Central Florida Health Care (CFHC) is delighted to announce the opening of a brand-new health center in the heart of Bartow, Florida. The facility, strategically located at 1190 E Church St in the downtown area, will open its doors on July 1, 2024, making it easily accessible for all residents. Central Florida Health Care, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), is experiencing a surge in patients, and this new health center will further expand its services. This will be the 16th CFHC location, offering a comprehensive range of medical services, a state-of-the-art lab, and a full-service pharmacy all under one roof. This comprehensive approach to healthcare ensures that all your healthcare needs can be met in one place, providing a sense of reassurance and convenience for the residents of Bartow.
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![]() Most people might have looked at the long, tall and blank wall bordering the outdoor recreation area at Winter Haven Hospital and seen just that. But some members of the Winter Haven Hospital Center for Psychiatry team saw an opportunity for beauty and healing for behavioral health patients. Their vision was realized through a partnership with Polk State College art students, where they designed a mural to promote comfort and calm for patients who are living with mental health challenges. The mural was unveiled and celebrated on May 1. The Center for Psychiatry (CFP) team had been looking for ways to beautify the area for some time when it petitioned hospital administration for a mural for the outdoor area. Foxye Jackson, the department’s assistant nurse manager, worked with the rest of the Center for Psychiatry team to brainstorm design concepts. The Winter Haven Chamber’s Board of Directors announces that a nationwide and local search for the next President & CEO position has begun for the 5- Star Accredited Chamber.
The ideal candidate will be a key community leader, focused on advocating for, protecting and enhancing the business environment to the benefit of businesses of all sizes and will play an integral role in forming public policy at the municipal, county and state level by forming relationships with elected officials, business leaders and community partners to accomplish the goals of the chamber. The full job description can be viewed here. Cypress Junction Montessori (CJM) is proud to announce their successful completion of the rigorous accreditation process by COGNIA. With this achievement, CJM is now recognized as an accredited K-8 public school, further solidifying its position as a leader in public Montessori education.
This accreditation serves as a testament to the hard work of CJM’s staff and students, and the school's overall commitment to meeting the highest standards of educational excellence and continuous improvement. Special credit for spearheading the process is given to Kimberly-Jo Foster, Dean of Academic Affairs for CJM. The Watson Clinic Foundation Arts in Medicine (AIM) program is proud to take part in two upcoming events designed to support women who are affected by breast, endometrial, cervical and uterine cancers. Titled Stand Up to Cancer, these events will feature supportive services from local cancer survivor advocates, valuable information on the cancer journey, and the availability of materials that can ease some of the burdens of undergoing treatment.
Bartow Ford, who celebrated its 76th year in business in April, was honored last week at Polk Vision’s Leadership Polk Graduation Luncheon, with the organization’s Spirit of Leadership Award. Each year, through this award, the Leadership Polk Alumni Association recognizes an organization that is committed to improving the Polk County Community – and specifically enhances the county’s leadership pools.
The Sunshine Foundation is thrilled to announce a special fundraising event in partnership with H20 Waterpark! From now until May 31st, 2024, supporters can purchase tickets to H20 Waterpark for only $20 each, with $10 from each ticket directly benefiting the Sunshine Foundation. This unique opportunity allows families and individuals to enjoy a fun-filled day at one of the region's premier waterparks while also contributing to a great cause. The tickets are valid until the end of the 2024 season on October 27th, 2024, giving guests plenty of time to plan their visit and make the most of their experience.
Article Provided by: AdventHealth Surgery isn’t something anyone looks forward to. But there are times when it can’t be avoided as a lifesaving measure or a way to improve someone’s quality of life. We’re here, along with our general surgeon Diya K. Alnajjar, MD to educate on three of the most common reasons when surgery can’t be put on hold.
Guest Blog: Cynthia Crofoot Rignanese We live in the digital age. Our daily lives are intricately connected to the online world. Realistically, this interaction is only going to increase more in 2024 and after!
