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Welcome to Internal Medicine Associates and thank you for choosing our highly personal group of physicians as your healthcare provider.  The benefit of our group practice is that when specific problems are diagnosed, or in the event that your physician is unavailable, another member of our highly qualified specialty team can attend to your medical needs.

Our Multi-Specialty Medical Practice includes:  Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Pulmonary Medicine, Rheumatology, and Infectious Disease.  We also offer many other services right in our practice locations including radiology, physical therapy, infusion therapy, labs, and an EZ-Care clinic for after-hours.

Internal Medicine    

Internal Medicine is a medical specialty which focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of nonsurgical conditions in adults.

Internal medicine doctors treat anyone who experiences a mild symptom such as a minor sniffle or cough to those experiencing more severe symptoms associated with chronic diseases.  Examinations may include tasks such as:

• Histories and Physicals
• Ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies, lab tests, x-rays, and rehab services
• Treating common illness as well as chronic diseases and minor injuries
• Prescribing medication and treatments extending to nonpharmacological therapies
• Consulting
• Education
• Counseling
• Diagnoses

Endocrinology    

The endocrine system is a complex group of glands.  Glands are organs that make hormones.  These are substances that help to control activities in  your body.  Different types of hormones control reproduction, matabolism (food burning and wast elimination), and growth and development.  Hormones also control the way you respond to your surroundings, and they help to provide the proper amount of energy and nutrition your body needs to function.  The glands that make up the endocrine system include the thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes, adrenal, pituitary and hypothalamus.

An Endocrinologist is a specially trained doctor to diagnose diseases that affect your glands.  They know how to treat conditions that are often complex and involve many systems within your body.  They take care of many conditions including:

• Diabetes
• Thyroid Diseases
• Metabolic Disorders
• Over or under production of hormones
• Menopause
• Osteoporosis
• Hypertension
• Cholesterol (lipid) disorders
• Infertility
• Lack of growth (short stature)
• Cancers of the endocrine glands

Pulmonology    

Pulmonology is classified as an internal medicine subspecialty.  Because of the variety of clinical problems encountered, knowledge of internal medicine and other specialties is required.

A pulmonologist, or pulmonary disease specialist, is a physician who possesses specialized knowledge and skill in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary (lung) conditions and diseases.  Below are some examples of pulmonary conditions and diseases.

• Anemia
• ARDS
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Chest Pain
• Chronic Cough
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Cystic Fibrosis
• DVT/Pulmonary Embolism
• Emphysema
• Flu (Influenza)
• Hemoptysis
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Pleural Effusion
• Pneumonia
• Sarcoidosis
• Pulmonary Nodule
• Tuberculosis

Rheumatology    

Rheumatology is the non-surgical subspecialty of internal medicine that focuses on common and complex problems that may affect the entire body, and frequently involves the musculoskeletal system.  Such diseases include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Lupus
• Scleroderma
• Osteoporosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Spondylitis

Common problems such as tendonitis, back pain, bursitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome can be a result of rheumatologic disorders as well.

A Rheumatologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (e.g., arthritis, lupus).  Rheumatic disesaes are characterized by pain and inflammation in the joints and associated structures, and muscle soreness and stiffness.

Infectious Disease    

An infectious disease (ID) specialist is a doctor of Internal Medicine who has added qualification in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.  After seven or more years of medical school and postgraduate training, ID specialists complete two to three years of additional training in Infectious Diseases.

ID specialists have expertise in infections of:

• Sinuses
• Heart
• Brain
• Lungs
• Urinary tract
• Bowel
• Bones
• Pelvic organs

Their extensive training focuses on all kinds of infections, including those caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.  Many ID physicians specialize in treating patients with infections due to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS.

Along with their specialized training and knowledge comes a particular insight into the use of antibiotics and their potential adverse effects.  ID specialists also have additional training in immunology (how the body fights infection), epidemiology (how infections spread) and infection control.

