Clinic Physicians Get Physical

Do doctors practice what they preach? This question must occur to many patients, especially as their physician prescribes a dose of exercise to remain healthy. The reassuring news is that physical fitness plays an essential role in the personal lives of many physicians. In fact, it's become a healthy source of competition for some.

Just ask Gynecologic oncologist Dr. Richard Cardosi, who first picked up his sneakers and joined a local run club at the urging of department colleague Dr. Ralph Jennings. "I first started running in 2009 in an effort to get healthier," Dr. Cardosi says. "I changed my lifestyle and lost 65 pounds in the process." He's also participated in a number of 5K events, half marathons, full marathons and even triathlons. 

For Dr. Patricia Schmaedeke, a family medicine specialist at our South location, triathlons represent a great, consuming passion. Her resume of competitive endurance events includes three Ironman triathlons, each involving a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run. Her best time for this event is 12 hours and 50 minutes.

Newcomer Dr. Jeffrey Rumbaugh, neurology, participates in numerous competitive races. "I try to do two marathons a year - one in the spring and the other in the fall," he says. His love of endurance running has led him to compete in major marathons throughout the country, including those hosted in New York City, Chicago and Boston.

Some compete to raise money for various health charities. Others do it simply for the satisfaction of achieving personal goals they may at one time have felt were impossible. And, our doctors encourage you to get physical too!

Watson Clinic Highlands

Here are the latest details on our newest location - Watson Clinic Highlands - set to open soon:

• We are currently eyeing a grand opening celebration in late August, as soon as a date is set, Health e-news readers will be invited.

• Photos and video footage of the entire construction process have been captured on a drone that flies over the location on a regular basis. This footage will be assembled and displayed on our website and throughout various social media platforms.

• The site itself has a unique and striking appearance as it stands at the top of steep slope, and includes a large retention pond near its entrance. This will likely be transformed into a wet pond with a fountain.

• All physician offices currently located at Lakeland Highlands on the corner of 540A and Lakeland Highlands Road are scheduled to make the move to the new facility in mid to late August, pending any weather or construction delays. Patients will be notified as appointments are confirmed.

• Phase Two of the Highlands location will begin construction shortly after the grand opening of Phase One and once permitting is approved. 

Italia R. Stuart, ARNP-C, will specialize in gynecologic care under the supervision of Dr. Donald Langley and Dr. J. Brian Hopper. Practicing at Watson Clinic's Lakeland Highlands location on the corner of East CR 540A and Lakeland Highlands Road in Lakeland, Stuart's areas of expertise include annual well woman visits, general gynecologic concerns, contraception management and family planning counseling. She will move with the physicians to the new Highlands office under construction, just down the road at 2300 East CR 540A. Stuart received her Master's degree in nursing from the University of Cincinnati. She is a member of the Florida Board of Nursing, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses.
 

Meanwhile, orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Prashant Desai welcomed Megan McGee, PA-C, to his practice at Watson Clinic's Main location on 1600 Lakeland Hills Boulevard. McGee achieved her Physician Assistant degree at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, CT. Her areas of expertise include sports physicals, evaluations of upper and lower extremity orthopaedic conditions, joint injections and aspirations, casting, and splinting. Prior to joining Watson Clinic, McGee spent three years in the orthopaedics department at Altru Health System and over a year working in Student Health Services for the University of North Dakota.
 

For more information on any member of Watson Clinic's team of providers, please click here. To schedule a gynecology appointment at the Lakeland Highlands location, please call 863-680-7243. For orthopaedic appointments at our Main Clinic location, please call 863-680-7214.

Kids and Medicine: Measure Up A Safe Dose

When your little one is sick, you naturally want to help him or her feel better, which may mean dispensing a dose of medicine (along with some hugs). Before you give a child medicine, however, it's important to remember this: Kids aren't miniature adults. What works for you, may not be right for a child. Visit our website for some safety tips.
 

Caring For Yourself While Raising A Grandchild

It's an Act II you didn't anticipate. After your last child left home, you thought your childrearing days were over. But now you're raising a grandchild and are back on the job again. As much as you love your grandson or granddaughter, watching over a child late in life can be challenging - physically, emotionally and financially. Still, there are ways to lighten your load. Click here to read how. 

Make The Most Of Your Doctor's Appointment

In order to receive the best care possible, it's crucial that both the patient and the physician be as informed as possible. Open communication is the key to achieving this for both parties. To get the most out of your patient care experience, visit our website to learn three points to keep in mind during your next doctor's appointment.

Laser Tattoo Removal Now Available

It seemed pretty cool at the time, perhaps bold, hip, maybe even a little edgy. But now, you look at that tattoo as a big mistake - more tawdry than trendy. And you wish you could turn back time. You may be able to - so to speak.

"Although tattoos were once considered permanent, the advanced laser technologies of today have made it possible to remove them completely," says J. Scott Ferguson, DO, a board-certified plastic & reconstructive surgeon at Watson Clinic's Bella Vista Building. Tattoos are created when ink is deposited into the second layer of the skin - the dermis - via a needle attached to a tattoo gun. Once there, the tattoo can remain indefinitely. That is, until now. Click here to learn more.

Tigers Honor Son of Clinic Doctor

The ceremonies included Chambers' teammates on the Bradenton Marauders, as well as those who played with him on the Lakeland High School team, and a first pitch thrown by his doctor, Dr. Salvador Montenegro. Proceeds from the sale of specialty wristbands and t-shirts went to support the mission of the Evan M. Chambers Memorial Fund.