Co-Founder Karen Bowling named Senior Strategic Advisor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Solantic announced today that Karen E. Bowling, Solantic Co-Founder and CEO, would be named Senior Strategic Advisor to the company effective immediately. Michael D. Klein will become the new President and CEO effective immediately.

“I am exceedingly proud of Solantic, our team of dedicated employees, and the role Solantic serves in the many communities where we are located. I believe in the company’s mission and am honored to have been a part of changing the way urgent care services are delivered,” said Karen Bowling.

Since opening its first four centers in 2002 in North Florida, Solantic has expanded to more than 30 centers located throughout the state with the goal of providing high quality, affordable urgent care services in a way that maximizes consumer choice and honors the busy lifestyles of Floridians today.

“I am excited to be stepping into the leadership role at a vibrant company like this one. Throughout my career, I have welcomed new challenges and look forward to my work in Florida at Solantic. I appreciate Karen’s many contributions and I look forward to working closely with her through this transition,” said Klein, Solantic’s new President and CEO.

Klein is an accomplished management executive with achievements in sales, operations and organizational development. He has proven capabilities in both public and privately held companies with particular expertise in the healthcare industry. Klein is a strategic planner, problem solver, leader and team builder with a track record of significant contributions to corporate growth and profitability. Most recently, Klein was President and CEO of Renal Advantage, Inc., a 154-center dialysis company operating in 19 states with over 12,000 patients, a specialized renal laboratory and over 500M in annual revenue.

Don't wait - July is a great time to get your kids' school and sports physicals and immunizations at your neareast Solantic Baptist Urgent Care center.

Most school districts nationwide send kids back to the classroom sometime mid- to late August. That makes early August a mad-house of a time period for many urgent care and pediatrics clinics. Busy parents wait until the last minute to get their kids required school and sports physicals and immunizations. Skip the maddening crowds and get your children ready for school early.

July is a great time to make sure your young students are up on their required and recommended immunizations before heading back to the classroom. A list of the required and recommended vaccines at appropriate age levels is available on the Florida Dept. of Health’s website. Vaccine-preventable diseases spread quickly in schools and your child could be sent home if records show that he or she is behind on state or federally mandated vaccines unless you’ve been granted exemption.

July also is prime time for school and sports physicals for the young athlete. Tryouts for school sports teams often happen before school reconvenes in the fall and those who haven’t yet had their physicals and been cleared by a physician could end up sidelined until the next school year or season.

Solantic Baptist Urgent Care Centers located throughout Florida offer comprehensive school and sports physicals as well as the complete battery of required and recommended immunizations. You never have to set an appointment, but if you choose to, we make it easier than ever. Register online and a Solantic representative will call or text you when it’s time to head to the center. Take a break, run some errands or finish up your shopping for school clothes and supplies while you wait.

New York-based private equity investment firm assumes control of walk-in healthcare provider.

Solantic, one of Florida’s top urgent care providers, today announced the sale of its privately
owned medical care centers to Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS). The New York-based
firm joins CEO Michael Klein to form a new ownership and management team.

Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Solantic is the fastest growing urgent care company in
Florida, currently operating 32 centers throughout the state.

WCAS is one of the largest and most successful private equity investment firms in the United
States, focused exclusively in information/business services and healthcare. The firm
strategizes to buy growth businesses, partner with management teams and build value for
investors through a combination of operational improvements, internal growth initiatives and
strategic acquisitions.

“We are very excited to have a strong financial backer to position Solantic for the future,” says
CEO Michael Klein, “It is our intention to continue to grow in our existing markets as well as
open new markets.”

Klein says updated technology and the new structure will allow for strategic expansion while the
company focuses to deliver its promise to patients, Seeing a Doctor Has Never Been This Easy!

“I am confident that the recent addition of a new management team is a major step forward for
Solantic,” said Nathan Newman, MD, Solantic’s Chief Medical Officer. “Our ultimate goal is to
enhance the understanding of urgent care medicine as an integral part of our community’s
health care delivery system as we establish the company as a trusted urgent care provider.”

Since its inception in 2002, Solantic has expanded from four Northeast Florida locations to more
than 30 centers located throughout the state. The company stands on a platform to provide
high quality, affordable urgent care services that maximize consumer choice while recognizing
the busy lifestyles of Floridians today.

