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Tag: APP Latest Health Stories

  • Clearwater aims to become Autism Certified City

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Clearwater is working toward being the first city in Florida and the second in the nation to be designated an Autism Certified City.

    What You Need To Know

    • Initiative launches Thursday aimed at getting Clearwater designated an Autism Certified City

    • Initiative ensures welcoming, supportive community to residents and visitors with neurodiversity & their families

    • Clearwater would be the first city in Florida and second in the nation (Mesa, AZ was first)

    • Community partners in areas of: hospitality, healthcare, education, entertainment receive specialized training


    “It means Clearwater’s a welcoming place for children with autism, for families traveling with autism, we want to make sure that our community welcomes people in with all kinds of unique abilities,” said Executive Director of the Learning Independence for Tomorrow (LiFT) Matt Spence. “The purpose of LiFT is to inspire and empower people with neurodiversity to learn, thrive and succeed.”

    He hopes the initiative helps spread that success throughout the city. He says that’s why LiFT is leading the initiative to ensure Clearwater is an inclusive community, supportive and accessible to those with neurodiversity.

    Michael Soler’s son, Jacob has been attending LiFT for three years.

    “We found out he did have autism, he was on the spectrum, he had processing sensory delay as well,” said Soler who supports the initiative.

    Part of the process to get certified, which relies on community partners, would mean specialized training in areas of: hospitality, healthcare, small businesses, education and entertainment, to make sure residents and visitors feel supported.

    The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) is responsible for running the certification program. The group says the initiative creates an inclusive community, but it can also:

    • Improve the quality of life for residents
    • Increase tourism and visitors from underserved markets
    • Increase community engagement
    • Enhance workforce opportunities 
    • Create national & international inclusion

    “We have facilities and community partners that are aware that sometimes students need a little extra time, they might need a low sensory space, they might need an opportunity to just express themselves differently,” said Spence.

    It’s that effort and support that mean the world to Soler.

    “I think the primary thing is acceptance,” said Soler.  “When you’re out with a child with autism there are certain things that look and may feel a little bit different as you see a child with autism and their mannerisms but they’re kids, they have the same wants, loves and desires as all of our children do.”

    Spence hopes the initiative, which officially launches Sept. 25, helps the community understand and support those wants and needs.

    Clearwater Mayor, Bruce Rector says he is proud of the initiative.

    “It’s really about just making sure that everyone knows that Clearwater cares about folks with autism and families dealing with autism,” said Rector. “We want to make their experience here whether they live here or visiting, the best it can possibly be.”

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    Melissa Eichman

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  • Coach Ryan Day, wife Nina highlight mental health with students

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    HEBRON, Ohio — Ohio State football coach Ryan Day and his wife, Nina, spoke to students at Arts Impact Middle School on Friday about mental health as part of the “Day Time Break” program with Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

    What You Need To Know

    • Ryan and Nina Day shared the “Day Time Break” program at Arts Impact Middle School in partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital

    • The program aims to teach students facts about mental health and practical ways to care for themselves
    • The Days and hospital leaders emphasized the importance of early conversations to reduce stigma and prevent crises

    The couple joined hospital leaders at the assembly to share personal experiences and encourage students to recognize mental health challenges early, stressing that no one has to struggle in silence.

    Ryan Day said young people today face many challenges and he wants to ensure they have the resources to manage them. His wife, Nina, echoed that message, stressing the importance of letting students know they are not alone.

    “It’s so important to remind these kids that, you know, they’re not alone, that a lot of people are feeling what they’re feeling,” Nina Day said. “I remember being their age and feeling anxiety and not knowing what it was and having no one to really talk about it.”

    Nina Day also told students she lived with anxiety for two decades without speaking up. 

    “I suffered for 20 years in silence. And this is to show you that you don’t have to suffer alone,” she said.

    Nationwide Children’s Hospital Executive Clinical Director Ariana Hoet said parents should pay attention if a child seems persistently sad, anxious or irritable for weeks at a time, noting those changes in behavior may signal a deeper problem. She urged families to start conversations early rather than waiting until a crisis develops.

    Eighth grader Julius Scott said the assembly felt personal, sharing that he had lost someone close to suicide.

    “Mental health is actually very important to me because a few years back, one of my close friends, a family friend of my brother’s, yeah, killed himself because he was going through mental stuff,” Scott said.

    Coach Day left the group with a message of hope.

    “Every problem that you guys have, there is a solution,” he told students. “I don’t want anyone to ever think there’s such a big problem that we can’t solve it. But in order to do that, you have to communicate.”

    The Days said sleep, diet and building strong relationships are other ways youth can improve their mental health.

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    Saima Khan

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  • Mental health expert shares tips on how to cope with seeing violent videos

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — You might have seen videos of acts of violence come across your social media feed recently. Dr. Nicole Clark, a Spectrum News national mental health correspondent, says our psyche isn’t used to seeing trauma on an endless loop.

    What You Need To Know

    • Recent acts of violence have dominated national and local headlines, including the stabbing of Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail, school shootings and Wednesday’s murder of political activist Charlie Kirk  

    • Experts say consuming trauma can affect people in different ways, causing feelings of numbness, sadness, anxiety or depression 
    • Dr. Nicole Clark, a Spectrum News national mental health correspondent, shares the different ways to deal with seeing violent videos  


    “You see it and now you can’t unsee it and you need to process what you’ve just seen,” Clark said. “It is a shock to the system. It is not something that we expect to see, so it can be very challenging, and it challenges our world view.”  

    Challenging our worldview can be disorienting.  

    “We, at the heart of who we are, believe that people are good and that the world is a safe place. When we see graphic images; it challenges that viewpoint and makes us question our sense of safety and our sense of identity in this world,” Clark said. 

    When trying to cope with these challenging moments, Clark says it’s important to recognize what you are feeling.   

