Robots in the operating room aren’t out of the ordinary at Lakeland Regional Health. | Photo provided by Lakeland Regional Health
Lakeland is becoming a technology industry powerhouse, with the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area’s high-tech gross domestic product growing nearly 63% from 2018 to 2023. Did you know about these technological advancements being used and developed right here in Swan City?
Healthcare
Lakeland Regional Health rolled out a new lung care technology called the Intuitive Ion Robotic Navigational Bronchoscopy in February. The diagnostic technology uses robotic tech + 3D imaging to collect more precise tissue samples from all parts of the lung.
The tech doesn’t stop there — LRH has also implemented procedures like the Robotic Whipple for pancreatic cancer surgery and Bridge Enhanced ACL Restoration implant that can be used instead of another tendon in ACL procedures.
Dr. Kelley and Dr. Ahamed are collaborating thanks to a Fulbright research partnership.
Photo provided by Florida Polytechnic University
Edu
Where better to find new technology than at Florida Polytechnic University, Florida’s only state STEM school? Researchers here work alongside students to find solutions for problems in health, public safety, and more.
One project that has life-changing potential is the research of assistant professor Dr. Chris Kelley and Dr. Jalal Ahamed from Canada’s University of Windsor. Their team has created wearable technology that captures movement changes in those with Parkinson’s disease. The coin-sized sensors will monitor the progression of the disease + effectiveness of treatments.
Would you hitch a ride in an autonomous car?
Photo provided by Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise
Traffic
Just up the road from Florida Poly is the SunTrax testing facility. Led by the Florida Department of Transportation, it includes several types of environments where autonomous vehicles and new tolling technology are put to the test.
Agriculture
Over at Catapult, EZ Ag Innovations is using patented AI + machine learning technology to help farmers. The company is led by University of Florida professors with decades of agricultural experience. By using AI to target fungicide spraying, it aims to reduce the amount of chemicals used and raise crop yields. More fresh produce? Count us in.
Asked
Asked
Which of these is a real research project underway at Florida Poly?
A. Improving I-4 traffic using drivers’ smartphone data B. Creating a self-operating SunRail train C. Developing waterproof laptops for underwater engineers D. Hurricane-proofing the IST building with NOAA
Full STEAM Ahead | 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Watch an acrobatic show at 9:30 a.m., followed by activities from Bricks 4 Kidz, Great Explorations, Florida Children’s Museum, and more.
Tell Me How You Really Feel Art Exhibition | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | COhatch | Free | Join the opening reception of this exhibition created + curated by Florida Southern College students.
Felines and Freeform Art | 6:30 p.m. | Kitty Cat Lounge | $35 | After viewing FSC’s work, see what you can create when you release your own inner artist.
Movie on the Lawn | 7-10 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Cheeehooooo — round up your family + your lawn chairs to catch a showing of “Moana 2" on the Allen & Company Family Lawn.
Saturday, March 22
Can You Dig It? Spring Break Edition | 9-10 a.m. | Mulberry Phosphate Museum, Mulberry | Free | Test your fossil-finding skills and unearth a shark tooth in the dig pile to win a prize.
“A Night at the Opera… Scenes” | 7 p.m. | Southeastern University | Free | Warm up those pipes and enjoy an evening of student performances from a variety of operas.
Find candidates who want to work right here, right now. | Gif by 6AM City
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It was Lakeland, in the parlor, with a doughnut. Parlor Doughnuts is opening soon on East Bay Street and offering a first look at its space + menu. Get ready for a mural by Maegan Carroll-Simmons, small-batch doughnuts (we can’t wait to try the French toast flavor), and craft coffee.
Number
4.8 million. That’s how many people have visited the Polk County Tax Collector’s Lakeland office since its opening in 2013, leading to wear and tear on its historic building. A floor restoration project will decrease capacity through May, so plan to use online services, kiosks, or express pick-ups.
Civic
Polk County Fire Rescue workers will get a pay increase after county commissioners approved a contract with the agency’s union. Starting March 31, firefighters will receive a 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment, plus higher hourly rates for long-term employees. (The Ledger)
Lakelander
She’s beauty, she’s grace, she’s Maci Miotto, the newly crowned Miss Lakeland. Miotto is a junior pursuing an Organizational Leadership degree at Southeastern University, and she works with nonprofits like Foster Youth of America + Anchor House Ministries. She’ll compete at Miss Florida in June.
Cause
Support Gospel Inc. by joining the “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes” Walkathon. Create a team and join the walk around Lake Parker on Saturday, April 12 at 9 a.m. to raise funds to provide permanent housing for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Try This
Hibachi, highball cocktails, and Highland cattle await at Cow Creek Farm’s first Highland Nights event on Friday, April 4, 5-8 p.m. Snag a ticket before they sell out to roam the farm at your own pace and enjoy dinner + drinks.
Show
Don your deerstalker cap and grab a magnifying glass for the Sherlock Holmes Mystery Cocktail Experience at the Polk Theatre. This interactive show will let you play detective while sipping four mysteriously tasty bevs. There are two showtimes available at 6 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 19.
Fact or Fiction
Fact: Some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster. (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. This one even offers 5% cash back on your purchases.*
Stat
Every six seconds. That’s how often a pet owner spends $1,000+ in unforeseen care costs for their fur baby. Pet insurance could cover up to 90% of these costs — find the right plan.*
Category
Trending
đź›— Welcome to the Severed Floor
We’d love to see the Macrodata Refinement team take on Swan City. | Photos by Apple TV+ and @paulsombric
City Editor Connor here — are you as obsessed with the show “Severance” as I am? This Apple TV+ series follows employees of a mysterious company who undergo a procedure that “severs” their work lives and their personal lives. It’s a twisty thriller that’s launching thousands of fan theories and topping the streaming charts.
Ahead of tomorrow’s season two finale, I couldn’t help but come up with a theory of my own — what would these characters get up to if the show was based in Lakeland? Feel free to send in your own ideas.
Mark S.: As a former history professor, he would love poring over the records in the Lakeland History Room(maybe to bring back his own memories).
Helly R.: This employee is a real escape artist with a few secret tricks up her sleeve — I’d love to see her go toe to toe with the puzzles in downtown’s Escapology + Lakeland Escape Room.
Thanks for indulging my “Severance” theories today. If you’re also a fan of the show, the Lakeland-based “Florida Men on Florida Man” podcast recently interviewed Faith Vaughn, who plays Woe, and it’s a fun listen.
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