The announcement and sale represents a move by the Jacksonville-headquartered company to
focus on an overarching campaign for new opportunities, new growth, new jobs and new
leadership determined to create value for the company and its employees.

Studies show men are less concerned with health issues than are women. Solantic Baptist Urgent Care encourages men to "man up" for their health and their loved ones during Men's Health Month.

June is national Men’s Health Month and Solantic Baptist Urgent Care is challenging men to take charge of their health and longevity. After all, to quote former Congressman Bill Richardson who co-sponsored legislation to create a Men’ Health Week, “Recognizing and preventing men’s health problems is not just a man’s issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men’s health is truly a family issue.”

Unfortunately, tens of thousands of men fail to take health risks and issues seriously:

• Men smoke more frequently and consume greater amounts of cholesterol fats than do women;
• Men are less efficient at working through emotional stresses than are women;
• Men engage in higher-risk behaviors than do women;
• Men are much more reluctant than are women to seek medical care or health intervention services;
• Heart disease, the top killer of Americans, begins a decade earlier for men than for women;
• Men suffer 92 percent of fatal workplace injuries.

As a result, males have shorter life spans than women and die at proportionally higher rates from the mid-teen years up. Need proof? Boston University’s New England Centenarian Study concluded that 85 percent of individuals age 100 and older are female.

So what can a man do to help make sure he’s around and healthy enough to help care for his family? Solantic Baptist Urgent Care offers comprehensive annual physicals plus health tests and screenings for all sorts of medical risks and conditions from cholesterol to cancer. And if you’re in need of urgent care, we’re open evenings and weekends and you never need an appointment. So, if frustration with long waiting times is one of your excuses for not seeing a doctor, well, we’ve taken care of that for you. You can even pre-register from your home computer before heading out to our clinic.

Man up, men! Take charge of your health with a visit to your nearest Solantic Baptist Urgent Care center.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Solantic announced today that Karen E. Bowling, Solantic Co-Founder and CEO, would be named Senior Strategic Advisor to the company effective immediately. Michael D. Klein will become the new President and CEO effective immediately.

“I am exceedingly proud of Solantic, our team of dedicated employees, and the role Solantic serves in the many communities where we are located. I believe in the company’s mission and am honored to have been a part of changing the way urgent care services are delivered,” said Karen Bowling.

Since opening its first four centers in 2002 in North Florida, Solantic has expanded to more than 30 centers located throughout the state with the goal of providing high quality, affordable urgent care services in a way that maximizes consumer choice and honors the busy lifestyles of Floridians today.

“I am excited to be stepping into the leadership role at a vibrant company like this one. Throughout my career, I have welcomed new challenges and look forward to my work in Florida at Solantic. I appreciate Karen’s many contributions and I look forward to working closely with her through this transition,” said Klein, Solantic’s new President and CEO.

Klein is an accomplished management executive with achievements in sales, operations and organizational development. He has proven capabilities in both public and privately held companies with particular expertise in the healthcare industry. Klein is a strategic planner, problem solver, leader and team builder with a track record of significant contributions to corporate growth and profitability. Most recently, Klein was President and CEO of Renal Advantage, Inc., a 154-center dialysis company operating in 19 states with over 12,000 patients, a specialized renal laboratory and over 500M in annual revenue.

May is National Better Sleep Month and Solantic Baptist Urgent Care wants to make sure you know the health risks associated with inadequate rest. Getting plenty of shuteye has multiple health, wealth and social benefits, while a lack of adequate, restorative sleep can eat away at your wellbeing, productivity and social life. Here are five things you should know before you put off bedtime another minute:

1. In a study by the Better Sleep Council, respondent who reported getting nine hours of sleep or more nightly were more likely to engage in higher-intensity workouts like biking, running and weight lifting. And of course, an active lifestyle is a healthy lifestyle.
2. Sleep deprivation negatively affects coordination, agility, mood and energy. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been connected with sleep deprivation, and studies show that those who don’t get enough rest are 30% less productive at work.
3. Because appetite is regulated by sleep cycles, inadequate sleep plays a part in weight gain. “People use food to keep themselves awake,” says Dr. Jaime Boero, M.D., Ph.D., a sleep specialist at Wisconsin’s Marshfield Clinic Neurosciences.
4. Speaking of weight gain, obesity that results in part from lack of restorative sleep leads to increased risk of heart attack, diabetes, stroke and hypertension.
5. Chronic lack of sleep contributes to car crashes and industrial accidents.

