SOLANTIC NOW OFFERING VASCULAR DISEASE SCREENING AT SELECT CENTRAL FLORIDA CENTERS

Testing Screens For Conditions Associated with Strokes, Aneurysms and Heart Disease

ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 12, 2010) – Solantic walk-in urgent care, the state’s largest and fastest-growing provider of urgent care, workers’ comp and occupational health services, is offering vascular disease screenings at four of its 10 Central Florida centers for a limited time.

The screening tests for three vascular diseases: abdominal aortic aneurysms, peripheral artery disease and carotid artery disease. An estimated 20 to 30 million Americans are at risk for various vascular diseases, according to the American Vascular Association. And according to the AVA, vascular disease outside the heart causes almost as much death and disability as heart disease, and more than any cancer.

“Because tests for these diseases often aren’t ordered by a physician until a patient is symptomatic and potentially in danger, we’re very pleased to be offering those at risk a proactive, convenient, noninvasive and inexpensive screening test to assess their conditions,” said Nathan Newman, M.D., Solantic’s Chief Medical Officer.

The cost of Solantic’s Vascular Disease Screening is currently $159 with a discount coupon, which can be obtained when calling to schedule an appointment. All tests are performed by a Certified Vascular Technician/RVT and results will be available within 24 hours.

Appointments are available at four Solantic centers: Fashion Square at 4301 East Colonial Drive (9/29, 10/27 and 11/24); Lake Mary at 136 Parliament Loop (10/6, 11/3 and 12/1); Winter Springs at 5355 Red Bug Lake Road (10/13, 11/10, and 12/8); and South Orange at 2323 South Orange Avenue (10/20, 11/17 and 12/15).

Abdominal aortic aneurysms are caused by progressive weakening of the aortic wall, creating a “ballooning” of the vessel. The aneurysm will grow larger and eventually rupture if it is not diagnosed and treated. Aneurysms occur most often in the aorta, the main artery of the chest and abdomen which carries blood flow from the heart to all parts of the body, including the vital organs and the legs and feet.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is also known as atherosclerosis, poor circulation, or hardening of the arteries. PAD progresses over time at variable rates in individuals depending on the area of circulation affected, the person’s health and a family history. The signs and symptoms of PAD may not arise until later in life. For many, the outward indications will not appear until the artery has narrowed by 60 percent or more.

When a piece of cholesterol, calcium or blood clot abruptly breaks from the lining of the artery or a narrowed artery blocks off completely, blood flow will be totally obstructed and the organ supplied by that artery will suffer damage. The organs in PAD most commonly affected and researched are the legs.

Carotid Artery Disease is defined by the narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels in the neck that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart and to the head and brain. Over time, this narrowing may eventually become so severe that a blockage decreases blood flow to the brain and causes a stroke. A stroke can also occur if a piece of plaque or a blood clot breaks off from the wall of the carotid artery and travels to the smaller arteries of the brain.

The process that blocks these arteries (atherosclerosis) is basically the same as that which causes both coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The slow build-up of plaque is caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, tobacco use, high blood cholesterol, and other modifiable risk factors.

For more information or to schedule a screening, please call 1-866-SOLANTIC.

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About Solantic

Since its founding in 2001, Solantic has been a leader in applying retail concepts to the practice of urgent care medicine. Referred to in the media as the “Starbucks of healthcare,” Solantic was the first to post its simplified, three-tiered pricing on large menu boards in centers, display wait times on queue monitors, offer online registration, Solantic gift cards and a guarantee on its services—if you don’t feel better, return to Solantic and be treated for free.

Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Solantic is the fastest growing urgent care company in Florida, currently operating 34 centers, with aggressive plans to expand in through hospital joint ventures and franchising with physicians.

In addition to urgent care, Solantic also provides workers comp’ and occupational medicine and a range of lab services, immunizations, physicals, wellness testing and prescriptions on-site. Centers are open seven days a week, with extended evening and weekend hours. For additional information visit www.solantic.com.

September is Youth Soccer Month! Make sure your young athlete is ready to hit the field with a sports physical at Solantic Baptist Urgent Care. With more than 30 locations throughout Florida, a convenient no-appointment-necessary policy, online registration and affordable pricing, Solantic Baptist Urgent Care has taken the hassle out of sports physicals. Each of our urgent care clinics statewide offers sports physicals for just $35, or $50 if combined with a school physical.

September is Youth Soccer Month! Make sure your child is ready for play with a sports physical at Solantic Baptist Urgent Care.

Our sports physicals are designed to review a young patient’s existing conditions and identify any new or progressed health issues that might require limited or modified participation in certain sports activities. A board-certified urgent care physician will review your child’s full medical history and lifestyle, noting his or her height, weight, blood pressure, pulse and temperature. We’ll also examine your child’s skin, head, neck, eyes, ears, nose, throat, thyroid, chest, heart, lungs, abdomen, liver, spleen, lymphatic system, extremities, pulses, reflexes, spine, neurological system, veins, muscles and joints. And we’ll check your child’s vision and hearing, plus perform a urinalysis. All of this will help ensure that your young athlete is in top physical form and ready to play.

