The Path to Pain-Free Healthy Living Begins at Sarasota Neuropathy Center
(941) 347-9434 Diabetes and Neuropathy Treatment in South Venis, FL
Living with neuropathy and diabetes is a challenge that millions of Americans face every day. Neuropathy - which comes in several forms and manifests in many ways - can affect any person. In the United States, neuropathy and diabetes often go hand-in-hand, with about 50% of people with diabetes suffering from the condition. In fact, the number of people with neuropathy is only increasing as diabetes becomes more common and the population ages.
People who suffer from these conditions must endure painful and disruptive symptoms, such as:
- Intense Bouts of Sharp, Burning Pain
- Numbness, Prickling, or Tingling in the Hands and Feet
- Decreased Muscle Strength and Paralysis
- Trouble with Balance and Coordination
- Unusually High Sensitivity to Touch
- Digestive and Bladder Control Issues
While some patients are at a greater risk of developing certain types of neuropathy, it doesn't discriminate between sex, race, age, or medical history. Fortunately, neuropathy and diabetes awareness are growing. By proxy, so are new and exciting treatment options that show dramatic improvements in both conditions.
If you've been suffering from the symptoms of diabetes or neuropathy and are in search of a truly effective solution, Sarasota Neuropathy Center can help. Unlike some clinics, our commitment is to offer more than temporary relief. As a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in South Venis, FL, we aim to rectify the distinct root causes underlying each patient's symptoms.
But to understand how we're able to accomplish that goal, you've got to first understand the nuances of neuropathy and diabetes.
There are several types of diabetes of which you should be aware:
Other types of diabetes can include:
- Monogenic Diabetes
- Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes
- Secondary Diabetes
Service Areas
Neuropathy 101
Neuropathy is a medical condition that arises when the peripheral nerves, which are responsible for transmitting signals between the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body, fail to function correctly due to damage or disease. These nerves are essential for detecting sensations such as warmth, cold, and pain, as well as regulating muscle movement and carrying out automatic processes like digestion and heartbeat without our conscious involvement.
What Causes Neuropathy?
When patients speak with a nerve pain doctor for the first time, they have a lot of questions, and rightfully so. At Sarasota Neuropathy Center, one of the most frequently asked questions we hear centers around the factors causing neuropathy. If you're reading this article, chances are you have similar questions. While we can't pinpoint what's causing your neuropathy without proper testing, here are a few of the most common factors that can cause neuropathy to manifest:
Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of diabetes in adults - especially when a person has dealt with high blood sugar levels over long periods of time. When diabetes harms your nerves, it can lead to diabetic neuropathy and create a recurring trigger for this type of nerve damage.
Lack of Vitamins
Your nerves require certain vitamins, including B1 (thiamine), B12, B6, and vitamin E, to function correctly. Without a balanced diet or supplementation, deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to nerve damage over time.
Autoimmune Disorders
In certain instances, a person's immune system accidentally attacks its own cells, including nerve tissues. When this happens, neuropathy often follows. Diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome come under this category, where the immune system's misguided attack on nerves causes dysfunction and pain.
Genetics
Neuropathy can be inherited in some families, meaning it is passed down from one generation to another. When this occurs, peripheral nerves can be affected by genetic forms of the condition, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Infections in the Body
There are certain viruses and bacteria that have the ability to attack nerve tissues and also cause conditions that can result in nerve damage. Examples of such infections include Lyme disease, HIV, and hepatitis C. These illnesses have the potential to either initiate or worsen existing neuropathy.
Physical Trauma
Physical injuries, whether caused by accidents, repetitive movements, or falls, can lead to nerve damage. Such injuries can result in neuropathy, causing loss of function and painful sensations in the affected region of the body.
What are the Different Types of Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that can affect one nerve, a group of related nerves, or multiple nerves in different parts of the body. The symptoms can vary depending on which type of nerve signals are affected. Keep reading for a closer look at the various types of neuropathies and how they affect you. If one of the categories below sounds familiar, make a mental note to discuss it with your diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in South Venis, FL.
Peripheral Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain in Your Arms and Legs
Of all the different types of neuropathies, this is the kind that you're probably most familiar with, as it's the most common form treated in the U.S.It occurs most often when the nerves responsible for transmitting messages of touch and movement between your brain and your extremities don't function properly.
