During a well woman exam, your doctor will review all of your current medical issues and determine if there is anything missing from care, says Dr. Marchand. It is important to note that medicine is constantly changing, so treatment that is recommended can vary a lot in just one year, he adds. The doctor should examine you from head to toe, check your vital signs, and assess if you are due for any vaccines. The visit generally includes the following:

Health History and Physical Examination

Upon arrival, you will undergo a routine physical exam that includes taking your weight, pulse and blood pressure. A urine demo may be requested to test for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and rule out urinary tract infections, says Dr. Alagia. “You will be asked to change into a gown after being left alone in the examination room. Once your health care professional enters the room, they should take a few moments to review the exam they are planning to perform and explain the reason for the specific exam,” he says.

You’ll have time before, after and during the exam to ask and answer any questions you and your health care provider might have. It’s useful to prepare a list of questions in advance.

The questions that your doctor asks will be tailored to your age and medical history, says Dr. Swarup. For example, they may ask if you smoke, use drugs or alcohol, have any allergies or infections and whether you’ve had any surgeries, he says––all of these factors can affect your reproductive health.

Your doctor may ask the following questions, according to Dr. Swarup:

• How long ago was your last period?
• How often do your periods occur and how long do they last?
• Is there spotting between your periods?
• Is there any vaginal itching, pain or discharge?
• Are you experiencing any medical concerns?
• Do any members of your family have medical issues?
• How often are you sexually active, and do you have a new partner?
• What type of sex do you have? Is it painful? Do you ever bleed after?
• Do you use birth control?
• Are you concerned you might be pregnant?
• Are you trying to get pregnant?
• What do you use to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?

It’s important to be completely honest in your answers because the questions are to benefit your health, says Dr. Marchand. “Remember that a doctor can never share any personal information about your visit (doing so could easily lead to medical board discipline or loss of licensure),” he says. Doctors can share your information with other members of their health team if it is necessary to provide your care or coordinate your care. Doctors can also share your information with your permission. Doctors can also share your information with law enforcement to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of an individual or the public. Dr. Alagia adds that having an honest dialogue with your health care professional helps them recommend guideline-based care such as STD screening, cancer screenings and other services.

You should also expect questions about your diet, life stressors and exercise habits, says Dr. Marchand. “Since screening for depression and anxiety is very important for all patients, you should be ready for questions about how you’re feeling,” he says.

Breast Exam

Starting at the age of 20, a breast exam may be conducted every one to three years to identify any irregularities or lumps, says Dr. Swarup, but recommendations vary. For example, the ACOG advises that clinical breast examinations may be offered every one to three years in women ages 25 to 39, and once a year in women over the age of 40.

The American Cancer Society does not recommend clinical breast exams nor self breast exams at all due to lack of evidence that it contributes very little to early breast cancer detection when mammography is available. Currently, mammograms (x-ray images of the breast) are recommended annually in women over the age of 45 and once every two years in women over the age of 55.

The ACOG that women between the ages of 25 and 39 be offered a clinical breast exam every one to three years, and that women over the age of 40 be offered them annually. In either case, the ACOG recommends women make the decision that’s best for them.

If your practitioner conducts a clinical breast exam, you will be asked to lift one arm behind your head, explains Dr. Alagia. This allows your doctor to better examine each breast, applying gentle pressure in circular movements. “They will look for abnormal lumps or cysts. If any lumps are discovered, a biopsy will be ordered to determine if they are cancerous or not,” says Dr. Alagia.

Pelvic Exam

A pelvic, or internal exam, is performed to check the vulva, vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries and rectum for abnormalities. Adolescents don’t need a pelvic exam unless they are experiencing abnormal bleeding, discharge, or pelvic pain. It’s unlikely that you’ll have a pelvic exam before the age of 21 unless such symptoms are present. Although the exam may be uncomfortable, it should not be painful. Keeping your body relaxed will help minimize discomfort.

During a pelvic exam, your doctor will also examine your vulva and rectum for irritation, redness or other signs of anything concerning, says Dr. Swarup. A lubricated speculum is placed into the vagina to look inside it, allowing the cervix to be evaluated for signs of disease. After removing the speculum, your doctor will gently insert one or two fingers (using a lubricated glove) into your vaginal canal while placing gentle pressure on the lower abdomen, explains Dr. Alagia. This allows them to check for abnormalities in the size, shape, and position of the uterus and ovaries.

