Doctors of Distinction 2021

Table of Contents:

• Arsenault Dermatology
• Bhanot Facial Plastic Surgery
• The Blend Institute
• Pain Medicine Group 
• Rebecca S. Cohen, M.D., LLC
• Sarasota Plastic Surgery Center
• Florida Digestive Disease Specialists
• Sarasota Healing Arts
• Sovereign Plastic Surgery
• Ramos Center For Interventional & Functional Pain Medicine
• Center for Hernia Repair

Dr. Emily Arsenault, MD, FAAD

Arsenault Dermatology
8926 77th Terrace East, Unit 101
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
941.907.0222 | www.arsenaultdermatology.com

Dr. Emily Arsenault and her staff save lives. In the past year they diagnosed and treated 210 patients with melanoma. “Those are the skin cancers that can be life-threatening,” says Dr. Arsenault. “By finding them early, we can make sure patients get the right treatment.” 

Despite the pandemic, Arsenault Dermatology, with four doctors and seven physician assistants to serve patients’ every dermatological need, continues to provide an exceptional experience and top-quality care.

“We can do some services by telemedicine, but for the best preventive care, full-body skin exams are necessary,” says Dr. Arsenault. All safety protocols are followed. “For early skin cancers, we must take a close look in the clinic, and biopsies are taken when we find suspicious spots.

“We’re doing exactly what we have been doing from day one – delivering an exceptional experience for our patients,” says Dr. Arsenault. “We’ve been in town for 17 years and had the privilege of being the first dermatology practice in our Lakewood Ranch community.”

Her practice is one of few that perform mole mapping. This process makes it possible to detect even subtle changes in a mole that may indicate a biopsy or removal is needed. The provider uses a hand-held device called a dermatoscope. With magnification and polarized light, she can assess pigment networks and vascular changes in the skin that are crucial to diagnosis. Once a baseline measurement is made, even slight changes can be detected and addressed. “We take a really close look and watch them over time,” Dr. Arsenault says. “We keep electronic records of the original measurements so that at future visits, we know if a concerning change has occurred. Patients love it because they avoid unnecessary biopsies.” Dr. Arsenault stresses that regular exams are important because the incidence of melanoma is increasing. 

Dr. Arsenault’s practice also provides treatment for many skin conditions and diseases as well as pediatric dermatology and aesthetic procedures including Botox and fillers. 

“Our team is amazing,” she says. “Everyone in our system was handpicked because they love helping others.”

Dr. Sumeet Bhanot, MD, FAAD

Bhanot Facial Plastic Surgery
2038 Bee Ridge Rd.
Sarasota, FL 34239
941.966.3223 | www.sarasotafacialplastics.com

With his Ivy League pedigree and double board-certification in Facial Plastic Surgery and Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Sumeet Bhanot came to Sarasota seventeen years ago. Over these years, he has developed a very unique, comprehensive style that exudes natural, unaltered, youthful beauty. 

Following a decade at Yale University completing his medical and surgical training in Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Bhanot further honed his skills with a fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. His rigorous and lengthy training exclusively in the complex anatomy of the head and neck has afforded him a comprehensive insight of the aging process and to his unique approach.  

Best known for the very rare deep plane facelift, Dr. Bhanot’s basic premise is that gravity causes an asymmetric descent in facial volume manifesting in a change in the shape we call aging (i.e., falling cheek fat pads, deepening laugh lines and jowls coinciding with hollows in the upper cheeks and temples). Rather than fixing the symptoms by filling voids and stretching wrinkles, the root volume shift is addressed.  

A deep plane facelift does more than support fascia, it shifts the fallen volume and restores the natural, youthful shape of the face of 15 to 20 years ago. This eliminates the need to augment the cheeks with artificial volume. By only using the natural tissue without overly stretching skin or overly plumping with fat or fillers, a deep plane facelift creates a very natural, rested and youthful appearance. Dr. Bhanot believes the problem dictates the solution—not applying the same cookie cutter solution to every problem and hoping it fits.  

