Dr. Ricardo Navarro, Lake Wales City Commission Seat 2 Candidate

Editor's Note: Candidates for City Commission were asked to complete a questionnaire. Their responses are being printed as submitted.

Dr. Ricardo Navarro

Lake Wales City Commission

Seat 2 Candidate

Age: 33 years old

Occupation:

• Internal Medicine Physician.

• Owner and President of Navarro Medical.

• Medical Director for the Hospitalist Medicine program at Advent Health Lake Wales

• Consulting Physician for Vitas Healthcare

Years Living in Lake Wales : Twenty-seven (27) years

Education:

• Lake Wales Senior High School – High school Graduate

• Polk Community College – Associates of Arts in Liberal Arts

• University of Central Florida – Bachelors of Science in Psychology

• Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – Doctorate of Osteopathy

• Regional Medical Center at Bayonet Point – Internal Medicine Residency

Community Service – clubs, organizations – please indicate any leadership roles:

• Lake Wales Breakfast Rotary Club

• American Medical Association

• Florida Osteopathic Medical Association

• American College of Physicians

Experience serving on any city boards, councils, commissions:

• Ethics committee for both Bayonet Point and Advent Health Lake Wales

• Peer Review committee at Advent Health Lake Wales

• Pharmacy and therapeutics committee at Advent Health Lake Wales

• Department of medicine committee at Advent Health Lake Wales

• Readmission committee at Advent Health Lake Wales

Why are you running for Lake Wales City Commission?

It has always been my dream to return home after completing my education and training. Upon returning home, I realized that the beautiful city I grew up in was not the same. As I drove around town I noticed business, restaurants, and recreational opportunities no longer existed and were closing faster than I even realized.

After moving back we experienced many challenges to start life again here in Lake Wales. These challenges ranged from difficult conversations with the city as both a resident and new business owner, and even experiencing a home invasion that never left my family the same again. These unique situations and events created a feeling of sadness and helplessness in a town in which I watched my father be so successful in as a young child.

Ultimately, I believe that our great City of Lake Wales is too intimate of a town to have these kind of issues. We are a close-knit community that are required to use the services the city provides. I believe that the city and its leadership should treat the citizens of Lake Wales as loyal customers and do all that they can to ensure their satisfaction.

It is these events and these reasons that have created my drive and my passion to bring back mutual respect and dignity to the City of Lake Wales as we move into a successful future for our town and for our citizens.

What are the top 3 issues you believe the city is facing in the coming year?

• Community – To work hand in hand with local churches, organizations, and societies to help facilitate projects for the betterment of lake wales and its citizens.

• Beautification – We are the crown jewel of the ridge, and the City of Lake Wales must work to always ensure that we earn our title.

• Business – To improve the efficiency of working with our town and local organizations and committees to bring in more businesses and services for the citizens of lake wales

What is your vision for the future of Lake Wales?

• Lake Wales has an old town charm that none of us want to lose. However, we must make sure we are not stuck in the past. My vision for Lake Wales is a prosperous town with more restaurants, shops, and services that are owned and operated by our citizens.