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Health Savings Accounts Have More to Offer Than You Think

by MARY TOOTHMAN As the number of people with high-deductible health insurance plans continues to rise, the option of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) — created to help handle out-of-pocket expenses — is likely to attract more interest. An HSA can be funded with pre-tax money, allowing for $3,400 for individual and $6,750 for families annually…
Filling a Need

Polk State College Program Fights Nursing Shortage by JULIE GMITTER photos PROVIDED BY POLK STATE COLLEGE Advances in technology have revolutionized our world and few industries are unchanged by these advances. The healthcare industry is no exception. As a result of these advances in technology, some industries have become completely obsolete, whether the jobs have…
Primed for the Future

Project SEARCH Puts Students With Disabilities on Track for Career Success by TERESA SCHIFFER photos PROVIDED BY Project SEARCH Finding a job fresh out of high school is a challenge for anyone. For young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, those challenges multiply. Fortunately, there is a program to help these young people get the…

Gaining a Better Understanding of Pacemakers and Defibrillators

Pacemakers and defibrillators have become so common. Everyone has questions and concerns about these. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers. What are pacemakers and defibrillators used for? Pacemakers are used when the heart rate is too slow or stops and the patient is symptomatic: dizziness or blackouts usually. Conversely, defibrillators are for the…
Use of Opioids as First-Line Treatment a Slippery Slope

What do Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, and Chris Farley have in common? These are celebrities who developed dependence on prescription drugs that started with legitimate use after injuries or procedures. They subsequently developed an addiction, which culminated in their unfortunate and untimely deaths due to unintentional overdose. Just a few examples of other celebrities who…
Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular Degeneration, AMD, is a leading cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 50. It destroys the macula, which is the small central area of the retina that provides detailed, central vision. With AMD, you lose the ability to see fine details, both close-up and at a distance. Due to the…