A 28-year-old man came to the clinic with several health issues including abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, intermittent chest pain, and difficulty sleeping all for over a year. His numerous health issues were also causing him anxiety. He had previously been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome and depression/anxiety, and been treated with low doses of medication with some relief. He is extremely shy and did not offer us much information on his first visit. When asked about his mood and anxiety, he remarked he was “doing fine.”

Thinking his abdominal discomfort and intermittent chest pain could be symptoms of GERD, we ordered some basic labs, provided a standard medication for GERD from our pharmacy, and asked him to return in two weeks. On his second visit, he had yet to see much improvement in his symptoms. His lab results were all normal, which was disheartening to him. Before ordering more tests, we revisited his medical history to ensure it was thorough and complete. This time, when asked about his mood and anxiety, he felt comfortable enough to reveal that he feels stuck in a vicious cycle of anxiety and irritability because of poor sleep. He is particularly anxious about his difficulties holding a job and seeks solace from his anxiety through playing video games – often playing until 6 am.  This leads to poor sleep and worsened anxiety.

Although not entirely understood, there is a strong connection between mental health and digestive health, known as the “brain-gut connection.” His perpetual anxiety was not only causing him significant distress, but also likely contributing to his GERD. We began treating his anxiety with the appropriate medication from our pharmacy and referred him for regular therapy sessions with our clinic’s licensed therapist. After three months of this combination of treatments, his symptoms of anxiety, abdominal discomfort and chest pain have all significantly improved, and he feels hopeful about his future employment prospects.

56-year-old Hispanic female patient who has been a patient of our clinic since 2018 and a diabetic patient for more than 20 years. In 2023, she moved to Central Florida with an A1C of 7.6 controlled.  When she returned a year later, her A1C was 13.1 significantly uncontrolled. She stated it was very difficult to obtain healthcare there and for that reason, she returned. 

After full assessment and initiation of her medications, in collaboration with her primary care provider, she has steadily dropped her A1C from 13.1 to 8.3.  After six months, she has regained her health and significantly reduced her chance of heart attack of stroke.

A 62-year-old Brazilian male visited our clinic for the first time in October of 2024. After assessment and full lab work up, he was found to have significantly high LDL, bad cholesterol, at 200. This is double the recommended range and places the patient at high risk of stroke due to other factors including being male, age, obesity and family history. He had moved to the US to care for his mother after she suffered a stroke.  He was placed on a statin to help decrease his LDL and chances of stroke or heart attack. If it weren’t for Light of the World Clinic, this patient very likely would have ended up with a stroke just like his mother.

57-year-old female visited our clinic in August of 2024 with multiple chronic conditions including Type II Diabetes. She arrived as an uncontrolled diabetic and her medical history and labs were obtained right away. During her annual exam, her fasting glucose was 528 and HgBA1C was critically high at 14.4, the highest the clinic staff had witnessed in a long time. Instantly, donated medications such as a GLP1, long-acting insulin, and SGLT2 daily tablet were provided to the patient as well as a new Blood Glucometer to measure fasting sugar. Our medical assistants taught her how to use it as well as how to inject the medications. Diabetic education of diet and exercise was provided at length. Booklets were provided as well. 

During her follow-up visit two weeks later, her fasting glucose was down to 131. She had tolerated all medications very well and was sticking to a strict diabetic diet once again. Thanks to just her first two visits to Light of the World Clinic, she probably saved her life. Much longer in the physical state and her body would have gone into diabetic coma.

55-year-old woman visited the clinic in July 2024 with multiple chronic issues, including a remote history of kidney failure due to medication, persistent pelvic pain, and an increased frequency of urination. Her pain was severe and burning, located to the left side, however it was vague enough that the differential for what could be affecting her was still broad.

