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Expanded Footprint

Lakeland Commission Approves New AdventHealth Hospital by PAUL CATALA Christine Konior has lived in South Lakeland for nine years and has a bit of a commute to the nearest hospital should that become necessary. But soon, Konior and her husband, John, will only have about a four-mile drive from their home to get themselves to…
Mammograms Matter

Survivor Turns Breast Cancer Diagnosis Into Mission to Help Others by REBEKAH PIERCE For most of us, celebrating our birthdays means lighting some candles on a cake, perhaps enjoying a nice dinner out with family and friends, or going on a relaxing weekend trip. Caitlyn Grady’s 40th birthday plans looked a lot different last year. …
Take Charge of Your Health This Breast Cancer Awareness Month

by RYAN MILEJCZAK Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and though it’s widely recognized, its message remains crucial. But breast cancer isn’t the only women’s health concern that gets the spotlight in October. The month is also Menopause Awareness Month. To learn more about these issues, we reached out…

Publisher’s Note: Update on Florida Health Choices

In early March, www.myfloridachoices.org became live. It is the website devoted to Florida Health Choices (the state’s health insurance marketplace, separate from the federal plans under the Affordable Care Act). The state’s health insurance marketplace offers a few options for discounted plans under dental, vision, telemedicine, and prescription coverage. It’s important to note that this…
Medical Advice: Awareness is key to stopping upward trend of STDs

Every year in April, we observe STD Awareness Month. This is an opportunity for individuals, doctors, and communities to address ways to prevent some of the nearly 20 million sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that occur in the United States each year. Half of all new infections occur among people between the ages of 15 to…
Ask a Nurse: Dental plaque & arterial plaque

Have you ever wondered what the dentist scrapes off of your teeth when you go in for your annual cleaning? Several studies over the past few years have found some surprising results. In 2010, Cornell University and the University of Gothenburg, Sweden collected samples from the mouth, gut, and arteries of 15 heart disease patients.…