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Doctor moves into new office building

By CHRISTINA COSDON
Published June 26, 2005

LARGO - Dr. Richard F. Johnson, a specialist in occupational medicine with medical centers in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, has purchased Liberty Office Center in Largo for $950,000. The 11,856-square-foot building is at 7527 Ulmerton Road.

Johnson moved his Lakeside Medical Review Services for drug and alcohol testing from 1300 East Bay Drive to the office center and opened last week in the new location. He also has moved his billing and purchasing department and corporate offices to Liberty center.

There are three other businesses in the center - a hair and nail salon, an Allstate office and a senior services center.

Johnson, who has been a practicing physician for more than 30 years, established his first Lakeside Occupational Medical Center in Pinellas County in 1978. Before that, he worked a number of years in emergency medicine and is a past medical director of Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services. His specialty certifications include medical review officer, workers' compensation expert and senior aviation medical examiner.

Each of Johnson's medical center clinics - four in Hillsborough and three in Pinellas - "is like a mini-emergency room staffed with a nurse practitioner, medical assistant, X-ray technician and receptionist," said Connie McMullen, director of client services. The clinics' five physicians work on a rotating schedule, she said.

Clients include Great Bay Distributors, PODS, Rooms To Go, Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, PSTA, Sunstar ambulance service, Pinellas County School District, the cities of Dunedin and Clearwater, and Pinellas Park and Seminole fire fighters.

Services include drug alcohol screening, training programs, exposure monitoring, physical exams, including FAA flight physicals, firefighter and hazmat physicals and diver certification, immunizations, customized tests and screenings and other services, such as evaluation of chemicals used at work, dermatology and work-related skin disorders and infectious disease medicine.

Tom Pizurie of Ross Realty Group negotiated the Liberty Office Center sale between the buyer and the seller, RCD Properties.

Surfside 1 Inc. of Clearwater has purchased the former Long John Silver restaurant property at 999 S Missouri Ave., Largo. The 1,802-square-foot building sold for $570,000.

Bob Burk represented the buyer and Wikle Properties represented the seller, Homer Properties.

Surfside 1 recently opened an XXX-clusive Adult Video Superstore on U.S. 19 in Palm Harbor in a former fast-food restaurant. The seller of the Long John Silver property, John Homer, said it is his understanding that the building is to be used as an adult video store. Surfside 1 representatives have declined to speak to the Times.

According to Barbara Bukovan, an occupational license technician for the city of Largo, Surfside 1 has not applied for a license.

"If their intent is to open an Adult Superstore, there are several hoops they need to jump through with the Community Development Department before a license can be issued," she said in an e-mail message.

Dr. James C. Saylor, who specializes in mesotherapy and non-surgical face lifts, has opened Saylor Cosmetics and Anti-Aging Institute at 1200 S Pinellas Ave. in Tarpon Springs.

Mesotherapy is a series of injections of vitamins, minerals, medications and amino acids placed under the surface of the skin. Its uses include weight loss, cellulite reduction, face and neck rejuvenation, body sculpting and pain management.

Saylor has practiced in Tampa and Lakeland for 12 years. He will continue to operate a Lakeland clinic, but the Tarpon Springs clinic will be his main office. He also is planning to open a clinic in the Clearwater area.

News of businesses and business people can be faxed to the Business Digest at 445-4119, e-mailed to cosdon@sptimes.com or mailed to Business Digest, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. We are interested in new and unusual businesses, promotions, expansions and major new contracts. Photos can be sent, but not all will be used and they cannot be returned.

[Last modified June 26, 2005, 00:35:07]