It was an honor for our staff and volunteers to attend the Manatee County Fair VIP Luncheon yesterday. We want to thank our 2nd St. Bistro staff for the wonderful luncheon they served. Congratulations to Larry Bustle, Jr. former Manatee County Commissioner and former mayor of the City of Palmetto for being named the county's Distinguished Citizen. We are proud to be a sponsor of this year’s fair!

Please join us in welcoming our January new volunteers! We thank this outstanding group of dedicated individuals for joining our team and for providing a caring and compassionate service to our patients, their families, visitors and staff. Interested in volunteering at MMH? Learn more at bit.ly/MMHVolSer.

January is National Blood Donor Month and a perfect time to give or to pledge to donate blood. Giving blood saves lives and it only takes a few minutes. Knowing how to prep beforehand will lead to a positive experience. Learn more below and donate!

Pregnancy is a wonderful time but it can also be challenging for some moms-to-be. Many women have morning or evening sickness for a brief time and others may have extreme nausea and vomiting called Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). Find out more in today’s article from Katie Powers, R.N., board-certified lactation consultant and perinatal educator at our Family BirthPlace.

Have you gotten your flu vaccine yet? Everyone 6 months of age and older should get the flu vaccine every year. This vaccine protects not only you but the ones around you. Flu prevention is everyone’s responsibility! Learn more below.

Do you have any New Year's resolutions for 2018? Take a look at our SMART goals guide to help you successfully accomplish them!

Join us in welcoming our January new employees! We are excited that you have chosen to become part of our healthcare organization. We appreciate your commitment to Service Excellence and to the care of our patients. Are you interested in joining our team? Learn more at bit.ly/MMHcareers.

Is exercising one of your New Year's resolutions? Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any type of exercise. Finding support from a family member or friend works well. Don’t compare yourself to others, start small. Just stay positive and realistic. Taking one step at a time will help to make a healthier you! Learn more.

A big welcome goes to Kiah Casseus, the first baby born in Manatee County and our first baby of the year. Congratulations! Learn more below.

Happy New Year! We wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy 2018!

Don’t miss the Donate Life America Float in Monday's Rose Parade. A message from our CEO, Kevin DiLallo will be included in this year's “Dedication Garden” area of the float. His personal message honors donors that have given organs, eyes and tissue this past year and remembers the recipients. Pictured with Kevin when he wrote the message are: Jennifer Miller, Hospital Development Specialist from LifeLink of Florida, Candace Smith, CNO and Christine Gonzalez, RN, Manatee Healthcare System Stroke Coordinator. We are proud to partner with LifeLink and encourage everyone to give the gift of life in 2018!

Are you thinking about 2018 personal goals? Just remember the word SMART. Be specific on a goal, have a way to measure the results and make them achievable, relevant and timely. Learn more below.