News

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    Welcoming Scarleth Garcia

    Scarleth Garcia received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Florida before completing her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Miami.
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    Family Health & Wellness

    Family health and wellness is a critical part of our lives. Let’s commit to limiting screen time, increasing family activity, and making nutritious choices part of our daily and weekly routine.
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    Pandemic Mindfulness

    As spring begins, we want to share with you the opportunity to focus on hope and positivity as we talk about reflection, mindfulness and techniques to improve health and wellbeing.
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    COVID-19 Vaccines

    We answer your questions on COVID-19 vaccine safety, eligibility, benefits, side effects, the history and science behind mRNA, and scheduling opportunities in Central Florida.
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    COVID Holiday Safety

    As we enter the holiday season, many of us are making plans and deciding whether it’s safe to spend time with family, friends and loved ones. Southwest Orlando Family Medicine offers the following advice for you and your loved ones.
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    Get Your Flu Shot!

    The best time for you to get your flu shot is right now! Booking your appointment takes minutes and our Drive-Up Flu Shot is fast, easy, and safe. Help protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community before we reach the peak of flu season.
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    Welcoming Dr. Karoon Smbatt

    Karoon Smbatt, MD attended medical school at the University of Baghdad College of Medicine and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Beaumont Health in Michigan.
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    Welcoming Megha Parekh

    Megha Parekh, PA-C, completed her Biology degree at the University of Florida and her Master of Science Degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Barry University in South Florida.
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    Do Masks Really Work?

    Read our comprehensive resource guide that answers your questions about how masks work, why you should wear them, what type of mask to wear, and when to wear them.
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    Welcoming Rachel Simmons

    Rachel Simmons, DNP, WHNP-BC, ANP-BC, is board certified in Women’s Health and Adult Practice, with a Masters of Nursing from the College of Mount St. Joseph.
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    Seasonal Wellness

    Learn about Seasonal Wellness, including at-home and over-the-counter remedies for seasonal allergies and the symptoms and treatments for stress, anxiety and depression.
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    Preventive Healthcare

    Early detection and prevention saves lives. Stay proactive about your health by talking with your clinical team about your health risks and learning about the screening options that are right for you.
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    Healthy Aging

    As we age, it is essential for us to take better care of our physical and mental health. Common issues affecting aging adults include heart disease, chronic disease, mental health, and diabetes.
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    Children’s Health & Wellness

    Developing an active lifestyle, routine sleep schedule and mindful habits in the kitchen can benefit your child and help keep them healthy and happy now and in the future.
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    Men’s Health & Wellness

    We sat down with Clinician Patrick Aquino Vergel De Dios to talk about some of the major issues that impact men’s health and wellness, including Heart Health, Prostate Cancer, Diabetes, and Mental Health.
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    Welcoming Brendan Sharer

    Brendan Sharer, MPAS, PA-C completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at Mercyhurst University. He is passionate about building relationships with patients and focuses on preventative medicine and overall wellness, with a special interest in cardiology and orthopedics.
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    Women’s Health & Wellness

    We sat down with Clinician Juliana Caram to talk about Women’s Health and Wellness, from awareness to prevention and beyond. We’ll be taking an in-depth look at issues that impact women’s health, including Stress, Breast and Gynecological Health, and Bone Health.
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    Make the Most of Your Appointment

    You’ve scheduled your appointment with us, and it’s almost time for you to come in. Whether you’re a new or established patient, we’ve put together a quick and easy checklist to help you make the most of your appointment.
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    Understanding Heart Disease

    Heart Disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, contributing to approximately 1 in 4 deaths. The key risk factors for heart disease are high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking. Nearly half of Americans have at least one of these three risk factors. 
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    New Year. New You.

    The new year is a great time to instill new habits and commit to your health. A great way to start is by caring for your diet and what you put in your body. We’ve gathered some helpful tips that can benefit your overall health, even for those with a busy schedule.
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    Keep the ER for Emergencies

    Holidays are the busiest time of the year for lots of stores, restaurants, and, unfortunately, Emergency Rooms. We’ve gathered some resources together to help you have a better understanding of when to seek Primary Care, Urgent Care, or Emergency Care.
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    Holiday Safety Tips

    Between decorating and cooking, you’re bound to be reaching tall spaces and working more actively around the house and while running errands. Be safe and use ladders, step stools, and materials appropriately. If you get injured, be sure to seek help from…
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    Holiday Health Tips

    Holidays are an exciting and festive time of year! Here at Southwest Orlando Family Medicine, we want you to enjoy your family time in a healthy and safe way. We’ve gathered some helpful tips to keep in mind throughout the holidays.
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    Review Your Visit

    By now, you’ve successful enrolled in your insurance coverage, selected your Primary Care Provider, prepared for your visit, and completed your appointment… but wait, there’s more! Follow-up appointments, prescription pick-ups, and lab results are all common things that you may need to review after your appointment.
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    The Day of Your Visit

    Exams and physical check-ups are an important part of your visit, but so are conversations about what’s new in your diet, work life, home life, and more. Spending time talking you’re your Clinician helps them to anticipate and suggest preventative healthcare recommendations. It’s important to be completely honest with your Clinician
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    Before Your Visit

    In our previous article, we discussed important factors to keep in mind when selecting a provider for your healthcare needs. This week, we’ll cover how to prepare for your upcoming visit with your healthcare provider. We recommend you always come to your visit prepared with your questions and concerns. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
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    Find Your Healthcare Provider

    Seeking the best healthcare for you and your family can be overwhelming. At Southwest Orlando Family Medicine, P.L., our goal is to provide you and your family with exceptional medical care from our experienced clinicians. With open enrollment upon us, we wanted to share some resources for helpful tips on navigating your healthcare choices.
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    Welcoming Juliana Caram

    Juliana Caram completed her graduate studies from Nova Southeastern University with honors. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and her professional clinical experiences include critical care medicine and hematology/oncology.
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    Welcoming Dr. Rica Jester

    Rica Jester, MD is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine. She completed her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. She is thrilled to be practicing medicine back at home in Orlando. Her passions in family medicine include preventive care and managing chronic illnesses.
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    Top 5 Flu Shot Myths We Hear

    Every year, we encourage our patients to get the flu shot. Chances are, you’ve heard a few arguments or stories cautioning you to avoid it, “if you don’t need it.” We’re here to debunk the myths and provide responses to some of the most popular arguments against it. Here are the Top 5 Myths we hear about the flu shot.
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    Welcome to Our New Website

    We’re happy to welcome you to our brand new Southwest Orlando Family Medicine, P.L. website! You’ll find all the information you need from your phone or computer on our new site, and enjoy a faster and easier online experience.
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    Keep Safe in the Sun

    Just a reminder from your clinicians at Southwest Orlando Family Medicine, P.L. to keep sunscreen handy for you and your family when you’re out having fun in the sun!