Award-Winning Palms Pharmacy Adds Wellness Now! Telehealth & More 

Dr. Shahida Choudhry (front & center) and her knowledgeable, friendly, professional staff at Palms Pharmacy in The Shoppes at The Pointe in Tampa Palms invite you to experience the difference between a true neighorhood pharmacy and the big chain stores. (Photo by Charmaine George) 

When Shahida Choudhry, Pharm.D., founded her Palms Pharmacy in 2016 in The Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms, she already had a decade of Publix pharmacy experience under her belt and knew exactly what she did and didn’t want her independent pharmacy to be. 

What Dr. Choudhry didn’t want was to just fill prescriptions; her goal was to bring back the welcoming vibe of the old-school neighborhood pharmacy. At Palms Pharmacy, it’s not just about getting your meds — it’s about being part of a community where the employees know your name and the prescriptions you need because you’re a familiar face, not just another line item. Since Palms Pharmacy first opened eight years ago, Dr. Choudhry’s team has grown to a total of 16 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. 

“My vision was to give back to the community and help our patients,” Dr. Choudhry explains. “We’re focused on your overall wellness and helping you get off medications that you might be able to replace with natural supplements.” 

She adds, however, that she will never tell you to stop taking a medication your doctor has prescribed for you. Instead, she will make suggestions to bring back to your doctor if she thinks that there is a better way to achieve the same goal. “This is a passion project of mine that’s evolved over the years,” she says. 

A proud alumnus of Long Island University (LIU) in Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Choudhry earned both her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degrees from LIU. 

Her Palms Pharmacy offers personalized, on-site compounding services, creating primary care provider-prescribed creams, topicals, mouthwashes, etc., while outsourcing items like semaglutide for weight loss to trusted, high-quality sterile pharmacies. 

“We make sure that your compounded medications are affordable,” she says. “Compounding is important, and we want to ensure that you have access to the meds you need.” 

In addition to those meds are Palms Pharmacy’s private-label supplements (photo on next page), available both in-store and online at Shop.ThePalmsPharmacy.com. Among the many supplements are a variety created to help kids with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). 

“We have a lot of parents who have told us the ADHD supplements have really helped their children,” Dr. Choudhry says. “It’s important to know that helpful supplements like these are available.” 

Independent, But Not Alone 

Dr. Choudhry is proud of her relationships with other independent pharmacy owners, not just here in the Tampa Bay area, but across the country, as a brand ambassador for independent Health Mart pharmacies. 

Speaking of independent pharmacies, Palms Pharmacy has been nominated for the 2024 Health Mart Pharmacy of the Year. There are more than 5,000 independent and locally owned neighborhood pharmacies allied together under the Health Mart banner. In order to win the award — which will be announced at the McKesson ideaShare convention in New Orleans, LA, in June, a Health Mart pharmacy has to be judged to have best-in-class clinical practices, be an outstanding Health Mart brand ambassador, be a community leader and independent pharmacy advocate and exhibit excellent financial performance. 

The Health Mart franchise is owned by Health Mart Systems, Inc., which is part of McKesson Corporation. 

Additionally, Dr. Choudhry was named number six among the 50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy by the Pharmacy Podcast Network, as voted on by her peers. 

“It’s a North American recognition,” she says. “It’s my third year in a row of being in the top 10. It’s an honor, and I think it’s pretty crazy that my peers have voted for me.” 

Dr. Choudhry, who also is often a presenter or featured speaker at many pharmacy conventions, was recently in Washington, D.C., fighting for pharmacy benefit reform, to help pharmacists become recognized as health care providers and help get new Medicare reform laws passed. 

“We’re just trying to make some kind of positive changes,” she says. 

Wellness Now! Telehealth Care 

In an expansion of her commitment to her patients, Palms Pharmacy is now partnering with Wellness Now! to provide telehealth care appointments to help patients with a variety of needs. However, Dr. Choudhry says Wellness Now! is starting by offering patients interested in weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide) or Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide) that their primary care physicians won’t prescribe (usually due to insurance restrictions), to be able to have telehealth appointments with licensed nurse practitioners who are able to prescribe these medications. Then, Palms Pharmacy is happy to fill those prescriptions for you. 

Dr. Choudhry says that when the coupons for affordable Wegovy and Mounjaro were pulled two years ago, many patients were left unable to afford their prescriptions. She decided to find other ways to get these meds. 

“We’re giving patients another option and it’s very important that the prescriptions are affordable,” she says. “We found options for them starting at $100 per month. Wellness Now! is a great option for patients.” 

