New Tampa Internal Medicine Keeps You Healthy From The Inside Out

By Amy Gutierrez

Most people are unaware of the primary care role an Internist (or internal medicine physician) has in our overall health care maintenance. Dr. Zubair Farooqui, M.D. (photo), of New Tampa Internal Medicine Associates, routinely sees adults (ages 18 and older) as their Primary Care Physician.

Dr. Farooqui performs full physical exams, wellness visits, minor dermatological procedures (such as cyst, wart and skin tag removal) and administers joint injections, lipid screening tests, in-office EKGs and checks the lungs with spirometers (a breathing device that measures the volume of air inhaled and exhaled), administers adult vaccines, provides weight-loss and nutrition consultations, as well as diabetes counseling and treatment management. In other words, your overall health is his job.

Thanks to opening a beautiful new office this past August that is located in North Tampa (just south of the intersection of E. Bearss Ave. and Bruce B. Downs {BBD} Blvd. on University Cove Pl.), near the University of South Florida (USF) and Florida Hospital Tampa (FHT), New Tampa residents are now minutes away from state-of-the-art medical care.

“I opened my Internal Medicine office at this location because it is close to I-275, I-75, USF, and Florida Hospital Tampa,” Dr. Farooqui explains. “It is conveniently located for residents of New Tampa, Carrollwood, Lutz and Temple Terrace. It’s also convenient for people who work or go to school in this area.”

Internal medicine physicians are specialists who diagnose, treat and care for adults of all ages, whether they are enjoying good medical health or need expertise to treat complex illnesses.  At least three of the seven or more years of medical school and postgraduate training internal medicine physicians are required to have are dedicated to learning how to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases that affect adults. Dr. Farooqui graduated from the prestigious University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He then attended medical school at UNIBE School of Medicine in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where he earned his MD degree, before completing an Internal Medicine residency at Wright State University in Dayton, OH.

Dr. Farooqui says that internists are equipped to deal with whatever problems a patient brings — no matter how common or rare, or how simple or complex. They are specially trained to solve puzzling diagnostic problems and can properly treat severe chronic illnesses and situations where several different illnesses may strike at the same time. They also bring to patients an understanding of wellness (disease prevention and the promotion of health), women’s health, substance abuse, mental health, as well as effective treatment of common problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs.

“My business is different from other practices because I maintain continuity with my patients (as they age) and I also have privileges at (FHT),” he explains. “I conduct rounds (there) for my hospitalized patients.”

Kathryn, one of Dr. Farooqui’s patients who lives in Tampa says, “Dr. Farooqui is my idea of a primary care doctor. I have several health problems and I see specialists for them. Dr. Farooqui keeps in touch with them and coordinates my care in a way that increases my sense of well-being. I’m glad I found (him).”

Dr. Farooqui says, “I always wanted to be a doctor — ever since I was five years old growing up in New York. Both of my parents are doctors and I always enjoyed going to the clinic and hospital with them to watch them at work and to see the look of gratitude and appreciation on the faces of the people they took care of.“

Grateful that he can now have that same interaction with his own patients while helping them cope with their respective illnesses, he says that helping to alleviate his patients’ pain and seeing them recover is truly rewarding to him. He also says he enjoys the way he is able to really get to know his patients as their primary care physician, which allows him to provide care for the “whole patient,” while also helping to educate them about how to take better care of themselves and coordinate their treatment plans.

Another convenience is the fact that New Tampa Internal Medicine can deliver immediate, on-site test results, without taking much blood from a patient. And, to help patients feel at ease while waiting at the office, a complimentary computer with internet access is available.

Although he originally is from New York, Dr. Farooqui says that the beaches and great weather drew him to Florida. Upon first coming to Tampa in 2006, he worked as a hospitalist (a physician whose primary professional focus is the general medical care of hospitalized patients). Hospitalists provide patient care, teaching, research and leadership related to Hospital Medicine. He says that this invaluable experience has helped him in his responsibilities at two local nursing homes — University Village Nursing Center on N. 22nd St. and at Palm Garden of Tampa Nursing Home on E. 138th Ave., where he currently serves as the Medical Director, overseeing 16 doctors.

A New Tampa resident, Dr. Farooqui says he and his family love this area. His wife, Amana, is his office manager. When Dr. Farooqui is not busy treating patients, he can be found coaching for the New Tampa Youth Chargers Soccer Club.

 

Get Your Flu Shots Now!

Remember, it’s now flu season and Dr. Farooqui (who agrees with the U.S. Centers For Disease Control) advises that everyone ages six months and older should have their flu shot every flu season, with few exceptions.

New Tampa Internal Medicine (14486 University Cove Pl.) offers same day appointments Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., with Wednesday evening hours until 7 p.m. Even Saturday appointments are available! The office can be reached via email at Office@NewTampaMedicine.com or by calling 252-2770