Photos by Beth Leitzke Elizabeth Anne Photography

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​What if aging didn’t have to mean slowing down? What if vitality, clarity, and strength could be extended rather than gradually lost? At De-Senesce™, that question isn’t theoretical - it’s the foundation of a physician-led practice grounded in science, precision, and real-world experience.
Founded by local physician Dr. Howard Spinowitz and his wife Liz Spinowitz, De-Senesce™ grew out of decades spent observing how some people seemed to maintain their energy and their resilience while others declined prematurely. As a board-certified Anesthesiologist with more than twenty years practicing medicine, Dr. Howard began to witness these patterns that conventional medicine often addressed too late or not at all.  In his early 20’s he was unexpectedly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a turning point that suddenly forced him to pay attention to his food choices, stress levels, sleep and recovery - because severe consequences would start to show up fairly quickly if he didn’t.
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That personal journey sparked a deep interest in the science of aging itself, and over time Dr. Howard began integrating the longevity principles he was actively researching into his own life. At age fifty, advanced blood testing revealed that his “biological age” (the relative age of his cells) measured fourteen years younger than his actual chronological age (36 vs 50). Three years later, follow-up testing showed that he had measurably slowed the rate of his aging by 20 percent, despite having a major medical condition that is known to speed up the aging process in the overwhelming majority of the people that have it.

​Encouraged by these results - and by Liz, whose background in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology brought a unique perspective to patient experience - the couple began building a practice dedicated to helping others achieve similarly measurable outcomes. The name De-Senesce™, meaning to slow or reverse the processes of aging, reflects that mission.

For Liz, the journey toward founding De-Senesce™ began long before the practice existed. As the daughter of both a surgeon and a hospital administrator, she grew up immersed in the world of medicine, but it was a deeply personal experience that ultimately changed her perspective. During the birth of their first child, Liz encountered the healthcare system not only as an observer, but as a patient and a mother. After the delivery of their son by C-section, Dr. Howard immediately noticed that their newborn was struggling to breathe normally, despite both physicians and nurses in the OR maintaining that he was doing “just fine”.  He insisted that their newborn son be taken directly to the Neonatal ICU, where an astute Neonatologist later identified what numerous other doctors had missed: a small pneumothorax, which is a tiny hole in the lung requiring immediate treatment. Fortunately, the condition was treated quickly and their son recovered fully.  But the experience left a lasting impression.  “That day taught us something important,” Liz reflects. “The presence of complacency in medicine: sometimes systems become so accustomed to seeing ‘normal’ that they can overlook the one thing that isn’t.” These principles would later shape the philosophy behind De-Senesce™.

Since then, Liz and Dr. Howard have made patient empowerment a cornerstone of their approach to longevity and wellness. They encourage their patients to understand their bodies, actively track their progress, and take ownership of their health, rather than waiting for problems to develop.
Today, the practice offers a range of services designed to support vitality and long-term health. Patients receive physician-directed longevity counseling, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, nutritional guidance, and physician-supervised GLP-1 therapies for weight loss (when appropriate). Proprietary supplements that were designed by Dr. Howard and personalized wellness protocols further support each patient’s individual goals. Dr Howard also has a special interest in helping patients navigate the hormonal deficiencies that accompany the onset of menopause and andropause (in women and men, respectively), including symptoms related to estrogen and testosterone decline. But what truly distinguishes De-Senesce™ is it’s philosophy. “For too long, aging has been viewed as inevitable decline,” Liz explains. “Traditional medicine often begins only after a problem has advanced, while the wellness world offers endless advice but little structure. What’s missing is a thoughtful, physician-guided approach that helps people take control of their health before problems arise.”

At De-Senesce™, patients are treated directly by Dr. Howard, with a focus on optimizing the body’s performance, and possibly extending both a patient’s lifespan and healthspan (the years of life spent healthy and functional). And the results can be surprisingly immediate.“We want our patients to experience the benefits now,” says Dr. Howard.  “Better sleep, clearer thinking, improved energy, faster recovery…When people start feeling better, taking care of their health stops feeling like a chore. Patients discover that what they assumed was 'normal aging’ (fatigue, stiffness, mental fog, etc.) was actually a baseline set far too low. With proper guidance and individualized care, those symptoms often improve dramatically, reshaping expectations of what’s possible.”

