Communication Builds Our Community
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Dear Editor, As a medical professional, I can vouch that the priority for all of us in the field is the quality, accessibility, and affordability of the care available to our patients. In Florida, all that is being threatened by a wave of meritless and expensive medical malpractice lawsuits. Right now, there are ill-intentioned lawyers across the state that file vague and unclear claims in an attempt use our state’s loose malpractice standards to win overblown legal fees in court or through settlements. All these lawsuits m...
November is designated a time when American's recognize our nation's veterans for their service. Throughout the month, communities schedule special ceremonies to honor the men and women who have served in the military. While these honors are important, many may not realize that veterans could have emotional and physical service-related conditions that require consideration beyond expressions of gratitude. For example, veterans who served in World War II experienced different...
Leaving treatment without a plan is like going on a road trip without a map. It is very important to have a set plan before leaving treatment. The plan should be realistic and the recovering person should be able to follow it without getting discouraged. This plan should include both structure and accountability. It should also have goals that are reachable and reasonable. This helps the recovering person feel accomplished and productive. The plan does not have to be filled...
Publix Pharmacy recently filled its 100 millionth free prescription as part of its free medication program. "We are proud to provide a service that helps our customers afford their medications," said Publix Vice President of Pharmacy Dain Rusk. "As the cost of health care continues to rise, this program has become even more important to our customers and our communities. Too often, high prescription costs prevent people from taking medication as prescribed. When medications...
Polk County Public Schools has teamed up with the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Health in Polk County to warn students and families about the dangers of vaping. The school district produced a public service video featuring PCPS Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, and Dr. Joy Jackson, director of the Florida Department of Health in Polk. The video also features students from George Jenkins, Ridge Community and Winter...
With 2020 beginning we have come to the end of a decade where nearly half a million people have lost their lives to overdose. The opioid epidemic started in 2010 with pain killer dependence rising and doctor shopping being the newest thing to do. Now heroin is on the rise with the newest deadly killer fentanyl. The solution the government has come up with is to put people on the MAT program. MAT stands for medication assisted therapy. This puts people on a medication that the...
As the holidays approach, keep in mind you will be spending time around family and friends that you might not typically see all year round. Some families will have an amazing time and make tons of new memories. Yet some families will become newly aware that a loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol, while other families are preparing for yet another holiday that might be ruined by one already in the family. You should be familiar with the signs that your loved could be...
Lakeland Regional Health, with support from the City of Lakeland, is planning to construct a three-building, 96-bed center to better serve the behavioral health inpatient and outpatient needs of the Polk County community. The $46 million Center for Behavioral Health & Wellness will be built near Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center and will treat adults and adolescents for mental health problems, substance abuse, memory disorders and more. Outgoing LRH President Elaine...
Whether your loved one passed away recently or years ago, the holidays can stir up a sense of loss that overshadow any celebrations. Reminiscing about holiday traditions, knowing your loved one will not be present, can cause sadness and anxiety. While everyone grieves differently, it's important to know that intensified feelings associated with loss is common this time of year. Some may feel the need to hide their feelings from friends and family. They may be embarrassed or...
Nowadays, the drug world is far more dangerous. Addicts now have to be cautious about buying fake pills that look exactly like the ones you get at your local pharmacy. They might think they are buying a Xanax, Oxycodone, or maybe an Adderall even. But in reality, they are buying something that is deadly. Dealers are mixing concoctions and pressing them with a little machine to make something that they think will be way more addicting and less costly. They are putting fentanyl...
Adverse childhood experiences often have a lasting impact, resulting in negative health and economic outcomes throughout adulthood, according to Dr. Lyn Jones, who has worked with hurting people for many years. A Babson Park chiropractor and longtime psychiatric nurse, Jones shared her expertise in domestic violence, other abuse and neglect at the recent annual meeting of the GFWC Lake Wales Woman's Club. The Woman's Club has adopted domestic violence abuse and prevention as...
Cornerstone Hospice is already putting to good use two grants from the GiveWell Community Foundation. Last spring, Cornerstone received a $5,000 Empower Polk grant from the GiveWell Community Foundation to purchase two CADD® pumps to be used to train Cornerstone nurses to assist with the care of patients experiencing pain. The device provides safe and accurate medication delivery. Previously, Cornerstone Hospice would lease the pumps during the training of new nurses....
Two new primary care providers have joined the Heart of Florida Physician Group and will be practicing together in Lake Wales. Rodolfo S. Fernandez, M.D., an internal medicine physician and Amber Y. Shepard, M.D., a family medicine physician will be seeing patients at their office located at 1255 SR 60 E., Suite 500 in Lake Wales. "We are very excited to welcome these two physicians to our group,'' said Sabrina Robinson, director for the physician group. "Dr. Fernandez had...
Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center has been recognized as a Best Hospital for 2019-20 by U.S. News & World Report. Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center is ranked #1 (tied) in the Lakeland Metro area and ranked #21 (tied) in the State of Florida. The annual Best Hospitals rankings and ratings, now in their 30th year, are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or for...
Many doctors in their eighth decade would be golfing, traveling or just enjoying retirement. But Dr. Eusebio "Jon" Salud Jr. is spending his later years treating patients with a new procedure that he says is helping to restore their vision. According to Salud, dry macular degeneration is a leading cause of permanent blindness and for 56 years there has been no treatment available for it. He started a noninvasive, safe, simple and painless protocol about five years ago. He...
The Central Florida Media Group will host the Central Florida Family Fun Day and Health Expo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, July 19. The event will be held at the International Market World Flea and Farmers Market at 1052 US Hwy 92 W in Auburndale. The Family Fun Day and Health Expo Day is a day of fun-filled activities including games, prizes, dancing, face painting, back-to-school supplies, live entertainment, health info, and screenings. Admission to Family Fun Day is free...
Concerned that too many patients got their wounds healed but ended up coming back for more treatments, the Lake Wales Wound Care Center has added another therapy to its list of options. Dr. Fred Howard on Tuesday, July 2 did the center's first treatment that used a laser to burn off vessels in leg veins. The treatment is designed to get blood flowing properly to reduce swelling that can cause wounds to fester and create painful sores. "They come, they get wound care, they get...
At age 32, Dr Carolyn Pass had the scare of her life. The hard-working physician was hospitalized with congestive heart failure and found herself wondering if she would live to see her three children grow up. After a lengthy recuperation period she got back into practicing medicine but with a greater appreciation for life and helping her patients focus on their own good health. Now 20 years after her own health scare Pass says she tells her patients: "You matter. You have to t...
Lake Wales business leaders gathered at Shoppes on the Ridge Thursday, June 27 for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of a new office of the Heart of Florida Physician Group. The primary caregiver at the office will be Lisa Peto, a family nurse practitioner. Peto provides in-office assessments, diagnosis and treatments of acute and chronic illnesses in patients of all ages, from infant through adult. Services include prevention and management of diabetes, COPD, high...
The Wound Healing Center at Lake Wales Medical Center is holding an open house from 12:30-1 p.m. to share details of a brand new treatment for people with vein issues. Light refreshments will be served prior to the first patient to be treated with the new procedure starting at 1 p.m. The center says the new service line is an important step in fulfilling its mission to service all wound care related patients. The Wound Healing Center is located at 451 S. 11th Street. People...
Lake Wales Medical Center is accepting applications for a variety of volunteer positions, including front lobby information desks, courtesy shuttle drivers, gift shop and general office help. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, complete an application, submit a letter of recommendation, and pass a background and drug screening. Volunteers must be friendly, personable, and at-ease interacting with the public. Top applicants will be interviewed, and available positions...
Broccoli Salad 2# broccoli, cooked to taste (boil 4-7 minutes), then drained ½ cup mayonnaise of choice 1 teaspoon whole grain Dijon mustard zest of 1 large lemon ¼ + 1/8 t table salt or 1 t anchovy paste Mix the remaining ingredients while the broccoli is cooking. After the broccoli is well drained, stir in the mayo mixture. Chill or serve warm. Anchovy paste doesn't make this taste fishy, but adds umami flavor. If you use anchovy paste, omit the salt. Omit the...
Aspen Dental in Lake Wales is offering free dental care to veterans on Saturday June 8 as part of its annual Day of Service. In a notice about the offering Dr. Maryam Bangash, dentist/owner of the Aspen Dental in Lake Wales, said "Each year, hundreds of Aspen Dental practices around the country designate one day to help those in our communities that have given so much of themselves without asking for anything in return . . . our veterans." On Saturday, June 8, Aspen Dental...
A free Central Florida Health Expo is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. May 31 at the International Market World Flea and Farmers Market, 1052 U.S. 92 West in Auburndale. Hosted by the Central Florida Media Group, the Expo will include free health screenings, door prize drawings, healthcare education and health insurance information and enrollment. For more information or to reserve exhibitor space call 863-248-7547 or visit www.centralfloridamediagroup.com/events. The...
Yoga is a great tool for relaxation, and the exercises stretch the body, resulting in better muscle tone, balance, and general health. This video is entitled Morning Spinal Warmup, and is the first in a series by contributor Megan Rimer, owner and instructor for Yoga Bliss, a local studio. If you are interested in classes, she can be reached at 813/299-5159. Namaste....