Health Observed January 2026

Exceptional Training, Personal Experience

Why Jie Sun, MD, PhD, Is a Uniquely Qualified Addition to the Retina Group of Florida in Lakewood Ranch.

RETINA GROUP OF FLORIDA

ADDRESS: 5985 Silver Falls Run, Suite 102 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211

PHONE: 941-269-4150

WEBSITE: RetinaGroupFlorida. com

The Retina Group of Florida (RGF) is pleased to welcome Jie Sun, MD, PhD, as the newest physician at its Lakewood Ranch office. Not only does Dr. Sun bring exceptional expertise in medical retina and uveitis she also offers a deeply personal understanding of what vision loss means to patients and their families. Dr. Sun’s journey into ophthalmology began during medical

school in China, when she was still deciding on a specialty. Suddenly, her father experienced a vision emergency of retinal detachment. Seeing her dad as a patient, listening to his doctor explain treatment options, witnessing the surgery, and ultimately watching his vision return solidified her calling.

“On day one, when they opened the eye patch and my dad was able to see, I decided I wanted to be an ophthalmologist,” Dr. Sun says. “That experience gave me empathy and knowledge from a personal perspective.” That empathy defines her practice. “Now I try my best to bring vision back to my patients and bring a smile back to the faces of their family members.”

NEW YEAR, NEW HEALTH

Surgical Weight Loss with Support at Every Step

The bariatric surgery journey can be life-changing and empowering. If you’re considering surgical weight loss, our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way — from your first phone call through long-term follow-up and support.

Stelios Rekkas, MD, FACS, FASMBS, is the Medical Director for Manatee Memorial Hospital’s Surgical Weight Loss Center. Working closely with the bariatric coordinator, registered dietitians and the clinical team, Dr. Rekkas helps patients achieve sustainable weight loss with a personalized, compassionate approach.

On day one,

when they opened the eye patch and my dad was able to see, I decided I wanted to be an ophthalmologist.”

— Jie Sun, MD, PhD

Her medical perspective has also been shaped by global experience and broad-based training. After completing her medical education and practicing in China, she moved to the U.S. and was accepted into

the Department of Ophthalmology at Howard University College of Medicine, where she earned a master’s degree and was awarded a Howard Fellowship. This comprehensive training provided a broad clinical foundation that benefits patients every day.

That breadth of experience matters. Recently, Dr. Sun treated a patient who had been told for years she had macular degeneration.

After a careful examination, Dr. Sun found only a small amount of drusen: tiny deposits that can be a normal part of aging and do not, on their own, indicate macular degeneration. “The patient was really relieved,” she says.

At Retina Group of Florida, Dr.

PATIENT-FOCUSED RETINAL CARE

Dr. Sun combines advanced retinal expertise with a personal understanding of vision loss. Her approach emphasizes careful evaluation, clear communication, and thoughtful treatment decisions, ensuring patients receive accurate diagnoses without unnecessary worry.

What patients can expect:

■ Thorough retinal examinations

■ Honest, easy-to-understand explanations

■ Collaborative care within the RGF team

■ Same-day appointments and 24/7 on-call access

To schedule an appointment, call 941-269-4150

Sun is pleased to be part of a practice that mirrors her own values. The Lakewood Ranch team collaborates closely, discussing cases to ensure precise diagnoses and optimal treatment plans. Patients benefit from same-day availability and 24/7 on-call physician coverage, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. “Not every practice can offer this,” Dr. Sun notes. “We’re happy to provide it.”

Serving patients across Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, and Bradenton, Dr. Sun is proud to be part of a practice where advanced retinal care is delivered with a comprehensive touch and heartfelt compassion.

Not Just for Athletes: A New Approach to Back Pain Relief

Elite Sports Recovery Center applies sports-medicine precision to help nonathletes and athletes alike move comfortably again.

NON-SURGICAL BACK PAIN RELIEF

Elite Sports Recovery Center combines sports-medicine precision with personalized care to help patients move comfortably again. Their approach focuses on research-backed spinal decompression for conditions like herniated discs and sciatica, combined with rehabilitation to restore strength and flexibility.

What patients can expect:

■ Detailed assessment and motion analysis

■ Spinal decompression therapy

■ Core strengthening and flexibility exercises

■ Custom treatment plans tailored to individual needs

To schedule a consultation, contact Elite Sports Recovery Center today.

we do, the DRX 9000, and proved it’s an effective, non-invasive option for disc and nerve compression,” Foss says. What sets Elite apart is customization. Each patient undergoes a detailed initial exam, including motion analysis, to uncover hidden issues and personalize care. “We really listen,” Foss notes. “What a patient says gives us clues. ‘It hurts when I sit’ means something very different than ‘I feel better pulling my knees to my chest.’”

