Page 8 - Martin Downs Bulletin - December '24

Page 8, Martin Downs

Treasure Coast cLeveLand cLinic

Outdoors martin HeaLtH news

As We Enter The Sailfish The precision with which the radiation is delivered

Season, Let’s Reflect On Cleveland Clinic Martin allows for the treatment of tumors without overexposure

What Made Stuart Famous Health Expands Cancer to nearby healthy tissue. Because of the higher dosages,
patients need fewer treatments – between one and five,
Services compared to traditional 25 to 35 – and experience fewer
By Jim Weix side effects.
The year is 1941 Cleveland Clinic Martin Health’s ongoing mission is The Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center offers
and Stuart, Florida to provide the most advanced cancer care available to the SRS for brain and SABR/SBRT for lung, bone, and other
experiences the largest Treasure Coast community. That care is even more accessible sites of cancer.
sailfish run in Florida’s as the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center at Martin “In the appropriately selected patient, stereotactic
history! Early records Health adds caregivers and radiation therapy can diminish the treatment time, thereby
show an excess of 5,000 expands its services. removing the time toxicity of cancer care and improving
sailfish were caught Mel Lizaso, M.D., is one quality of life,” says Lizaso.
during the peak season of three radiation oncology A variety of radiation oncology services are available
with many boats catching physicians at the cancer in Port St. Lucie and Stuart. New and state-of-the-art
over 20 in a day. center. Also included on the equipment allow the physicians to use such techniques as
Fortunately, the local staff are radiation therapists, surface guidance, 4-D CT scanning, and hypofractionated
charter captains recognized sailfish were worth a physicists, dosimetrists, and therapy for more precise targeting of tumors that spares the
great deal more as a living resource than they were nurse practitioners. surrounding tissues while sometimes decreasing the number
dead on the dock. “We dedicate ourselves of treatments required.
Led by captains to providing evidence-based The radiation oncology team at Martin Health provides
like Curt Whiticar, care that is individualized exceptional patient-centered cancer care. Patients are
the club organized to the patient,” says Dr. provided with a thorough overview of treatment options
a conservation Lizaso. “Our treatment Mel Lizaso, M.D. and informed with recommendations while being guided
initiative based on plans are based on cutting through every step of treatment.
rewarding anglers edge science and compassion.” “We take into account the whole patient when designing
for releasing The radiation oncology department uses leading edge our treatment plans,” says Lizaso. “It is individualized and
sailfish. The club technologies to offer the latest in radiation therapy, considers the goals and best interests of each patient.”
later designed a including stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR or To make an appointment with Dr. Lizaso or another
yellow gold and enamel release pin to be awarded SBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). SABR/SBRT specialist at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, call (877)
to anglers releasing sailfish. The famous red release and SRS are radiation techniques that use state-of-the-art 463-2010 or visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Cancer to
pennant soon followed and thus began the club’s equipment to deliver highly focused high-dose radiation. learn more.
promotion of conservation policies in earnest.
The Stuart Sailfish Club (SSC) maintains these
same strong core
values today. From
the novice fisherman
to the world-
traveled professional
sportfishing teams the
SSC has something
for everyone.
Go to https://
stuartsailfishclub.net/
and find out how you can benefit.
Editor’s note: Jim Weix is an avid hunter, angler,
conservationist, as well as an outdoor writer. Jim is
included in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s
Hall of Fame for helping restore thousands of acres
of wetlands. Jim is a broker associate with The Keyes
Company. He can be reached at (772) 341-2941 or
by email at jimweix@jimweix.com.

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