The licensed nurse practitioners evaluate each patient’s medical history and future goals to determine the best course of treatment for their personalized health care plans. If deemed appropriate, patients will receive a prescription to help facilitate weight loss — compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide options. 

Also coming soon to Wellness Now! are Men’s Health appointments, with the intention of increasing testosterone naturally. “This is a different approach than just throwing testosterone at patients,” she says. “We have to find the root cause of why the testosterone is dropping. We’re also going to offer erectile dysfunction (ED) compounded medications that are more natural, not just the blue pill.” 

In addition, Wellness Now! also will offer dermatological telehealth appointments and Dr. Choudhry says she will soon be making an exciting announcement about them. 

Locally-Sourced Retail & Outstanding Reviews 

In addition to over-the-counter medications and a huge selection of natural supplements that she is happy to describe for Palms Pharmacy customers, Dr. Choudhry also hand-curates a selection of unique gift items. These include whimsical cotton candy and marshmallow candies and other sweets and snacks, as well as locally-made soaps, candles and natural local honey. She regularly attends natural product expos to source new products and collaborates with local independent creators. And, her prices are always competitive with, if not less expensive than, what you’ll find in a large chain store. 

“People think a small, independent pharmacy is more expensive, but it’s really not,” she says. “We really want to be competitive. We’re like a hidden gem.” 

Her customers and patients agree. In one of more than 400 5-star Google reviews, customer Kimber B. highlights some unique findings in her Google review: 

“Excellent service. The pharmacist is very knowledgeable and helpful. The staff is polite and attentive. The retail items are great quality and yes, I’m a sucker for the cotton candy.” 

Another customer, Deborah B., expresses her appreciation for the exceptional service she has received in her 5-star review: “They are efficient, friendly, and so helpful. Our pediatrician recommended them to us, and we drive across town because of the quality customer service and efficiency of this pharmacy.” 

Anniversary Celebration April 19 

On Friday, April 19, 3 p.m.-5 p.m., Palms Pharmacy is throwing an 8th anniversary bash with a food truck providing free food. Attendees can snag tons of freebies and great giveaways. “I just love what I do,” gushes Dr. Choudhry. “Do you have days when you don’t want to go to work? That’s not me. I absolutely love my job!” 

When not at the pharmacy, this dynamic Wesley Chapel resident, her husband Irfan, her son Eisa and her daughter Sarina love to travel. 

Palms Pharmacy (17008 Palm Pointe Dr.) is open Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Call (813) 252-9063 or text the secure text-only line: (727) 513-3210. For more information, see the Wellness Now! or visit ThePalmsPharmacy.com. 

Trust The Welter Law Office For Your Estate Planning Needs 

Attorney Denise Welter (left) and her paralegal Tara Ellis are happy to help you with all of your estate planning needs at the Welter Law Office in the Cypress Glen Professional Park, located just north of S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

A native Floridian and a lawyer in private practice for 22 years, Denise A. Welter, Esq., is celebrating going out on her own and the first anniversary of her Welter Law Office in the Cypress Glen Professional Park, just north of S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. Denise and her trusted paralegal Tara Ellis deliver top-tier legal services in estate planning, wills, trusts, probate and advanced healthcare directives. 

“Tara is a great paralegal,” Denise says. “She is the point person that makes it all happen for me. She came with me when we launched a year ago and all of my clients love her.” 

With 17 years as a legal secretary herself, Denise discovered her passion by chance after being let go by her employer of a decade, a turning point she describes as the “best worst thing that ever happened to me.” At the time, she was a busy mom of two young boys married to a firefighter. 

She explains, “I only had a two-year degree then, and I had to decide if I would be satisfied with being a legal secretary for the rest of my life. Did I want to get a paralegal certification? I talked to my husband, and we decided I was going to go for it and go back to law school in my 30s. I buckled down and finished the rest of my Bachelor’s and law degrees in five and a half years.” 

Denise obtained both her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, majoring in Legal Studies, and her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Nova Southeastern University, which is based in Ft. Lauderdale. 

A member of the Florida Bar since 2002, Denise passed the examination on her first try. After assisting in another firm’s real estate department, she found her calling in estate planning and probate. 

“I found my niche, and I’ve been doing it ever since,” she says. 

Emphasizing the importance of wills and trusts, Denise highlights the role of these important legal documents in providing directions to the courts regarding asset distribution. 

“I think that anyone at any age with any assets should, at minimum, have a will,” she says. “It tells the judge, ‘Here’s what I want to happen to my stuff when I die. Here’s who’s going to control everything for me, and here’s who’s getting it.’” 

