You Can Trust Your Smile To The Caring Dentists At San Antonio Dental Care! 

The friendly, professional staff at San Antonio Dental Care is led by dentists Dr. Kim Tran-Nguyen (above center & photo below) and Dr. Lou Cerillo (to her right above), on Curley St. in San Antonio, just north of Wesley Chapel. (Photos by Charmaine George)

San Antonio Dental Care has been keeping patients in the Wesley Chapel/San Antonio area smiling with incredible care and skilled dentists for the past 15 years. Currently located on Curley St., off C.R. 52, just north of Wesley Chapel, the practice was started by local general dentist Louis Cerillo, D.D.S., who has had a practice in the Tampa Palms community of New Tampa for more than 30 years. 

A year ago, Kim Tran-Nguyen, D.M.D., joined the team and, together with their team, the dentists take care of patients’ various dental needs, including corrective, restorative and emergency dental care. San Antonio Dental Care can help whether you need a regular check-up, teeth whitening, a crown, InvisalignÂź aligners, dentures, oral surgery or cosmetic dental services. 

As the first dental practice located in San Antonio, Dr. Cerillo says that opening his second office in that community was actually due to a patient’s persistence and determination. 

“We had our original practice in Tampa Palms, and we had patients and team members that lived in [San Antonio],” explains Dr. Cerillo. “We started having patients come to us from this area and one patient told me that I needed to set up a practice there.” He says that even though it all started as something of a joke, since the patient was just hoping she wouldn’t have to drive as far to see him. 

However, when Dr. Cerillo told her he’d do it if she could find a place where that office could be located, the patient took him up on that offer. and got back to him a few months later to let him know she had found an office for him. Less less than six months after that, the San Antonio office was up and running. 

“We opened in 2009,” Dr. Cerillo says. “There was no dentist up here, other than in Dade City,. We were originally in a small office up the road, it was a home that a veterinarian had converted to their vet practice. But then, [the vet practice] outgrew the building and built a new office. We moved in and put a dental office in there.” 

Dr. Cerillo’s practice was located in that small, three-bedroom house until 2018, when it also had outgrown that original space. The current location, which previously was a Wells Fargo Bank, provided the room needed for Dr. Cerillo’s growing clientele. 

Dr. Tran-Nguyen was excited to join San Antonio Dental Care a year ago, in large part due to the reputation of Dr. Cerillo, along with seeing the positive environment he had built at the practice. 

“He has been working here for a long time,” Dr. Tran-Nguyen shares. “And, when I first came here, I felt like the team had nothing but good things to say about what he has done for the community. He has built the practice. It was important for me to work with someone who has the same amount of care that I want to give to people.” 

And, it’s not just the dentists that are involved in helping patients, it is a team effort — from the dental assistants and hygienists, to all the people who work in the front office. 

“It is something that has to be built and takes time,” she says. Dr. Cerillo adds that her experience, training, conscientiousness, meticulousness and focus have made her a great addition to the practice. 

Originally from Miami, Dr. Tran-Nguyen knew she wanted to explore other cities after graduating from high school. She attended the University of Florida in Gainesville for her undergraduate and graduate studies. After receiving her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology, she completed her Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree from the school’s College of Dentistry. She then completed a General Practice Residency at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, located in Brooklyn, NY, and has been practicing dentistry for almost eight years. 

Cosmetic dentistry and surgical dental implants are two of Dr. Tran-Nguyen’s specialties and she says she enjoys how dentistry utilizes her varied skills. “I get to use my creative side, because I get to do cosmetics,” she explains. “I’m making people healthier, but I am also helping them have a prettier smile. I feel like it is a good balance of both science and art.” 

Dr. Tran-Nguyen’s love of the work, desire to go above and beyond and her obvious passion for lifelong learning were additional factors that made it clear to Dr. Cerillo that she would be a good fit for the practice. For example, she completed more than 100 hours of continuing education, which was more than three times the State of Florida’s requirement. “I’m always learning,” she says. “I take a lot of continuing education, more than what is required by the state. I’m always trying to better myself so that I can provide better quality care for the patients.” 

Dr. Tran-Nguyen also says that her initial decision to pursue the field of dentistry was inspired by both her older sister being a dentist as well as her positive experiences with her family dentist. 

“I had a really good relationship with my dentist when I was younger,” she shares. “He always knew the ins and outs with me and my family, and was very personable. I felt like there was actually a solid connection and I found that to be really important to me. I want to be able to connect with people and I would like to break down the barriers for people who are afraid to come to the dentist.” 

