Zika Virus: What Does It Mean for Jacksonville Families?
Q&A With Team Member Katrina Cinca
Katrina Cinca, ARNP, is a highly skilled and compassionate team member at Pediatric Care Centers. We think we know her well because she has worked with Dr. Benitez for more than 15 years. However, we wanted to gain more insights into just what makes this wonderful team member tick. Here’s what we learned in a recent interview. Q: Tell us something about you that nobody knows. A: Well, I don’t think anybody knows I grew up on a farm and trained horses for riding. Q: No, we didn’t know that! What’s your favorite thing to do in Jacksonville? A: We’re so fortunate to have all of the beautiful beaches here. I take every opportunity I can to walk on the beach. Q: You’ve been with us for years, but what was the first job you ever had? A: I worked at Blue Ice Boutique in Atlantic Beach selling beachwear and scooping ice cream. The boutique stood in the spot where Ragtime is now. I wonder if anyone else remembers it. Q: If you hadn’t chosen to be a nurse practitioner, what do you think you’d be doing instead? A: Actually, at one point I thought I’d like to be a singer and performer. Q: Really? So, let’s say you were a contestant on “American Idol.” What song would you choose to sing? A: (Laughs) That’s a no-brainer. I’d sing “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack. Q: Good to know music makes you happy. What is it you do that makes you happiest? A: Definitely it’s traveling in Europe with my family. The history there is amazing! Q: Is there anyone in particular who has inspired you during your lifetime? A: Oh yes, that would be Lucy Trice, ARNP, DNP. She was my professor and mentor throughout undergrad and grad school. She is a great role model who always supported me in my studies. Q: Speaking of things that inspire you, if you had a chance to witness any historical event, what would it be? A: The first artificial pancreas transplant — such a big step forward in curing diabetes. My 22-year-old son has Type 1 diabetes, and any medical advance is a positive for my family and the many sufferers of the disease. Q: Are there any special wishes you have for the future? What are five line items on your “bucket list?” A: Hmmm. I’d say more travel, like visiting Aruba and Lourdes in France, seeing every castle in Scotland. After that, I’d love to watch the filming of “Outlander.” Meeting Keith Urban would be on the list for sure. Q: Along those same lines, let’s say you won $20 million in the lottery. What would you do with the money? A: No question, I’d contribute it to finance research for an artificial pancreas to cure Type I diabetes. Q: That’s a big goal, Katrina. Lottery or not, we’ll join you in hoping that happens soon. Thanks for your time. We’ll wrap this up on a lighter note. What did you have for breakfast? A: You might not believe this, but it was a ham sandwich on rye bread with lettuce, tomato and Gouda cheese, mayo and mustard. One of my favorites!
Our Newest Location Now Open in Orange Park!
Our new Orange Park location, located at 1543 Kingsley Avenue, #9, is open from 8am-8pm Monday through Friday. Call (904) 264-1958 for appointments or information. Or visit our Locations page for directions.
New Program Certifies Higher Quality of Care at
Patient Care Centers is currently working toward receiving certification from the NCQA, National Committee for Quality Assurance, as a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). NCQA, the leading organization for health care certifications in America, has established an extensive process that takes months to complete, ensuring that only the best practices qualify. “At we’re always learning, always striving for ways to improve the quality of care for our patients,” said Dr. Norberto Benitez. “Going through this nationally recognized certification process is one more way we have to test ourselves on how we’re doing and ways we can serve patients better every day. We’re grateful for this opportunity to assess ourselves against the highest possible standards of practice.” The Patient Centered Medical Home model is a way of organizing primary care that emphasizes care coordination and communications, leading to higher quality and lower costs. The goal is to improve patients’ and providers’ experience of care. Emphasis is on aligning patient preferences with payer and provider capabilities. The outcome ensures that families will receive the highest standards of pediatric support, information, coaching and connection to community resources as needed to address health issues. In short, the Patient Centered Medical Home model is a way to keep our practice in line with what you want it to be. “Our round-the-clock hours and various means to communicate via email, patient portal, phone or mobile devices have gone a long way toward helping us relate better to our patients’ families and save them time as we work together for the benefit of their children,” said Dr. Benitez.
Florida Newborn Screening
Most babies arrive into the world healthy, but some have a rare health problem that is not outwardly visible. Florida screens all babies for over 36 different conditions, unless a parent objects in writing. Before leaving the hospital, a few drops of blood are taken from the heel of the baby and the ears are also tested for hearing. The hospital sends the blood sample to the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories in Jacksonville which screens over 1,000 blood samples per day. All results are sent back to the hospital and then forwarded to the baby’s doctor. Doctors can also get results for their patients from the Florida Newborn Screening Results website. If the screening results are abnormal, the Newborn Screening Follow-up Program which is a part of Children’s Medical Services will contact the parent and\or doctor about additional testing and continue follow-up until the disorder is either ruled out or confirmed. The screening process helps find and treat conditions early which can prevent serious problems like intellectual disabilities or death. The Department of Health currently screens all babies born in Florida for the following disorders. Disorders PKU (Phenylketonuria) CAH (Congenital adrenal hyperplasia) Congenital hypothyroidism Galactosemia (G/G) Hb S/Beta-thalassemia HB S/C disease Sickle cell anemia Hearing loss 3MCC (3-Methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency) 3-OH 3-CH3 glutaric aciduria Arginosuccinic acidemia Mitochondrial acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase (beta-ketothiolase) deficiency Biotinidase deficiency Citrullinemia Glutaric acidemia type I Homocystinuria Isovaleric acidemia LCHAD (Long-chain L-3-OH acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency) Maple syrup urine disease MCAD (Medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency) Methylmalonic acidemia Propionic acidemia Tyrosinemia type I VLCAD (Very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency) Carnitine/Acylcarnitine translocase deficiency Carnitine palmityl transferase deficiency type I Carnitine palmityl transferase deficiency type II Multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency SCAD (Short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency) Tyrosinemia type II Carnitine uptake defect Methylmalonic acidemia (mutase deficiency) Multiple carboxylase deficiency Trifunctional protein deficiency Cystic Fibrosis Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)