In a wellness landscape crowded with trends and quick fixes, De-Senesce™ remains grounded in evidence-based care. Dr. Howard personally follows the majority of wellness protocols that he recommends to his patients, adding a real-world perspective to clinical expertise. Looking ahead, the founders hope that their work contributes to a larger shift in how people think about aging.
“Aging isn’t optional,” Dr. Howard says. “But aging poorly is. If we can help people realize that their health is something they can actively influence and that their vitality can be preserved then we’ve accomplished what we set out to do.”

At De-Senesce™, healthy aging isn’t simply about adding years to life. It’s about adding life to years.

In St. Johns County, the most trusted healthcare providers are often the ones who have quietly grown alongside the families they serve. Over time, their role expands through familiarity and reputation. When Dr. Craig Hadgis first started practicing orthodontics, the work was focused, as expected, on treating patients. But as the years passed, the scope widened.


“I wasn’t just treating patients,” he reflects. “I was treating classmates, siblings, parents, and eventually the children of former patients.” Over time, he says, that familiarity brought with it an understanding that showing up for the community was part of the responsibility of being woven into people’s lives.


That sense of responsibility has guided Smiles by Dr. Craig Hadgis Orthodontist well beyond the clinical setting. As a Board Certified Orthodontist with over 15 years experience, the practice has become a consistent presence at school fundraisers, athletic events, teacher appreciation initiatives, theater and dance performances, and pageants  These moments, often informal and unscripted, offer something clinical appointments cannot: a view of young patients as whole people, developing confidence in real time.

Dr. Hadgis has seen firsthand how orthodontic care intersects with adolescence, a period when self-image and identity are still forming. It’s a stage of life where small changes can have outsized effects. A healthy smile, he notes, often influences whether a student raises a hand in class, feels confident walking into a room, or is comfortable being seen.


“A confident smile is a valuable asset,” he says simply.
That belief informs the practice’s emphasis on education. Many families, Dr. Hadgis explains, don’t initially realize how closely orthodontic health is connected to overall development. Jaw growth, airway health, speech patterns, and even sleep quality can be affected by early orthodontic issues. Addressing those concerns at the right time can reduce complications later and improve quality of life well beyond adolescence.


Education, in this sense, is preventive care. When families understand the long-term implications of orthodontic health, they’re better equipped to make thoughtful decisions for their child’s broader well-being.


That approach is deeply personal for Dr. Hadgis. As the father of three young children, family is central to both his life and his practice. Parenthood has shaped how he communicates with patients and parents alike, bringing an added layer of empathy to conversations that involve trust and long-term planning.


“Being a father has deeply shaped the way I practice,” he says. “I understand what it means to entrust your child’s care to someone else.”


That understanding extends beyond treatment plans. It shows up in the way the practice prioritizes clarity, patience, and continuity, values that became especially important following a recent fire at the Julington Creek St. Johns office. Faced with an unexpected disruption, the focus shifted immediately to maintaining uninterrupted care.


Orthodontic treatment, Dr. Hadgis notes, is a journey, and the last thing families need is uncertainty midstream. The team quickly transitioned into temporary care sites near the office, ensuring schedules remained intact and communication stayed clear. Local doctors stepped in, generously offering their offices, an act Dr. Hadgis describes as a powerful reminder of the strength of the community they serve.


As rebuilding continues, the goal is not simply to reopen a physical space, but to return with systems and environments that reflect the practice’s long-standing commitment to patient-centered care. Preserving the patient experience also meant preserving results. Through ongoing investment in advanced technology, the practice was able to remain flexible and mobile while continuing to deliver the level of detail, precision, and exceptional finishes that define its work. In the meantime, treatment continues seamlessly, with new patients welcomed daily.


In a healthcare landscape increasingly defined by speed and scale, Smiles by Dr. Craig Hadgis Orthodontist offers a quieter model, one rooted in longevity, education, and genuine community investment. It’s a reminder that in places like St. Johns, wellness is not delivered all at once. It’s built, carefully and consistently, over time.