Symptoms can include:
- Sensations of Pins and Needles
- Numbness
- Soreness
- Cramping
- Shooting Pains
As the condition progresses, muscle weakness can occur, making it difficult to perform precise movements and walk without assistance. Balance problems are also common.
Focal Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain in a Specific Area
Focal neuropathy can sometimes result in damage to a single nerve or a cluster of nerves in a particular region, leading to localized pain or weakness. For instance, carpal tunnel syndrome can affect the wrist, causing numbness or weakness in the hand. Similarly, Bell's palsy can impact the face, resulting in droopiness or stiffness on one side of the face.
Other symptoms can include:
- Muscles Don't Work Correctly
- Sharp Pains
- Localized Pain and Weakness
Autonomic Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain That Controls Automatic Body Functions
This type of neuropathy affects the nerves that control involuntary bodily functions, such as heartbeat, digestion, and bladder control. When these nerves are damaged
You may experience symptoms such as:
- Dizziness When Standing Quickly
- Issues with Sexual Intercourse
- Constipation
- Issues Regulating Body Temperature
Compression Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain from Your Nerves Being Squeezed
This type of neuropathy happens when a nerve is pinched or squeezed. It happens most often when you are injured or have to repeat actions over and over again for work or sports purposes. Some examples include Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and sciatica. Symptoms can include:
Symptoms can include:
- Sharp Shooting Pain
- Weakness in the Affected Body Part
- Numbness
Whether you or someone you love are trying to live with neuropathy, you know that it can significantly alter lifestyles, making it difficult to perform day-to-day activities, work, or engage in hobbies. That's why it's so important to understand the underlying causes of your nerve pain, so that you can receive appropriate treatment and improve your quality of life. Taking care of the root problem, as well as managing the pain and other symptoms, is key to helping you stay active and comfortable. That's where working with a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in South Venis, FL, becomes crucial.
Addressing the Root Causes of Your Neuropathy
Sarasota Neuropathy Center is a nerve pain clinic that provides patients with a comprehensive, rewarding journey toward healing. It begins with a thorough evaluation that involves in-depth laboratory tests and analyses. This introductory step helps us identify the specific factors that contribute to your peripheral neuropathy. Our team of neuropathy treatment specialists then creates a personalized treatment plan tailored exclusively to your body and symptoms.
By providing you with a wide range of strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of your condition, you can achieve lasting relief and may even be able to reverse the effects of peripheral neuropathy.
Our advanced therapeutic options include:
Nerve Regeneration Equipment
We use cutting-edge machinery like laser light therapy and electromagnetic impulses to stimulate your nerves, encourage repair, and foster nerve tissue regeneration.
Vaso-Pulse Technology
This FDA-approved treatment sends signals through your feet and around your spine, which helps us highlight and rectify areas where nerve and vascular damage are present.
Antioxidants
By incorporating antioxidants into your treatment plan, we can better mitigate nerve damage and counteract oxidative stress.
Anti-Inflammatory Treatments
Inflammation exacerbates nerve damage and pain. Our neuropathy specialists use anti-inflammatory agents to help alleviate your symptoms
Minerals and Vitamins
Nutritional deficiencies impact nerve health. We supplement those deficiencies with vitamins and minerals to help nerve repair.
Immunomodulators
For neuropathies linked to autoimmune disorders, we employ immunomodulators that help regulate the immune system's activity to prevent it from attacking the body's own nerve tissues.
Lifestyle and Diet Changes
Changing your diet and incorporating exercise into your daily routine are two of the best ways to support nerve health.
Through a personalized, natural, and comprehensive treatment plan from Sarasota Neuropathy Center, reclaiming your life doesn't have to be a dream - it can be a true possibility.
Diabetes 101
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated levels of sugar in the blood. This happens when the body is unable to produce or use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose levels by facilitating its absorption into cells for energy or storage.
There are several types of diabetes of which you should be aware:
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes is a condition in which the immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, resulting in little to no insulin production. This condition usually develops in childhood or adolescence but can occur at any age. Patients who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes have to depend on daily insulin administration to manage their blood sugar levels.
The exact cause of this autoimmune reaction is not fully understood, although it is believed that genetic and environmental factors may contribute to it. Contact your diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in South Venis, FL to learn more about this disease.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is mainly caused by lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet. In this condition, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or the cells don't use insulin effectively, leading to high blood sugar levels. Unlike Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes can sometimes be managed or reversed with lifestyle changes, although some people may still need medications or insulin therapy.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and typically goes away after giving birth. However, it can give an indication of a woman's future risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The condition is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy that make the body's cells more resistant to insulin. It's important to manage Gestational Diabetes to prevent complications for both mother and baby.