That sense of connection, and service to the community, comes across in the approach of both dentists in their work, as well as their interactions with clients and the neighborhood. And, the practice’s patients are appreciative of the excellent service they provide. 

“This has by far been the best dental office I have ever visited,” says patient Julie Crocker. “The staff is warm and friendly and genuinely cares for their patients. Even though they are professional, they also are so very personable. Walking in the door feels like visiting family. I actually cried when I saw my new smile.” 

Patient Kathy Marino also shares her recommendations for San Antonio Dental Care: “They are the greatest team. They always make me feel very comfortable and confident.” 

For all the staff at San Antonio Dental Care, maintaining rapport and positive relationships with clients and the community is a priority. 

“As you look at the growth of the [local] community, we’ve grown at the same rate,” says Dr. Cerillo. “So, it’s been really good to be here, and I’m proud we were the first dental office here.” 

San Antonio Dental Care is located at 11938 Curley St., and is open Mon. & Wed., 7a.m.- 3 p.m.; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tues. and Thur.; and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Fri. For more info, visit SanAntonioDentalCareFL.com or call (352) 668- 4819. Dr. Cerillo’s Somerset Dental Care is located at 15277 Amberly Dr. For more info, visit SomersetDentalCareFL.com, or call (813) 971-1688. 

Apex Internal Medicine’s Dr. Satodiya Provides Personalized Primary Care For Adults 

The team at Apex Internal Medicine of Tampa, located in the Cory Lake Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa, includes (l.-r.) medical assistants Jennifer Araujo and Leticia Jerguson and Dr. Mukesh Satodiya. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

Dr. Mukesh Satodiya opened Apex Internal Medicine of Tampa three years ago to serve the community and neighborhood that he lives in and loves. The primary care practice is located in the Cory Lake Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa, minutes from Wesley Chapel. 

Working with a wide range of adult patients is something that Dr. Satodiya appreciates about his location and clientele. 

“It’s a mixed population, a mix of ethnicities, working people to retired, 18-year-olds to seniors,” he says. “A broad spectrum from the medical practice point of view.” 

Dr. Satodiya’s 15+ years of practicing medicine, along with his incredibly personable approach, serve his diverse clientele well. Board-certified in Internal Medicine, he earned a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree from B. J. Medical College in Ahmedabad, India, in 1999. He completed his residency training in internal medicine in 2007 at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ. 

His previous experience includes working in both a hospital environment, as well as with a corporate medical practice. Dr. Satodiya says that having his own practice allows him to focus on the level of patient care, which is what matters most to him. Born and raised in India, his decision to become a doctor was inspired by his view of it as a noble profession focused on helping others. 

“Our main purpose is to offer more personal care, rather than treating a certain number of patients per day,” explains Dr. Satodiya. “Most of our patients like that we’re not a huge office, and they know me personally, as well as the staff. And we know them.” 

That extra level of interaction and accessibility makes it easier for patients to feel comfortable reaching out to the office when they have needs or concerns. Dr. Satodiya and his staff make sure to always get back to patients promptly. 

“They will hear back quickly,” he says. “Either from my medical assistant or I will call them back and talk to them myself. And, if we need to see them, we see them as early as possible, either the same day or the next day.” 

He knows these are important things that patients often find frustrating about their experiences at larger medical offices with multiple providers. Administrative details and goals set by insurance companies or corporate offices, often can be the priority in those types of environments. 

“It’s easy for anybody to set these goals and deadlines and say these are the things we need to focus on,” Dr. Satodiya says. “Then, between all these other influences, sometimes the quality of care for the patient is not the best.” 

Patients definitely notice the difference in the care at Apex Internal Medicine. For example, patient Joe Spoto found out about the Apex office a couple of years ago, and has been with Dr. Satodiya ever since. 

“I’ve stuck with him because he listens to you,” Spoto says. “He doesn’t rush you through your appointment. You’re not just limited to one topic if you have more than one thing going on. And, he’s nice! I’ve had doctors that rush you in and rush you out, but he’s been great. I really appreciate him.” 

Dr. Satodiya understands that providing primary care requires more than a cookie cutter approach. That’s why the office tailors the length of appointments to allow him to have an adequate amount of time with each patient. 

“Especially when we talk about senior care, we do need more time sometimes,” explains Dr. Satodiya. “[The elderly] have a lot of concerns, they are taking many medications and they may have more medical problems. Sometimes 30 or 35 minutes is not enough to address everything that we need.” 

