Ilchester, MD Health and Fitness

LA Boxing’s fight-centric gyms ditch the polished look of wood-floored workout studios for gritty, competitive spaces filled with 150-pound punching bags and intense workouts. Like a baker molding gingerbread men, LA Boxing sculpts six-packs with boxing, kickboxing, and mixed-martial-arts classes. Although instructors and students agree that the gym’s atmosphere may enkindle intimidation in first-time attendees, most experience boosted self-confidence after conquering their first class. Private training sessions further stoke courage with workouts that leave patrons with the exhilaration of having survived 12 rounds in the ring or five minutes in a high-school lunchroom.

Under the expert guidance of medical director Dr. Alkesh Patel, the staff at Physicians Weight Loss Centers harnesses FDA-approved technology, nutrition programs, and other services to help patients shed inches and pounds. With expertise honed over more than three decades, the team administers shots of vitamin B12 and provides meal-planning advice. Zerona laser treatments help contour silhouettes with little-to-no downtime or risk of being misused by supervillains.

The experience of working in a dental clinic while earning his master's of public health program gave Duane L. Archer, MPH, DDS, a personal view of how oral health can affect community members of all ages. The time spent working with patients inspired him to attain his degree in dentistry from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, memorize orthodontia incantations scrawled by the white-toothed wizards of old, and open Precision Dentistry. As a loving father of four, he welcomes each new patient as he would a member of his own family—by carefully explaining dental options and procedures, answering any questions, and gussying teeth with comprehensive treatments.

Dr. Steven W. Haywood’s proficiency at transforming smiles earned him a spot on ABC2’s Extreme Makeover Special, and his staff strives to recreate the calming atmosphere of a spa in their office. In cosmetic dentistry treatments, Dr. Haywood fills gaps between teeth with porcelain veneers and straightens smiles with Invisalign and orthodontia. Lasers whiten teeth in fewer than two hours or help the doctor sniff out cavities without calling in a specialized bloodhound to follow the scent of decay through your mouth. An intraoral video camera sends mouth-views to a TV screen, letting both doctor and patient share the same view of each tooth.

There’s something about Dr. Angel Purdy that inspires confidence in her clients. Perhaps it’s the fact that she’s a native of Baltimore, but it more likely has to do with the professional Obagi, Arbonne, and Kinerase products she uses to treat skin during her chemical peels and microdermabrasion treatments. Dr. Purdy also wants her clients to have confidence in themselves, so she helps them feel comfortable in their own skin with laser hair-removal treatments and injectables that smooth away wrinkles. She also performs cosmetic and reconstructive surgery to reduce the appearance of scars, tighten and lift skin, and remove phantom tails that make it painful to sit down.

Under the supervision of a board-certified physician, the professional staff at Physician’s Weight Loss Centers helps clients work toward overall wellness while shedding pounds with their six specialized weight-loss programs. After a consultation with a certified staff member, each client is assigned to the program best suited to his or her goals, current health, and willingness to put up with a stack of pancake’s “I miss you!” text messages. Programs can also be augmented with regimens of supplements and vitamins, including the fat-targeting agents of vitamin B12 injections. Not merely satisfied with supplying menu plans, the staff offers behavior-guidance plans, counselors, and medical consultations to ensure clients fully embrace new, healthful behaviors.