Most sleep deprivation can be effectively addressed with changes in diet, improved time management or simply a new mattress. But it can be part of a more complex cycle of health problems. Sleep deprivation can be caused by health troubles like chronic pain, heartburn from acid reflux and depression. And the domino effect can lead to a myriad of other health problems.

If you suffer sleep deprivation, let your doctor know during your next Solantic Baptist Urgent Care annual physical or executive physical. We may be able to help pinpoint the health issue causing your sleep problems, advise you on related risks and, if necessary, refer you to a sleep specialist.

Solantic Chief Medical Officer Nathan P. Newman, M.D., F.A.A.F.P., has been elected vice president of the Urgent Care Association of America’s (UCAOA) Board of Directors.

A member of the UCAOA board since May 2009, Dr. Newman was elected for the leadership position by the organization’s membership during the UCAOA’s recent national urgent care convention in Chicago, IL.

“I’m thrilled and delighted to represent Solantic in this prestigious organization and to contribute to the UCAOA’s efforts to advance awareness and understanding of urgent care’s place in community health systems,” said Dr. Newman. “With urgent care now a mainstream medical alternative that is growing daily, it is important to support the UCAOA’s efforts to advance the industry’s cause.”

UCAOA was founded in 2004 to fill a need in the professional field for an association that encourages and facilitates the development and success of urgent care centers, offering resources for clinical, administrative and legislative support to further integration of urgent care in healthcare systems worldwide. The advocacy group has more than 3,000 members and serves an international field, joining together more than 8,500 urgent care centers in the U.S. and abroad.

Home injuries account for more than 21 million medical visits each year - especially in the springtime, says Solantic Baptist Urgent Care.

Spring has sprung - and with it, that annual urge to clear out, clean out and maybe even do a bit of DIY renovating. But if you’re not careful, prettying up your home can turn ugly and perhaps even land you in the urgent care center or hospital. All that lifting, climbing, trimming, bending and stooping can wreak havoc on a body, boosting the risk of home injuries, but few take proper precautions.

According to the Home Safety Council, home injuries result in upwards of 20,000 deaths and more than 21 million medical visits each year. A disproportionately high percentage of these incidents happen during the springtime, with falls and poisonings proving the most common culprits. Yet, a recent survey shows that just six percent of adult respondents are aware of the heightened risk for home injuries during the spring months as compared to other seasons.

“Climbing ladders, piling clutter on the floor and using household cleaners and chemicals are just a few examples of risky spring cleaning work,” says Meri-K Appy, Home Safety Council president. “They may sound harmless, but these common activities are associated with thousands of falls and accidental poisoning injuries each year.”

To make sure your spring cleaning goes smoothly, Solantic Baptist Urgent Care and the Home Safety Council offer these tips:

• Schedule spring cleaning projects one at a time so that you’re not feeling pressured. Rushing is a sure way to boost your risk of injury.
• Before you start cleaning, clear the cords to your telephones, computers, video games and other electronics from all the areas where you may walk. Also pick up children’s toys and keep pets outside or confined to rooms where you’re cleaning. It’s safer for both you and your pets.
• Dress for the occasion. Wear loose fitting garments of breathable fabrics, protective gloves and durable, rubber soled shoes to help keep you from slipping on wet floors.
• When cleaning out closets or reorganizing rooms, keep nearby stairs, steps, landings and floors clear of clutter. It can turn into a tripping hazard.
• Carry loads that you can clearly see over. If you’re carrying stacks of items up or down stairs, be sure to keep one hand free to hold railings and banisters.
• Use a sturdy stepladder or ladder - never your coffee table or other furniture - to reach high areas. The highest safe standing level is the second rung from the top on a stepladder or the fourth rung from the top on a ladder. Keep your body centered via three points of contact - two feet firmly on the rungs and one hand on a handle or step.
• Have someone help you move furniture or other heavy objects and always lift with the support of your knees rather than your back.
• Listen up, guys! Never use gasoline as a cleaning solvent. Even small amounts of gasoline can readily ignite.
• Don’t mix cleaning products, as their contents can react with dangerous results. Take the time to read product labels and follow directions. Wear gloves and a mask while using harsh chemicals.
• Never leave buckets or standing water unattended. Even small buckets pose a drowning danger to young children and pets.

