Message To The Community

Winter Haven Hospital was recently recognized for being one of the Top 100 Orthopedic Hospitals in the Country. Since there are over 5000 hospitals in the U.S. we are all very proud of this distinction and the team of people who have earned this recognition. Our Orthopedic physicians are exceptional. They include: Maury L. Fisher, M.D., Robert K. Lerner, M.D., Samuel S. Messieh, M.D., Larry R. Padgett, Jr., M.D., Stuart Patterson, M.D., Patrick D. Sullivan, M.D., Daniel T. Weber., M.D, and Michael S. Ziebelman, M.D. Our Nursing and Rehab teams are obviously doing an exceptional job and deserve special appreciation as well. Gaining this kind of recognition could not be achieved without outstanding operating room and rehab teams.

In late February, a three person team from the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations completed an extensive five-day review of our organization. They surveyed our three main campuses ­ Winter Haven Hospital, Lake Wales Medical Centers and Regency Medical Center. We did extremely well, receiving a full three-year accreditation.

In March, we added Positron Emission Tomograpy (PET) to our imaging services. This technology has proven to reduce cancer surgeries and biopsies by determining the clinical stage of many cancers. P.E.T., a diagnostic test, appears to be among the most promising technologies to overcoming the limitations of anatomic imaging methods of conventional radiography, Computerized Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Winter Haven Hospital is one of only 100 medical centers in the nation using this technology. P.E.T. imaging is more accurate than other diagnostic modalities in characterizing lung nodules, colorectal cancer, lymphomas and malignant melanoma.

The new Winter Haven Hospital Emergency Department is now fully operational. A significant winter seasonal increase in volume, combined with the national nursing shortage, has acted to make expediting care a continuing challenge. We continue to encourage patients with minor illnesses or injuries to use our FirstCare facility on the corner of 1st Street and Avenue E, N.E. in Winter Haven. Our physicians and health professionals at FirstCare see approximately 3000 patients a month and no appointment is necessary. Patients who use FirstCare will help decrease the number of patients in the Winter Haven Hospital Emergency Department thus allowing us to reduce wait time and expedite care more efficiently.

We are extremely grateful to Mrs. Eunice Fuller who has recently made a sizeable donation to Winter Haven Hospital. In response, we are renaming the Swann 7 Rehab Unit the Joy-Fuller Rehabilitation Center in honor of this thoughtful and generous community leader.

An architectural firm has completed initial drawings for several planned, significant renovations at Lake Wales Medical Centers. A new Emergency Department, Surgical and Endoscopy Suite, and Intensive Care Unit all are planned. Other changes are designed to result in better use of the first floor of the Extended Care Facility and will maximize convenience for outpatients.

In closing, we would like to thank you for continuing to provide us with your input. Your comments and suggestions help us to effectively achieve our Mission, which is, "To improve the health of the communities we serve by providing high quality, cost effective care and services."

Lance W. Anastasio, President