Karene Bejarano, a registered nurse who lives in Lake County, grew up in the country living a vegetarian lifestyle, only rarely eating meat. She ate a lot of cheese, eggs and processed foods to substitute for meat. Shortly after getting married, Bejarano started having health issues that escalated with her first pregnancy. She was told she had gestational diabetes that would go away if she kept herself healthy.
After giving birth, however, Bejarano was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Disheartened by the news, she decided to change what she put on her plate by embracing a whole-food, plant-based diet. Though she couldn’t completely eliminate her medication for Type 1 diabetes, her improved lifestyle allowed her to lower the amount she needed to take.
National Nutrition Month in March serves as the perfect backdrop for Bejarano’s story – along with the stories of five others who shared their health transformation journeys in the recently released film PlantWise.
For a taste of what a difference whole-food, plant-based nutrition can make, watch the WKMG-Channel 6 story featuring Bejarano.
12 items. To interact with these items, press Control-Option-Shift-Right Arrow. These items are in a slider. To advance slider forward, press Shift-Command-Right Arrow. To advance slider backward, press Shift-Command-Left Arrow.
Media Coverage
Health care CEO rethinks transaction strategy after Hurricane Helene
St. Luke's Hospital in Columbus, North Carolina, had been planning to ink a management agreement with AdventHealth, one of the nation's largest health systems, for months. But just days before the...
News
Tampa’s newest nursing school opens, helping to stem national and local shortfall
Health care and government leaders celebrate the much-anticipated expansion of AdventHealth University.
News
Erik Wangsness Named President/CEO of AdventHealth Tampa
Wangsness has more than 30 years of experience in health care.
News
First Album Release a Milestone in AdventHealth’s Musical Journey
‘Imagine Wholeness’ features the Grammy-winning group Take 6 and the AdventHealth Orchestra.
News
Nick Bejarano Named President and CEO for AdventHealth Manchester
Bejarano will assume leadership on Dec. 15, 2024.
News
Top 3 Insights from AdventHealth’s Patient Safety Journey
The 25th anniversary of ‘To Err is Human’ provides an opportunity to reflect on key learnings that have shaped the hospital system’s culture of safety.
News
How Caregivers and Patients Heal Each Other: 3 Touching Stories
Stories of support between AdventHealth patients and doctors showcase a healing circle of care.
News
Brent Davis to Serve as CEO for AdventHealth’s Primary Health Division
Davis will provide executive oversight of AdventHealth’s newest division.
News
Brent Davis to Serve as CEO for AdventHealth’s Primary Health Division
Davis will provide executive oversight of AdventHealth’s newest division.
News
Brendan Johnson Named President/CEO of AdventHealth Ottawa
Johnson is a senior health care executive with nearly 20 years of leadership and operations experience.
News
How 9/11 Changed One AdventHealth Leaders’ Path and Put Him Face-to-face with Saddam Hussein
On Veteran’s Day, AdventHealth salutes one of their own who watched 9/11 and changed his life trajectory – eventually coming face-to-face with Saddam Hussein in Iraq.
News
Shane Bedward Named CEO of AdventHealth Dade City
Bedward has more than 10 years of experience with the health system.