Low back pain doesn’t just hurt—it dominates your day. Getting out of a chair, tying your shoes, or even rolling over in bed can feel like a battle you brace for every time. For many, the pain is joined by numbness, weakness, or loss of strength in the legs, quietly stealing independence and turning once-simple daily tasks into exhausting challenges.

“People are exhausted,” says Dr. Christine Foss, co-founder of Elite. “They’ve tried to push through, taken medications, or bounced from specialist to specialist. That’s when they come to Elite to explore a proven spinal decompression approach designed to relieve pressure, reduce pain, and restore function.”

Treatment doesn’t stop with decompression. Elite combines DRX therapy with rehabilitation to strengthen the core, improve flexibility, and support long-term healing. “This isn’t a one-and-done,” Foss says. “Typically it’s 14 to 20 treatments, though sometimes people feel dramatically better in just a few visits. The longer the problem’s been there, the longer it can take.”

It’s one of the most effective non-surgical options Elite offers. “Spinal decompression is a conservative, non-surgical way to treat herniated discs, lumbar stenosis, and sciatic pain,” Foss explains. “It’s like a new-age traction that gently takes pressure off the spine.”

That relief is backed by research. A 2025 study from the University of South Florida reported improvement rates of about 90.5 percent for patients with low back pain using non-surgical spinal decompression. Participants experienced reduced pain, improved strength and sensation, and better daily function, often confirmed by MRI findings. “USF used the same machines

This isn’t a oneand-done. Typically, it’s 14 to 20 treatments, though sometimes people feel dramatically better in just a few visits. The longer the problem’s been there, the longer it can take.”

Dr. Christine Foss, Co-founder, Elite Sports Recovery Center

Pain has a way of convincing people to accept less from life. Elite Sports Recovery Center exists to challenge that idea—offering non-surgical, research-backed care focused on helping patients move better, feel stronger, and return to the activities they value most.

Restoring Movement

How Robotic-Assisted Surgery at Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine is transforming joint replacement in Sarasota.

As Sarasota continues to grow as a destination for exceptional healthcare, advances in orthopedic surgery are redefining what’s possible for patients living with hip and knee arthritis. Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon Dr. Charles Stewart of Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine is leading that evolution, using cutting-edge robotic technology to perform highly precise, personalized joint replacements. With more than a thousand successful robotic-assisted procedures, Dr. Stewart has helped countless patients reduce pain, regain confidence, and return to the active lifestyle that defines our community.

For many patients, the path to surgery begins with frustration and loss. Pain limits their movement. Hobbies they once loved, like golfing, gardening, morning walks, even playing with grandchildren, become difficult or impossible. “Most people have been living with knee or hip pain for years,” says Dr. Stewart. “They want relief, but they also want to understand their options. My job is to help them see that they’re not stuck; that there are solutions.”

One solution is robotic-assisted joint replacement. While the name may sound high-tech, the goal is deeply personal: to give patients a joint that feels natural again. Using the Mako robotic system, Dr. Stewart maps each patient’s anatomy with extraordinary detail.

ROBOTICASSISTED JOINT REPLACEMENT: WHAT PATIENTS SHOULD KNOW

■ Personalized precision: Advanced robotic technology maps each patient’s unique anatomy for a customized surgical plan

■ Surgeon-guided technology: The robot assists - the surgeon remains in full control throughout the procedure

■ Potential benefits: Less post-operative pain, smoother recovery, and improved joint function

■ Faster return to activity: Many patients walk more confidently and resume daily activities sooner

■ Designed for active lifestyles: Ideal for patients who want to maintain mobility and independence

“The robot doesn’t operate on its own,” he explains. “It’s a tool that helps me customize every step of the procedure to fit that individual patient perfectly.”

This precise planning often results in less pain, smoother recovery, and faster return to everyday activities. Many of Dr. Stewart’s patients notice they’re walking

more freely, and more confidently, much sooner than they expected.

In a vigorous, movement-centered community like Sarasota, that renewed freedom matters. “People here want to stay active. They want to keep doing what they love,” Dr. Stewart says. “Robotic-assisted surgery helps make that possible because it gives us consistency and precision every single time.”

For those hesitating about surgery, Dr. Stewart offers reassurance grounded in both science and empathy: “Today’s robotic-assisted technology allows us to provide predictable, long-lasting outcomes. You don’t have to accept pain as your new normal.”

Call Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine at 941-378-5100 or visit sforzodillingham.com to schedule your consultation with Dr. Stewart and learn if robotic-assisted joint replacement is right for you.

You don’t have to accept pain as your new normal. Today’s roboticassisted technology allows us to provide predictable, longlasting outcomes that help patients get back to the life they love.”

- Dr. Charles Stewart, Fellowship-Trained Orthopedic Surgeon Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine