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September is Suicide Prevention Month

By Mary Joye, LMHC We probably all agree there needs to be more than one month set aside for suicide awareness. Statistically and tragically, there are on average, one-hundred-twenty-one suicides per day. That’s almost 45,000 per year. Often, I hear healthy people say, “It is selfish for people to commit suicide.” From those who think…
Phillip Williams Helping to Light the Way for the Blind

By LENORE DEVORE Phillip Williams was almost 15 years old when the juvenile version of macular degeneration – Stargardt disease – began to take his eyesight. What starts out robbing people of their central vision eventually leaves its sufferers blind or legally blind. “I went through the rest of high school coping with (the transition…
Feel Good 5K Set to Support Local Mental Health Initiatives

By Teresa Schiffer The Feel Good 5k is a great way to get out and show your support for one of our most valuable resources – the mental health professionals at Peace River Center. Make an impact in the lives of vulnerable children by participating in this fun event! It’s no secret that mental…

The Heart of the Matter: Preventing the dangers of heart disease

AS AN INTERVENTIONAL cardiologist, I see many patients with heart disease. It’s unfortunate, but true, that this disease is one of the leading causes of death in America, which is why it is so vital to take measures to prevent it. By the same token, if you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease, there are certain…
Family Health: It’s time for back-to-school physicals

THE ARRIVAL of summer means it’s time for your child’s back-to-school physical. Since classes in Polk County public schools begin August 24, now is the perfect time to make your appointment at Pediatric Partners in Winter Haven.
Medical Advice: New ‘Sun’s Up’ project to help residents and visitors stay safe from UV radiation

AS SCHOOL comes to a close and the thermometer begins to climb, it is a good time to remember the importance of protecting our skin from the harsh rays of the sun. Florida offers so many opportunities to get out and enjoy the outdoors, but we need to remain aware of the dangers that come…