Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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Childhood vaccination rates have markedly declined across the U.S. since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new Johns Hopkins University study that shows that Polk is among the 78% of more than 2,000 counties reporting drops. The average immunization rate has fallen to 91% — below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity. While existing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data has historically shown broadly declining measles-mumps-rubella vaccination r...
With prostate cancer rates on the rise across the country, health experts are emphasizing how critical it can be for men to get screened to catch any potential cases as early as possible. The CDC says prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during the life with the number of prostate cancer cases...
Polk's emergency responders are getting a new tool that may help save lives in the future. Several Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) Battalion Chiefs will begin carrying whole blood on their trucks and have the ability to administer blood transfusions to patients in the field. Blood for the effort will be supplied by OneBlood, which operates a mobile blood-donation bus across Polk County. Polk County Fire Rescue will maintain a ready supply of blood through coordinated exchanges...
Polk County's behavioral health team has launched a website to help those seeking mental health and substance use disorder resources in the county. The website features a directory of behavioral health providers in Polk County, blogs from local professionals focusing on relevant health topics, as well as a statistical dashboard and provider accessibility in the county. According to reports from the Florida Department of Health in Polk, in 2022, about 17% of adults (18 years...
Medical services offered in Lake Wales continue to improve, and this week marked the official opening of a new heart care office, part of the expansion of AdventHealth in Polk County. The new office of Dr. Saiyed Mohib at 1255 SR 60 East marks the first cardiologist at AdventHealth Lake Wales, offering local patients the opportunity to find expert cardiovascular care closer to home. "Our patients no longer need to travel, they can get the services they need right here," Dr. Mo...
Polk County's medically-vulnerable residents should soon find a bit less paperwork standing between them and needed healthcare, thanks to changes being implemented by Polk County's Health and Human Services Division. Going forward, applicants will only be asked to provide one form of proof of residency rather than the two that were previously required.. The change will address the primary obstacle for prospective plan members, which is providing documentation to satisfy proof...
Heart failure patients at AdventHealth Lake Wales are taking control of their health and recovery outside of the hospital, with the help of free health supply kits. This is part of a new program working to address one of the region's most urgent health care challenges: heart failure. The heart care kits are used to monitor patients' progress after they are discharged from the hospital, with both English and Spanish versions being offered. The kits include a weight scale,...
Polk County’s Health and Human Services Division partnered with Polk Vision to host the second annual Conversations in Behavioral Health Summit on Thursday. More than 230 parents, mental health professionals and residents attended the summit. “I can’t think of a better way to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month than with an event about the power of hope and healing,” said Holly Vida, Behavioral Health Program Manager for Polk County. “I’m thankful to all of our speakers wh...
AdventHealth Lake Wales Wound Care Center has been honored with three prestigious awards by Healogics, the nation's leading provider of advanced wound care services, highlighting the center's commitment to exceptional patient satisfaction and the best in clinical outcomes. AdventHealth Lake Wales Wound Care Center recently received the President's Circle Award, the Center of Distinction Award, and the Robert A. Warriner III, M.D., Clinical Excellence Award. The Center achieved...
AdventHealth Lake Wales and AdventHealth Heart of Florida in Davenport have earned national recognition for their efforts to increase organ, eye and tissue donor registrations across the state of Florida through the DoNation Campaign. According to LifeLink of Florida, ten lives were saved by organ donors at the two hospitals in 2024. The organization said AdventHealth Heart of Florida had three donors who saved five lives and AdventHealth Lake Wales had two donors save five...
AdventHealth Lake Wales has announced the addition of cardiologist, Saiyed Mohib, MD to its roster of expert physicians. Dr. Mohib is a board-certified cardiologist who is now accepting new patients in Lake Wales at the AdventHealth Medical Group General Surgery Office, located at 423 Linden Lane. With over 20 years of experience in cardiology, Dr. Mohib is an expert in assessing and preventing heart attacks and other heart-related diseases. He offers nutritional counseling...
AdventHealth Lake Wales has launched a Vertical Bay Program within its Emergency Department, allowing patients faster access to the emergency room. This new program comes as emergency departments nationwide face growing challenges. Through AdventHealth Lake Wales' Vertical Bay Program, beds and rooms are available to the sickest patients who need them the most, and nearly every patient is seen and has their needs addressed quickly and efficiently. Patients who don't require...
The Social Security Administration continues to make it easier for you to access programs and benefits. The official website at www.ssa.gov offers a convenient way to apply online for benefits. Using the SSA website you can apply for: • Retirement or Spouse's Benefits – You must be at least 61 years and 9 months and want your benefits to start in no more than 4 months. Apply at www.ssa.gov/retirement. • Disability Benefits – You can use our online application at www....
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...
