A Partner In The Fight Against Cancer Advocate Radiation Oncology Offers World-Class Cancer Care Close to Home

Advocate Radiation Oncology has recently established a new state-of-the-art cancer treatment center in West Palm Beach. Known for providing the most innovative radiation therapy available, it is Advocate’s second location on Florida’s east coast. This new office gives residents throughout Southeast Florida access to world-class physicians and advanced cancer treatment technology.

Led by Dr. Georges Hobeika and Dr. Thomas Klein, the West Palm Beach cancer treatment center features an experienced team of compassionate, board-certified radiation oncologists who partner with cancer patients to customize personal treatment plans that include the most precise cancer-fighting machines on the market.

After many years of dedication to cancer patients across the United States, Hobeika brings valuable experience and empathetic care to the region. He advocates an evidence-based approach that puts patients first, ensuring that they receive personalized treatment with an emphasis on minimizing side effects.

Fluent in English, French, Arabic and Spanish, Hobeika has participated in many cancer support groups, channeling his passion for improving the wellness of his patients.

“Dr. Hobeika combines extensive cancer-treatment knowledge with a caring and warm personality. His ability to create customized treatment plans using this approach aligns with the guiding principles of our practice,” said Dr. Arie Dosoretz, managing partner at Advocate Radiation Oncology. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Hobeika and to offer these services to the patients of Florida’s east coast with the addition of our West Palm Beach location.”

Hobieka joins Klein as a leader and advocate for cancer patients on Florida’s east coast. Klein is currently accepting patients in the West Palm Beach area. He values the personal relationships he forms with each patient and is committed to helping them in their fight against cancer both in and out of the clinic. He is passionate about raising awareness about cancer treatment and educates physicians around the country on making better treatment decisions for their patients.

Advocate Radiation Oncology is a locally owned and operated radiation oncology practice. The Advocate team of doctors work tirelessly to create individualized treatment plans that are aimed at maximizing effectiveness while minimizing the impact of treatment on a patient’s daily life.

A patient-focused approach requires the physician and surrounding staff to understand a patient’s goals and provide a compassionate and comfortable experience throughout the cancer treatment journey. The entire team at Advocate firmly believes that all patients deserve to feel that their care team is a source of strength and support from the moment they first walk through the door.

The process begins by first learning the essential details about each patient, their daily life and overall health. The goal at Advocate Radiation Oncology is to develop a highly personalized treatment plan that caters to each individual’s needs. This includes forming a well-organized and focused radiation oncology team that works closely with each patient, their caregivers and the other physicians involved in the patient’s fight against cancer. Then the Advocate team reviews the plan with the patient and their loved ones, so everyone knows what to expect and is comfortable moving forward together. As advocates, the team stays by the patient’s side throughout the treatment journey, every step of the way.

Most people may not know that radiation therapy has been used to treat cancer for more than 100 years. Radiation therapy is a safe and effective cancer treatment and is included in many treatment plans. Most likely, a patient’s treatment plan will be combined with chemotherapy and surgery to provide the best chance of controlling the disease.

With today’s technology, radiation therapy can target cancer cells with pinpoint accuracy. Advocate patients have access to the latest Varian technology, including the Halcyon, Identify and TrueBeam radiotherapy systems, widely recognized as the most innovative cancer-fighting machines on the market. Combined with a team of board-certified radiation oncologists trained at some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, cancer patients receive compassionate, cutting-edge care.

Each Advocate treatment plan is unique to the patient, guided by the most up-to-date data to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate evidence-based cancer care. This allows patients to receive modern radiation treatment that can be delivered quickly and efficiently so that patients can live their lives with minimal disruption.

At Advocate Radiology Oncology, physicians provide treatments for breast, prostate, lung, head, neck and other types of cancer. The mission of this top-tier team of doctors and staff is in the name — to advocate for each cancer patient during their journey.

The West Palm Beach location of Advocate Radiation Oncology is located at 4832 Okeechobee Blvd., with additional Florida locations in Tamarac, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Bradenton and Naples. For more information about Advocate Radiation Oncology, call (561) 277-0786 or visit www.advocatero.com.