There was nothing obvious pointing toward an infection at that time, although with her unknown kidney history, that was our first concern to rule out. However, a point of care urine dipstick was negative. Despite this, given our level of concern, a urine culture was ordered and found to be positive. The concern was that perhaps the infection reached the level of the kidney or there was fluid building up around the area due to an infection or a kidney stone. Our physicians also considered if this could be gynecological in origin. As such, we obtained an ultrasound of the kidney and of the pelvis (at no charge to the patient) which showed normal anatomy. She was treated with antibiotics, and when her culture showed resistance to the antibiotic given, she was tried on a different option, which she completed.

Unfortunately, she came back in the following week without improvement and in tears due to the severity of her pain, which had become constant and debilitating. With the intensity of her pain, we brought her in every week to keep a close eye on her and to see if we were going down the right path. She shared with one of our resident physicians that she couldn’t even perform basic daily activities and was out of work for the last two months due to her pain, which she could not afford to do. She could hardly walk due to the extent of her pain. On her follow up visit, our resident reviewed the case again and did a physical examination to include maneuvers of her spine. We found that she might have a case of inflammation of her sacral spine that was radiating forward to her left pelvic area, which was a very abnormal presentation of this. She was put on a trial of steroids and had extraordinary improvement. We did our due diligence and got x-rays of the hips and spine as well, but ultimately the diagnosis was made by good clinical reasoning, intellectual curiosity, and a need to do right by the patient. She is now undergoing an autoimmune workup to figure out if she has a rheumatological disease contributing. 

Karen was crying tears of joy with her follow-up visit and was so thankful. Sadly, it is possible that another provider may have put her on opiates to manage her pain, and she would not have found the underlying issue or become dependent on opiates. Karen is back to work and living a healthy lifestyle by swimming and exercising. It is truly thanks to the diligence, caring and intellectual curiosity of the providers as well as the resources of the Light of the World clinic that we were able to turn her life around and get her the care she needed.

A 61-year-old man came to the clinic in June 2023 having experienced pain in multiple joints for approximately 6 months. The joint pain was debilitating and prevented him from doing daily activities such as opening doors, shaking hands, and getting dressed. Multiple doses of Ibuprofen every day did not relieve his pain.  He had sought care at another medical practice, but due to financial issues, he could not afford all the tests that were ordered. On his initial visit to the clinic, he was in moderate distress secondary to pain, and because of the excessive ibuprofen use, labs obtained at our clinic demonstrated that the patient was in acute renal failure. Based on the physical exam findings and patient’s medical history, our medical team identified a possible rheumatologic disease and started the patient on Prednisone (Glucocorticoid therapy). Our medical team also counseled the patient on the importance of discontinuing Ibuprofen and improving hydration in order to improve kidney function. After a one-month follow up, his joint pain had resolved, and his kidney had recovered completely. He was kept on the steroids for an additional month and is now completely off therapy. On his last visit, the patient stated that he was extremely grateful for the care provided at our clinic, and he is now able to play the piano pain free.

A 58-year-old woman came to the clinic in August 2023 seeking care.  After being treated, stabilized, and discharged from Holy Cross Hospital for heart failure, she was instructed to establish care with a primary care doctor. However, due to financial difficulties, she was unable to establish that care until she came to Light of the World Clinic. During her initial visit, we were able to provide the medication prescribed by the heart failure specialist and her heart has been stabilized.  However, our medical team also identified uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes. Her glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 13% (Normal value less than 5.7%). Initially, the patient and daughter were reluctant to start insulin therapy, so we started oral medication. After several visits and follow up laboratory results, our medical team counseled the patient that she was at higher risk of cardiovascular complications, given her history of heart failure. After multiple discussions, a shared decision was made, and patient agreed to start insulin therapy. She was provided with a glucometer, strips for testing, needles, as well as basal and fast acting insulin. On her last visit, we tested her HbA1c and it was down to 7.8%, an exponential improvement. She and her daughter were extremely happy and stated that she was tolerating the medication well. We also provided her with the appropriate referrals for ophthalmology to monitor for retinal involvement. Overall, the patient is extremely happy with her now well controlled Type 2 Diabetes and are grateful for the care that she has received at our clinic.

