At the top of her game, a junior in high school with promising prospects for a softball scholarship, Jordan Ray abruptly discovered that she had a debilitating medical condition. This began her journey through the world of chronic illness and led to the development of Limitless Medical Logs to help others combat the challenges she faced along the way.
April 13, 2015 was a normal game day. Ray was playing third base. She was about to run for a routine play. “Little did I know that it was the last day I would ever step on the field wearing my uniform,” she recalled. “As I moved toward the ball, suddenly everything went dark. I fell down and lost consciousness. In the five seconds or so it took my coaches to surround me, I came to. Being an athlete, I told everyone I was fine.”
But Ray realized very quickly that everything was not fine, as she looked at faces she no longer recognized. She felt extreme, intense pain in her head, neck and back.
A visit to the doctor yielded an initial diagnosis of severe whiplash. Fifty daily migraines later and a variety of doctors and tests, she became used to being drilled with questions she couldn’t remember the answers to: types of pain, intensity, longevity and much more. All they seemed to know was this was not merely whiplash.
Ray’s mother had fought cancer and experienced similar problems with the communication of important information during doctor visits. They started using notebooks to write down questions, answers from the doctors, results of lab tests, medications prescribed, side effects and more. Slowly, over three years, Ray developed a format for a log that would compile, all in one place at a patient’s fingertips, all the information collected on their personal health journey.
“Limitless Medical Logs grew from this,” Ray explained. “They allow a patient to take full control of their own health by collecting for themselves and supplying their doctors with all the information needed to treat their condition.”
Ray’s own medical log helped in the ultimate diagnosis of her own condition. The pain she experiences is an intense pressure in the back of her head caused by a rare congenital Chiari malformation in the base of her skull and cerebellum that seriously impacts the movement of spinal fluid. “What was a normal Tuesday for my friends was a day I went in for a 10-hour brain surgery to help the condition,” Ray said.
Just as her logs have an encouraging quote on every page, Ray’s words and her actions are an inspiration to others. Her continuing struggles fighting this chronic disease and her efforts developing her helpful product make Ray a popular speaker at events.
Ray explained that her condition has often meant she was operating at a mere percentage of the efficiency she could once muster. “Other people would be further along in building the business of putting Limitless Medical Logs in the hands of everyone fighting a medical issue, aiming for good health or striving for physical fitness, so the logs can be helping people,” she said.
Limitless Medical Logs were developed due to her experiences, and Ray’s family and friends have been using them for the past three years. The format is a handy spiral-bound journal that lays flat and won’t break at the spine from being folded back to the current page. A patient writes in the dates so a single log lasts 365 days and can start any month of the year. It costs about $20.
The copyright-protected material and format fit easily into a purse, backpack, brief case or oversize jacket pocket, and the log weighs in at less than a pound.
With sections to prompt the patient to write in everything from basic information to medical contacts and history, past and future tests and surgeries, billing and insurance information, prescription medications, treatments and side effects, a pharmacy contact, a sleep tracker, and symptom and pain diagrams. There is even a place to prepare for a doctor’s appointment by writing down questions and a space to note the physician’s answers.
Perhaps best of all, a new app version of Limitless Medical Logs will be launching in the coming weeks. “A companion to the logbook, it can pull up a daily or weekly summary of what you have in the app to show your doctor,” Ray said.
A college student studying business and entrepreneurship, Ray continues making miraculous strides in her recovery from her daunting condition.
“You can feel so isolated, so alone when you first receive a diagnosis like this,” she said. “There is so much you want to know and so much the doctors ask you. Questions they need the answers to in order to help you. That’s why I developed Limitless Medical Logs, to put the patient in the driver’s seat and provide them with unlimited potential in their recovery.”
For more information about Limitless Medical Logs, or to place an order, visit www.limitlessmedicallogs.com.

Urologist Dr. Diego Rubinowicz Provides Personalized, State-Of-The Art Care

BPH Treatment

A Wellington resident for the past 20 years, Dr. Diego Rubinowicz leads the Urology Center of Palm Beach using state-of-the-art therapies, including a minimally invasive treatment for Benign Prostate Hyperplasia, or BPH.