When someone passes away with assets solely in their name and without a designated beneficiary, their estate has to go through the court probate process before their assets reach their heirs. To bypass probate, Denise advises on the benefits of trust planning, which transfers assets into a trust, creating a separate legal entity that holds and manages them, ensuring a smooth transition to the deceased’s beneficiaries. 

“With a trust, because you technically don’t own the asset at your death — the trust owns it — nothing has to go through the probate process,” she explains. “Most people do trusts to avoid probate and to protect their assets for their minor children.” 

She also notes that when you have a trust, assets can be withheld for families with minor children, so they don’t receive everything at age 18. A trustee can pay their expenses and the distributions can occur later in their life. Leaving assets in a trust also protects those assets from creditors in a future bankruptcy, divorce, etc. 

She says that trusts also are critical for families when naming guardians. 

“If you (the parents) die, who do you want to raise your kids?,” she asks. “Do you want to pick them, or do you want a judge to pick them?” She asks. 

She adds that trust planning serves as a preventive measure against court involvement and the necessity for guardianship in situations involving dementia or other illnesses that render individuals incapable of handling financial decisions. 

“It avoids all of the potential pitfalls and still allows the elder to be taken care of by their own finances,” she explains. “Whenever we prepare a plan, typically the individual is the first trustee, but then it says if I cannot serve, whether incapacitated or I died, I appoint this person to be my successor trustee. I recommend having at least two (trustees).” 

Denise provides a comprehensive binder to each of her trust clients, encouraging them to document family values, funeral preferences and account passwords, including those for cryptocurrency. She also stresses the significance of having a living will, which outlines preferences in situations of incapacity or terminal conditions. 

“Two physicians — your primary and another physician — have determined that your death is imminent,” she says. “If all those things align, you don’t want to be prolonged heroically — including forced hydration and nutrition. You want to be able to pass without being kept alive with feeding tubes and IVs.” 

Highlighting an often-overlooked scenario, Denise also suggests that parents of 18-year-olds heading to college should consider having healthcare surrogate designations, living wills, and powers of attorney to navigate potential HIPAA law challenges. 

As an example, she shares a chilling, overlooked scenario: when an adult child is hospitalized, their parents are legally unable to get information from the hospital. 

“We just went through Covid,” she says. “Your child could have been hospitalized with Covid. You can’t get there, and you can’t get any answers (on the phone).” 

Denise also says that the most important skills she needs in this field are the ability to listen to what her clients’ want and expect and then putting together what they need for their family dynamic. For convenience, she offers both in-person meetings as well as online appointments throughout Florida for probate and estate planning. 

“Clients can also email or call the office,” she says. “My clients have open access to be able to contact us in any way that’s convenient for them.” 

Positive reviews, like Emilio H.’s on Google, commend the service provided by the Welter Law Office: 

“My wife and I had an exceptional experience. Denise and Tara’s customer service was outstanding, showing a genuine compassion that is truly reassuring with such a sensitive topic. They paid meticulous attention to every detail with preparing our estate planning documents and provided fast, efficient service.” 

Denise has much more than the mandatory three-year Florida Bar course requirements. She actively engages in continuous learning — attending seminars, reading, staying informed through Listservs (a Listserv is a way to communicate with a group of people over email. You subscribe to a topic and it’s almost like a newsletter of information) and connecting with fellow attorneys. Each year, she also orders an updated edition of the Florida Statutes. She is a member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys, The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, The Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, Lawyers of Distinction, and Lead Council Verified. 

Denise also sends digital follow-ups annually to inform her clients of any law changes and encourages them to review their estate plans every five years or during important life changes. 

“The best part of our firm is helping families through sometimes very difficult situations and conversations,” she says. “Nobody likes to talk about death, but we provide peace of mind to clients, knowing their families or children are protected if something happens to them. On the probate side, we help families through sometimes tragic losses when they’re grieving, and it’s really hard to think clearly. We can help them navigate probate’s waters and simplify that for them.” 

When not at her law office, Denise says she can be found at the beach with Bob, her high school sweetheart and husband of 40 years, visiting her sons Chris and Eric, playing with her three grand-daughters, Abbey, Amelia and Lillian (who she calls “my heart”), global and domestic traveling, or participating in a marriage communications weekend with United Marriage Encounters. 

For more info about the Welter Law Office (2405 Creel Lane, Suite 102), call (850) 462-7509, visit WelterLawOffice.com.

Healthy Steps & Fitness Focuses On Your Overall Health, Not Just Exercise 

Personal trainer Andrea Barnes of Healthy Steps & Fitness always demonstrates the proper technique for each exercise for her clients. (Photo by Charmaine George)

Imagine a decade spent in personal training, armed not with mere anecdotes but with tangible evidence of transformations — testimonials and before and after photos of lives changed through the power of health and fitness. 

