On Thursday, February 23, the Lakeland Regional Foundation hosted the annual donor reception honoring members of the Morrell Society, 1914 Society and Bridge Builders. During the event, held at the home of Steve and Ann Moore, two special awards were given to recognize philanthropic efforts that went above and beyond in 2011. The award recipients were:

2011 Philanthropist of the Year

Each year, the Foundation names a philanthropist of the year – in which an individual is recognized for his or her exceptional commitment to the vision and values of Lakeland Regional by making a significant personal contribution of time, talent and resources to the development of superior healthcare. 

The Foundation recognized Dr. Sarah D. McKay as the 2011 philanthropist of the year. Dr. McKay has been a loyal supporter of the hospital, with giving that dates back to 1998.  She is a Platinum level member (which requires cumulative giving of $100,000-$499,999) of the Foundation’s Morrell Society.  Dr. McKay is a member of Women in Philanthropy, and of the Bridge Builders Society, which names the Foundation as the ultimate beneficiary of a planned gift.  She is a partner in the Future Campaign, and her contributions include gifts to the Cancer Clinical Trials Campaign.

In addition to her gifts, Dr. McKay is being recognized for her generous commitment of service to Lakeland Regional by serving on the hospital board from 1988-1991 and was the first woman to chair the board in 1988-1989.  She also served on the Foundation Board from 1992-1998, and is currently the chair for the Senior Advisory Council for the capital campaign.

“Sarah McKay is a woman I personally strive to emulate, a highly respected community leader and a great southern lady,” Dr. Elaine Thompson, President and CEO of Lakeland Regional Health Systems, said. “It is such a privilege to have the opportunity to recognize her great work for the hospital and our community.”

Dr. McKay is a member of numerous boards and committees within the Lakeland community, including Florida Southern College, Polk Theater, Downtown Lakeland Partnership, United Way, P.E.O. and Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center. She has received many local and state awards for her generosity and compassionate leadership, including the Stanley S. Kresge Award, George Jenkins Award from the Lakeland Chamber, Walter Wolf Award for Outstanding Service, Lifetime Achievement Award from the Polk Museum of Art, and the late Governor Lawton Chiles honored Dr. McKay with the Florida’s Finest Recognition Award.

Past recipients of the philanthropist of the year include Ed and Denise Crenshaw, Steve and Ann Moore, John and Helen Cannon, Chuck and Connie Bovay, Hunt and Mary Berryman, and Lester and Selma Wishnatzki.

2011  Corporate Philanthropist of the Year

The corporate philanthropist of the year recognizes a business that has made a significant contribution of services, products and/or financial resources to the development of superior health care.

Peterson & Myers, P.A. was recognized as the 2011 corporate philanthropist of the year for their long involvement as the legal counsel for Lakeland Regional, beginning in 1980, and for their support of the Foundation since 1994.

“Peterson & Myers, P.A. has been an invaluable asset to Lakeland Regional through their countless hours of service and legal counsel for many years. It is my privilege and honor to have them as our 2011 corporate philanthropist of the year,” Dr. Thompson said.

Peterson & Myers is a Platinum level Morrell Society member (cumulative giving of $100,000-$499,999). Other contributions to the hospital have included support of the Lights for Life Campaign, sponsorship of the Cancer Center Library, Capital Campaign and sponsorship of Cookin’ Men.

In addition, the Foundation is fortunate to have the volunteer service of attorneys Philip Allen and Robert Puterbaugh. Allen has served for many years on the Foundation’s Planned Giving committee, Senior Advisory Council & Bridge Builders Committee for the Capital Campaign. He is also a former Foundation Board Member having served from 1993 to 2000, and as the chair in 1998.  Puterbaugh served on the cancer clinical trials committee in 2005 and as a chef for the Foundation’s Cookin’ Men event.

This is the third year the Foundation has recognized a corporate philanthropist of the year.  The 2010 recipient was Hall Communications, and the 2009 recipient was Publix Super Market Charities.

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• A state-of-the-art, interactive mannequin (or manikin as they are known in the healthcare industry) which has the capability of recreating realistic clinical scenarios.  This expenditure will aid in continuing education efforts and further prepare staff to respond to pediatric emergencies.
• Interactive gaming stations for the pediatric “vertical lobby” in the ER, an area designated to ease stress during an emergency situation.
• Ten pressure-relieving cushions and two heated massage chairs — and ultimately greater comfort for patients receiving dialysis.
• Two vision vein viewers, innovative technology that will help caregivers find difficult-to-locate veins, such as those of infants within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

 The final grant was awarded to cover capital need costs related to LRMC’s Women’s Health Services expansion (this is the second year of a five year commitment).

