Features

The month of May is recognized as Skin Cancer Awareness month, and although it just passed, the topic of skin cancer and preventative care is relevant year-round, especially in an environment like Florida’s. As we head into the hot summer months, it is important to know the different types of skin cancer as well as […]

A Look at the 2019 Fallen Heroes Memorial 5K By MARY TOOTHMAN Why would hundreds of people opt to leave their air-conditioned homes, offices, and cars to run a 5K under a blazing hot Florida sun one recent Saturday in May? We all know of runners who pound the pavement in races because they love

by TIM CRAIG   When Tonja Johnson first saw a spot on her skin in 2011, she didn’t think much about it. It was just an age spot, according to her mother, and Johnson accepted it and moved on. Eighteen months later, in 2013, the spots had grown in number and size and she knew

by ERIKA ALDRICH It’s always important to see a doctor regularly and practice preventative care. For men, getting regular checkups and screenings is vital to maintaining good health, but there are certain times in a man’s life when such screenings and doctor’s visits are necessary to catch potential health issues. The earlier a health concern

Looking at the Pros and Cons of Your Main Oral Hygiene Tool by MARY TOOTHMAN They started out as twigs with frayed ends — ancient civilizations rubbed chew sticks against their teeth to clean them as far back as 3000 BC. But by 1938, the toothbrush as we know it was invented. And the handy

Celebrating National Nurses Week by Highlighting the Great Work of our Area Nurses Bartow Regional Medical Center Elaine Bernard was named Bartow Regional Medical Center’s 2018 Nurse of Excellence. She is flanked by Misty Holland, Director of Patient Services at BRMC, and Carol Koeppel-Olson, the Chief Nursing Officer for the Polk Region. Elaine said she

By Teresa Schiffer Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating illness that many people suffer from as they age. Experts estimate that more than 5.5 million people in the U.S. suffer from Alzheimer’s. A recent research publication from Science Advances suggests that there may be a connection between gum disease and Alzheimer’s. There is a particular bacterium

A good night’s sleep is worth its weight in gold when it comes to your physical and mental health, but it’s an important facet of good health that too many neglect. Getting an adequate amount of sleep is paramount, but many people don’t get enough hours of sleep in a day, whether due to a

When a patient makes an appointment at the Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine clinic in Lakeland, there’s a good chance that someone along the way, they will be in contact with Pattie Johnson. And if that’s the case, they are in good hands. Johnson, who has volunteered for the organization for 15 years, was named LVIM’s

By MATT NORMAN Most seniors today live active, vibrant lives. Still, there are many factors that make them vulnerable to all sorts of abuse, neglect, and especially scams and fraud. Due to its moderate winters and frequent sunny days, Florida is a popular retirement or winter location for over five million seniors from all over