05.24.2024

Today’s Forecast

95º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:33 a.m. | Sunset 8:16 p.m.

🏥 A check-up on healthcare developments

New developments coming to Lakeland’s healthcare scene

A rendering of the exterior of Orlando Health's future Lakeland Highlands Hospital

Orlando Health will add around 3,000 local jobs in the Polk market with its new developments. | Rendering provided by Orlando Health

With Lakeland’s population on the rise, the need for quality medical care is rising, too. We’re watching these new healthcare developments and programs coming across Lakeland that aim to bridge the gap between residents and the doctors they need.

Orlando Health is breaking into the Lakeland market with two new developments. A freestanding emergency room is slated to open in August 2025 at Lakeland Park Center in north Lakeland.

In spring of 2026, Orlando Health will also open its Lakeland Highlands Hospital. The facility south of the Polk Parkway near Sanlan Golf Course will include around 300 inpatient beds, plus emergency department beds, ICU rooms, and labor + delivery rooms. It will also include space to open a neonatal intensive care unit in the future.

A rendering of an aerial view of the future Lakeland VA Clinic — The new VA Clinic will include 121,000 sqft of usable space.
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Rendering provided by James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital

Just north of this new hospital is another medical facility: the new Lakeland VA Clinic at 2080 Meadowland Park Blvd. It’s expected to open this summer, expanding access for the current clinic’s 12,000 patients. This facility will offer primary care and mental health care, as well as specialized care like audiology, prosthetics, and more. The total buildout will cost $100 million.

Medical residents watch as a resident and attending physician practice chest compressions on a simulation dummy. — Lakeland Regional’s GME residents get hands-on experience here and are more likely to stick around Lakeland after their residency.
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Photo by LALtoday

More developments are coming toward south Lakeland. Lakeland Regional Health’s freestanding emergency department at 6150 S. Florida Ave. is under construction and set to open in early 2025. LRH also recently celebrated Match Day with its next round of Graduate Medical Education residents — learn more about the program.

Polk County is expanding access to indigent healthcare for those in need. County Commissioners recently approved $4 million for a new community health center just south of Lakeland in Mulberry. Interested in county health programs? Check out an upcoming community event near you to learn more about the Polk HealthCare Plan.

Events

Friday, May 24

Friday Night Live | Friday, May 24 | 6-8 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Grab dinner and drinks to-go from a downtown restaurant and head to Munn Park for music by Vintage V Band.
Caribbean Chillers: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett | Friday, May 24 | 6-10 p.m. | Camp Margaritaville, 361 Denton Ave., Auburndale | $0-$40 | Hear all your favorite hits, just in time for summer — food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Saturday, May 25

Run for Their Lives 5K | Saturday, May 25 | 7:30-10:30 a.m. | Peterson Park, 3700 Cleveland Heights Blvd., Lakeland | $20-$45 | Run Three Parks Trail to raise money for SPCA Florida’s animals in need.
Bogey Babe Golf Event | Saturday, May 25 | 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Cleveland Heights Golf Course, 2900 Buckingham Ave., Lakeland | $45-$180 | Players of all skill levels are welcome to this women’s club’s first 18-hole scramble.
NAACP Memorial Day Tribute | Saturday, May 25 | 10 a.m. | Veteran’s Memorial Park, Lake Beulah Dr., Lakeland | Free | Honor fallen soldiers in a tribute hosted by the NAACP Lakeland Branch’s Armed Services Veterans Affairs Committee.
Lit Flix: “The Color Purple” | Saturday, May 25 | 1-4:30 p.m. | Larry R. Jackson Branch Library, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Discuss Alice Walker’s classic book “The Color Purple” then watch the 2023 film adaptation with other readers.
The Write Spot | Saturday, May 25 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | Free | Find encouragement, fun exercises, and fellowship with other local writers.

Sunday, May 26

Sunset at the Lake | Sunday, May 26 | 12:30-2:30 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39-$59 | Paint a canvas with the guidance of an expert artist — add DIY candle making for $20.
Munnville w/ Top Dog Concessions | Sunday, May 26 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Start the week on the patio with live music + food truck bites.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Try This

✨ Luxe Head Spa Treatment at Skin Thermea

Try This: Luxe Head Spa Treatment at Skin Thermea

Presented by a LALtoday Partner

City Editor Connor gets a head spa hair treatment at Skin Thermea spa

You won’t find this head spa treatment anywhere else in Lakeland. | Photo by LALtoday

City Editor Connor here. Recently, after a day full of meetings around town, it was time for some serious self-care — and I knew just where to go. I booked the new Hair Spoils treatment at Skin Thermea + a facial with spa owner Meg Tyner.

Kick back, relax, and come along with me as I dive headfirst into Lakeland’s luxurious new service.

