2022 Doctors of Distinction

January 2022—A Sarasota Scene Special Section. Read up on some of the leading local medical professionals in Sarasota/Bradenton.

Mahfouz El Shahawy,
MD, MS, FACP, FESC, FSCCT, FASH, FACC, FAHA

Cardiovascular disease silently emerges in the body long before it manifests as a heart attack, stroke, kidney disease or sudden death.  It remains the leading cause of death for men and women.

Standard screenings such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks used to monitor risk factors don’t always present the most accurate picture and may present someone as low risk when newer technology reveals otherwise.

Knowing there had to be a better way, Mahfouz El Shahawy, MD, MS, FESC, FSCCT, FASH, FACC, FAHA, a board-certified cardiologist with a subspecialty in cardiovascular disease prevention and a member of European and American Societies for cardiovascular disease prevention, brought a new approach to his Cardiovascular Center of Sarasota where he has been practicing for over 46 years.

In 2008, he established the Cardiovascular Health Assessment Center, offering a state-of-the-art 18-point heart inspection, testing that transcends traditional risk factors for actual evidence of disease such as risk markers.

The evidence-based, scientific method combines standard risk assessments with more advanced tests, such as retinal scans, arterial elasticity analyses and l aortic ultrasounds to uncover the earliest markers of heart and vascular disease.

The assessment relies on a sophisticated scoring system targeting and isolating the most reliable disease markers for early cardiovascular disease detection and prevention.

Dr. Shahawy is president of the International Society for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (ISCVDP), an organization advocating for the assessment. 

He points out the ISCVDP board members are some of the most renowned names in cardiology.

“Our main mission here is to emphasize the importance of something which unfortunately had been neglected for decades, even by experts in the field, which is early detection of cardiovascular disease,” he says.  “Early Detect to Protect”

The mission is two-fold: early detection and for those who have cardiovascular disease, optimal treatment.

The cardiovascular disease scoring system was originally engineered by Jay N. Cohn, MD, vice president ISCVDP and professor of medicine in the University of Minnesota Medical School cardiovascular division and director of the Rasmussen Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention.

“Over the years, he learned that the current scoring system to assess the risk is not that accurate and many times is misleading and underestimating the risk,” says Dr. Shahawy. “Furthermore, he believes – and I completely agree – if you go to a doctor for cardiac assessment and prevention, you want to know what is your state now, not 10 years from now, which may or may not be the case based on epidemiologic data.”

Dr. Shahawy also works on active medical research trials, lectures worldwide and is the author and co-author of numerous papers for prestigious medical journals. His work has earned him multiple awards.

Dr. Shahawy also holds several certifications and is a life  member and fellow  of numerous national and international medical organizations.

Dr. Shahawy graduated summa cum laude from the University of Vienna Austria as first in his class and was awarded the Ring of Honor by the President of Austria in a special ceremony. He is the first non-Austrian to have received this honor till today.  After moving to the U.S. in 1967, he spent one year at the New York Medical Center. Throughout his career, he has served as a fellow at the Mayo Clinic and a senior fellow and junior faculty member in the Medical College of Georgia division of cardiology.

Dr. Shahawy was the founder and first medical director for the cardiovascular disease prevention program at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

In addition to maintaining his practice, lecturing and writing, Dr. Shahawy is a clinical professor in medicine/cardiology at the University of Florida and a clinical professor at the University of South Florida.

Dr. Shahawy says the feedback he gets from patients regarding the cardiovascular assessment is positive.

“They are very grateful and appreciative,” he says. “They’re adhering to any advice I give them more than ever.”

Cardiovascular Center of Sarasota

1950 Arlington Street, Ste 300

Sarasota, Florida 34239 

(941) 366-9800

mshahawy@cardiologycenter.net

www.cardiologycenter.net

Ronald Andari, M.D. • Arun Khazanchi, M.D. 

Avantika Mishra, M.D.• Tonantzin Matheus, M.D. 

Each of the doctors at Florida Digestive Health Specialists is a prominent gastroenterologist, but it’s not only their technical expertise that has earned them recognition from patients. Doctors Arun Khazanchi, Avantika Mishra, Tonantzin Matheus, and Ronald Andari share a gift for meaningful human connection. 

