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Addition of Endocrinologist Takes Patient Care to the Next Level

by TERESA SCHIFFER Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care Central Florida Health Care is happy to welcome the newest member of the team, board certified endocrinologist Dr. Jessica Castellanos-Diaz-Diaz. As an endocrinologist, Castellanos-Diaz will be doing a lot of work with patients who are affected by diabetes or thyroid conditions. Castellanos-Diaz is excited to step…
Serving the Underserved

Diabetes Center of Excellence to Provide Multidisciplinary Approach by K. MICHELE TRICE With more than 15 percent of Polk County residents having been diagnosed with diabetes, there is a distinct need for quality health care that focuses on the illness. Central Florida Health Care is working to address that need by creating a Diabetes Center…
Determined to Live: ‘Anything Else Isn’t an Option’

Lakeland Community, Family Support 9-Year-Old Warrior in Fight Against Cancer by PAUL CATALA photos provided by HUTSON FAMILY Aubrey Hutson’s health journey began at 7 years old in 2021 with knee pain that led to doctor’s office visits and trips to the emergency room. Eventually, the young Lakeland girl and her family received the diagnosis:…

Editor’s Dose: A thank-you letter to nurses

FROM MID-FEBRUARY to about mid-April, my family was at the doctor’s office a lot. The late-spreading flu season (although none of us in our household ever actually caught the flu — thank goodness) must have carried with it many other viruses, because we’ve certainly experienced our fair share. In fact, a few nurses on staff…
Healthy Skin: May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month

“C’MON, DOC. What’s a little sunburn?” is a question I frequently hear from the public. The answer is, if you’re lucky, that’s all it is. But a little sunburn is one of the easiest skin cancer risk factors to avoid. If left untreated, skin cancer, or melanoma, can progress to the point that it’s disfiguring…
Cautions for two of your favorite summer activities

SPRING IS THE TIME OF YEAR in Florida when temperatures begin to warm and the weather is perfect outside. With the sun shining and a gentle breeze blowing, this beautiful weather also marks the beginning of swimming season for Polk’s residents. Swimming and boating are two of the most popular summer activities for people living…