“During his tenure at LRMC, Jack has been committed to meeting the needs of the community to provide the highest quality care to our patients,” said Chairman of the LRMC Board Wilton M. Reavis, Jr., M.D.  “Under his leadership, we have attracted fine executives, had extensive renovation and expansion of facilities and led many initiatives to bring new programs to the area.”

 “It has been very difficult to choose a gift to honor Jack suitably,” Dr. Reavis continued.  “However, we believe that we have found an appropriate tribute.”

 At a reception held in Mr. Stephens’ honor on Saturday, August 21, Dr. Reavis and Frannee Johnson, executive assistant to Mr. Stephens, unveiled a prototype of the plaque that will hang in the lobby of the wing.  The inscription on the plaque will read:

 In 1984, Jack Stephens was named President and CEO of Lakeland Regional Medical Center. During his 26 year tenure, he remained steadfastly committed to the Hospital’s mission of improving lives by delivering exceptional healthcare. Under his leadership, there was extensive facility expansion and renovation. Many new programs and state of the art technologies were initiated. In recognition of his many contributions to LRMC and the Lakeland Community, the Board of Directors of Lakeland Regional Medical Center hereby rename this building The Jack T. Stephens Wing.

 Mr. Stephens’ retirement will be effective September 30, 2010.

High School Athletes, Their Parents and Coaches Invited to Attend — Register Below!

Lakeland Regional Medical Center will host its 1^st Sports Medicine Symposium on Saturday, August 28 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall in Lakeland.  The event is free to high school athletes, their parents and coaches and will feature speakers who are experts in medical care.

“Our goal is to educate high school athletes on how to prevent sports-related injuries,” said Tony Garcia, Director Rehabilitation Services.  “Athletes must recognize their bodies’ limits and warning signs of potential injuries so that they may take a proactive role in protecting their health.”

Attendees will hear from the following local experts on topics such as: 

• Mark Munson, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon, Lakeland Regional Orthopedic Associates: “Ligament Injuries of the Knee and Shoulder”
• Michael Campanelli, D.O., Neurosurgeon, Lakeland Regional Neurosurgical Associates: “Head and Spinal Injuries Secondary to Athletic Participation”
• Todd Hall, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon, Lakeland Regional Orthopedic Associates: “Ankle and Wrist Injuries: Prevention and Treatment for High School Athletes”
• Manuel Molina, M.D., Surgical Oncologist, Lakeland Regional Cancer Center: “Skin and Eye Care Related to Athletic Participation”
• Susan Kane, MPT, SCS, ATC, CSCS and Melissa Helm, ATC; both of Lakeland Regional Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Clinic: “Training and Conditioning of the Teenage Athlete”
• Mick Lynch, M.D., Clinical Education Director, Florida Southern College: “Performance Enhancement for the High School Athlete: Nutrition and Performance Enhancing Drugs”
• Sue Green, ATC, LAT, Athletic Training Education Program Director, Florida Southern College: “Prevention and Treatment of Heat-Related Illness in Sports” and “Hot Topics in Sports Related Injuries”

High school students already involved with athletics, as well as entering high school freshmen who plan to join an athletic team are welcome to attend.  Lunch will be provided to all attendees.  Registration is required, and space is limited.  Register by calling 863-687-1400 or completing and sending in the form below. 

First Presbyterian Church is located at 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive in Lakeland.

The Sports Medicine Symposium is brought to you by the Lakeland Regional Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Clinic.  The center, conveniently located at 2125 Harden Boulevard next to Lakeland Regional Orthopedic Associates, gives patients access to the latest therapeutic equipment and techniques to recover after surgery, trauma, stroke or illness.  Also, the center is initiating pediatric rehabilitation services which include the addition of a second on-site pool dedicated for the pediatric rehabilitation population.

The clinic offers one of the area’s largest and most comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation centers, with a team of highly trained therapists specializing in multi-disciplinary care. 

A full service gym is available for patients who wish to continue their exercise program after therapy is completed. 

To learn more about the Sports Medicine Symposium or the Lakeland Regional Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Clinic, please visit www.lrmc.com.

As shift supervisor in B8, Robin coordinates the day-to-day operations on a 48-bed medical unit.  She also has the opportunity to develop and mentor staff members — something they appreciate and treasure.

“I know I can go to Robin for advice, not only for work, but also on a personal level. She is approachable and intelligent and she leads by example. She never complains about anything,” said Elida Benetez, RN, B8.

“As a new nurse, it was hard coming into a new profession. Robin made it easier for me.  She is such a strong leader and her character is awesome,” said Tara Platt, RN, B8.

Robin has been a faithful employee at LRMC for more than 26 years. She is a strong believer in education as she recently attained her BSN and has plans to begin a master’s program at the University of South Florida. She is a two-time winner of the “Excellence in Nursing” award and has achieved national medical-surgical certification.

Although Robin is known for her strong work ethic at LRMC, she also enjoys all things creative — including music, art, crafts and traveling. She also finds time to spoil her grand children and is on her way to becoming a master gardener.

As a graduate from the bachelor of nursing program at the University of Florida, Allison came to work at LRMC seven years ago. She earned her Master’s from Florida Southern College and currently serves as the nurse manager in the MICU where she oversees the day-to-day operations of her unit. She is a high-achiever, and inspires her team to be the same.