    “Note that you are having a change on the inside, either in how you’re feeling, how you’re thinking. You may notice a change on the outside. Maybe your palms are sweaty, your heart is racing,” Clark said. 

    Then, she says, take action like talking to a family member, friend or professional counselor. 

    “If you need to do something about this in terms of limiting your news consumption or donating to a cause that you feel passionate about or even volunteering. Taking action helps you regain a sense of control,” Clark said.

    If you continue to consume trauma, Clark says you’ll know if you’re facing a mental health issue or condition when it affects your quality of life.

    “You’re having flashbacks, you’re having nightmares. You’re anxious, you’re adjusting and modifying your behavior. You are not enjoying yourself. You are not experiencing health in your relationships. This issue is taking over your life. That is when you know it is time to seek help,” Clark said.

    For mental health help you can call or text 988 lifeline to talk to a crisis counselor. 

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    Melody Greene

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  • New resiliency pilot program from a nonprofit expands to USF students

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A Sarasota mental health nonprofit, Sunshine from Darkness, is expanding its services to local college students in the Manatee-Sarasota area.

    The organization started a pilot Youth Resiliency Program last year for middle schoolers, and has now partnered with the University of South Florida (USF) Sarasota-Manatee to offer mental health services in the aftermath of last year’s hurricanes.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sarasota nonprofit Sunshine from Darkness started a pilot Youth Resiliency Program last year for middle schoolers
    • The organization partnered with USF Sarasota-Manatee to offer mental health services in the aftermath of last year’s hurricanes

    • Sunshine from Darkness is starting another pilot program this fall, which plans to implement virtual reality technology at USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus

    “So instead of, like, thinking about what’s bothering me, I’m thinking about, like, squeezing the Play-Doh,” Kathy Porcelly said.

    Porcelly is a junior at USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus, majoring in elementary education. While college can often be stressful, Porcelly also has generalized anxiety disorder.

    “So it’s like just minor things that might not bother other people, tend to bother me. Or, I just overthink little conversations throughout the day or things I possibly did wrong,” she explained.

    But she didn’t learn these new exercises on her own. She had some help from a licensed psychologist during a pilot program that worked with 17 USF students. It was started by the nonprofit Sunshine from Darkness, which partnered with USF to help improve students’ mental health.

    Moving Play-Doh around is one way Porcelly reduces stress.

    Marlene Hauck, the executive director for Sunshine from Darkness, said, “Each of the college students will learn their own way to cope, their own way to develop resilience. What we’re looking for also is to be able to help them move forward.”

    The pilot program began in April and included four one-hour sessions that focused on breathing exercises and tactile activities. Already, Porcelly says it helps her every day.

    “It gave me different strategies on how to deal with my stress and then my anxiety — activities that I wouldn’t think of myself,” she said.

    Now, as Porcelly continues her college education, she hopes she can incorporate what she’s learned and pass it on to her own students when she becomes a teacher.

    Sunshine from Darkness is starting another pilot program this fall. They plan to implement virtual reality technology at USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus in that program.

    “USF College of Education at Sarasota-Manatee’s partnership with Sunshine from Darkness and Herrera Psychology is timely and innovative as we work together to support the resiliency of our university students. This is important, timely work and we are thrilled to have this partnership available for our students,” the school said in a statement.

    “USF College of Education at Sarasota-Manatee’s Collaboratory is a transformative and innovative space that focuses on human-centered design. Supporting education, the community, and innovative thinking, the tech space is a hub for dynamic change,” it continued.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Bay Area dentist uses robot for procedures

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A trip to the dentist is often the last thing people want to do. The thought of drilling, root canals and dental implants is enough to strike fear into people.

    But what if you were going to the dentist to have your procedure done by a robot? It’s what one Pinellas County dentist is offering, and it’s a technological advancement he says will soon become the norm.

    What You Need To Know

    • Dunedin Family Dentistry is using a robotic assistant known as Yomi to work on dental implantation

    • Dentistry owner Dr. Carver Little said that procedure is minimally invasive and it is 100% accurate

    • Little said this technology has been around for a couple years but it’s still rare to see it in dental offices


    Inside Dunedin Family Dentistry, the instructions may sound the same at first. The needles and drills are all part of the process.

    But things are a little different at this visit to the dentist after the x-rays, impressions and face scans. These are all used to make sure this robotic assistant gets dental implantation just right.

    “What the Yomi is, is a robotic assistant implant surgical system. So, before this technology was available, implants were done in ways that were not quite as accurate,” said Dunedin Family Dentistry owner, Dr. Carver Little. “The robot will guide your hand according to what you’ve planned. So, it means there’s no need to cut any tissue. It’s minimally invasive, human error is removed, and it is 100% accurate. The implant goes exactly where we place it.”

    Little said this technology has been around for a couple years, but it’s still rare to see it in dental offices. He said he thinks that won’t be the case much longer.  

    “FDA approval for this came out in 2019, dentistry is a little sometimes slow to pick up some of the more cutting-edge things, so there is no other office in Palm Harbor that has this technology right now, and I think there may be one other office in all of Tampa Bay that has this robotic surgery,” he said.

    It’s a tool that’s still surprising to him.

    “I hate to say it, but you can almost do an implant with your eyes closed,” he said. “This was science fiction a couple years back. Things we can do now were inconceivable when I was in dental school. There’s a huge digital revolution in dentistry, and I’m going to say this is just the beginning.”

    Brian Bolles said that when he was given the option of either having an invasive procedure with a dentist or a calculated dental implant done by a robot, he chose the robot.

    “It seemed like they were a little more precise with the drilling rather than being unsteady. It seemed like it was straightforward and quick and easy,” he said.

    Once all the prep work and scans were done, he said it was faster than expected. Bolles said he’d for sure choose the robot again.

    “Sure, why not?” he said. “Who wouldn’t want to have a robot in their mouth?”