Rubinowicz moved here after finishing his urology training at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital because he was attracted to Wellington’s terrific quality of life, family-oriented atmosphere, and great schools and healthcare.

“My father was a doctor, and from an early age, I used to accompany him on his house calls. I saw first-hand the uniqueness of the physician-patient relationship,” recalled Rubinowicz, who founded the Urology Center of Palm Beach in 2001.

Married to his wife Claudina with three children, Rubinowicz likes exercise, swimming and tennis and is proud of the work he does in the field of urology.

“At the Urology Center of Palm Beach, we are committed to providing personalized, compassionate and state-of-the art urological care to men and women,” Rubinowicz said. “We believe in educating, guiding and empowering patients to allow them to make the best decision for their unique condition.”

Rubinowicz has developed a stellar reputation in the local medical community.

“I have had extensive exposure in the areas of urological oncology and endourology. I was the first urologist in Palm Beach County to perform minimally invasive urological procedures, such as hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy, endourological procedures for stone disease and robotic-assisted prostatectomies,” he said.

The field of urology has changed dramatically in the past 20 years, Rubinowicz noted. “We are constantly introducing the latest technology for the benefit of our patients,” he said.

The practice specializes in men’s and women’s urological conditions, including urologic oncology, prostate health, kidney stones, low testosterone and erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence.

Women’s issues include kidney stones, recurrent urinary tract infections, interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome and urinary incontinence.

“An area of special interest to me is Benign Prostate Hyperplasia, or BPH. This is a very common condition that affects more than 70 percent of patients over the age of 60,” Rubinowicz said.

The symptoms of BPH include frequent urination, slow stream, urgency and getting up at night to urinate.

“We are one of the few practices in South Florida offering a minimally invasive, office-based procedure that utilizes water vapor to shrink the obstructive prostate tissue that leads to BPH,” Rubinowicz explained.

The practice uses Rezum Water Vapor Therapy to treat BPH without the use of surgery. It allows patients to get off prescription medication and its associated dizziness and sexual side effects.

The minimally invasive procedure is designed to reduce BPH symptoms by using the natural energy stored in a few drops of water to treat excess prostate tissue. There is no need for hospitalization or continued use of costly medications. Clinical studies found the treatment to be safe, and effective within two weeks.

Rubinowicz explained that this procedure is performed in his office under mild sedation, very quickly in less than three minutes, has minimal or no side effects, and it is usually covered by insurance.

“Another area of interest is the screening, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Given that one in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, it is imperative to be up-to-date on the latest diagnostic tools and minimally invasive treatments, such as focal therapy,” Rubinowicz said.

Management of prostate cancer has changed dramatically over the last decade. A significant portion of Rubinowicz’s patients are under an active surveillance protocol.

“I tailor individual treatment plans for each patient and recommend more advanced treatment as needed,” he said. “I strongly believe that lifestyle modification, including exercise, healthy dietary practices and nutrition, play a key role in the prevention of urologic conditions.”

Rubinowicz invited potential patients to learn more about his practice.

“Patients at the Urology Center of Palm Beach can benefit from one-on-one, personalized, compassionate, state-of-the-art urological care,” he said. 

The Urology Center of Palm Beach is located at 13005 Southern Blvd., Building 1, Suite 135, on the campus of Palms West Hospital. For more info., visit www.urologycenterofpalmbeach.com or call (561) 615-1234.

Mr. Universe Matthew Otero Develops Personalized Training Programs For Clients

Universal Principles

Matthew Otero’s life is all about helping year-round residents and visiting equestrians to accomplish their fitness goals and athletic aspirations. Through continuing education to address unique physiological needs, personalized nutrition and specific strength-training programs, he works with each client in developing universal principles.

Otero earned his 2019 drug-free Mr. Universe Bodybuilding title using his four valuable principles of success.