Expanded Access To Diagnostics Tampa General Hospital Adds Second TGH Imaging Facility In Palm Beach County

As part of its commitment to connecting the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast communities to highly complex medical care, Tampa General Hospital (TGH) has acquired Palm Beach Radiology in North Palm Beach, its second outpatient imaging facility in the area.

Remaining in the same location at 733 U.S. Highway 1, Building 2B, North Palm Beach, the full-service radiology center will now be known as TGH Imaging. The same physicians — Dr. Donald Goodwin, Dr. Walter Forman and Dr. Robert Stickle — will lead the practice. The same team of radiologists, technologists and support staff will continue to provide the exceptional customer service and experience that the community has come to expect. Patients now also enjoy access to a TGH Imaging PET/CT center in Palm Beach Gardens.

Accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR), TGH Imaging’s board-certified, subspecialized on-site radiologists work as a team with highly trained technologists to offer patients high-quality exam results, often available on the same day. TGH Imaging brings together essential assets to significantly increase access, maximize efficiency, and continue to provide high-quality images and excellent customer service to patients and physicians in Palm Beach County. It is also an ACR Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.

“Adding a highly experienced and clinically excellent team such as Palm Beach Radiology will round out our services offerings to the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast communities,” said Sherri Lewman, senior vice president of enterprise imaging at TGH. “Patients in the area can now receive imaging exams within the Tampa General system, making for a more seamless experience.”

As a diagnostic resource for both patients and physicians, TGH Imaging offers a range of exams, including high-field, short-bore MRI (including breast MRI), multidetector CT, image-guided biopsies, 3D mammography, ultrasound, bone density scan and digital X-ray.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us to be part of an academic medical center that expands care options to our community, while continuing the level of care and services that our patients and referring physicians have come to expect from us since we opened our doors in 2007,” said Goodwin, a radiologist and co-founder of Palm Beach Radiology. “We are eager to leverage the expertise and resources of Tampa General to provide another level of support for our patients.”

TGH Imaging will not only support patients and physicians in the South Florida area, but also work closely with the academic medical center’s TGH Cancer Institute, allowing for a more streamlined process from diagnosis to treatment.

The teams will take a multidisciplinary approach and strongly emphasize compassionate and personalized care that focuses on the whole patient. Should patients require treatment in Tampa, they can return home to the east coast for follow-up care with their healthcare provider.

This recent acquisition continues TGH’s east coast expansion. For the past two years, Tampa General has been creating a framework of state-of-the-art services for patients in the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast areas with the expertise and innovation of a preeminent academic medical center.

The Florida East Coast initiative includes another TGH Imaging center in Palm Beach Gardens, and alliances with the Cancer Center of South Florida and Gastro Group of the Palm Beaches. It has established TGH General Surgeons of the Palm Beaches, with renowned West Palm Beach robotic surgeons Dr. Daniel R. Higgins and Dr. Itzhak Shasha. The TGH Cancer Institute also recently partnered with West Palm Beach-based physicians Dr. Robert Scoma, a thoracic surgical oncologist, and Dr. Jason Hechtman, a breast cancer surgeon.

“We are the State of Florida’s hospital. We want to support, complement and augment current care in the community, so patients can get what they need without leaving the state,” said John Couris, president and CEO of TGH. “As a research and academic hospital, we’re not just practicing medicine. We’re defining how it is practiced. TGH is building a patient-centered system to deliver world-class care.”

Tampa General Hospital is the third-highest-ranked hospital in Florida by U.S. News & World Report for 2022-23, the primary teaching affiliate of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, and has been Florida’s leading academic medical center for more than 50 years. Patients who need a higher level of care have a direct connection to Tampa General’s academic medical center resources through its academic affiliation, including research breakthroughs, a wider variety of clinical trials and options for advanced immunotherapy procedures, enhanced personal treatment plans, and a convenient path to complex surgeries.