To prep your child for the start of the sports season, find the Solantic Baptist Urgent Care location that’s most convenient for you. Skip wait time by registering online. We’ll call or text you when the doctor is ready to see your child. Don’t forget to complete, sign, print and bring with you customary forms (such as the HIPPA notice, patient financial policy and authorization to treat forms) to save time and ensure a smooth check-in. Call Solantic Baptist Urgent Care at 866-SOLANTIC (765-2684) for more information.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Solantic Announces Director of Franchising

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Sept. 14, 2010) — Solantic walk-in urgent care, Florida’s fastest growing provider of urgent care and employer health services, has announced Brandon Campbell as the company’s Director of Franchising.

In his new position, Campbell will be responsible for creating and implementing programs to identify and secure Solantic’ first generation of franchisees as the company looks to expand its presence within Florida and beyond.

Campbell joins Solantic from Houston, Texas-based Link Staffing, an Entrepreneur magazine Top 500 franchisor which provides solutions to clients in need of industrial staffing support. Campbell joined the company in 2005 as a Franchise Development Specialist and rose to the rank of Director of Franchise Development.

He holds a Certified Franchise Executive™ (CFE) designation awarded by the International Franchise Association (IFA), Franchise Management Certification from Georgetown University and is a member of the IFA’s Franchise Congress.

“As franchising is such a highly specialized field, we’re thrilled to have someone of Brandon’s caliber on board to share with physicians the unique opportunity to become a part of the Solantic brand,” said Nathan Newman, M.D., Solantic Chief Medical Officer. “His depth of experience in all stages of the franchising process will be of great value in assisting our franchise candidates with identifying potential locations and introducing our urgent care model to new markets.”

“Steering an existing company into the franchise world is a unique and exciting challenge, and I believe Solantic is poised to become a great franchisor group,” Campbell said. “I’m thrilled to take that responsibility on and be part of the corporate group that helps Solantic move into the future as a national leader in urgent care.”

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As kids and college students head back to campus, Solantic Baptist Urgent Care and the America Occupational Therapy Association are urging parents and youngsters to pay close attention to the loads of books, school supplies and gadgets they’re carrying in their backpacks. September 16 is National School Backpack Awareness Day and the ATOA is encouraging schools to hold backpack weigh-ins and other awareness events. Studies show that heavy backpacks, unevenly distributed weight loads and backpacks worn incorrectly are notorious for causing long term back and shoulder pain, muscle spasms and torn tendons. Backpacks worn with uneven straps can affect balance, which can result in urgent care needs such as twisted ankles.

A great tell-tale clue for parents: if your child tends to lean forward while wearing his or her backpack, it’s too heavy. Other signs are red marks on the shoulders, muscle spasms and tingling or numbness in the arms. A few tips:

Heavy backpacks, purses and laptop bags can cause neck, shoulder and back problems among other orthpedic health woes.

• Make sure your child is using a backpack that’s right for his size.
• Look for backpacks with pockets that help evenly distribute weight.
• A child’s backpack weight should be no more than 20 percent of his body weight according to the American Society of Orthopedics. The American Physical Therapy Association recommends going even lighter - 10-15 percent.
• Look for backpacks with shoulder straps and make sure the straps are adjusted evenly and tight enough that the backpack doesn’t hang loose - even if your kid complains that it looks “dorky.”
• Take out all unnecessary items, including all those electronic gadgets not allowed at school anyway.
• If your child is loaded down with books, he may have to carry a few by hand. If possible, purchase a second set of text books to keep at home.
• Encourage your child to place books in lockers between classes if time permits.
• Rolling backpacks might be an option if your child does not have to climb stairways to get to class, but can pose a tripping hazard for other students if hallways are overcrowded.
• When packing, make sure that the heaviest books and items are placed closest to your child’s back, as the middle of the back is where the strongest muscles are located.

Of course, these issues aren’t just about school backpacks. Those celebrity-inspired oversized purses and heavy laptop cases also can cause neck, back and shoulder strain. Carrying a heavy purse or bag over one shoulder causes the user to totally shift the body’s stance. Over time, this can shorten the muscles, resulting in a twisted or lop-sided body position. Heavy shoulder bags also strain muscles that exit the neck and continue down the shoulder, which can lead to arthritis. Orthopedic experts recommend minimizing your load, opting for a stylish rucksack instead of a purse or using wearing a long-strapped purse across your body, and using a rolling laptop bag, laptop backpack or contoured laptop bag that fits the shape of your body.

Visit Soltantic Baptist Urgent Care for all your back-to-school health need including school and sports physicals and immunizations.

Centers also offering flu mist, pneumonia vaccine

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (September 1, 2010) – Gearing up for the 2010-2011 flu season, Solantic walk-in urgent care today announced the launch of its flu vaccination program at the company’s 34 centers statewide. Solantic also provides offsite flu clinic services for those companies seeking to protect their employees.

The 2010-2011 seasonal flu vaccine will protect against three different flu viruses: an H3N1 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus, which are the viruses that research indicates will cause the most illness during this flu season. Antibodies begin providing protection approximately two weeks after vaccination.

The vaccine is priced at $30; Medicare and some insurance companies cover the cost of the flu shot. Solantic also offers the flu mist (nasal spray) for $40 and the pneumonia vaccine for $60. Individuals wishing to receive flu shots at Solantic can call ahead, register online or simply walk in to the center of their choice.

“The timing of flu season can be unpredictable and varies from year to year,” said Nathan Newman, M.D., Solantic Chief Medical Officer. “That’s why we are encouraging those eligible to protect themselves and their families sooner rather than later to lessen the likelihood they will acquire this potentially serious disease.”

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