Features

It’s Official: Pets Can Boost Mental and Physical Health by TERESA SCHIFFER Animals have been a part of humanity’s story for as long as humans have had a story, and for much of history humans have incorporated animals into their lives as pets. Many people attest to the ways their pets bring value to their […]

Service Dog Gives Florida Southern Graduate New Independance by K. MICHELE TRICE photos by MOLLYE MILLER In our society, individuals with disabilities are presented with challenges in their routines that people without disabilities never consider. Service animals can help overcome some of those challenges. Mackenzie Carlson of Winter Garden and her 3-year-old service dog, Atlas,

by TERESA SCHIFFER Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care March is recognized as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and while it may not be a topic that many people find appealing, it’s essential to be aware of the importance of early detection in treating this cancer. Geoffry Hall, RN, APRN, FNP-C, is one of the many

March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, so it’s a good time to explore this common disabling neurological disease. Take our quiz to learn the signs and symptoms, treatments, and other information about multiple sclerosis, also known as MS. 1. True or false? Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common disabling neurological disease of young adults.

University Students Learn to Use Puppetry for Occupational Therapy by KRISTEN GUEVARA “Everyone loves puppets!” exclaims Angela Sampson. She should know. Sampson uses them not only in her job as a pediatric occupational therapist but also as she and other professors equip the next generation of occupational therapy assistants at AdventHealth University in Orlando. Each

Heart Attack Symptoms Can Be Vastly Different for Women by TERESA SCHIFFER When you think of a heart attack, you undoubtedly think of intense chest pain. After all, that is one of the most common and recognizable symptoms. But what happens when a heart attack’s symptoms don’t fit the classic profile? For women, that’s a

by TERESA SCHIFFER Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care The motto of Central Florida Health Care is “Health Care With a Heart,” and February is American Heart Health Month, making it the perfect time to consider what we can all do to help protect our heart health. This is especially important when we consider the

Don’t Miss a Beat: Learn About Heart Arrhythmia Your heart is one of the most important organs in your body, and it affects the healthy operation of most of your other organs and your overall well-being. There are many problems you could experience with your heart, and heart arrhythmia is a common one. It’s a

Polk County Approves $4 Million for Indigent Health Care by PAUL CATALA It’s funding that’s being called a local healthcare “safety net” for the underinsured and uninsured in Polk County. In November, Polk County Commissioners unanimously approved more than $4 million in funding for primary care, dental services and behavioral health services for Indigent Healthcare Services.

Cancer Drugs Caused Weight Gain, but Bariatric Surgery Restored Her Health by TERESA SCHIFFER Rhonda Smith is feeling great these days. She’s in great health, eating right, getting regular exercise, and savoring life in a new way after an arduous battle.  In 2005, at the age of 27, Smith visited her doctor because she was