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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…

Get Going Into The New Year

As we usher in the new year, many plan to make health and wellness a priority. Optimal health, defined as physical, mental and social wellbeing can be challenging for many to achieve . Here are some tips for starting a good healthy lifestyle in the new year Get up and go: jump into exercise from…
It Takes a Community to Heal A Warrior

The holiday season is a time of catching up with friends and family and spending time with loved ones. Unfortunately for many veterans suffering from PTSD and their families, it can be a challenging and stressful time of year. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, each day 22 veterans take their own lives. It…
Three Reasons to Smile This Holiday Season

by GERALD V. CERDAN, DMD Since this is the Health & Beauty Edition and the holidays are up on us, let’s switch it up a bit and talk about how a beautiful smile can change how you look and feel for the better. It’s not uncommon for someone with a cracked tooth or yellow enamel…