Miami, Florida Providers

[Foolish Old]

I'd really appreciate any current information anyone has on providers with SCI experience in the Miami, Florida area.

URO, DME, Rehab, GastroIntestinal, accessibility equipment, wheelchair clinic, etc.

Thanks.

[SCI-Nurse]

For a physiatrist, I would recommend:

Diana Cardenas, M.D, M.H.A.
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Dept of Rehab Medicine
PO Box 016960 (D-461)
Miami, Fl 33101
(305)585-1327

She may not do primary care, but she should be able to refer you to someone who does, as well as to the other specialists you are looking for. She is well respected in the SCI care field and has published a lot of research.

(KLD)

[Foolish Old]

For a physiatrist, I would recommend:

Diana Cardenas, M.D, M.H.A.
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Dept of Rehab Medicine
PO Box 016960 (D-461)
Miami, Fl 33101
(305)585-1327

She may not do primary care, but she should be able to refer you to someone who does, as well as to the other specialists you are looking for. She is well respected in the SCI care field and has published a lot of research.

(KLD)

KLD - thanks for your recommendation, I'll check it out. I'm also interested in hearing from patients/consumers.

[SoFla]

My only complaint with UM is that appointments are scheduled, but it is still done clinic style. The doctors are great, but it can be a long day!

Once I was finished with surgery and post-op, I was transfered to Health South in Sunrise. I still use my rehab doctor from Health South.

PM me is you would like to hear more.

[pipmed]

Urologist-
Floyd Seskin, MD- Aventura (305) 792-6905 also has Miami Bch office
Dr. Lee- Office near Jackson Memorial- ask UM/JM School of Medicine for info (office in medical building- not clinic environment)

Physiatrist-
Dr. Ronald Tolchin- prev. w/ Kessler Institute in West Orange, NJ and now
chief of Rehab at VA hospital in Miami
He sees private patients through Jackson Memorial- office in basement of Rehab Center (non clinic environment) call Jackson Rehab Center for contact info. (305) 585-1111.

DME, Medical Supplies, Rehab Equip, Vehicle Mods, Home Mods-
Piper Medical, Mobility, and Accessibility (305) 940-2030.
www.pipermedicalmobilityaccessibility.com (http://www.pipermedicalmobilityaccessibility.com) Owned by SCI survivor.

Hope this is of some help.
Evan

[Foolish Old]

pipmed - Thanks, I'll check out your suggestions. Are they based on being a patient of these docs, or something else?

I'll follow the DME+ link. SCI owner should be a plus. Noticing your screen name, any connection?

[paramoto]

I did some research and Dr. Cardenas appears to have moved to the Washington state area. Here is the address I found for her.

Address:
University of Washington
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
1959 NE Pacific Street
Box 356490
Seattle, WA 98195-6490

[pipmed]

pipmed - Thanks, I'll check out your suggestions. Are they based on being a patient of these docs, or something else?

I'll follow the DME+ link. SCI owner should be a plus. Noticing your screen name, any connection?


I am and have been a patient of all of these docs. And yes, very perceptive, I am involved in the DME +++.

Let me know if you need further details and you can even view my ugly mug on the website.
Evan

[paramoto]

For a general anual check up, is Dr. Torchin a good alternative??


Urologist-
Floyd Seskin, MD- Aventura (305) 792-6905 also has Miami Bch office
Dr. Lee- Office near Jackson Memorial- ask UM/JM School of Medicine for info (office in medical building- not clinic environment)

Physiatrist-
Dr. Ronald Tolchin- prev. w/ Kessler Institute in West Orange, NJ and now
chief of Rehab at VA hospital in Miami
He sees private patients through Jackson Memorial- office in basement of Rehab Center (non clinic environment) call Jackson Rehab Center for contact info. (305) 585-1111.

DME, Medical Supplies, Rehab Equip, Vehicle Mods, Home Mods-
Piper Medical, Mobility, and Accessibility (305) 940-2030.
www.pipermedicalmobilityaccessibility.com (http://www.pipermedicalmobilityaccessibility.com) Owned by SCI survivor.

Hope this is of some help.
Evan

[paramoto]

I wrote Dr. Cardenas and she wrote me back saying that she had moved from Seattle to Miami last year. So she is in Miami after all and is available for consultation.

What can I expect from an appointment with her as far as annual routine check ups go. I live outside the US and would travel specifically for the medical exam. What tests, exams, analysis would she do. I feel fine, have no issues and will go in for a routine thorough exam. Also, how long could this take in terms of days if she would require me to go elsewhere for exams??


I did some research and Dr. Cardenas appears to have moved to the Washington state area. Here is the address I found for her.

Address:
University of Washington
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
1959 NE Pacific Street
Box 356490
Seattle, WA 98195-6490

[SCI-Nurse]

Yes, I knew she had left Seattle last year for Miami, which is why I posted her name here. Her new address in Miami is what I posted above (from the ASIA website).

(KLD)

[pipmed]

For a general anual check up, is Dr. Torchin a good alternative??

I use Dr. Tolchin for my general check up once or twice a year. He is very good in my opinion and also is highly liked by several others that I know.
Evan

[paramoto]

Thanks Evan. What does Dr. Tolchin do for you in your general check up. What tests, exams, analysis does he focus on?? Thanks again.