Just in case something goes awry with your spring cleaning, know the location and phone number of your nearest urgent care center or emergency room.

For those with allergies in Florida, spring is "sneezin' season." Solantic Baptist Urgent Care can help.

“March Madness” is all over the media this month. And for allergy sufferers, March is definitely maddening. But it has nothing to do with basketball. Allergies in Florida peak during March, especially pollen allergies. This season is a particularly tough one.

First, a cold winter followed by a sudden and sustained warming trend, plus the botanical blossoming brought about by those lingering warmer temperatures has jacked up pollen counts to near-record highs nationwide. To make things worse, “the same system that’s bringing in the warm air has also been blocking rainstorms from coming in,” Meteorologist Carl Park of The Weather Channel told Florida reporters recently. Rain typically helps clear away much of the pollen that fires up allergies, causing itchy eyes, runny noses and scratchy throats. No such luck for much of Florida this year.

The good news is that allergy season seems to be moving quickly this year. While doctor’s offices and urgent care centers are packed with sniffling, sneezing, watery-eyed and wearied patients, weather and nature experts expect the aggressive tree pollens to wane over the next month. In the meantime, Solantic Baptist Urgent Care has a few tips to help you breathe easier:

• - Know that the yellow pine tree pollen covering your driveway isn’t the main culprit. It’s the smaller-particle, unseen pollen from cedar, oak and maple trees that get into your sinuses and mess with your immune system. Check local pollen counts reported online before you head outside.
• - Stay indoors as much as possible and remember to keep windows closed so that pollen won’t float inside your home.
• - Change your air conditioning filter at least once a month. AC filters trap allergens like pollen, dust and pet dander, keeping them from floating about in your home.
• - If you do go outside your home, avoid the morning hours when pollen is at its worst.
• - If yard work just won’t wait, wear a mask to help reduce the amount of pollen you breathe in.
• - Add lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts to your snack list. They contain antioxidants that are effective against inflammation and upper respiratory infections.
• - Dine on cold water fish like wild salmon. The omega-3 fatty acids help decrease inflammation and guard against allergies.
• - Drink hot tea with lemon or honey first thing in the morning. This activates movement of the nasal cilia, which helps prevent those early morning sneezing fits.

If your allergies, asthma or hay fever are getting the best of you, head to your nearest Solantic Baptist Urgent Care center for quick, effective and affordable treatment of your symptoms. Each center has extended hours and a no-appointment-necessary policy, so it’s easy to get the fast, competent urgent care you need.

Hearts are all a flutter around Valentine’s Day. Solantic Baptist Urgent Care and the American Heart Association want to make sure yours stays in top condition so that you and the ones who love you can rest assured. That’s why the AHA named February “American Heart Month.” It’s also why Solantic offers wellness exams and physicals that include heart health checks like EKGs and pulmonary function tests. According the AHA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control:

Solantic Baptist Urgent Care offers tailored physicals to help make sure you're in good heart health.

• Heart disease is the number one killer of women and men in the United States, killing about a half million people each year;
• Each year, more than a million Americans have heart attacks In fact, the first cardiac symptom experienced by 71% of the population will be a heart attack, and one victim out of three will die;
• 90% of Women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease;
• More than 82 million American adults - one in three people - are estimated to have one or more types of cardiovascular disease;
• About 2,200 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day. That’s an average of one death every 39 seconds;
• Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death among women 20 and older, killing about one woman every minute;
• More women die of heart disease than the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.

To help keep your ticker going strong schedule regular physicals at your nearest Solantic Baptist Urgent Care center. We offer a range of age-specific physicals, including several designed specifically for athletes and executives. And we can tailor a wellness plan that addresses your unique health need and risks. Visit our website to find an urgent care center near you and register online for quicker service. No appointment is ever necessary and we’re open evenings and weekends to accommodate your busy schedule.