Features

by MICHELE TRICE Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care  World AIDS Awareness Day is December 1, and people around the globe will focus attention on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) testing, treatment, and life with HIV.  According to APRN Linda Gellatly, Central Florida Health Care’s infectious disease provider, there are just […]

Don’t Fall for the Skinfluencer Hype November is National Healthy Skin Month, and it’s a time when the American Academy of Dermatology wants you to learn about healthy skincare habits and pay attention to your skin. Board-certified dermatologists would also love for people to stop following a lot of the skincare advice and trends they

Don’t Let Diabetes Jeopardize Your Foot Health There are many health and wellness concerns for those with diabetes, foot health is one of those that is especially important. That’s because diabetes can cause nerve damage that decreases the chance of feeling pain, heat, and cold. If a person can’t feel their feet, injuries or even

Meet the Pair Leading the Charge for Type 1 Diabetes Awareness & Support  in Polk County by RYAN MILEJCZAK photos by TYLER DIGIOVINE Diabetes is a disease you’re likely already familiar with to some degree. It’s a chronic condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. Type 2 diabetes — the most common

by TERESA SCHIFFER Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care Central Florida Health Care is happy to welcome the newest member of the team, board certified endocrinologist Dr. Jessica Castellanos-Diaz-Diaz. As an endocrinologist, Castellanos-Diaz will be doing a lot of work with patients who are affected by diabetes or thyroid conditions. Castellanos-Diaz is excited to step

Diabetes Center of Excellence to Provide Multidisciplinary Approach by K. MICHELE TRICE With more than 15 percent of Polk County residents having been diagnosed with diabetes, there is a distinct need for quality health care that focuses on the illness. Central Florida Health Care is working to address that need by creating a Diabetes Center

Lakeland Community, Family Support 9-Year-Old Warrior in Fight Against Cancer by PAUL CATALA photos provided by HUTSON FAMILY Aubrey Hutson’s health journey began at 7 years old in 2021 with knee pain that led to doctor’s office visits and trips to the emergency room. Eventually, the young Lakeland girl and her family received the diagnosis:

Workshop Series to Help Women Navigate the New Normal After Beating Breast Cancer by K. MICHELE TRICE For cancer patients, there is nothing like making it to the end of treatment and ringing that celebratory bell. Some patients, however, find an uncertainty and unease they hadn’t anticipated once on the other side of that celebration.

by TERESA SCHIFFER Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care Every October, we don pink ribbons to show our support for those affected by breast cancer, a disease that claims the lives of over 42,000 women each year in the U.S. Ann Claussen, breast cancer survivor and CEO of Central Florida Health Care, knows firsthand how

Breast Cancer Survivor Nikita Lyons Smith Shares Her Story of Hope and Support by RYAN MILEJCZAK photo by JESSICA McDONALD Nikita Lyons Smith has a story that would inspire anyone. She boasts many accomplishments over her 20-year pharmacy career, including opening Winter Haven’s Mercy Pharmacy and becoming Winter Haven’s first African-American female independent pharmacy owner.