    Little said it’s just another way to change the conversation about a visit to the dentist from being about pain to being about progress.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Lenoir County confirms case of West Nile virus in resident

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    Health officials in Lenoir County have confirmed a human case of West Nile virus, the county’s Health Department announced Monday.

    What You Need To Know

    •  A Lenoir County resident tested positive for West Nile virus, health officials confirmed Monday

    •  The resident had been exposed to bites from infected mosquitoes

    •  The CDC says most will not develop symptoms, but those that do may experience fever with headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash

    • Officials say to contact a health care provider if infection is suspected


    An infected mosquito bit the Lenoir County resident, officials said, which is how the disease is most commonly spread.

    “Since we have identified a case in a Lenoir County resident, we are concerned that more mosquitoes in the county are carrying the virus,” Health Director Pamela Brown said in a release.

    Lenoir County is in eastern North Carolina and includes the City of Kinston, about 75 miles southeast of Raleigh.

    Symptoms commonly start between days two and six after being bitten, but can start anywhere from two days to two weeks.

    The virus has also been found in Durham and Pitt counties, according to state health officials. 

    Roughly 80% of those infected will not develop symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    “About 20% of people who are infected develop flu-like symptoms, such as a fever with headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash,” the CDC said. “Most people with mild illness due to West Nile virus recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.”

    The Lenoir County Health Department offers the following tips to help protect yourself from bites and infection:

    • Using an EPA-registered insect repellent with active ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, Oil of lemon eucalyptus, Para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 1-undecanone
    • Wearing loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants
    • Treating clothing and gear with permethrin (an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes)
    • Taking steps to control mosquitoes by keeping windows and doors shut and ensuring screens have no holes, emptying items that hold water, like vases and flowerpot saucers, once a week, treating outdoor areas using larvicides for large containers of water not used for drinking that cannot be covered or dumped out, spraying outdoor patio furniture or garages with insect spray where mosquitoes rest, and always following label instructions

    Anyone who thinks they have been infected or are experiencing symptoms is asked to call a local health care provider.

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    Justin Pryor

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  • Environmentalist warns against Mosaic’s radioactive waste road project

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    MULBERRY, Fla. — A pilot road project years in the making using slightly radioactive waste material is underway in Polk County.

    What You Need To Know

    • Mosaic’s pilot project will use phosphogypsum, a radioactive phosphate mining byproduct, to build a test road at its New Wales facility

    • Environmental advocates warn the project could spread hazardous materials, potentially exposing workers and nearby ecosystems to harmful radiation and toxic substances

    • Despite the EPA’s approval and Mosaic’s assurances of safety, critics argue the move prioritizes cost-cutting over public and environmental health


    The material, phosphogypsum, is a byproduct of phosphate mining that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says could cause cancer. Mining giant Mosaic requested to use phosphogypsum to build a test road at its Mulberry site on March 31, 2022. The EPA reviewed the plan, gave notice of pending approval on Oct. 9 of last year and took public comments for 45 days, then gave Mosaic the green light on Dec. 23.

    Glenn Compton, director of Manasota-88, one of the oldest environmental groups in the state, says mining companies have spent years looking for ways to get rid of phosphogypsum. The latest approach, he says, is what’s outlined in Mosaic’s plan — mixing the waste material into the road base and laying asphalt on top.

    “So instead of putting it into stacks, where we know where the phosphogypsum waste is, they want to spread it around the state of Florida with little to no over-site,” he said.

    Compton says this will lead to a widespread distribution of a hazardous waste, which could harm the environment and those who have to work with it.

    “Anyone who works with it will have an increase exposure to radon and radiation,” he said. “It has high levels of sulfur, it has metals that are very toxic to the environment and if these roads do deteriorate, we can expect that you are going to have pollution of groundwater and surface water in the area where these roads are constructed.”

    Mosaic said the 3,200-foot road will be built entirely within its New Wales facility, several miles from any public access. There will be multiple sections that use different construction materials and areas to serve as a control sample. The trial will last for 18 months, with each section evaluated for performance and effects on the environment.

    In a statement, a spokesperson for Mosaic said quote:

    “Trust the science. A host of regulators are involved throughout the process. Federal regulations require the EPA to perform a rigorous scientific risk analysis when evaluating a request to use phosphogypsum beneficially. The impacts to human health and the environment are the primary focus of that analysis.

    At the end of the day, we welcome robust testing. We want people to know this is a safe and worthwhile resource, not a waste, and we are decades behind others who long ago realized just that.

    We believe there is great value in the principles of a circular economy, whereby materials formerly viewed as wastes can be used or recycled beneficially. PG has value in the right circumstances, and we expect the results of the road trial to reflect that.”

    The EPA stands by its decision, saying “the risk posed by this project to the public and workers is extremely low.” However, Compton says the decision is a reflection of the agency’s inability to regulate.

    “And they are more in tune with what the company wants to do which is get rid of the waste in a cost effective, cheapest manner that they can and have it so that they will have less responsibility to manage it in the future,” he said.

    Like many environmentalists, Compton is urging policymakers to put a stop to Mosaic’s project. If they don’t, he says, the impacts of phosphogypsum could last for generations.

    Another environmental group, the Center for Biological Diversity, has already filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency for approving this plan. 

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Equine therapy center gives veterans a chance to heal

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Grow from your struggles, heal from your pain, and move forward — these are a few of the goals for Warriors at Rest (W.A.R.), an equine therapy center.

    What You Need To Know

    • Warriors at Rest offers equine therapy for veterans and first responders

    • Carla Staats has a master’s in mental health counseling and worked in the industry for 30 years

    • She said this is a good alternative to sitting down and simply talking


    Carla Staats, who designed the W.A.R. program, said the stables combine her two passions: horses and therapy.

