Welcome to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast with Dr. Kerry Reller! In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Lakadawala, DNP, one of our own at Clearwater Family Medicine & Allergy. Sarah shares what it means to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and breaks down her doctoral quality improvement project exploring GLP-1 therapy (semaglutide) in patients with autoimmune disease—not primarily for weight loss, but for quality of life.

We discuss what autoimmune disease is, why inflammation and fatigue are so common, and why Sarah chose to evaluate low-dose and “microdose” semaglutide in this population. She walks through her study design, baseline labs, and the two evidence-based questionnaires she used (Fatigue Severity Scale and PROMIS-29)—plus what improved, what didn’t, and what she’d do differently next time (including narrowing to one autoimmune condition and adding body composition/visceral fat data). We also talk about real-world clinical nuance: steroids, biologics, CRP limitations, and the importance of consistent anti-inflammatory habits.

Sarah Lakadawala is a nurse practitioner at CFMA. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of South Florida, where her work focused on GLP-1 therapy and autoimmune conditions.

0:28 – Welcome + Sarah’s background (DNP, ICU → urgent care → family medicine)
1:31 – What a DNP is and why nurses pursue it
3:31 – Her project: GLP-1s in autoimmune patients (beyond weight loss)
4:44 – Study type overview: QI vs RCT vs meta-analysis
5:47 – Autoimmune disease explained + inflammation/obesity connection
7:40 – Study design: baseline labs, CRP, and quality-of-life surveys
9:10 – Microdosing semaglutide: starting at 0.125 mg
10:45 – PROMIS-29 + Fatigue Severity Scale: what improved
11:50 – Why CRP wasn’t statistically significant + meds confounders
14:17 – Dose changes (0.125 vs 0.25), fatigue nuance, and switching to tirzepatide
19:11 – Med reductions, fewer flares, and what she’d improve next time

Connect with Dr. Reller
Podcast website: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryrellermd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterFamilyMedicine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearwaterfamilymedicine/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kerryrellermd
Clearwater Family Medicine and Allergy website: https://sites.google.com/view/clearwa...
Podcast: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...

Subscribe to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon music, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Pandora.

Welcome to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast with Dr. Kerry Reller! This week, I’m sharing a special episode from my appearance on Love & Science Fertility with reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Erica Bove. We break down what’s truly safe (and what’s not) for allergies and asthma while trying to conceive and during pregnancy—covering inhalers, antihistamines like loratadine and cetirizine, nasal steroids (including budesonide), decongestants to avoid, HEPA filters and dust-mite strategies, travel tips, allergy shots (when to continue vs. when not to start), and biologics like Xolair and Dupixent. The key takeaway: well-controlled asthma is safer than poorly controlled asthma in pregnancy—oxygen matters for mom and baby. Tune in for clear, evidence-based reassurance.

Erica Bove, MD, is a double board certified OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist (REI) physician at the University of Vermont, She is also the CEO and founder of Love and Science: Thriving Through Infertility. She has a keen interest in marrying an evidence-based approach with intuitive knowing in the context of a trusting relationship. She empowers women physicians to build their families with confidence, self compassion and community. Her mission is to heal and support the healers and to create a legacy she is proud of.

0:29 — Why this episode matters: TTC, pregnancy, and allergy/asthma fears
1:59 — Dr. Erica Bove intro + “Go Irish!”
3:10 — Dr. Reller’s path: engineering → family medicine → allergy/asthma
6:20 — The big message: control asthma; don’t stop inhalers
9:10 — Safe meds: loratadine, cetirizine, and nasal steroids (budesonide)
12:05 — Home strategies: HEPA filters, pets, and triggers
14:30 — Dust mites 101: bedding, humidity, and morning symptoms
17:10 — Travel tips: hotels, feather pillows, and what to avoid
19:30 — Allergy shots in pregnancy: continue vs. don’t start
23:45 — IVF/fertility meds + progesterone reactions + biologics (Xolair/Dupixent)

Connect with Dr. Bove
Website: loveandsciencefertility.com
Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/erica-bove-0701a0173
IG: https://www.instagram.com/loveandsciencefertility/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553692167183
Podcast: loveandsciencefertility.com/podcast

Connect with Dr. Reller
Podcast website: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryrellermd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterFamilyMedicine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearwaterfamilymedicine/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kerryrellermd
Clearwater Family Medicine and Allergy website: https://sites.google.com/view/clearwa...
Podcast: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...

