Cabana Spas Has So Many Ways To Help You Relax, Refresh & Renew!

Jenny, Sasha, Astrid & Gina enjoy a day at Cabana Spas on S.R. 56, receiving just some of the offerings available to the spa’s clientele to help them “Relax, Refresh & Renew!”

When chaos and stress are running up the score in the game of life, Cabana Spas offers a place to call a personal time out.

Located in the Seven Oaks Plaza on S.R. 56, Cabana Spas promotes itself as a place to, “Relax, Refresh & Renew.”

“Every one of our services fulfills at least one of those categories,” says Glen Harrod, who co-owns Cabana Spas with his wife, Jill.

Services available at Cabana Spas include hydro massage, oxygen therapy, facial LED therapy, an infrared sauna for multiple people, teeth whitening and more.

The rejuvenation begins as soon as a customer steps through the door, leaving the hustle and bustle of 21st century Wesley Chapel far behind. Within, it’s a “New Age” atmosphere at Cabana Spas, according to MacKenzie Carr, area manager of Glill (“It’s a combination of our names, Glen and Jill,” says Glen), Inc., parent company of the business “The energy of the store is relaxing,” Carr says. “You’re not really walking into a business; you’re walking into our home.”

At Cabana Spas, the concierge service is more like hospitable pampering.

“We want to make sure our clients are taken care of and we give them the royal treatment” says Carr, who explains that first-time customers begin their Cabana Spa experience with a conversation about what they want to achieve.

“We’re going to sit down with a client and have a consultation with them and ask them, ‘Do you want to relax, do you want to refresh, or do you want to renew?’”

A Unique Menu Of Services

Options are selected from Cabana Spa’s menu of services and treatments based on desired outcomes, such as relieving muscle tension or improving skin conditions.

“We’re big on making our customers feel good about themselves internally and externally,” says Carr. “We have a lot of services that take care of the skin and the hydro massage that makes you feel good on the inside.”

Services are provided in a self-directed manner, meaning clients generally apply treatments such as teeth whitening and facial masks themselves after receiving instruction from a Cabana Spas team member. Likewise with services such as the hydro massage, a deep-tissue stimulation delivered via a table with a mattress-like top that transmits energy from pulsating jets of water to a client’s body.

MacKenzie Carr and Tiarra Irish-Phillips will make sure you have all of the information you need before you try any of the relaxing and refreshing therapies at Cabana Spas, including (right), the FitBomb Infrared Sauna, where 2-3 people can relax or even enjoy an workout together.

One service not available at Cabana Spas is indoor tanning (although that is available nearby, at Glen and Jill’s South Beach Tanning Company location on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in the SuperTarget-anchored Northwood Plaza; see below), Cabana Spas does harness the reputed cosmetic power of light in the forms of facial LED therapy, which uses intense illumination from different colored lights as treatment.

According to Wesley Chapel store manager Tiarra Irish-Phillips, each of four different colors used in the LED light therapy at Cabana Spas has specific benefits.

“Blue light is going to kill bacteria, so it’s really good for acne-prone skin,’’ she says. “Red light is going to help with scarring and fine lines or wrinkles and the green light is really good for oily or sensitive skin and blackheads. The yellow light has a relaxing effect and it’s really good for sunburn on the face.”

The hydration station is another popular service with Cabana Spas’ clients. It’s an open-ended capsule that mists the body with steam, which can include ingredients such as an aloe-based moisturizer.

“It’s like a steam bath from the neck down and is really good for hydrating the skin,” says Irish-Phillips.

Getting the benefits of a dry sauna has typically meant enduring not only heat, but the tedium of inactivity during a sweat session. That is not the case at Cabana Spas, which features an infrared-heated space called the FitBomb. It is cozy in size, with a capacity for 2-3 people, but is configured so customers can use their session to exercise, including resistance training with built-in D-ring fixtures, or relaxing by watching videos on a monitor inside the FitBomb.

The Oxygen Bar — It’s A Social Thing

A session at Cabana Spas can be breathtaking, and for clients who want to top off their lungs with some flavored oxygen, the members-only Cabana Room features an oxygen bar.