While his passion is surgery for the aging face (facelift, necklift, eyelid lift, browlift), cosmetic rhinoplasty, and facial reconstructive surgery, Dr. Bhanot also performs many noninvasive procedures including fillers, Botox, lasers, peels and more. He believes that the true art of plastic surgery achieves dramatic rejuvenation for a naturally beautiful, refreshed, youthful appearance. His artistry and expertise, methodical eye for detail, and relentless pursuit for perfection, combined with a compassionate, soft spoken, and warm manner has earned him a ranking as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for nine consecutive years. Dr. Bhanot is a dedicated family man who enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife Kelly and their three adorable children. 

Dr. Timothy Blend, M.D., Kim Blend, APRN, and Nicole Blend Theiler, LMHC

The Blend Institute
8648 E. State Road 70
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
941.722.5600 | www.theblendinstitute.com

Timothy Blend, M.D., and Kim Blend, APRN, treat each patient as a whole because the body is an integrated, holistic system. They also understand that healthy aging includes sexual intimacy and cognitive performance.

With extensive training in anti-aging medicine, Dr. Blend treats women experiencing perimenopause or menopause, and men experiencing andropause (testosterone decline). The expertise of Kim Blend encompasses sexual function as well as psychiatry. “As a team, Tim and I put the puzzle pieces together for hormone and thyroid therapy as well as additional treatments,” she says. “We know that as people age, there are problems with sexual function that respond well to treatment.”

In addition to providing general medicine treatments and bioidentical hormone therapy to both women and men, Dr. Blend also treats erectile dysfunction with a range of methods including GAINSWave, a sound wave therapy which involves the “P-shot,” a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection to improve blood flow. For women, various treatments are available including Thermi® RF for vaginal rejuvenation, and the O-Shot, which uses PRP for sensitivity improvement and to treat urinary incontinence. For both sexes, Dr. Blend provides intravenous therapies with vitamins, minerals, NAD, and the antioxidant glutathione, which reduces toxins. He also offers chelation to remove heavy metals and treat heart disease. Aesthetic procedures available include Vampire Facelift® and facial balancing with Botox®, Juvederm®, Radiesse®, and ThermiSmooth®.

Kim Blend provides integrative psychiatric treatment with medical as well as counseling techniques. She is adept at testing and treating levels of cortisol and neurotransmitters. “I specialize in helping patients who are tired, can’t sleep, depressed, or anxious, but not necessarily in need of antidepressants or benzodiazepines, taking a more natural approach,” She says. She offers ketamine infusion to treat resistant depression, PTSD, and Bipolar disorder.

New in 2021 is Nicole Blend Theiler, LMHC, to treat children with autism spectrum disorder and provide family counseling. Also debuting is the Bredesen protocol, ReCODE (reversal of cognitive decline). Kim Blend is specially trained to provide this suite of treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Morgan Callahan, M.D. 

Pain Medicine Group 
2621 Cattlemen Road, 
Sarasota, FL 34232
941.328.8276 | www.painmedicinegroup.com

Pain Medicine Group consists of a team of highly trained specialists who treat a variety of conditions including back, neck, joint, and nerve pain, utilizing innovative pain management techniques. “We perform not only epidural steroid injections for back and neck pain, but also medial branch blocks, radiofrequency ablations, and the latest in neuromodulation techniques,” says Morgan Callahan, M.D. 

The doctors provide cutting-edge alternative treatments such as platelet-rich plasma and stem cell injections to help patients get back to the activities they love. “The use of platelet-rich plasma as an alternative to steroid injections or surgery is an exciting new area in medicine,” says Dr. Callahan. “We use the patient’s own blood platelets to deliver growth factors to expedite healing and recovery from an injury.”

 Most importantly, the doctors at Pain Medicine Group treat the entire person. “We schedule generous appointment times, allowing us to provide thorough exams so you never feel rushed,” says Dr. Callahan. “We want to ensure your questions and concerns will be addressed.” 

