Health News

Features

Making African-American history in Polk

Alice Manley: A lifetime of service (above) Alice Manley stands with four generations of directors for the health department. From left to right: Dr. Ulyee Choe (November 2012-Present); Dr. Daniel Haight (July 1996-November 2012); Dr. William F. Hill (January 1967-June 1985); and Dr. Kevin Sherin (July 1988-October 1993). Photo courtesy of the Florida Department of…
Painting the town red with heart disease prevention

How Polk is taking steps to increase awareness and lower your risk Bill Mutz thought he was just going to help with a demonstration when he volunteered for an ultrasound at a Lakeland Leadership Cardiology group. But what he learned actually helped him: The ultrasound showed blood was not flowing properly through his heart’s mitral…
New year, New you!

How Polk County is Tackling Obesity and Residents are Making Healthier Lifestyle Choices Fifty-one year-old Ann Good topped 200 pounds last May. She lacked energy and was short of breath. Concerned about a family history of heart disease and diabetes, she decided to act. Today Good is 50 pounds lighter and breathing easier, in more…

The Facts About Whitening Your Teeth at Home

by GERALD V. CERDAN, DMD If the tint of your teeth has you hesitating to show off your beautiful smile, you might be looking for solutions. And, in your search for solutions, you may have come across a myriad of products in the grocery store. The creators and marketers of these products would like you…
Our Commitment to Providing Care for Migrant Patients and the Local Community

by KIMBER VASQUEZ, MD With our deep roots in the Central Florida community and with the diverse representation of people groups who live and work here, we feel we have a unique position to provide health services to our migrant populace, as well as everyone in our community. Adequate healthcare is a key component in…
Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight

Did you know over 2 million Americans are affected by glaucoma? With proper treatment, the vast majority will not go blind from this silent disease of the eye. The most common form of treatment is eye drops, which work to reduce the eye’s pressure. However, some patients may require eye surgery to achieve their treatment…