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  • Working Like a Dog

    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

    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

    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…

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  • Signs & symptoms: When your skin needs medical attention

      As a surgeon who often treats and cares for patients whose ailments of the skin have gone too long without medical attention, I’d like to talk about the importance of seeing a doctor right away if you find abnormalities on the skin. I hope people can be aware that it is not only important…

  • Body, mind & spirit: Integrating primary and behavioral care

      When you go to the doctor complaining of stomach pain, you probably don’t expect your problem to be depression. But it just may be. When you complain of headache, clumsiness, dizziness, shakiness, blurred vision, tingling around the mouth and seizures, you might expect an anxiety or bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder. You may be surprised if…

  • Mediterranean diet for cardiovascular health

    Mediterranean diet for cardiovascular health

      Dr. Sean P. O’Rourke is a board-certified cardiologist at Watson Clinic. With a subspecialty in cardiovascular disease, Dr. O’Rourke often sees patients suffering from heart disease. He took the time to answer some questions about heart disease, which has a higher death rate in Polk County than in the rest of Florida.   Health…

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