Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge & Education Center would be described as the best kept secret in Orlando by Bonnie Westereld, a volunteer there since 2005.

The small nursery and various animal habitats are tucked neatly amidst the trees, and despite the quaint atmosphere of the space, it is quickly becoming too small a set up for the current intake of animals.

“People who find injured or orphaned animals bring them to us and we take in about 2,500 to 3,000 every year,” says Carissa Kent, director of marketing for Back to Nature (BTN).

Westereld notes, “The amount of animals that we’re getting and the amount of phone calls we’re getting, it’s constantly increasing and with the habitat destruction last year, we were getting forty to fifty phone calls a day.”

That said, BTN is currently in the permitting process of moving to their new location, a 20-acre plot of land in Lake Nona. The refuge is going to begin by using five of those acres, and in doing so will double the area they are working with now.

The refuge received a $199,000 grant to be used for infrastructure and is literally starting from the ground up. Kent hopes to be moved into the self-sustaining facility complete with an animal hospital and rehab center, simulated environments for the permanent residents and an education center for members of the community by 2013.

“The sky’s the limit really, if we can expand our operational budget and get the donations that we need, we could really do great things for these animals,” says Kent.

And the animals are truly the priority for the staff and volunteers who work at BTN. The three staff members are there 10 to 12 hours a day and often feed the babies all night.

The rehabilitation process starts when the animals are brought to the refuge and triaged. “We basically play mama until they’re old enough to be released and we don’t human imprint any of them meaning they’re not viewable or exposed to the public whatsoever and then we wean them off just like mama would,” says Kent. After they’re healthy enough, the animals move to enclosures that are habitat-based so they can start learning those wild behaviors. Once they’re deemed ready by the staff, they are released back into the wild. The entire process varies in length from animal. It ranges anywhere from days to months or more depending on the animal.

The residents that reside at the refuge permanently do so because they are physically unable to survive in the wild on their own. Permanent residents include everything from a western cougar named Zema to birds of prey. Some creatures have called the refuge their home for between 10 and 20 years.

They also serve educational purposes for the community; the refuge offers guided and self-guided tours, as well as programs for schools as a way to educate and give visitors some valuable recreation time.

Each animal’s story offers a lesson about such things as conservation, abuse, neglect etc.

Kent notes that educating kids about these things make for better communities and she hopes to double the educational programs upon the move to the larger space.

Members of the community interested in raising money for BTN can attend the Cupid Goes Wild event at Gibson Showroom in downtown Orlando on February 11 complete with a bachelor and bachelorette auction. There is also a monthly donation program, symbolic adoption program, and sign sponsorship program. More information is available on the website, www.BTNwildlife.org.

Article by Jessica Inman

Dr. Henry N. Ho, President of The Ear, Nose, Throat and Plastic Surgery Associates, combines his years of experience treating head and neck cancer with the latest, state-of-the-art technology to give patients the highest level of care available in Central Florida. One of the focal points of his practice is head and neck tumors. Dr. Ho opened up to Insight with some of the most commonly sought answers.

1. What are the signs and symptoms of head and neck cancer?

The symptoms may not always differ too much from those of a usual illness like a sore throat, visible sore or lump. However if these symptoms do not go away, a visit to a local specialist should not be put off. Other red flags would include a lump in the neck, vocal changes, mouth growths, bloody saliva, trouble swallowing, differences in skin and ear aches.

Regular visits to your doctor and dentist are the best ways to stop potential cancer growth in its early stages of development. As with any cancer, the earlier the detection, the higher the likelihood of a complete cure.

2. What are the risk factors?

Tobacco is linked to 85 percent of cancers in the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx (areas that are more vulnerable). Alcohol is also a colossal risk factor, and a combination of the two causes the risk to develop one of these cancers to sky rocket. Some other risks aren’t as obvious and include exposure to the sun, wood or nickel dust industrial exposure, Epstein-Barr virus infection, certain salted foods and preservatives, airborne asbestos exposure, gum disease and lack of oral hygiene, Human Papilloma Virus and previous radiation exposure.

3. What are the different types of head and neck cancer?

Approximately five percent of all U.S. cancer cases relate to the head and neck, or about 87,000 cases per year. Most head and neck cancers begin in the cells that line the surfaces in the head and neck area-for instance, the mouth, nose, and throat-called mucosal surfaces.

The different types of head and neck cancer may include: oral cavity cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, laryngeal, sinus tumors, salivary gland tumors, skin cancer, skull base tumors and thyroid cancer.