From social media accounts to cryptocurrency wallets, our digital footprint is vast and significant. Unfortunately, many individuals overlook the importance of including their digital assets in their estate planning. In Florida, as elsewhere, it is crucial to recognize the value and complexity of digital assets; and then, to ensure they are accounted for in your estate plan. A COMMITMENT TO QUALITY: WINTER HAVEN PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT EARNS NATIONAL ACCREDITATION4/10/2024 The City of Winter Haven maintains a strong focus on achieving accreditation throughout various service-line departments. “This designation is not easily obtained, and it demonstrates a staff who is aligned, innovative, and dedicated to delivering exceptional services through best practices,” says T. Michael Stavres, City Manager. “Multiple other departments are actively pursuing additional designations.
![]() Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or an enlarged prostate, is a fairly common issue for men over the age of 50. Bartow Regional Medical Center is now providing Aquablation®, an innovative treatment for the condition – just the latest treatment available to patients in the area from BayCare hospitals. BPH can cause trouble when urinating, urinary tract infections and sexual function issues. The usual treatments for BPH tends to solve some problems but not others. Aquablation® therapy uses the power of water delivered with robotic precision to provide long-lasting BPH relief with low rates of irreversible surgical complications. It can be performed on prostates of any size and shape. The first Aquablation procedures were performed at Bartow Regional Medical Center on March 1. ![]() The City of Winter Haven is excited to unveil plans for the redevelopment of the historic Chain of Lakes Park. As the former spring training home for major league baseball teams like the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians, this site is poised to embrace a bright future while honoring its illustrious past. In partnership with Polk County and the Polk County Sports Marketing team, the City is spearheading a $20 million project that promises to transform the park into a state-of-the-art facility for amateur and collegiate baseball, infused with the spirit and memories of its historic legacy. ![]() The City of Winter Haven is excited to announce the availability of new and enhanced housing assistance programs under the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP). These programs are designed to support the community by providing financial assistance for home repairs, rehabilitation, down payment aid, and more for eligible low to moderate-income households. The Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Florida Institute for Political Leadership (FIPL), an initiative by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a virtual Campaign School & Community Leadership Training April 9 - 10, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET each day.
This no-cost and nonpartisan 2-day program is open to everyone and recommended for elected officials, current or future candidates, campaign workers, and anyone interested in serving in an appointed position. As we aim to secure Florida’s Future and move Florida’s economy from 17 th largest in the word to 10 th largest by 2030, it is necessary to ensure candidates running for office understand the issues facing Florida and our economic future. All campaign training schools will be conducted online. ![]() A new vice president and chief medical officer has joined the Winter Haven Hospital/Winter Haven Women’s Hospital team, effective March 11. Dr. Arif Asif joins BayCare from Hackensack Meridian Health System in New Jersey, having held various roles including vice president of clinical operations, assistant chief medical officer, chair of department of medicine, chair of performance improvement and associate residency program director, among others. The Winter Haven City Commission authorized City staff during their March 25, 2024 regular City Commission meeting to continue discussions with The Historic Ritz Theatre Board of Directors regarding the potential acquisition of the Historic Ritz Theatre. This decision follows in-depth conversations and considerations about the future of this iconic structure and its importance to the cultural and economic vibrancy of downtown Winter Haven.
The Historic Ritz Theatre, a cornerstone of our community’s arts and culture scene, has faced financial challenges that have jeopardized its continued operations and maintenance. Recognizing the theatre's significant place in our City's history and its potential for enhancing the downtown area, the City has been in talks with the Theatre Board of Directors, at their request, about the possibility of the City taking over ownership of the building. ![]() Citizens Bank & Trust is pleased to announce that the Bank has entered into an agreement with College Ave to offer a variety of student loan financing options to consumers. This referral-based partnership provides access to college student loan and student loan refinancing solutions through a completely online process. “College Ave’s industry reputation, flexible loan options, and a focus on educating consumers, aligns with our service commitment to both our customers and the community,” said Citizens Bank & Trust President and CEO Greg Littleton. “Access to higher education can transform lives, and we are proud to enter into this agreement to help families throughout our service area.” ![]() Aspiring teachers will now have the opportunity to pursue Polk State College’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education on the Winter Haven Campus with the expansion of the highly reputable program to East Polk County. Classes will start in August 2024; open enrollment will begin on June 10. The Polk State Education Program will be hosting information sessions:
Guest blog provided by: RIGNANESE & ASSOCIATES, PLLC The current blockbuster Barbie movie has an unusual Barbie line; during a girls’ disco party she inquires, “Do you guys ever thing about dying?” Everyone stops dancing and the music goes silent, because the question is so unlike the happy, optimistic Barbie we know and love. As an estate planning attorney, this line was priceless in bringing the important topic of planning for death to the Big Screen! Who would receive the Barbie Dream House, her convertible, her Dream Plane and her extensive wardrobe, upon her death?