A 47-year-old female had struggled with type 2 diabetes as well as obesity most of her life. She has attempted various blood sugar and weight loss management strategies, yet continued to experience difficulties. In 2013, she underwent gastric sleeve surgery which had initially been successful. However, she eventually gained the weight back. Upon visiting the Clinic, she met with our medical team who provided healthy lifestyle education and behavioral counseling, which included self-care improvements (physical exercise, weight loss, and nutrition management). Working closely with doctors, she lost almost sixty pounds in 18 months. The Patient recently received approval to take an effective diabetes medication that helps lower her A1c (blood sugar over time) in addition to weight loss, which should greatly aid her efforts. The supervised manner in which the Patient has slowly and consistently lost weight will likely help her to maintain a healthy body weight. The Clinic’s medical professionals provide ongoing medical support, counseling, and medications to help her throughout her weight loss journey.

A 49-year old male who first presented to the Clinic with an HbA1C of 11.3%. At that time the patient was overweight and never previously diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus. After initial visit at LOTW the patient was started on multiple hypoglycemic agents including Metformin, Glimepiride, Linaglitpin and Insulin to try and treat his uncontrolled diabetes. Eventually, after close follow up with LOTW, the patient was able to greatly improve HbA1C to 5.8%, currently only requiring Metformin for pre-diabetes! The patient also improved lifestyle choices (including diet and exercise) to lose over 20lbs!

A 60-year-old female patient with multiple chronic medical conditions entered the Clinic in June of 2022. She was diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm, and a large goiter in her neck due to uncontrolled hyperthyroidism. She knew that some things were affecting her health. However, she could not afford to visit a doctor or pay for diagnostic screening or medications to manage her ongoing medical conditions. The Clinic’s medical team met with the Patient, conducted diagnostic testing, provided her with counseling and medications to calm her thyroid, and obtained free imaging that showed multiple nodules that required a biopsy. Based on our collaborative partnership with Holy Cross, we were able to seek the Hospitals’ Charity Care Assistance Program for her to visit a thyroid specialist to biopsy the nodules, which showed early signs of cancer. Fortunately, she had surgery to remove the thyroid and prevent cancer from forming. Her symptoms are now well controlled on medications, and she has improved her self-care. She now understands the importance of adhering to her medical treatment plan and following her medication regimen. As a result, she no longer has an abnormal heart rhythm, and her quality of life is significantly improved. Through this unfortunate experience, the Patient learned the value the Light of the World Clinic provides and understands the importance of managing and treating her chronic conditions with her routine follow-ups and medication recommendations.

A 62-year-old female patient arrived at the Clinic with no prior history of health screenings. During her initial visit, the Clinic’s medical team conducted a complete series of diagnostic screenings, including a Mammogram and PAP test. The Patient’s Mammogram results demonstrated an irregular mass suspicious of malignancy. The follow-up biopsy confirmed breast cancer. The Clinic’s volunteer gynecologist guided the Patient on diagnosis and counseled her on possible treatment plans. The Clinic’s medical team referred the Patient to Holy Cross Hospital for treatment under their Charity Program. The Nurse Practitioner provided follow-up for pre-op orders and evaluation, and the Patient reported that she was scheduled for a lumpectomy later that year.

A 65-year-old female had been a patient at Light of the World Clinic since 2004 and received medical treatment and counseling to manage multiple conditions included anxiety, hyperlipidemia, osteoarthritis, osteopenia, fibromyalgia, and reflux. Over time, she learned to self-care and managed her health. She was approved for Medicare and graduated from the Clinic’s service. For almost 20 years, the Clinic’s medical team worked closely with the Patient and encouraged her to maintain good health as she has a family history of breast cancer and diabetes. Although sad to leave the Clinic as a patient, she is so grateful for the treatments and support she received over the years, that she hopes to return to the Clinic as a volunteer!

