Area Health News Press Releases

provided by BAYCARE Bartow, Fla. – When it comes to stroke, Polk County is trending upward in unsettling statistics. In 2022, the rate of county residents who suffered a stroke outpaced the statewide rate. The same was true of stroke deaths. Steven Dewbrew is aware of those risks, and in his new role as Bartow […]

provided by BAYCARE Bartow, Fla. – It was an easy choice to re-establish the Physician of the Year program at Bartow Regional Medical Center. “It’s a great opportunity to acknowledge their efforts and dedication to providing extraordinary patient care,” said Dr. Tarek Garas, the chief of staff for the MedicalExecutive Committee. When it came to

provided by BAYCARE Winter Haven, Fla., – Mark Poon likes to stay busy. And that was before he took on a surgical services team that handles more than 8,000 cases every year. The new director of surgical services is a husband and father of four children who also dedicates time as a naval reserve officer.

provided by BAYCARE 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 chiefmedical officer, chair of department of medicine,

provided by WATSON CLINIC Lakeland, FL — Watson Clinic has elected Rebecca Pacatte as their new Chief Operating Officer. Pacatte brings a wealth of experience to the position, having fulfilled various duties at Watson Clinic over the past three decades. She began her career serving in clinical positions in the Clinic’s Urgent Care and Cardiothoracic Surgery departments, and

provided by BAYCARE Winter Haven, Fla. – 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

PROVIDED BY WATSON CLINIC Lakeland, FL — Scheduled to open in March, Watson Clinic Orthopaedics at Winter Haven will offer area residents easy access to a comprehensive roster of Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine services, including treatments for injuries afflicting the hand, hip, thigh, knee, leg, shoulder, elbow, foot and ankle. The facility will also collaborate closely with

provided by MOFFITT CANCER CENTER TAMPA — Dr. Karen Lu has joined Moffitt Cancer Center as the new executive vice president and physician in chief. In her role, she will oversee the Moffitt Medical Group, Florida’s largest multidisciplinary medical group practice made up of over 600 faculty members and advanced practice providers. “As Moffitt Cancer Center strives

Watson Clinic recognizes one outstanding employee every month as part of their Program for Employee Excellence and Recognition (PEER) award. The PEER Award is given to an employee who best exemplifies the patient-focused customer service standards that Watson Clinic strives to excel at every day. The following employee was recognized for this current month: George