Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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Dear Editor, As a medical professional, I can vouch that the priority for all of us in the field is the quality, accessibility, and affordability of the care available to our patients. In Florida, all that is being threatened by a wave of meritless and expensive medical malpractice lawsuits. Right now, there are ill-intentioned lawyers across the state that file vague and unclear claims in an attempt use our state’s loose malpractice standards to win overblown legal fees in court or through settlements. All these lawsuits m...
November is designated a time when American's recognize our nation's veterans for their service. Throughout the month, communities schedule special ceremonies to honor the men and women who have served in the military. While these honors are important, many may not realize that veterans could have emotional and physical service-related conditions that require consideration beyond expressions of gratitude. For example, veterans who served in World War II experienced different...
Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council Board Chairman Maryemma Bachelder celebrated a successful year at the annual holiday luncheon Dec. 6 as she prepared to turn the reins over to Andy Oguntola. Past board chairmen, formerly called presidents, lined up in date order for the annual tradition of passing the gavel. First in line this year was Edwin Friedlander, who was Chamber president 60 years ago in 1959. Oguntola has the distinction of...
More than 550 students with Polk State College's 121st graduating class will walk the stage Thursday, Dec. 12, at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland to receive their diplomas. The commencement ceremony, which is a free ticketed event, will start at 6:30 p.m. at 701 W. Lime St. The ceremony will feature remarks from Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti and December 2019 Distinguished Alumna Susan Copeland. "Commencement marks a significant milestone of perseverance and...
Lakeland Regional Health, with support from the City of Lakeland, is planning to construct a three-building, 96-bed center to better serve the behavioral health inpatient and outpatient needs of the Polk County community. The $46 million Center for Behavioral Health & Wellness will be built near Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center and will treat adults and adolescents for mental health problems, substance abuse, memory disorders and more. Outgoing LRH President Elaine...
Miguelina Andujar, 77, of Lake Wales, passed away Friday, Nov/ 29, 2019 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She was born May 8, 1942 in Comerio, Puerto Rico to the late Bendicto and Marta (Lopez) Gonzalez and she has been a resident of this area for 23 years moving here from New York. She was a homemaker and of the Christian faith. She was preceded in death by her brother, Agapito Gonzalez; sister, Encarnacion Lugo Survivors include her husband, Juan Andujar; daughters, Nilsa Laquer of Sebring, Lourdes Oyola of New York,...
Dr. James Nelson, who has practiced Family Medicine in Lake Wales for more than three decades, will be honored at a retirement reception to celebrate his contributions to the community. The reception will be held at 2 pm. Sunday, Dec. 8, in the hospital cafeteria. The afternoon will include a special video presentation, comments from the hospital COO, remembrances from former patients and office staff, and a proclamation from the City of Lake Wales. The community, particularly patients and former patients, are invited to atte...
Barbara Lee "Grandma Boots" Snowden, 91, of Lake Wales passed away Friday, Nov. 22, 2019 at Somers Hospice House. She was born March 16, 1928 in Atlanta, GA to the late John A. and Pauline M. (Thompson) Cox. She has been a resident of the area since 1995 coming from Pine Island, FL. She was a retired medical assistant in Ft. Lauderdale. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, enjoyed reading, and was active in her church. She is preceded in death by her husband Gerald...
Plan for a long life and keep these vital documents up-to-date for your protection and the sake of those you love. The underlying goal of proper estate planning is to ensure the legacy you leave behind provides your family with essential information that can help guide them through a difficult and confusing time. There are a number of fundamental pieces you may want to consider when drafting your estate planning documents, including: Last Will and Testament A Last Will and...
Larry Woodson, 71, of Lake Wales, died Nov. 9, 2019 at Advent Health of Lake Wales, (formerly Lake Wales Medical Center). He was born in Baltimore, MD on Jan. 19, 1948. He was a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran. Services are incomplete. Epps Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.L...
Are you and your friends looking to have a great time for a great cause? Come join the General Federation of Women's Club (GFWC) Woman's Club of Lake Wales every 1st Thursday of the Month at 10:30 a.m. at 275 E Park Avenue, Lake Wales for an informative and meaningful gathering of women with the goal of bettering themselves and their community, as well as the lives of women and children locally and internationally. Lunch is available for a $5 donation. Play the "Ten-Cents-A-Do...
Thirty-eight days into AdventHealth's takeover of Lake Wales Medical Center, new Chief Executive Officer Brian Adams shared about the company's mission, vision and values at a meeting of the Rotary Club of Lake Wales. Before assuming the Polk County position Sept. 1 as CEO of both AdventHealth Lake Wales and AdventHeart Heart of Florida in Davenport, Adams was CEO of AdventHealth Tampa. He has worked for AdventHealth, formerly called Florida Hospital, for 19 years. Adams said...
Barbara J. Williams, 51 of Lake Wales, died Oct. 10 at Advent Health Lake Wales (formerly Lake Wales Medical Center). She was born Feb. 2, 1968. Services are incomplete. Epps Memorial Funeral Home in Lake Wales is in charge of arrangements....