    “I just find it so much more rewarding,” she said. “It’s learning and action. It’s putting everything into action versus just sitting in the chair and talking.” 

    Staats has a master’s degree in mental health counseling and has spent 30 years helping all sorts of people, 18 of which have been helping veterans with equine therapy.

    In January 2024, W.A.R. partnered with Freedom Farm Therapy Center, where groups like the Women Veterans League of Tampa Bay can visit and spend time with the horses. 

    Staats said veterans have a lot in common with horses. 

    Both are strong, but also have vulnerabilities. 

    A veteran’s daughter, Staats says being able to help our veterans heal is just a small way she can give back. 

    “When you can’t tell the difference between work and play, and this is like play, it’s the most wonderful, fulfilling thing,” she said. “To be able to offer it to those who have raised their hand to serve our country, it’s an honor.”

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • St. Pete mother opens up about colon cancer diagnosis

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Meagan May, 39, does not rush the moment any more. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Colon cancer diagnoses are rising sharply in people 35 to 50, most of whom are years away from getting their first colonoscopy screening. Doctors recommend people get a colonoscopy at 45 to check for colon cancer

    • Doctors do not know why people under 50 are being diagnosed at a higher rate

    • Family history does play a role in colon cancer. Doctors recommend people with a familial history get checked to see if they inherited the genetic mutation

    • Meagan May was diagnosed at 38 with stage four colon cancer after having stomach pains and noticing a change in bowel movements; she does not carry the genetic mutation


    As her twin boys take their time walking into the house from school, she patiently waits for them to make their way to the kitchen so she can help make them a snack.

    Her boys are both 18 and could easily make themselves a snack, but this ritual is about spending time together.

    “I’m thankful to be here,” said May. “Last October, last December, last year. Anyway, we didn’t really think I was going to make it through.”

    In October 2023, May began feeling severe pain in her stomach. She also had noticed changes in her bowel movements.

    At the time, she tried to ignore it, not wanting to go to the hospital for something small. But the pain grew to be too great to ignore.

    “They found a massive tumor on my ovary and a tumor in my colon and in my liver,” said May.

    She spent ten days in the hospital as doctors collected biopsies, did scans and performed a colonoscopy.

    A collection of photos provided by Meagan May during her treatment at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital.

    “My doctor was is one of the most amazing people and doctors I’ve ever come across. Dr. Williams,” said May. “He was the one that sat down and told us…”

    May’s voice begins to crack as tears slowly trail down her face. Even now it is hard to retell how she found out she had stage four colon cancer.

    She looks at the positive now, thankful for the hospital and doctors she turned to.

    “I was grateful because at Orlando Health Bayfront, where I met Dr. Williams, they have a tumor board, so all of my doctors were meeting and discussing my case specifically all together at the same time,” said May.

    Dr. J. Ryan Williams is a colon and rectal surgeon at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Pete.

    “She had a large tumor here over on that right side of the colon,” said Dr. Williams when remembering May’s case.

    Williams and other physicians had May go through chemotherapy prior to surgery to remove the tumor in her colon. May also needed a hysterectomy because of the severity of the tumor on her ovary.

    After those procedures, she then did more chemo and radiation to remove the tumor in her liver.

    Williams says May has responded well to treatment.

    “Yeah, this is best case scenario, this is just absolutely just best care scenario that we just wished for her the whole time,” said Williams.

    May, however, is part of a growing population of younger adults getting colon cancer, ages 35 to 50.

    “I wish we knew what it was. I wish we could say this is the thing that’s causing it, but we don’t,” said Dr. Williams.

    It is now recommended that people at the age of 45 get a colonoscopy screening. Then continued to get screened every ten years.

    “Yeah, get it done,” said Dr. Williams. “If you have symptoms, don’t ignore them. Don’t ignore them. If you’re bleeding … if you’re having abdominal discomfort, that doesn’t seem to go away. Just go talk to your primary care doctor.”

    “I take every day as a blessing,” said May.

    March is colorectal cancer awareness month.

    Colorectal cancer can run in families. If a family member has the disease, doctors recommend getting tested for the gene mutation.

    May did not have the inheritable gene.

    Symptoms for colorectal cancer include rectal bleeding with or without pain, blood in stool, a change in bowel pattern, anemia, bloating or cramping, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue or reduced stamina.

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    Erin Murray

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  • Bay area veteran gets long overdue dental surgery

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Imagine having to blend nearly all your food just to eat — that’s the reality for some veterans with damage to their teeth.

    What You Need To Know

    • According to the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund, 85% of disabled veterans do not qualify for VA dental care

    • In 2024 through their Critical Dental Assistance Program, they provided dental care to more than 230 veterans in Florida totaling just over $1 million

    • Veteran William Kraven said he tried for years to get help before WVRF assisted him


    Despite wanting to get dental work done, many don’t qualify through the VA. 

    According to the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund, 85% of disabled veterans do not qualify for VA dental care.

    “A lot of them will wear a mask because they don’t want anybody to see what their smile looks like,” Tami Martin, WVRF Director of Veterans Programs said. “Their overall health, if they have eating problems because their teeth hurt, they lose a lot of weight.” 

    William Kraven is one of these veterans. 

    Serving in the Army during the Vietnam War, Kraven was exposed to Agent Orange and developed cancer in 2016. 

    He beat that cancer, but the radiation and chemo damaged his teeth. 

    Deteriorating significantly over the years, he can’t eat anything solid and has lost 55 pounds. 

    This surgery will change his life.

    “I’ll be able to smile because I love to smile,” he said. “I’ll be able to eat normal, a steak.” 

    Kraven needed two surgeries to remove all his teeth before he can get dentures.

    He’s thrilled it’s finally happening, but said it’s taken too long to get there. 

    “I’ve been trying to find out how I was going to get my teeth taken care of, for nine years now,” he said.  

    This is not a surgery Kraven could afford on his own, and it’s why the WVRF is stepping in. 