Although Andrea Barnes had been training clients at other local facilities the last 10 years, in March of this year, Andrea (pronounced “On-DRAY-a”), a personal trainer, and her husband Aaron unveiled Healthy Steps & Fitness, a unique facility embodying the mantra “people over profit.” A testament to personal triumph and dedication, it was born from the couple’s own challenges. After being open for several months at another location, Healthy Steps & Fitness is now open in its own space on U.S. 41 in Lutz (in the same building as Villaggio’s Ristorante Italiano). Andrea says it is where well-being takes center stage, and every client’s steps to health are celebrated. 

Aaron epitomized health yet still faced a silent adversary. While diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, dehydration and certain medications are the top five causes of kidney failure, Aaron had none of those symptoms, but was somehow facing kidney failure anyway. His doctor gave him less than two weeks to live. 

Andrea & Aaron Barnes in the hospital after Andrea donated her kidney to her husband (above) & now (below right). (Photos provided by Andrea Barnes) 

Then, nine months ago, Andrea donated one of her kidneys to save her husband’s life. This gift helped spur a miraculous recovery, giving Aaron normal kidney function and a renewed lease on life — a gift he’s vowed to cherish and share through the couple’s new business. 

The steps taken by Aaron to regain his health inspired the gym’s name, emphasizing the commonality of the journey for those facing transplants, chronic illnesses, diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as aging. 

“We chose our name based on the pattern of our lives and how we had to take steps to get to where we are today,” Aaron says. 

With mostly female (but still some male) clients, and most of them ranging in age from their 50s to their 70s, understanding their diverse needs, especially of seniors and those with physical disabilities, Healthy Steps & Fitness offers easy accessibility for those with walkers and wheelchairs. 

“Gyms always think about fitness — how the body looks on the outside,” explains Andrea. “Our approach is to look at your overall health. Our motto is ‘Health first, and the body will follow.’” 

Healthy Steps & Fitness is where your health concerns are heard, and achievable personal goals are set. Andrea goes beyond what traditional gyms do by conducting an in-depth initial consultation with each client, including blood pressure measurements and discussions about your diabetic A1C levels and cholesterol. She encourages her clients to get comprehensive lab evaluations from their physicians before beginning a program with her. This proactive approach addresses a common blind spot in personal health — many individuals, especially seniors, who want to start a training regimen remain unaware of what may be crucial cardiovascular indicators. Aaron recalls a young, outwardly healthy man with three small children, a friend of his sister-in-law’s who had a headache every day for a week. Instead of seeking medical attention, he chose instead to self-medicate with Ibuprofen and coffee. 

“The headache he was having was due to high blood pressure,” says Aaron. “Most people don’t check their blood pressure when they have a headache. He died at his work desk from a stress-induced heart attack the primary symptom of which was unchecked high blood pressure.” 

Aaron and Andrea plan to partner with a local medical office to refer their clients who don’t have a primary care physician to, so they can have things like their blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and other important medical factors checked before they begin working out at Healthy Steps & Fitness. 

If a new client has been receiving physical therapy for an injury, Aaron, who handles the business side of the business, and Andrea ensure that they only begin their journey when they are released by their physical therapist and that it is safe for them to begin training. 

“During our assessment, if we see the person has a bad shoulder or hip,” Andrea says, “before we start working with this person — unlike most trainers — we refer them to their physician to get x-rays to ensure that we don’t injure them further.” 

How many big box gyms can say they know — or even care to know — their clients’ blood pressure or pain symptoms before letting them work out with weights, on cardio machines or take classes? 

“We always encourage our clients — at least once a year — to visit their doctor and have a physical exam and blood work,” Andrea says, “so they can know what their numbers are and can work on improving them.” 

Aaron adds, “I’ve had other gym memberships. No one was ever concerned about my health. I never had health questions asked. It was all about memberships and classes. But, we want to know how people are doing. Underlying health problems can limit your progress.” 

Another important part of this fitness facility is its community “feel.” 

“We believe Healthy Steps & Fitness is unlike any other gym because we get close to our clients from Day One,” Andrea says. “It’s a pride feeling. You’re not just coming here to work out. A lot of friendships start here.” 

Eventually, Andrea says, a wall of success will showcase clients’ before & after photos and testimonials (like the photos, above). 

The gym offers a range of membership options for both one-on-one personal training and small group fitness classes and all of these options begin with a free seven-day trial. You can see what’s included with each of these memberships at HealthyStepsandFitness.com. Each membership level also includes a complimentary “Twelve-Steps to Wellness” online coaching program which promotes gradual lifestyle changes over 12 weeks. 