“Patients need to know they are heard and are working with someone that is invested in their care,” says Dr. Mishra. “An essential part of this relationship is continual patient education and engagement.” Dr. Mishra specializes in gastrointestinal and liver diseases, obesity and nutrition, cancer prevention and women-related GI issues.

Since the pandemic, patients have mistakenly attributed symptoms to COVID while disregarding possible indications of other illnesses, particularly colorectal cancer, a deadly disease. Having patients experience a warm, comfortable environment encourages them to discuss potentially embarrassing symptoms and helps ensure the patient’s wellness is prioritized and our community is healthy, particularly in the middle of a pandemic.

“We find that the outpatient setting allows for more coordinated, streamlined care that is convenient for the patient and their family members,” said Dr. Ronald Andari. “The doctor-patient relationship also thrives.” Dr. Ronald Andari specializes in advanced diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures. His clinical interests include chronic abdominal pain, hepatobiliary and pancreatic pathology, endoscopic ultrasound, and cancer prevention.

Gastroenterologist Dr. Arun Khazanchi treats digestive health disorders including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, esophageal and swallowing ailments, irritable bowel syndrome, and more. Dr. Matheus specializes in colorectal screening, GERD/dysphagia, and esophageal disorders.

The team serves Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota, and they have been recognized throughout the state and the nation for their extremely advanced procedures and high scores from patients and peers. They were recently designated as Top Doctors in Sarasota and Manatee. The progressive treatments they offer are ordinarily only available in an academic medical center or a large hospital in a city such as Orlando, Jacksonville, or Miami. The team is proud to provide these specialized, lifesaving services so close to home.

Florida Digestive Disease Specialists

5741 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 550, Sarasota Florida 34233

11505 Palmbrush Trail, Suite 200, Lakewood Ranch Florida 34202

941.361.1100  | FDHS.com

Rebecca S. Cohen, MD

What patients love about Dr. Rebecca S. Cohen, a psychiatrist and psychopharmacologist, is that she never runs out of treatment options and is always seeking to improve patient outcomes. “Neuroscience is always advancing, and I work hard to stay in the forefront of being able to do what’s best for patients,” she says. Everyone at Dr. Cohen’s practice has that same goal—have ample current, evidence-based scientific options available to help people make real progress toward healing and living a healthier life.

Dr. Cohen is a pharmacologist, so she specializes in strategically selecting and fine-tuning medications to get the best patient outcomes. “The only way I select medication for a client is based on their client profile and their history. I also prefer to use the most current genetic testing to individualize and personalize treatment decisions, because it provides such useful prognostic indicators for both tolerability and efficacy.” And every medication choice is made in collaboration with patients after they’ve been fully informed.

One important and novel treatment option Dr. Cohen offers is FDA-approved TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) therapy. It’s non-invasive, and the side effects are essentially non-existent. “It’s an incredibly effective option for patients who aren’t responding well to other medications. 60 to 70% of our patients who undergo TMS therapy get better, which is higher efficacy than just about any other medication available.”

Dr. Cohen innovates in other ways, too, such as launching a telemedicine option to offer improved access to high-quality care to people unable to come to the office during COVID-19. “I’ve set up a state-of-the-art video system,” she says, “so patients feel like we’re in the same room together.” It’s become such a popular option that even after pandemic concerns have waned, some patients plan to continue telemedicine visits because it’s logistically favorable, pirvate, and extremely effective.

“I want patients in the Sarasota community to get the best care possible and I’m committed to doing my part,” Dr. Cohen says. “It’s an honor to be part of people’s lives and to help them in stressful, difficult moments.”

Rebecca S. Cohen, M.D., LLC

1217 S East Ave #209

Sarasota, FL 34239

941.404.0545

www.drrebeccacohen.com

Matthew Perry, M.D.

Florida Urology Specialists offers eight Urologists who provide specialized treatment for a comprehensive spectrum of urologic disorders that effect both men and women. These include prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer, elevated PSA, BPH, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, erectile/sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and male infertility.

At Florida Urology Specialists, Dr. Matthew Perry, along with his partners Dr. Eihab Akary, Dr. Winston Barzell, Dr. Jeremy Bergamo, Dr. Joseph Bilik, Dr. Joshua Green, Dr. William Tingle, and Dr. Thomas Williams have been providing urology services to the community for decades and are committed to providing the best quality care to all patients, offering the latest treatments and minimally invasive technology.