Dr. Callahan is a Florida native, and earned her medical degree at the University of Miami. Afterward, she completed her residency and fellowship at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She is double board certified in Pain Medicine and in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 

The Pain Medicine Group focuses on delivering personalized care in a multidisciplinary approach. “We have deep roots in the community and have been delivering care in Sarasota for over 20 years,” says Dr. Callahan.  “I have a close working relationship with other physicians in the area and pride myself in how I coordinate care with my patients’ other providers.”

The goal of Pain Medicine Group is to restore function and mobility. All three physicians continue to attend academic meetings to stay up to date on the most trustworthy techniques as they evolve.  Says Dr. Callahan, “I personally have spoken at several national conferences about pain management techniques, including alternative therapies such as platelet-rich plasma, and use my expertise to deliver compassionate care.”

Dr. Rebecca S. Cohen, M.D., Dr. Robin Bixler, D.O., and Dr. Nancy Dring, Ed D, BCN, CHT, NBCC, LMHC

Rebecca S. Cohen, M.D., LLC
1217 S. East Avenue, Suite 209
Sarasota, Florida 34239
941.404.0545
drrebeccacohen.com

Dr. Rebecca S. Cohen, adult psychopharmacologist, recently expanded her practice to include two additional providers in order to better serve patients experiencing stress-related issues during this challenging time. “We have seen a steep increase in the number of people seeking help, and a clear need for immediate availability,” says Dr. Cohen. Two outstanding and highly experienced clinicians, Dr. Robin Bixler and Dr. Nancy Dring, usually see new patients within one to two weeks.

Many people are increasingly stressed due to financial worries, job difficulties, sleep problems, and mood changes. Many are seeking mental health care for the first time. In addition, substance use disorders and social isolation are growing problems, says Dr. Cohen.

Often, issues are successfully treated with medication. Dr. Cohen and Dr Bixler are highly skilled psychopharmacologists – psychiatrists specializing in fine-tuning medications for the best patient outcomes. Dr. Cohen also uses an FDA-approved, non-invasive treatment called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to help those with persistent major depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Dr. Cohen is the Regional Medical Director at Greenbrook TMS NeuroHealth Centers, leading provider of TMS services nationwide.

Most patients also benefit from one-on-one support from a therapist. Dr. Cohen’s practice provides and emphasizes the importance of this service in addition to pharmacologic interventions. Dr. Dring has diverse skills and specialty training including hypnotherapy, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, and supportive individual psychotherapy.

Tailoring treatment for each individual, the doctors meet as a team to discuss best practices, arriving at highly personalized care that’s a tier above.

Due to safety protocols, visits are via video. “It’s important to see faces,” says Dr. Cohen. “If we were in person, wearing face coverings, it would be difficult to properly assess fear or worry.”  The practice provides patients with convenient access to the providers. “I urge patients to text me if they have a concern,” says Dr. Cohen. “Medications may have side effects in the beginning, so it’s important to answer questions promptly, to enhance compliance and improve outcomes.”

The practice’s guiding principle is that patients be valued and heard. Says Dr. Cohen, “Helping people fuels our energy and our passion.”

Dr. Braun H. Graham, M.D., F.A.C.S., Dr. David L. Mobley, M.D., F.A.C.S., Dr. Scott J. Engel, M.D., F.A.C.S., and Dr. Brian M. Derby, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Sarasota Plastic Surgery Center
2255 S Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34239
941.366.8897 | sarasotaplasticsurgery.com

Sarasota Plastic Surgery is a preeminent cosmetic plastic surgery practice that focuses on safety and a first-class experience for every patient. Under one roof, the practice offers everything from medical grade skincare to noninvasive skin treatments to intricate cosmetic surgeries that help patients look, and feel, their best.

All four physicians provide gold-standard procedures to achieve natural-looking results. They thoroughly vet new technology before offering it to patients. “We bring a combined 70-plus years of experience among our four plastic surgeons,” says Dr. Brian Derby. “We understand that ‘new’ isn’t always the best thing; we know our patients aren’t interested in gimmicks, but rather proven treatments that produce consistently happy patients, and top-tier results.”

