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The State of Florida Issues COVID-19 Updates

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The State of Florida is responding to COVID-19. In an effort to keep Florida residents and visitors safe and aware regarding the status of the virus, the Florida Department of Health will issue this update every day, seven days per week. Governor Ron DeSantis is in constant communication with Florida Division of Emergency Management Director…
Paw and Order

Winter Haven Police Department Therapy Dog Winning Hearts by PAUL CATALA The Winter Haven Police Department wants everyone to know their Miranda rights. In this particular case, those rights include the right to feel better, release anxiety, run fingers through soft fur and maybe even throw a ball. Miranda is one of the newest members…
The Doctor Is In

Winter Haven Hospital Therapy Dog Zora Is the Perfect Medicine Being in the hospital is scary. Being in the hospital for cancer treatment is even scarier. In fact, there are few things in life scarier than cancer. One local hospital has a team member specifically dedicated to helping to ease that fear and discomfort. Her…

Health Impacts of Opioid Addiction on Patients

As a spine surgeon, I routinely see various life-threatening consequences of opioid addiction. These could include severe spinal instability and paralysis that develops from infection, that occurs due to intravenous injections of opioids — by patients who are addicted to opioids. These patients typically started by taking that single initial opioid tablet, and quickly developed…
COVID-19 and the Heart

COVID-19 (coronavirus SARS 2) is obviously an infection that primarily affects the lungs. As we know, this is a pandemic that has affected all our lives. Does it have any cardiac issues directly or indirectly? Direct Problems COVID-19 has been known to cause weakening of the heart in some cases. Thankfully this is rare, but…
Myopia Control in the COVID-19 Era

My weekends are admittedly different now. Before my weekends were filled with time spent with friends, in person, but now they are Zoom calls, Brady Bunch style. We hosted our game night online, and we chat while we bake or make dinner. Even at our practice, we are utilizing the ability to work remotely, and…