More information: Joel Thomas
Winter Haven Hospital
(863) 292-4334

Comcar Industries founder Guy Bostick makes major donation to Mid-Florida Medical Services Foundation

The donation will go toward expanding the availability of quality cardiovascular healthcare services in east Polk and Highlands counties. In recognition, the cardiovascular care program at Winter Haven Hospital will be named the Bostick Heart Center.

WINTER HAVEN, FL – (June 23, 2005) – Mid-Florida Medical Services Foundation is pleased to announce that it has received a major donation from Guy Bostick, founder of Comcar Industries, Inc.

 Bostick’s philanthropic gift will be directed toward supporting the expansion of cardiovascular care services at Winter Haven Hospital, including a new open-heart surgery center, a new cardiovascular intensive care unit and new outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program. In recognition of the donation, the heart-care program will be named the "Bostick Heart Center" at Winter Haven Hospital.

"On behalf of the Foundation Trustees and the thousands of east Polk and Highlands county residents whose lives will benefit from Winter Haven Hospital’s new cardiac care center, I’d like to express our deepest thanks to Mr. Guy Bostick and the Bostick family," said Richard Straughn, Chairman of the Mid-Florida Medical Services Foundation. "We are grateful and humbled by this most generous donation." "As Mr. Bostick knows from his service as an emeritus Board Chairman for both Winter Haven Hospital and the Foundation, our mission at the Foundation is to develop the philanthropic resources needed to support Winter Haven Hospital and the rapidly growing communities it serves," Straughn added.

Guy Bostick said: "I have always believed in having the best health care available where you live and do business. I hope this contributes to improving patient care in east Polk and invite others to join me in this important cause."

Mark Bostick, son of Guy Bostick and currently second vice chairman of the Winter Haven Hospital Board of Trustees," said: "With this gift, my father continues his strong record of community leadership."

Richard Dantzler, Chairman of the Winter Haven Hospital and MFMS Board of Trustees, said, "For more than 50 years, Guy Bostick has been a visionary businessman and community leader. He’s one of those rare people who can identify what it takes to make a great community, and then take it upon himself to make it happen. We’re very fortunate that Guy chose to make his home in this area. Our thanks as a board and as a community go to Guy, his family and the whole Comcar organization for this magnanimous gesture."

Lance Anatasio, President and Chief Executive Officer of MFMS/Winter Haven Hospital, said Mr. Bostick’s philanthropic donation to the Foundation serves as a potent reminder of the Foundation’s community-based mission and the need for broad-based support.

"Our focus as a not-for-profit health service organization is on serving the healthcare needs of the communities in east Polk and Highland counties. To that extent, we are dependent upon all members of the community to help us fulfill that mission," Anastasio said. "Philanthropic gifts of all sizes – major and modest – combine together to make a dramatic difference in the quality of life that we all enjoy here. Each of us who have worked with Mr. Bostick over the years owe him a debt of gratitude. On behalf of the medical staff and the professional staff and the 2,500 employees at Winter Haven Hospital, we thank him for this investment in our organization’s mission."

     Headquartered in Auburndale, Florida, Comcar Industries is a family-owned business led by Guy Bostick and his son Mark Bostick. The company was founded in July 1953 with one driver, Mr. Bostick himself. Since then, Comcar evolved from its origins as Commercial Carrier Corporation – the original name – and has become an institution in the nation-wide trucking industry.

Comcar Industries is now one of the largest trucking firms in the United States. It owns 11 divisions, operating five trucking operations nationwide with 52 strategically located terminals, allowing the company to haul any commodity, anywhere in the United States. Comcar has 6,500 employees.

About The MFMS Foundation
The Mid-Florida Medical Services Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit charitable institution governed by a board of volunteer trustees who serve without pay. In an effort to meet the continuing needs of our health service organization and the growing communities it serves, the Foundation provides philanthropic support for the very latest in medical care, technology, equipment, facilities, manpower, and education for Winter Haven Hospital, the Regency Medical Center and the many other health services MFMS provides in east Polk and Highlands counties.