Each physician is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. “It’s the only board that recognizes ‘real’ plastic surgeons, only granting membership after thousands of hours in plastic surgical training, and rigorous certification examinations,” says Dr. Derby. “Don’t be duped, and please do your homework. Make sure you check the certification credentials of so-called ‘board-certified cosmetic surgeons’,” adds Dr. Derby. All four surgeons completed an additional 1-2 years of sub-specialized cosmetic surgery training following completion of 5-6 years in plastic surgery training. Additionally, all are Castle Connolly Top Doctors.

Sarasota Plastic Surgery Center provides top-quality aesthetic surgical options, including face, neck, and eyelid lifts, fat transfers, laser skin resurfacing, breast lift and augmentation, breast implant exchange, and tummy tucks. The doctors also specialize in “mommy makeovers”, and body contouring after weight-loss surgery.

The practice offers many non-invasive services. Kimberly Dearden, Licensed Laser Specialist and Licensed Medical Esthetician, performs CoolSculpting® and intense-pulsed-light (IPL) laser treatment. She also performs laser hair removal, and 1540 laser treatments.

JoAnne Ronzani, Licensed Esthetician, is medical skincare certified in skin peels, micro needling, permanent makeup, and HydraFacial® technology. With nearly 30 years of experience, she tailors specific treatments to everyone’s needs, wants, and individual skin.

Physician Assistant Michelle Porter provides cosmetic injectables treatments, including Botox®, Dysport®, Juvederm®, Restylane®, and Sculptra, along with platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections. She is nationally certified and state licensed, and is well-versed in cutting edge treatments.

Dr. Arun Khazanchi, M.D., Dr. Avantika Mishra, M.D., Dr. Tonantzin Matheus, M.D., and Dr. Ronald Andari, M.D.

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

Florida Digestive Disease Specialists has doubled its number of physicians and will expand its Lakewood Ranch clinic to a larger, stand-alone facility. The new gastroenterologists are Dr. Ronald Andari and Dr. Avantika Mishra. They have joined Dr. Tonantzin Matheus and managing partner Dr. Arun Khazanchi. 

“While our current Lakewood Ranch location has served us well and we continue to see patients with little-to-no wait time, we’re looking forward to being in a building entirely dedicated to the service of digestive health,” says Dr. Khazanchi. Groundbreaking is expected this summer for the new facility, off Lakewood Ranch Boulevard between State Road 70 and State Road 64. 

Ronald Andari, M.D., specializes in interventional and advanced treatments. A board-certified gastroenterologist, he has specialized training in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures. His clinical interests include chronic abdominal pain, hepatobiliary and pancreatic pathology, endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic mucosal resection, and cancer prevention. He is accepting new patients, and is fluent in Spanish, English, and Arabic. 

Avantika Mishra, M.D., practices general gastroenterology with special interests in obesity and nutrition, cancer prevention, esophageal and reflux disorders, liver diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, and women’s health. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University and earned her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.  Says Dr. Mishra, “Our goal is to catch digestive health issues at early stages and prevent them from progressing. We want to keep patients out of the hospital system, particularly in today’s uncertain health environment. Providing care at our safe outpatient clinics is ideal for both the patient and caregiver.”

Dr. Arun Khazanchi is board certified in gastroenterology, internal medicine, and hepatology, and is among the select few physicians in Florida who perform advanced endoscopic ultrasounds determining the extent and stage of cancer, if present.  

Dr. Tonantzin Matheus specializes in colorectal screening and GERD/dysphagia and has advanced training in esophageal disorders, including swallowing problems, reflux and digestive tract motility. She performs in-office capsule endoscopy and colonoscopy screenings. Dr. Matheus has been providing gastrointestinal care for nearly 20 years and is fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Jessica Lipham, N.D., DOM

Sarasota Healing Arts
1810 S Tuttle Ave. 
Sarasota, FL 34239
941.487.7311
www.sarasotahealingarts.com

“The human body has an innate healing mechanism that is often more responsive to gentle nudges rather than the ‘heavy hitters’ of the modern medicine of today,” says Dr. Jessica Lipham. “My goal, using a range of diagnostics, is to identify and remove the root causes that prevent the body from healing.” 