 During the luncheon, nearly 70 “Leadership Givers” were asked to stand and be recognized for their incredible $1,000 contribution over the course of two years.  One such individual was Jennifer Kincart Jonsson, human resources director of ACT Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc.

 “I got involved with the Foundation’s Women in Philanthropy because I wanted to give back to the Lakeland Community,” said Jonsson.  She later added that she could think of no more deserving cause than one that affects the lives of the women and children treated at Lakeland Regional. 

This year, the Women in Philanthropy luncheon featured Tracey Conway, Emmy-winning actress and comedian who presented “Drop Dead Gorgeous,” her own personal journey as a heart disease survivor. Conway shared details from the day she was taping a television comedy show when she literally dropped dead from sudden cardiac arrest. Twenty minutes later, paramedics shocked her heart into beating again. Overcoming 20-to-1 odds, she survived and turned her miraculous recovery into a poignant, yet laugh-out-loud, presentation that has wowed celebrities like Oprah Winfrey.

During the past five years, Women in Philanthropy has granted a total of $259,461.50 to support women’s and children’s services at either Lakeland Regional Medical Center or Lakeland Regional Cancer Center. The funds raised by Women in Philanthropy are designated to improve the quality and scope of healthcare that women and children receive.  The purpose of Women in Philanthropy is to inspire and empower women to fulfill their philanthropic potential by improving the quality of health care for women of all ages in our community.  Members of Women in Philanthropy not only enhance their own awareness of health, but also that of family and friends, while setting the example of the art of philanthropy for the next generation of women.

“Of course by law, we knew that we were required to provide breaks and a private, non-bathroom space for our breastfeeding moms to pump,” said Theresa Horne, associate vice president, clinical operations, at Lakeland Regional.  “But we knew we could do better than that.  We wanted to send a clear message to our employees that we, too, wanted what was best for their families.”

This incredible new space was made possible because of a grant gifted by the Foundation’s Women  in Philanthropy society.  Women in Philanthropy is a giving society to benefit women and children’s health care at Lakeland Regional. The purpose of Women in Philanthropy is to inspire and empower women to fulfill their philanthropic potential by improving the quality of health care for women of all ages in the community.  In just two years, WIP has granted more than $183,000 in funding to improve healthcare for women and children in Lakeland and Polk County.

 Publix Super Markets Charities recently presented their second $25,000 installment of a $125,000 commitment to the pediatric emergency department at LRMC. A Publix representative says this donation is personal. “Lakeland Regional means a lot to so many of our associates. A hospital visit is never something you look forward to or plan for, but knowing this type of care is here when you need it brings security to our organization and our community,” said Shannon Patten, manager of Media & Community Relations for Publix.

Among the recent changes to the pediatric emergency department at LRMC include: a new waiting area with interactive toys and games for children of all ages, a large-screen television featuring family-friendly movies 24 hours a day and comfortable child-sized chairs. In addition, there are two “electronic” ocean aquariums – where children are entertained by life under the sea (on flat-screen televisions).
 

The LRMC Child Life Program recently received a $10,000 donation from GEICO. Christie Schwichtenberg, BS, certified child life specialist at LRMC, says without Geico’s donations over the past eight years, the program would not exist. “This money has given us the opportunity to acquire the necessary tools to make this program effective for our patients. We are extremely appreciative of Geico’s generosity.”

Geico check Presentation

During the check presentation, George W. Rogers, Geico’s regional vice president, said this donation means a great deal to his organization as well. “This hospital, especially the pediatric department, has touched the lives of many employees at Geico. Some of our employees were born here and others have brought their children here when they were sick,” said Rogers. “We always try to give back to the community, and by giving toward this program, we know our money will be used in a meaningful way.”

The Foundation and Lakeland Regional Cancer Center recently unveiled a special gift from Mark Hollis, an accomplished businessperson and local community leader. Mr. Hollis donated his sculpture “Survivor” to Lakeland Regional, and it sits in the lobby of LRCC to serve as inspiration for all who enter the doors. He finished “Survivor,” a portrayal of a female breast cancer survivor, in October, 2010 after working on it five hours a day for six months.