Other types of diabetes can include:
- Monogenic Diabetes
- Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes
- Secondary Diabetes
Genetics
You can have genetic links to both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. These links make you predisposed to the condition.
Lifestyle
Poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity all contribute to insulin resistance, which causes diabetes
Autoimmune
Your immune system mistakenly targets and eliminates insulin-producing beta cells in your pancreas, leading to insufficient insulin production and Type 1 Diabetes.
Insulin Resistance
The most prevalent type of diabetes - Type 2 Diabetes - arises when cells resist insulin's effect, causing a spike in blood sugar levels.
What Are the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?
Many patients who speak with a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in South Venis, FL assume they have Type 2 Diabetes, but aren't 100% sure. At Sarasota Neuropathy Center, we would need to conduct tests to verify whether you have the disease. With that said, the following symptoms often manifest when you have Type 2 Diabetes.
Neuropathy
Type 2 Diabetes can cause nerve damage, which in turn causes tingling and numbness, especially in your feet and hands.
Tiredness
Chronic fatigue happens when your body can't utilize glucose for energy in the right way.
Excessive Urination and Thirst
When you have high blood sugar, your body's natural response is to eliminate excess fluids. This can cause you to urinate frequently and can also cause you to feel very thirsty.
Slow-Healing Wounds
High blood sugar impairs your body's ability to heal itself and resist infection.
Vision Changes
When your blood sugar spikes, it can cause visual disturbances that can blur your vision.
Unexplained Weight Loss
In uncontrolled Type 1 Diabetes, the body may begin to break down muscle and fat for energy, leading to unexplained weight loss.
If you believe you may have Type 2 Diabetes, it's important to get checked out ASAP. Regular health screenings and glucose monitoring are important for early detection and effective management of Type 2 Diabetes, as symptoms may not be apparent in the initial stages.
The Sarasota Neuropathy Approach to Diabetes Care
As a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in South Venis, FL, we are committed to offering a groundbreaking approach for Type 2 Diabetes, which focuses on reversing the condition by addressing the root causes rather than just managing the symptoms. Our innovative strategy goes beyond conventional treatment paradigms and delves into the underlying factors that contribute to Type 2 Diabetes.
We use a holistic methodology that includes comprehensive lifestyle interventions, nutritional counseling, and personalized medical oversight. This approach has consistently demonstrated remarkable efficacy in significantly reducing blood glucose levels among our patients.
Key highlights of our diabetes treatment include:
Book Appointment
The Path to Relief Starts with a Diabetic and Neuropathy Treatment Specialist in South Venis, FL
At Sarasota Diabetes & Neuropathy Center, our mission is to empower you to overcome neuropathy, Type 2 Diabetes, or both by embarking on a transformative journey to wellness. By integrating advanced medical care with comprehensive lifestyle interventions, we help you achieve better health outcomes and a renewed sense of hope and control over your journey to a healthy life.
Latest News in South Venis, FL
South Jetty in Venice closed over Labor Day due to Hurricane Idalia storm surge damage
Kimberly Kuizonhttps://www.fox13news.com/news/south-jetty-in-venice-closed-over-labor-day-due-to-hurricane-idalia-storm-surge-damage
VENICE, Fla. - Hurricane Idalia is long gone, but the storm still impacted Labor Day plans at the beach. Crews spent Monday evening picking up debris in Treasure Island, and in Venice, the South Jetty, which is normally busy on the holiday, is still shut down because of storm surge damage.A closed sign to...
VENICE, Fla. - Hurricane Idalia is long gone, but the storm still impacted Labor Day plans at the beach. Crews spent Monday evening picking up debris in Treasure Island, and in Venice, the South Jetty, which is normally busy on the holiday, is still shut down because of storm surge damage.
A closed sign to Humphris Park and the South Jetty in Venice is not what many expected on Labor Day.
"There is so much sand and big boulders moved and erosion from the water coming over the jetties, it’s a real mess out here," said Chris Johnson, the owner of Jetty Jacks.
READ: Floridians impacted by Hurricane Idalia can qualify for FEMA assistance
The erosion can be seen in the parking lot, along the jetty and around the sides where cars once parked. But, Johnson was relieved to see his business still standing once Hurricane Idalia passed.
