 We
recently had
the pleasure
of announcing
an affiliation
with Shands
HealthCare
and the University
of Florida
College of
Medicine. The
affiliation
will enable
our physicians
and other health
professionals
to have direct
access to the
highly specialized
expertise of
a highly regarded,
major academic
medical center.
We look forward
to collaborating
with them on
diagnostic
and treatment
protocols,
educational
opportunities,
and meaningful
research. As
healthcare
becomes more
and more specialized
and new, state
of the art
technology
and expertise
becomes available
we know the
University
of Florida
Health Science
Center will
be on the cutting
edge. We are
confident the
communities
we serve will
benefit significantly
from our collaboration.
Although
our first
attempt to
provide an
open heart
surgery program
for our community
was declined
by state
officials
we will continue
to pursue
this important
service.
Over 700
patients
are currently
being sent
out of our
area annually
for open-heart
surgery or
angioplasty,
so the need
is obvious.
We look forward
to our new
affiliation
with Shands
being of
significant
value to
us in the
creation
of this new
service for
our community.
We have demolished
the old section
of Lake Wales
Medical Centers
and are currently
working on a
new central energy
plant for the
facility to be
completed by
November 2002.
In February 2002
we will begin
construction
of the new Emergency
Department which
is scheduled
to be ready for
patients by January
2003. These new
enhancements
will assure state
of the art facilities
and equipment
for Lake Wales
Medical Centers
and the people
it serves.
Since the tragedies
of September
11, we in Eastern
Polk County,
like the rest
of our nation
have moved through
a series of emotional
states. Shock,
disbelief, fear,
confusion, anger
and yes, ultimately
focus and resolve.
Through it all
most of us have
now come to find
ourselves deeply
reflecting on
just what is
truly important
in life. Certainly
our thoughts
are on larger
notions like
freedom, liberty
and the pursuit
of happiness,
but much more
now than ever
as individuals
we are aware
of a renewed
focus on our
core values and
the people we
love and care
for, family,
friends, co-workers,
and the communities
we live in. In
truth, the residents
of Auburndale,
Bartow, Frostproof,
Haines City,
Lake Wales, Winter
Haven and the
many smaller
towns in Eastern
Polk share a
common bond:
we are all part
of the same family.
In the days following
the tragedy in
New York, Washington
and Pennsylvania,
our organization
has witnessed
two very meaningful
and important
occurrences.
In the three
days following
September 11,
1,050 donors
arrived to give
blood. In addition,
charitable gifts
(donations) made
to Winter Haven
Hospital, Regency
Medical Center
and Lake Wales
Medical Centers
have increased
significantly.
Our interpretation
of the meaning
of this enhanced
giving is that
people genuinely
want to reach
out and help
each other in
times of crises.
Also, as a part
of this process
I believe we
are seeing an
acknowledgment
of just how important
having access
to the best health
care available
is for our families.
In essence, itÕs
one of our most
important core
values. It is
impressive to
see that in a
time of tragedy
the East Polk
family has banded
together to help
each other.
As the major
provider of health
care in East
Polk, we want
to thank you
for allowing
us to be a vital
member of your
family. ItÕs
your loyal support
through blood
donations, support
of our annual
fund, and events
like our annual
Fall Gala, that
has and will
continue to help
our not-for-profit
health service
organization
be there when
you need us.
On behalf of
our 3000 associates,
1000 volunteers,
and our medical
staff, we thank
you for this
overwhelming
response.
Moving through
the holidays
and into the
new year please
remember you
can continue
to play a major
role in making
sure you and
your family have
the best health
care available.
Please donate
blood regularly
(for more information
on how to donate
blood call 863-297-1840)
and please give
serious consideration
to making a tax
exempt contribution
to help us continue
to fulfill our
mission; which
is, to improve
the health of
the communities
we serve by providing
high-quality,
cost-effective
care and services,
(call 863-293-1121
ext. 1846). One
of the best things
we can do for
our family is
to be prepared,
for whatever
challenges might
come.
As this issue
of HereÕs to
Your Health indicates,
we continue to
provide a wide
variety of positive
health lectures
and screening
opportunities
for the community,
we hope they
prove of value
to you.
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