Subscribe to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon music, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Pandora.

Welcome back to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast with Dr. Kerry Reller! This week, I’m joined by Dr. Alex Reyes, a board-certified OBGYN and one of Tampa Bay’s most sought-after menopause providers.

In this episode, we unpack why menopause care has historically been misunderstood—from limited medical training to the long-lasting impact of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) headlines. Dr. Reyes breaks down what the WHI did (and didn’t) show, why the study population matters, and how today’s body-identical hormone therapy differs from older synthetic formulations.

We also cover the recent change that has many women talking: the FDA removal of the estrogen “black box warning” and why that matters for access, fear, and real-world adherence—especially for vaginal estrogen.

Dr. Alexandria Reyes is the private practice owner and founder of Magnolia Gynecology in Tampa, Florida, and also the owner of a virtual menopause care practice, serving the entire state of Florida. She has dedicated her practice to midlife and menopause care, offering compassionate virtual care and comprehensive education on all menopause and hormone therapy options. Dr. Reyes empowers all going through the menopause transition —including survivors of hormone-sensitive and gynecologic cancers—to confidently navigate midlife and make informed, personalized choices for their health, longevity, and well-being.

Dr. Reyes completed her undergraduate education at Kansas State University, earning honors in Food Science. She earned her medical degree, with honors, at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita.

Dr. Reyes is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner.

00:28 – Introduction to Episode #161 and welcome to Dr. Alex Reyes
01:26 – Why menopause care has historically fallen short in medicine
03:55 – The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI): what really happened vs media headlines
06:10 – Breast cancer risk, hormone therapy, and putting risk in proper context
09:42 – Myths about how long women can stay on hormone therapy
12:36 – The estrogen “black box warning” and why its removal matters
15:22 – How fear led to under-treatment and overuse of non-hormonal meds
18:10 – Perimenopause symptoms beyond hot flashes (mental health, joints, sleep)
23:30 – Rebuilding trust in menopause care and why women seek care elsewhere
29:40 – How to know when to seek another opinion for menopause symptoms

Connect with Dr. Reyes
Facebook and Instagram: @dr.alexandria.reyes
Website: http://www.dralexreyes.com/

Connect with Dr. Reller
Podcast website: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryrellermd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterFamilyMedicine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearwaterfamilymedicine/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kerryrellermd
Clearwater Family Medicine and Allergy website: https://sites.google.com/view/clearwa...
Podcast: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...

Subscribe to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon music, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Pandora.

Welcome back to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast with Dr. Kerry Reller! In Episode #160, I’m joined by Dr. Rebecca Berens, a family medicine physician and private practice owner in the suburbs of Houston, Texas (Vida Family Medicine).

Dr. Berens shares how she became a go-to physician for patients recovering from disordered eating—often after harmful, triggering experiences in healthcare—and what “weight-neutral” medicine can look like in everyday primary care. We break down the difference between disordered eating vs. eating disorders, how diet culture sneaks into medical advice, and which patients may be more vulnerable due to genetics, trauma history, food insecurity, ADHD/autism overlap, and more.

We also discuss practical red flags clinicians can look for, how to address metabolic conditions without reinforcing shame, and how to approach GLP-1 medications thoughtfully—especially for patients with eating disorder history. This is an episode for anyone who wants a healthier relationship with food without losing sight of real medical care.

Dr. Berens is a family physician and founder of Vida Family Medicine where she provides primary care to individuals and families. Prior to opening her private practice she worked in and led a community health center in Philadelphia, PA and taught medical students and residents in Houston, TX at Baylor College of Medicine. She treats each patient as an individual and tailors prevention and treatment plans to the needs of each patient rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. She particularly enjoys caring for individuals recovering from disordered eating and who struggle with metabolic conditions such as PCOS and metabolic syndrome. Her office is welcoming to all, and her care is trauma-informed and weight-neutral.