Customers partake of the life-giving gas through disposable “nose-hose” masks, that allow for drinking beverages such as coffee or water and having conversations. Carr says the atmosphere often becomes festive and has generated the idea of a Cabana Bash, whereby customers can rent out the facility to have a private oxygen party for a few hours after 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

It is popular with customers who gather in the Cabana Room to inhale the fragrant gas and often bond over the experience, perhaps comparing the merits of berry over mint and otherwise getting acquainted. It is a popular feature at “high-end Las Vegas casinos” according to Carr.

“It’s a really good place for members to get to know other members,” says Irish-Phillips. “They’ll just start talking and build up a friendship.”

Cabana Spas has been open for about eight months, with its official Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting occurring in January.

The Harrods often partner with other Wesley Chapel businesses to promote their shopping center oasis, and that’s how Astrid Jean-Paul discovered it.

She’s a busy executive who runs the J&M Consulting Firm in New Tampa, and the complimentary certificate she received from Mercedes Benz of Wesley Chapel for being a loyal customer has also now made her a loyal customer of Cabana Spas.

“I made an appointment not knowing what to expect, thinking deep tissue massage, hot rocks, etc…,” says Jean-Paul. “I was in another world of innovation, technology, deep muscle detoxification, and so many more surprises. I now continuously invite my dear friends and family to experience this phenomenon of alternative health and beauty.”

Cabana Spas’ services are available as individual sessions or as part of a monthly membership. Jill says they want to offer flexible access to meet the lifestyle needs of as many people as possible, whether they have 30 minutes or three hours available to indulge themselves.

“We’re affordable to your budget and also convenient because some people just want to run in on their lunch hour for one service or enjoy the oxygen bar,” she says.

The Harrods are true lifestyle entrepreneurs, as they also operate three South Beach Tanning Company franchises (including the aforementioned one in Wesley Chapel), a LaVida Massage franchise in Carrollwood, and expect to open their second Cabana Spas location in the Van Dyke Commons shopping center on N. Dale Mabry Hwy. in Lutz around the time this issue reaches your mailbox.

While they take pride in serving the unique needs of each of their businesses’ customers, Cabana Spas occupies a special place in the Harrods’ entrepreneurial hearts.

“With Cabana Spas, there’s nobody else doing this,” says Glen. “It’s building a brand based upon personal services at a great value. Our membership costs less than you would typically spend on one service at a resort-style spa.”

Jill sums it all up by saying, “Cabana Spas is truly our own unique brand.”

Cabana Spas in Wesley Chapel is located at 27607 SR 56. It is open  Mon.-Thur., 8 a.m.-9 p.m., 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on Fri. and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sat. and Sun. For more information, call 991-4433 or visit CabanaSpas.com. You also can get timely updates about special offers and events by searching “Cabana Spas-Wesley Chapel” on Facebook.

Looking For An Upscale Nail Salon? Try Touch Nail Spa On S.R. 56!

Tiffany & Timmy Pham invite you to visit their brand new, elegant Touch Nail Spa on S.R. 56, which offers manicures, pedicures, and spa services including, eyelash extensions, waxing, facials and massage.

It’s officially flip-flop weather again in Florida. If you’ve been skipping pedicures during the winter and are looking for a new salon, the great news is that Touch Nail Spa is now open.

Located in the Cypress View Square shopping plaza on S.R. 56 (in the same plaza as Capital Tacos), Touch Nail Spa offers a beautiful, luxurious setting to enjoy a pedicure, a manicure, or one of the salon’s many other services, including eyelash extensions, waxing, facials and massages.

Touch Nail Spa is owned by Timmy Pham and his wife, Tiffany. Originally from Vietnam, Timmy has been in the U.S. 21 years and has been doing nails almost 17 years. Tiffany and Timmy met when he spent a year in Chicago about 10 years ago and have now been married about four years.

Timmy previously owned a nail salon in Kentucky. He moved to Florida seven years ago and has worked at other salons in the area. He says he opened Touch Nail Spa because of his desire to serve customers at a higher level.

“Working at other salons, I’ve seen owners not do right by customers and employees,” says Timmy. “Here, we are all about the customer experience — and the service.”

Touch Nail Spa celebrated its Grand Opening on March 25 by giving a free manicure or pedicure to 89 guests. He says the reaction everyone had when walking into the salon was, “Wow.”

With high ceilings, large windows, and beautiful décor, Touch Nail Spa is 3,200 square feet — much larger than you might expect at a typical nail salon. Timmy designed the salon himself, which includes 16 massage chairs for pedicures and 21 manicure stations.

