PPC is Leading the Way in Community Care!

May 26, 2022

Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida is the largest independent, physician owned primary care practice in Lee County. Because of this independence, decisions can be made quickly and without the hoops to jump through that other practices may encounter. For example, during COVID, patients were still being cared for and the office remained open. Mary C Yankaskas, MD, the Managing Physician at PPC, explains the community nature of the practice. “As a local group, our physicians and other providers live and work here and are part of the community. That means the decisions we make affect us and our patients personally.” She enjoys how well the staff and her colleagues work together for the betterment of each patient. This personal attention and commitment to the community makes a difference as patients consistently refer others to Physicians’ Primary Care. A first-time visitor said, “Everyone in the office is helpful and friendly. I felt as though they were interested in me and I was not just a number to be rushed through the process. I loved my first visit!!!!!” Because the providers are members of the community, many of them support causes and charities important to them. As a group, PPC is committed to working with area medical groups to promote the care of the community. The providers are also active in the Lee County Medical Society and the local health system. Recently, Physicians’ Primary Care celebrated its 25th anniversary. It has grown to become a multi-specialty group that includes over 45 providers specializing in internal medicine, family practice, and pediatrics. Additional services are provided through the laboratory and ancillary team. Dr. Yankaskas also explains that in this changing healthcare environment, PPC is looking for people who want to be part of the team. If you’re interested, send an email to mtenzel@ppcswfl.com. Consider making Physicians’ Primary Care your home. “Let Our Family Take Care Of Your Family”

PPC Castle Connolly Top Doctors for 2022!

February 2, 2022

We are honored to announce that Dr. Shikha Shrestha, Dr. Michael Verwest and Dr. Staci Van Winkle have been named Castle Connolly Top Doctors for 2022! For over 25 years, Castle Connolly has been proud to be the most trusted resource in identifying Top Doctors such as yourself - a recognition that only goes to the top 7% of all US board-certified physicians. In today's world, your Top Doctor distinction needs a strong digital presence. Today, over 60% of patients use online resources to find a provider - a number that increased by 30% from 2018 to 2020*. When patients find you online, they need to know you are a Top Doctor. To this end, we have partnered with Wright's Media to offer brand new custom-designed physical and digital awards to showcase your achievement online and in-office, thereby sending a strong signal to your patients that they will be receiving the highest level of quality care. To request access to our new digital award store, please use the button below. For information about our new digital award options, contact Wright's Media at castleconnolly@wrightsmedia.com. Click to Access Castle Connolly Award Store Access Kindest regards, John Connolly, Castle Connolly Co-Founder and Medical Advisory Board Chairman

Dr. Vo to Lead Lee County Medical Society 2022 Board

December 29, 2021

Dr. Tracy Vo To Lead Lee County Medical Society 2022 Board of Directors FORT MYERS, FLA., December 29, 2021 – Dr. Tracy Vo, internal medicine physician with Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida, has been elected president of the Lee County Medical Society for 2022. “We are very proud that one of our family of physicians at Physicians’ Primary Care has been tapped to lead the Lee County Medical Society,” said Dr. Mary Yankaskas, managing physician of Physicians’ Primary Care. “Dr. Vo brings many years of medical expertise and compassion for her patients that is sure to benefit the members of the Lee County Medical Society.” Dr. Vo opened her private practice in Cape Coral in 2002 and joined Physicians’ Primary Care in 2014. She is a graduate of the Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa., and received her doctorate in osteopathic medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. This was followed by an internship in osteopathic medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem, Pa. and a residency in internal medicine at Sun Coast Hospital in Largo, Fla. Upon finishing her residency, she moved to Southwest Florida where she was in private practice for three years before opening her own internal medicine office in Cape Coral in 2002. Dr. Vo has hospital privileges at Cape Coral Hospital, Lee Memorial Hospital, Health Park Medical Center and Gulf Coast Hospital. She is board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, the American College of Osteopathic Internists, the Florida Medical Association and the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association. Dr. Vo’s charitable activities include Woman Builders for Habitat for Humanity, The Heights Foundation and Community Cooperative. The 2022 LCMS Board of Directors Executive Committee is: President Tracy Vo, DO; President-Elect Ryan Lundquist, MD; Treasurer Scott Caesar, MD; Secretary Gamini Soori, MD, MBA, Past President Elizabeth Cosmai, MD; and Secretary-elect, Arie Dosoretz, MD. LCMS would also like to recognize its 2022 Directors and Members at Large: Avra Carpousis-Bowers, MD; Janette Gaw, MD; Harmindar Gill, MD; Danielle Matta, MD; Ramon Pabalan, MD; and Ex Officio members: Stuart Bobman, MD; and Shane Geffe, MD. Also assisting the Board is Executive Director Julie Ramirez, CAE. The 2022 Board Installation will be held on January 22, 2022 at Lexington Country Club in conjunction with the Medical Society Foundation’s Annual Medical Service Awards dinner. Lee County Medical Society is a professional organization of over 800 physician members practicing in Lee County, Florida. Its mission is to advocate for physicians and their relationships with patients; promote public health and uphold the professionalism of the practice of medicine. Since 1927, the Society has been a trusted source of health policy leadership in Lee County. The Society also provides programs to educate physicians of all specialty areas while encouraging professional integrity and unity. In 2020, the Society transitioned to a permanent virtual office. For more information, go to www.lcmsfl.org.

