Im happy to report
that the Mid-Florida Medical Services Foundation recently approved the
selection of its first group of ten 'Foundation Scholars.'
The newly created Scholars Program which was
established with the proceeds from the Foundation's most recent Fall
Gala, allows these ten future nurses to receive comprehensive support for
their tuition and expenses in their respective training programs.
The Foundation Scholars Program joins the
Foundation's Rynerson Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, which has also
just awarded grant-in-aid packages to eight additional nursing students as
well.
I would like to thank the Rynerson family for their
vision and continued support. I would also like to thank again MFMS/
WHH Chairman, Ron Morrow and his wife Carol along with our very generous
Gala sponsors and underwriters who have made the Foundation Scholars
initiative a reality.
As east Polk's major medical center, Winter
Haven Hospital will touch the lives of every individual and business in
this area at some point. We think we have connected with civic and
community leaders on this issue. Without highly skilled and qualified
nurses, doctors and technicians, all the modern facilities and high
technology mean nothing. In this regard, Foundation Trustees recognize the
importance of continuing to develop healthcare man-power initiatives such
as these.
I would also like to take a moment to thank and
congratulate the Foundation’s newly formed Planned Giving
Professional Advisor Council members. Chaired by Foundation Trustee Don Ingram; the inaugural council members are Ben
Adams Jr., Brad Dantzler, Sam Hart, Kelly Kennedy, Stephen Henry, Mark
Turner, Jack Watkins and Turner Wiggins.
These highly skilled experts in Accounting, Finance,
and Law have already been of great help to the Foundation in launching its
Planned Giving Program. These professionals now stand ready to assist
Foundation friends with the technical aspects of planned giving. We
encourage you to call on them as you think about your long-term
philanthropic and estate plans.
While we are on the subject of planned giving, please
take a moment to review the Foundation's Legacy Society
Chairman’s Circle honor roll on the next page. The individuals
on this list both living and deceased, represent the true spirit of
philanthropy in east Polk. We are proud and grateful to be associated
with these great names.
Additionally, I would like to say a special thank you
to Foundation friends who have as of June made a pledge or provided a
donation to the Foundation’s newly established (and currently still
underway) Annual Fund. Annual Fund donors are special. They
appreciate the importance of our having quality facilities and personnel
that will be there when they, or other community members, need care. They
give from the heart for the most current and urgent needs of our
organization. We fully expect and hope many of these individuals and
organizations will join the philanthropic leadership list I just mentioned
in the years to come. We are very thankful for our Annual Fund donors
investment in our organization.
Last but certainly not least, on a special note of
appreciation, I wish to extend the Foundation's gratitude to the
Winter Haven Hospital Auxiliary for their recent gift of $100,000.
These funds will be put to immediate use in helping Winter Haven
Hospital complete its newest state- of-the-art heart catheterization
laboratory.
If you are already a friend of the Foundation we
thank you again for helping take Winter Haven Hospital, the Regency Medical
Center and the many other services of Mid-Florida Medical Services to the
next level of excellence. If you are not yet involved we look forward
to including you as one of our new Foundation friends. Please call
the Foundation at (863) 291-6732 to find out how you can help make a
difference.