TGH has been affiliated with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine since the school was created in the early 1970s. TGH is the primary teaching affiliate of the medical school at the University of South Florida, and more than 300 medical school residents are assigned to Tampa General Hospital for specialty training in areas ranging from general internal medicine to neurosurgery. In addition, USF medical, nursing, pharmacy and physical therapy students all receive part of their training at TGH. Faculty of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine admit and care for patients at Tampa General, as do private practice physicians, many of whom also serve as adjunct clinical faculty at USF.

To learn more about TGH Imaging, visit www.tghimaging.com.

State-Of-The-Art Care For Women The New Premier Women’s Health Center Offers The Latest Technology In A Spa-Like Setting

Story by Mike May  |  Photos by Abner Pedraza

There is a new medical facility in Wellington that focuses on women’s health and wellness for patients of all ages. The new Premier Women’s Health center at Premier Family Health in Wellington places the highest of priorities on the interests of its female patients.

In late September, Premier Family Health opened the new Premier Women’s Health center catering to female clientele from all sections of Palm Beach County.

Premier Women’s Health is designed to improve the health and well-being of all women in Palm Beach County by offering new, state-of-the-art technology and services, while collaborating with other hospitals, physicians and specialists focused on the healthcare of women.

There are now four centers at Premier Family Health, which is a patient-centered medical home that includes primary care, urgent care, ancillary services, and now, a center focused specifically on women’s health issues.

According to Dr. Vincent Apicella, the president and founder of Premier Family Health, the new Premier Women’s Health facility is a medical resource for all women.

“We are a one-stop shop for all women with any medical needs,” said Apicella, who earned his undergraduate degree from Florida Atlantic University and graduated from medical school at Nova Southeastern University. “We are also a safe space for women where they can come to share their medical issues and concerns with a trusted medical professional.”

Apicella stressed that it’s imperative that women here in the western communities have access to medical facilities that are female centric.

“We are specifically taking care of women who are some of the hardest-working people in our society as they work full-time and provide leadership in our community, while managing their families,” Apicella added. “We have built a personable environment that is a safe haven for females.”

Some of the many healthcare services provided for women at the Premier Women’s Health office include comprehensive mammograms, wellness exams, pap smears, bone density tests, contraceptive management and tests for infectious diseases.

One of the most popular services provided by Premier Women’s Health is the new high-tech mammogram procedure.

“With our 3D digital device from Siemens, it’s remarkable that we can see what we can see. We are seeing younger women with breast cancer,” Apicella explained. “We have a pain-free mammogram procedure. It’s life changing.”

It took about two years of planning by Apicella and his team for the Premier Women’s Health center to go from a concept to a reality.

“Obtaining preventive care services for women can often be extremely uncomfortable and hard,” Apicella said. “When we planned the Premier Women’s Health center, we wanted to create a unique, calming and spa-like experience.”

One of the delighted clients at Premier Women’s Health is longtime Wellington resident Angela Baker. She just recently had a mammogram at Premier Women’s Health and found it to be a great experience.

“From the moment I walked in the door, I was so impressed by everything, such as the atmosphere, the helpful staff, the new furniture and the new wallpaper,” Baker said. “And then, the actual mammogram experience was outstanding. The way it was done was extraordinary. It was above and beyond what I had expected. In fact, it was like going to a spa. I would recommend Premier Family Health and Premier Women’s Health to anybody.”

Baker’s next visit to Premier Women’s Health will be for her bone density test. She is actually looking forward to the experience.

“The staff there is very caring, and they do care a great deal about you,” Baker added.

It has not taken Premier Women’s Health very long to justify its need in the community.

“We are conducting anywhere from 12 to 16 mammograms a day,” Apicella said. “And, in two weeks, we have detected two cases of breast cancer.”

According to Candice Gorodess, a mammographer at Premier Women’s Health, one in eight women in the U.S. are affected by breast cancer, which underscores the importance of having access to this state-of-the-art technology.

One of the most impressive features at Premier Women’s Health is the new Siemens 3D Healthineers mammogram machine that is only featured in a few places in the U.S.