“I use intensity, consistency, motivation and experience while upholding the highest level of integrity,” said Otero, an Ohio native who has lived with his wife Liz in the Wellington area for the last dozen years. “We are both professional fitness trainers, as well as parents of two young children. We run the Mighty Oaks Equestrian Farm boarding and training facility in Loxahatchee Groves, as well as Results Personal Training where we train many equestrian athletes and other fitness and strength-related modalities.

Otero lives a high-quality, healthy lifestyle and was ready, at the age of 40, to begin training for a Pro National Gym Association drug-free bodybuilder title in the 2019 Mr. Universe Bodybuilding Competition, just 18 weeks before he would make his debut at the competition and ultimately bring the title back to the United States.

“As an NGA Pro Bodybuilder, we submit ourselves to not only a drug test, but also to a polygraph test about not using any performance-enhancing drugs,” Otero explained.

For the concentration and intensity necessary for competition preparation, what better motivator than to have a baby or two? “We have two beautiful kids, Blaise and Mia, who are within 15 months of each other,” Otero said. “Blaise will be 2 years old in February, and Mia was just born July 30.”

Before opening Results Personal Training 13 years ago, Otero always felt his true passion was to help people physically and mentally. “At that time, I met an amazing baseball coach, trainer and Christian, Bruce Charlebois, from Highlands Christian Academy,” Otero said.

Charlesbois asked Otero to help his team with speed and strength, and that year was the first time the school went to the state regionals. “From then on, I haven’t stopped helping people, whether it be athletes or general fitness clients,” Otero said.

He also teamed up with Tony Cabrales at Tony Fit4life, which was a huge opportunity for him to start training more equestrian athletes.

“One thing I have learned throughout the years is that there is opportunity all around if you stay honest to your true passions,” Otero said. “For me, it is all about helping people do things they never thought they could. Also, when that opportunity presents itself, you must be willing to do the work. You can be presented with the greatest opportunity, but if you’re not willing to put in the time and passion, then that opportunity is completely meaningless.”

Workouts at Results Personal Training are personalized. “We believe in one-on-one customized training specifically for our client’s level, sport or goal with customized diet and fitness programing,” Otero said. “We are able to work around injuries or any restrictions.” 

Clients have direct access to fitness professionals who have lifelong experience dedicated to competing in high-level athletics and fitness.

“We provide nutrition for weight loss, and services for general fitness to competitive bodybuilding, fitness for persons with disabilities, sports specific (football, baseball, wrestling, soccer) fitness, strength sports, powerlifting, bodybuilding, speed development and mass building,” Otero said. “We are really proud when we change our clients’ lives, or we help them do something they never thought they would be able to do.”

Otero loves the western communities and the Wellington area. “The Village of Wellington and the surrounding communities are such a unique place,” he said. “Not only do we get to enjoy the beautiful South Florida weather and lifestyle… the local economy is also fortunate enough to be involved in a very unique equestrian atmosphere.”

Otero’s hope is that through Results Personal Training, clients can reach their own goals to better themselves.

“They don’t have to get on stage or on the powerlifting platform, but it would be cool if they did,” Otero said. “It’s really not about that. It’s really about believing that they can better themselves, that the things we can control, we need to control, and that the internal doesn’t have to control our external. At Results Personal Training, we have a passion for helping and sharing what we have experienced and learned. We want to give this back to our clients and change each one of their lives personally.”

For more info., call Matthew Otero at Results Personal Training at (561) 216-9026. He can also be found on Instagram @resultsperstraining and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/resultspt.

Therapy Of Wellington’s Andrea Rusher Loves Giving Back To Her Community Completely Purposeful

Andrea Rusher is a lifelong resident of Wellington. Today, her work as a therapist helps her to give back to the community she cherishes.

“I love Wellington, as I am a true native, being born and raised here,” Rusher said. “It is beautiful, safe and comfortable, and truly is my home. I enjoy experiencing nature and healthy exercise, and Wellington is perfect for both.