Expert Care For Seniors 

An expert in senior care, Dr. Satodiya understands the common issues many elders face. He helps his patients improve their quality of life and works to keep them under control whenever possible. He sees the treatment of his patients as far more than just prescribing medications. 

“Education also is very important, because just a medication is not going to help them completely,” he says. “I try to make sure [my patients] know about their medical conditions and what else they can do, besides just taking their medication — whether it is diet, physical activity or if there is some monitoring or testing they can do at home — so they can take care of themselves better. We educate them on what to watch for, including potential side effects and how can we minimize their medication doses. That’s always better, because there are less side effects and complications for the patient.” 

Another priority at Apex Internal Medicine is providing resources to patients. For example, some senior patients have limited resources at home or may be living by themselves. Dr. Satodiya encourages them to call and reach out to the office whenever they are unsure of something, and he connects them to information and helpful organizations. 

He says, “We tell them where there are senior centers, community churches and other social places that will make them feel good and help them make new friends, rather than just always staying by themselves.” 

While Apex Internal Medicine sees patients ages 18 and up, the staff often finds that seniors are having more challenges, including navigating insurance, understanding the medication they are taking, as well as scheduling other procedures. 

“Let’s say they need X-rays or labs,” explains Dr. Satodiya. “The younger population can go online and find that stuff by themselves. But, some seniors have limited access to information. I train my staff to help them, give them more options and guide them.” 

Patients can have blood draws, urine tests, blood sugar checks, flu tests, Covid tests as well as electrocardiograms (EKGs) on-site at Apex, which also offers medical weight loss programs. When there is a time sensitive follow-up that needs to be done off-site, the staff will call and help set up the appointment for them. 

“That way it will be easier for the patient to go and get it done, rather than them having to figure it out by themselves,” Dr. Satodiya says. 

He recommends people not wait until they have problems to visit. Preventive care is ideal since small things taken care of early can help avoid future complications. He also says that regular check-ups are important for people of all ages. Even when someone is feeling fine and doesn’t have any symptoms, there could still be underlying conditions that have not reached a level that is noticeable. 

“There are certain undiagnosed conditions in the early stages that don’t have any red flags you can see,” explains Dr. Satodiya. “We encourage people to do their annual check-up. Young adults, seniors
 we live in a very modern society where people don’t have time for themselves. Whether they are doing good or not, they may not know that they have very high cholesterol or high blood pressure and it’s not going to cause any symptoms until it’s something serious like a stroke or heart attack. If they let it go untreated and undiagnosed it could already be causing damage to their kidneys or their heart.” 

Dr. Satodiya also says he tells all of his patients to get more physically active daily, and puts that into practice himself. He walks, rides a bicycle and plays volleyball and badminton to stay active. He also enjoys spending quality time with his family. He recommends everyone get out in nature and do something that makes them feel good physically and mentally, rather than worrying about how many calories are being burned. 

“If you can’t do a lot, just do something!” he says. “It can be something simple, like walking around the house or the neighborhood.” 

Apex Internal Medicine of Tampa is accepting new patients and Dr. Satodiya would like to see more people coming to visit for regular check-ups, not just when something is wrong. 

Apex Internal Medicine of Tampa is located at 10353 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite D, in the Cory Lake Professional Center. It is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed for lunch from noon-1 p.m.), and evening appointments are available. The office accepts several major health insurance plans. To make an appointment or for more information, call (813) 725-4983 or visit ApexIMT.com.

‘Chamber Chatter’ — Our Editor Is Hope’s First Guest; Plus, Tri-Health Cuts A Ribbon 

If you haven’t yet been to the new North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) office — located at 28329 Paseo Dr., Suite 195, in the same space next to Dillard’s in the Shops at Wiregrass that previously was home to a Pasco Sheriff’s Office substation (and then, the off-site office for the Amberlin at Wiregrass Ranch apartments), you really should go check it out. 

As NTBC president & CEO Hope Kennedy mentioned when I was her first guest at her new in-office studio for her “Chamber Chatter” podcast last week, “This is the office I always wanted here at the mall. I’m so glad we finally were able to get it!” 

Hope said that it was only fitting that I would be her first guest in the new studio, because of the long-standing symbiotic relationship between the Chamber and the Neighborhood News, especially since Hope first took over the reins at the former Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber 13 or so years ago. 