Traditional costumes highlighted the spa’s Grand Opening on March 25.

He says he’s thrilled with the way it turned out – beautiful and relaxing, upscale and clean. He credits Tien Vuu Construction, LLC, with executing his design perfectly. “They did an amazing job,” Timmy says.

He describes the way he and his employees keep the salon as “flawlessly clean,” including gleaming floors and spotless tabletops, a tidy restroom, with all surfaces and tools sanitized for each individual person.

Neighborhood News billing manager Stephanie Smith, who got a manicure during the salon’s grand opening, agrees. “I like the way everything is sanitized, like bringing out a new package of tools for each person, and using liners in the pedicure basins so that it is completely clean, not just rinsed out.”

Available Services

While the décor reflects a more upscale experience — don’t let that fool you. Touch Nail Spa’s prices are very affordable.

Guests who choose a “Hot Touch Pedicure” get the royal treatment while enjoying their services in one of these thrones.

Timmy says most customers come in for a manicure and/or pedicure, and the salon offers a menu of options to fit everyone’s individual taste. From a simple polish, to acrylic or gel nails, or many other options, a wide variety of services are available and the licensed technicians can help each person find the service that’s right for them.

Currently, there are nine people working at Touch Nail Spa, all of whom are State-licensed in cosmetology.

“All of the technicians were very friendly and made an effort to talk to the customers, not just to each other,” Stephanie says. “They want you to feel pampered and feel that you came into a spa, not just a nail salon.”

A variety of spa manicures and pedicures is offered, and even the “Simple Touch” pedicure (just $25) includes a callus treatment, pineapple sugar scrub, hot towel wrap and lotion massage, along with nail trimming and shaping, buffing, and cuticle grooming.

For an even more spa-like experience, a variety of “Hot Touch” pedicures are offered ($45-$60). These include a hot stone massage for your legs and feet, plus additional treatments — such as specialized exfoliation for the bottom of the feet and a mask for legs and heels — along with a seat in the salon’s throne-like chairs reserved just for these pedicures (photo on next page). “You’ll feel like a queen,” Timmy promises.

Touch Nail Spa has two private rooms for services beyond nails, each with a beautiful floor-to-ceiling stacked stone wall, and its own music. In these rooms, cosmetologists offer facials, eyelash extensions, neck and shoulder massage, and even full-body waxing.

Stephanie also got an eyebrow wax during the grand opening event. “It was phenomenal,” she says. “They got them even and perfect.”

A Better Experience

“We want people to relax,” Timmy says, so first and foremost, “People are not rushed when they come in. They don’t have to hurry.”

To add to the relaxing atmosphere, he and his staff pay attention to details. He says they immediately greet each visitor as they walk through the door. The TVs are kept quiet, for example, and Touch Nail Spa offer a complimentary beverage with every service, such as water or even wine, served in a chilled glass.

Timmy says he chose a location with plenty of parking to be sure that everyone who comes in for services has a place to park.

And, he says, clients will be happy with their service. “We use good, quality products,” says Timmy, “We fix the mistakes other people do.”

He adds that you’ll always be able to find the color you want, and that every color he carries in a regular polish is available as a gel color, too. “We have five brands of nail polish and 1,000 colors.”

One final difference you’ll see at Touch Nail Spa is when you check out. “Some nail shops don’t give receipts,” Timmy explains. “We give itemized receipts saying what services you had and what you paid for. We also collect your name and email address so that we can email you specials.”

“We want people to come in to try it,” Timmy says. As its grand opening special, Touch Nail Spa is offering 10 percent off all services (see the ad on page 6).

Touch Nail Spa is located at 27233 S.R. 56 and is open Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., and 11 a.m.–5 p.m. on Sunday. Walk-ins and appointments are welcome. To make an appointment or ask about services, call 973-4111.

Debbie And Sara Bring New Looks To Your Doorstep

Sara McKenzie (above) and her mother, Debbie Demboski, of Decorating Den take the hassle out of interior designing.

In 1994, Debbie Garner hired Decorating Den’s Debbie Demboski to decorate her new home in Tampa Palms. She had seen Debbie around, at church and at Tampa Palms Elementary, where Garner was a teacher, and she had definitely seen Demboski’s Decorating Den van.