    In 2024 through their Critical Dental Assistance Program, they provided dental care to more than 230 veterans in Florida totaling just over $1 million.

    “I went to several dentists to try and find out what it would cost,” Kraven said. “To get my teeth replaced was $53,000. I can’t afford that and I don’t know many veterans that can.” 

    The WVRF has more than 300 dental partners in Florida that they work with in order to provide treatment to veterans.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Veterinarians concerned for Lakeland swans as bird flu cases rise

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — While people typically visit Lake Morton to feed the swans, experts recommend admiring the beloved birds from afar.

    What You Need To Know

    • Veterinarians are concerned about the potential impact of bird flu on Lakeland’s royal swans

    • Precautions, such as hand sanitizing and avoiding direct contact with swans, are recommended to prevent the spread of the virus

    • The U.S. Department of Agriculture is working on a vaccine to help control the spread of bird flu


    As bird flu cases spread across the U.S., Lakeland’s royal swans may be at risk.

    Dr. Price Dickson, veterinarian at My Pet’s Animal Hospital, started caring for the 53 swans at Lake Morton in 2019. However, recently she and other experts have become concerned about their health due to bird flu.

    “Like any flu, it can be fatal and unfortunately bird flu can also affect the nervous system, causing seizures, high fevers, and other symptoms, as well as respiratory effects,” she said.

    Thankfully, Dr. Dickson says swans prefer social distancing, unlike ducks and pelicans. However, they could come into contact with wild birds migrating from other areas. She says this increases the risk of the virus spreading through the swan population and to peoples’ pets.

    “If we’re touching a bird and we get the virus on our hands, and touch mouths, noses, or bring it home and touch a cat or a bird, then that can be transmitted through mucous membranes,” Dr. Dickson said.

    Though no bird flu cases have been reported in Polk County so far, she advises the community to take extra precautions when visiting the lake.

    “If they are doing things like feeding the ducks and then going and feeding the swans, try to use hand sanitizer, or wash their hands in between, or just throw the food on the ground rather than getting them to do beak-to-hand touching,” she said.

    Dr. Dickson recommends people be on the lookout for bird flu symptoms, like their pets sneezing, showing fatigue, or having seizures. In the meantime, she and the city will do their part to keep the swans around for years to come.

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture is also working on a vaccine to stop the virus from spreading.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Health expo to connect Sarasota caregivers with resources

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    SARASOTA, Fla. — Town Square University Parkway is holding its second annual health expo on Saturday, Nov. 9.

    More than 100 businesses that provide services for people living with dementia and related illnesses will be in attendance.

    “We’re really excited this year because it’s come on the heels of the hurricane,” said Town Square University Parkway Co-owner Catherine McDermott. “We really learned a lot from our families and those in the community that need us that the resources that we’re going to be able to provide for them at the health expo is really coming at a time when folks really need these resources, this education.”

    What You Need To Know

    •  Town Square University Parkway’s second annual health expo is being held on Saturday, November 9

    •  The event is meant to connect caregivers and family of people with dementia and related illnesses with resources

    •  The adult day center’s co-owner said post-hurricane, Town Square heard from families and the community about the need for education about what help is available locally

    • Read previous coverage here


    The free expo is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 8450 Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota.

    Arlene Locola, of Lakewood Ranch, said she went to last year’s expo.

    “I just took a bag, and I threw everything in there,” Arlene said. “I went home, and I studied the resources.”

    Arlene’s husband, Tom, attends the adult day center. She called it the perfect match.

    “In addition to my having a little bit of a break. Tom is deliriously happy,” Arlene said.

    Tom has Parkinsonism and mild cognitive impairment. Arlene is his caregiver and said Town Square has provided more than activities — it has created a second family for Tom.

    “Tom comes out with two pretty girls on his arm,” she said, describing pickup at the end of the day. “They’re holding him, right? Two young, pretty girls, and then they’re doing a little dance. Then he goes, ‘Oh, you’re here.’”

    “I just love the camaraderie of the people, and the staff is right there all the time to help you,” said Tom.

    Like families throughout Tampa Bay, the couple braced for Hurricanes Helene and Milton. But for Arlene, there were worries many didn’t have to consider.

    “It was anxiety-provoking because I was alone with Tom, and if something did happen, I would have to handle it really alone,” Arlene said. “The caregiving job is a lot of necessities of daily life. I have a lot of decisions to make, and it’s not as shared as it was. We’re married 31 years, so this changes.”

    Arlene said she did look into staying in a special needs shelter in Manatee County but didn’t think it was the right fit.

    “She says, ‘Is he on oxygen?’ ‘No.’ ‘Does he have any special medical needs?’ I said, ‘No, not really,’” she said, recalling a phone call from the county.

    Bradenton resident Irene Rivera’s husband, Rich, also attends Town Square. She said he was already in respite memory care as she recovered from rotator cuff surgery when she learned she was going to have to leave her home, which is in a flood zone. Irene decided to extend his stay.

    “I knew if he was home, evacuating with him was just going to be a nightmare. You know, trying to lock up the house and move things and just him getting anxious,” Rivera said. 

    In addition to concerns like Arlene’s and Irene’s, McDermott said the disruption in routine that storms can bring can cause patients to decline. She told Spectrum News that’s what happened to a former patient of hers years ago.

    “His wife and he had to go to a shelter during the hurricane, and he never got back to his baseline,” she said. “He was agitated and paranoid with her afterwards and eventually had to be placed. So, we really want to give families and caregivers the resources that they need and the education that they need to know how to get through these trying times with someone with dementia.”

    The Alzheimer’s Association calls the disease a growing public health crisis in Florida. According to the association, 580,000 people ages 65 and older in the state are living with the disease. It estimates there are 840,000 family caregivers in Florida, with 1.3 billion hours of unpaid care provided.

