Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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Amy Prill of Davenport said she believes if it were not for a routine mammogram, she might not be alive today to share her story of surviving breast cancer. Now, she's working to impress upon others how important early detection and getting an annual check-up is. "It was very scary to hear those words and not know what your future is going to be," she said. My son was 16 years old at the time. So, it's like, you know, talk about shaking up somebody's world." Prill said that in...
Walgreens is offering free flu vouchers for uninsured patients on Friday, Sept. 20 at all Florida and Puerto Rico Walgreens locations. This is part of a broader effort by Walgreens to help ensure underserved and at-risk communities stay safe from respiratory illnesses while improving awareness, access and equity to vaccines. Walgreens offers 200,000 flu vouchers annually to provide free flu immunizations for medically underserved populations that need them most. Black and Hisp...
The countdown is on to the start of school for Florida students and their families. It's a time that brings a lot of excitement, but no one wants their child to get sick at the start of the year. However, doctors at AdventHealth say there are steps families can take now to make sure their child stays as healthy as possible. Medical experts say getting a back-to-school physical examination and making sure children are up to date with their recommended vaccinations is critical...
When Erica Millan of Davenport delivered her first child, Francisco, on Super Bowl Sunday at AdventHealth Heart of Florida, she knew she wanted to breastfeed. However, that journey isn’t always easy. With the support of the hospital’s lactation consultant and nurse, Tina Worth, she successfully continued breastfeeding her son when they both went home. Millan was thankful when Worth followed up with her several times after Francisco's birth to make sure they were both doi...
AdventHealth welcomed nearly 50 new resident doctors into its health care system with a White Coat Ceremony Friday, marking the start of their post-graduate training. The new graduates will help alleviate shortage of physicians locally, part of a nationwide problem. AdventHealth operates hospital facilities in Lake Wales, Davenport, Sebring, and Lake Placid, as well as a new Urgent Care facility on Cypress Gardens Boulevard. AdventHealth leaders also honored the first...
Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States, including Florida, with an even higher risk in Polk, Hardee and Highlands Counties. Florida Health Department data shows in 2022, Highlands County had an age-adjusted stroke death rate of about 64 per 100,000 people, compared to Florida's overall rate of 47.6. Similarly, Polk County had a stroke death rate of around 54 per 100,000 people, also higher than the state average. Hardee County had the highest age-adjusted...
Healogics, the nation's leading provider of advanced wound care services, has recently honored the AdventHealth Lake Wales Wound Care Center with three prestigious awards, including the President's Circle Award, the Center of Distinction Award, and the Robert A. Warriner III, M.D., Clinical Excellence Award. These recognitions highlight the center's commitment to exceptional patient satisfaction and the best in clinical outcomes. The Center achieved outstanding clinical outcom...
Mattie Joyner is one Polk County high school senior with a bright future; she will attend Florida Gulf Coast University to study history next fall to become a college professor one day. The gift of organ donation is invaluable for families like the Joyners. Ultimately, her health and success are thanks to a liver transplant she had as a toddler. The Office of the Joe G. Tedder, Tax Collector for Polk County (TCPC), is celebrating stories like Mattie's throughout Donate Life Mo...
(NAPSI)-If you think you'd know if you were losing vision to an eye disease, you might want to think again. The symptoms of glaucoma can start so slowly that you may not notice them. That's why half the people with glaucoma don't even know they have it. The good news is that regular eye exams and timely treatment can preserve your sight. But, the only way to find out if you have glaucoma is to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommen...
Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder may be at special risk as they move about in the community, and the Lake Wales Police Department is reaching out in an effort to encourage individuals with ASD to obtain a free Wallet Card. The Wallet Card Project facilitates effective communication between law enforcement and persons with disabilities to avoid any misunderstandings. In addition to being a valuable resource for residents, the local department will also receive training on...
A historic decline in breast cancer death rates has been partly attributed to improvements in early detection, Lake Wales area patients seeking the best in care can now rely on local resources after AdventHealth Lake Wales cut the ribbon on a new 3D mammography unit. The new technology is designed to provide potentially lifesaving screenings for women and men and fill a critical need in the community. AdventHealth Lake Wales CEO Royce Brown said this new 3D mammography unit wi...
Asbestos was once a celebrated building material, a staple in shipbuilding during the 20th century due to its singular heat resistance and insulating properties. The mineral was a lurking danger, emerging when its microscopic fibers became airborne and were inhaled. It was too often an ignored threat, Every branch of the U.S. Military - including the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy - applied products made with asbestos for decades. However, Navy personnel...