A 78-year-old female was diagnosed with an irregular heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation, with a rate of 122 on her first visit to the Clinic. The Clinic’s medical team immediately conducted an Electrocardiogram confirming this irregular heart rhythm, which is a high risk for clots and stroke. The Patient admitted that she used to take the medication Propranolol twice daily for a heart condition although she was unsure of the specific condition. She had a history of Atrial fibrillation for approximately 20 years. However, she abruptly suspended medication 6-8 weeks ago. She admitted that she was experiencing palpitations. The Medical team counseled her and restarted her on baby aspirin once daily until she could be evaluated by cardiology. She was referred to the Clinic’s volunteer Cardiologist and was examined two weeks later. The Cardiologist counseled the Patient in Spanish and discussed the risks of heart attack and stroke in detail. She was made aware never to stop the medication abruptly as risks significantly increased. The Patient was provided educational materials in Spanish to supplement her Cardiology visit and to reinforce her understanding of maintaining her medical treatment plan. Thanks to Light of the World Clinic and its volunteer medical professionals, this Patient was assessed and diagnosed and proper treatment with specialist referral was provided. This easily could have been a sudden death situation had she had access to this Clinic and its services.

51-year-old man with a very rare genetic disease that affects muscles and bones, resulting in weakness and skeletal deformities starting at birth visited out clinic. He also has a history of multiple strokes, deep vein thromboses and pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in his brain, legs and lungs, and will need to be on expensive blood thinning medication, apixaban, for the rest of his life. He first experienced leg and lung blood clots about 2 years prior to becoming a clinic patient and was treated at a hospital in Miami-Dade County. It was then that he began treatment with apixaban. He was homeless at the time, and about 1 year later, he was no longer able to continue getting the medication and developed another blood clot in his leg. This blood clot required a thrombectomy, or surgical removal of the clot, and he was again prescribed apixaban. He was able to obtain Eliquis for another year but was again about to run out of medication when he came to Light of the World to establish care.

 On his first visit, we discussed his recurrent blood clots and completed a Patient Assistance application for Apixaban and provided him a 30-day supply of a very similar Endoxaban, which would allow him to continue taking an adequate blood thinner uninterrupted until his Apixaban came through patient assistance. We also discussed his chronic leg pain and over the next few weeks we treated him with Gabapentin and then Tizanidine, strong non-opiate pain medications, until his pain was almost completely resolved. 

Ultimately, with the help of his daughter, he was able to obtain health insurance and transferred his care to another primary care provider and network of specialists. On his last visit, he and his daughter expressed tremendous gratitude to Light of the World for taking care of him after having gone so long without any form of primary care, only receiving emergency medical care at multiple hospitals for his multiple blood clots and their resulting complications. They expressed that our care, that was as frequent as needed until his conditions stabilized, was what allowed him to get “the rest of his life on track” and ultimately obtain health insurance to “graduate” from our services.

 55-year-old woman visited the clinic in July 2024 with multiple chronic issues, including a remote history of kidney failure due to medication, persistent pelvic pain, and an increased frequency of urination. Her pain was severe and burning, located to the left side, however it was vague enough that the differential for what could be affecting her was still broad.

 There was nothing obvious pointing toward an infection at that time, although with her unknown kidney history, that was our first concern to rule out. However, a point of care urine dipstick was negative. Despite this, given our level of concern, a urine culture was ordered and found to be positive. The concern was that perhaps the infection reached the level of the kidney or there was fluid building up around the area due to an infection or a kidney stone. Our physicians also considered if this could be gynecological in origin. As such, we obtained an ultrasound of the kidney and of the pelvis (at no charge to the patient) which showed normal anatomy. She was treated with antibiotics, and when her culture showed resistance to the antibiotic given, she was tried on a different option, which she completed.

 Unfortunately, she came back in the following week without improvement and in tears due to the severity of her pain, which had become constant and debilitating. With the intensity of her pain, we brought her in every week to keep a close eye on her and to see if we were going down the right path. She shared with one of our resident physicians that she couldn’t even perform basic daily activities and was out of work for the last two months due to her pain, which she could not afford to do. She could hardly walk due to the extent of her pain. On her follow up visit, our resident reviewed the case again and did a physical examination to include maneuvers of her spine. We found that she might have a case of inflammation of her sacral spine that was radiating forward to her left pelvic area, which was a very abnormal presentation of this. She was put on a trial of steroids and had extraordinary improvement. We did our due diligence and got x-rays of the hips and spine as well, but ultimately the diagnosis was made by good clinical reasoning, intellectual curiosity, and a need to do right by the patient. She is now undergoing an autoimmune workup to figure out if she has a rheumatological disease contributing. 