You can expect to feel pressure, says Dr. Alagia, adding that it’s important to communicate any feelings of pain, heaviness, bloating or tenderness––this helps your doctor understand potential causes for concern.

Cervical Cancer Screening

Depending on your age, you may undergo cervical cancer screening via a Pap smear and/or human papillomavirus (HPV) test during your pelvic exam. A Pap smear looks for cellular changes in the cervix that may turn into cervical cancer, and an HPV test checks for the presence of the human papillomavirus, the virus responsible for causing these changes.

Current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines advise that women between the ages of 21 and 29 be screened every three years with a Pap smear alone; women ages 30 to 65 may be screened every three years with a Pap test only, every five years with HPV testing only or every five years with both.

For both HPV and Pap tests, your health care practitioner will insert a lubricated speculum into your vaginal canal to view your vagina and cervix, explains Dr. Alagia. “They will swipe your cervix with a swab and send it to a lab to ensure there are no signs of cervical cancer and ensure your cervix is healthy,” he says.

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Screening

Even if you think you are not at risk, you should discuss STD screening with your doctor, says Dr. Alagia. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following testing schedule for STDS:

• All adults and adolescents ages 13 to 64 should be tested at least once for HIV.
• All sexually active women younger than 25 should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia yearly, and women over 25 with new or multiple sex partners or a sex partner with an STD should be tested yearly.
• Pregnant women should be tested for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C early in their pregnancy, and those who are at risk (new or multiple sex partners) should also be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

The cost of personal trainer certification programs varies, ranging in price from $400 to $2,000, according to American Fitness Professionals and Associates. Prices fluctuate depending on the organization providing the certification, the certification level, the study materials and support offered, and the price of the certification exam itself. While many programs offer payment plans to help with financing, some may not include the cost of earning a CPR/AED certification, which is required for most programs and can add about $75 to the total cost of certification.

Minton also recommends considering the costs of personal training once one obtains a certification. For instance, self-employed personal trainers may need to rent space in a gym or fitness club to work with clients. Many trainers also invest in liability insurance, which costs an average of $1,735 per year for small businesses. Equipment, such as hand weights, kettlebells, yoga mats, resistance bands or portable speakers for music, can also add to potential costs should a trainer need to purchase equipment for client use.

Lastly, many CPT certifications require trainers to participate in continuing education courses, keep their CPR/AED certification up to date and pay certification renewal fees every few years, all of which can add significantly to the total cost of maintaining their certification. Some continuing education courses can cost several hundred dollars, and recertification fees can exceed $400.

Best Acupuncturist — Martin Herbkersman

Runner-up: Li Huang

Founder of Palmetto Acupuncture Clinic, Martin Herbkersman is the best around for any acupuncture, oriental medicine, and herbal and nutritional medicine related needs. With over 20 years of experience, Herbkersman is known for his expertise and wisdom along with his kind and calming demeanor. The fact that he founded his practice on the idea that a happy and healthy public contributes to a great society says a lot about that type of doctor that Herbkersman is!

Honorable Mention: Noemi Martinez, William Skelton

Best Barbershop: Gentleman’s Quarters Barbershop

Runner Up: Frank’s Gentlemen’s Salon

You’re looking pretty shaggy there, friend. Might be time to get that haircut you’ve been putting off. And there’s no better place in Columbia for a cut than Gentleman’s Quarters Barbershop. Founded in 2018 by Dominic Peterson, a Master Barber from New York with over 14 years of professional barbering experience, GQ strives to provide the absolute best in men's grooming by offering detailed, precise haircuts from seasoned professionals. Lookin’ sharp!

Honorable Mentions: Circa, Regal Lounge

Best Chiropractor — Columbia Family Chiropractic

Runner-up: MaxLiving Chiropractic

Though they may be famous for treating back pain, chiropractors actually focus on musculoskeletal disorders, which means that they can often help with everything from nerve function to headaches, as well. If you’re interested in natural, holistic medicine solutions to your ailments, Columbia Family Chiropractic is the most trusted clinic in town.

Honorable Mentions: Dean McCaughan — Midlands Health Center, Dr. Jennifer Lee — Health Source

Best Counselor or Therapist — Jill Smith and Associates

Runner-Up: Everyday Wellness

We all need a little help now and then, but we don’t have Mr. Cleaver, Mrs. Brady or Grandpa Walton to turn to. It's a good thing that Jill Smith and Associates, in both Columbia and Lexington, has experienced professional counselors specializing in individual psychotherapy, couples counseling, telehealth and services to children, adolescents and families. And they’re committed to delivering these services with warmth, respect, kindness, empathy and authenticity.