With six locations from Bradenton to North Port, Florida Urology Specialists accommodates patients throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. Onsite diagnostic services are offered at its main location in Sarasota.

Dr. Matthew Perry has enjoyed a lifelong interest in science and nature. He was particularly attracted to Urology as it is a highly interesting field with both major and minor surgical procedures and chronic care of patients, providing the ability to develop long term relationships with his patients. His training led him to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic where he served as Chief Resident and as Clinical Instructor.

Dr. Perry’s practice focuses on robotic surgery and endourology in the treatment of prostate cancer, kidney cancer, and kidney stones as well as other urologic conditions. He specializes in nerve sparing and continence preserving robotic prostatectomies and in robotic partial nephrectomies. He has been a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for the past five years – reflecting an appreciation of his high caliber of care and collaborative and collegial spirit within the local urology community. Dr. Perry and his Physician Assistant, Yuliya Grabo PA, seek to combine the clinic’s model of state-of-the-art medicine with a strong culture of compassionate caregiving to patients.

Dr. Perry and Yuliya Grabo PA are of the mind that a broad range of treatment options need to be considered to discover what is the best fit for an individual patient.

A Miami native, Dr. Perry embraces Sarasota’s smaller town atmosphere and its natural bounty with family and friends. In his time off, he enjoys many sports including kayaking and skiing, on land he tends a garden, growing vegetables, fruit trees, and herbs.

Florida Urology Specialists

1 S School Ave #200, Sarasota, FL 34237

941.309.7000 • www.flurologyspecialists.com

Steven Reichbach, MD

As a national center for the treatment of chronic pain and mental health disorders, the local pain relief practice formerly known as the Gulf Coast Ketamine Center is now called Reichbach Center. While they continue to call the Gulf Coast home, they have intentionally grown to help patients and guests from all over the country transform their lives through individualized and compassionate care. Reichbach Center continues to provide solutions to combat treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain and a range of anxiety and mood disorders on a national and regional scope. 

“Our new name is simply a reflection of our great devotion to helping more people experience relief,” Reichbach Center President and Founder Dr. Steven Reichbach said. 

Dr. Reichbach and his staff have committed to the mission of providing hope to those suffering from pain and mental health illnesses since first opening the Gulf Coast Ketamine Center in 2016. In 2020, the practice began a partnership with Veterans in Pain, a national nonprofit dedicated to solutions for U.S. veterans suffering from physical and emotional chronic pain. Serving as the director of the ketamine division for Veterans in Pain, Dr. Reichbach proudly offers discounted services through Reichbach Center for veterans and their immediate family members. 

Because patient-guests hail from coast to coast across the nation, the new name better represents their commitment to helping people from all backgrounds and zip codes, from soldiers and first responders to spouses, parents, caregivers and friends. Reichbach Center delivers the same level of expertise, care and comfort under their new name and continues to offer ketamine infusions, medical cannabis assessments and essential oils. 

“There is nothing more satisfying than seeing your patients improve—feeling and living better,” Dr. Reichbach said. “Under our new name, we are honored to provide that degree of exceptional, dedicated care to people locally and nationally.”

Reichbach Center

2415 University Parkway, Building #3, Suite 215 

P: (941) 213-4444 

F: (941) 213-4440 

info@findpainrelief.com

www.findpainrelief.com

Federico Richter
MD, RPhS, DABVLM Board Certified

After receiving his medical degree in Argentina, third-generation vein specialist Dr. Federico Richter decided to practice medicine in the United States, where all the best treatment options are available. “I love helping patients with venous disease,” he says. “As a child, I used to go to my father’s office and see before-and-after pictures of veins. I got fascinated that patients can have such good outcomes with non-surgical procedures.”

Today, Dr. Richter is a board-certified provider at the Florida Vein Center, a state-of-the-art vein care practice that has the latest technology to treat all stages of venous disease from the cosmetic aspect of the veins to the more severe advanced stages of venous insufficiency like venous ulcerations and chronic skin changes. 