John Storer, MD, a pioneer in heart and vessel surgery, died peacefully at his home in Lake Wales on Oct. 2. Dr. Storer was born on July 15, 1921 in Pitman, NJ to parents Alexander and Helen (Stanger). John graduated from the University of Alabama in 1942 and from Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia in 1945. Dr. Storer served in the Army from 1943-1945 and in the Medical Corps from 1946-1948. He served an internship at Huron Road Hospital in Cleveland, OH from 1945-46,...
Audrey Dale Yates, 66, of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019 at the Lake Wales Medical Center. She was born December 23, 1952 in Lake Wales to the late William O. and Lois K. (Kirkland) Evans. She has been a lifelong resident of the area. She was a security officer for Vickers Security and of the Baptist faith. She is survived by her husband Paul S. Yates Sr., daughters Rose Mary Yates and Tina Marie Byrd, both of of Lake Wales; sons Paul S. Yates Jr. and wife Jill of Wauchula, and William O. Yates and wife Jessica...
Estefany Arenas was born in Mexico and came to Lake Wales at the age of eight. Her family worked in agriculture and had very limited means, and "Things didn't come easy. It was very hard." "College wasn't really on my radar until I went to Lake Wales High School," said Arenas, noting her International Baccalaureate diploma in 2015 helped her attend Stetson University in DeLand on a fully paid scholarship. "I was incredibly inspired by my IB teachers who helped me all the...
Many people think wills and estate planning are only for seniors! Not true! Every student who just graduated from Lake Wales High in 2019 needs to think about estate planning. In my 30 years' experience as an attorney, when it comes to estate planning, there are many excuses people use in order to convince themselves that an estate plan is not quite necessary at whatever point in their lives currently. These excuses usually are avoidance tactics -- avoidance tactics that are...
Alexcio Leeatawn Davis, Jr., 6 months, died Aug. 31 at Lake Wales Medical Center. He was born Feb. 26, 2019 in Winter Haven, Florida. Services are at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 at Lake Wales Cemetery, 630 U.S. 27 S in Lake Wales. Epps Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements....
Elizabeth Louise McVay, 77, of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, Aug. 31 at the Lake Wales Medical Center. She was born November 11, 1941 in Bronx, NY to the late John and Myrtle (Tapley) McVay and came to Lake Wales 20 years ago. She was a self-employed seamstress. Survivors include her husband of 20 years Milton McPherson, daughters Amy Goodrich, Kathy Cassidy, Christine Callahan (Thomas), sons Chuck Jefferies (Tammy), Mike Jefferies, Edward Jefferies, step children Shawn McPherson, Alex McPherson, Amy McPherson, Mathew...
AdventHealth, one of the largest faith-based health systems in the U.S., has finalized an agreement that officially brings Lake Wales Medical Center into the AdventHealth network of care. Effective Sept. 1, the 160-bed Lake Wales Medical Center becomes AdventHealth Lake Wales. At the same time 193-bed Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center will join the health system as AdventHealth Heart of Florida. The purchase agreements also include each respective hospital's related...
Vincent Harris struggled in high school and took 10 years to earn his bachelor's degree. His own experience makes him even more committed to helping adult students with disabilities find meaningful employment after their nine-month internships at Lake Wales Medical Center. As the Project SEARCH instructor, Harris shared his passion at a gathering Aug. 28 to kick off the program for students with disabilities, ages 18-22. The five students – four from Lake Wales High School a...
Cornerstone Hospice is already putting to good use two grants from the GiveWell Community Foundation. Last spring, Cornerstone received a $5,000 Empower Polk grant from the GiveWell Community Foundation to purchase two CADD® pumps to be used to train Cornerstone nurses to assist with the care of patients experiencing pain. The device provides safe and accurate medication delivery. Previously, Cornerstone Hospice would lease the pumps during the training of new nurses....
Pamela Marie “Pam” Granger of Lake Wales, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 21 at Lake Wales Medical Center. She was born October 13, 1967 in Fall River, Massachusetts. She has been a resident of the area for 40 years coming from Texas. She was the Assistant Manager for Rural King. Pamela loved doing crafts, shopping on QVC, fishing, camping, she was always helping others and giving to anyone needing assistance and telling Larry where to go. She is preceded in death by her mother Vivian Souza. She is survived by her husband of 31...
Joyce Lucille Hickman, 79, of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019 at the Lake Wales Medical Center. She was born September 28, 1939 in Griffin, GA to the late Charlie and Lucille (Nixon) McLean. She was a Service Associate for K-Mart for 20 years and was a member of the Westside Baptist Church. Joyce loved her grandchildren and playing bingo. She is preceded in death by her husband Douglas Hickman, son Timothy A. Hickman, sister Ann McLean, brothers Mickey, Charles,...
Sharon Bedsole Swearengin, 59 of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, August 10, 2019 at the Lake Wales Medical Center. She was born December 8, 1959 in Atmore, AL to the late J.B. and Louise (Maddox) Hastings. She was a social worker for the Department of Child Services. She is preceded in death by her husband Teddy L. Swearengin and her brother. She is survived by her sons Christopher and Robert J. Bedsole, both of Lake Wales, Steven, and some grandchildren. Services are pending. Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales is in...