She asked a few of her neighbors who had used Debbie, and they gave glowing reviews. It wasn’t long after that that Garner joined the club of satisfied Decorating Den customers.

“The thing about Debbie is that she comes to you,’’ Garner says. “She comes to your house and brings things to show you. If I needed some pictures, or a rug or a lamp, I didn’t have to go out and look for (them). She’d say, ‘Let me look around.’ I just don’t have that creativity and can’t see things like she can.”

Garner said she was able to choose items for her home from a wealth of catalogs and fabric and color swatches in the van, with helpful and reasonably-priced suggestions from Debbie, who re-did every room in Garner’s home.

Debbie manages a successful blend of convenience, styles and pricing, leaving many satisfied customers, and those customers, like Garner, drive future business via “repeat and referral.”

Debbie says working with Decorating Den has a number of “NIFTY” benefits:

N: National umbrella, as Decorating Den has the buying power of a national company.

I: In-home decorating, since design decisions are made in your home, in your existing lighting, working with what you already own.

F: Free consultation, because not only does Debbie come to you, there is no cost for the consultation nor will you pay hourly fees for her time.

T: Training. “This is a very fashion-forward, trendy business,” Debbie says, “so we attend conferences, have private showroom tours, and the decorators from all the regional franchises work with each other to share ideas and collaborate.”

Y: Your lifestyle, which includes likes, dislikes and budget, things Debbie makes her highest priority so that your home reflects your personal taste, not hers.

NIFTY definitely equaled SUCCESS in 2016, says Debbie, who is in her 27th year with Decorating Den, 25 of them here in New Tampa. “Last year was our best year ever,’’ she says.

Before and after.


Demboski doesn’t have a large, glittering showroom, but she has more than enough to meet the needs of clients on the shelves inside a van that operates as an effective  portable studio.

“They call me because we’re a home-based business,’’ Debbie says. “So when people call and say, ‘Where is your store?’, I can tell them, ‘right in your driveway.’ I have a great selection. We could do a whole house with what’s in my van there.”

And she has.

With customers scattered all over New Tampa and Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando and Polk counties — and even some as far away as Melbourne Beach (see below) — Debbie is always busy.

But, she has help these days — Debbie’s  daughter Sara McKenzie joined her team about three years ago.

“It’s now a mother-daughter-daughter business,’’ says Debbie, whose mother Phyllis Wilcher works as the Decorating Den regional secretary. “That makes it kind of neat.”

A Freedom High and University of South Florida graduate, McKenzie grew up in the family business and says she always had a good sense for fashion. She also says that she held back from joining her mom because she wasn’t sure she could meet Debbie’s expectations.

“She is so good at it,’’ Sara says. “She can walk in somewhere and start spitting out ideas. It’s very intimidating (to try to follow that).”

After seven years working as a regional manager for a small retail chain, Sara decided to get certified as a decorator and joined her mother on a full-time basis.

She says she shares the same creative spark as her mother, and already has worked on a number of big projects. Like her mother, she says she likes to get the customer involved early in the process.

Garner said it is Debbie’s penchant for letting the customer lead the way initially that makes her a joy to work with, and why she keeps coming back.

When Garner moved to Cory Lake Isles in 2000, she called Debbie again to design her new home. And, 14 years later, after Garner moved back to Florida from New York in 2014, so she called Debbie to do her current home in Tierra Verde.

“She is really good at listening to her clients and understanding exactly what they want before she starts making suggestions,” Garner says.

Debbie’s first consultation is always free, and there are no hourly charges for the work she does.

Working With Windows

Debbie says that 70 percent of her calls are for window treatments, which also happen to be her favorite thing to provide for her customers. While there are plenty of carpet and furniture stores around, it’s harder for people to find window treatments they really love.

Sometimes, Debbie says, an entire room that a client thought needed to be remodeled can be given a completely fresh look merely with newly decorated windows.

“I can even help them with total renovation,” she says. “We have contractors that can remodel a kitchen, if we wanted. But, for the most part, people are looking for area rugs, furniture and bedding. We can do as little or as much as they’re interested in doing.”

Decorating Den is North America’s largest interior design and home furnishings franchise company, with more than 400 franchises across the U.S. and Canada.

Debbie not only owns her own Decorating Den franchise, she also is the regional director for Central Florida and manages 10 other franchises. And, while her own personal franchise is in the running for the company’s top franchise this year, so is her region, where she has helped train the franchise owners; she holds monthly meetings with them.