“The toughness of the stone speaks to the strength the soldier (cancer patient) has to have to be a survivor … They are fighting a battle, the battle of cancer,” Hollis stated. “The hardness of the backbone represents inner strength; but the most important message of all for breast cancer survivors is that a woman’s beauty is not in her breasts… The unfinished natural stone of the breasts is a constant reminder that real beauty comes from deep within.”

"Survivor" Sculpture Dedication

“The Lakeland Regional community is grateful that Mr. Hollis and his family decided that LRMC should be the home of such a meaningful piece of art,” said Ken Menefee, FAHP, CFRE, executive director of the Foundation. “We are honored to display ‘Survivor’ at one of our facilities.”

 The Good Life RV Resort in Bartow recently held a Cancer Walk event and made a donation of $2,000 to support cancer clinical trials at Lakeland Regional Cancer Center.

Doctor’s Day was first observed more than 75 years ago. Later, the day earned national recognition, and March 30 was formally proclaimed National Doctor’s Day in 1990. Each year on this special day, LRMC honors our talented team of doctors. The list below represents the outpouring of support to honor these doctors and here are just a few excerpts of letters we received:

“Thank you for many, many years of thoughtful personal care. Any nurse or patient who knows you agrees you are among the best- caring, personable, available, and knowledgeable…”

“You are the best Kind. Patient. Thoughtful. I had all the faith in you, no doubts.”

Women in Philanthropy is an all-female giving society to benefit women’s and children’s healthcare at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

For more information on Women in Philanthropy or to become a member please click here.

The proud winner of the $250 door-prize to Heritage House!

Kiley Strickland

“She started to itch a little bit and she said she didn’t feel well,” recalled Bevin.  “I put her in the shower to see if that would relieve the itching.”

But soon after, Bevin noticed that Kiley’s eye and the side of her mouth began to swell and there were welts all over her body. Bevin remembers comparing it to the scene of the movie Hitch, when Will Smith’s character had such a severe allergic reaction that he looked unrecognizable.  “When I made that comparison, I realized Kiley was having an allergic reaction,” said Bevin.

Bevin and her husband, Mike, stayed calm and quickly made the decision to take Kiley to the nearest walk-in emergency clinic where she was seen immediately.  However, once the physicians and nurses at the clinic saw Kiley’s condition, they referred them directly to Lakeland Regional’s ER for specialized pediatric emergency care.

“When they directed us to go straight to the hospital, that’s when I got really nervous because I realized just how serious it was,” said Bevin.

Bevin was thankful to learn that children who come to LRMC’s ER are immediately taken to a secure, child-friendly pediatric area.  In Polk County, only LRMC’s ER is staffed with emergency-trained pediatricians and pediatric nurses, including a pediatric triage nurse who sees younger patients upon arrival and can quickly assess the seriousness of the situation.

“There is a vast difference between adult emergencies and those of young children,” said Pam Bryan, RN, who specializes in pediatric care.  Pam had the opportunity to treat Kiley when she arrived and said her specialized training and experience helped put Kiley’s parents at ease.  “We’re all about pediatrics.  It’s our team and the way we’re trained to communicate with children and their parents that makes the difference,” said Pam.

“When we walked through the doors and the nurses saw Kiley, they took us back immediately,” said Bevin.  “She was seen rather quickly and given an antihistamine, Epipen® and steroid.”

Kiley’s body reacted well to the treatment and all her symptoms – that just the hour before had made her unrecognizable – were beginning to disappear. The pediatrician kept the family there for a while longer to monitor Kiley’s condition; and soon after they were on their way home.

“We were there for a total of two hours, beginning to end.  And that was it,” said Bevin. “And the care we received at Lakeland Regional was exceptional from the time we arrived until we were discharged.”

When Bevin thought back to the day’s events, she says that she did not drive to Lakeland Regional first because it was further away and she expected it to be inconvenient and crowded.

“In the future, I will not think twice about bringing either of my children to Lakeland Regional when we are faced with an emergency situation.  I know that we will be treated immediately in a child-friendly environment, with specialized pediatric care,” said Bevin.

Today, Kiley is a happy-go-lucky pre-schooler thanks, in part, to the Pediatric ER at Lakeland Regional.  Fortunately her allergic reaction was not life threatening, and she was able to get home before bedtime.  But had it been more serious, her family will sleep better knowing that highly-advanced pediatric care is always close by.