“Every week, we offer a new online coaching program that we want them to implement into their lives, and every week, we introduce a new lifestyle change,” Andrea says. “By the end of those first 12 weeks, we hope they will have at least begun changing their lifestyle and habits to help them achieve and maintain better health and fitness. For example, she says the first week’s theme is “Love — loving yourself first and what that means.” 

Happy Wellness Day! 

Healthy Steps & Fitness also hosts Wellness Days, featuring experts who address community questions on various health topics, creating an environment that transcends the conventional gym experience. The most recent such Wellness Day, on Feb. 17, was held at Healthy Steps & Fitness’ former location, but Andrea said that about 35 people attended and got a lot of great information about the importance of lab work, managing anxiety, eating and living a cleaner life, overcoming health obstacles (where Aaron was the featured speaker) and even financial health. 

“We got tremendous feedback about that Wellness Day,” Andrea says, “so we definitely plan to do it again soon here.” 

She adds that they envision their gym as the next step in the evolution of physical wellness, offering ongoing care beyond traditional rehabilitation. They see the facility as a bridge back to health, keeping their clients from succumbing to post-rehab challenges, such as dependence upon pain meds. 

“More than likely, people aren’t better when they go home (after a serious injury), and can get hooked on pain medication,” Andrea explains. “Instead of being depressed at home, we see ourselves as the next step in your recovery.” 

Andrea and Aaron stress that they don’t want their clients to be in his situation, “The healthy steps, healthy lifestyle choices, and having my wife as a trainer coaching me along the way got me back, and I’m still a work in progress,” Aaron says. “I made amazing progress from being in critical condition to where I am now. Once the word gets out there, people will know we care. We’re the health care approach to fitness.” 

Healthy Steps & Fitness will host a Grand Opening celebration in May, on the first anniversary of Aaron’s lifesaving transplant. It is located at 118 Flagship Loop (off U.S. Hwy. 41), in Lutz, and is open from Mon.-Fri., 5 a.m.-1 p.m.; & 7 a.m.- 10 a.m. on Sat. For more information, visit HealthyStepsandFitness.com, call (813) 860-7709.

AgeRejuvenation — Hormones Are The Key To Weight Loss & Better Health 

The friendly, professional staff at AgeRejuvenation in the Shoppes at New Tampa in Wesley Chapel can help you get your hormones — and your weight — under control. (Photo by Charmaine George) 

With the tagline “Aging Redefined,” AgeRejuvenation — a medical wellness clinic located in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza on S.R. 56 at Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. — is changing people’s perceptions of what happens as they age. In 2007, founder Brett Markowitz says he saw a gap in regenerative and anti-aging medicine. By looking deeper into why his clients felt the way they did, he created a unique clinic that continues to address the root causes of aging and weight gain while providing a personalized solution for each patient. 

And now, with locations in Brandon, South Tampa, Winter Park, and soon, Winter Garden, Markowitz says that AgeRejuvenation uses the best services available to enhance the quality of its patients’ lives. 

“My vision for the company was to connect with patients who weren’t getting answers from medical providers in private health care because they were limited on how they could help somebody due to insurance limitations,” Markowitz says. “If you went in for a rash but also wanted to talk about hot flashes, they’d want you to make another appointment. When I started AgeRejuvenation, it was to help identify where we saw patients struggling. Back when I was a personal trainer, I worked with patients on dieting and exercise, but (many of them) still wouldn’t lose weight.” 

Markowitz says that one of his personal training clients, who has now been part of his AgeRejuvenation team for the last 17 years, Dr. Johanna deVryer, recommended looking into the thyroid gland and menopause as the culprits. From that idea, a long-term relationship and AgeRejuvenation were born. 

“A lot of people identify that they are overweight, but they don’t know what to do,” Markowitz says. “Their metabolisms are slow because their bodies have begun shutting down as they age. When you are in your 20s, your hormones are at their peak. Your body and your immune system are strong.” 

He adds the following analogy: “When you’re in your 20s, you’re much like a shiny red Ferrari on the lot. As you drive along, you are still a Ferrari, but what’s happened is that you’ve put some dings and dents on the car, and your tank of gas has been depleted. This is similar to what happens to your hormones. At AgeRejuvenation, we are just replenishing the ‘gas’ your body has lost over time.” 