    “The stress of the caregiving role is much harder than the person who has dementia,” said McDermott, who’s also a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who specializes in caring for patients with dementia.

    When it comes to storm preparation, McDermott said she thinks classes offered at the expo will be helpful to caregivers.

    “I think people understanding the disease process helps them understand how they need to change and navigate things that they’re doing with their loved one,” she said.

    “Any presentation that’s given to help consumers is a blessing, because then you don’t have to do it on your own,” Arlene said.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Manatee County students tour cancer treatment center

    Manatee County students tour cancer treatment center

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    BRADENTON, Fla. — As part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, students around Manatee County got firsthand experience with treating cancer patients using medical devices at HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton.

    What You Need To Know

    • November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and students in Manatee County got the chance to learn more about patient treatment

    • According to HCA Florida Blake Hospital officials, more than 127,000 Americans losing their lives to lung cancer each year

    • Emma Harlow, a senior at Parrish Community High School, hopes to go to college and enter into the medical field 

    The hospital is among the leading institutions for general thoracic surgery in the United States and Canada, according to HCA Florida Blake Hospital officials.

    Dr. Robert Ferguson, a thoracic surgeon, explains that devices like the Da Vinci robot have helped lung cancer patients recover faster.

    “Traditionally, we used to have to completely open the chest, and people would stay in the hospital for upwards of a week. Nowadays, we’re doing some procedures with the robot where people are going home on the exact same day,” he said.

    Emma Harlow, a senior at Parrish Community High School, sees herself using this kind of medical device one day.

    She has wanted to be in the medical field since she was a kid.

    “I just want people to feel better. I’ve always had this empathetic streak, and seeing people suffer really hurts me,” said Harlow.

    Coming from a family of nurses, Harlow wants to take things up a notch and hopes to become a surgeon specializing in pediatric oncology.

    “It’s a calling,” she said. “With oncology, which is something I really enjoy and want to do, I know I won’t be able to bring everybody home, but at least I can help parents have more time with their children and make kids feel better.”

    She has even had the opportunity to volunteer at the hospital.

    “In the ER, which will be my next shift, I’ll be working with stretchers, getting them ready for when patients come in, responding to call lights, stocking supplies, and bringing items to patients in the ICU,” said Harlow.

    Harlow is gaining as much experience as she can now to set herself up for the future.

    Next month she’ll be applying to colleges, with plans to major in pre-med.

    HCA Florida Blake Hospital awarded $5,000 to two schools—Nolan Middle School and Parrish Community High School—each receiving $2,500.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • 8-time cancer survivor shares journey, works at hospital that saved her life

    8-time cancer survivor shares journey, works at hospital that saved her life

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    SARASOTA, Fla. — Linda Davey is no stranger to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Linda Davey says she is an eight-time cancer survivor

    • She now works at the hospital that saved her life, Sarasota Memorial Hospital

    • Davey advocates for self-exams and regular doctor check ups 
    • She said those two things allowed her to catch the cancer early in all of her cases


    Along with working there, she became a patient during the pandemic after being diagnosed with breast cancer — again. 

    “Dr. Kimball was there for me. She held my hand throughout COVID. She checked on me before, and she checked me back. And she called me in my house to let me know they got everything. There would be no chemo,” said Davey with tears in her eyes. 

    The tears are ones of joy, knowing the cancer was gone following a double mastectomy. 

    “This month will be four years that I’m breast cancer free,” she said. 

    But that bout with cancer was not her first or her last. Discovering cancer for Davey spans decades for the 60-year-old. 

    “1991, endometrial cancer,” said Davey. “1993, melanoma on my nose. I got that, they got that, caught that in time. And then 1998, my left breast.”

    She said doctors also found cancer in 2012, 2020, and then two types of skin cancer in June of this year. Both were surgically removed. 

    Davey credits preventative checks and yearly primary care appointments. 

    “Cancer does not sleep. I lost my mom at 61. I’m 60,” she said. “You know, I have no family left. So that’s why I stressed this.”

    Those who deal with cancer every day at Sarasota Memorial Hospital agree. 

    “Screening and being persistent,” said Michelle Gould, a breast oncology nurse navigator at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

    Gould works as a resource to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Her best advice for people worried about breast cancer: get a mammogram starting at 40. 

    However, if you have other risk factors, speak up and share that information with your doctor. That is what Davey did. 

    “People that have breast densities, they have a family history. They have other indicative factors that maybe we need to look a little bit deeper. So just if you are concerned and you feel something, be persistent,” said Gould. 

    While Davey hopes her days of counting cancer battles are over, she won’t stop being persistent with her health check-ins. 

    “I want to live until I’m 100,” said Davey, laughing. “My mom died at 61, my brother died at 64. I want to pass all of that. My dad, I lost him at 72.”

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    Erin Murray

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  • USF opens hyperbaric chamber facility to see how it treats brain injuries

    USF opens hyperbaric chamber facility to see how it treats brain injuries

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The University of South Florida is embarking on a study to see whether hyperbaric pressure will alleviate mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries.

    What You Need To Know

    • USF has completed construction on its new hyperbaric chamber facility

    • The facility will be used for a double-blind study to test the effectiveness of hyperbaric medicine’s treatment for mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries

    • The study will last several years and is seeking 400 or more veterans to participate

    • If you’re interested in being part of the study, click here


    It’s research that will hopefully help hundreds of veterans in and around Florida.

    Blowing up a glove like a balloon may seem like a party planner’s idea of decorations, but Dr. Joseph Dituri is doing it to show what happens in this massive contraption.

    “We have two similar sized gloves blown up,” Dituri said. “And what we’re going to do is, we’re going to increase the pressure inside the chambers.”

    The chambers Dituri refers to are hyperbaric chambers, which essentially increase pressure inside their tubes while oxygen flows through.

    The gloves are here to show what adding pressure does inside the tube.