Dr. Lipham integrates Eastern and Western healing traditions, treating the entire body holistically. As a primary care family practitioner, her many qualifications include Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Doctor of Natural Medicine. Early on, she trained as an EMT and paramedic in Sarasota County. After six years of graduate medical education, she received her doctorate and Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine in Oregon.

Dr. Lipham helps patients achieve optimal wellness with comprehensive nutrient evaluations, food sensitivity testing, genetic testing, hormone evaluation, and other individualized examinations. She uses classical Chinese techniques including acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and moxibustion during office treatments to improve function, while patients work on the prescribed at-home self-care therapeutics and follow their tailored supplement support protocols.

She uses acupuncture with great success to alleviate patient pain, both physical and emotional.  “I have gotten people off harsh antidepressants, and even opioids, with Chinese herbs as a bridge,” she says. Using sterile injectable solutions called Bio-puncture, her patients experience excellent results in healing chronic joint aches and pains. Dr. Lipham teaches weekly qi gong classes to help patients learn to use body movement meditation to enhance the healing process.  She also offers cooking classes, wellness retreats, and HypnoBirthing training for expectant parents.

Again this spring, as she has twice yearly since 2006, she will offer a three-week group program for whole-food juice-fasting and gentle cleansing. 

Dr. Lipham looks forward to an exciting new year, continuing to help patients live their best lives. “Many patients have had a long journey to find me,” she says, “and they’re relieved to know they can get better by applying simple, basic principles.”

Dr. Alissa Shulman, M.D., FACS

Sovereign Plastic Surgery
1950 Arlington St., Suite 112 
Sarasota, FL 34239
941.366.5476 | www.sovereignps.com

Dr. Alissa Shulman of Sovereign Plastic Surgery combines the most respected medical science with artistry in her body sculpting work.  Renowned for her talent in reconstructing and reshaping the breast, she prefers, whenever possible, to use a patient’s own fat tissue. “Fat grafting is a little more involved and a little more expensive than implants, but there isn’t the maintenance down the road.”

In addition to working with cancer patients, Dr. Shulman performs lifts, augmentations, reductions, and body contouring.

Her practice has grown during the past year. When people look for the best surgeon, their research will lead them to Dr. Shulman—she takes a thoughtful and long-term approach to plastic surgery. “I find that my patients are becoming even more family-oriented,” she says. “They are spending less money on travel and restaurants, and are looking for ways to be their healthiest.” 

Dr. Shulman expects to continue seeing patients who seek implant removal for a more natural look and feel. Many have the misconception that once they have an implant, they will always need an implant. However, often the body has changed enough to possibly make use of native tissue and/or fat. Most women have more breast tissue than they had when they originally received implants. Options now run the gamut—from simple removal, to removal with fat grafting, removal and lift; or removal, lift, and fat grafting.

“As we get older, our medical situations get more complicated,” says Dr. Shulman. “I prefer to ‘simplify’ one’s breasts.”

She, along with the other doctors who treat cancer patients at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, are looking forward to a beautiful new facility in late 2021. “We will be opening

The Jellison Cancer Institute, which was created with generous donations,” she says.

Dr. Shulman double-majored in fine arts and anatomy as an undergraduate at SUNY Buffalo, and earned her medical degree there. Active in professional circles on the local and state level, in addition to serving as SMH Chief of Staff, she was its first female Chief of Surgery and previously the hospital’s Physician of the Year. She was also the first local female named President of Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Dr. Fabian Ramos, M.D., DABA, DABPM, DABIPP, FIPP, and Dr. Abraham Fura, D.O., DABA, DABA-PM

Ramos Center For Interventional & Functional Pain Medicine
100 3rd Ave W., Bradenton, Fl 34205
2540 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Fl 34239
1370 E. Venice Ave., Suite 104, Venice, Fl 34285
2061 Englewood Rd., Suite 2A, Englewood, Fl 34223
941.708.9555 | ramoscenter.com

