Health + Wellness + Safety

Did you know that excess weight in children can significantly impact their heart health and increase their risk of developing cardiovascular issues later in life? While many assume that high blood pressure, high cholesterol and abnormal heart muscle structure are only associated with adults, children with obesity can also suffer from these medical issues. The…

Learn what sets Tampa General’s pediatric trauma care at Muma Children’s Hospital apart, earning ‘Level 1’ service as one of only three in the state.

Learn how Tampa Family Health Centers is here to support parents and their children, offering behavioral health services in a safe space.

St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital is turning 50! Take a look back through time celebrating 50 years of the Hospital’s care and impact on the Tampa Bay community.

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital will soon offer a new service — an after-hours pediatric urgent care at the hospital’s outpatient care location in Tampa. The service is expected to open in early 2025, on weekday evenings, weekends and holidays. Sickness or injury can happen at any time and sometimes kids need care outside of…

When Nick DeCastro, a 2024 graduate of Steinbrenner High School, organized a peer-led intervention with the students he observed bullying others, he earned recognition from the school’s resource officer, Deputy Anthony Bennett. He also received Hillsborough County’s Anti-Bullying Advisory Committee’s annual Anti-Bullying Award for his courageous stand against bullying. Recognizing and Preventing Bullying The Situation…

The experts from BayCare Kids Wellness and Safety are sharing the best ways to keep your baby safe: while sleeping, on the road and at home.

As we head back to school, the experts at After Hours Pediatrics are helping us get familiar with the causes, symptoms, and treatments for pink eye.

Read about Tayler Ellison’s touching journey with pediatric cancer and The Beads of Courage program which includes reminders of each treatment.

Get to know The Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH’s Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program which provides top-notch care and cutting-edge treatments for its patients.

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is partnering with St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital to open a new house in June 2025 on the hospital’s third floor, expanding its ability to serve even more families in the Tampa Bay area.

A wave of impressive honors underscores why the Women’s Institute at Tampa General Hospital (TGH) provides the gold standard of care for a full range of women’s health services. Consider that the institute recently received the highest honor from a national accrediting body, earning Level IV maternal care designation from The Joint Commission—literally the gold…

In the early 2000s, there was a national push to increase immunization rates for children. In 2004 in Tampa, Florida, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital responded to the call by putting together the Mobile Medical Clinic (MMC)—a bus with a registered nurse, a nurse practitioner and a program coordinator that drove around to underserved areas. That…

Carrying too much weight in a backpack or wearing it the wrong way can lead to unnecessary pain and strain for your child. When shopping for your child’s school backpack this month and helping them load it for school, take these steps to avoid potential health problems.   Choosing a Backpack Choose a backpack with…

Florida unfortunately leads the nation in child drownings under the age of 5, most of which happen in a residential pool, but there are steps parents can take to avoid a drowning tragedy.

Your children may fight bedtime as strenuously as they can, but here’s the real truth from the mouth of babes: Sixty percent of middle schoolers and 70 percent of high schoolers admit that they do not get adequate sleep. And that’s just awful, according to Dr. Luis Ortiz, a physician at the Sleep Center of…

The research is out there, friends. Many parents and caregivers are not using their children’s car seats correctly. We’re turning to the experts to find out how to correct common mistakes.

Led by an elite team of board-certified orthodontists, Imagine Orthodontic Studio strives to provide our patients with a fast, fun and affordable experience in an energetic, boutique-style environment. Imagine serves patients in Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater, Lakeland and Orlando, and we’re dedicated to providing exceptional care and beautiful results. We cater to each patient’s unique…

St Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Proves its Commitment to Top-Notch Care for Mothers-to-Be For the expert doctors, nurses, technicians and all the other unsung heroes who deliver babies at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, this news did not come as a surprise: The facility just attained the highest level of certification in Maternal Care by The Joint…

Dive into the world of water safety with High 5, Inc.’s Water Warriors program. Empowering Hillsborough County’s youth with life-saving skills, this initiative offers free swimming lessons and crucial safety education for families, ensuring every splash leads to a safer tomorrow.

Navigating the challenges of pregnancy and postpartum life can be overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Understanding perinatal mental health is crucial for both moms and their families, offering a pathway to support, healing, and stronger connections with your little one.

National Nurses Week is recognized each year on May 6th–12th to illuminate nurses’ critically important role in our communities.  Evan Kansorka, R.N., is a dedicated clinical team leader in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. He leads the nursing team in the daily operations of the CVICU, providing care…

When your child faces an emergency, knowing where to turn is crucial. Discover the top 5 reasons why a pediatric emergency center, with its specialized care and child-friendly approach, can make all the difference during those critical moments.

Discover how the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County uses community collaboration to get families the help they need to create strong communities where every child can flourish.

Dr. Ortiz with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Sleep Center shares 5 common pediatric sleep disorders and what you can do about them.

Mononucleosis, often known as ‘mono,’ is a contagious disease primarily caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Commonly affecting teenagers and young adults, mono is notorious for its fatigue-inducing capabilities, alongside other symptoms such as fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and occasionally, an enlarged spleen. Understanding mono’s transmission methods, symptoms, treatment options, and preventive measures…

As we dive into March, we embark on a journey of awareness and understanding, shining a light on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. It’s a time when we come together to celebrate every child’s unique abilities and talents and to ensure that families have the support they need to navigate any challenges along the way. At…

When Ashlyn Strathman had surgery as a high schooler, it was a member of the hospital’s Child Life team who eased her nerves by giving the teen a hospital tour and teaching her relaxation techniques. Today, with a master’s degree in Child Life Studies, Strathman works at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in a role that…

Dubbed “the mayor” for his outgoing personality and winning ways, Levi, 7, has spent more time in the hospital than many people do in a lifetime. While you might think that experience would lead to a dislike of medical facilities, in Levi’s case it’s just the opposite. “He loves Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital,” says his…

Patricia and Chris were ecstatic to tell family and friends that they were expecting. What they did not expect however, were concerns after their baby’s 18-week anatomy scan. “When they came in and told us something was wrong with his heart, we were just completely shocked,” Patricia recalls. Doctors referred Patricia to Courtney Wein, D.O., a pediatric…

As we welcome 2024, many of us are filled with exciting new resolutions: To eat healthy, to save money, to exercise. BayCare Kids Wellness and Safety Specialist Michelle Sterling has one other resolution that each one of us can make. The good news is that it’s quick, inexpensive, and can potentially save your life: to change the…