Joining hands
     with SHANDS

The affiliation with Shands HealthCare and the University of Florida College of Medicine 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.

Winter Haven Hospital's Board of Trustees announced in late October an affiliation agreement with Shands HealthCare and the University of Florida College of Medicine.

"This is a very significant day in the history of health care service delivery for Polk County," said Winter Haven Hospital CEO and President Lance Anastasio. "This alliance supports our mission - to improve the health of the communities we serve by providing cost-effective care and services. By utilizing our respective organization's efforts, we see unlimited possibilities and an ability to deliver the highest standards of health care. It truly represents a major investment in the quality of life we all enjoy here in central Florida."

The collaboration will provide cooperative diagnostic and treatment protocols, continuing medical education opportunities for local physicians and easy access to UF physicians and Shands at the UF academic medical center in Gainesville. Shands HealthCare CEO Timothy Goldfarb states, "This affiliation ultimately benefits the residents of central Florida, who will continue to receive health care in their local area, but now will have direct access to the highly specialized care available only at an academic medical center like Shands at UF."

MaryJo Schreiber, WHH Vice President for Patient Services, said, "Our respective staffs will begin to collaborate in patient care efforts such as the addition at Winter Haven Hospital of a UF medical director for cardiovascular services and our centers of excellence being able to expedite complex patient referral cases to Shands at the UF academic medical center."

"In addition, Winter Haven Hospital's medical, nursing, and technical support staff will have access to a host of educational programs through the UF Health Science Center. These opportunities include online education, clinical practicums for health professionals, and Grand Rounds for medical staff. The UF and Shands research mission also will benefit central Florida patients," Schreiber noted.

"As affiliates, the medical staff at Winter Haven Hospital may have opportunities to participate in clinical drug trials and new medical devices trials through the UF Health Science Center," said Nicholas J. Cassisi, DDS, MD, UF College of Medicine Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs.

Marvin Dewar, MD, JD, Shands HealthCare Vice President for Provider Relations, emphasized the relationship as mutually beneficial. "Shands HealthCare and UF are pleased to welcome Winter Haven Hospital to our team," Dewar said. "This affiliation provides teaching opportunities in a community setting for our future physicians as well as offering continuing medical education opportunities for the medical staff in Winter Haven."

"As the major provider of health care in Eastern Polk County, we welcome Shands HealthCare and the UF College of Medicine to our team as well," said Anastasio.

"This is a great example of how three health service organizations - one with a community-focused mission and the other two with a regional teaching and research mission - can develop a win-win for all parties and make a real difference in the lives of the people for whom we care," said Anastasio.