The X-ray arm of this new Siemens 3D machine sweeps in an arc over the woman’s breast area, where it captures images of the breast from multiple angles. Then, a computer produces a 3D image of the breast tissue on one-millimeter slices, which provide greater visibility for the radiologist to see the breast detail in a way never before possible.

The radiologist can then scroll through images of an entire breast like pages of a book. The additional 3D images make it possible for a radiologist to better evaluate the patient’s breast tissue, allowing radiologists to find breast cancers earlier and reduce the need for follow-up imaging.

With access to technology like the Siemens 3D Healthineers, Apicella said his team can better serve local patients.

“Our goal is to discover a problem before it becomes a bigger issue,” Apicella explained.

As an added benefit, the mammography device from Siemens reduces radiation exposure to the client by 30 percent.

While Premier Women’s Health prides itself on being a medical outlet where the services range from prevention to treatment, there are times when the staff needs outside assistance from specialists.

“We have established partnerships with a number of medical professionals in the area, such as medical doctors, local hospitals, diagnostic imaging centers and gynecologists,” Apicella said. “We are here to provide collaborative care.”

If you’re a woman who wants a medical facility that’s focused on making every patient’s care a top priority over, consider the new Premier Women’s Health office in Wellington, where the staff await your arrival.

Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Premier Women’s Health is located 1035 S. State Road 7, Suite 120A, in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 798-3030, ext. 5050.

For All Your Skin Care Needs
Dr. Paloma Reiter Joins The Glick Skin Institute Office In Wellington

Dr. Paloma Reiter has joined the team of skilled dermatology associates that make up the Glick Skin Institute with offices in Wellington and Margate.

“Dr. Reiter is a kind and compassionate physician who will bring to our dermatology practice extensive training in dermatologic oncology and the management of complex medical skin diseases,” said Dr. Brad Glick, founder of the Glick Skin Institute, which specializes in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. “We are thrilled to have her on board!”

Reiter is a highly skilled dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon who is also an avid, lifelong equestrian eager to serve patients in the Wellington community.

A native Floridian from Plantation, Reiter graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology from the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College at Florida Atlantic University. She completed her medical degree at the renowned Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Reiter then completed a family medicine internship at the Larkin Community Hospital Palm Springs Campus and her dermatology residency at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, New York. In accomplishing one of her goals of helping patients detect skin cancers early, Reiter has also completed a pigmented lesion fellowship, where she developed a mastery in dermoscopy.

Reiter enjoys seeing patients of all ages. With her diverse training, she recognizes that the skin can be a window to internal diseases, how we perceive ourselves, and how others see us. Whether she is dealing with conditions such as acne, psoriasis, hair loss, skin cancer, autoimmune diseases or aging, Reiter is committed to optimizing her patient’s health and self-confidence.

With her multi-ethnic background, Reiter has unique insights into the treatment of different skin types, including those of color, and can communicate with her patients in both English and Spanish. Reiter has also received advanced surgical and cosmetic training, which allows her to provide patients with exceptional cosmetic outcomes. She exemplifies compassionate patient care and is an inductee of the Gold Humanism Honor Society.

Reiter is passionate about providing her patients with the best care by continuing to stay up to date with the latest research and treatment options. In addition, she believes in the importance of contributing to the field of dermatology and continues to educate residents in the art of dermoscopy. She has been published in several prestigious academic journals, including the British Journal of Dermatology and the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. Reiter is also an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, the Women in Dermatology Society and the Skin of Color Society, among others.

Aside from being an avid, lifelong equestrian, Reiter’s other non-work pursuits include spending time with her family and dog, hiking, practicing vinyasa yoga, traveling and trying new restaurants.

Reiter joins Dr. Brad Glick at the Glick Skin Institute, which is part of a growing, leading edge, patient-focused dermatology group practice known as SPC Dermatology Partners. The practice performs a balance of dermatologic, surgical and cosmetic procedures and provides full-service dermatologic care in the areas of skin cancer, dermatologic surgery, Mohs surgery, hair and nail diseases, pediatric dermatology, fillers, Botox and laser surgery.

