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Working Like a Dog

Reading with Bonnie the Therapy Dog by RACHEL CHRISTIAN Cassandra Banning and Bonnie, her 10-year-old shih tzu therapy dog, have been bringing joy and happiness to people in the Plant City area for almost six years. The pair can be spotted across town visiting nursing homes, hospitals, and even Bruton Memorial Library. Unlike service animals…
Taking Action

State Mandate Calls for Mental Health Education in Florida Schools by MARY TOOTHMAN The State Board of Education has voted to approve a new mandate that calls for specific mental health lessons to be given to students in grades six through 12. The focus will be on awareness, prevention, and reducing stigma. At least…
Pop Quiz: Facts and Stats about Glaucoma

1.) Which of the following defines glaucoma? A medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, resulting in blurred vision. A complex disease in which damage to the optic nerve leads to progressive, irreversible vision loss. The inability to perceive differences in various shades of colors. The loss of vision after…

Publisher’s Note: Affordable Care Act update

As 2013 comes to a close, we can expect major changes to our nation’s healthcare system next year under The Affordable Care Act (ACA). But amidst the inevitable confusion, many still are unable to make concrete decisions regarding their healthcare. With President Barack Obama admitting the law needs changes, we’re left to play the waiting…
PCMA Letter: A Letter of Encouragement

This edition of Central Florida Health News magazine is full of valued insight on how to stay healthy this holiday season— and beyond. You’ll find key observations on home safety during the holiday crunch, managing stress with healthy foods, the fact and fiction about antibiotics, and a killer disease: Pancreatic cancer. As a radiation oncologist,…
Pancreatic Cancer update

National Research and Local Alliance Efforts Keep Hope from Being Blown Away John Rodda was sitting to dinner with his wife, Becky, when she noticed his eyes were bright yellow. Although he’d had a horrible stomachache a couple of weeks earlier, they didn’t realize it was anything serious. Unknown to them, the Lakeland-based commercial contractor had…