Four years ago, she was named Regional Director of the Year at Decorating Den’s company-wide international annual conference.

Debbie has a degree in design and business from West Virginia University in Morgantown. Prior to beginning her decorating career, she worked at a number of different retail positions. She says she got into the interior decorating business when she was living and working in Atlanta and a friend, Terri Erwin, became a Decorating Den franchise owner.

Debbie went to work as a decorator for Terri’s business and, soon after, started her own franchise before later buying the Central Florida region and developing it.

She says she continues to evolve as a decorator, as new styles emerge. She works hard to stay on the cutting edge, even after being in the business for nearly three decades. But, one thing that hasn’t changed, she says, is building relationships with her clients and fulfilling their needs.

She understands that sometimes people want a re-design, but letting go of Grandma’s old dining room table or Aunt Jane’s recliner can require a gentle touch.

“I try to work around people’s existing things,’’ Debbie says. “I’m more like, ‘Well, gosh, if you have this, then maybe we add some pillows or maybe we re-cover it or maybe we move it back here.’”

That doesn’t mean selling isn’t a big part of her business as well, but Debbie and Sara keep the pressure off. The bigger payoff for them is their happy clients.

Last year, one of Debbie’s clients was visited by her sister, and loved what Debbie had done so much she hired her to decorate her home…in Melbourne Beach.

Even though it was a three-and-a-half hour drive, Debbie decided to take on the task, and it was such a success, the sister recommended Debbie to her parents right around the corner.

“I probably drove six times, back and forth, at least,’’ Debbie says. “But it was worth it.”

Debbie says that the area most people like to decorate is not actually a room at all — it’s the space people see when they first walk into a home.

She has a vast network of places to choose her products from, including companies like Pendragon, Lexington and Century, to name a few.

“No other design company out there has 400 stores,’’ says Debbie. “And we have a good, better and best product mix. A lot of it comes down to people’s budgets and what they are looking for. Whatever that is, we can find it for them.”

Decorating Den comes to you at your home or office in New Tampa. For more information, call Debbie at 817-2264, or visit her on Facebook by searching “DecoratingDenbyDebbieD.”

Get Much More Than Just Tax Preparation With Murtha & Murtha CPA

Tom and Patrick Murtha admit that most new clients find their full-service accounting firm, Murtha & Murtha Certified Public Accountants (CPA), around tax season. That’s when people are scrambling to meet deadlines for both their personal and business taxes.

They are quick to point out, however, that with Murtha & Murtha, it’s just the beginning of a personal relationship that lasts year-round.

“We have a tremendous amount of experience,” says Tom.  “We’re here to be your most trusted advisor.”

Tom and Patrick are the father-and-son team who are both partners and owners of the firm, located in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56 (across from Sam’s Club). Kyle Flischel serves as the firm’s senior accountant.

Thomas E. Murtha, CPA, earned his B.S. degree in Management from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY, in 1976, and his M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) degree in Accounting from St. John’s University in Queens, NY, in 1981. While he was working on his MBA, Tom also worked as assistant controller in the non-bank financial segment of a major New York City bank.

He moved to Tampa in 1987 and opened Accutax Services, Inc., a non-CPA public accounting business that he sold in 2010. In 1999, he also joined another CPA firm in Englewood, FL, that he eventually bought into — Flischel, Murtha & Associates. When Tom passed his Florida CPA test in 2000, he says it was with the fourth highest score in the state. He’s also taught accounting courses at both Hillsborough Community College in Tampa and at the American Institute of Banking in New York City.

Patrick grew up around his father’s business and met Kyle, the son of Tom’s former business partner, while they were both in high school and helping their dads with tax returns. Patrick and Kyle then both attended the University of South Florida. Patrick now holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Finance and a B.S. in Accounting, while Kyle holds a B.S. in Accounting and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Accounting with a tax concentration.

When the partners opened their firm in 2010, Murtha & Murtha focused on mergers and acquisitions and was located in downtown Tampa. In 2013, the Murthas expanded to a full-service accounting firm and moved to their current Seven Oaks location.

“We work with businesses from startup to $25 million,” says Tom.  “We don’t just juggle numbers. We get our business clients into budgeting.” He explains that businesses with a budget can then compare their budgets to their actual expenses to see where the numbers are out of line.