New South Fort Myers Adult Medicine Office

October 5, 2021

FORT MYERS, FLA., October 4, 2021 – Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida has expanded its reach with the opening of its new South Fort Myers adult medicine office in the Burks Plaza at 13195 Metro Parkway. “This location allows us to accommodate the growth in patients as well as service the primary health care needs of Lee County. Our patients will have increased access to care from this southern location,” said Dr. Mary Yankaskas, managing physician of Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida. The new office will include Dr. Jorge Valenzuela and Dr. Jennelle Villaflor. Appointments can be made by calling 239-482-1010. New patients are accepted. Services offered at the new location include adult physicals and comprehensive care and treatment. Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida, a physician-owned and operated medical practice, is celebrating its 25th anniversary of caring for Southwest Florida families. The practice was formed in 1996 by many local physicians and has grown to become the largest physician-owned primary care practice in Southwest Florida. Medical specialties include family practice, internal medicine and pediatrics. Offices are conveniently located throughout Lee County. For more information, visit www.ppcswfl.com.

National Recognition for Patient-Centered Care

September 16, 2021

FORT MYERS, FLA., September 16, 2021 —The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has announced that Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida has once again received NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term, participative relationships. Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida has been recognized as a Patient-Centered Medical Home continuously since 2013. The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care, improve patients’ experience of care and reduce costs. Medical homes foster ongoing partnerships between patients and their personal clinicians, instead of approaching care as the sum of episodic office visits. Each patient’s care is overseen by clinician-led care teams that coordinate treatment across the health care system. Research shows that medical homes can lead to higher quality and lower costs, and can improve patient and provider reported experiences of care. “NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information technology and coordinated care focused on patients,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “Recognition shows that Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida has the tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the right care, at the right time.” “Our goal is to provide patient-centric care to our patients. Attaining certification as a patient-centered medical home is a natural extension of this. We operate our practice to provide each patient access to their physicians, medical records, preventative care and routine health maintenance,” said Dr. Mary Yankaskas, managing physician of Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida. “We have empowered all of the members of our team to advocate for our patients to improve their health and provide a better, more caring environment.” To earn recognition, Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida demonstrated the ability to meet the program’s key elements, embodying characteristics of the medical home. NCQA standards aligned with the joint principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home established with the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association. About Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida, a physician-owned and operated medical practice, is celebrating its 25th anniversary of caring for Southwest Florida families. The practice was formed in 1996 by many local physicians and has grown to become the largest physician-owned primary care practice in Southwest Florida. Medical specialties include internal medicine, family practice and pediatrics. Offices are conveniently located in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Lehigh Acres. For more information, visit www.ppcswfl.com. About NCQA NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA’s Web site (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more informed health care choices.