"The damage was all surface and while it is a mess and the city has their work cut out for them and even though it’s only been a few days since the storm with a holiday in there, the city is off to a pretty good start, and they are communicating well with me," he said.
Storm surge and heavy wave action brought about four feet of water to the South Jetty in Venice.
"Water actually washed all the way over this parking area behind me into the intercoastal waterway, carrying quite a bit of debris, sand and actually some of the boulders from the south jetty into the waterway," said James Clinch, the assistant city manager for the City of Venice.
MORE: 'As long as it takes': Biden visits Florida, delivers remarks following Hurricane Idalia destruction
Public Works worked to clear boulders that washed into the parking lot and other debris.
"We are working with the Army Corps of Engineers, WCIND and our local contractors to come up with a repair plan to get this park reopen just as soon as possible," said Clinch.
Johnson has faith he will be back open soon.
"We have our fingers crossed that we will be closed only a couple of weeks, but we’ve got to be realistic that it could be longer," he said.
He hopes it’ll only take two to three weeks, but his main concern remains for his staff and how the closure will continue to impact them.
"We have half a dozen people that this is their livelihood and then all of a sudden we are all out of work, and people depend on their income for the payment of their bills. So that worries on my mind right now more than anything," said Johnson.
These 5 Florida beach destinations get 'Best in South' designation
Mark H. Bickelhttps://www.news-press.com/story/life/outdoors/2023/06/09/florida-best-beaches-venice-st-augustine-clearwater-stuart-lauderdale/70303527007/
Folding chair. Check. Sunscreen. Check. Cooler. Check. You are all set to be a Beach Bum in Florida, something that is pretty easy to do in the Sunshine State.We are surrounded by beaches, and many that rank high among experts who rate them.That can make it challenging to figure out which one to go. Thankfully, USA ...
Folding chair. Check. Sunscreen. Check. Cooler. Check. You are all set to be a Beach Bum in Florida, something that is pretty easy to do in the Sunshine State.
We are surrounded by beaches, and many that rank high among experts who rate them.
That can make it challenging to figure out which one to go. Thankfully, USA TODAY got input from readers for its 2023 Readers' Choice series and for "must visit" beaches in the South for your next vacation, Florida has five locations locked up on the list of 10 beaches.
Where are the best beaches in the South?
The list came out last week. These are the picks for Florida beaches for 2023's Best Beaches in the South:
No. 10: Anastasia State Park - St. Augustine
WHAT THEY SAID: Featuring white quartz sand and clear blue waters, the beach at Anastasia State Park is known for its wild beauty. Located in north Florida, this pristine beach is a favorite of expert Annita Thomas, who says this is the "perfect beach for biking, kayaking, enjoying a picnic or relaxing by the shore." There is a per-car fee to enter and the beach is monitored by lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
No. 7: Stuart Beach - Stuart
WHAT THEY SAID: Wide and sandy, Stuart Beach in Florida is a family-friendly beach located across from local attractions, the Elliott Museum and the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. Perfect for swimming, sunbathing and playing in the sand, the beach is monitored by lifeguards 7 days a week. There is also a beach wheelchair program to allow access to individuals of all abilities.
No. 4: Venice Beach - Venice
WHAT THEY SAID: Florida's Venice Beach is known as the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World" due to an abundance of fossilized shark teeth that can be found along the shore. In addition to hunting for shark teeth, visitors can enjoy relaxing on pristine white sand, swimming in clear blue waters and exploring the natural coral reef formations just offshore. This beach is monitored by lifeguards and offers a full range of amenities.
Look for fossilized teeth in Venice:More than luck? Venice diver who found 6-inch megalodon tooth shares tips on teeth hunting
No. 3: Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Beach - Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
WHAT THEY SAID: Described by 10Best contributor Marla Cimini as a "lovely, relaxing destination," Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is a charming small town with a beautiful 2.5-mile-long stretch of sandy beach lined with cafes, restaurants and shops, offering a laid-back vibe. Known as the "Beach Diving Capital of Florida," the beach is a magnet for divers and snorkelers, boasting a vibrant coral reef system that's easily accessible from the shore.