Barbie and Ken have been in a relationship for as long as we can remember; but as far as we know, they have never actually tied the knot and gotten married, nor had kids. We have seen Barbie holding down at least 200 jobs over the years without ever seeing Ken do more than surfing… it could be said that Barbie has been maintaining Ken for 60 years! Emily Rogers Consulting + Coaching announces launch of new professional development program, Leadership Essential for Mid-
level Managers. Starting, May 9th, Leadership Essentials For Mid-level Managers is a 12- week program designed for first-time or experienced mid-level managers who are leading teams. The program focuses on ten essential leadership development topics including 1) Understanding your management style 2) Improving your ability to direct, delegate, and motivate 3) Growing in emotional intelligence 4) Managing and resolving conflict 5) Creating a connected and inclusive culture 6) Developing highly functioning teams 7) Giving feedback and coaching others 8) Leading change 9) Strengthening leadership presence 10) Boosting resilience in the workplace. ![]() The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce with its designation of Accredited with 5 Stars for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community. “Accredited chambers of commerce are impactful advocates for the business community,” said Raymond P. Towle, U.S. Chamber Vice President, Federation Relations and IOM. “When chambers of commerce earn the distinction of becoming Accredited, it is a mark of excellence for the organization, its staff, and its leadership. This rigorous review includes all aspects of a chamber’s policies, operations, and programming. Accredited chambers are recognized for their ability to serve as a resource to their region’s businesses while maintaining transparent governance practices, sound financial controls, safe work environments, effective communications, and value in programming. It is an extraordinary accomplishment.” ![]() Winter Haven Hospital Community Blood Center (WHHCBC) has signed an agreement to transition its operations to OneBlood. “The time is right for the blood center to take this step and OneBlood is the right partner,” said Tom Garthwaite, President of Winter Haven Hospital and Winter Haven Women’s Hospital. The blood center has been part of Winter Haven Hospital, Inc. operations since 1953. Originally, it served the blood supply needs of patients and hospitals for all eastern Polk County. Recently, it has been the key supplier of blood products to Winter Haven Hospital and Winter Haven Women’s Hospital. The blood center has been a proud member of the Blood Centers of America and supported many national campaigns to collect blood products for emergencies and crises. Press Release Provided by: Polk County Public Schools Polk County’s District Advisory Council, a volunteer-based group, is hosting an Education Town Hall series to share information on a new state law that will change start times for schools. Each town hall will feature a panel of experts in education and school operations to answer questions and collect feedback from the public. Light refreshments will be available.
![]() Julio Otero, Property Manager for A+ Storage Winter Haven, was named Manager of the Year by the Florida Self Storage Association at their Annual Conference held February 7 – 9, 2024 at the Renaissance Sea World Resort in Orlando. His leadership, community involvement, and outstanding customer service are just a few factors that led to him receiving this prestigious award. Provided by: Charter Communications Spectrum Reach, the advertising sales business of Charter Communications, Inc., today announced it will offer 250 underserved small business owners nationwide access to its expert advertising and marketing resources through its 2024 “Pay It Forward” initiative, which is now accepting applications for this year’s program. Local entrepreneurs selected to participate will receive a live and streaming TV campaign worth up to $15,000 along with a custom produced 30-second commercial, marketing consultation services, mentoring and educational resources, and networking opportunities.
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