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Local Medical Team Visits Kenya to Treat Patients with Heart Disease

by MARY TOOTHMAN A group of local medical professionals traveled to Kenya earlier this year to provide instruction and medical care, and it seems likely there will be a return trip at some point in the future. Dr. David Evans, a BayCare Medical Group cardiovascular surgeon, physician assistant Dave Reid, and Winter Haven Hospital Cardiovascular…
Unsung Heroes

Athletic Trainers Instrumental in Keeping Athletes Ready for Competition Year after year and season after season, sports and athletic competitions remain popular, both for participants and spectators. We root for our favorite teams and cheer athletes on to great victories. Playing a sport is an excellent way to stay in shape physically and mentally, and…
Strength in Numbers

Breast Cancer Survivors Strong Support System Helps on the Journey Friends who have been there, family and, most of all God, help breast cancer survivors on their road to health. Michelle Faught, a self-employed household manager, didn’t let breast cancer keep her down. Two weeks after having a single lumpectomy, with her surgeon’s approval, she…

Your Eyes Are the Windows to Your Health

by DR. SELINA LIN Did you know that countless medical conditions can be detected during an eye exam? The most common medical diagnoses detectable are diabetes and hypertension. These medical diagnoses can cause hemorrhages and swelling in the retina that may need treatment. Worsening eye findings could indicate deteriorating disease processes in the body and…
Photodynamic Therapy Effective in Fight Against Skin Cancer

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment used to treat precancerous cells, as well as other conditions. It can be used on the skin, eyes, mouth and lungs. The treatment involves using a medicine, such as Levulan Kerastick®, either topically or inside the body, followed by a blue light source to activate the drug. One…
Risk Factors for Peripheral Arterial Disease

September is Peripheral Arterial Disease awareness month. PAD is a chronic condition affecting 20 million people in the U.S. If left untreated, it can result in unnecessary limb amputations. This has been seen disproportionately in people from minority communities. It involves a buildup of plaque in the arteries— much like how your kitchen sink builds…