Dr. Fabian Ramos, founder of the Ramos Center for Interventional and Functional Pain Medicine, has earned international recognition for using leading-edge advancements in chronic pain relief. With two decades of experience, Dr. Ramos offers the latest pain-relief techniques for many conditions including severe spinal stenosis, sacroiliac pain, discogenic and chronic abdominal pain. Cancer patients can find relief from metastatic spinal tumors via radiofrequency ablation. For spinal stenosis patients, a minimally invasive procedure is available that is now covered by most insurances. This outpatient procedure lasts just 30 minutes, requires no screws, and does not interfere with future surgery.

Also bringing expertise is Dr. Abraham Fura, who joined the practice in summer 2019.  He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology and Anesthesiology-Pain Medicine, with the same level of specialization as Dr. Ramos. Both doctors offer epidurals, medial branch blocks, and joint injections guided by ultrasound for exquisite precision; as well as many additional procedures and treatments.

Dr. Fura and Dr. Ramos prefer to reduce opioids whenever possible and to treat with the least invasive option. “If more involved procedures such as cementing are needed, we do see wonderful results,” Dr. Fura says. Rather than relying solely on imaging, both doctors listen carefully to each patient’s description of discomfort and calibrate treatment accordingly. “We treat the pain, not the picture,” says Dr. Fura.

The practice offers an injection of pre-treated bone for recurrent sacroiliac pain, replacing the need for screws. Also, for patients with disc degeneration pain, Dr. Ramos says, “A new technique allows me to deactivate the tiny nerve inside the vertebra that carries the pain signal from the damaged disc, totally outpatient and without stitches.”

Dr. Ramos is triple board certified in pain medicine, interventional pain medicine and anesthesiology, and is among the first U.S. specialists recognized by the prestigious World Institute of Pain. His dedication on preventing and reducing substance abuse has earned awards as Champion of Prevention in Healthcare by Drug Free Manatee and the Community Health Advocacy Award from the Sarasota Medical Alliance Foundation and Society. In 2019, he was named to Castle Connolly’s peer-nominated Top Doctors list.

Dr. Jonathan Yunis, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Center for Hernia Repair
1435 S Osprey Ave #201
Sarasota, FL 34239
941.953.5917
centerforherniarepair.com

More than 20 years ago, Dr. Jonathan Yunis began building a surgical practice, the Center for Hernia Repair, focused on hernia repair and abdominal wall reconstruction. 

His highly specialized experience and successful track record of treating the most complex cases means he is currently recognized as performing over 700 hernia operations annually.  

Being a solo practitioner means he and his staff provide patients highly personalized care. Dr. Yunis is the only solo practice surgeon in town and the patient experience is completely different and personal. Dr. Yunis and his staff make every effort to create a pleasant patient experience. The approach at Center for Hernia Repair is to identify with the patients needs. Our office provides enhanced access for appointments and giving patients the confidence they deserve.

Dr. Yunis is not one to rest on his laurels. He remains at the leading edge of technology and techniques through involvement with the American Hernia Society and travels extensively to work with, and learn from, other international experts. His prior experience as a vascular surgeon uniquely qualifies him for technically complex surgeries, and patients with complex issues–including previous failed hernia surgeries–travel from around the country for his help. Dr. Yunis is expert in utilizing high-precision laparoscopic and robotic instruments for minimally invasive procedures, and he has published articles in two major medical publications on robotic hernia surgery. 

Because he is highly specialized, Dr. Yunis has expertise in all options ranging from observation without intervention to correction of complex issues, which allows him to offer personalized solutions for each patient’s individual situation. He has extensive experience in performing non-mesh surgeries and also is known for his expertise at removal of failed surgical mesh. For patients with large–sometimes disfiguring–hernias, he performs abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) at the same time as the hernia repair. Many patients’ hernias are so large and disfiguring that abdominal wall reconstruction is a positive experience and a life changing event.