The faculty at the University of Central Florida’s College of Medicine has been educating the future physicians of America for years, but now it has a new endeavor - to provide medical services to the public.

Last November, UCF opened Pegasus Health, a clinic that focuses on primary care and specializes in sports medicine, nephrology, neurology, rheumatology, cardiology, geriatrics and infectious diseases.

The clinic is staffed entirely by UCF College of Medicine faculty and the best part is that you don’t have to be a Knight to receive treatment. That’s right, the clinic is open to the general public and people from throughout Central Florida and beyond have already taken advantage of what the facility has to offer. According to Linda Smelser, director of clinical operations, the clinic has treated patients from Kissimmee, Jupiter and even Palm Beach.

“We’ve seen about 300 patients so far and we’ve heard a lot of positive feedback about [the clinic],” says Smelser. “I think the College of Medicine faculty attract people from far and away, which is wonderful.”

Although UCF’s College of Medicine is located in Lake Nona, the Pegasus Health clinic is located on the corner of University Boulevard and Quadrangle Boulevard, close to UCF’s main campus.

“We picked this particular location because of the close proximity to the university,” says Smelser.

According to Leonardo Oliveira, a College of Medicine faculty member and physician at Pegasus Health, this location allows the physicians to serve the community better.

“We’re so close to the main campus. We want to give back to the community and being where we are allows us to do that,” says Oliveira, who is board certified in sports and general medicine.

“It’s a way for us to become better communicators. Medicine is the art of communication and caring for individuals,” says Oliveira. “We’re delivering the best care for our students in the classroom and the best care for our patients in the community.”

In order to provide the best care, the clinic utilizes the most up-to-date technology. The computers run on wireless Internet, and medical publications and books can all be accessed remotely on-site. The patients’ medical records are also electronic, to cut down on the use of paper, and can be accessed from the clinic or at the college.

The facility itself is also designed to provide the best care for the patient. The patient rooms, where the doctor and the patient confer, tend to be a dreaded place for many who don’t like going to the doctor’s office. But these patient rooms don’t look or feel like the typical ones found in many other practices. Instead, these rooms are designed to relax the patient and help take the stress out of the visit. All of the rooms have paintings and windows that offer plenty of sunshine and outside views.

“The building is designed to make patients feel like they’re not in a physician’s office, but in a hotel,” says Oliveira.

In the future, the physicians at Pegasus Health would like to further their patient care by adding a portal where patients can access their own medical information. Smelser says at some point in the future the students at UCF’s College of Medicine may be able to use the clinic to gain hands-on experience.

Another future goal of the clinic is to spread the word about Pegasus Health and let people know that it’s not just for students; anyone is welcome.

If you need to stop by the Pegasus Health clinic, it’s open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The clinic accepts most major health insurance carriers and patients must be 16 or older. For more information on Pegasus Health, visit www.UcfPegasusHealth.com.

Article by Marisa Ramiccio

June, 2011. Oviedo resident Lorrie Sibley, a devoted wife and mother of one, wakes up in severe pain. It has hurt like this for awhile, but today is different. Today is worse. Still, she has things to do so she attributes her aches to a lower back problem and struggles through her day. And another. And another. The days turned to weeks and soon the pain became debilitating. When she visited her general practitioner, a simple X-ray revealed shocking news: her back was fine, but her hip had begun to literally disintegrate. Ultimately, her physician referred her to Orlando Orthopaedic Center and thus began her road to recovery.

Sibley met with Eric G. Bonenberger, M.D., a board certified orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in joint replacement; knee, hip and shoulder surgery; sports medicine and arthroscopy. He told her the best treatment option for someone with a condition like hers was to undergo an anterior hip replacement surgery.

“I was obviously shocked, but after the initial shock wore off, they were able to tell me they would fix it, so that’s all I wanted to hear,” she says. “That’s all that mattered to me because it had gotten to where I wasn’t walking - I couldn’t move. I couldn’t do anything.”

On Surgery day, even before the operation began, Sibley says she felt a sense of relief just knowing the possibilities that waited when she would open her eyes after surgery.

After Bonenberger and his team performed the minimally invasive procedure, Sibley woke up without pain, with her husband and daughter by her side. Using a walker, she was immediately able to stand and put weight on her hip. A smile crept across her face. Because of the surgery’s success, she was able to return home two days later, where she received home care on a walker for a week, followed by a week with a cane. Two weeks after the surgery, she no longer needed pain medication, and three weeks after surgery, she was walking without the cane.

“You have to get your balance back and your muscles strong again; you haven’t used them in a while,” she cautions. “But the feeling of walking again without pain is indescribable. I was miserable before the surgery and now just walking around my block is so fulfilling.”

Bonenberger, who has taught this hip replacement technique to other physicians in the past, was pleased to hear that the surgery had such a positive impact on Sibley’s life.