Honorable Mention: Corazon Holistic Health, Rachel Kelly

Best Crossfit — Cottontown Crossfit

Runner-up: CrossFit Soda City

Cottontown Crossfit has something for everyone who’s interested in the workout regime, regardless of experience. For those who have been doing it for years, the classes will certainly be challenging enough, but for newer folks they offer foundational classes that teach basic vocabulary and movements that will be built upon. With class sizes of 16 or less, you can be sure that you’ll get quality instruction that will encourage whatever fitness journey you’re on, whether you’re a crossfit lifer or just dropping in.

Honorable Mention: Carolina Crossfit

Best Day Spa — The Beautique

Runner-up: Urban Nirvana

The Beautique Skin Spa is a medical spa offering waxing, esthetics, massages, saunas, tanning and piercings. Owners Brooke and Paul Gellici curated the Whaley Street space to feel like an Indonesian wellness retreat, with bohemian knick-knacks and draping plants filling each nook and cranny of the space. Their team is stacked with estheticians, a massage therapist and even a medical director to ensure clients receive the best treatment.

Honorable mention: Skin and Brows Redefined, Studio 803

Best Dentist — Dr. Shivani Patel, 32 Dental

Runner-up: Bela Family Dentistry

Led by Dr. Shivani Patel, 32 Dental is no stranger to Best Of Columbia. Dr. Patel is a proud USC and MUSC grad and the recipient of many academic and clinical awards. To each new patient, she brings individual care, attention and expertise in oral surgery, endodontics, implant dentistry and restorative procedures. Whatever your age, whatever your need, Dr. Patel is Columbia’s favorite dentist.

Honorable Mention: Forest Drive Dental Care, Marc Berger Choice Dentistry

Best Dermatology Practice — Columbia Skin Clinic

Runner-up: Carolinas Dermatology & Plastic Surgery

Beautiful skin has never been easier! With four locations, Columbia Skin Clinic is the most experienced dermatology group in the region. They are dedicated to your specific skin needs with a focus on making your skin feel and look healthy. From medical dermatology to aesthetic services and everything that fall in between, they truly are a one-stop-shop for all things skin.

Honorable Mention: Northeast Dermatology, Palmetto Dermatology

Best Esthetician — Brooke Gellici — The Beautique

Runner Up: E’toshia McFarland — Faces By Etosh

Brooke Gellici isn’t just the best darned esthetician on the Columbia scene; she actually owns one of the best salons, The Beautique. Brooke attended college in Rhode Island before she and her husband returned to Columbia to be closer to family. Her passion for skin care and beautification comes from her own struggles with acne as a teenager, so she has both the skill and the compassion to do her job with care and excellence.

Honorable Mentions: Jocelyn Perez — Everglow Spa, Tara Monroe — Beautique

Best Eye Doctor or Group — Columbia Eye Clinic

Runner-up: Devine Eyes

The Columbia Eye Clinic has a long history and stellar reputation in the community. Having grown to 14 board-certified doctors and more than 100 staff across four locations in the Midlands, they offer everything from Lasik and cataract surgery to diagnostic treatment and regular comprehensive eye exams. So if these words are looking a little blurry, it might be time to go see the team at Columbia Eye Clinic.

Honorable Mentions: 20/20 Vision, Vision Therapy Institute

Best Family Practice — Lexington Family Practice

Runner-Up: Palmetto Family Medicine

With multiple locations and more than 45 years in practice, it’s no shocker that last year’s winner is back in first place. It’s easy to take one’s health for granted, but the pandemic and the resulting quarantine made us all reconsider and reevaluate that stance. Maybe keeping tabs on our health isn’t such a bad idea after all, and the best way to do that is with a physician you trust. Lexington Family Practice has clearly earned that trust.

Honorable Mention: Harbison Medical Associates, Noretta Family Medicine

Best Fitness Studio — F45 Forest Acres

Runner-up: Basecamp Fitness Columbia

F45 tells you exactly what it is in the name: the F stands for functional training, meaning their exercises are meant to ensure full-body workouts that help with everyday movements, and the 45 is how long the classes last (in minutes). F45 Forest Acres offers efficient training that evolves with every class and can be modified for beginners — or pushed for those who want a challenge. They use a team-training structure, emphasizing and encouraging the community to help people reach their fitness goals.

