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Thoughts From the Front Line

BayCare Health System Heroes Open Up About Challenges, Change, and Keeping the Faith Carlos Felix Facilities Manager, Bartow Regional Medical Center Felix is in 15th year as facilities manager at Bartow Regional Medical Center. He’s responsible for conducting fire drills, meaning he has had to find new ways to comply with regulations while keeping…
More Than Medicine

Watson Clinic Urgent Care Treating Body and Mind in Trying Times by TERESA SCHIFFER As the world reels from the devastating effects of COVID-19, people are realizing the value of employees in essential industries, such as grocery store workers, delivery services, and especially healthcare professionals. Those in the medical field are facing a crisis like…
Feeling Proud and Valued

Lakeland Regional Health Personnel Rise to the Challenge by PAUL CATALA Since the first case of coronavirus was detected in Florida, Anita Henry, supply director at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center (LRH), has been working around the clock to purchase personal protective equipment. LRH Population Health Coordinator Paul Needham has been working closely with skilled…

Gaining a Better Understanding of Pacemakers and Defibrillators

Pacemakers and defibrillators have become so common. Everyone has questions and concerns about these. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers. What are pacemakers and defibrillators used for? Pacemakers are used when the heart rate is too slow or stops and the patient is symptomatic: dizziness or blackouts usually. Conversely, defibrillators are for the…
Use of Opioids as First-Line Treatment a Slippery Slope

What do Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, and Chris Farley have in common? These are celebrities who developed dependence on prescription drugs that started with legitimate use after injuries or procedures. They subsequently developed an addiction, which culminated in their unfortunate and untimely deaths due to unintentional overdose. Just a few examples of other celebrities who…
Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular Degeneration, AMD, is a leading cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 50. It destroys the macula, which is the small central area of the retina that provides detailed, central vision. With AMD, you lose the ability to see fine details, both close-up and at a distance. Due to the…