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🏥 5 things you may not know about Watson Clinic
The exterior of the Watson Clinic in Lakeland, Florida.
With 18 locations in and around Lakeland, there’s likely a Watson Clinic near you. | Provided by Watson Clinic
It’s time to test your knowledge, Lakeland. You might be familiar with Watson Clinic, but did you know it first opened its doors in 1941? Take a look at this — and four other things you may not have known about this healthcare staple of the Lakeland community:

Watson Clinic has been around for 80+ years

It all began when Georgia-born Dr. Willis Herman Watson moved to Lakeland in 1916 to start his own private practice.

In 1941, he joined forces with his nephew, Dr. Samuel Edgar Watson, and doctors Jere W. Annis, Henry Fuller, and John Kibler to form the physician group that became known as Watson Clinic. The rest is history.
Today, the Clinic’s team is comprised of 220+ board-certified physicians, representing more than 40 medical and surgical specialties, including cardiology, breast health, and dozens of other specialties + health services.

A female doctor smiling at a patient at Watson Clinic

Watson Clinic has a network of 220+ providers.

|

Provided by Watson Clinic

Their model allows patients to come first

Watson Clinic is owned and operated by its physicians, creating a collaborative and efficient environment wherein a vast network of providers can swiftly refer patients to other specialists within the Clinic’s network. Those providers then work together to ensure each patient receives comprehensive, personalized, and effective treatment.

Bonus: The Clinic’s services are not determined by outside bureaucrats — the medical professionals decide.

They introduce the community to breakthroughs in modern medicine

From open heart surgery to 3D mammography to minimally-invasive robotic surgery, Watson Clinic has a history of introducing Lakeland to the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies in the industry.

They evolve to meet the community’s needs

After identifying a demand for hassle-free walk-in care in recent years, Watson Clinic opened three convenient quick-care locations — Urgent Care Main, Urgent Care South, and XpressCare Highlands — to provide immediate treatments for minor illnesses and injuries without an appointment.

And with 18 medical and specialty centers throughout Polk, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties, you’re never too far from getting the care you need at a Watson Clinic facility.
Find a physician near you
Asked

Which major film premiered in 1941, the same year Watson Clinic opened?
A. “The Godfather”
B. “Vertigo”
C. “Citizen Kane”
D. “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Take a guess
Orlando International Airport
 
Events
Friday, June 16
  • Free Summer Kids Lunches | Friday, June 16 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Mary’s Bagel Cafe, 1242 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Kids ages 5-18 can get free lunches courtesy of Mary’s Bagel Cafe on select days — meals include sandwiches, fruit, chips, and juice or water.
  • Main Street Bartow’s FRIDAY FEST! | Friday, June 16 | 6-9 p.m. | 100 E. Main St., Downtown Bartow | Free | Visit this block party for live music, delicious drinks, and plenty of local vendors.
  • Disney’s “Finding Nemo Jr.” | Friday, June 16-Sunday, June 18 | Times vary | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $12-$15 | Just keep swimming to this musical adaptation of the Pixar movie performed by local young actors.
Saturday, June 17
  • 1st Annual Father’s Day Kickback Party | Saturday, June 17 | 4-8 p.m. | Just Dance, 124 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | $5-$10 | Celebrate fatherhood with casino games, pampering, refreshments, and a comedy show.
  • Rusty Wright Band | Saturday, June 17 | 8 p.m. | Music Ranch, 1920 Banana Rd., Lakeland | $25 | This local blues, jam, and rock band will take to the stage.
  • Polk Pride 2023: Pride After Dark | Saturday, June 17 | 9 p.m. | Rec Room, 202 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $15 | This after-party will go late into the night with cocktails, music, and a drag show.
  • Taylor Swift Night Lakeland | Saturday, June 17 | 9 p.m.-12 a.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $12-$15 | Hop in your getaway car and head to Union Hall for four gorgeous hours of Taylor Swift favorites and deep cuts — Shelby Mason will also perform live covers.
Sunday, June 18
  • Bricks & Brews — Father’s Day Edition | Sunday, June 18 | 2-4 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | $10 | Compete with your family to see who can build the best Lego creation.
  • “Search Party” Premiere Watch Party | Sunday, June 18 | 7-10 p.m. | Downtown Bartow, 260 E. Main St., Bartow | Free entry | Watch an outdoor premiere of the new Weather Channel show “Search Party,” starring Bartow’s Brandon Jordan, with food trucks and a boat show.
  • Complimentary Father’s Day Photos | Saturday, June 17 | 5-7 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free | Bring the family to Lakeside Village for free Father’s Day photos taken by The Lagrones photography team.*
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Indiana University
 
