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Pop Quiz: Germs 101—A Crash Course for Parents

Back-to-school season is upon us, and that means your child’s chances of coming down with an illness is greatly increased. While schools are centers of learning, they are also breeding grounds for all manner of germs. However, there are ways to lessen your child’s chances of coming down with something, having to miss school due…
Tackling Mental Health Together

Establishing the West Central Florida Mental Wellness Coalition Recognizing the record number of suicide rates, substance use and opioid deaths, nearly 30 local organizations have joined forces to develop a regional mental health initiative. On June 20, BayCare CEO and President Tommy Inzina and participating leaders from other hospitals, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, government…
Working Like a Dog

Reading with Bonnie the Therapy Dog by RACHEL CHRISTIAN Cassandra Banning and Bonnie, her 10-year-old shih tzu therapy dog, have been bringing joy and happiness to people in the Plant City area for almost six years. The pair can be spotted across town visiting nursing homes, hospitals, and even Bruton Memorial Library. Unlike service animals…

Three Great Reasons to Schedule Your Annual Wellness Visit

You’ve had a physical, you’ve had your eyes checked, and your hearing. You have gone through all the usual testing— cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, etc. But have you scheduled your Annual Wellness Visit? This important appointment can help you regain control of your health and enhance your senior lifestyle. Whether you believe you’re healthy…
The Thyroid Gland and Weight Loss

Maintaining a healthy body weight can be frustrating – trying to balance sensible eating with proper exercise is tricky. Unfortunately, some folks suffer from health conditions that can make losing weight very difficult. An underperforming thyroid gland is one such culprit. The thyroid gland is an organ that sits at the base of the neck…
Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight

Did you know over 2 million Americans are affected by glaucoma? With proper treatment, the vast majority will not go blind from this silent disease of the eye. The most common form of treatment is eye drops, which work to reduce the eye’s pressure. However, some patients may require eye surgery to achieve their treatment…