4. What are my treatment options?

Since head and neck cancer patients may require a combination of therapies, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery, a multidisciplinary approach is often employed. Some treatments are non-invasive and can have the patient back up and on their feet as soon as the next day. All treatment plans are steered by certain basic conditions; location of the malignancy,the cancer’s progress (staging), and the general health, age and vigor of the patient. Three essential tiers of treatment are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Head and neck cancers are often very complex, and treated with highly specific procedures and combinations of methods.

5. How often is Radiation Therapy used as treatment?

Radiation is actually the most commonly performed treatment for head and neck cancers. At our practice and in partnership with Florida Hospital we use Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and newer Tomotherapy treatments to deliver a precisely-focused beam of computer-guided radiation that greatly reduces damage to healthy nearby tissues. Older style radiation
treatments are broader, but are still effective in containing cancers that have spread or metastasized. The patient will usually feel significant weakness and sickness for several weeks afterward, but radiotherapy can be very effective in stopping this kind of cancer.

Looking for more information?

Contact The Ear, Nose, Throat and Plastic Surgery Associates to schedule your appointment today.

The Ear, Nose, Throat and Plastic Surgery Associates

133 Benmore Drive, Suite 100,
Winter Park, FL 32792
407-644-4883

As 2012 rolls on in East Orange County, your District 4 office and I are staying as busy as ever. This month I wanted to address several vacancies on the counties many advisory boards and present you with an opportunity to get involved and make a difference.

The boards should be representative of the entire county meaning if you live in Orange County then you are encouraged to participate and make your voice heard. Many of the boards are looking for community members with specific interests and backgrounds so certain criteria and experience may apply.

The best way to apply for a position is to let my office know by emailing district4@ocfl.net or calling 407.836.7350 and a staff member will walk you through the process step-by-step. Listed below are several of the boards with vacancies available, but not all. For a complete list, be sure to contact my office.

Advisory Board Vacancies

Agricultural Advisory Board

Provides recommendations and comments to the County on various proposed County rules, regulations and ordinances affecting the agricultural community. Meets first Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m.

Animal Services Classification Committee

Reviews investigations of incidents involving animals to determine whether an animal should be classified as “dangerous” or “potentially dangerous.” Meets third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

Children and Family Services Board

Advises the County regarding the provision of direct services to children, youth and families by the Youth and Family Services Division. Meets last Monday of each month at 12:00 p.m.

Commission on Aging

Collects information and assists agencies on the needs and services for elders and caregivers and analyzes the elder-readiness of the County. Meets every other month at 12:00 p.m.

Disabilities Advisory Board

Addresses problems such as limited access of public accommodations and recommends priority funding needs of the disabled to the County. Meets second Monday of each month at 11:00 a.m.

Surveys, studies evaluates and provides recommendations for improving all aspects of emergency medical management services. Meets fourth Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m.

Environmental Protection Commission

Recommends revisions to regulations affecting the continuing protection of the environmental quality of air, water and land in the County. Meets last Wednesday of each month at 8:30 a.m.

Industrial Development Authority

Authorized to issue revenue bonds or other debt obligations repayable solely from revenues derived from the sale, operation or leasing of capital projects. Meets third Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m.

Nuisance Abatement Board

Hears and decides complaints alleging that a place or premises constitutes a public nuisance. Meets fourth Thursday of each month at 9:00 a.m.

Orange County Enterprise Zone Development Agency

Identifies and recommends to the County the financial needs of and local resources available to eligible businesses in the enterprise zone. Meets quarterly.

In early February, 2011, during a visit to my doctor he asked, “John, what do you weigh now?”

“290.”

“Two years ago you weighed 270 pounds. You told me you were going to lose some weight by dieting and exercise. What happened?”

“Well, I got down to 270 just before the holidays but I popped back up.” He sighed.

“John, come back next week, and I have a homework assignment for you. Look around and see how many old, fat people you see. Then tell me if you really want to carry the weight in to your late 50’s.”

I went back next week with a different outlook.

“Are you ready to do something drastic?”
I asked, “How drastic, like an operation?”

“No. My wife is a doctor across the parking lot at Go Figure. She will put you on a serious weight loss program. Don’t do it unless you are serious. If you do it halfheartedly you will fail.”

I decided I was 10 out of 10 on commitment and I was going to do it. On February 18, I stopped in to see Shannon and Fonda at Go Figure of Winter Park. The next day, I began a stringently controlled diet program that allowed me 500 calories a day. Yes, that’s 500.  But I could add in calories equal to my daily exercise.

I started walking more, and running short two to three minute intervals, and eventually worked up to a 5K course I mapped out in my neighborhood. I started Waterford Runners and Riders, a non-profit group to encourage running in Waterford Lakes and other parts of East Orlando.