“For cosmetic purposes, we use liquid visual sclerotherapy,” he explains. “This is performed with a very small needle—it’s thin as a hair and is painless—and a liquid solution is injected. For big varicose veins, we use a ultrasound machine and guide a needle inside the vein so we can inject a foam solution that closes the veins with a chemical reaction and then the vein gets absorbed by the body with time, so there is no more need of doing phlebectomies or pulling the veins out with a hook—an old-fashioned way to remove vein can leave scars and gives the patient post-operative pain and risk of infections.” With ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, patients can return to work after the procedure and even exercise that same day.

One problem Dr. Richter faces is educating people about chronic venous disease. Some patients have been told for years by primary care doctors that their situation is cosmetic. Sometimes, however, it’s actually advanced venous disease, which means irreversible chronic skin changes. If someone suffers from leg pain, night cramps, or neuropathy, the input of a vein expert is vital. Working with a specialist like Dr. Richter who is uniquely trained and experienced to offer all forms of diagnosis and therapy might be the pathway to a pain-free future.

Florida Vein Center

6050-A 53rd Ave E 

Bradenton, FL 34203

941.907.3400

4051 Upper Creek Dr #108 

Sun City Center, FL 33573 

813.634.9260

www.floridaveincenter.com

Ruth Rojas, DMD

While Dr. Ruth Rojas handles general and cosmetic dentistry, she’s also able to provide a higher level of care because she has a specialty in Prosthodontics, which requires an additional three years of schooling to prepare for handling the most complicated dental cases. While most dentists are taught a limited number of specific ways to solve a dental problem, Dr. Rojas has far more options available to her. “I’m both an architect and an engineer,” she explains. “Other dentists refer patients to me when things get complex, and we need to get creative.”

Prosthodontists are in such high demand that after Dr. Rojas finished her Prosthodontic residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, she had multiple job opportunities, including the Air Force. “My dad and my brother were in the Navy, so working for the military wasn’t a foreign idea,” she says. After accepting that offer, she was stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey where she treated thousands of military personnel, supervised 20+ general dentists, and served as director of the base’s implant board and dental laboratory.

Five years later, Javier, her Pathologist husband, was offered a job in Florida, so Dr. Rojas left the military and moved with him to the Sunshine State. She worked for a year at LECOM (Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine) in Lakewood Ranch to get a sense of the community before launching her own Sarasota practice. Her goal was to create a stress-free environment where she and her team can educate patients to help them decide together on a plan to achieve results that last.

One way to meet patient’s needs is to keep track of rapidly advancing dental technology. “Many things that I did five years ago, I don’t do anymore,” Dr. Rojas says. “For example, we now scan and take 3D images instead of taking impressions. We use the latest technology to plan procedures from implant surgeries to Smile Designs, minimizing complications while increasing accuracy and accelerating the healing process. Technology has allowed us to offer higher quality of care and more comfort to our patients.” 

Her dental team, too, is second to none, says Dr. Rojas. “They’re amazing. They make everyone feel at home and cozy. They care about patients as much as I do.”

Dr. Ruth Rojas Prosthodontics

& Cosmetic Dentistry

3400 S Tamiami Trail #301

Sarasota, FL 34239

941.951.7711

www.drruthrojas.com

Alissa Shulman
M.D., F.A.C.S.

What sets Dr. Alissa Shulman apart is her expert eye for aesthetics and use of natural methods whenever possible to create her art. She says that using the patient’s own fat can be a healthy alternative to artificial devices and a way to “upcycle” unwanted fat.

While she has extensive experience performing a variety of procedures, i.e.  liposuction, fat grafting, tummy tucks and arm lifts, her specialty has increasingly focused on the breast—implant removal, augmentation, reduction, lifts and reconstruction.

One’s body and self-image change over time.  What seems like a nice shape at 25 can gradually age into “matronly” at 65. The increasing challenge to stay and look “fit” can be thwarted by large droopy breasts—small and perky become preferable.

“I like to be known as the person who can make you look as good as you can without implants,” says the doctor, who encourages women to be comfortable in their own skin. This philosophy is ingrained in her teenage daughters Ayla and Mallory. 

“I’m raising my girls to believe that they possess their own unique beauty,” she says. “I strive to be a role model; I make sure they understand the concept of hard work and the need to perform to the best of their abilities. They know that this is how I live my life.”