    “You increase that pressure,” he said. “You decrease that volume and that’s why hyperbaric oxygen works.”

    But this contraption is not just to decrease air inside a glove. It’s here to figure out if hyperbaric chambers will help people with mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries.

    This has been a passion project for Dituri for years.

    So much so that he spent 100 days underwater down in the Florida Keys to see what that kind of pressure does to a person.

    The results there showed improvements to most of his vital signs and gave a template on whether this study should be pursued.

    “We’ve been on the track of using this or trying to use hyperbaric medicine to increase blood flow for about 12 years now,” he said.

    In June, about a year after Dituri came back above sea level, he showed us the hyperbaric facility at USF as it was being built.

    There were signs of progress but still quite a way to go.

    Now, the chambers are in and he’s closer than ever to welcome patients to participate in this study.

    “We’re at the point where we have six functioning chambers and we’re ready to rock and roll,” Dituri said.

    This study will be focused on veterans.

    Dituri says over the next five years, they plan on having about 400 or so veterans participate in this double-blind study by having them sit in these tubes with the pressure being turned up to see how it affects them.

    “The comfortable they get to sit here and look at the TV at the right angle, and they get to be able to watch their favorite, catch up on their favorite Netflix show,” Dituri said.

    USF received two $14-million grants from the Florida legislature to help build and create this facility.

    Being a veteran himself, it’s important for Dituri to not only treat veterans, but to have a team of veterans working here.

    “The people that are wheeling you in and out of this thing know best what you’ve been through, because we’ve been through the same thing,” he said.

    That relatability is what he says will make participants comfortable as they blaze a trail in determining what hyperbaric medicine can do.

    It’s only a matter of time before the glove balloons come down and the real work begins.

    USF held the facility’s grand opening on Sept. 30.

    If you are a veteran with a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury who might want to participate in this study, click here.

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    Nick Popham

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  • Manatee County resident raises money by swimming for suicide awareness

    Manatee County resident raises money by swimming for suicide awareness

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — As Suicide Awareness Month continues, one Manatee County resident swims to raise money for Bay area organizations that help people who are struggling.

    What You Need To Know

    • Manatee County resident and Top Tier K9 Bradenton owner Julie Madison said she struggled with her own mental health before meeting her dog, Laila
    • Now she swims to raise money for organizations like Canines for Heroes, a nonprofit that partners service dogs with veterans and first responders with PTSD

    •  According to the CDC more than 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022 and shows a similar number for 2023
    • In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, Canines for Heroes and Top Tier K9 are partnering to provide seven service dogs for veterans in the Tampa Bay area



    With each stroke moving her forward, Julie Madison said that’s what swimming has done for her life.

    “It makes me feel strong. It makes me feel like where I’m supposed to be,” she said.

    She swims at the Manatee Public Beach about once a week.

    “Sometimes when I’m on land, I feel claustrophobic, and once I get into the water, I just feel this huge sense of freedom and relief. Perfect,” she said.

    In 2005, Madison said she started to struggle mentally.

    “I was so lost. I couldn’t get up out of bed comfortably. It was really painful. I felt super lethargic. Making myself breakfast was like, ‘I can’t do that ’til noon,’ because I just couldn’t pull myself out of bed,” she said.

    After five years of feeling that way, Madison discovered swimming provided her peace.

    “Swimming has really allowed me the opportunity to take situations that may not be the best-case scenario and transform them into something magical and inspirational,” she said.

    Now she swims to raise money for organizations like Canines for Heroes, a nonprofit that partners service dogs with veterans and first responders with PTSD. The organization hopes to raise $250,000 this year.

    They receive donations from people like Madison, who once fundraised by swimming for 18 straight hours in the waters off Siesta Key.

    “It’s about making that impact continually, to allow people the opportunity to see there’s more to life than what they might actually be seeing,” she said. “And I just love opening that door for myself, but I love opening that door for other people too, and watching the transformations in people’s lives.”

    Madison’s transformation started small.

    It was inspired by her dog, Laila, who helped Madison overcome her mental struggles. She says Layla saved her life.

    “I just looked at her and I was like, ‘You deserve so much better than this.’ I couldn’t do it for myself, but I could do it for her. And so, I just started one day at a time, trying to do a little bit more with her, getting to walk to the mailbox,” Madison said.

    When Layla passed away in 2019, Madison had the idea of helping others.

    A year-and-a-half ago, she opened her own business: a franchise for Top Tier K9 in Bradenton. There, she provides basic training to dogs and can also prepare them to be service or emotional support animals. So far, Julie has helped place dogs with 10 people.

    “I love what I do, because it really does save lives,” she said. “I personally know how much a dog can drive someone to be better and want to participate in life.”

    Madison has made strides in her life, and now she’s helping others find their way too.

    In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, Canines for Heroes and Top Tier K9 are partnering to provide seven service dogs for veterans in the Tampa Bay area.

    If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. It’s free, confidential and available 24/7 in multiple languages.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Tampa developer, Baycare to offer concierge medicine for customized wellness

    Tampa developer, Baycare to offer concierge medicine for customized wellness

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Baycare and Metro Development Group are teaming up to take healthcare into communities.

    What You Need To Know

    • BayCare and Metro Development Group partner to offer concierge medical service

    • Concierge helps coordinate healthcare with a click or a call

    • It’s currently available to residents of Mirada and Epperson communities in Pasco County

    • Added conveniences will come with additional phases, including a medical hub with an emergency department, primary care and acute care


    Metro Development Group and Baycare launched a partnership to enhance healthcare, providing concierge medicine for residents of Mirada and Epperson communities in Pasco County.

    “People want to find a PCP, they want to find labs for testing, and that’s what the concierge would help them and all within 24 hours of the request,” said Kartik Goyani, principal with Metro Development Group.

    Phase one of the service focuses on coordinating healthcare with a click online or a call.