No. 1: Clearwater Beach - Clearwater
WHAT THEY SAID: Known for its perfectly groomed white sand and upbeat social vibe, Florida's Clearwater Beach is where people go to have fun. Located on the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, visitors combine relaxing on the beach with water sports, beach games, live music and dining at the various restaurants and cafes along the shore. Not to be missed is the daily sunset celebration at Clearwater's Pier 60 with local artisans and street performers.
'I'm in shock': Venice residents react to Hurricane Ian damage
Derek Gilliamhttps://www.heraldtribune.com/story/weather/hurricane/2022/09/29/hurricane-ian-venice-fl-damage-residents-survey-aftermath/10460373002/
VENICE -- Bob and Mary Kuziel walked downtown Venice on Tampa Avenue searching for cell or internet Thursday morning about 8 a.m.The Venice residents had weathered the storm in their condo on the ground floor of the nine-story Costa Brava condo building.Bob Kuziel said they watched the rain come in sideways over Roberts Bay."We're trying to get in touch with people to let them know we are okay," Mary Kuziel said....
VENICE -- Bob and Mary Kuziel walked downtown Venice on Tampa Avenue searching for cell or internet Thursday morning about 8 a.m.
The Venice residents had weathered the storm in their condo on the ground floor of the nine-story Costa Brava condo building.
Bob Kuziel said they watched the rain come in sideways over Roberts Bay.
"We're trying to get in touch with people to let them know we are okay," Mary Kuziel said.
Sign up to a special texting group for updates on Hurricane Ian and its aftermath
Live Updates: Bridges are now open to Lido Key and Siesta Key in Sarasota
Recovery efforts:Recovery efforts underway after Ian slams Sarasota-Manatee, direct hits on Venice and North Port
Limit water usage:Manatee, Sarasota officials urge residents to limit water usage, flushing toilets
Instead, they found Venice Little Theater devastated by Hurricane Ian. The near-Category 5 storm had ripped through the local landmark just over the north bridge to the island of Venice.
Bob Kuziel said his grandkids have attended drama camp at the theater and it's a great place for seniors to spend time. He said it was sad to see it in this state.
“Due to the devastating impact and damage from Hurricane Ian, Venice Theatre is suspending all activity until further notice,” Murray Chase, producing executive director of the Venice Theatre, said in a text message. “We will be making announcements as soon S we have more information.
“Thank you for your calls and messages of support,” he added. “With the help of out community, we will be back stronger than ever!”
While the fear had been that storm surge would plunge Venice under feet of water, it appears Ian's worst damage has come from winds in Venice.
A little farther south in Venice at the Municipal Airport Mobile Home Park, many trailers had extensive roof damage. Cotton-candy pink insulation and twisted metal roof debris was strewn throughout the property.
Doris Welch has owned a manufactured home in the park since 1997, but only owned the mobile home -- where the aluminum roof was now peeled like an orange -- since 2005.
She said she weathered the storm at a friend's property about 10 minutes away. But on the ride over she worried that her property would be flattened.
"We know what mother nature can do with winds that high," she said. "It was inevitable."
While the damage looked bad, with parts of the roof flipped back, Welch thought the majority of the roof held and expected that it wasn't too severe.
Venice Municipal Airport, about half-mile from the mobile home park, had severe damage to several hangers.
"I lost two planes," Andre Ghawi said. "They were in the hangar. The hanger doesn't exist anymore. You don't figure on something like this happening."
Robert Helmick joined a flying club three years ago that helps him spread the cost of a plane over several other owners.
He said he drove down from Sarasota to check on his 1968 Beachcraft Musketeer on Thursday morning. When he got there, he was worried, pointing to a hanger that had been destroyed and the plane inside damaged.
But this time, Helmick was spared.
While the doors of the hanger where his plane was stored were blown off, the only apparent damage to the plane was a scrape on the propeller, likely caused by the door as they blew out.
"I'm in shock," he said, he added, saying, "This is just crazy."
Staff Writer Earle Kimel contributed to this report.
HCA Florida Englewood Hospital eyes expansion into North Port
Earle Kimelhttps://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/venice/2023/05/31/hca-florida-englewood-hospital-to-expand-into-north-port-with-er/70269550007/
New 30-acre site is across the street from North Port's new public safety facility in Wellen ParkSarasota Herald-TribuneNORTH PORT – HCA Florida Healthcare recently closed on an $11.1 million purchase of almost 30 acres of property on the south side of Tamiami Trail in Wellen Park, a move that would expand the reach of HCA Florida Englewood Hospital into North Port.The parcel is on the southeast corner of Tamiami Trail and Preto Boulevard, across the street from the new ...