When not operating, Dr. Shulman can be found in her art room with her daughters. She translates her sewing expertise into costumes needed in the girl’s many activities.

The doctor admits to feeling fortunate because her mother facilitates her hectic schedule. “My Mom is not only my Office Manager, but the ‘go-to’ chauffer/grandmother.”

Dr. Shulman is excited to be part of the new Jellison Cancer Institute in Sarasota. Active in professional circles, she just wrapped up her three year “term” as SMH Chief of Staff.  In addition, she was the first female Chief of Surgery and previously the hospital’s Physician of the Year.  She was also the first local female named President of the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons (and currently on their board).

Sovereign Plastic Surgery

1950 Arlington St., Suite 112 

Sarasota, FL 34239

941.366.5476

www.sovereignps.com

Christine Wildeman, M.D.

The Virtue of Health Wellness Center in Sarasota combines integrative medicine and functional medicine, offering patients healing through a balance of science and holistic modalities.

One of the newest members of the medical team, Dr. Christine, brings 20 years of experience in primary care–ranging from the emergency room to full spectrum primary care and as medical director for a large corporate rehabilitation hospital system. 

“Throughout my medical career, I enjoyed helping patients heal from their illness but over the last few years became frustrated with the state of our current traditional health care system, as the focus has shifted into more of an ‘ill care’ system and away from a meaningful health care system,” she notes. 

“As a board-certified integrative physician, my passion is helping patients achieve optimal health and well-being by healing the whole ‘you’ with a custom assessment and treatment plan combining the best of complementary and conventional medicine.”

Dr. Wildeman is board certified in integrative medicine and an IASIS Level 1 certified medical provider with a special passion for brain health and healing.  

“One of my professional goals is to stop the stigma of mental illness and encourage all those who suffer from neuropsychological symptoms to seek help from a qualified integrative/functional provider.

“We have made huge gains in understanding how the brain and nervous system work and why we are seeing the incidents of mental illness significantly increase, including in our youth, in the U.S. over the past decade.”

Like other organs in the body, the brain will not work efficiently or effectively if there are cellular imbalances present such as nutrient deficiencies, cellular toxicities or damaged neurons due to physical or emotional trauma, notes Wildeman. She performs a comprehensive neurobiologic assessment and from those results develops a personalized holistic treatment plan to repair and restore optimal brain function.

Her treatment plan includes replacing all nutrient deficiencies, removing toxic substances from the body—including repairing and balancing the gut microbiome—and enhancing gentle and safe brain healing with micro-current neurofeedback therapy. 

Virtue of Health

4161 Clark Rd, Sarasota FL 34233

941.724.6399

Info@virtueofhealth.com

www.virtueofhealth.com

Passport Health

Passport Health was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1994 to fill a void in the travel medical services market.

Now a nationwide network of travel medicine clinics with locations in Sarasota, Port Charlotte, and Bradenton, the organization serves as a one-stop solution for the immunizations, medications, supplies, and travel health counseling necessary for those traveling overseas to meet criteria and stay healthy.

Over the years, Passport Health has expanded its medical services—rendered by a trained team of travel medicine specialists—in keeping with current medical situations. After the 2001 Anthrax attack, Passport Health worked with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to administer antibiotics and vaccine to those who may been exposed to Anthrax.

The health services organization was called into action by the U.S. Department of Defense, the White House and the Health Ministry of Singapore for training on the administration of the smallpox vaccine. During the war in Iraq, Passport Health operated a 24/7 call center for vaccination questions for the U.S. military and Defense Department.

In response to the current pandemic, Passport Health offers antigen and PCR testing for COVID-19 at its sites. The focus is on those needing to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test to fly or return to work or school. Passport Health specializes in international travel requirements beyond COVID, such as yellow fever, typhoid, malaria prophylaxis, and more.

Overall, Passport Health has more than 270 locations. While continuing to specialize in travel medicine services, it now offers specialty exams, wellness services, and vaccine records management services. Passport Health also offers onsite vaccine services and is an onsite flu clinic provider, providing flu vaccine throughout the U.S. from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Also available are immigration physicals to help meet visa, Green Card, and U.S. citizenship requirements.

Passport Health

2195 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34237

941.362.0304

5190 26th Street West, Ste F,Bradenton FL 34207 

941.462.4338

www.passporthealthsarasota.com