Pandemic Academics

Whether learning in the classroom or online, students have faced a variety of obstacles caused by COVID-19. When Central Florida schools began to shut their doors last March due to COVID-19, many believed it was only for a matter of weeks. However, weeks turned into months and soon it became evident that the entire 2020-2021 school year would be altered altogether. Over the last... Read More

A Long Shot

While employers may encourage or incentivize vaccinations, they are unlikely to make them mandatory. As the COVID-19 vaccine rolls out to more people as they become eligible, many are wondering if the shot could become a requirement in the workplace, but the bigger question is: Should it? By law, employers are permitted to mandate a vaccine, and it’s common in professions where... Read More

A Change of Scenery

Escape the confines of your house with a much-needed trip to the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa on the Emerald Coast. Lately, so much of what we experience takes place inside our own home. Parents are working at kitchen islands while kids attend school virtually at the dining room table. Tickets to the movies have been replaced by Netflix binges and we’re on a first-name... Read More

The Tin Man

After losing their young son to a congenital heart defect, one area family has kept his memory alive by creating a foundation to help others affected by the disease. Trey and Nicole Flynn’s lives were turned upside down in 2011 when they went for Nicole’s 20-week ultrasound. They walked into their appointment excited to find out the gender of their baby—it was a boy—but... Read More

Leading the Way

Providing high quality care that is both convenient and cutting edge has helped Associates in Dermatology become a pioneer in the field of skin care. Central Florida is blessed with a dermatology practice committed to offering experienced providers, cutting-edge treatment and the latest technologies. For over three decades, Associates in Dermatology has been synonymous with high... Read More

Hope on the Horizon

As COVID-19 vaccines are beginning to be distributed in the United States, Central Floridians look towards 2021 with optimism. As we present Orlando Family Magazine’s annual look at what the new year will bring, the irony of making predictions is not lost on us. Yes, this time last year, we made some prognostications about 2020. At the time, we could have never foreseen the health... Read More

Difference Makers

These local nonprofit organizations are making a big impact across Central Florida. Nonprofits are truly the heart of a community. They help the less fortunate, provide support and resources to those who need it, and strive to make the lives better of every individual they are connected with—ultimately making their community stronger and bringing everyone together to make a difference.... Read More

Protecting the Vulnerable

Long-term care communities in Florida remain dedicated to providing the utmost care to the elderly at-risk population. During any emergency, the care and safety of the aging generations are among the top priorities. Those who have devoted their lives and careers to this population treated the COVID-19 pandemic with as much urgency as they would a hurricane, however, the ever-changing... Read More

Re-Inventing Classrooms: Inclusion’s Role in Academics

Classrooms have changed drastically since most parents attended school. Technology has made us more connected and automated. New careers are being created just as quickly as skillsets become obsolete in a rapidly evolving society. How can elementary education best prepare children for a world that is constantly reinventing itself? What do educators need to teach students so that... Read More

Not If, But When

Welcoming the child you’ve always wanted is possible with the help of Sunshine State Adoption & Home Study Services. When reflecting on the milestones in your life, there are likely several individuals who helped along the way, guiding you to that accomplishment. Maybe it was a teacher who never gave up on you, a colleague who encouraged you to go for that promotion or a friend... Read More

Vision Focused

The Florida Retina Institute specializes in treating retinal detachment, a serious eye ailment that can cause permanent vision problems. The retina is a delicate layer of tissue that is attached to the back of your eye and an integral part of your body’s visual system. However, sometimes your retina can become detached, a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Retinal... Read More

A Personal Approach

The team at Cramer, Price & de Armas, P.A. place relationships at the center of their legal services When a legal matter pops up in your life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed: Where do you start? Who do you call? How is this going to impact your future? Finding the right help on Day One can make all the difference, which was why the lawyers at Cramer, Price & de Armas,... Read More

Forever Families

The Children’s Society of Florida supports parents who are eager to adopt and helps provide forever homes for children. Jessica Ellis always saw herself adopting or fostering a child at some point. It’s no surprise considering she works in the education field with kids and most of all, she loves children. This thought started to become a reality in 2018 when she had a cancer... Read More

A Vital First Step

Connecting Hearts Adoption Services puts would-be parents on the right path. Adopting a baby had always been the long-held dream of Jennifer Abler, who knew from the time that she was just a young girl and diagnosed with juvenile type 1 diabetes that a pregnancy would be risky. After marrying a single dad and adopting his daughter, Abler admits she thought her dream of motherhood... Read More

A Perfect 10

Orlando Family Magazine celebrates its first decade! We can hardly believe it, but this issue marks our 10th anniversary and we are beyond thrilled to celebrate with our loyal readers. Over the years, we’ve prided ourselves on finding exciting ways to show our creativity and produce engaging content. But, we’re far from complacent and hope to spend the next 10 years pushing... Read More

Learning Lessons

Local preschools and child care centers have adjusted their practices in response to the coronavirus pandemic. As the coronavirus pandemic first arrived in Orlando, a number of child care centers and preschools kept their doors open to care for the young children of essential workers. But the uncertainty surrounding the virus still was of great concern to parents and many decided... Read More

The Strength to Keep Fighting

With a focus on the necessity of forging forward; adaptability, creativity and resilience— internally and externally—allow the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation to continue to advocate and educate in spite of 2020’s challenges. When the COVID-19 pandemic brought the country to a standstill in March, the people behind the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation didn’t have time to... Read More

The Good Fight

Libby’s Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation is working to close the gap between women who are able to access life-saving care for breast cancer and those who are not. Toni Pressley may be well-known for her play on the field as a member of the Orlando Pride soccer team, but it’s her work away from the game that is equally inspiring. With a desire to make a difference in the Central... Read More

A Healthy Vision

The Florida Retina Institute specializes in treating diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness that often goes undiagnosed. When undiagnosed or left untreated, diabetes is a disease known to cause many serious health complications. One of those complications is diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in adults ages 20 to 74. Retinopathy happens when high blood... Read More

An Eye Opener

The stress of the pandemic can lead to poor skin conditions, but the expert team at Associates in Dermatology can put you on a path to recovery. With daily reminders of the harsh realities surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been hard to hide the worry and fatigue so many of us are dealing with. As both our professional and personal lives have been turned upside down, the... Read More

Making the Grade: The 2020 Private High School Report Card

The start of a new school year means that it’s time for us to examine some of the area’s top private schools to see how these revered academic institutions are helping students recognize their potential both in and out of the classroom. We worked directly with the schools to glean information on key areas like average SAT scores, the percentage of students attending four-year... Read More