Running takes its toll on my knees, though. Riding my sidewalk bike was much lower impact, but I wanted more. I traded my old 10-speed in at Bike Works and purchased a road bike.

Bike Works suggested the Eastside Cycling Club that left the YMCA in Avalon Park every Saturday morning. I caught up with the group on Waterford Chase Parkway and managed to stay with them only five miles.  Over the next few months, the club helped me to train and upgrade my equipment for longer rides.

I also visited Nutrishop in Orlando and was fortunate enough to meet owner Frank Marinaccio. Frank helped me design a custom supplement program that fit in with Go Figure and was targeted to running and cycling. He consulted professional Tri-athlete Jonathan Holler on what I should be eating and drinking before, during and after my exercise periods.

The results have been fantastic. In seven months I lost 70 pounds. My initial target was only 50, but as I got down to 240, I realized I needed to be in the 215 to 220 range.

Over the next few months my cycling prowess grew. It took time to get used to sitting on that saddle for long periods. It took lots of exercise and proper nutrition to build up the leg muscles. The stamina to run a 100 mile event didn’t come immediately. It took practice with the groups to learn to ride “in the peloton” and stay in the draft.

Today, January 9, 2012, I weighed in at 218 pounds. I have run many 5Ks, and gotten my time down to 29:10, which is below my goal of 30 minutes. I have ridden in five large, organized cycling events, two of which were over 100 miles in length. I have competed in every one of our club’s monthly Time Trial series.

I can truly say that I am a changed man. I get great satisfaction out of telling people, “I’m half the man I used to be!”

Article by John Tenney

From its opening in 1972, Orlando Orthopaedic Center remains committed to its mission of excellence in patient care. Celebrating its 40^th Anniversary this January, Orlando Orthopaedic Center has expanded to a full-service practice with 17 physicians and many unique services. This year the practice launches its nonprofit organization, the Orlando Orthopaedic Center Foundation.

For the staff, the past 40 years have been an incredible journey. “We are all so thrilled and excited to be a part of this wonderful anniversary,” says Kevin Joyce, executive director of Orlando Orthopaedic Center.

As the practice began to grow, it aimed to put patients first. “Much of our success is thanks in part to this philosophy and it continues to guide us today,” says Joyce.

Since expanding to offices in Orlando, Winter Park, Sand Lake, Lake Mary and Oviedo, the practice has adapted to the growing technology and needs of patients through its in-house services. The practice’s specialties include Spine, Neck and Back, Joints, Hand and Upper Extremity, Foot and Ankle, Pediatrics, Sports Medicine, Oncology, Pain Management and Physical Therapy.

“We know that it’s imperative for patients to get the care they need in a convenient and cost-effective manner, and we do our best to lead the region in those categories, but we also know quality of care must be second to none,” says Joyce.

At Orlando Orthopaedic Center, each physician has a Physician Team working with their patients. That means whenever a patient needs anything, they call the Physician Team, which includes a Patient Care Coordinator and Patient Care Assistant, directly and speak to someone familiar with their case.

“The physician teams are something that is unique to our practice and really help us take that next step in patient satisfaction,” says Joyce. After the initial appointment is scheduled, Physician Teams handle all patient phone calls, emails and general inquires.

Recently, Orlando Orthopaedic Center opened an Orthopaedic Outpatient Surgery Center next to its downtown office. “Our doctors enjoy it because everything is set up exactly how they choose and that ultimately leads to a better patient experience in many cases,” says Joyce.

Voted the “Best Orthopaedic Practice” in Central Florida by Florida Medical Business in 2004, Orlando Orthopaedic Center aims to give back to the community. For the 40^th Anniversary Celebration, Orlando Orthopaedic Center will start a nonprofit foundation to focus on patient education and youth injury prevention. The foundation will work with partners to provide sports screenings, outreach events and annual orthopaedic update seminars for healthcare professionals. The foundation aims to decrease the number of orthopaedic injuries in Central Florida.

In addition, Orlando Orthopaedic Center will launch its “40 Acts of Kindness” campaign in 2012 to thank the community for its support over the years. In this program, the practice will choose 40 ways to give back through philanthropic activities including volunteerism, donations to nonprofits and fundraisers.

“We firmly believe that adding a charitable component to the practice is one of the best ways we can help make the community a better, safer place to call home,” says Joyce.

The practice’s focus on philanthropy will continue to grow in the future, along with its commitment to patients. Despite its changes and developments in the past 40 years, Orlando Orthopaedic Center’s devotion to quality care and convenience has been consistent since the practice opened.

“Putting patients first is what got us to where we are today and it will continue to be our main focus for the next four decades and beyond,” says Joyce.

Article by Corey Gehrold