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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…

Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight

Did you know over 2 million Americans are affected by glaucoma? With proper treatment, the vast majority will not go blind from this silent disease of the eye. The most common form of treatment is eye drops, which work to reduce the eye’s pressure. However, some patients may require eye surgery to achieve their treatment…
Minorities are at a Higher Risk for Heart Health Problems

Did you know that your race or ethnicity can put you at higher risk for having heart problems later in life? Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still the number one cause of American deaths, with certain ethnicities taking a higher toll than others. According to the American Heart Association: ● Non-hispanic blacks are nearly twice as…
Dental Care Reminders for Patients with Heart Conditions or History of Stroke

If you or a loved one struggles with heart disease, you probably already know that it has a big impact on your life. You may not have realized, however, that it also influences your dental care. Certain heart conditions can cause physical changes in your mouth. Medications prescribed by your heart doctor can also influence…