New 30-acre site is across the street from North Port's new public safety facility in Wellen Park
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
NORTH PORT – HCA Florida Healthcare recently closed on an $11.1 million purchase of almost 30 acres of property on the south side of Tamiami Trail in Wellen Park, a move that would expand the reach of HCA Florida Englewood Hospital into North Port.
The parcel is on the southeast corner of Tamiami Trail and Preto Boulevard, across the street from the new North Port public safety complex that opened last April.
It was purchased from Main Street Ranchlands LLLC on April 28, according to the warranty deed.
HCA Florida Englewood Hospital confirmed in a response to an email that it would build a free-standing emergency department on the property.
Related:New internal medicine residency program starts at HCA Sarasota Doctors Hospital
“We look forward to bringing a free-standing emergency center to the rapidly growing Wellen Park area and are excited with it being part of a well-planned community designed around improving healthcare access,” Steve Young, Chief Executive Officer of HCA Florida Englewood Hospital, said in a prepared statement. “From emergency care to hospital care, we will continue to build to match the healthcare needs of the community as it grows.”
Wellen Park, west of the Myakka River in North Port, routinely ranks among the fastest-selling master planned communities in the country.
HCA Healthcare owns two hospitals in Sarasota County, including HCA Sarasota Doctors Hospital. It also owns HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Manatee County and HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital in Charlotte County.
Health care access in south Sarasota County was bolstered by the November 2021 opening of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Venice campus, then drastically cut last August, when Community Health Systems Inc started to close Shore Point Health Venice hospital.
The closure of the 312-bed facility meant an increase in patient flow at SMH Venice and longer travel times for residents in areas such as South Venice, Venice Gardens, Venice East and Plantation Golf & Country Club who had to travel to either the 110-bed SMH campus on Laurel Road or the 100-bed HCA Florida Englewood Hospital for care.
Expanded south Sarasota County care
HCA Florida opened a medical office in the West Villages Shopping Center last April and the emergency department at HCA Florida Englewood Hospital, 700 Medical Blvd. Englewood was expanded from 8 to 18 beds in December as part of a $10 million expansion project.
The HCA release said specific details will be released as plans are finalized but North Port District 5 City Commissioner Phil Stokes would not be surprised if the “hospital care” mentioned by Young quickly followed the free-standing emergency center.
Stokes said he had conversations with officials at the West Villages Improvement District that suggest HCA’s long–term plans would include a hospital developed on the same schedule – if not ahead of – Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s plans to build a hospital on 32 acres it owns off of the Sumter Boulevard Exit off of Interstate 75.
Sarasota Memorial is in the due diligence phase of building a facility on that 32-acre site.
Hurricane Ian – which has been characterized as a 500-year flood event – revealed the need to elevate access roads to the parcel, to ensure future flooding did not cut off access to such a facility.
Prior to Hurricane Ian, SMH had eyed a 2025 groundbreaking for its North Port hospital.
SMH also owns a 27.8-acre site at the southwest corner of U.S. 41 and West Villages Parkway in Wellen Park and has contemplated building an out-patient facility there, as well as revamping its free-standing emergency room at Bobcat Village off of Toledo Blade Boulevard.
All those plans will likely be impacted by HCA’s next moves in Wellen Park.
Increasing need
Stokes pointed to the continued development in Wellen Park as well as an anticipated 9,000 homes in Winchester Ranch – the portion of the former Thomas Ranch in unincorporated Sarasota County – as justification for two hospitals.
Earlier:Winchester Ranch plan for 9,000 homes advances in Sarasota County
“We seem to need it, the demographics support it,” Stokes said.
For the better part of two decades North Port city officials have been hoping to attract at least one hospital to the city but that was frequently stymied by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration certificate of need program that required justification for new hospital beds.
SMH technically transferred beds from its Sarasota campus to the Venice campus when it received approval for that hospital.
Florida did away with the requirement in 2019.
Why aren't boutique grocers moving to Venice?
Maggie Menderskihttps://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/venice/2017/01/17/why-arent-boutique-grocers-moving-to-venice/22653661007/
This time next year, Sarasota will have just about everything it could ever want as far as grocery stores go.But not everyone in Southwest Florida will feel that way. There’s still a huge void. It’s just not in Sarasota.The upcoming Sprouts Farmers Market in Pelican Plaza and the Lucky’s Market coming to Westfield Southgate have kept me busy in recent months. Whole Foods Market, which has been downtown for more ...