“As soon as Allison took the position, she quickly began to invoke change,” said Dr. Dean Sandifer, medical director of the intensive care units. “When I think of Allison, I think of leadership, fairness, and a strong work ethic. I also think of someone who is upbeat and funny,” he said.

Since Allison became the manager of the MICU in 2007, her team has achieved a number of notable accomplishments, including strengthening employee engagement scores and leading the “Surviving Sepsis” campaign. Additionally, because of Allison’s encouragement, many of her staff are now back in school to continue their course of education.

“I have received numerous letters about Allison and the way she brought trust and respect to her unit,” said Carrie Ogilvie. “She is a leader by definition.”

During Allison’s time off, you may find her attending a football game. She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as relaxing during a weekend away at River Ranch.

As the breast cancer nurse navigator for Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Weakland makes it her mission to support breast cancer patients during one of the most critical times in their lives.  From the initial diagnosis all the way through treatment and survivorship, Weakland coordinates her patients’ care and empowers them to make informed treatment decisions.  Now as a CBCN®, Tina’s broadened knowledge base will offer LRCC’s breast cancer patients even more advanced quality care.  

“I’m happy for the organization (LRMC) because it continues to recognize how important it is to grow our breast cancer treatment program,” said Weakland.

The CBCN certification process is rigorous and involves an extensive examination testing knowledge in multiple disciplines.  However, Weakland’s learning process did not end upon successfully completing the examination.  In order to maintain the certification, she will continue to stay on top of new research and trends by participating in continued education in breast cancer treatment.  

Additionally, the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers has recognized LRCC as an outstanding provider of quality breast care. For more than a year, the LRCC team diligently worked to meet the program’s rigorous 27 standards and 17 components of care that collectively provide the most efficient and contemporary care available. LRCC is one of only two Florida breast centers and only 52 nationally to be accredited.

For more information about Lakeland Regional’s Cancer Center or to schedule a consultation, call 863-603-6565.

As the role of LRMC’s volunteers continues to expand, Kathy has been instrumental in developing new volunteer opportunties. She worked with Central Transport to utilize volunteers from Errand/Escort as the primary source of patient discharge. Currently, the volunteers average more than forty discharges daily. Kathy’s act of stewardship saves transporter time and results in shorter discharge wait times.

Additionally, Kathy and her team built the volunteer ambassador program. She recognized that patients and visitors often became lost as they journeyed through the hospital, Kathy organized volunteers to act as “ambassadors,” guiding patients to testing and surgery waiting areas.

Not only is Kathy extremely business-minded, she is also passionate, caring and personable. Her volunteers say she is constantly baking treats to share and always has an open door and a listening ear.

“Kathy has a special bond with each and every volunteer. As a result, the volunteers simply do not tell her ‘no’ and they joyfully go where she sends them, filling in where needed,” said Kathy’s supervisor, Susan Amann, director of Retail and Volunteer Services.

Upon meeting Kathy, you are certain to hear stories about her family as she is a proud wife, mother and grandmother. While her sons were growing up, Kathy was a stay-at-home mom, but quickly asserted herself in the workplace when her sons went to college. Her former employers include Lakeside Memorial Hospital in Brockport, New York where she served as the Administrative Assistant to the CEO.

When Kathy is not at work, she loves spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys gardening and is determined to master an abundance of hobbies. She says she has “never-ending faith that each day finds us closer to where God wants us to be if we follow His plan.”

Congratulations, Kathy, and thank you for being such a special part of LRMC!

Elaine Thompson, PhD, FACHE, the President of Lankenau Hospital near Philadelphia since 2006, will join the hospital on September 13, 2010. Lankenau Hospital is a 350-bed academic tertiary acute care facility and is the academic medical center of the Main Line Health System. The hospital is known for centers of excellence in cardiovascular services, oncology, maternity and NICU, as well as its Magnet designation. Dr. Thompson has a strong background in financial and quality performance improvement, including Lean/Six Sigma. She has led significant construction and fundraising projects and demonstrated a commitment to collaborative programs.

Key accomplishments have included:

• Approval for a $650 million master facility plan
• Improved annual income from operations by 100% in two years
• Health Grades recognition as one of the best 50 hospitals in the nation, and Premier recognition as one of the top 26 in the nation. Regionally known for patient satisfaction
• Developed and led in-house multi-disciplinary engineering-based operational improvement effort
• Developed academic partnership with Drexel University to foster innovation to promote infection control and prevention
• Developed and implemented a formal diversity program
• Facilitated donor support in excess of $32 million

Prior to being appointed as President of Lankenau Hospital, Main Line Health System, Dr. Thompson was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network.  In that capacity she was responsible for the operations of an integrated health care system including four acute care hospitals.  Prior to her appointment with St. Luke’s Hospital, Dr. Thompson served in various administrative positions within the University of Pennsylvania Health System with responsibilities for hospital operations, professional practice management and network development. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Science from Drexel University School of Biomedical Engineering; a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Temple University; and dual Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Thompson shared this comment, “I am thrilled by the opportunities I see at LRMC and to become a part of the proud tradition it represents. I look forward to meeting with the medical staff, employees, volunteers, Board and community as I learn about the hospital and we forge our future together.”

“The selection was made after a thorough search process, involving the input of members of our hospital team, medical staff, and community. We are confident that Dr. Thompson brings the qualities and talents necessary to lead LRMC and serve our community,” said Wilton M. Reavis, MD, chairman of the LRMC Board of Directors.