What we tried:

Skin Thermea is the first spa in Lakeland to offer a head spa treatment, which includes scalp exfoliation, massage, and deep conditioning hair treatments to leave you feeling totally zen.

You know how nice it feels when a hairstylist washes your hair? Imagine that, but ten times more soothing, then add a facial and an arm + hand massage.

Visitors can choose the hour-long Hair Spoils treatment, extend it to two hours with a hair blowout, or really indulge by adding on a customized facial like I did for ultimate relaxation.

Keep reading to hear about how Meg further personalized my experience, or explore Skin Thermea’s full suite of luxe treatment options.

What not to miss

News Notes

Biz

There goes your sign. A Lakelander caught a video of crews removing the Publix GreenWise Market sign from outside the store this week. ICYMI, Publix is shuttering all GreenWise Markets, and the one at 4747 S. Florida Ave. will become a traditional Publix supermarket.

Weather

Get ready for an active hurricane season. NOAA released its official predictions yesterday, and it’s expecting 17 to 25 total named storms — 8 to 13 of which may become hurricanes. Start your storm prep now.

Coming Soon

Meet Bar Vasco, Nineteen61’s new rooftop bar opening Saturday, June 1. The bar will be covered + air conditioned, offering small plates and cocktails (plus Munn Park views) you won’t find in the downstairs restaurant. (LkldNow)

Community

LAL could be the site of a new fire station after it offered the Lakeland Fire Department a piece of property near West Pipkin + Medulla roads. Fire Chief Doug Riley says the potential Fire Station 9 would reduce response times in the rapidly growing southwest Lakeland area. (The Ledger)

Outdoors

Polk County is under an indefinite burn ban due to dry conditions throughout the area. The burn ban applies to all unauthorized open and recreational fires in unincorporated Polk and certain municipalities, including Lakeland. (The Ledger)

Stat

2.14. That’s how many officers the Lakeland Police Department has per 1,000 residents — below the state average of 2.53. LPD will need to hire 35 more officers in the next six years to keep up with population growth and service calls. (The Ledger)

Award

Nominations are open for the Polk Young Professionals Awards, happening Aug. 29. Awards will be given to five individuals ages 21-42 who are making an impact on Polk County.

Seasonal

Bonnet Springs Park + United Way of Central Florida will offer free grab-and-go snack packs for kids each Monday in June. Head to the park’s entrance at 4 p.m. starting June 3 to grab a BSP Power Pack — no registration required.

Job

Hey, healthcare job seekers: Lakeland Regional Health’s Careers Website got a revamp to provide an excellent candidate experience. Pro tip: The dust is still settling on the new site, so if an issue occurs while applying, send your resume + the position you’re interested in to Careers@myLRH.org.*

Try This

If your current coverage just isn’t cutting it, consider giving your local GEICO office a call at 863-400-7460. James Boley and the team can walk you through your options + help you personalize a plan around your needs.*

Home

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

Shop

Stanley is having a Memorial Day sale. Get your summer drinkware, camp mugs, coolers, and tumblers 25% off with code MEMORIAL DAY.*

Asked

🎶 Lakeland, put your records on

Listen to these Lakeland-inspired playlists

A hand holding an iPhone showing a Spotify playlist called "Lake Morton swan stroll Sunday evening"

Spotify, meet Swan City. | Photo by LALtoday

Hey there, Spotify listener. If this is your music streaming service of choice, you may be familiar with Daylists. Spotify curates these playlists throughout the day with tunes specific to your mood and the time of day, which can lead to some pretty wacky names. This got us thinking — what if it could create a daylist specific to Lakeland?

We asked our followers for a few suggestions of playlists they would listen to around Swan City. Now, we’re turning to you to round out the lists — just click the button below. We’ve added a few song suggestions to help you match the vibe:

💐 90s rom-com farmers market Saturday morning

“Dreams” by The Cranberries
“There She Goes” by The La’s

🦢 Lake Morton swan stroll Sunday evening

“I’m Like a Bird” by Nelly Furtado
“Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

🚗 Dixieland road diet Monday afternoon

“Manic Monday” by The Bangles
“Working for the Weekend” by Loverboy

Drop your favorite songs

The Buy

Group A, The Buy 5.24.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

The ultimate kitchen appliance for summer: the Cuisinart 2-Quart Ice Cream Maker. No ice, salt, or hand-churning required — simply freeze the bowl and pour in your custom creation. We’re thinking black raspberry or chocolate chip…

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

Are you a Spotify Daylist listener? Here are the ones the app suggested for me as I wrote this newsletter:

Happy indie surf music Thursday morning
Happy indie alternative Thursday afternoon
Happy folk granola vibes Thursday evening

Looks like I was feeling pretty happy yesterday.

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