Glick is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon who specializes in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology, as well as in clinical research. He is the director of clinical research for GSI Clinical Research in Margate and has been in practice for more than 27 years.

Glick is a diplomate of the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology, the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners and is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. He has authored numerous publications, journal articles and textbook chapters, and has served as a speaker, consultant and advisor to the pharmaceutical industry for more than 25 years.

A past president for the Florida Academy of Dermatology, Glick is a compassionate and dedicated physician who constantly strives to go above and beyond for his patients by providing the most comprehensive dermatologic care available.

The Glick Skin Institute is located at 1447 Medical Park Blvd., Suite 107, on the campus of Wellington Regional Medical Center. For additional information, call (561) 798-3494 or visit www.glickskin.com.

Three Decades Of Smile Perfection
Orthodontist Dr. Randall Shults Has Expertise In All The Latest Technology

Story By Deborah Welky  |  Photos By Denise Fleischman

When school starts up again this month, many children will be sporting new outfits, and some will be sporting something else — new braces.

And if anyone knows about braces, it’s Dr. Randall Shults of Shults Orthodontics, who has been perfecting the smiles of Wellington residents since 1993.

“Young children typically want braces because they’re kind of cool-looking, making it look like they’re ‘old enough to have braces,’ but getting braces varies by the individual and is problem-specific,” Shults said. “Some patients are best treated early, to avoid damaging the enamel of their teeth and to improve their bite, but others are better treated later on. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends seeing children when their permanent teeth first erupt (ages 7.5 to 9), but the vast majority of patients are better treated — more efficiently and financially conservatively — at ages 10 to 12 for girls and 11 to 13 for boys.”

The trend that the orthodontics community is now noticing is that there is a growing number of adult orthodontic patients, perhaps as high as 25 percent.

“My most mature patient is 84,” Shults said. “The reason why people seek treatment varies by age. When they’re younger, it’s often for aesthetics; in middle age, it’s function; and senior citizens want to hold onto their teeth. Or, perhaps, it’s simply something they always wanted done.”

For teens and young adults who worry most about how they’re going to look in braces, plastic aligners are a great option.

“Things are dramatically different than they were even 15 years ago,” Shults said. “There have been vast improvements in aligners, and I recommend them in many cases. Yet some people prefer more traditional braces because aligners require more responsibility, and they don’t want to mess with them. On the other hand, regular braces come with hygiene and dietary restrictions. For me, the key is to identify the problems precisely and treat the patient efficiently. Mild to moderate problems can be treated with aligners. Moderate problems can be solved with aligners or braces. Severe problems have to involve braces; for instance, if the jaws and teeth don’t match or the jaws don’t match each other. There are even cases where teeth have to be removed or jaw surgery performed. Whatever it is, I try to keep people within a two-phase treatment bracket of 18 months.”

Many patients are looking for a faster process, but Shults cautions against rushing things.

“There’s a reason that orthodontists go to school three years longer than dentists,” Shults said. “Part of that extra training is the physiology of tooth movement and bone physiology. You can only move teeth at a certain rate. You have to respect the biology of tooth movement and keep moving forward at a reasonable rate.”

That said, Shults said that braces can be temporarily removed for significant events, such as bar/bat mitzvahs or weddings. “It can be done,” he said. “But it’s expensive in terms of both time and equipment.”

Originally from Colorado, Shults graduated with honors from the University of Colorado School of Dentistry in 1984 and completed his orthodontic residency and certification at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Dentistry in 1989. He also received his PhD in sensory physiology from the University of North Carolina. He arrived in Wellington and set up his private practice nearly 30 years ago.

Through the years, Shults has seen many trends come and go, including the colorful “gummi bear look” popular in the 1990s.

“Back in the 1960s, braces were a ring around every tooth. It was a nightmare. In the 1970s, braces moved to brackets you glue to each tooth. That particular bracket, in the 1970s and 1980s, could be either a steel tie or an elastic tie. In the 1990s, you just held the wire in place with a plastic tie, which could be infused with color. The biggest risk for staining was those ties. They were also plaque traps. In the 2000s, the bracket design was changed to a smaller, easier-to-clean bracket, and the need for ties was eliminated.”

