LAKE WALES MEDICAL CENTER SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

Lake Wales, FL – Lake Wales Medical Center has an immediate need for volunteers for courtesy shuttle drivers, the gift shop, and the front lobby information desks. Courtesy shuttle drivers bring patients and visitors to the hospital entrances from parking areas. Gift Shop volunteers assist shoppers in the hospital gift shop. Front lobby volunteers greet visitors, hand out visitor passes, and answer questions. All volunteers must be friendly, personable, and at-ease interacting with the public.

“As we move into the Summer season, many of our volunteers head back up North, and we have a need for year-round residents who can volunteer four hours per week,” said Julie Sing, manager of volunteer services at the hospital.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, complete an application, submit a letter of recommendation, and pass a background and drug screening. Top applicants will be interviewed, and available positions will be filled based on best fit.  Not all applicants will be brought on as volunteers. Shuttle drivers must be 21 years of age and will be trained on courtesy shuttle safety prior to beginning their assignment.

Hospital volunteers receive a free meal ticket for the hospital cafeteria for each shift worked, a volunteer uniform, and a free flu shot once per year. Volunteers ages 50 or older who work an average of at least 4 hours per week will receive free membership to LWMC’s Senior Circle program.

Applications are available in the lobbies at the hospital, or can be downloaded online at www.lakewalesmedicalcenter.com and click on the “Volunteers” tab at the top of the home page.

LWMC TO OFFER “DIABETES SURVIVOR SKILLS” CLASS

Lake Wales, FL — “Diabetes Survivor Skills” will be taught on Wednesday, May 25, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Hunt Building 2nd floor classroom. This free class is taught by Registered Dietician Jamie Moore, MPH, RD. The class is ideal for those newly-diagnosed with diabetes, those who are struggling with managing the disease, or anyone who just wants a refresher course on managing diabetes.

There is no charge for the class, but registration is required. Participants are encouraged to bring a guest as well. To register, call 678-2288.

Who doesn’t appreciate receiving a beautiful greeting card? We’ve expressed
sentiments of love, caring, friendship, celebration and sympathy through greeting cards
for over a century.
The Lake Wales Public Library will host a workshop that will take the gift of a greeting
card to another level. Crafting Greeting Cards will be led by husband and wife, Lynn
and Marjola Burdeshaw, 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 11. Lynn and Marjola create
beautiful greeting cards, including three-dimensional cards.
During their two and a half hour class participants will create three different cards that
can be taken home.
If you enjoy crafting or learning new skills please join the Burdeshaws for this May 11th
workshop.
There is a $5 supply fee for each student. This class is for teens through adults and is
limited to 12 students. Registration is required to reserve a seat. You may register at
the LW Public Library or the City of Lake Wales Cashier’s office.
The Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation’s contribution to the LW Public Library’s
Lifelong Learning series has made this class possible.
For details call 678-4004 or email [email protected].

Lake Wales, Florida – May 1, 2016 at 4:22pm an attempted robbery occurred at the drive-up ATM located at Citizens Bank, 222 Hwy 60 E. The victim, David Campbell a 77 year old Lake Wales resident, drove up to the ATM and completed his transaction when he was approached by two suspects. The two suspects approached Campbell and confronted him through his open driver’s door window. One suspect who was armed with a handgun pointed the gun at Campbell and told him to not move his truck. Campbell tried to grab the gun but the suspect pulled it away before he could grab it. The handgun was passed from one suspect to the other and when this occurred Campbell stated he drove off. Campbell stated the suspects fled on foot running West toward Publix as he drove away. Campbell was not injured and the suspects did not get any property from him.

     One suspect was described as a white or Hispanic male wearing a white or light gray hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled covering most of his face, dark brown eyes, approximately 5’6″ tall, and a thin build. The second suspect was described as a black male wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, approximately 5’8″ tall, and a thin build. The white or light gray hooded sweatshirt had the word Seminoles across the front of it and the red hooded sweatshirt had the word Southpole across the front of it. The suspects are believed to have left the area in the silver vehicle pictured here. At this time it is not believed this attempted robbery is related to the May 4, 2016 attempted robbery at the Dollar General, located at 306 SR 60 E.

     Anyone who has information related to this crime or knows the suspects is asked to contact Detective Stephanie Goreck at (863) 678-4223 extension 269 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.