Honorable Mention: EQ Fitness and Physical Therapy, Fit Columbia

Best Gym — Planet Fitness

Runner-up: Burn Boot Camp — Lake Murray

Affordability and zero judgment. What more could you want in a gym? This chain has multiple locations across Columbia, including a new location on Garners Ferry Road, where memberships start at just $10 a month. The friendly staff is stacked with certified trainers who can answer questions or help you with your form. Athletes and first-time gym users alike are members of Planet Fitness, which is open seven days a week.

Honorable mention: Chosen Uno Training, EQ Fitness and Physical Therapy

Best Hair Salon — Hyde Salon

Runner-up: process. A Hair Salon

Looking for a luxury salon experience? With locations in Chapin and the Vista, Hyde Salon will have your locks looking lush in a beautiful ambience and a drink in your hand. They take great pride in their exceptional team. Each stylist is talented and vetted, and everyone is welcome. Even your brows can partake in a little self care while you’re there. For those with a busy work schedule, they’re open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Honorable Mention: Haven + Co, Metropolis

Best Hair Stylist — Lexie Ivanko — Hyde

Runner-up: Tamika Barker — Natura Q Hair Studio

If you’ve ever been to Lexie Ivanko for your hair needs, you would probably agree that she’s a hair wizard! A masterful stylist at Columbia’s Hyde, Ivanko is known for making her clients feel beautiful, both while sitting in her chair and while walking out of the salon. Her skills, along with a friendly and welcoming presence, keeps clients coming back for more. She’s the perfect stylist to go to if you’re in need of a transformation.

Honorable Mention: Brooke Buck — Image Makers, Daisy Gass - Hyde

Best Holistic Health Provider — Everyday Wellness

Runner Up: MaxLiving Chiropractic

Everyday Wellness was created to help you address your whole self: mind, body and spirit. They are a group of providers that believes in the power of the mind-body connection. They value community and strive to normalize care for your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual state, as well as teaching self-care practices — something that it seems like we’re often too busy to do. Everyday Wellness lives up to its name with their expertise and experience.

Honorable Mentions: Corazon Holistic Health, South Carolina Center of Integrative Medicine

Best Home Health Care Service — Hands and Hearts Home Care

Runner-up: McLeod Home Care

For 15 years, Hands and Heart Home Care has strived to provide a first-class home care experience for seniors to age comfortably in their homes, which is all any of us really want in the august years of our lives, right? With an attention to developing and maintaining relationships with health providers, rehab facilities, nursing homes and hospice care, as well as expertise in dementia, Alzheimer’s care and arthritis, this crew has the Midlands’ hearts (and hands) for a reason.

Honorable Mentions: Casania's Caring Hands, Heart of Hospice

Best Hospital — Lexington Medical Center

Runner-Up: MUSC

It's easy to say Columbia is more "city" and Lexington more "country," but the reality is that we're one big, bustling metropolitan area with myriad health concerns. With five community medical centers and more than 400 affiliated physicians, Lexington Medical Center is prepared to address those concerns. Affiliated with MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, the sprawling main campus off US 378 offers complete cardiac care and is reported to perform more than 32,000 surgeries every year. From cancer screening and treatment to delivering more than 4,000 babies annually, patients know they’re in the right hands here.

Honorable Mention: Prisma Health Baptist, Prisma Health Richland

Best Lactation Support — Sandhills Pediatrics

Runner-up: The Latch RN

Lactation can cause confusion and concerns for new mothers. Sandhills Pediatrics alleviates that concern with its abundant resources. Just on their website is a page with links to videos and web pages detailing many different breastfeeding topics, but the real support comes from the two Board Certified Lactation Consultants that make up the “Lactation Station.” The consultants can guide new mothers through the entire process of breastfeeding, identify any problems and help make the entire process easier.

Honorable Mention: Columbia Lactation Care

Best Massage Therapist — Sara Peters — Beautique

Runner-up: L’Toia Benjamin — Hands of Restoration

At Beautique Skin Studio on Whaley Street, Sara Peters strives to bring clients a relaxing, unforgettable experience. The licensed massage therapist incorporates health and wellness into each session, always learning new trends within the industry to advance her practice. Within beautiful curated treatment rooms, Peters is sure to make you feel comfortable and relaxed.