Shults has always embraced new technology. His practice, Shults Orthodontics, has been serving the area since 1993, changing locations whenever the need to expand or add technology beckoned.

“I’ve always been a tech guy. I have always enjoyed working on cars and doing software programming,” said Shults, noting that now he has little time for either. “In 2009, we got rid of all paper — all charts and internal communication, x-rays and imaging. Going totally digital was the most significant upgrade to my practice.”

As past president of the Palm Beach County Dental Association and former chair of the Orthodontic Section of the Atlantic Coast Dental Research Center, Shults continues to be listed as a lecturer for the research center. His approach to his practice is “to provide evidence-based treatment based on the best science available at the time.”

Shults Orthodontics is located at 12180 South Shore Blvd., Suite 101, in Wellington. Call (561) 793-9888 for a consultation. For more information, visit www.shultsorthodontics.com.

Providing The Best Possible Fit  
Nettecha Rheingold Began Achette’n To Give Women Access To Top Quality Mastectomy Bras And Prostheses

By Deborah Welky

If you or someone you love needs a specialty mastectomy bra or prostheses, Achette’n offers clients the best possible fit. The firm features a wide range of medical-grade breast forms, mastectomy bras, compression garments and lingerie, measured exactly to fit the client’s body.

The company, founded in 2020, is the brainchild of Nettecha Rheingold.

For 15 years, Rheingold owned assisted living facilities, providing support and encouragement, together with housing, for those needing help with their day-to-day activities. In that role, she was attending a medical equipment trade show when it hit her — there were very few products for women.

“It jolted me,” Rheingold recalled. “I had been dealing with women for a long time, many of whom had had breast cancer, and there was nothing for their needs.”

Still, Rheingold remained focused on the job at hand — walkers, canes, things to help seniors in their everyday lives — but when she went back the following year and experienced the same dearth of women’s products, she opened her mind and began considering possibilities.

Rheingold did some research and found that, in Palm Beach County, there were very few places that post-surgical women could go to be fitted for — and buy — a specialty bra. There were also very few specialty bras and protheses to be had. “I was surprised,” she said.

So, in 2020, she sold her assisted living business and began work on Achette’n (a take on a backward spelling of her name).

“There are a lot of regulations — a lot of insurance requirements and so on, but I found a location and opened a store,” she said. “I wanted to provide services and products. I wanted to fit these women and make them feel confident and good about themselves. They have needs like everyone else, and many do not even realize what is available to them for post-surgical issues, much of it paid for by Medicare or private insurers.”

Located on Ocean Avenue in Lantana, Achette’n carries a wide assortment of bras culled from the top vendors in the country in different styles, colors and sizes, as well as a variety of protheses.

“Everyone is different,” Rheingold said. “I fit my clients based on the shape, size and form of their breasts, but the first thing for me is treating them with care and compassion. Many women are depressed after a mastectomy, and feel they’ll never be the same again. But their life is not defined by having had breast surgery. They can get back to looking like they were before. They still can be beautiful. They can be their best.”

With Rheingold’s help, a recovering mastectomy patient’s life can be made a lot more comfortable. She can even help identify their concerns before the surgery takes place.

“I may be able to anticipate their concerns,” she said. “And then I can share as much knowledge and education as I can give.”

Rheingold emphasizes that having had a mastectomy is not a requirement for getting a fitting or access to the perfect bra.

“Many women have their favorite bra, and that’s the one they wear,” she said. “I am able to communicate with them. Sometimes I have to tell them that their bra’s band doesn’t fit, or the straps are making a dent in their shoulders.”

Whatever the issue, Rheingold addresses it honestly, fits the customer for the perfect bra, then offers a selection of styles and colors. When they’re happy, she’s happy.

Patients planning for or recovering from surgery or reconstruction are invited to call and schedule an appointment with one of the certified mastectomy fitters at Achette’n.

Achette’n Specialty Mastectomy Bras and Prostheses is located at 114 E. Ocean Avenue in Lantana. For more information, call (561) 557-7978.