Not only did I get to tell that story, but also a lot of the history of the only news publication directly mailed to all of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel for the last 30 years under the same owner and editor. 

My 30-minute chat with Hope also touched on my obsession with helping local mom-and-pop restaurants succeed in our communities, on my not understanding why we have to have so many chicken places and my decision to host a contest to find our readers’ favorite chicken restaurant. 

Hope also brought up my dismay over the fact that two sisters who live in Wesley Chapel — Scarlett Spongberg and Fallon Fields (above left photo) — didn’t get to win one of 20 drawn-at-random free Raising Cane’s-for-a-year prizes, despite being first in line at the Raising Cane’s Grand Opening. Hope mentioned “the nice story” that local Realtors Chad and April Emory of Emorys Rock Realty split the cost with me of providing that prize for the two young women. 

Check out “Chamber Chatter” at NorthTampaBayChamber.com. To try to be a guest on the show, call the Chamber office at (813) 994-8534. 

Congrats, Tri-Health! 

One of the other things Hope mentioned during the podcast was how much she appreciates us shining the spotlight in print on so many Chamber members who host NTBC ribbon-cutting events at their locations. 

One such event we never published was the ribbon cutting (right) for Tri-Health Primary Care & Women’s Health Services, located at 2253 Green Hedges Way, #101, in the Summergate Prof. Center, which cut a Chamber ribbon on Jan. 30. 

For more info, call (813) 771-6851. — GN 

Wesley Chapel’s Walmart To Be Home To Conviva Senior Primary Care 

Speaking of convenience, Walmart is expanding a partnership to provide convenient healthcare options inside their stores, and the Wesley Chapel is next on the list. Last month, the Walmart at 28500 S.R. 54 took out permits and then quickly installed the new sign for “Conviva Senior Primary Care,” located in the clinical office space formerly occupied by Walmart Health. 

The clinics are part of Humana’s Primary Care Organization (PCO), which includes Conviva and CenterWell Senior Primary Care. 

Last year, in a press release from Humana, Walmart’s executive vice president of health & wellness Brian Setzer said, “We are looking forward to welcoming CenterWell [and Conviva] into these purpose-built health care spaces to offer quality care to communities in four states.” 

He added, “Leasing these spaces to a well-known and successful healthcare delivery organization is a win for [our] customers and patients, as we continue to focus on our core health & wellness business of Pharmacy and Optical.” 

Conviva’s website states that the company has locations in Texas and Florida, and we found that there are already more than a dozen existing care centers dotted around the greater Tampa area, a couple of which are located inside Walmarts, like the ones at 1575 Land O’Lakes Blvd. in Lutz and at 7631 Gall Blvd. in Zephyrhills. 

According to ConvivaCareCenters.com, “At Conviva Senior Primary Care, you’ll get 50% more one-on-one time with our primary care physicians who respect your schedule. Take the time to ask all of your questions and feel confident about your care.” 

Conviva will have its own exterior entrance, located east of the doors for Wesley Chapel Walmart’s ‘Home & Pharmacy’ section. There will be dedicated and marked parking spaces for patients, as well as another interior entrance to the clinic next to the vision center. 

Meghan Kile, an insurance broker/agent with a desk set up just inside the front of the Walmart in the mornings (under a bright blue banner with the Walmart logo and the names of multiple insurance providers), stated that she thinks Conviva is hoping to be open by April or May, but she had heard no exact date as of yet. Meghan believes this Conviva location is still in the process of hiring its staff. 

The sign out front of Conviva’s exterior entrance says “Accepting New Patients” and the phone number listed — (813) 815-8391 — goes straight to a voicemail for an “Immacula Nezier, APRN.” Unfortunately, we were not able to get in touch with Nezier for more exact details. 

Marimark Mortgage Will Help You Find The Best Mortgage For You! 

(L.-r.) Matt, Mary & Nick Catchur of Marimark Mortgage, located in the Tampa Palms Professional Center, can help you find the best mortgage to suit your needs. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

When John Grime started thinking about buying an investment property in 2021, he needed a plan. 

He called his “go-to” mortgage broker, Mary Catchur of Marimark Mortgage in the Tampa Palms Professional Center, just off the Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. exit of I-75. John says he’s built years of trust with Mary, as she’s helped him and his wife obtain financing to purchase a home, then refinance it when rates dropped. He knew if he ever bought an investment property, he would count on Marimark Mortgage to provide the financing to make that transaction happen. 

