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Pop Quiz: Germs 101—A Crash Course for Parents

Back-to-school season is upon us, and that means your child’s chances of coming down with an illness is greatly increased. While schools are centers of learning, they are also breeding grounds for all manner of germs. However, there are ways to lessen your child’s chances of coming down with something, having to miss school due…
Tackling Mental Health Together

Establishing the West Central Florida Mental Wellness Coalition Recognizing the record number of suicide rates, substance use and opioid deaths, nearly 30 local organizations have joined forces to develop a regional mental health initiative. On June 20, BayCare CEO and President Tommy Inzina and participating leaders from other hospitals, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, government…
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…

When change is more familiar than constancy

If you are a medical professional in the industry today, then you’re here at a time when change is more familiar than constancy. With residents having new health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, ongoing local hospital and clinic mergers, as well as continued preparations for the ICD-10 medical coding / billing conversion (which…
Healthy Cook: Easy and delicious ways to cook fish

In the culinary world we find ourselves in today, it seems as though many unhealthy foods have crept their way onto our tables and into our laps while driving. With a little extra time, however, there are some delicious, healthy ways to prepare a meal everyone is sure to enjoy. One of the best ways…
More vaccine options make flu protection easier than ever

Now you have more to choose from when it comes to getting a flu shot. Vaccination against the influenza virus is the most effective method for preventing the flu and its complications like pneumonia. Vaccine experts agree that everyone older than 6 months of age should get an annual flu vaccine. This recommendation is…