00:29 Meet Dr. Rebecca Berens + Vida Family Medicine
01:14 Her accidental niche: caring for patients in recovery from disordered eating
03:00 Disordered eating vs. eating disorders (DSM criteria)
05:29 How diet culture shows up in primary care + “wellness” marketing online
08:16 Who is most at risk: genetics, trauma, food insecurity, ADHD/autism overlap
10:48 How to discuss metabolic health without triggering shame
14:00 Red flags clinicians should screen for (time rules, rigidity, missing food groups)
17:05 How common is it? Eating disorders vs. disordered eating (and why underreported)
23:33 Metabolic health: behaviors first, meds when appropriate (metformin/GLP-1 nuance)
33:20 Parenting + food beliefs, plus “don’t skip breakfast” and first gentle steps

Connect with Dr. Berens
Practice Website: www.vidafamilymed.com
Personal Website: www.rebeccaberensmd.com
Personal IG and TikTok: @ rebeccaberensmd
Practice IG: @vidafamilymedicine

Connect with Dr. Reller
Podcast website: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryrellermd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterFamilyMedicine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearwaterfamilymedicine/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kerryrellermd
Clearwater Family Medicine and Allergy website: https://sites.google.com/view/clearwa...
Podcast: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...

Subscribe to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon music, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Pandora.

Welcome back to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast with Dr. Kerry Reller! In Episode #159, Dr. Reller sits down with Dr. Erica Bove—double board-certified OB-GYN and reproductive endocrinologist/infertility physician—to talk about the medical and emotional complexity of infertility. They explore why high-achieving women (especially physicians) often struggle more, how stress and hypervigilance can impact the journey, and how coaching, community, and nervous system tools can help patients feel more grounded and confident through treatment decisions.

Erica Bove, MD, is a double board certified OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist (REI) physician at the University of Vermont, She is also the CEO and founder of Love and Science: Thriving Through Infertility. She has a keen interest in marrying an evidence-based approach with intuitive knowing in the context of a trusting relationship. She empowers women physicians to build their families with confidence, self compassion and community. Her mission is to heal and support the healers and to create a legacy she is proud of.

In her free time, she enjoys running, yoga, kayaking, skiing, reading, writing, and spending time with her inner circle.

0:28 – Intro: Meet Dr. Erica Bove + Notre Dame connection
1:48 – Why infertility medicine + what patients struggle with most
3:21 – Why coaching fills the gap clinical visits can’t
3:56 – Why physicians (and high achievers) find her work
5:45 – The “block” in visits: anxiety, shutdown, and decision paralysis
8:40 – Deferred childbearing + why physicians may have worse outcomes
10:02 – Common patterns: hypervigilance, triggers, and comparison spirals
13:32 – Tools: breathwork, processing grief, boundaries, and confidence
17:08 – Patient stories: releasing attachment, surprising outcomes
21:54 – What she wants you to hear: you’re not alone + gentle steps today

Connect with Dr. Bove
Website: loveandsciencefertility.com
Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/erica-bove-0701a0173
IG: https://www.instagram.com/loveandsciencefertility/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553692167183
Podcast: loveandsciencefertility.com/podcast

Connect with Dr. Reller
Podcast website: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryrellermd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterFamilyMedicine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearwaterfamilymedicine/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kerryrellermd
Clearwater Family Medicine and Allergy website: https://sites.google.com/view/clearwa...
Podcast: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...

Subscribe to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon music, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Pandora.

Welcome to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast with Dr. Kerry Reller! This week, I am joined by Dr. Camille Imbo, a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist and founder of SPARC Gynecology. In this episode, we explore what pediatric gynecology is, why it matters, and when children and teens should see a specialist. Dr. Imbo shares insights on common concerns like painful or irregular periods, PCOS in adolescents, early puberty, and medical trauma—along with how early, compassionate care can prevent years of missed diagnoses and unnecessary suffering.

00:00 – Welcome & introduction
00:52 – What is pediatric & adolescent gynecology?
02:32 – Why kids and teens fall between pediatrics and OB-GYN
03:56 – Surgical issues in young patients (cysts, torsion, anatomy differences)
05:01 – When should a child first see a gynecologist?
07:06 – What happens when symptoms are dismissed as “normal”
08:24 – Trauma-informed care & creating a safe first visit
12:03 – Early puberty and why it’s happening more often
13:18 – Most common conditions Dr. Imbo treats
16:24 – PCOS in teens: what it is and how diagnosis differs

Connect with Dr. Reller
Podcast website: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryrellermd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterFamilyMedicine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearwaterfamilymedicine/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kerryrellermd
Clearwater Family Medicine and Allergy website: https://sites.google.com/view/clearwa...
Podcast: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...

Subscribe to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon music, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Pandora.

Welcome to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast with Dr. Kerry Reller! This week, I am joined by Dr. Jesna Sublett, a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery. In this episode, we break down the real causes of back and neck pain, why imaging doesn’t always match symptoms, and how most patients can improve without surgery. Dr. Sublett explains what minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery really means, when surgery truly helps, and how lifestyle factors like posture, smoking, and weight impact spinal health. Tune in for practical guidance on managing spine pain, avoiding unnecessary procedures, and understanding when expert evaluation is essential.

