk of dying from

lung cancer declines to about

50% of that of a current

smoker.

The risk of heart disease is similar to that of a nonsmoker.

O2

CO

after20 min.after

Risk of stroke goes down.

3 months

after

after

2 years

5 years

Sources: American Cancer Society; American Lung Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

When you give up smoking

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDCoffey

Communications

100 S. Kentucky Ave., Suite 255Lakeland, FL 33801

Reach usWatson Clinic LocationsBartow 863-533-7151 Bartow Gynecology 863-534-2728Bella Vista Building 863-904-6200Cancer & Research Center 863-680-7780Center for Rehabilitative Medicine 863-680-7700Dermatology at Sun City Center 813-633-6121Dermatology at Zephyrhills 813-788-7867Highlands 863-607-3333Main 863-680-7000North Pediatrics 863-680-7337Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine 863-680-7700Plant City 813-719-2500South 863-647-8011Urgent Care at Main 863-680-7271Women’s Center 863-680-7556XpressCare at Highlands 863-393-9472Health Scene 863-904-4653Watson Clinic Foundation 863-904-2656

formerly the Bella Vista Spa

1755 N. Florida Ave. • Lakeland • www.WatsonClinic.com/Spa • 863-904-6204Open to the public • Massage License #MM22736 • Occupational License #CE9977973 •