This time next year, Sarasota will have just about everything it could ever want as far as grocery stores go.
But not everyone in Southwest Florida will feel that way. There’s still a huge void. It’s just not in Sarasota.
The upcoming Sprouts Farmers Market in Pelican Plaza and the Lucky’s Market coming to Westfield Southgate have kept me busy in recent months. Whole Foods Market, which has been downtown for more than a decade, is putting a second location at the southwest corner of Honore Avenue and University Parkway. Meanwhile, there’s a Fresh Market that’s not too far from that site and a Trader Joe’s on the south end of town where it's that’s been hard to find a parking spot since it opened in 2012.
Sarasotans have got their pick of boutique grocery stores, but that’s not the case in the rest of the county.
I had a voicemail waiting for me when I got into the newsroom on Thursday morning. I’d written a column the day before announcing the April 12 grand opening date for Sprouts in Pelican Plaza, on U.S. 41 across from Westfield Sarasota Square.
The caller lived in Venice, and she said she’s got her choice of Publix stores but that’s about it. The community also has a Detwiler’s Farm Market, a few Winn-Dixies and a Richard’s Foodporium, but nothing quite like the Lucky’s and Sprouts stores that are cropping up just a little farther north.
South Sarasota County is growing. Thousands of homes are being built in Venice and farther south. So, our reader wanted to know, what's the holdup? Why weren’t these grocers looking past Sarasota yet?
Venice has a collection of strip malls but it doesn’t really have a dominant retail center, said Stan Rutstein, a commercial real estate broker in Manatee County. These boutique grocers don’t want to move into outdated and struggling shopping centers that have more blank spaces than tenants. Players such as Sprouts and Lucky’s look for locations that already are shopping hubs.
Venice will need something with the feel and the density of Lakewood Ranch or even similar to Cocoplum Village Shops in North Port, Rutstein said, for it to attract these new organic grocery chains.
Right now, Venice is seeing droves of new subdivisions but still lacks the right retail space to match that growth.
But that doesn’t mean these stores aren’t coming to South County, said Barry Seidel, president of American Property Group of Sarasota Inc., Sarasota is slowly invading the Nokomis, Osprey and even the Venice area. It won’t be long until those towns are just thought of as part of the larger northern community. The Sarasota Sprouts technically falls in Vamo’s borders, but that’s not how Southwest Florida really thinks of that spot. Neither does Sprouts. Every announcement we’ve seen from the company has said the grocer is coming to South Sarasota.
Five years ago, Sprouts wouldn’t have even considered a move to Pelican Plaza, Seidel said. But Manatee County-based Benderson Development Co. bought the defunct shopping center in 2012 and slowly turned a retail graveyard into an attraction.
With the housing boom in Venice, we’re bound to see something similar happen there, too, but it will take time. Rutstein said he expects the community will need another three or five years of growth.
Our little corner of Southwest Florida is accustomed to waiting.
Organic grocers such as Lucky's and Earth Fare have been planting “Coming Soon” signs throughout the Sunshine State for the past few years. Our market is rarely a place for firsts. Typically, retailers wait to set up shop here until they’ve moved into the Tampa or Orlando areas. Sarasota is a good spot for fifths and sixths. Venice isn't even on the list yet. Retailers are aware of Venice but it’s just not the attraction Sarasota is.
There are exceptions to this, though. We’ve already seen it with Sprouts. That Pelican Plaza store will be the second in the state, and it’s slated to open just two months after the first one launches in Hillsborough County.
We’re inching our way up the priority list. Retailers are excited about Southwest Florida — so much so that they’re saturating our market. Lucky’s, Sprouts, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Fresh Market already have plans or roots here. Another boutique-style grocer is expected to move into the Siesta Promenade development at U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road. Earth Fare is eyeing a spot in Lakewood Ranch.
No wonder Vamo, just south of all that competition, looked attractive.
It’s only a matter of time before Venice does, too.
— Maggie Menderski, the Herald-Tribune’s retail and tourism reporter, can be reached at 941-361-4951 or at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @MaggieMenderski. Read her daily blog at whatsinstore.blogs.heraldtribune.com.
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