PPC Appoints New HR Manager

August 17, 2021

Physicians' Primary Care of Southwest Florida has appointed Melissa Tenzel as its new Human Resources Manager, effective September 1. Tenzel has served as the human resources generalist at Physicians' Primary Care since 2017. She succeeds Fran Barker, who is retiring after 21 years with the primary care practice. "We are very pleased to have Melissa in this very important role of overseeing all human resources functions for our practice, said PPC Practice Administrator Annette Pounders. Tenzel has more than 21 years of experience in human resources in government, healthcare, higher education and commercial enterprises. Prior to joining PPC, she worked in human resources in the administrative office to the courts of the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida and as payroll manager at Florida SouthWestern State College. She is a Senior Certified Professional awarded by the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

PPC on the cover of Cape Coral Living Magazine

July 8, 2021

Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida (PPC), featured on the cover of Cape Coral Living Magazine (Jul-Aug 2021), is celebrating its 25th year as the largest physician-owned and managed multi-specialty primary care group in Lee County. Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida (PPC) is looking ahead in 2021 and gearing up to celebrate its 25th year as a physician-owned and managed multi-specialty primary care group in Lee County. It all came together in 1996 when several independent physician groups decided to join forces. It was a time of change in the national health care system with the influence of insurance companies and hospital acquisitions. Many well-known local physicians had a desire to remain independent. So after weighing all the factors, 26 physicians from OBGYN, Family Medicine and Pediatric practices merged to become one large group. The merger enabled the physicians to not only remain independent but to provide enhanced quality patient care.

PPC Earns Laboratory Reaccreditation

May 14, 2021

Physicians' Primary Care of Southwest Florida has earned reaccreditation of its laboratory from COLA, the national healthcare accreditation organization. Accreditation is awarded only to laboratories that apply highest standards of quality in day-to-day operations, demonstrate continued accuracy in the performance of proficiency testing, and pass a rigorous on-site laboratory survey. "We are honored to receive reaccreditation from COLA. This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our staff, medical support and physicians and shows our long-term commitment to provide high quality medical care to our patients," said Dr. Mary Yankaskas, managing physician of Physicians' Primary Care of Southwest Florida. COLA is a non-profit, physician-directed organization promoting quality and excellence in laboratory medicine and patient care through programs of voluntary education, achievement, and accreditation. COLA is approved by the federal government and sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association, and the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine. Physicians' Primary Care of Southwest Florida, a physician-owned and operated medical practice, is celebrating its 25th anniversary of caring for Southwest Florida families. The practice was formed in 1996 by many local physicians and has grown to become the largest physician-owned independent primary care practice in Southwest Florida. Medical specialties include family practice, internal medicine and pediatrics. Offices are conveniently located throughout Lee County. For more information, visit www.ppcswfl.com.

Four “Top Doctors” by Castle Connolly Medical

May 12, 2021

Four Lehigh Acres physicians with Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida have been named “Top Doctors” by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. in New York. Castle Connolly is an independent research and information company that is the nation’s leading provider of information on top physicians. All four of the physicians practice at the Lehigh Acres office of Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida at 5700 Lee Boulevard. They are: * Georgia Rocha-Rodriquez, M.D., a pediatrician who also practices in the Fort Myers pediatrics office at 9350 Camelot Drive. Dr Rocha-Rodriguez is a five-time repeat winner from 2016 to 2020. * Shikha Shrestha, M.D., an internal medicine physician. * Michael Verwest, M.D., a family medicine physician. * Stanley Wiggins, M.D., a pediatrician who also practices in the Cape Coral office at 1261 Viscaya Parkway. A total of seven physicians from Physicians’ Primary Care of SWF were honored as Top Doctors. The others are: * Charles Curtis, M.D., a family medicine physician in the Cape Coral office at 1255 Viscaya Parkway. Dr. Curtis is an eight-time repeat winner from 2013 to 2020. * Staci Van Winkle, M.D., a family medicine physician in the Fort Myers office at 7381 College Parkway. * Scott Wiley, M.D., a family medicine physician in the Cape Coral office at 1255 Viscaya Parkway. Selections are made through a national survey of physicians and hospital administrators conducted by Castle Connolly. After the votes are tallied, Castle Connolly ensures that the physicians meet the company’s criteria, which include board certification, years of experience in their specialties, and a clean disciplinary record. “Castle Connolly is widely recognized for its extensive research of the medical profession. This demonstrates to our patients that we have been evaluated and meet their highest standards,” said Dr. Mary Yankaskas, managing physician of Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida. The physicians will be featured in the July issue of Gulfshore Life magazine and honored at an awards banquet. Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida, a physician-owned and operated medical practice, is celebrating its 25th year of caring for Southwest Florida families. The practice was formed in 1996 by many long practicing local physicians and has grown to become the largest independent physician-owned primary care practice in Southwest Florida. Medical specialties include family practice, internal medicine and pediatrics. PPC’s offices are located in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres. For more information, visit www.ppcswfl.com.

