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Regenerative Medicine: ‘Just What I Needed’
A nonsurgical solution for engineer’s long-running battle with ankle pain.
The first stop John McHugh made after he was released from the hospital following a two-week stay to correct a life-threatening heart problem was the nearest liquor store. John McHugh For years, John prioritized alcohol over everything else and nearly destroyed his life in doing so. Then, one day, while homeless and sleeping near the Cliff House in San Francisco’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area, John decided to make a change. Those changes are chronicled in the book, Memoirs of a Miracle, in which John tells of how, at age 46, he finally steered himself away from alcohol and onto a new path. “I decided the only way I was going to stay sober was t... -
Optometrist Expands Role With Practice
Dry eye and contacts specialist appreciates life-work balance of her profession
Since childhood, Diane Kerris, OD, has had a passion for health care. And with several health professionals in her family tree, it seemed natural that she also would pursue a career in the field. “I’ve known since I was a little girl when I played doctor with my stuffed animals that I wanted to be a doctor,” Dr. Kerris shares. “Both my mother and aunt were nurses, and my father was in the health care sector when he was in the Air Force.” Dr. Kerris provides routine and primary eye care at the practice’s Brandon and Sun City Center locations. A board-certified optometrist, Dr. Kerris has expanded her role at Brandon Eye Associates and bega... -
Implants And A New Twist On Family Dentistry
Husband and wife. In-laws. All receive dental implants, crowns at same Melbourne practice.
Rick and Janet Villarreal Rick and Janet Villarreal believe in love at first sight because they experienced the phenomenon a little more than 20 years ago. “We literally bumped into each other one day, and when we did, sparks flew – in a good way,” Janet confirms. “We liked each other instantly.” Their mutual affinity was sparked in part because they took similar life paths to Norfolk, Virginia, where they met. Both hailed from California but had spent years moving across the country, Rick for work and Janet because her father was in the military. After dating for a while and marrying, the couple moved to Florida, where Janet ... -
Dry Eye May Signal Underlying Disorder
Symptoms raise red flag, lead to referral to rheumatologist and diagnosis of Sjogren’s syndrome.
Diane Dupuis is naturally creative. For nearly 20 years, she owned a floral design business in New York City. She specialized in artificial plants, with which she decorated the lobbies of hotels, banks and offices. The idea for her business had its roots in her native Washington state. Diane’s combination treatment has her feeling as “close to normal” as she’s been since she was young. “While I was living in Seattle, I worked with a friend who was a designer for a big company,” elaborates Diane, 73. “She trained me in floral design. When I moved east, I opened my own shop. I began making artificial trees for clients. Some of th... -
Implantologist Reveals GERD Teeth Damage
Relocated patient misses ‘family’ implantologist who saved her oral health.
“Dr. Leong is an exceptional dentist. He is very methodical, very patient and very honest.” – Anne Family is everything to Anne Kimmitt. So, when her daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren relocated from Florida to Texas late last year, Anne moved with them. “My grandchildren were just five minutes away from me when we all lived in Melbourne, and that was very convenient; I really liked that,” Anne states. “We’re about 10 minutes away from each other here in Austin, so they’re still nearby, which I like.” Accompanying Anne to Texas were a Labrador retriever, a golden retriever and a pug, three furry family members that fill her with almost a... -
SI Joint Fusion Now An Outpatient Procedure
It’s no longer major surgery. Instead, a minimally invasive approach brings quick relief, short recovery.
After having his left SI joint fused, Timothy can do whatever he wants, without low back pain. As a high school graduate contemplating his future, Timothy Schuller resolved to pursue a career in engineering. He applied and was accepted into the prestigious Georgia Institute of Technology College of Engineering in Atlanta. “I chose engineering because I was almost guaranteed employment upon graduation,” shares Timothy, 64. “I picked Georgia Tech because it’s a good engineering school.” Timothy chose wisely. After completing his education, he immediately caught on with a business in Orlando that builds roads and brid... -
Triumphant Rehab Follows Tongue Removal
After lifesaving cancer surgery, patient can speak, swallow and breathe again.
Shortly after graduating from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, Henry* established a successful, 35-year career as an architect in Florida. But his passion has always been gourmet cooking. He loves creating masterpieces with food. “When I was a kid, I helped my mother prepare the family’s meals,” recalls Henry, 59. “She was always adding flairs to her recipes to make the food taste better. Her efforts instigated my infatuation with cooking. It also encouraged me to experiment with flavors as an adult. For years, I routinely cooked decadent meals for my family and friends. A year ago, Henry suddenly lost his fondness for food. At the same t... -
Treatments Will Sculpt A Better Looking You
Emsculpt NEO, microneedling with PRP combine to trim, tighten and take years off appearance.
The pork rub recipe that has been passed down through three generations consists of 17 ingredients, five of which Madison* will not reveal under any circumstance. “Most of the ingredients are foundational things that are found in every rub recipe,” Madison offers. “I’m talking about things like paprika, brown sugar, chili powder, salt and pepper. The five I can’t reveal are the ones that make the rub special.” Originally concocted by Madison’s grandfather, this recipe has helped Madison’s family win four blue ribbons at barbecue festivals around the country the last eight years. “That’s our thing,” Madison offers. “In the spring and ... -
An Answer For Painful Diabetic Neuropathy?
Noninvasive, magnetic-based Axon Therapy offers promise in trials for difficult-to-treat condition.
Dr. Cordner uses Axon Therapy to treat a patient with painful diabetic neuropathy. It is estimated that half of all people with diabetes develop peripheral neuropathy, a condition in which damage to small nerve endings results in numbness, burning and pain in the hands, feet, arms and legs. Also known as painful diabetic neuropathy, it is caused by excess glucose in the blood and most often affects the feet and toes. Despite its commonality, however, the condition has long confounded physicians. “Historically, painful diabetic neuropathy has been very difficult to treat,” confirms Harold J. Cordner, MD, FIPP, ABIPP, a board-cert... -
Shining A New Light On Cataract Surgery
‘Next-level’ replacement lenses allow for postoperative vision adjustments. Sandwiched inside of Pilar Turner’s three terms on the Vero Beach City Council was a one-year run as mayor, a largely ceremonial position – chosen by and from among council members – that still comes with a share of demands. Pilar Turner “I was mayor during a very volatile time,” says Pilar, a council member from 2010 to 2016 and mayor in 2011-2012. “While I was in office, we were trying to sell the city’s electric utility, and it was quite challenging.” Challenging indeed because that sale wasn’t finalized until two years after Pilar left public service. But Pilar, 68, is recognized as one of the leaders who pushed that deal forward to help reduce re...
