LOCAL MEDICAL NEWS

FOOT AND ANKLE ASSOCIATES OF LAKELAND

Matt Werd, DPM, FACFAS, was a featured sports medicine speaker at the national annual meeting of the American Podiatric Medical Association held July 29 in Orlando at the Marriott World Center. The APMA annual scientific meeting attracts foot and ankle specialists from throughout the United States and internationally. Werd’s lecture topic was: “Athletic Shoegear Update 2022.” He also served as an expert panelist for a question-and-answer session on lower extremity sports injuries. Werd has co-authored two editions of the medical text “Athletic Footwear and Orthoses in Sports Medicine” Springer Publishing 2017.

DERMATOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

David Yrastorza, M.D., who practices at Dermatology Associates of Central Florida in Lakeland, recently became one of the first surgeons of micrographic dermatologic surgery (Mohs) in the country to be board certified in micrographic dermatologic surgery by the American Board of Dermatology. The Board of Directors of the American Board of Medical Specialties approved subspecialty board certification for Mohs surgery Oct. 26, 2018. Yrastorza passed the first exam for the new board certification held in October. Mohs surgery is a precise surgical technique in which skin cancer is removed in stages in an office setting until all cancer has been removed.  Yrastorza received his Bachelor of Science degree in psychology at Colorado State University in Denver and his master's degree in counseling psychology at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. He matriculated in the Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Program at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, worked for a year in a psychiatric hospital while the application was being processed and began medical school the following year, 1986. Yrastorza did his premedical training at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his medical degree and did his dermatology residency at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, in Denver, where he was the chief resident. Yrastorza is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Mohs Surgery, Florida Society of Dermatologic Surgeons and the International Society of Dermatologic Surgeons.

WATSON CLINIC

The Watson Clinic Foundation’s Arts in Medicine program received a grant of $4,500 from the GiveWell Community Foundation, a charitable organization that addresses community needs throughout Polk County. The grant was presented in response to an application submitted as part of the organization’s 2022 Impact Polk competition, and was distributed from the George W. Jenkins Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation. Housed in the Watson Clinic Cancer & Research Center at 1730 Lakeland Hills Blvd. in Lakeland, the Watson Clinic Foundation’s Arts in Medicine program offers all forms of the expressive arts — including creative activities such as watercolor painting, origami, and mosaics — for cancer patients, caregivers and family members.  at the Watson Clinic Cancer & Research Center. Research shows that these creative  For more information on the program, and to learn how you can volunteer or donate, call 863-603-4718 or visit WatsonClinic.com/AIM.

Sumita Chandran, M.D., a board-certified internal medicine specialist, treats patients from Watson Clinic Main, 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland. Chandran received her medical degree from Stanley Medical College in Chennai, India. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Mercy Hospital-State University of New York in Buffalo, New York. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Registered nurse practitioner Joseph Grych, APRN,  treats walk-in patients at Watson Clinic Urgent Care Main, 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland. Grych received his Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing degrees from Chamberlain University in Addison, Illinois. He is board-certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board as a family nurse practitioner and is licensed by the state of Florida as a registered nurse and advanced practice registered nurse.

Shawn Amin, D.O., is a pain management specialist who treats patients from Watson Clinic Main, 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd., in Lakeland. Amin received his Bachelor of Arts degree in behavioral neuroscience from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, his Master of Science degree in biomedical studies from Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Newark, New Jersey, and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, New Jersey. He completed an internship in preliminary medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington, Connecticut, and went on to complete his residency in anesthesiology and fellowship in pain medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, New Jersey.  He is board certified in both anesthesiology and pain Medicine.

Taylor Cook, D.O., is an obstetrics-gynecology specialist who treats patients from her offices at Watson Clinic Highlands, 2300 E. County Road 540A in south Lakeland.  Cook received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Louisiana State University Health Science Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and her areas of expertise include high risk obstetric patients and minimally invasive procedures.

Jack B. Davidoff, M.D., is a board-certified priority care specialist who offers 24 to 48-hour appointment availability from Watson Clinic Highlands, 2300 E. County Road 540A in south Lakeland. Davidoff received his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. He completed an internship and residency in family medicine at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He is board certified in family medicine and emergency medicine, and is a member of the American Association of Physician Specialists and the Air Medical Physicians Association.

Sunil Rohatgi, M.D., is an oncology-hematology specialist at the Watson Clinic Cancer & Research Center, 1730 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland. He received his medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville. He performed his residency in internal medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and a fellowship in hematology/medical oncology at New York University College of Medicine in New York.  He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.  In 2021, he was recognized by Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors series for the New York Metro area. His areas of expertise include the treatment of breast, lung and gastrointestinal cancers, hematological malignancies and bleeding disorders.

Danielle Chislett, a licensed practical nurse at Watson Clinic, was recently named the recipient of the Program for Employee Excellence and Recognition award for August. Chislett has been with Watson Clinic more than 22 years and spent most of her career in the orthopedics department. She was promoted to the position of LPN Team Leader in 2019 and has excelled at assisting various departments in their day-to-day operations, as well as aiding the clinical director and clinical coordinator with various management responsibilities. Chislett received a plaque, dinner at a local restaurant, a reserved parking spot and a gift certificate from the Medical Spa at Watson Clinic.

LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH 

Charles Buerk is a physician assistant specializing in orthopedics with extensive experience in both sports medicine and pediatric orthopedics. Buerk completed his Bachelor of Science degree in biological science at Florida State University in Tallahassee. He earned his Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa. Buerk sees patients at the Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.

Larry Leyderman is a physician assistant specializing in orthopedics with extensive experience in general and orthopedic surgery. Leyderman earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. He earned his Master of Science degree in biology from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago  and his Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree from Chatham University in Pittsburgh. He sees patients at the Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.

Paula Wengerski is a physician assistant who specializes in orthopedics — acute fracture care, casting, gait evaluations and scoliosis. Wengerski earned her Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Champaign, Illinois. She earned her Master of Medical Science degree in physician assistant practice from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago.  Wengerski cares for patients at the Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.

Bonni Bishop, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist. Her behavioral health specialties include treating mood disorders, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, dementia, anxiety, LGBTQ concerns and adjustments to medical concerns. She also conducts psychological testing. Bishop earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and social work from Barry University in Miami Shores. She earned both her Master of Science degree in clinical psychology and Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. Bishop completed her psychology residency at the Citrus Health Network in the Child Adolescent Treatment Center in Pembroke Pines. She treats patients at the Harrell Family Center for Behavioral Wellness Outpatient Clinic at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.

Catherine Principe, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in health psychology with extensive experience in providing comprehensive psychological care for patients ages 18 and older. Her expertise includes the treatment of anxiety, depression, chronic pain, complex medical conditions, trauma and other chronic mental health conditions. Principe earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois, and her Doctor of Psychology degree from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago. She sees patients at the Harrell Family Center for Behavioral Wellness Outpatient Clinic at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.

Zuleyma Toledo-Nieves, M.D., is a licensed neurologist specializing in the management of medical conditions related to the nervous system such as headaches, seizures, strokes, movement disorders, peripheral neuropathies and myopathies. Toledo-Nieves also specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Multiple Sclerosis and inflammatory conditions of the central nervous system. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in molecular biology from the University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras Campus in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Toledo-Nieves earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She completed her neurology residency at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and her Multiple Sclerosis clinical fellowship at the University of South Florida in Tampa. She cares for patients at the Grasslands Campus.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Awards and new employees