Honorable mention: Brad Rasmussen — Drift Massage Studio, Nikki B Massage

Best Medical Spa — Sculpted by WH Aesthetics

Runner-up: Beautique Skin Co.

Have you been wanting to try out microneedling? Injectables? Dermal fillers or the existing facial treatments? Columbia locals say Sculpted by WH Aesthetics in the Vista is the place to go. As a medical spa, they stay on the cutting edge of products and procedures. Services range from IV therapy to laser hair removal. With a plethora of five-star reviews and monthly specials, you might find something for you.

Honorable Mention: The Essential Face, The Hammett Clinic

Best Nail Salon — Canvas Studio

Runner-up: Posh

Want stellar nails without acrylic? Canvas Studio in West Columbia specializes in making your natural nails beautiful. No acrylic or harmful chemicals — they focus on bringing life to what's already there. From a basic manicure to fun nail art, they were voted best nail salon for a reason. Their focus is on making your nails healthy, strong and beautiful!

Honorable Mention: Nail Room, The Nail Barre

Best Orthodontist — Boyd Orthodontics

Runner Up: Tompkins Orthodontics

If experience and trustworthiness are important qualities for you when it comes to choosing the right orthodontist, then you’ll want to check out Boyd Orthodontics. They’ve been the most trusted name in the braces and Invisalign trades for nearly 40 years. They break down every detail for their clients, right down to the cost of the Invisalign fittings. So you’ve got transparency, excellent service and a spotless reputation among their clients. What else could you ask for?

Honorable Mentions: Davis Orthodontics, Purnell Orthodontics

Best Orthopedic Practice — Prisma Health Orthopedics

Runner-up: Lexington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

From sports-related injuries to physical therapy and rehabilitation, Prisma Health Orthopedics has the experienced and board-certified orthopedic surgeons and staff who can take care of you when you aren’t moving the way you need to be. With a reputation for personalized attention and convenient scheduling, along with a high quality of patient care, they are the favorites of Columbia’s knee-and-back-pain sufferers.

Honorable Mentions: MUSC HEALTH Orthopedics, Palmetto Bone and Joint

Best Pediatric Care — Sandhills Pediatrics

Runner-Up: Palmetto Pediatrics

If there’s anything that a child hates, it’s being sick, and part of that loathing comes from a fear of going to see the doctor. Returning from a win last year is Sandhills Pediatrics, meaning that they must be doing something right. Twenty pediatricians in five locations strive to work with parents as partners in ensuring the health of their children by providing cheerful, compassionate care to infants, toddlers, adolescents and teens.

Honorable Mention: Pediatric Associates, SouthernMed

Best Pharmacy — Hawthorne

Runner-up: True Pharmacy

Picking up prescriptions can be a hassle. In steps Hawthorne Pharmacy and Medical Equipment to assist. With eight locations across the Midlands, this local pharmacy provides helpful assistance with prescriptions and vaccines. They offer some local delivery options and they offer to synchronize recurring prescriptions, so you can pick up all of your monthly prescriptions at once. If you have questions about your medications, their pharmacists are ready and able to help.

Honorable Mention: Blythewood Pharmacy, Landy's Pharmacy

Best Physical Therapy Practice — Pinnacle Physical Therapy & Personal Training

Runner-up: Vertex

Known for a friendly staff that remembers your name, Pinnacle Physical Therapy & Personal Training is a one-stop shop for all your wellness needs. Doctors J.R. and Kyra Watts have a long list of specialties to rehabilitate your ailments — and if they can’t help you, someone on their experienced staff surely can. Beyond physical therapy, Pinnacle was the first place in Columbia to also offer personal training, nutrition services and massage therapy.

Honorable mention: Ascent Total Performance, EQ Fitness and Physical Therapy

Best Piercing Studio — RAW Body Piercing

Runner-up: Immaculate Body Piercing

When it comes to someone poking a hole in your face or body, you’re going to want the best. RAW Body Piercing knows that, offering a team of fully certified technicians — some with over 10 years of experience — and only the highest-quality jewelry. See their services and book an appointment online. Or, if inspiration strikes, walk-ins are welcome. You can follow the shop on Instagram @RAWBodyPiercing to find out about any piercing specials.

Honorable Mention: Piercing Parlor, The Beautique

Best Pilates — Club Pilates

Runner-up: The Pilates Sculpt Studio

We’re sweating just writing this! If you’re looking for the perfect low-impact, full-body workout, Club Pilates is the place to go. With different class types for all skill levels, Club Pilates has a workout that fits everyone's goals. With health at the center of their focus, there is no doubt that you’ll walk out feeling like the best version of yourself. The best part? Your first class is free.

