Page 7 - Florida Sentinel 10-19-18

Local
East Tampa Doctor Targets Seniors In Community
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Many times visits to the doctor’s office often leave the patient feeling like just another number in a crowded waiting room. And on many occasions, the pa- tient leaves with unan- swered questions.
However, one East Tampa physician plans to change the way a patient views his relationship with his physician. His goal is to treat the current medical problem as well as establish good outcomes as well.
Dr. Theophilus Sai is the new Internal Medi- cine Specialist located at 3105 N. 22nd Street. He officially opened Palmas Clinic on October 1st. He will host an Open House on October 23rd, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. This will give members of the community an opportu-
nity to meet Dr. Sai and his staff.
Dr. Sai specializes in senior citizens and the dis- abled. “My goal is to keep seniors away from the hospi- tal and rehabilitation cen- ters. I offer personalized care, preventative care, and healthy outcomes. The healthier the patient, the better I feel.”
Having worked at the Lee Davis Clinic, Dr. Sai knows what the community needs. “I feel the community called me here,” he said.
Dr. Sai said he is not “Chasing patients to make money,” and you will never see his waiting room over- crowded. His concern is to treat the total patient.
In keeping with this phi- losophy, Dr. Sai will pro- vide transportation for those patients who don’t have a way to come to the office. And, he plans to make home visits to those who are
DR. THEOPHILUS SAI
homebound.
His practice is also
unique in that he is the only physician in his office. And, if someone wants to reach him after hours, he answers the telephone. “I am the an- swering service,” he said.
“I spend as much time as I need with my patients. There has never been a med- ical home for seniors in this area. I offer private care the
way you need it as you age. I want the patients to have a high quality option that makes them feel like they are being taken care of.
“I believe in listening to the patient to make sure that nothing gets missed. We def- initely take care of those with disabilities and com- plex medical needs here.”
Born in London, Eng- land, Dr. Sai grew up in his parents’ homeland of Ghana, North Africa. He earned his B. S. Degree in General Sci- ence from Andrei Grechko Pre-University Institute, Isle of Youth, in Cuba.
He earned his medical degree from the Institut0 Superior De Ciencias Med- icas de La Habana, in Ha- vana, Cuba. He continued his education at Rush Uni- versity in Chicago, where he received his training as an Internal Medicine Specialist.
He completed his resi- dency training in Internal
Medicine at Rush University and Cook County Hospital, in Chicago. Dr. Sai moved to Tampa in 2008 to serve as the Chief Medical Officer for Tampa Family Health Cen- ters.
The 46-year-old physi- cian followed in his mother’s footsteps to become a doc- tor. His mother is now re- tired.
His future goal is to es- tablish a mentoring service for underprivileged youth with an interest in medicine. “We really need people to grow up in the community, get trained, come back and serve the community.”
Dr. Sai is married to a physician who has her own practice. He is the father of 3 daughters, and enjoys play- ing soccer. He is also an As- sistant Professor of Medicine at the University of South Florida.
Dr. Sai is also fluent in Spanish.
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