By Michelle Colesanti
Bloomingdale Medical Associates recently welcomed Captain Gary Woodiwiss, a physician assistant (PA) back to the practice.
Woodiwiss served in the Tampa based 7222D Medical Support Unit of the US Army Reserve, and recently returned home to Riverview after a year long mobilization in Fort Bliss, Texas.
During his year, he was part of a team responsible for medically screening members of armed services before and after deployment into operational areas all over the world.
Woodiwiss, who previously served a combat deployment to Iraq in 2007-2008, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his achievements over the mobilization. His other awards consist of the Bronze Star, two previous Army Commendation Medal and two Army Achievement Medals.
Born in Chichester, county of W. Sussex, England, Woodiwiss’ father was a military policeman in the British Army.
In 1981, he graduated from Duke of York’s Royal Military School in Dover, England, and then spent a year at a technical college in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, where he studied art, biology and electronics.
He joined the British Army Royal Engineers in 1983 and trained as a combat engineer. In 1989, Woodiwiss immigrated to the U.S. where he eventually joined the U.S. Army Reserve.
His wife, Dr. Jaima Woodiwiss, is also a physician at Bloomingdale Medical Associates. Woodiwiss said, “We have two children, Claire (3) and Alexander (2 months).” Woodiwiss also has a 15-year-old son Kieran who lives in Austin, TX.
Bloomingdale Medical Associates is located at 13403 Boyette Rd. in Riverview, at the corner of FishHawk Blvd. and Bell Shoals Rd. just behind the Walgreens. The office is open Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday. Many services can be provided right in office including lab work. Call 654-1775 or visit the website at www.bloomingdalemedicalassociates.com.