Honorable Mention: Fit Columbia, The WRKT

Best Place To Be Born — Lexington Medical Center

Runner Up: Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge

It's not like you have a choice where you’re born, but in case you can, broadcast a hint out to Mom while you’re hanging out in the womb. Tell her to head for Lexington Medical Center when it’s time to provide birth. Their professional and caring staff will make sure your introduction to parenting goes as smoothly and safely as possible. Trust them with one of the most important events of your life.

Honorable Mentions: Home, Prisma Health Richland

Best Plastic Surgery Clinic — Carolinas Dermatology & Plastic Surgery

Runner-up: Carlin Plastic Surgery

If you’re going under the knife, you want the very best. And that’s what the board-certified surgeons at Carolinas Dermatology & Plastic Surgery offer here in the Midlands. From breast augmentation and liposuction to facelifts and tummy tucks, they do it all with personalized care plans and state-of-the-art technology designed to deliver exactly what you need.

Honorable Mentions: Capital Plastic Surgery, Lefkowitz Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics

Best Tattoo Artist — Shannon Purvis Barron — Ophidian

Runner-Up: Ethan Chandler — Sickle and Moon

As the co-owner of Ophidian, Shannon Purvis Baron has high standards of artistry to uphold. In the business since 2006, she specializes in American traditional and neo-traditional designs, though she is particularly enthusiastic about tattooing images from pop culture, flora and fauna, and pet portraits. Along with her all-woman staff, she focuses on creating an atmosphere of comfort, inclusivity and artistry in her eclectically-decorated parlor in Main Street’s Historic Arcade building.

Honorable Mention: Matthew Toto Davis — Animated Canvas, Wayne Munn — Tatway

Best Tattoo Studio — Ophidian

Runner-up: Tatway Tattoos

In the short time that Ophidian Tattoo has been in Main Street’s Arcade Mall, they have quickly made a name for themselves. Founded in 2020 by Shannon Purvis Barron and Chelsea Owen, Ophidian is intent on providing a safe, inclusive space in the tattoo community, as reflected in it being female-owned and -operated. Ophidian doesn’t do walk-ins and spots fill up quickly, but the repeat customers make it clear that the wait is worth it for the artistry Ophidian offers.

Honorable Mention: Animated Canvas, Sickle and Moon

Best Urgent Care — Lexington Medical Center Saluda Pointe

Runner-up: Doctor’s Care

Near Chick-fil-A on Saluda Pointe Circle, Lexington Medical Center takes walk-ins and treats everything from flu symptoms to broken bones. Their staff handles diagnoses, disease and injury treatment, lab services, X-Rays, MRIs, CT scans and ultrasounds. The urgent care boasts high reviews thanks to its clean environment, timely care and friendly staff.

Honorable mention: MEDcare, Veritas

Best Yoga Studio — Fit Columbia

Runner-up: Studio Fire

At Fit Columbia, the goal is to make fitness fun and accessible for all. Angela Yong Sellers opened the local business with this in mind 10 years ago. For this group, being named Best Yoga Studio includes not only standard practice yoga, but aerial yoga and wall yoga, too. Need an easier way to sweat? Their website features video tutorials of chair yoga, a safe and effective option for any situation. Check out a class at their Five Points-based studio.

Honorable Mention: Bikram Yoga, Corazon Holistic Health

© 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

The following is a press release from the Professional Regulation Commission.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 3,982 out of 5,401 passed the Medical Technologists Licensure Examination given by the Board of Medical Technology in NCR, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Pampanga, Rosales, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga this August 2023.

The results of the examination with respect to two examinees were withheld pending final determination of their liabilities under the rules and regulations governing licensure examinations.

The members of the Board of Medical Technology who gave the licensure examination are Dr. Marilyn A. Cabal-Barza, chairman; and Dr. Leila Lany M. Florento, member. The results were released in four working days from the last day of examination.

On October 2-6, October 9-13, and October 16, 2023, registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be done online. Please go to www.prc.gov.ph and follow instructions for initial registration.

Those who will register are required to bring the following: downloaded duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, notice of admission (for identification only), two pieces passport sized pictures (colored with white background and complete name tag), two sets of documentary stamps and one piece short brown envelope. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.

