Health News

Features

How a life-saving transplant transformed my life

| Annemarie Ward shares her journey of keeping hope alive amidst heart disease | NEARLY 15 YEARS AGO, Annemarie Ward was walking the family’s three dogs with her mother Polly and sister Emily when she collapsed. At age seven, Annemarie had suffered a heart attack. She was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or enlargement of the…
Pop Quiz: Maintaining optimal optical health

| Understanding the causes of low vision and taking precautions as you age | EYESIGHT is a precious thing, and unfortunately there are many threats to optimal optical health. One common eye problem is low vision, and it affects seniors the most. Low vision, in its simplest terms, is any vision loss that interferes with…
Celebrating Black History Month with a look at local African-Americans in medicine

ALEX ALEXANDER Registered Nurse Bartow Regional Medical Center As a black registered nurse from North Carolina, 56-year-old Alex Alexander has had his run-ins with prejudice. But he’s learned to remember who he is, treat others like his brothers and sisters, forgive, and … not believe everything he hears. “You earn things by your merit and…

Medical Advice: Resources available for people living with HIV and AIDS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2,107 individuals were reported as “People Living With HIV and AIDS” (PLWHA) in Polk County. From January 1 to December 31, 2014, there were 112 new HIV cases reported to the Florida Department of Health in Polk County. We believe that even one newly reported case is one too many.…
Publisher’s Note: The most comprehensive medical directory for the region is here!

THIS MONTH marks a very special time of year for us at Central Florida Media Group. Inserted within this issue of Central Florida Health News, you’ll find the sixth annual edition of the Central Florida Physicians Directory & Medical Professionals Guide!
PCMA Letter: My last letter as your president

IN THIS EDITION of Central Florida Health News magazine, you’ll read about some of the procedures that not only help improve the patient’s physical health, but also quality of life, and in some cases, improve self-esteem. Cosmetic surgery is a procedure that can accomplish one or all of these health goals, and Polk County Medical…