Three "Top Doctors" chosen from Internal Medicine Associates of Lee County

Internal Medicine Associates of Lee County is proud to announce that three of their physicians have been chosen as "Top Doctors" by Castle Connolly Medical, Ltd., America's trusted source for identifying top doctors. Ronica Kluge, M.D., Manuel DelSol, M.D., and Steven Zellner, M.D. have been selected by Castle Connolly's physician-led research team as doctors who exhibit excellence in patient care. For the past 19 years Castle Connolly has surveyed tens of thousands of physicians to determine the leading doctors in each medical specialty. Following the survey process, each nominee is scrutinized in the areas of: medical education, training, hospital appointments, administrative posts, professional achievements and malpractice/disciplinary history. Those physicians who pass the review process are listed as "Top Doctors" in their specialty on Castle Connolly's website and also in various print publications such as "America's Top Doctors." "Ameica's Top Doctors" has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, 20/20, 48 Hours, Fox News, CNN's Morning News and various newspapers. Castle Connolly does not accept money from physicians to be considered or listed as a "Top Doctor." 

	Ronica M. Kluge, M.D. A Florida native, Dr. Kluge was born and raised in St. Petersburg. She received her undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Florida in Gainsville. Dr. Kluge then moved to Baltimore, where she served her internship and residency in Internal Medicine and her fellowship in Infectious Diseases at the University of Maryland. Since completing her education, Dr. Kluge has served on the faculties of medical schools at the University of Maryland, the Univeristy of Florida, West Virginia University and the University of Texas at Galveston. She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and of the Infectious Disease Society of America. Dr. Kluge joined Internal Medicine Associates in 1990, where she practices Consultative Infectious Diseases as well as Internal Medicine.
	Manuel DelSol, M.D.  Dr. Del Sol is a graduate of the Univeristy of Central Florida. He earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. He completed both his internship and residency in Internal Medicine/Primary Care at the New York Medical College, Stanford Hospital. Dr. Del Sol is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish. He is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Medicine Association.
	Stephen Zellner, M.D.  Dr. Stephen Zellner was born in Brooklyn, New York, and relocated to sunny Southwest Florida in his early years.  He attended the University of Florida, earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1963, and his Medical Degree in 1967.  He completed his Residency in Medicine in 1969, and then served in the military with the US Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control.   Dr. Zellner became a Clinical Fellow in Infectious Diseases in 1972, and since that time has received numerous awards and honors, including Physician Recognition Awards and Editorial Awards.  He has been published many times, beginning in 1963.   Dr. Zellner has represented this community since 1974, often serving as an officer of various local organizations.  He is a member and past President of the Lee County Medical Society, and a member of the American Medical Association, the Florida Medical Association, and the American College of Physician Executives.  He was recently elected to fellowship in the American College of Physicians.   Dr. Zellner has shown his continued dedication to improving patient care in Lee County by serving on the Board of Directors for SW Florida Regional Hospital, starting in 1974, and was a member of the Board of Trustees from 1976 to 2005.

Do you offer any after-hour services or care?

Yes, we offer EZ-Care clinics at both our Metro Pkwy (Fort Myers) location and our Del-Prado (Cape Coral) location.   Our EZ-Care clinic in our Metro location is open Monday-Friday, 12pm (Noon)-7pm; Saturday and Sunday 8am-Noon.  Our Cape Coral EZ-Care clinic is open Monday-Friday, 3pm-7pm; Saturday 8am-Noon.  Our website www.imadoctors.com is also available 24 hours a day, offering appointment requests and prescription renewals requests.

What services does IMA offer?

IMA is a multi-specialty practice including physicians who specialize in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Infectious Disease, Rheumatology, and Pulmonary Medicine.  We also offer Radiology services which include x-rays, mri’s, cat scans, and ultrasounds.  Other services also include physical therapy, infusion therapy, and an in-house laboratory.

What insurance companies do you participate with?

We participate with most major insurance companies including Medicare, BC/BS FL, Aetna, Cigna, and Unitedhealthcare.  Please call our office for a specific insurance company or call the phone number on listed your insurance card.

How do I contact IMA?

You can call us toll-free at 1-888-8ASKIMA or visit our website at www.imadoctors.com.