Those who failed to pass the board examination for Medical Technology but had obtained a general rating of at least 70% can register as Medical Laboratory Technician.

The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examination will be announced later.

The top ten performing schools in the August 2023 Medical Technologists Licensure Examination as per Commission Resolution No. 2017-1058(C) series of 2017:

The successful examinees who garnered the ten highest places in the August 2023 Medical Technologists Licensure Examination are the following:

Here’s the full list of passers:

– Rappler.com

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican Hospitals broke ground today on a new Neighborhood Hospital, a vital healthcare facility poised to enhance medical accessibility for the local community. Set in the heart of the vibrant Centennial Hills community, the state-of-the-art facility at 725 W Centennial Parkway marks St. Rose Dominican's fifth small-format hospital of its kind in Las Vegas.

"This is indeed a momentous occasion for Dignity Health–St. Rose Dominican family and for the Centennial Hills community," said Jon Van Boening, President of Dignity Health Nevada. "When opened, the Dignity Health Neighborhood Hospital Centennial Hills Campus will be our fifth such facility across our vast community, as we extend our mission and our commitment to provide compassionate care to our southern Nevada neighbors. We are confident the current and future residents of this growing area will come to count on us to provide exceptional professional healthcare, in the same way families across the valley have come to for more than 75 years."

With a profound focus on improving access to healthcare services, these neighborhood hospitals, which are built and operated through a partnership with Emerus Holdings Inc., address the essential needs of patients and families across the Las Vegas valley, beyond the reach of Dignity Health's three acute care hospitals.

"Emerus is proud to be part of this groundbreaking project, which will further enhance access to healthcare services for the people of northwest Las Vegas," said Vic Schmerbeck, CEO of Emerus Holdings Inc. "Our partnership with Dignity Health–St. Rose Dominican allows us to deliver top-notch medical care through our small-format hospitals, bringing compassionate and experienced care teams closer to where patients live and work."

Like the four existing Dignity Health Neighborhood Hospital campuses, the design and layout of the new Centennial Campus has been thoughtfully crafted to cater to the specific requirements of the community. The facility spans approximately 24,000 square feet across two floors and will house 10 well-equipped inpatient beds and eight emergency exam rooms, including a dedicated triage room. The facility will be staffed by board-certified physicians, experienced nurses, and other clinical specialists, ensuring the same level of compassionate, patient-focused care found at existing Dignity Health neighborhood hospital locations. This commitment to excellence ensures that patients receive swift and compassionate care during their time of need.

Beyond elevating the standard of healthcare available, the Centennial Campus is set to have a substantial positive economic impact on the local community. It will create job opportunities and foster a robust healthcare ecosystem, driving positive change and contributing to a healthier future for the residents of northwest Las Vegas.

Dignity Health–St. Rose Dominican remains steadfast in its mission to serve the community with the highest quality healthcare services. The groundbreaking of the new Neighborhood Hospital marks another milestone in this commitment, paving the way for enhanced medical accessibility and care.

About Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican:
Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican recently celebrated 75 years in southern Nevada, marking the anniversary of the arrival of the seven Adrian Dominican Sisters who founded Rose de Lima Hospital on June 27, 1947. As Nevada's only not-for-profit, faith-based health system, St. Rose Dominican is still guided by the vision and core values of the Adrian Dominican Sisters in all its endeavors. As the Henderson and Las Vegas communities grow, the St. Rose Dominican health system and its nearly 4,000 employees continue the Sisters' mission of serving people in need. Dignity Health currently operates three acute care hospitals in southern Nevada and is a member of the multi-state Dignity Health network of nearly 10,000 physicians, 60,000 employees, 41 acute care hospitals, and 400-plus care centers, including hospitals, urgent and occupational care, imaging centers, and primary care clinics. For more information, visit our website at www.strosehospitals.org.

ABOUT EMERUS
Emerus is the nation's first, largest and most experienced operator of small-format hospitals, also known as community hospitals or neighborhood hospitals. Emerus partners with leading health systems across the nation to provide excellence, empathy and innovation in healthcare delivery through a network of efficient, value-based micro-hospitals. The Emerus network brings high-quality, patient-centric acute episodic and ambulatory clinical services to communities across a given market. This helps patients by positioning best-in-class provider services in the communities where they work, live and play. More information is available at www.emerus.com.

CONTACT:
Richard Bonnin at 281-840-9820
richard.bonnin@emerus.com

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SOURCE Emerus