I use Dr. Tolchin for my general check up once or twice a year. He is very good in my opinion and also is highly liked by several others that I know.
Evan

[pipmed]

Thanks Evan. What does Dr. Tolchin do for you in your general check up. What tests, exams, analysis does he focus on?? Thanks again.

Most of all he takes all the time required and listens. He never rushes you out the door and it is not unusual if he spends 30 minutes with you during the visit (sometimes this does cause him to run a little behind schedule, but worth it in my opinion). I usually pre-plan by making a list of issues that I want to discuss. I also make a list of my meds. He jokes about that but atleast I don't leave with the "I should have asked that" regret. He usually re-asseses injury level, evaluates bowel, bladder and skin issues, assesses preventative measures, and discusses recommended courses of action on all the issues. He also re-evaluates the meds. After that, he usually will make recommendations and give prescriptions as he feels necessary for further testing or referrals. Some examples are a bone density test, urologist referral for Uro Dynamics, GI referral for colonoscopy, etc. He also gives new prescriptions for meds and physical therapy with suggestions to therapist. I also see a GP doctor for the routine physical exam- blood work, heart, lungs, etc. (like I normally did pre-injury).

I think the thing to remember is that a physiatrist mainly manages your rehab and post injury related care. The normal things that a regular doctor does on a physical is not really what I think should be part of the physiatrist exam although there is some overlap. I am sure that my description is not 100% accurate, but I believe pretty close anyway.
Hope this helps,
Evan

[Foolish Old]

I made an appointment with Dr. Cardenas for later this month. I was also very interested in Dr. Tolchin, but Dr. C won the coin toss on the recommendation of a Jackson Memorial PT. I'll let you know if I learn anything of interest.

[Tiger Racing]

I'd really appreciate any current information anyone has on providers with SCI experience in the Miami, Florida area.

URO, DME, Rehab, GastroIntestinal, accessibility equipment, wheelchair clinic, etc.
Do you know Robin Smith at Miami Physical Therapy Associates (http://www.miamipta.com/)? He's put up with my crap for years.

C.

[Foolish Old]

Do you know Robin Smith at Miami Physical Therapy Associates (http://www.miamipta.com/)? He's put up with my crap for years.

C.

No, I have no knowledge of Mr. Smith or MPTA. Thanks for this link. The web site says all the right stuff. What's the reality? I'd appreciate any and all you would care to share about your experiences in Miami. PM me if there is anything you prefer remain private.

Again, thanks.

[Tiger Racing]

No, I have no knowledge of Mr. Smith or MPTA. Thanks for this link. The web site says all the right stuff. What's the reality? I'd appreciate any and all you would care to share about your experiences in Miami. PM me if there is anything you prefer remain private.
I have very little sense of privacy. There's really only one or two things that I really don't talk about much with most people. Physical therapy ain't one of them! Although I do hate it and haven't done much of it in recent years.

I've seen Robin on and off since I had my accident. I started going to biofeedback in Miami about 18 years ago. I would go twice a year for at least 2 weeks at a time and I would also do some PT while I was there. I have always had a crappy attitude about therapy, but Robin has always managed to stay positive and find ways to encourage me in spite of my extreme distaste for PT. He's kind of a quiet guy, but his gym is full of supportive, friendly people, both therapists and patients. He gets a number of celebrities too. I met Colin Farrell there when he was in Miami filming "Miami Vice". He's nice looking in person, but what a freak! Anyway, Robin seems pretty thorough in his approach. He encourages people to try various things and also listens to suggestions that people bring to him. He's big on safety and health and he provides summary reports after a course of therapy that are easy enough for the layman to understand, but also provide good info to any other medical professionals you may be seeing.

I don't really know how his fees compare to others at this time because he's the only PT that I've seen in ages and I haven't actually been to his gym in about a year. I would recommend him to someone newly injured or to anyone who's been doing this for a while and knows the ropes. Too many physical therapists are entirely too chipper for my liking. I know that sunshiney, happy day personae works for a lot of people, but I find it annoying. Robin seems able to adjust his level of good cheer to suit the individual. :)

If you have any specific questions, fire away. I don't know what else I can tell you, but I'm happy to try.

Oh! Have you tried biofeedback? That's one thing that I HIGHLY recommend to anyone who can get it. It's the one thing that I always felt was beneficial. Major bang for your buck in terms of time spent and function returned. Dr. Brucker is a very, happy man who you would think I would find annoying as Hel, but he's SO nice that even I can't help but love him.

C.

[Foolish Old]

Saw Dr. Cardenas yesterday. Very pleasant, patient and thorough. She examined my entire naked body, tested sensation and strength (said L2) and is making arrangements for some PT follow-ups for new chair and functional evaluations. She took the time to understand and answer all my questions.

She ordered a renal ultrasound, I watched and asked questions. All seemed okay with both kidneys and bladder.

She wants me to come back in 90 days. She didn't think I was a good candidate for any surgical interventions (bladder nerve transplant, prolapse repair).

[Foolish Old]

Tiger,

Thanks for the PT info. I had hoped to stop by MPTA, unfortunately time did not allow. Maybe next time.

Want to elaborate on the bio-feedback? What did you do? How did it help?

Thanks.