Dr. Jesna Sublett is a highly qualified neurosurgeon with a special interest and advanced subspecialty training in minimally invasive spine surgery. Born and raised in India, she earned her medical degree at the respected University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi University. After medical school, she moved to the United States to join her family and went on to obtain exemplary specialty training during her neurosurgery residency at the Geisinger Health System in Danville, PA, where she capped her tenure as Chief Resident. She was subsequently selected for an elite fellowship in minimally invasive spine surgery at the University of Tennessee-Memphis/Semmes-Murphey Neurologic & Spine Institute.

After nearly four years as an employed physician, Dr. Sublett decided to pivot and start her own practice in Deland, Florida. She cares deeply about her patients and is dedicated to helping them find the best possible solution to their issues, whether or not surgery is necessary. When surgery is needed, she prefers to find the least invasive option that is most likely to deliver results.

Dr. Jesna Sublett is also a multilingual physician who speaks fluent English, Hindi, and Malayalam. She is actively learning Spanish as well, because - why not?

When not at work, Dr. Sublett enjoys spending quality time with her family, including her spouse, two young children, her immediate family, and her in-laws.

00:29 – Introduction to Dr. Jesna Sublett
01:11 – The training path to neurosurgery and spine specialization
03:05 – Why spine care feels fragmented for patients
05:10 – What “minimally invasive spine surgery” really means
08:21 – Common causes of chronic back and neck pain
10:54 – How smoking accelerates spinal degeneration
14:05 – Posture, spine alignment, and daily habits that matter
16:44 – Red flag symptoms that require urgent evaluation
22:16 – Why imaging findings don’t always equal pain
34:51 – Dr. Sublett’s patient-centered hybrid neurosurgery practice

Connect with Dr. Jesna
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Jesna-Sublett/61574631532629/#
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesna-sublett-71abb4183

Connect with Dr. Reller
Podcast website: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryrellermd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterFamilyMedicine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearwaterfamilymedicine/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kerryrellermd
Clearwater Family Medicine and Allergy website: https://sites.google.com/view/clearwa...
Podcast: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...

Subscribe to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon music, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Pandora.

Welcome to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast with Dr. Kerry Reller.
This week, Dr. Reller is joined by registered dietitian Christa Biegler, who specializes in helping children and adults overcome eczema and food sensitivities without unnecessary restriction, over-supplementation, or excessive testing.

In this episode, they explore eczema as a whole-body condition rather than just a skin issue. Christa explains how gut dysbiosis, histamine imbalance, nutrient depletion, stress, and environmental burden all contribute to eczema flares. They discuss why a one-size-fits-all approach often fails and how identifying different eczema patterns can lead to more effective, lasting improvement.

Tune in to learn how supporting the body’s physiology in the right order can calm inflammation, improve skin health, and reduce relapse.

Christa Biegler, RD is an award-winning dietitian and root-cause nutritionist, and the owner of Less Stressed Life Nutrition. She helps people resolve food sensitivities, inflammation, and eczema without unnecessary restriction, endless supplementation, or costly testing. She lives with her unicycling husband & kids in the Midwest.

Christa speaks an equal mix of nerd + approachable analogies when educating about gut health, eczema, food sensitivities, micronutrients, energy and sleep.

00:00 – Welcome to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast
00:46 – Christa Biegler’s background and eczema focus
04:30 – Food sensitivities vs. food allergies explained
06:55 – Stress, inflammation, and eczema flares
10:01 – Why people feel reactive to “everything”
14:02 – What’s happening inside the body with eczema
21:18 – Nutrient depletion, digestion, and enzymes
29:12 – Environmental burden and detox pathways
33:38 – The three eczema subtypes
40:31 – Hand eczema and post-pandemic trends
44:27 – Where to find Christa and learn more

Connect with Christa
Email: hello@thelessstressedlife.com
Website: https://www.lessstressedlife.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anti.inflammatory.nutritionist/

Connect with Dr. Reller
Podcast website: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryrellermd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterFamilyMedicine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearwaterfamilymedicine/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kerryrellermd
Clearwater Family Medicine and Allergy website: https://sites.google.com/view/clearwa...
Podcast: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...

Subscribe to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon music, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Pandora.