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Beat the Heat

School Guidelines, Practices Keep Student-Athletes Safe by TERESA SCHIFFER The temperatures in Central Florida can soar uncomfortably high, as any native can attest. For kids who have grown up here, it may be tempting to take that heat in stride. Unfortunately, high heat can have potentially life-threatening effects. As school athletics ramp up and the…
Training the Future

South Florida State College’s New Center for Nursing Excellence Takes aim at Nurse Shortage by PAUL CATALA The combination of a new learning environment, updated labs and equipment, and a partnership with area hospitals is what’s anticipated to be the perfect prescription for producing highly skilled nurses. Avon Park’s South Florida State College recently welcomed…
Pop Quiz!

Eyesight Is an Important Part of Your Child’s Back-to-School Kit As children gear up for back-to-school, it’s important to make sure we send them with one of the most important supplies: healthy eyes. Children’s eyes change quickly, so it’s important to watch for small problems to catch them before they become bigger problems. Take our…

What does Medicare mean to you?

For many Floridians, including our elderly and disabled citizens who depend on the program for care, Medicare is a lifeline. For Florida physicians, Medicare represents a cycle of uncertainty and an access-to-care crisis for some of our most vulnerable patients. Now, the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction has a chance to fix the…
Healthy Cook: Why dark chocolate is a healthier option

Ahhhh, hot fudge sundaes. Cocoa with whipped cream. Creamy chocolate milkshakes. If you’re concerned about health – or your waistline – they’re probably on your taboo list. Yet chocolate is actually good for you. “Chocolate contains Flavonoids, an antioxidant believed to help the body’s cells resist damage,” says Lisa Tomasiak, clinical nutrition manager at…
Signs & Symptoms: Understanding the warning signs of a stroke

A stroke requires immediate hospital care, but most Americans don’t recognize the symptoms of this potentially deadly “brain attack.” This widespread lack of awareness often results in preventable long-term disabilities. A survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 13 states and the District of Columbia revealed most people can’t identify the five…