Before-&-after example of how AgeRejuvenation is changing people’s lives by helping them get their hormones in balance. (Photo provided by AgeRejuvenation) 

Under the guidance of chief medical officer Dr. Dawn Ericsson, AgeRejuvenation offers several options to combat weight gain, including appetite suppressants, semaglutide, or Tirzepatide injections that regulate appetite and blood sugar. Each patient receives a customized weight-loss program based on his or her body composition, metabolism and lifestyle. Patients also receive nutritional counseling, supplements and vitamin injections. 

“We really aren’t a miracle solution,” Markowitz says. “But, we have achieved some remarkable results utilizing a combination of lab work and understanding each patient’s symptoms and goals. In order to achieve great results, however, the patients have to be responsible for following through. Weight-loss medications aren’t magic. They still require people to eat healthy and make good decisions.” 

Markowitz explains that, according to Dr. Ericsson, one in three females has a sluggish thyroid, and typically if they’ve had one to two children, it becomes one out of two. In fact, he says, menopause symptoms, usually seen between the ages of 45-50, have cases in women as young as 35. 

Female patients going through menopause who come into AgeRejuvenation are often on Wellbutrin, Paxil or other medications that are intended to treat depression, anxiety and other emotional disorders. 

“That’s how those doctors know how to treat it,” Markowitz says. ”They don’t know how to look at the hormones and say, ‘Oh, you’re not feeling well because your hormones are imbalanced.’ They’re just saying, ‘Yup, you’re depressed. Here’s an antidepressant medication.’ When your hormones are out of balance and you don’t feel right, you absolutely are depressed because who feels good when they’re sick?” 

In addition to impeding your ability to lose weight and keep it off, Dr. Ericsson says that imbalanced or depleted hormones also affect energy, quality of sleep, cognitive thinking, risk of osteoporosis and sexual function, among others. 

“We are addressing the main cause in so many of these cases — hormonal imbalances,” Markowitz says. “We don’t just Band-Aid the situation. Every person is looked at on an individual basis. While we do run specific lab tests, we also base how we proceed on your particular symptoms. We’re looking at why you are going through this, what is happening in your body, and how can we help you maintain a better quality of life long-term. There’s a difference between living longer and having a better quality of life. Who wants to be 80 and not active? We want to be treating people to be more responsible for their own health. Giving them the data enables our patients to understand what is specific to (each of) their bodies.” 

Markowitz also notes that AgeRejuvenation provides a customized guide to treat each patient, based on extensive testing of their blood, hormones, thyroid, food sensitivities, heavy metals in their systems, genetics and micronutrient absorption. The office constantly monitors and evaluates each patient’s progress. 

Before-&-after example of how AgeRejuvenation is changing people’s lives by helping them get their hormones in balance. (Photo provided by AgeRejuvenation) 

“It would take the average patient we see two years to do the bloodwork we do on Day One,” Markowitz says. “They come to us for a solution, and that’s what we always strive to provide. You don’t have to wait weeks to see us. In many cases, we can get you in the same day for a free evaluation. As Dr. Ericsson says, how we age is defined by our hormones. In our program, while you’re coming to us for weight loss, we want to be the next element in the program so that you can sustain long-term weight loss. That is achieved through balancing hormones and optimizing of the thyroid.” 

Dr. Ericsson earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in History of Science & Medicine from Yale University in New Haven, CT, and her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook Health Sciences Center. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ, where she was the program’s first-ever female African American graduate. She also has experience as a Pharmacy Technician and as a Medical Diagnostics Market Research Analyst. 

Of more than 500 Google reviews, AgeRejuvenation has a 4.9 stars out of 5 overall rating, with hundreds of glowing reviews from patients like Marina Edwards, who says, “I’ve lost 32 lb. in 5 months on the weight loss program. AgeRejuvenation’s nutritionist Terry is amazing. She was encouraging and never made me feel guilty for my little slips. I also feel great on the hormone replacement therapy treatments. Good- bye, hot flashes!” 

Treating Post-Traumatic Disorders & Injuries, Too 

Markowitz says he is excited about the clinic’s new post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) program, serving as a medical partner to the Spookstock Foundation & Operator Relief Fund (ORF). These two foundations are a national nonprofit created to help “shadow warriors” — elite military and intelligence operatives suffering from PTSIs after fighting in U.S.-led wars after 9/11. 

He says the PTSD/PTSI program is led by PTSI medical director Dr. Michael Meighen, whose philosophy is treating PTSD as an injury, not a disorder, because injuries can be healed. 

Dr. Meighen utilizes a treatment known as Dual Stellate Ganglion Block (DSGB) injections on overactive sympathetic nervous systems, which have been shown to relieve often debilitating symptoms of panic attacks, depression, irritability, stress, sexual dysfunction, insomnia and substance abuse associated with PTSIs that often cause long-term health concerns. 