“When you have a budget, that’s when you start to control your business and keep it from controlling you,” Patrick adds.

Your Company’s CFO?

Murtha & Murtha offers a “CFO retainer package” to help businesses that need the role of a Chief Financial Officer but don’t have the budget to hire a full-time manager. For a fixed monthly fee, the firm provides services such as monthly accounting, annual budgeting and annual market value estimations.

Tom says that’s an important function. “Everyone who owns a business hopes to sell it someday,” he explains, “and hopefully make some income along the way.”

If you buy or start a business, Tom asks, “Is the value of your company going the right way?”

He says it’s important for business owners to take the time to consider these and other questions. “We like seeing our clients be successful,” Tom says. “That’s what makes us successful.”

Jorge Brea, owner of Symphonic Distribution, a Wesley Chapel company that distributes music to iTunes, Spotify and other outlets, is one of the companies that look to Murtha & Murtha for an annual market valuation and other services.

“Truthfully, they’ve been tremendous,” Jorge says. “They’ve helped us take more control of our books and have been really helpful in providing best practices and standards.”

Jorge also says the market valuation service is extremely helpful. “It’s this really cool yearly report that gives you a lot of statistics and data to see how you compare to other companies,” he explains. “It’s information that you can’t just look up on your own.”

Murtha & Murtha’s customized, personal approach is the hallmark of the way the firm works with both its business and individual clients. This isn’t the kind of accounting firm where clients are encouraged to simply drop off a folder and wait for an email. Tom, Patrick or Kyle will sit down with each new client, interview them and really get to know and understand each of them and their unique financial situations.

Responsiveness is another hallmark of Murtha & Murtha. “The number one reason people tell us they’re switching CPAs is because their CPA didn’t return their phone call or emails,” says Patrick. “We have a system in place to be sure we’re communicating with customers well, and we don’t use ‘it’s tax season’ as an excuse (for not returning calls).”

Tom and Patrick say people are often nervous about how expensive it is to hire a CPA to help with taxes. “The reality is that, of course, it costs more than doing it yourself with tax software,” explains Patrick. “But very frequently, we can find more savings, and we can go up to three years back to get refunds.”

He explains that silly mistakes answering simple yes or no questions can have implications that the typical tax software user just doesn’t understand.

“There are a lot of things you can do, and we understand the implications of the decisions you make in how to prepare your taxes,” explains Patrick, a long-time member, former treasurer and current Sergeant-at-Arms of the Wesley Chapel Rotary Club. “We always advise what’s in our client’s best interest, not our own.”

Tom adds, “In my 30 years in the business, I have seen everything that can go right, and everything that can go wrong. I like getting into things that are complicated.”

They caution people not to make financial decisions based on tax implications alone. Murtha & Murtha has a strong network of financial advisors, bankers and attorneys to refer their clients.

“It’s great to be aware of tax implications, but what happens when life comes along?” asks Patrick. “We’ll work with your financial advisor throughout the year and look at financial implications and all factors in a decision.”

He adds, “We’ll sit and talk with you, and work together with you. We’re not high pressure, and we’re not trying to sell you on anything. People get intimidated by taxes, but we know the tricks and we’ve got the experience to help you.”

Murtha & Murtha CPAs is located at 2236 Ashley Oaks Cir., Suite 101. For more information, visit TampaTaxFirm.com. To schedule a free consultation, call 991-1120.

Dr. Teena Hughes Has Been Treating New Tampa’s Kids For 20+ Years!

Dr. Teena Hughes (second from left, seated) and her happy, professional staff can help keep your kids healthy at Dr. Teena Hughes, M.D., P.A. Pediatrics off E. Fletcher Ave.

While growing up in Orlando, pediatrician Teena Hughes, M.D., decided early in life that she wanted to be a physician and heal young people.

“I always wanted to be a pediatrician,” she says. “That was my ultimate goal since the ninth grade.”

She achieved that goal, becoming a Board-certified pediatrician after earning her M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) degree from the University of South Florida College of Medicine, followed by a three-year residency at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Since then, Hughes has been helping New Tampa families raise healthy children for more than 20 years.

Her experience includes practicing as part of a healthcare group for seven years and now, from her own solo practice in the University Medical Park at E. Fletcher Ave. and N. 46th St., about five minutes south of Tampa Palms Blvd.