 Lake Wales, Florida –  On May 4, 2016 at 9:45pm officers from the Lake Wales Police Department were dispatched to the Dollar General, located at 306 HWY 60 E, in reference to an armed robbery. When officers arrived they were told the suspect entered the store wearing a red long sleeved shirt, black pants, black shoes, and had a shirt wrapped around his head. The suspect was armed with a handgun and immediately approached the cashier demanding money while pointing the gun at her. The cashier was unable to open the register so the suspect struck the cashier in the head with the handgun. The suspect tried to hit the cashier a second time but the cashier moved back so the suspect missed. The suspect then fled from the store without getting any money. The suspect was described as a black male, approximately 6′ tall, and approximately 180 pounds.

     The cashier did not require medical treatment and nobody else was injured during the robbery. A perimeter was established while officers and deputies searched the area for the suspect but the suspect was not located. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene responded to process the scene and collect evidence.

Anyone who has information about this robbery is asked to contact Detective Stephanie Goreck at (863) 678-4223 extension 269, Detective Aubrey Davis at (863) 678-4223 extension 542, or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.

LWMC CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER RESIGNS

 New CEO Comes from Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center

Lake Wales, FL – Andrew Howard, Chief Executive Officer of Lake Wales Medical Center, has resigned effective Friday, May 6, to become the Chief Operating Officer at Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center in Davenport. Rebecca Brewer will become the CEO at Lake Wales effective Monday, May 9. Brewer comes to Lake Wales from Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center, where she served as Director of Operations since 2014.

“The Lake Wales Medical Center team of employees, volunteers and physicians is very special and it has been an honor to work with them,” Howard said. “Their dedication to quality, safety and service make a difference in patient’s lives each day.”

Since joining the hospital in 2013, Howard has focused on strengthening the hospital and its delivery of safe, quality patient care for the community. He first served as Assistant CEO before becoming CEO two years ago. During his tenure, he has focused on the delivery of safe, quality patient care and developed positive relationships with employees and the medical staff. Under his leadership, the hospital in 2015 led the company with the highest score on its triannual Joint Commission survey. The hospital also completed an extensive exterior renovation, completed an expansion of the lab, and opened the area’s first Geriatric Psychiatric Unit.

“Andrew has made a difference and will be missed,” said Linda Kimbrough, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the hospital.

In her role, Brewer has supported the recruitment of 10 physicians; upgraded equipment for MRI, telemetry, endoscopy and more; led the design and construction of two smart OR for orthopedics service lines; and oversaw the management of several projects including internal renovations and securing space for newly recruited physicians. She has more than 30 years of experience and has held several executive-level positions at several hospitals, including CEO at St. Cloud Regional Medical Center and a previous appointment as COO at Heart of Florida.

“The Board of Trustees is confident Rebecca will be a leader who can continue the momentum that has been underway and continue to help us be the healthcare provider of choice in this community,” Kimbrough said. “Andrew has set Lake Wales Medical Center on a path for success that will continue into the future under Rebecca’s leadership.”

Brewer holds a master’s in Nursing from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor’s in Nursing from Clemson University.

Lake Wales Medical Center is a 160-bed acute care facility serving the greater Lake Wales Community. Lake Wales Medical Center and Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center are owned in part by physicians.

Ewing, Blackwelder, & Duce Insurance is an independent insurance agency that has been serving Polk County since 1984, with 6 locations around the county that are located in Lake Wales, Lakeland, Haines City, Bartow and two in Winter Haven. As an independent agency Ewing, Blackwelder & Duce represents many insurance companies, which give us an advantage over others to offer great pricing with great coverage. We have the experienced and diversified staff to offer you coverage for all your insurance needs. Come by one of our locations to see one of our staff members to take care of your personal, business, health, or life insurance needs.

Resulting from a Crime Stoppers tip the suspect in the April 25, 2016 theft of two drills from Wal Mart was identified and arrested on April 28, 2016. The suspect was identified as Mark Anthony Fazzina, a 44 year old, who resides at 18721 Hwy 27 #12 in Lake Wales. During the investigation it was discovered Fazzina had pawned the stolen drills at a local pawn shop. Fazzina was also currently on probation for previous charges. Officer John Mongeon booked Fazzina into the Polk County Jail for the charges of retail theft, dealing in stolen property, and violation of probation. Thank you to the people who continue to take the time to call in information to help identify suspects, close cases, and recover stolen property.

Previous Release

Attempt to Identify

The Lake Wales Police Department is attempting to identify the person in this photograph. On April 25, 2016 the unidentified subject entered Wal-Mart, located at 2000 SR60 E, selected two Bostitch Drills, and exited through the garden center without attempting to pay. He was last seen leaving in the vehicle in this photograph.

If you have any information on the identity of this subject, please contact Officer Hernandez at (863) 678-4223 extension 523, Investigations Assistant Kim Fairbanks (863) 678-4223 extension 238, or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.

Lake Wales Little League 2016 Home Run Derby is Saturday May 7th at 2 PM.