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Taking Care of B(us)iness

Highlighting local nurses who go above and beyond every day QUESTION: What actions (big or small) do you take on a daily basis to make a difference for your patients and coworkers? Tabitha Mulford, LPN – Watson Clinic March 2018 PEER (Program for Employee Excellence and Recognition) Award Winner “I make sure that all…
Spreading Smiles

Dental Care Becoming More Accessible For All by CHERYL ROGERS Highlands, and Hardee counties, where they saw 42,426 patients in 134,558 visits last year. “The demand is incredible. We can’t keep up with it,” says Ann Claussen, its chief Dentists like Dr. William Nerestant of Lakeland donate their time to provide dental care to the…
Keeping Retirement Real

Local Physicians Weigh-In On How to Stay Healthy During Your Golden Years by MARY TOOTHMAN Once upon a time, the generally accepted picture of retirement featured hammocks, tennis rackets, sandy beaches, and happy, able-bodied couples smiling adoringly at each other. And yet, in reality, many seniors find that once they leave the workplace — and…

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…