    “You could either call them, you could email them, and eventually text them, and the concierge will help you with everything as it relates to your healthcare, appointments, insurance, and then also wellness, expanding it to nutrition,” said Goyani.

    The Iorio family says the convenience of accessing healthcare at home will benefit them.

    “It’s going to be pretty convenient for us as a family of six because I travel a lot for work, and my wife is often stuck driving the kids to doctor’s appointments,” said Carmine Iorio. “Just having it right here in our backyard is going to provide us with a lot of peace of mind and convenience.”

    Added conveniences to healthcare will come with additional phases, including a medical hub built right in the community. It will include an emergency department, primary care and acute care.

    “Just having the time available to get in and not have to wait for a blood draw or a scan or something of that nature,” said Iorio. “I think it’s going to save us a lot of time and certainly energy of not having to run around so much, and not having to coordinate a complete day around a doctor’s appointment.”

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    Melissa Eichman

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  • What you need to know during Suicide Prevention Month

    What you need to know during Suicide Prevention Month

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — September is Suicide Prevention Month.

    Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. 

    More than 13 million people thought about suicide in the U.S., nearly 4 million made a plan for suicide and 1.6 million people attempted suicide, according to the CDC.

    Amy Brundle with the National Alliance on Mental Health in North Carolina says signs to look out for include isolation, sudden changes in behavior or hygiene and having trouble eating or sleeping.

    If you or someone you know needs help, contact the suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing 988, or visit the NAMI helpline website for more information.

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    Siobhan Riley

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  • Nonprofit fighting childhood cancer hosts 5K run

    Nonprofit fighting childhood cancer hosts 5K run

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — Sept. 1 starts Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

    Researchers from St. Jude Research Children’s Hospital say childhood cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 14.

    What You Need To Know

    • September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
    • Jacy Phaneuf, director of Riley’s Army in the Triangle, works to support 445 children with cancer in Eastern North Carolina
    • Riley’s Army is hosting a 5K virtual run Sept. 27-29 to raise money for families with children battling cancer


    Jacy Phaneuf, director of the nonprofit Riley’s Army Triangle chapter, works to support 445 children with cancer who live in Eastern North Carolina. She also helps cancer patients in other parts of the state, including Raleigh.

    Riley’s Army helps families by providing emotional, financial and spiritual support.

    The organization is hosting a 5K virtual run Sept. 27-29 to raise money for families impacted by childhood cancer.

    People across the state are asked to run or walk 5 kilometers and post their pictures on social media. It costs $40 to register.

    One in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer before they reach the age of 20, according to the American Childhood Cancer Organization.

    Riley’s Army was inspired by 10-year-old Riley Philpot, who died in 2011 from cancer. Riley was diagnosed with Wilm’s tumor in 2006. She relapsed four times.

    To learn more about Riley’s Army and how to register for the 5K, click here. 

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    Siobhan Riley

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  • Pediatrician urges water safety precautions for Labor Day weekend

    Pediatrician urges water safety precautions for Labor Day weekend

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows drownings in the U.S. are on the rise. 

    According to the report, over 4,500 people died from drowning each year in 2020-22. This is 500 more drowning deaths per year than in 2019.

    What You Need To Know

    •  The number of drownings in the U.S. is on the rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

    •  A Novant Health pediatrician is urging families to take water safety precautions

    •  A mother shares how this advice is keeping her son safer in pool environments 


    With so many families expected to celebrate in pools during the Labor Day weekend, medical experts are offering advice that could be life-saving in an emergency. 

    Dr. Katherine Addison is a pediatrician for Novant Health. She says water safety is something families should take seriously year-round. 

    “When you’re thinking about water safety, swimming safety and drowning prevention for children, it’s going to be a multilayered approach,” Addison said. “The most important aspect of preventing drowning is direct adult supervision.”

    “There is no substitute for direct supervision, but there are other things that we also like to try to add in to just further increase that safety, because sometimes things are unpredictable and you can’t always predict how close that supervision is going to be, even with the best intentions,” she said.

    Addison says one thing parents should consider is the color of their child’s swimsuit. She says swimwear may not be as visible as you think underwater.

    This was supported by a swimsuit test conducted by ALIVE Solutions, which found darker colors like blue and teal aren’t as visible underwater. 

    The test found brighter colors like neon yellow, green and orange show up best in dark pool-bottom environments.  

    “When you’re talking about drowning, every second counts. If your direct supervision has failed and a child is submerged and you’re trying to figure out exactly where they are, a brightly colored swimsuit might buy you a few extra seconds and potentially save a child’s life,” Addison said. 

    Laura Martin’s son Silas has been one of Addison’s patients since he was a baby.

    Martin says she received the swimsuit color advice from Addison, after the worst almost happened in a pool. 

    Silas has epilepsy and experiences seizures. 

    On July 1, Silas was swimming in his favorite blue swimwear when he began to have a seizure. 

    “This was the first time in 10 years with Silas having seizures it ever happened in a pool,” Martin said. 

    Martin was close by and called for the lifeguards before jumping into the pool to help save her son.

    Silas recovered and is able to swim in the pool again.

    “This was such a gift that we received that so many don’t have the opportunity to happen,” Martin said.

    Martin says her family and the Shannon Park Swim Club community have always gone the extra mile to ensure Silas is safe in the pool. She says this additional piece of swimsuit color advice makes her feel better about her son’s safety in water.

    “She opened my eyes to what I can spread to the community,” Martin said. 

    Now Silas has traded in his blue swimwear for the brighter colors. 

    “Silas has accepted it very well,” Martin said. 

    Martin hopes more parents will take her story and swim color changes to heart.

    “Not assuming or believing that it couldn’t happen to your child. If I can save one life out there- I know some people out there may be aware [of the brighter colors recommendations] but I was not.”

     

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    Jennifer Roberts

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