Rusher is especially fond of the people in the community.

“There were several special people who have helped me during the course of my life, and I remember how extremely influential that was for me,” recalled Rusher, who experienced substance abuse challenges in her youth. “I am in recovery for 18 solid years now.”

That experience led her to a career as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

“During the first portion of my life, during my teens and early 20s, I struggled with addiction. I was lost for quite a number of years and became sober at the age of 22. It was after I turned my life around and began working on myself that I decided to become a therapist,” Rusher said. “I wanted to give back to people what was given to me to help me change the course of my life. I was 24 when I knew that becoming a therapist was my destiny, and I was given an opportunity to work at the Hanley Center, a drug and alcohol treatment facility in West Palm Beach. I knew within days of becoming employed at this facility that working with others was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

This inspired her to want to give back to people who had been instrumental in her recovery.

“Those who supported, guided and listened to me, helped me change the course of my life in a positive way,” Rusher explained. “I wanted to give back in the same capacity that was given to me. Therefore, I decided to follow my heart and become a therapist to help others.”

Rusher received her master’s degree in social work in 2010 from Florida Atlantic University and has been licensed with the State of Florida since May 2012. She has comprehensive experience in the treatment industry, with areas of focus in both clinical and management/leadership skills.

Providing psychotherapy to individuals, families, couples and groups in a variety of clinical settings, Rusher is also honored to have led both clinical and operational teams as the director in several leading treatment centers in the area. She is a certified clinical supervisor for social work interns and helps in developing new therapists to reach their potential with their therapeutic skills.

Working in the field for 16 years, Rusher believes that she has found her place in the world.

“I have been in the field of mental health since 2003. I am passionate about helping others and believe it is my true calling,” she said.

Rather than work, it is more of a calling.

“My profession does not feel like a job to me and feels completely purposeful,” said Rusher, who explained that she likes to treat each person who walks through her doors with the best possible regard. “Clients can see all of this and hence feel safe and comfortable in my office.”

Rusher noted that she has clients who are pre-teens, teenagers, adults and older adults. Her specialties include treatment for addictions, eating disorders and trauma resolution.

“With trauma resolution, I use EMDR and psychodrama to help resolve traumatic pasts, so the trauma no longer impacts the client in a negative manner,” she explained. “Although I have specialties in my practice, I treat a wide variety of issues that include, but are not limited to, grief and loss, relationship concerns, LGBTQ-related concerns, and mental health issues such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety.”

Married for three years, Rusher lives in a combined family with her husband Joel, daughter Paige, who is 23, and son Jake, who is 8.

For additional information, call Andrea Rusher at (561) 444-7230 or visit www.therapyofwellington.com. Rusher can also be found on Instagram and Facebook.

Dr. Kshitji Kapoor And Dr. Tanmya Ravi Bring Out The Best In Your Smile Integrity Dental

Dr. Kshitji Kapoor and Dr. Tanmya Ravi recently acquired Perfect Smile Dentistry in Wellington, rebranding the longstanding practice as Integrity Dental. The couple is passionate about providing the finest dental care to patients in the Wellington area.

“We were looking at practices all over Palm Beach County, and even some areas in Broward County, but we never really liked anything because we were happy here,” Ravi explained. “It was like the stars lined up for us.”

The doctors both earned their dental degrees from Boston University a decade ago, but they continue their pursuit of knowledge to keep up on the latest advances in dental medicine.

“We are both very academically inclined,” Ravi explained. “In two years, you are supposed to do 30 to 36 continuing education units, and we are getting 100 in one calendar year. That translates into good skills, good treatment and good management.”

Understanding their clients’ needs is an important step in the process of providing quality dental care, but Ravi and Kapoor know there is more to building a trusting relationship.

“We want our patients to feel like more of a family and not just transactional,” Kapoor said. “We always introduce it as a behavioral change toward how people take care of their teeth. That change will stay with them and help them stay healthy.”

Too many people stay away from the dentist office out of fear, but they work to put patients at ease.