News Notes
Traffic
  • A few months after downtown Lakeland switched seven traffic lights for four-way stops, the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority reports that reviews have been “pretty positive.” How do you feel about the change? Let us know in this survey — it’ll take less than 60 seconds. (Bay News 9)
Development
  • A $65 million Sysco distribution center will bring 200 jobs to 475 Charlie Taylor Rd. in Plant City. Construction on the 504,000 sqft development is slated to begin in early 2024 with an expected opening in early 2025. (Business Observer FL)
Civic
  • Lori Edwards, Polk County Supervisor of Elections, is seeking a seventh term. In 2020, Edwards captured 78% of the vote, securing her role. You may recognize some of her efforts during election season, including early voting opportunities, voter registration drives, and more. (The Ledger)
Shop
  • Before you hit the road for your next summer road trip, stop by Little Lake (111 S. Florida Ave.) to pick up some car ride essentials for your youngest travelers. We’re eyeing the interactive space station and dragons + dinosaurs playbox.
Sports
  • Woodlake Park’s tennis and pickleball courts’ hours of operation changed on June 1. Previously open from dawn to dusk like those at Simpson Park and Kelly Recreation Complex, Woodlake courts are now open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. A petition has been started to advocate for the former hours.
Number
  • $2 million. That’s how much the Polk County Tax Collector’s Kids Tag Art program has raised. The statewide license plate design contest began 17 years ago to raise money for elementary school art supplies.
Trending
  • Didn’t snag tickets to The Eras Tour? Shake it off at Taylor Swift Night at Union Hall on Saturday, June 17 at 9 p.m. with live performances by Shelby Mason. Then visit Rec Room’s The Eras Party on Saturday, June 24 at 9 p.m. for dancing + themed cocktails.
Biz
  • Hey, LAL small business owners: Need help growing your business? Meet Greg Manning, Catapult’s newest Expert in Residence. Greg is a mentor from the Small Business Development Center and provides consultation, training, and market research. Schedule an appointment.*
Edu
  • At Indiana University, they see potential, not scores. (Read: Choosing test-optional admissions can give your aspiring college student more confidence and lead to stronger outcomes.) Discover how your student can succeed in Bloomington, IN (AKA the best college town in America). Learn more.*
Cause
  • New Life Veterinary Hospital’s new initiative T • A • G — Treating Animals to Giveback — launches next month, where NLVH will donate $1 for every pet seen during the second week of the month and act as a donation drop point. A non-profit organization will be selected each month.*
Wellness
 
Coming Soon

Food + drink developments we’re watching

Restaurant Roundup: Meet your new favorite Lakeland restaurants
An exterior shot of 4 Rivers Smokehouse
We can already smell the brisket and burnt ends. | Photo by seeskipfranchise, @apivotalcharacter
It’s a good time to be a foodie in Lakeland, Florida. Here’s what we’re watching:

4 Rivers Smokehouse, 4747 S. Florida Ave.
Get ready, Lakeland. This popular barbecue spot is opening its doors on Wednesday, June 21. We can already taste the brisket and burnt ends.

Crumbl Cookies, 919 Lakeland Park Center Dr., Ste. 370
Visions of pink boxes are dancing in our heads. An opening date is TBA, but you can already find signage between PetSmart and Van Spa & Nails, just a short walk away from Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ross, Ulta, and more.

Food + Beer, 3615 S. Florida Ave.
A Tampa sports bar is filling the former home of HomeCourt in Merchants Walk. The Lakeland location will be the eatery’s fifth in Florida. Check out the food and cocktail menus as we wait for further details.
5 more things we're hungry for
 
The Wrap
 
Rilee-Delgado-Headshot-LAL

Today’s edition by:
Rilee
Answered: C. The correct answer to our quiz is “Citizen Kane,” a drama directed by, produced by, and starring Orson Welles. Did you know? The movie has a 99% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

From the editor
One of the best parts of our job is sharing new developments + eateries with our readers. Do you know of something we should have our eyes on? Give us a hint.
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