Karen was crying tears of joy with her follow-up visit and was so thankful. Sadly, it is possible that another provider may have put her on opiates to manage her pain, and she would not have found the underlying issue or become dependent on opiates. Karen is back to work and living a healthy lifestyle by swimming and exercising. It is truly thanks to the diligence, caring and intellectual curiosity of the providers as well as the resources of the Light of the World clinic that we were able to turn her life around and get her the care she needed.

A 61-year-old man came to the clinic in June 2023 having experienced pain in multiple joints for approximately 6 months. The joint pain was debilitating and prevented him from doing daily activities such as opening doors, shaking hands, and getting dressed. Multiple doses of Ibuprofen every day did not relieve his pain.  He had sought care at another medical practice, but due to financial issues, he could not afford all the tests that were ordered. On his initial visit to the clinic, he was in moderate distress secondary to pain, and because of the excessive ibuprofen use, labs obtained at our clinic demonstrated that the patient was in acute renal failure. Based on the physical exam findings and patient’s medical history, our medical team identified a possible rheumatologic disease and started the patient on Prednisone (Glucocorticoid therapy). Our medical team also counseled the patient on the importance of discontinuing Ibuprofen and improving hydration in order to improve kidney function. After a one-month follow up, his joint pain had resolved, and his kidney had recovered completely. He was kept on the steroids for an additional month and is now completely off therapy. On his last visit, the patient stated that he was extremely grateful for the care provided at our clinic, and he is now able to play the piano pain free.

A 58-year-old woman came to the clinic in August 2023 seeking care.  After being treated, stabilized, and discharged from Holy Cross Hospital for heart failure, she was instructed to establish care with a primary care doctor. However, due to financial difficulties, she was unable to establish that care until she came to Light of the World Clinic. During her initial visit, we were able to provide the medication prescribed by the heart failure specialist and her heart has been stabilized.  However, our medical team also identified uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes. Her glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 13% (Normal value less than 5.7%). Initially, the patient and daughter were reluctant to start insulin therapy, so we started oral medication. After several visits and follow up laboratory results, our medical team counseled the patient that she was at higher risk of cardiovascular complications, given her history of heart failure. After multiple discussions, a shared decision was made, and patient agreed to start insulin therapy. She was provided with a glucometer, strips for testing, needles, as well as basal and fast acting insulin. On her last visit, we tested her HbA1c and it was down to 7.8%, an exponential improvement. She and her daughter were extremely happy and stated that she was tolerating the medication well. We also provided her with the appropriate referrals for ophthalmology to monitor for retinal involvement. Overall, the patient is extremely happy with her now well controlled Type 2 Diabetes and are grateful for the care that she has received at our clinic.

A 47-year-old female had struggled with type 2 diabetes as well as obesity most of her life. She has attempted various blood sugar and weight loss management strategies, yet continued to experience difficulties. In 2013, she underwent gastric sleeve surgery which had initially been successful. However, she eventually gained the weight back. Upon visiting the Clinic, she met with our medical team who provided healthy lifestyle education and behavioral counseling, which included self-care improvements (physical exercise, weight loss, and nutrition management). Working closely with doctors, she lost almost sixty pounds in 18 months. The Patient recently received approval to take an effective diabetes medication that helps lower her A1c (blood sugar over time) in addition to weight loss, which should greatly aid her efforts. The supervised manner in which the Patient has slowly and consistently lost weight will likely help her to maintain a healthy body weight. The Clinic’s medical professionals provide ongoing medical support, counseling, and medications to help her throughout her weight loss journey.