“For some, going to the dentist isn’t just unpleasant, it’s scary,” Ravi explained. “We see it, and we get it. If you are fearful, let us help you. The whole goal is that if you are comfortable, we can do our best work.”

The comfort of patients, along with the drive to always improve their process, has led Integrity Dental to offer some of the most state-of-the-art dental equipment.

“We are using an intra-oral scanner system to replace the old way of biting down to take an impression of the teeth. It is a digital scanner that goes in your mouth to take pictures, and then it stitches those images together to make a digital picture of your teeth,” Kapoor explained. “Digital dentistry is going to change a lot about the field.”

Kapoor and Ravi are passionate about what they do and find great satisfaction in their work.

“I got exposed to dentistry as a child. I went to an orthodontist, and it made an impression on me at a very young age,” Kapoor said. “I feel building up a person’s smile gives them an instant impact, and that is the positive part of dentistry.”

Kapoor’s partner in life and practice shares his love of science, but also finds that dentistry gives her the opportunity to be an artist.

“I always liked the arts and crafts side of things, but I was a science student, so this seemed like a good mix of the two,” Ravi said. “We work with our hands all day long. Working with people, objects, molding things and creating fillings that look like teeth. We fix gaps and get the colors perfect.”

Both dentists also joined the U.S. Army Reserve years ago and continue to practice their profession in the service of both soldiers and their country. Ravi is a captain, while Kapoor was promoted to the rank of major in September of this year.

Integrity Dental offers many services outside of routine dental work, including tooth-colored fillings, implant replacements and restorations, dentures, Invisalign, crowns, bridges and cosmetic smile makeovers.

Integrity Dental is located at 12300 South Shore Blvd., Suite 208, in Wellington’s Mizner Place.

The office is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They are also open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For more information about Integrity Dental, or to schedule an appointment, call (561) 204-4494 or visit www.integritydentalwellington.com.

Short Wait Times, Affordable Fees At Local AFC Urgent Care Clinic

American Family Care Urgent Care marks its two-year anniversary in December treating patients from its state-of-the-art location on Southern Blvd. at B Road in Loxahatchee Groves, right across the street from Wellington at Binks Forest Drive.

Franchise owner Josie Lapidot, a physician in her native Mexico, opened the facility when she moved to Wellington in 2017. “I’m a paramedic in the State of Florida, and I do administrative work at the practice,” she explained. “I wanted a business that was medical related.”

Lapidot moved to the United States in 2003 and lived in Miami for 14 years before settling in the western communities.

“I wanted to do something related to medicine, but I don’t have a license as a physician in the United States,” she said. “I didn’t even try to earn one when I was first here because at the time, my kids were little, and it was going to be too much time away from the family.”

The required residency program is a commitment of 80 hours a week and that would have kept her away from her family, Lapidot explained.

“I got a license as a paramedic and later began to investigate the AFC franchise. I did my homework for a year. I met with them several times. I met with other franchisees. They are a very good operation, and then I bought the franchise and opened this location,” Lapidot said.

With her children now teenagers, Lapidot has time for the business. Her daughter, Lia, is now 14, and her son, Isidoro, is 13 years old.”

Lapidot loves the lifestyle in Wellington. “I used to ride horses in Mexico, but this job and the family takes all of my time,” she said.

The clinic provides walk-in urgent care with X-ray, lab and primary care. That is a unique feature for an urgent care clinic. “If you want to see your primary care provider on Sunday at 7 p.m., you can just walk in. Plus, you don’t have to worry about a long wait, and the fees are much less than a traditional emergency room,” Lapidot said.

With AFC Urgent Care open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 365 days a year, it is truly convenient. “It is not like trying to make an appointment with a physician and you have to wait three weeks,” she said. “With our clinic, you can see the provider quickly.”

Lapidot is very proud of the customer service offered at AFC Urgent Care. “We really care. We treat everyone like kings and queens. We get great reviews. We have award-winning service. We accept all insurance, and we have an extremely comprehensive range of services for a clinic,” she said.

The services include the typical urgent care for cuts and broken bones — non-life-threatening injuries — and also medical needs such as occupational medicine. physicals for sports and jobs, including physical fitness tests for construction work, all workers’ compensation and primary care treatments.

The facility is certified to do the Department of Transportation’s specific physicals. There are even tests for construction workers to determine before they’re hired if they’re able to perform the job adequately.

“We have an in-house lab and X-rays on site, and we offer self-pay discounts,” Lapidot said. “An attractive benefit is that a visit to AFC Urgent Care doesn’t take up your whole day. On a few occasions when we were swamped with patients, we have even been known to tell a walk-in patient realistically what the wait will be so they could go somewhere else and not spend so much time waiting.”

Lapidot stresses quick service for patients. “The benchmark of time in and out for us is within an hour,” she said. “We will work as quickly as we can without being rushed.”

For more information, visit www.afcurgentcareloxgroves.com, call (561) 220-0737 or walk in between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at 15689 Southern Blvd., Suite 101, in Loxahatchee Groves.

Florida Eye’s Dr. Jason Gorscak  Is Dedicated To Protecting Your Sight

Protecting your eyesight is vitally important, and for more than a decade, the Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute has provided Wellington-area residents with advanced eyecare services using state-of-the-art technology.

“We’ve had a presence in Wellington for just over 11 years now, but opened our new office five years ago,” ophthalmologist Dr. Jason Gorscak explained. “There was an overwhelming need for good ophthalmic patient care in the area and looked at this opportunity to offer more care.”

Gorscak was born in New Jersey, attended Johns Hopkins University and then came down to Florida where he earned his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine. He then completed his ophthalmologic residency at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey before joining Florida Eye in 2008.

While Gorscak focuses on comprehensive eyecare for his patients, he specializes in the diagnosis and removal of benign and malignant eyelid tumors. He also treats cataract conditions, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

“I knew I wanted to go into medicine when I was in college. I wanted to help people,” Gorscak said. “When I was in Miami doing a rotation at Bascom Palmer, which is an eye hospital, there was an 85-year-old Haitian lady who spoke no English.”

Gorscak described how the quiet, four-foot-tall woman was completely blind due to severe cataracts that covered her entire pupils. “The resident did the cataract surgery, and the next day I was there as the patient took off her patch for the first time. She saw for the first time in who knows how many years,” Gorscak recalled. “This lady, who spoke no English, this smile grew on her face. She didn’t have to say any words. It was just amazing, and from that experience, I knew this is what I wanted to do.”

Florida Eye offers specialized care for cataracts, glaucoma, retinal conditions such as macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, and even pediatric ophthalmology.

“All the doctors at the Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute have an extreme desire to provide professional and compassionate care to all of our patients,” Gorscak said. “We truly enjoy what we do. Here in the Wellington facility, we have trained staff from technicians to the front desk that are all a very big part in providing excellent care to our patients.”

After more than a decade of practicing ophthalmology, Gorscak has seen what happens when patients don’t prioritize their vision.

“We recommend that anyone over the age of 50 have their eyes checked once a year, and every two years for someone under the age of 50,” he said. “I’ve seen 20- and 30-year-olds with severe glaucoma, which is a silent disease that can cause you to go blind. It’s not common, but it happens, and it’s worth getting checked.”

Sometimes patients come in because they have picked up some bad habits, like sleeping with their contact lenses in.

“So many people wear these extended-wear contact lenses, and they sleep in them for about a month,” Gorscak said. “I see so many infections from patients who do that, and despite what it says on the box that sleeping in contacts is not good for your eyes.”

After working and living in densely urban areas, Gorscak found a deep connection to the community of Wellington, where he now lives and is raising his family. In his spare time, he enjoys racing cars non-competitively on road courses throughout the country.

Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute is located at 2575 State Road 7 near the Mall at Wellington Green. Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled online at www.fleyedocs.com or by calling (561) 792-1205.