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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…

Kickoff Summer with Clean Teeth!

By William Nerestant, DDS With June here, that means the Florida summer heat is back and school is out! We pay a lot of attention to dentist appointments and checkups as we get ready to go back to school or during the school year to have a bright smile for picture day, so does that…
Celebrating Our New Pediatric Center with a Free Summerfest and These Safety Tips

by SANJA COSIC, MD We have several locations throughout Polk, Highlands, and Hillsborough counties that serve our pediatric patients. However, at our Avon Park location, we are celebrating our new center with a FREE Summerfest! This family-friendly event will be held on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 950 CR 17A…
Cholesterol and Healthy Eating

By Shiva Seetahal, MD Cholesterol is a word everyone is familiar with but few can easily explain. Most of us are aware that too much cholesterol is bad for the body and associated with heart disease, but recent insights into the roles of “good” cholesterol and terms such as “trans” fat have created areas of…