A 49-year old male who first presented to the Clinic with an HbA1C of 11.3%. At that time the patient was overweight and never previously diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus. After initial visit at LOTW the patient was started on multiple hypoglycemic agents including Metformin, Glimepiride, Linaglitpin and Insulin to try and treat his uncontrolled diabetes. Eventually, after close follow up with LOTW, the patient was able to greatly improve HbA1C to 5.8%, currently only requiring Metformin for pre-diabetes! The patient also improved lifestyle choices (including diet and exercise) to lose over 20lbs!

A 60-year-old female patient with multiple chronic medical conditions entered the Clinic in June of 2022. She was diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm, and a large goiter in her neck due to uncontrolled hyperthyroidism. She knew that some things were affecting her health. However, she could not afford to visit a doctor or pay for diagnostic screening or medications to manage her ongoing medical conditions. The Clinic’s medical team met with the Patient, conducted diagnostic testing, provided her with counseling and medications to calm her thyroid, and obtained free imaging that showed multiple nodules that required a biopsy. Based on our collaborative partnership with Holy Cross, we were able to seek the Hospitals’ Charity Care Assistance Program for her to visit a thyroid specialist to biopsy the nodules, which showed early signs of cancer. Fortunately, she had surgery to remove the thyroid and prevent cancer from forming. Her symptoms are now well controlled on medications, and she has improved her self-care. She now understands the importance of adhering to her medical treatment plan and following her medication regimen. As a result, she no longer has an abnormal heart rhythm, and her quality of life is significantly improved. Through this unfortunate experience, the Patient learned the value the Light of the World Clinic provides and understands the importance of managing and treating her chronic conditions with her routine follow-ups and medication recommendations.

A 62-year-old female patient arrived at the Clinic with no prior history of health screenings. During her initial visit, the Clinic’s medical team conducted a complete series of diagnostic screenings, including a Mammogram and PAP test. The Patient’s Mammogram results demonstrated an irregular mass suspicious of malignancy. The follow-up biopsy confirmed breast cancer. The Clinic’s volunteer gynecologist guided the Patient on diagnosis and counseled her on possible treatment plans. The Clinic’s medical team referred the Patient to Holy Cross Hospital for treatment under their Charity Program. The Nurse Practitioner provided follow-up for pre-op orders and evaluation, and the Patient reported that she was scheduled for a lumpectomy later that year.

A 65-year-old female had been a patient at Light of the World Clinic since 2004 and received medical treatment and counseling to manage multiple conditions included anxiety, hyperlipidemia, osteoarthritis, osteopenia, fibromyalgia, and reflux. Over time, she learned to self-care and managed her health. She was approved for Medicare and graduated from the Clinic’s service. For almost 20 years, the Clinic’s medical team worked closely with the Patient and encouraged her to maintain good health as she has a family history of breast cancer and diabetes. Although sad to leave the Clinic as a patient, she is so grateful for the treatments and support she received over the years, that she hopes to return to the Clinic as a volunteer!

A 78-year-old female was diagnosed with an irregular heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation, with a rate of 122 on her first visit to the Clinic. The Clinic’s medical team immediately conducted an Electrocardiogram confirming this irregular heart rhythm, which is a high risk for clots and stroke. The Patient admitted that she used to take the medication Propranolol twice daily for a heart condition although she was unsure of the specific condition. She had a history of Atrial fibrillation for approximately 20 years. However, she abruptly suspended medication 6-8 weeks ago. She admitted that she was experiencing palpitations. The Medical team counseled her and restarted her on baby aspirin once daily until she could be evaluated by cardiology. She was referred to the Clinic’s volunteer Cardiologist and was examined two weeks later. The Cardiologist counseled the Patient in Spanish and discussed the risks of heart attack and stroke in detail. She was made aware never to stop the medication abruptly as risks significantly increased. The Patient was provided educational materials in Spanish to supplement her Cardiology visit and to reinforce her understanding of maintaining her medical treatment plan. Thanks to Light of the World Clinic and its volunteer medical professionals, this Patient was assessed and diagnosed and proper treatment with specialist referral was provided. This easily could have been a sudden death situation had she had access to this Clinic and its services.