“As a surgeon, I am always happy to hear from patients about how the procedure changed their lives,” says Bonenberger. “Helping a patient like Ms. Sibley recover from an incapacitating condition is one of the main reasons I became a doctor.”

Six months after the surgery, Sibley feels that her anterior approach hip replacement has reopened several possibilities in her life.

“I have my life, my family, back,” she says. “It sounds small but now that I can really hit a basket of tennis balls to my daughter, it’s a huge difference for me. I can serve to her over and over and volley in all different directions. I can drive. I can shop. I have my life back to do with it what I want.”

Because of the positive impact the surgery had on Sibley’s quality of life, she recommends the procedure to others who experience the same condition.

“They know what they’re doing at Orlando Orthopaedic Center,” she says. “The doctors here, these guys are awesome. They’ll take care of you and I recommend them to everyone. It’s been a life-changer for me and I couldn’t imagine where I’d be without them.”

See Lorrie’s tell her complete story by visiting www.YouTube.com/OrlandoOrtho today.

Article by Valerie Moses

Since opening in 2000, Dr. Maxine Moncrieffe of Making Orlando Smile Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry has seen patients of all ages, shapes and sizes at her practice located just off of Lake Underhill Road. From routine checkups to complete smile makeovers and even root canals, teeth whitening and Invisalign, Making Orlando Smile offers a plethora of dental services to fit patient’s needs. Below are answers to several common questions she hears at her practice.

1. What’s most important when looking for a dentist?

Obviously you want someone who is certified, experienced and good at what they do. Besides that, I would say the most important factor would be the level of trust you feel between your dentist, their staff and you. If you feel comfortable with them and they do a good job, I’d say that you have found a pretty good fit for your dental needs. It’s important to find an office that puts an emphasis on patient comfort like ours does. We’re all patients too, so we know what it’s like to be on the other side of the chair. That’s why we do everything we can to make our patients feel at ease.

2. When should my child start seeing a dentist?

I’d recommend that children start visiting a dentist when their teeth first start coming, typically that’s around the six to 12 month mark. Not only does this visit establish a “dental home” for your child, but an early examination and proper preventative care will help ensure your child has a beautiful, healthy smile now and for years to come.

3. What exactly is a cavity and what are my treatment options?

Tooth decay occurs because the mouth always has bacteria in it. This bacterium converts all foods into acids. This acid, along with food debris and saliva, combine in the mouth to form plaque that can adhere to your teeth. When plaque isn’t removed it converts into tarter, which can irritate the gums and cause tooth decay (among other problems), resulting in cavities.

Symptoms include tooth pain and visible holes in teeth. When tooth decay is detected during exams when probed with an instrument or through dental X-rays, we create a custom treatment plan which may involve fillings, crowns and/or root canals. Most often you will receive a filling where we remove the decayed tooth material and replace it with a silver alloy, gold, porcelain or composite resin.

4. My teeth hurt every now and then but I really don’t want to go to the dentist. Is a checkup that necessary?

Absolutely, especially if you don’t have insurance. There could be untold amounts of harm being done to your teeth so preventative maintenance and regular cleanings are highly recommended to save you extra discomfort and money down the road. Having small cavities filled or small problems rectified now is far less expensive than waiting for a tooth ache to come along.

Does bleaching your teeth really work to make them whiter?

It sure does, however results tend to vary somewhat from one patient to another. When a bleaching solution is applied to your teeth, the chemicals are absorbed into the teeth and thus whitening your teeth. When done in a professional office, results are often greater than an over-the-counter solution because the solution here is designed to custom fit your teeth while avoiding getting any chemicals onto your gums.

Would You Like to Learn More?

Contact Making Orlando Smile today to schedule your appointment.

Making Orlando Smile
10843 Dylan Loren Circle
Orlando, Fl. 32825
407.207.4416 - www.MakingOrlandoSmile.com

At Vascular Vein Centers complete leg health is their goal. They provide expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of vein disorders while their on-site lab includes thorough ultrasound duplex scanning, which allows for a detailed understanding of each patient’s problems. Since their inception, the Vascular Vein Centers have provided Central Florida with medically-proven, cutting-edge technology in the pursuit of non-operative vein therapy.

Below are some of the more common questions VVC encounters regarding diagnosis and treatment of incompetent veins.

1. What exactly do my veins do and why do I have varicose veins on my legs?

Essentially, veins in the legs have valves. These valves keep blood flowing in one direction - from the legs to the heart. If these valves don’t function properly, they “leak” and blood flows back toward the feet, creating a pressure that causes normally small veins to enlarge and bulge

Varicose veins are diseased veins that have become permanently dilated with “leaky” valves. In the United States, it’s estimated that 25 million people have varicose veins. By the time we reach our 60s, it’s estimated that 72 percent of women and 42 percent of men will experience varicose veins.