Families visiting Dr. Teena Hughes, M.D., P.A., Pediatrics will find plenty of space. The lobby and well-child areas were enlarged, while new bathrooms and exam rooms were added in a recent expansion.

“In pediatrics you don’t get just one person coming to see the doctor,” Dr. Hughes says. “It’s usually (two or more) people in a group, with strollers.”

Services provided to patients start even before a child is born, with free prenatal get-acquainted visits and consultations available for moms-to-be.

Routine exams for school and sports are conducted and Dr. Hughes carries a complete line of vaccines as she recommends that parents follow immunization schedules set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control or as required by their school district.

When it comes to treating childhood afflictions, Dr. Hughes and her team are prepared to treat everything from allergies to whooping cough.

She also is on the staff of the pediatrics department at the nearby Florida Hospital Tampa off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

The staff also is ready to take care of patients quickly, so the journey back to good health can begin.

“We always offer same-day appointments and try to get everybody in that needs to get in,” Dr. Hughes says. “Otherwise, they’ll just go to a walk-in clinic, but it’s much better to see your regular doctor.”

Receptionist and medical assistant Katie Klovski concurs. “We’re not going to turn them away,” says Klovski. “I want to make sure they’re taken care of and their medical needs are addressed.”

Klovski adds that one thing families can do to ensure things go smoothly during a medical appointment is to bring in your updated insurance cards whenever there are coverage changes.

Treating patients well is just as important a part of the care provided by Hughes Pediatrics as treating them quickly, according to nurse practitioner Brandy Higson, DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice). “It’s important to build a rapport so they feel like they’re getting the proper attention and you can have a trusting relationship.”

Trust is indeed an important part of any healing relationship, says Michelle Blackmon, LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). “When they trust me, they’re comfortable asking for what they need.”

Blackmon has been with the practice for 14 years and speaks with confidence regarding the staff’s ability to take care of these young patients.

“We can handle anything that comes up,” she says.

Whatever maladies patients bring in the door, receptionist Jessica Archiquette says a caring attitude can help the office’s patients feel better.

“It’s important to show respect and empathy while taking care of their needs,” Archiquette says.

The commitment made by Dr. Hughes and her staff is such that many of their patients continue with the practice through their college years.

“A lot of them still need vaccines for college, so we’ll still see them if they want to come in,” she says.

Having treated an entire generation of children, Dr. Hughes is learning how much some of those patients appreciate her work.

“Some of my original (patients) are now bringing in their own kids,” she says. “It makes you feel like maybe you did a good job.”

Kendra Green is one of those former patients with children who are now patients of Dr. Hughes. She gives the practice five stars in her online Google review.

“It was only right that I trust her with the care of my children as well,” Green wrote. “Any time that I have contacted the after-hours service, I am responded to within the hour. Anyone I know with children, I always recommend this office.”

Also giving Hughes high approval in a Google review is Carly Reed, who writes, “Best caring and friendliest doctor. Teena is the best and she loves the kids and always makes sure to find out what’s ailing them.”

Two of the trends that Dr. Hughes says she finds noteworthy among her patients are growing problems with childhood obesity and diabetes. She says it’s not only important to eat the right foods, but to eat them the right way…as a family.

“It’s important to eat together,” says the longtime New Tampa resident. “You learn more about your children if you eat dinner together.”

Hughes also recommends limiting video games and electronic device usage and increasing exercise with things like walking, bike riding and sports to promote good childhood health.

Having previously worked in a group practice, Dr. Hughes says she finds that she actually likes the business side of what she does. Staying on top of things makes all of the difference as far as having the resources to attract good staff members and treat all of her patients’ needs appropriately.

“I think a lot of doctors just want to be doctors, but you can’t do that when you have your own practice,” Dr. Hughes says. “You have to make sure everything is completed and properly billed. It’s a lot easier to do that now with everything online.”

Most insurance plans are accepted at Dr. Hughes Pediatrics, which also participates in the Florida Healthy Kids program and in Medicaid.

Dr. Teena Hughes, M.D., P.A., Pediatrics is located at 4444 E. Fletcher Ave. For appointments and more information, call 903-0060 or visit TeenaHughesPediatrics.com (where you’ll find useful parenting and health links, as well as downloadable patient registration and history forms).