Lakeland Regional Health Announces Philanthropist and Advocate of the year Honorees

Lakeland, FL – Lakeland Regional Health held its Philanthropist and Advocate of the Year celebration on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. The organization honored Bill and Kathy Pou as the Philanthropists of the Year and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd as the Advocate of the Year. The event took place at the Polk Theatre in Lakeland.

“We are so pleased to honor Bill and Kathy Pou and Sheriff Grady Judd in this way. Their unwavering advocacy and generosity allow us to deliver the best care to the patients and families we serve,” said Danielle Drummond, MS, FACHE, Lakeland Regional Health President and CEO. “We are truly privileged to be surrounded by such an incredible community that supports the work we do each and every day.”

Originally from Plant City and married for 43 years, Bill and Kathy Pou are active mem­bers of the Lakeland community, calling it home for over 20 years. Bill has worked for 42 years in various aspects of the family’s business, the W.S. Badcock Corporation, and has been integral in advanc­ing its success. After 117 years as a family business, the family sold it in 2021, and Bill retired as Chairman of the Board. Bill has given his time to various community organizations and joined the Lakeland Regional Health Foundation in 2005, serving as President in 2014 to 2015. Bill currently serves on the governance board at Lakeland Regional Health. Kathy has given her time as a Trustee of Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina, the Mission Advancement Council for the Southeastern Guide Dogs and the Dean’s Club Level of giving to the Walker College of Business at ASU, and Therapy Dog International with her dog Maggie. Maggie is a therapy dog who visits patients and staff at LRH.

Since 1972, Grady Judd has been a long-standing member of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, working his way up to Sheriff in 2004. Recognized for his outstanding contributions, Sheriff Judd was inducted into the Polk County School Board Hall of Fame and received the pres­tigious Distinguished Alumni Award from Polk State College. Sheriff Judd has also received awards such as the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award and the Church Women United Human Rights Award. In addition, he has served as Presi­dent of the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Major County Sheriffs of America, a national organization.

The theme of the evening was “Sounds of Broadway” and featured entertainment by Tony Award-nominated Ari Groover performing pieces from Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and various artists and instrumentals from the national tour of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.

“This event is a special time where the community comes together to recognize those who dedicate their lives to serve and support the mission of the Lakeland Regional Health Foundation,” said Timothy Boynton, Senior Vice President of Development, Chief Public Relations and Communications Officer. “We thank each person involved in making this night incredible.” 

About Lakeland Regional Health 
Not-for-profit Lakeland Regional Health reaches beyond its hospital walls to promote wellness, education and discovery in new places and new ways, providing a wide range of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services at its Medical Center, Hollis Cancer Center and ambulatory care locations. Lakeland Regional Health earned Most Wired Advanced and Most Wired status eight times since 2013 and has earned workplace awards from Forbes, Gallup and Becker’s Hospital Review. Its 892-bed comprehensive tertiary referral hospital, Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, operates the Jack and Tina Harrell Family Institute for Advanced Cardiovascular Medicine; a Level II Trauma Center; the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children, which includes a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; and the Bannasch Institute for Advanced Rehabilitation Medicine.

About Lakeland Regional Health Foundation
As a charity healthcare organization, Lakeland Regional Health is dedicated to providing effective, safe, timely, efficient and equitable care to all members of the communities it serves, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay for services. The Lakeland Regional Health Foundation was created as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 1971 to support Lakeland Regional Health’s work to deliver nationally recognized healthcare, strengthen the health of the community and advance the future of healthcare for those it serves. 100% of all donations are invested in clinical programs, facilities and equipment used to care for patients.

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