2. What are some of risk factors for vein disease?

The risk factors vary. Some of the most common include: family history of vein disease; pregnancy; being overweight; prolonged standing or sitting on a daily basis; hormonal factors; advancing age; clots in the superficial or deep vein system and injury.

3. What does a vein procedure typically involve? Will I miss any work because of it?

Therapy consists of a combination of laser treatment of the major incompetent veins, followed by chemical schlerotherapy for the branches. The procedures are short, require minimal local anesthesia and patients are able to resume their normal activities very quickly. Post-procedural pain is minimal compared to traditional stripping procedures.

4. What can I do to improve my leg health?

Veins are controlled, they are never completely cured. However, some steps you can take to improve leg health include:

Exercise daily: Exercises that use the muscles of the legs help veins pump blood. The calf pump pushes blood back to the heart and every step lowers pressure in your legs.

Maintain a healthy weight and diet: Being overweight puts extra pressure on the veins. Foods high in sodium may cause water retention and swelling.

Maintain healthy skin: It’s important to keep your skin lubricated with lotion or baby oil to prevent dryness or itching.

Wear compression stockings every day: Specifically made for treating vein disease and for people who stand a great deal by assisting in supporting weakened vein walls, they provide graduated compression on the leg, with the greatest pressure at the ankle to help pump blood up the leg. As a result, blood flow is increased which helps reduce swelling, pain and possible clots in the legs.

5. Will my insurance cover the costs of a procedure?

Most insurance companies, including Medicare, recognize the treatment of painful varicose veins as medically necessary and will cover the procedures if three to six months of conservative treatment (depending on the particular insurance) have been unsuccessful in eliminating signs or symptoms.

Would You Like More Information?

If you have questions not answer above by Vascular Vein Centers or you would like to schedule an appointment, call their office today.

Vascular Vein Centers - Waterford Lakes
11317 Lake Underhill Rd., Ste. 300
Orlando, FL 32825
407.380.8878

www.BestVeinTreatment.com

Dr. Jodi Jakiel, owner and doctor of Active Living Health Center located in the Vista Lakes Shopping Center, treats new patients every day at her state-of-the-art practice. Patients have received such positive results from her integration of chiropractic care, manual therapies, and active rehabilitation that the office has outgrown its current space.

In March of next year, Active Living Health Center will be moving into a larger facility located at 8257 Narcoossee Park Drive Suite 516, about a half mile south from the Home Depot and half a mile north from the 528 toll junction. Here the practice will be able to add additional services including nutrition counseling and a fitness center including yoga, pilates, boot camps and personal training.

Dr. Jodi took a break from the move to answer some common questions she hears from new patients below.

1. What conditions do chiropractors treat?

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. The main focus of chiropractic involves adjustments and manual therapy, including manipulation of the spine, other joints, and soft tissues.  Treatment also includes exercises and health and lifestyle counseling.

2. Is chiropractic treatment effective?

Scientific evidence proving that the chiropractic care works is overwhelming. Over the past 20 years, many controlled and independent research studies have shown again and again that chiropractic care is safe and effective for treating low back pain, neck pain, headaches and other conditions relating to the spine. Based on these scientific studies, the consensus is that chiropractic care is the treatment of choice for most spinal problems.

3. Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?

Yes, children can benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort. Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is highly skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle.

4. Do insurance plans cover chiropractic?

The majority of all insurances have some coverage for chiropractic service in their health care plans.  We also accept cash patients and provide a cash insurance plan that is affordable for those who do not have health insurance or need additional assistance. We also accept auto accident and personal injury insurance. Our office is always happy to verify your benefits prior to your new patient appointment to ensure your coverage and answer any questions you may have.

5. Why is there a popping sound when a joint is adjusted?

Adjustment of a joint may result in release of a gas bubble between the joints that makes a popping sounds - it’s exactly the same as when you “crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint that results in gas bubbles being released. There is no pain involved.

6. If I start chiropractic care, do I always have to see a chiropractor?

Yes AND No. Chiropractic care can be used for acute and chronic musculoskeletal problems, but can also be used as a wellness tool to maintain a healthy body. Dr. Jodi’s always says “The better you take care of yourself the less you need to see me.” As part of our philosophy, we educate our patients on how to maintain a healthy body and encourage them to be proactive instead of reactive about maintaining their health. We utilize not only chiropractic, but also rehabilitation, massage therapy, ergonomic training, nutrition, and the list goes on.

Interested in Learning More?

Contact Active Living Health Center to schedule your appointment today.

Active Living Health Center

6441 S. Chickasaw trail, Orlando, FL 32829

407-384-4904

www.ActiveLivingHealth.com