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Patti DiPanfilo

Patti DiPanfilo has been writing for health care for more than 40 years. She is a graduate of Gannon University in her hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania. Patti has worked for several of the country’s major health care systems, including the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and The Cleveland Clinic. She has also provided health-related content to WebMD and Sharecare.


Latest Articles:

Proton Therapy Center Nears Completion

Southwest Florida Proton has selected a site in south Lee County for a cancer treatment center that will feature cutting-edge technology, innovative cancer care and world-class radiation oncologists reports Todd Pezzi, MD, a board-certified radiation oncologist. “Southwest Florida Proton will house a proton machine, a traditional radiation machine, and diagnostic imaging equipment including PET and MRI scanners,” the doctor discloses.... READ MORE >

New Approaches In Heading Off Migraines

For decades, Patti Trongard worked in real estate, buying and selling property in her native Minnesota. She then got into property management after relocating to Florida eight years ago. “It became my dream to work on Sanibel Island,” Patti shares. “When I sought employment on the island, I just sort of landed in property management.” The role of a property... READ MORE >

Denture Success Sparks Sibling Revelry

The decision to become a nurse was a natural choice for Lisa Pfannkuchen. She wanted to be a nurse since she was young, and her entire family, except for her sister, works in the medical field. Since 2015, Lisa has served as director of nursing at a Florida state prison. “I manage 20 nurses,” Lisa shares. “I work with the... READ MORE >

Redefining Cancer Treatment In SWFL

According to American Cancer Society projections, more than 2 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the US in 2024. The organization also expects more than 611,000 deaths from cancer this year, which works out to more than 1,600 each day. Residents of Southwest Florida are assured access to leading-edge cancer treatments and support services through the comprehensive... READ MORE >

A Solution For Swollen Legs

For 38 years, Rose* was a first point of contact for visitors to a large high school in South Florida. She was a secretary in the office and a familiar face to teachers and students alike. “I sat out front and saw everybody that came in,” Rose shares. “Talking to students was an everyday thing. They often came into the... READ MORE >

Rosacea: The Eyes Have It, Too

Cathy Vrh took the first of her many jobs as soon as she became old enough to legally do so, while in high school, with a New York department store. Decades later, in 2019, she retired and moved to Florida. “I’ve held numerous positions over the years, mostly retail and office work, and I’ve worked in several different businesses,” Cathy... READ MORE >

A Holistic Approach To Wellness

With an engineering degree in hand, Enrique Santiago left his native Puerto Rico to make his mark in the electronics world on the US mainland. Before he started his professional career in earnest, he served as an avionics technician in the Navy. After that, he held several engineering positions over 30 years until he retired in 2007. “At the time... READ MORE >

Cataracts Bring More Than Meets The Eye

Mary Banaszak was 31 years old when she earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Dominican University in suburban Chicago. She soon began working in a business office but almost immediately felt drawn to a different career. “The field of special education was just emerging, and I thought, That would be interesting,” Mary recounts. “But I learned I wouldn’t be... READ MORE >

Targeting Tumors With Precision

Cancer is a disease in which the cells in an area of the body grow uncontrollably, often forming masses, or tumors, that destroy healthy tissue. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are common treatments for many types of cancer. During surgery, doctors remove the cancerous tumors and a margin of healthy tissue surrounding them. Chemotherapy uses strong medications to kill cancer... READ MORE >

Say Goodbye to Tired Eyes: The Power of Blepharoplasty

A first impression is based largely on the appearance of the eyes and face. The goal of facial aesthetics is to improve the look of these areas, increasing the patient’s self-confidence and creating a positive impression. Florida Eye Specialists & Cataract Institute houses one of the premier facial aesthetic centers on the west coast of Florida. It’s called Florida Eye... READ MORE >