According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires, with nearly half of all home fires involving cooking equipment; cooking is also the leading cause of home fire injuries (42%) and 20% of reported home fire deaths. State Farm and the National Fire Protection Association have teamed up to promote this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign from October 8 through 15 to educate everyone about simple but important steps they can take to keep themselves and those around...
Polk County's medically vulnerable residents will find healthcare more accessible beginning October 1 after the Citizens Healthcare Oversight Committee approved relaxing income requirements for participation in the Polk HealthCare Plan (PHP) from 168 to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. According to officials, the change is in part a reflection of the minimum wage increase occurring in Florida on September 30. Families may make more money now due to higher pay but, thanks to...
Polk County's Health and Human Services Division is hosting "Shaping the Future of Opioid Abatement in Polk County" in collaboration with Polk Vision and the Crescendo Consulting Group. An abatement plan was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is now the intent of the division to revisit the work previously advised through a community prioritization event. While the event is open to the public, it is intended to bring community stakeholders together to discuss the...
Polk County's Indigent Health Care program has issued a Request For Applications (RFA) to healthcare-related, non-profit organizations who are interested in receiving Community Partner Grant funding to provide healthcare services to qualified Polk County residents. Applicants who submit an RFA must be able to provide direct healthcare services or coordinate the delivery of those services to county residents with incomes of up to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. This R...
(NAPSI)-One of the greatest joys-but potentially biggest challenges-for many grandparents is time spent with the grandkids. Whether yours are toddlers or teens, keeping them entertained requires a level of fitness that might include everything from lifting a child to chasing them at the playground to competing in a round of golf. For grandparents seeking an enriching and active experience with their grandkids, it's important to engage in everyday fitness routines that can...
Like many people, you likely work hard to help keep yourself and your loved ones healthy. To help, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) reminds everyone that stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. About 800,000 people in the country have a stroke each year. The good news is, when treated quickly, survival is possible and damage can be greatly reduced. That's why understanding your risk for stroke, knowing signs...
Eye disease affects more than your ability to see the world clearly. People with impaired vision face an increased risk of falls, fractures, injuries, depression, anxiety, cognitive deficits and social isolation. One of the best ways to protect yourself against vision loss from eye disease is to get regular eye exams. Ophthalmologists-physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care-have more tools than ever before to diagnose eye diseases earlier, and to treat them...
Some low-income Polk County residents may soon find themselves at a healthcare coverage crossroad due to Medicaid changes, and the Polk HealthCare Plan may be able to help those who no longer qualify for Medicaid. Since the beginning of the COVID 19-related public health emergency, Florida has provided continuous Medicaid coverage and has not disenrolled ineligible recipients. Medicaid eligibility is again being determined through normal processing. Florida will have up to 12...
(NAPSI)-Oral health is linked to whole-body health, which means that not caring for teeth and gums can contribute to other health issues such as heart disease, stroke, and more. To help improve health, March is National Nutrition Month, spotlighting nutrition education and focusing attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. On World Oral Health Day, March 20, the world unites to help reduce the burden...
Many people celebrate the promise and new beginnings of the New Year by making resolutions-often focused on health goals like losing weight, eating healthier, and working out. Getting healthy through small actions-baby steps-can be a sustainable way to make changes for a healthy new year. Feeling and seeing a small positive change can encourage you to make more changes. Consider the following baby steps to help make 2023 your best year yet: •Sleep. Sleep is a neces...
(NAPSI)-The ball, the confetti and the 2022 wall calendars have all come down, and our attention turns to the annual tradition of making New Year's resolutions. This can include health goals, such as deciding to have 2023 be the year to finally quit tobacco successfully. Most adult smokers in our state tried to do so at least once in the past year, reports the Florida Department of Health. Quitting for good may take several attempts. With the resolution to quit, every year...
AdventHealth Lake Wales has received an "A" in patient safety from the prestigious Leapfrog Group, a national patient safety watchdog group that delivers grades based on quality metrics such as a hospital's performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. Out of 3,000 hospitals evaluated nationwide, only 30% received this top grade and 115 are awarded as a Top Hospital. The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization that uses their...
(NAPSI)-Have you heard the saying, "Movement is medicine?" Countless studies have shown that physical activity can help reduce the risks of serious health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, back and neck pain, some types of cancer, and even falls. That's why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults aged 65 and older participate in 150 minutes of physical activity a week. This includes aerobic, strength, and balance activities. If you're...