AgeRejuvenation’s chief medical officer Dr. Dawn Ericsson & advanced practice registered nurse Rachael Wright at AgeRejuvenation’s Wesley Chapel office. (Photo by Charmaine George) 

“We don’t want patients to think post-traumatic stress is a disorder,” Markowitz says. “Dr. Meighen wants to empower them that what they are suffering from is an injury. We don’t treat the mental health aspect but DSGB injections have helped people who have suffered with prolonged ‘fight or flight’ response. Dr. Meighen says that when a person is under severe stress for a long time, their body has a breakdown. They’re depleting their hormones faster because their immune system is getting weaker. We’re treating several former military members who are returning after 15 to 20 years of suffering with PTSIs and we have had great success doing our process with them. It’s been really amazing.” 

Dr. Meighen earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in biology from the University of Toledo, OH. He received his M.D. degree from the University of Cincinnati, OH, with a goal of working in the orthopedic and musculoskeletal field. He then completed his Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation residency at Carolinas Medical Center/Charlotte Rehabilitation in Charlotte, NC, and completed a fellowship in sports, spine and occupational rehabilitation medicine under the tutelage of James Atchison, DO., at the University of Florida in Gainesville. 

AgeRejuvenation also utilizes hormone therapies to treat male patients for low testosterone, erectile dysfunction and hair loss. Female patients also can be treated for sexual dysfunction, for internal vaginal rejuvenation and to restore lost hair. Peptide treatments, such as stem cell therapies, Human Growth Hormone (HGH) production and immune support, also are available. 

In addition, aesthetic treatments, such as Botox, dermal fillers, RF (radio frequency) skin tightening and more round out the huge variety of available services at AgeRejuvenation. 

The Wesley Chapel AgeRejuvenation office is located at 1940 BBD Blvd., Wesley Chapel. For more information, call (813) 558-9500, visit AgeRejuvenation.com.

Your CBD Store Of New Tampa Keeps Adding New Products! 

Your CBD Store of New Tampa owners David Calcador and Debra Curler invite you to check out the new products at their store in the Pebble Creek Collection. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

If you were a customer of the Your CBD Store on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel who was saddened by that store’s closing last year, the same outstanding SunMed products are available at Your CBD Store of New Tampa, located less than a mile south of the Pasco County line in the Pebble Creek Collection on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. 

The husband-and-wife team of David Calcador and Debra Curler make you feel immediately at home in their store, which has calming blue-grey walls, greenery throughout, comfortable seating and an expansive, open layout. With informational displays and posters and Debra and David’s exceptional customer support and product knowledge, Your CBD Store of New Tampa’s franchise location opened in November 2019 and has thrived through the pandemic, thanks to the dedication of these two local residents. 

“When customers come in, we ask them what they know about CBD,” Debra says. “Some are well-educated and we walk the others through the store and introduce and educate them about our product line. We find out what their problems are health-wise. Are they in pain? Are they having problems sleeping? Do they need more energy? We need to know what is happening in their bodies to help direct them to the proper products.” 

Neither a vape nor a head shop, Your CBD Store New Tampa is a holistic boutique providing USDA organic and carcinogen-free award-winning oral and topical SunMed CBD products for customers and their pets. 

If your dog or cat is prone to skin allergies or “hot spots,” you should check out the latest CBD pet products at Your CBD Store of New Tampa. 

At Debra and David’s store, CBD comes in both flavored and flavorless tinctures, oils, pills, gummies, weight-loss products, as well as a skincare line, bath bombs, lotions, massage oils, pain creams and products for dogs and cats. 

Unlike marijuana, Your CBD Store offers broad-spectrum CBD products that have zero THC, as well as full-spectrum products with the 0.3 legal limit of THC that contain all cannabinoids (CBD and THC), terpenes, or flavonoids. 

With anti-inflammatory and other health effects, flavonoids are plant compounds that give plants their colors and flavors. Flavonoids work with cannabinoids and terpenes, which are naturally occurring compounds in cannabis that shape aroma, taste, colors and therapeutic benefits, to produce the “entourage effect,” enhancing their impact. 

“CBD needs to have both terpenes and flavonoids,” David says. “They bond to receptors in your body. Without those, you won’t have the full benefit of CBD.” 

Debra and David say that they love educating their customers and clear up misinformation about CBD. Their CBD products won’t get you high, aren’t illegal, won’t make you impaired and you don’t need a Medical Cannabis card to purchase them. 

Instead, their products help with anxiety, sleep issues, chronic pain and more. 

