Connecting Hearts, Growing Families

For more than 20 years, Amy Imber has been a tireless adoption advocate, connecting families of all kinds to the children their hearts have chosen.  In that time, she’s noticed that a handful of stigmas and misconceptions have lessened their hold on public perception. These days, for example, adoption isn’t so readily dismissed as a second-best alternative, just as it’s recognized... Read More

Tapping into Personal Health: Look Better, Feel Better, Perform Better 

In today’s world, we want instant gratification, and nowhere is that more desirable than in the realm of health and wellness. To achieve these goals, we might increase our water intake or start taking more vitamins and supplements and even join a gym, but it can be months before we see and feel the results of that hard work. However, there is a way to start feeling better faster... Read More

All in the Family

Chris and Samuel Dixon are far from alone in the fact that they witnessed a loved one suffer dire financial consequences as a result of the Great Recession in 2008. What makes the brothers different from most, however, is that they were inspired to do something about it. Having seen their beloved grandmother lose a significant portion of the savings she had worked so hard to accumulate... Read More

A Clear Vision

Since opening its doors more than five decades ago, Magruder Eye Institute has steadily built a stellar reputation as a provider of world-class eye care in Central Florida. In fact, the practice’s highly impressive team of physicians treats roughly 100,000 patients each year at its six state-of-the-art facilities conveniently located throughout the region.  Of course, that type... Read More

An Eye on the Future

Diabetes is said to be one of the fastest-growing chronic diseases in the world, and in the United States alone there are 1.5 million new cases each year. The numbers for hypertension are even more alarming, with nearly half of all American adults experiencing high blood pressure and being in jeopardy of heart disease or stroke. What, exactly, does this have to do with the eyes?... Read More

‘Cancer Does Not Stop for Anything’

When she took on the role of CEO/President of the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation (FBCF) in January 2020, Tracy Jacim’s previous career as a broadcast journalist had prepared her to always brace for the unexpected.  So when COVID brought the world to a grinding halt two months later and upended everyone’s daily routines, she was ready to take on the all-new challenges of a... Read More

A Helping Hand

Any parent of a young child will tell you that while each day is its own adventure, what matters most to them is that they are raising a happy and healthy individual in a stable, loving environment. But for many families struggling with the complex challenges that arise in life, this is certainly easier said than done. When faced with major issues like poverty, food insecurity,... Read More

The Doctor Is In

Friends’ social media confessions, celebrities opening up about their troubles conceiving and popular entertainment increasingly addressing the very real struggles of trying to get pregnant have all, in recent years, helped diminish the taboo of talking about infertility.  But as helpful as it is to have more resources and avenues for connecting with others who understand that... Read More

A Perfect Fit

Like many young adults fresh out of school, Dr. Mitchell Salerno faced an uncertain future with no clear direction after his graduation from Wheaton College in the late 1990s. As he stared down the proverbial fork in the road, suddenly a path he had never even considered presented itself. It was a journey that led him some 1,300 miles from his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,... Read More

On the Right Path

The importance of education is not lost on any parent. By selecting the right learning environment, parents allow more opportunity for their children to grow and develop inside and outside of the classroom. For many, the private school experience is the perfect way to solidify a child’s educational foundation. It provides children with invaluable tools that help prepare them for... Read More

Protecting The Skin You’re In

As the summer sun beats down on Central Florida, staying cool and protected from the abundant sunshine’s harmful rays should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds. After all, one bad sunburn isn’t just a temporary inconvenience: Skin damage accumulates with time, and each burn increases your risk of skin cancer.  The 17-location, award-winning team at Associates in Dermatology,... Read More

Where Patients Become Parents

For those struggling to become pregnant, scrolling through social media can bring up mixed emotions. As you look at pictures of smiling babies taking their first steps or puckering at their first taste of a lemon, there is happiness but also a deep sense of yearning. But you keep scrolling until a post stops you in your tracks: a friend announced she is pregnant, and she says it’s... Read More

Discovering A New “U”

Dr. Junaid Syed has always considered himself an artist. With a family background rich in medical professionals, he was almost destined to follow in their footsteps. But before “Dr. J” did his surgical internship at the University of Alabama and received medical training at Phoenix’s Good Samaritan Hospital, before meeting his wife of nearly 25 years in medical school, and... Read More

Serious About Skin Cancer

With the spring season inching ever closer and summer not far behind, many Central Floridians are surely eager to spend some quality time outdoors to help break from the doldrums of the COVID-19 pandemic. But, without taking the proper precautions, all that time spent having fun in the sun can cause some real damage to your skin and lead to some dangerous outcomes. Because the skin... Read More

Something to Bark About

In the last year, our pets have become an extension of our daily lives unlike ever before. They’re our coworkers and support systems, and the regular stars of video meetings and digital gatherings. So when it comes to grooming and training, it’s important to give our pets the best, in a safe setting that puts your dog first. That was the mission of CEO Adrian Rosa when he launched... Read More

Breaking the Mold

When looking back at Keith Davis’ life, it is clear how important it is to him to set the loftiest of goals and then work hard to attain them. It makes sense, then, that the same approach is such a big part of his practice as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ at Executive Wealth Management of Raymond James in Orlando. Clients are encouraged to set stretch goals for their portfolio,... Read More

Bringing People Back Together

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably been feeling an overwhelming urge to get away from life’s daily slog. Perhaps you’re tired of seeing family solely through a laptop screen or have had enough of cooking dinner nightly. You let your mind wander to a place where the kids are splashing playfully in a pool while you sip a cocktail nearby. And you can practically feel... Read More

Parenthood Made Possible

The emotional impact of infertility on those hoping to start or grow their family can be just as hard to deal with as the physical aspects. Reproductive Medicine Associates (RMA) of Florida, a leading fertility clinic based in Lake Mary, understands that and treats their patients like family as they provide them with first-rate medical care.  Dr. George Patounakis, the medical... Read More

Valiant Visionaries

Florida Retina Institute treats a wide range of eye care issues, including those affecting children, with a compassionate approach. Since 1979, Florida Retina Institute has been providing patients with top-notch eye care throughout Central Florida. The institute boasts cutting-edge, state-of-the-art technology as well as an exceptional staff. Best of all, the highly skilled team... 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

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