“Mary broke everything down and laid out a good roadmap for me of what the lender would ask for and what I would need,” he says. “Now, here I am, closing on a place.” 

He says that type of honest, straightforward advice is the reason he always counts on Marimark Mortgage and highly recommends Mary. 

“She’s detailed and she’s immediate with information,” John says. “Whether it’s a phone call, a text or an email, Mary constantly communicates.” 

Mary says that’s a hallmark of her business, which she opened in 2006. When she first dipped her toes in the mortgage side of the business, while working for another company, she quickly realized the typical way of selling mortgages wasn’t going to work for her. 

“A lot of people who sell mortgages are sales people,” she says. “They want to sell the rate or sell the payment, but I take a different approach. I’m an educator and a financial person, so I first listen to understand, then figure out what make sense for that person, and then, I explain why.” 

Her financial background comes from both the education and work experiences she had before moving into the mortgage industry. 

Mary received both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Accounting and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in French from the  University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa. She holds Florida licenses as a mortgage broker, as a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and as a real estate Broker. 

She worked as an auditor for “Big Four” public accounting firm KPMG for 13 years, then served as the chief financial officer (CFO) for a real estate company. 

Marimark has recently expanded, as Mary’s sons, Matt and Nick Catchur, have both joined the firm. 

Matt graduated from USF in 2024 with a B.S. degree in Finance. Mary says Matt’s education benefits their clients. 

“Similar to my CPA background,” she says, “the more you know about finance, the better you can understand the products you offer. We can better evaluate our customers and find the best product for them.” 

She explains that a salesperson who doesn’t have the background that Marimark Mortgage has will leave it up to the underwriter to determine if a buyer is qualified for a loan. Mary says this can cause frustration for a buyer who has been pre-qualified by someone who doesn’t fully understand the buyer’s financial situation or the nuances of the mortgage product they are selling. 

Meanwhile, Mary’s son Nick is a fellow real estate Broker who also works at Marimark in loan origination. As a team, this trio can offer multiple services that are helpful to buyers, and bring a greater understanding to the home-buying process. 

Know What You Don’t Know? 

Mary says that beyond their commitment to excellent communication and education, another important skill is to know what they don’t know. 

“There’s so much to know and to keep up on,” Mary says. “The rules and guidelines are constantly changing, and there are so many different products out there. There are a lot of moving parts and everyone’s scenario and source of income is so different, so every person you work with is completely new.” 

For example, she says, income earned by a truck driver is completely different from that earned by a nurse, which is completely different from that of a business executive. 

“Our business background helps us understand how all these people get paid,” she says. “We have to constantly think outside the box, be creative and understand the scenario to put them with the right product.” 

While many buyers are looking for a fixed-rate mortgage, Mary says there are many different options. 

For example, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans offer low down payments and Veterans Administration (VA) loans allow U.S. military veterans to buy a home with no money down. 

Mary also says that those who are self-employed may want to consider a bank-statement loan, where account deposits determine income, rather than pay stubs. 

For investment properties, a debt-service coverage ratio loan doesn’t require a borrower to have a specific income, but instead considers how much money is going to come in from the investment property and whether or not it will cover the principal, interest, taxes, insurance and Homeowners Association fees. 

Marimark also offers reverse mortgages, which allow borrowers over the age of 62 whose home is worth more than what is owed on it to eliminate mortgage payments altogether. 

Mary says Marimark often helps homeowners who want to refinance and get cash out for debt consolidation, renovations or other purposes. Right now, though, many who refinanced their homes when rates were low don’t want to give up that low mortgage rate. In that case, homeowners can add a second loan or home equity line of credit, which Mary says is popular among those who want to use the equity in their homes without having to refinance. 

She also says it’s a misconception that working with her will cost a buyer more than not working with a mortgage broker. 

“Sometimes your bank will have a good product for you, but sometimes they’re not your best option because they only have their own products,” Mary explains. “Your situation might be a little different and you might need a different product. I have several lenders I can go to and search for a product that meets your needs. But, if your bank’s products don’t fit you, they can’t help you.” 

She says she talks with people every day who have special circumstances and that the more she learns about them, the more helpful it is to be able to work with a variety of different lenders. 

“We definitely have more options than a bank can offer,” she says. “There aren’t any extra fees, and you have the advantage of the many more products that we can offer you.” 

Marimark Mortgage’s office is located at 5327 Primrose Lake Cir. in the Tampa Palms Professional Center. For more information, visit MarimarkMortgage.com or call (813) 910- 8020.