“Our products are all-natural, organic, and non-addictive, Debra says. “You can buy CBD anywhere — a smoke shop or gas station, even on Amazon — but you don’t want to do that because anything you are putting on your body or in your body, you want to make sure it is good quality. You risk getting a synthetic, damaging product that can harm your health.” 

David adds, “We’re third-party tested. We have QR codes on everything we sell, and you can bring up each product’s lab report. We guarantee what’s in our products. We have referring doctors who send patients to us because they know the quality is there.” 

By scanning the QR code on Your CBD Store of New Tampa’s products, customers can track each from growth to sale. 

“In other words,” David says. “We follow our products from soil to oil.” 

New Products 

Debra and David are enthusiastic about their store’s newest products, some of which have been enhanced with more CBD — like their SunMed topical cream, which is now available in 4,000-milligram strength — while others are brand new. 

“Our topical cream is amazing for isolated pain,” Debra says. “I had a knee replacement years ago, and I had not been able to walk long distances. The product came out in December, and my husband and I were going Christmas shopping, and I could walk the entire mall. It’s been selling off the shelves left and right. We’ve always had 1,000- and 2,000-milligram strengths since we opened, but the 4,000 milligrams is amazing.” 

Debra also recommends Neuro, a water-soluble CBD, for pain management. While the store’s original daily oil tincture takes time to work, based on your metabolism and weight, the as-needed, water-soluble CBD effects of Neuro are felt more quickly. 

“You take the dropper of Neuro and put it in a Dixie cup size of water and drink it,” she says. “It goes into your body within 10 minutes, comes in 900- and 1,800-milligram strengths, and is also in a gummy form. People love it. I have a lady who comes in weekly and buys two jars. It helps with aches and pains throughout the body.” 

The Delta Effect 

Your CBD Store of New Tampa also sells both “Above” (with Delta 8 THC) and “Beyond” (with Delta 9 THC) by SunMed. 

Recently, Delta products have come under fire from the state legislature, with both houses of the Florida legislature trying to possibly ban them or at least severely reduce the THC in these products statewide. But, while the ban on Delta 8, Delta 9 and Delta 10 products did not pass both houses, Debra says that a reduction in the legal limit in Florida of THC in these products (from the current legal limit of 0.3%) is still a possibility in the future. Feel free to stop into Your CBD Store of New Tampa to keep up with the latest news, as David and Debra continue to monitor the situation. 

Among the many new products available at Your CBD Store of New Tampa are full-spectrum water soluble Neuro by SunMed pain management tinctures and gummies. 

“The problem is that the products the legislature really wants to ban are the synthetic Delta products,” Debra says. “They also want to reduce the legal amount of THC from 0.3% to a lower amount in all CBD products. Additional concerns are the labeling/packaging of these products, but SunMed has met all of the FDA’s package requirements.” 

She adds, “Our products with THC are all natural and are strictly regulated by our suppliers. There is nothing synthetic in our products. Banning all Delta products wouldn’t just hurt us in the CBD business. It would devastate the growers throughout Florida and damage the state’s economy. Our customers receive relief from our products, which have changed the quality of many lives.” 

As some prescriptions do conflict with CBD, Debra suggests that if you are taking medications, you should speak with your physician before starting a CBD regimen. 

“We can print out the lab report to give to your doctor,” David says. 

For pet parents, beyond their regular CBD pet treats, chews and tinctures for health and anxiety, Debra recommends another new product — Broad Spectrum Allergy Aid CBD Pet Chews, which have only been in the store for about a month, to help with “hot spots” and seasonal skin allergies. 

Debra and David are proud of their store’s Google reviews, which average a 4.9 stars out of 5, based on 170+ reviews. 

“If you look at our reviews,” Debra says, “you’ll see people love the products and that they’re changing lives.” 

The results of using these CBD products can be transformative, as R. Langelier attests in a 5-star Google review: 

“My wife was never a strong believer in CBD helping. But, because her anxiety had gotten worse, and her prescription was no longer doing the trick, on a whim, we came in
. The product itself works so well and so quickly that I can’t help but urge anyone who is on the fence about it to please, for your own sake, come in and try it. I feel bad I can only give 5 stars when they deserve so much more.” 

Your CBD Store of New Tampa is located at 19651 BBD Blvd., Suite B-1. It is open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and 1 p.m.– 5 p.m. on Sun. If you’re age 55 or older, find out how to save 20% off. your purchase. The store also offers a bonus points system that customers can accrue for discounts and free products. Free local delivery or free shipping are available for orders over $100. For more information, call (813) 994-0599, visit GetSunMed.com.