Breathe Easy
Meet the team of ENTs advancing care in Bartow
Photos by Jack Portune | Developed in partnership with Watson Clinic
We have all been there before: battling a persistent cough, sore throat or ear ache that just won’t go away.
Making the decision to seek out a specialist isn’t always an easy one, but for Bartow residents in need of otolaryngology (commonly referred to as Ear, Nose and Throat specialists or ENTs) services, that decision is simplified when they recognize the breadth of services and the experience of providers available at Watson Clinic Bartow Building A set along Osprey Boulevard and the nearby Highlands location off of County Road 540A.
Dr. Pranay C. Patel, 28 years of service at Watson Clinic, Dr. Serge Jean, 26 years at Watson Clinic and Dr. Raam S. Lakhani, who started at Watson Clinic 22 years ago, are as committed as they are experienced, driven by a singular focus to help patients reclaim their quality of life.
When a person is determining whether or not to make an appointment with an ENT, Dr. Patel offers this advice.
“I always tell patients to pay attention to symptoms that linger or keep coming back—especially when they involve the ears, nose or throat.” Key indicators for a consultation include chronic congestion, recurrent sinus infections, hoarseness lasting longer than two or three weeks, trouble swallowing or a persistent lump in the neck.
Dr. Lakhani emphasizes the breadth of the specialty, noting that the specialists at Watson Clinic help with everything from children’s ear and throat issues to adult concerns like sinus, sleep, hearing loss and complex cancer cases. Ultimately, if a symptom is persistent, one-sided or actively impacting your daily well-being, it is a cue to seek professional help.
Watson Clinic doctors are actively using technology that is redefining the ENT field to provide the best outcomes for patients. Dr. Patel notes an “exciting time” with the integration of artificial intelligence and image-guided systems that allow for diagnosis and procedure planning with “greater precision,” moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach. He also points to the rise of less invasive techniques utilizing robotics, advanced endoscopic tools and 3D-printed implants. The emergence of regenerative medicine and biologics is helping specialists restore tissue, not just repair or remove it.
Dr. Lakhani speaks to a legacy of technological progress, recalling that image-guidance technology, once confined to the hospital operating room during his training, “now exists in our offices.” This, along with “tremendous advances in minimally invasive surgery and in-office procedures,” is providing results that rival traditional surgery.
“Most surgeries related to ENT and facial plastics are procedures in which even a millimeter can make huge differences.” He explains that their specialty involves scrupulous care for both medical and surgical issues, often diving deep into the medical problems that led to the surgical intervention.
“I always tell patients to pay attention to symptoms that linger or keep coming back—especially when they involve
the ears, nose or throat.”
Dr. Jean adds that the outcomes for many conditions, such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, continue to improve rapidly thanks to research and technological advances in the field, such as the Inspire® Implant he and other doctors utilize to treat conditions in-office.
While the procedures and instrumentation evolves, the doctors’ motivation remains the same.
“Passion for my patients and their wellbeing is and has always been my ‘why’,” Dr. Lakhani said, noting that he aims to provide people comfort and confidence at every step of their journey.
Dr. Jean is driven by a pledge to honesty and relief, devoting himself to “giving patients an honest answer to their problems and making all attempts to provide them with relief.”
Dr. Patel highlights the vital nature of the work they do by reminding people of the inseparable link between form and function in ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery.
“You can’t truly improve breathing without understanding structure, and you can’t create a natural appearance without respecting function.” He stresses that outcomes hinge on a strong patient/surgeon partnership built on communication, trust and diligent post-operative care.
Dr. Patel recalls helping a patient who struggled for years with chronic sinus infections and nasal congestion. Using advanced image-guided sinus surgery, he restored airflow and drainage.
“Within weeks, the patient told me it felt like they could finally breathe and sleep normally for the first time in years.”
Watson Clinic Bartow Building A
2250 Osprey Blvd. Suite 100
(863) 904-6296 | WatsonClinic.com/ENT