Physicians’ Primary Care of SWFL Celebrates 25 Years

February 11, 2021

This year marks 25 years in business for the largest independent multi-specialty physicians’ practice in Southwest Florida. Physicians’ Primary Care of SWFL was formed in 1996 by several of the area’s best-known independent physician groups. The three founding doctors still with Physicians’ Primary Care are Dr. John Ritrosky, a pediatrician; Dr. Charles Curtis, a family medicine physician, and Dr. Mary Yankaskas, the managing physician for the entire practice. “From the business aspect, it means we have control of our business. As physician owners, the decisions we make impact us personally,” said Yankaskas. “So, we’re thoughtful about the decisions we make and not only how they affect our patients, but ourselves and our staff, too.” Being physician-owned also allows them to be more nimble and adaptive. “Like through COVID,” Yankaskas said. “As things were happening and changing on a daily basis, we were able to quickly gather everyone together and learn how to use Zoom very quickly and make decisions for the practice and keep it open and keep our patients and staff safe.” The multi-specialty group consists of over 47 providers who specialize in things like internal medicine, family practice and pediatrics. They have offices in Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres and Cape Coral, where there are seven. The medium-sized independent group of physicians are entrepreneurs who practice medicine and want to be able to actively manage their practice. “In an employed model, the owners may or may not be physicians,” Yankaskas said. “And when they’re not, they may not have walked in our shoes. The things that are important to us may not be important to non-physicians.” Physicians’ Primary Care’s diverse group of specialties means it’s able to provide healthcare to a wide array of patients including newborns, children, teenagers, adults and seniors. The physicians work collaboratively with the health system and other groups in Southwest Florida to care for their patients. “With all of the changes in healthcare and the loss of small groups, it is a testament to our group that we continue to grow and innovate,” Yankaskas said. “We believe strongly in physician-owned groups and the need for physician leadership in healthcare.” Recently, Physicians’ Primary Care of SWFL was the recipient of three national awards from the American Heart Associa-tion and the American Medical Association. The accolades are in recognition of the group’s commitment to improving the health of its patients in cholesterol management, controlling blood pressure and management of Type II diabetes. As managing physician, Yankaskas oversees the clinical operations and financial aspects of the practice. “When you look at corporate structure, it’s sort of like the chief medical officer,” she said. “But I also do a lot of non-clinical work as well.” Yankaskas said her favorite part about what she does is getting to work with partners who really care about their patients. “And they are willing to be innovative and help treat their patients,” she said. “Our doctors are passionate about their patient care and by having the structure that we do, they can take care of patients and we can take care of everything else, like the clinical and operational support.” “They don’t have to be involved in the day-to-day nitty-gritty of managing the practice.” Physicians’ Primary Care of SWFL also offers lab work, radiology and physical therapy. Throughout the years, Yankaskas said the staff has been an integral part of the practice. “We have 13 employees who have been with us for 25 years,” she said. “We’re a good place to work even through this craziness of COVID.” For a list of all of the Physicians’ Primary Care of SWFL locations, visit here. Read the full article here.

Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines

January 26, 2021

Now that there are authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines in the United States, accurate vaccine information is critical. It can be difficult to know which sources of information you can trust. Learn more about finding credible vaccine information.

Physicians’ Primary Care of SW Florida Earns National Recognition for Improving Patient Health

December 29, 2020

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Dec. 22, 2020 - PRLog -- Physicians' Primary Care of Southwest Florida is the recipient of three national awards from the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association in recognition of its commitment to improving the health of its patients in cholesterol management, controlling blood pressure and management of Type II Diabetes.

Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida Earns Recognition as a Patient-Centered Medical Home

August 24, 2020

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Aug. 24, 2020 - PRLog -- he National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has announced that Physicians' Primary Care of Southwest Florida has once again received NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term, participative relationships.

Physicians’ Primary Care Physicians Named Top Doctors

March 9, 2020

Two physicians with Physicians' Primary Care of Southwest Florida have been named "Top Doctors" by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. in New York.

Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida asks patients to call first if they’re feeling sick

March 6, 2020

If you’re feeling sick and think you may have coronavirus (COVID-19) or the flu, call your doctor first, don’t come into the clinic. That’s the message Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida is sending out to their patients. Andryanna Sheppard spoke with the doctors who are putting in the policy to keep an infection from spreading.

Dr. Amanda L. Danley Joins Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida

October 3, 2019

Dr. Danley earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Florida State University in Tallahassee. Her residency was completed at Florida State University’s residency program at Lee Health in Fort Myers, where she was named "Outstanding Resident." During her residency, Dr. Danley participated in a medical service trip to Los Cedros, Nicaragua. She also provided pre-sports physicals for under-served middle and high school students in Immokalee and assisted with medical care and evaluation of athletes during football games of Island Coast High School in Cape Coral.

Dr. Amanda L. Danley Joins Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida

September 27, 2019

Dr. Amanda L. Danley has joined Physicians' Primary Care of Southwest Florida as a family medicine physician. Dr. Danley earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Florida State University in Tallahassee. Her residency was completed at Florida State University's residency program at Lee Health in Fort Myers, where she was named "Outstanding Resident."

Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida Adds Two

August 15, 2019

Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida has added two new family medicine physicians to its staff. Dr. Karla Noel has joined Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida as a family medicine physician at the Fort Myers office. Dr. Syed Sher also is a family medicine physician and will see patients at the Cape Coral Family Medicine office. Noel has 19 years of experience as a family medicine physician and has worked with medical practices in Hawaii, Florida and Indiana. Noel holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Indiana School of Medicine and Bachelor of Science degree in history and biology at Ball State University. She was chief resident at the Lehigh Valley Family Practice in Allentown, Pennsylvania and has received recognition from the National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) Patient Centered Medical Home physician training. Noel is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Association. Sher holds a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center and Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Houston in Texas. He served his residency at Ocala Regional Medical Center in Florida and is a member of the American Osteopathic Association.

Physicians’ Primary Care Physicians Named Top Doctors

April 16, 2019

Southwest Florida have been named "Top Doctors" by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. in New York. Family Medicine physician Charles Curtis, M.D., and Pediatrician Georgia Rocha-Rodriguez, M.D., will be featured in the June issue of Gulfshore Life magazine. Dr. Curtis is a six-time repeat winner from 2013 to 2018. Dr. Rocha-Rodriguez is a three-time repeat winner from 2016 to 2018.

Physicians’ Primary Care Of Southwest Florida Earns Laboratory Excellence Award

February 22, 2019

Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida recently received the Laboratory Excellence Award during the reaccreditation of its laboratory from COLA, the national healthcare accreditation organization.

Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida Earns Laboratory Excellence Award

February 22, 2019

(MENAFN - PRLog) Physicians' Primary Care of Southwest Florida recently received the Laboratory Excellence Award during the reaccreditation of its laboratory from COLA, the national healthcare accreditation organization.

Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida Welcomes Angela Frink, APRN

December 6, 2018

Angela Frink has joined Physicians' Primary Care of Southwest Florida as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. Frink is a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University., where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and her Master of Science degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Five from Physicians’ Primary Care of SW Florida named ‘top doctors’

April 11, 2018

Physicians’ Primary Care Physicians Named Castle Connolly Top Doctors

March 29, 2018

Dr. Jorge Valenzuela joins Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida

January 17, 2018

Dr. Jorge Valenzuela Joins Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida

January 8, 2018

Healthy Lee – Dr. Melissa Bacchus Joins Physicians’ Primary Care of SWF

October 5, 2017

PRLOG – Dr. Melissa Bacchus Joins Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida

August 21, 2017

Healthy Lee – Physicians’ Primary Care Welcomes Brian Collins, ARNP

August 2, 2017

VAN DE VELDE JOINS PHYSICIANS’ PRIMARY CARE

June 23, 2017

John van de Velde has joined Physicians' Primary Care of Southwest Florida as a pediatric nurse practitioner. He will assist pediatric physicians at the Fort Myers Pediatric office, 9350 Camelot Drive and the Cape Coral Pediatric office at 1261 Viscaya Parkway, Suite 1.