Top Physicians 2025
Whether you’re looking to treat an injury or illness, in the market for a new physician after a beloved practitioner retired, or need a dedicated specialist to help you manage a tricky diagnosis, this region is chock-full of medical experts delivering the compassion and care you and your loved ones need to restore your quality of life. Our annual Top Physicians list—which... Read More
Higher Learning: The 2025 Public High School Report Card
As students return to the classroom and teachers work on their lesson plans, it’s the time of year when we take our annual look at the area’s public high schools. Using information gleaned from the Florida Department of Education, we obtained key stats in notable areas like average SAT scores and graduation rates. We also spoke to Scott Howat, chief communications officer for... Read More
The Reality of Realty
In the midst of national apprehension about the housing market, Central Florida has emerged as a hotspot for luxury real estate. The Sunshine State, an entertainment hub boasting a beautiful climate, has long been alluring for affluent homebuyers. While retirees, snowbirds and long-term vacationers have popularized the phenomenon of the New York-to-Florida pipeline, the country’s... Read More
A Delicate Balance
We talk to some Central Florida mothers about how they’ve found personal and professional fulfillment without sacrificing either, and the importance of being gentle with yourself when you just can’t be two people at once. Reaping the rewards of growing your family or advancing you career often feels like an either-or decision rather than two goals one person can achieve, albeit... Read More
Vision, Innovation and Compassion
For more than 45 years, Florida Retina Institute has been at the forefront of groundbreaking retina care and research. For more than four decades, Florida Retina Institute has led the way in specialized retina care—delivering compassionate treatment and advancing research that shapes the future of retinal medicine. With 20 locations across Florida and Georgia and a nationally... Read More
Expert Care is a Call Away
As pioneers in the field of skin care, Dr. Michael Steppie and the providers at Associates in Dermatology take an expert approach to provide the proper treatment. Summertime in Central Florida means a wealth of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors, whether that’s taking in the natural beauty of the area, visiting one of the many local attractions or spending an afternoon... Read More
Riding High
With state-of-the-art RVs and a fun and informative podcast, Giant Recreation World is helping customers embrace a new lifestyle. At Giant Recreation World, it’s not just about the destination. The journey is an equally important part of the adventure. A family-owned and–operated business since 1976, the company boasts three locations in Winter Garden, Ormond Beach and Palm... Read More
Edge of Glory
Eagles Edge Toptracer Lounge invites guests to “swing, sip and savor” within an experience where entertainment and dining excellence is par for the course. Omni Resort Orlando at ChampionsGate has taken the ideal retreat a step further with the inclusion of Eagles Edge: a driving range equipped with innovative technology, events, drinking and dining. Better yet, these opportunities... Read More
Optimistic Innovation
Headlands Research Orlando offers cost-free memory assessments, clinical trials and hope to those affected by memory-related diseases. As we age, it’s exceedingly common to begin to experience some form of memory loss. Memory loss can be frustrating and terrifying for those going through it and arduous for caretakers, but there is hope within innovation. Headlands Research... Read More
Looking to Bounce Back
With enrollment numbers continuing to dwindle, Orange County Public Schools is boosting its efforts to bring students back to the district. As enrollment numbers continue to decrease across Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), officials in the district have sounded the alarm. The decrease in students will mean a decrease in state funding—to the tune of an estimated $28 million... Read More
Compassionate Care for Kids
Pediatrics is just one of the specialties offered at Community Health Centers, which provides affordable treatment for the whole family at each of its 16 locations in Central Florida. Throughout a career in medicine, Dr. Jocelyn Pichardo has always been committed to the idea that every member of a community deserves quality and compassionate care that is personalized to his or... Read More
Shifting Gears
From Schindler’s List and the Star Wars universe to his recent run as an action hero, Liam Neeson has done just about everything in his acting career. Now he’s trying his hand at comedy in a reboot of The Naked Gun. If you were to describe Liam Neeson to someone who has been under a rock for the past 35 years, you could probably use three words: actor, Irishman, revenge. Since... Read More
Parenting Guide: Family Fun
Orlando Science Center / Photo by Roberto Gonzalez Educational Fun Instilling a love for education at an early age can go a long way in securing a successful future for your child, and Florida has plenty of venues to help. Florida is a treasure trove of entertainment, arts and culture, educational centers and beyond. Museums and other educational attractions aren’t just for... Read More
A Helping Hand
The Early Learning Coalition of Osceola County connects families to essential services and resources to ensure children’s long-term success and well-being. Every family is unique, and when it comes to parenting, there is not a universal approach. With an overwhelming amount of information instantly available at our fingertips, internet advice can be difficult to navigate. There... Read More
Star Power
With her unquestionable charisma and a commitment to roles that push the envelope, Sydney Sweeney has established herself as one of Hollywood’s most intriguing young artists. Photo by Linnea Stephan /BFA.com/Shutterstock Sydney Sweeney has swiftly emerged as one of the most compelling young actresses of her generation. From her Pacific Northwest roots of Spokane, Washington,... Read More
Parenting Guide: Special Needs
Embracing the Individual Every child with special needs is unique and it takes a personalized approach to provide the best possible care. Raising a young child with special needs can present a unique set of challenges for many parents who find themselves trying to navigate unknown territory. Whether a child has emotional, behavioral or learning difficulties, special needs require... Read More
Parenting Guide: Senior Living
Facing the Golden Years Without Fear Retirement can be a rewarding chapter, but caring for elderly loved ones can be stressful without adequate support from compassionate, well-trained experts who are here to help with everything from legal advice to memory care so everyone can find some peace of mind. The phenomenon of “the sandwich generation”—individuals from any generational... Read More
Love and Support
BrightStart Pediatrics helps medically fragile children thrive in a caring, nurturing environment. When Linda Brown first opened the doors to BrightStart Pediatrics in 2003, she knew she could make a lasting impact in the Central Florida community by helping families with medically fragile children find the love, care and support they desperately need. More than two decades later,... Read More
A Marvel to Behold
Gideon Glick, star of Étoile and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, is one of a kind. Photo by Philippe Antonello/Prime Video As a performer, Gideon Glick is a true original. From portraying a neurotic illusionist in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel to playing a high-strung choreographer in Étoile, he has put his stamp on a multilayered career that includes television, film, and Broadway. The... Read More
Building Blocks
Quest Kids Academy provides children with autism and other special needs a supportive environment that encourages individual growth and increases independence. A child’s formative years are vital for their cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. But for those diagnosed with autism, the range of challenges they encounter on a daily basis can create significant struggles... Read More
Parenting Guide: Health & Wellness
A Glut of Information Doctors are generally encouraged by patients doing online research about their health, but warn that it comes with certain risks. As a family and urgent care physician for the past 30 years, Dr. Tim Hendrix can recall a time early in his career when patients would regularly bring in magazine clippings, worried about the so-called “disease of the week.”... Read More
