Publisher’s Note

When you head out into the sun, you have countless options for products to use to protect your skin. From sprays and creams to sticks and gels, it’s safe to say you can find sunscreen in just about any form. While you have plenty of choices, there haven’t been any new advancements in sunscreen ingredients since […]

As the 2025-2026 school year comes to a close and students shift their focus from assignments to summer vacation, families are already preparing for changes ahead next school year. A new Florida law aimed at preventing sudden cardiac arrests is calling for an extra layer of protection for young athletes.  The “Second Chance Act” will

Every year, our Tribute to Nurses edition stands as one of our most meaningful issues. As I’ve mentioned over the years in this column space, my late mother spent her life in service as a nurse, first with the Polk County Health Department and later within the Polk County Schools. Growing up in the shadow

In our Senior Health Edition, we focus on ways seniors can optimize their health. But there’s another population that also deserves support: the caregivers. Caregiver stress rarely hits all at once. It builds over time: a little less sleep here, a missed appointment there, and fewer moments to yourself. For many people caring for aging

There’s something big coming to Central Florida! Moffitt Cancer Center just recently announced it is building a new outpatient center that will serve people in Polk, Orlando, and beyond. That new center will be built on 34 acres on Bartow Road in Lakeland.  In the initial phase, the new outpatient center will offer cancer screenings,

We’ve all been there: You sit down in the waiting room to see a new doctor and you’re tasked with giving a full account of your family’s medical history. Thus begins the daunting list of ailments and genetic conditions that often spark the same, familiar, fearful question: Will this be my fate, too? When a

As we head out into the new year, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the pace of change in the healthcare industry shows no signs of slowing and may even surpass the breakneck speed of 2025. It’s an exciting prospect, even if it is a bit staggering to consider. Nationally, healthcare headlines are dominated by rising

As the year comes to a close, it’s hard not to feel retrospective. This December — can you believe it’s already here? — Central Florida Health News looks back on another successful year of sharing the stories of our community and championing the efforts of our healthcare partners across the region. Among the many features

If there’s one thing that has become increasingly clear in the past year, it’s the explosive growth across Central Florida and especially here in Polk County. Regular readers of Central Florida Health News have likely seen my previous columns on this topic, as well as the Editor’s Dose in the May edition that discussed the

Finding a doctor these days can be tricky. Between your insurance’s list of in-network physicians and the lists of providers in Central Florida, you’re exhausted and frustrated before you even decide on a specialist and go to your first appointment! That’s why we curate and publish the annual Central Florida Physicians Directory and Medical Providers