Presented by Lakeland Regional Health + Nemours Children's Hospital
Children and families can benefit from asthma education not only in a hospital or clinic setting, but also in their schools. | Photo provided by Lakeland Regional Health
In a place where asthma has long posed serious health challenges for children, a powerful new partnership is helping kids breathe a little easier.
In 2025, Nemours Children’s Health and Lakeland Regional Health (LRH) launched the Children’s Asthma Education and Prevention Program (CAEPP) — a collaborative initiative to improve asthma education and outcomes for school-aged children in Lakeland. The program kicked off at Lincoln Elementary using the American Lung Association’s Open Airways for Schools curriculum.
Why it matters
Lakeland ranks among the top 10 most challenging places to live with asthma, climbing as high as number two in 2023.
Local hospitals are seeing a high percentage of children with severe asthma, particularly in the LRH Emergency Department and Nemours Pulmonary Clinic.
Asthma-related school absences and emergency visits are all too common — but this program aims to change that.
Dr. Joi Lucas is part of the team leading a new asthma education initiative for school-aged children in Lakeland.
Photo provided by Lakeland Regional Health Nemours Children’s Hospital
Program goals
Decrease pediatric asthma-related ER visits by 25%
Reduce school absences due to asthma by 25%
Improve medication compliance by 25%
“This is personal for our community,” said Joi Lucas, MD, a Pediatric Pulmonologist at Nemours Children’s Health in Lakeland. “We have a disproportionate number of children with severe asthma. Education is vital — and it works. The children in our program were excited to become ‘asthma experts.’”
Building a healthier future
The initiative builds on LRH’s 2023 recognition as an Asthma-Friendly Hospital, and its partnerships with the Florida Asthma Coalition and Florida Asthma Home Visit Program. Looking ahead, the team plans to expand to more schools and offer experiences like asthma camp at Camp Boggy Creek.
By meeting kids where they are — in schools and their communities — Nemours Children’s and LRH are creating a healthier tomorrow for children across Polk County.
Girls just wanna have tickets to “Girls Night: The Musical” at the RP Funding Center — but the show has been rescheduled from August to Saturday, Dec. 6.
If it’s ladies’ night and the feeling’s right, bring your crew to Bar Vasco’s rooftop Girls Night tomorrow, July 17, and sip specialty cocktails in support of the Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida from 5 to 8 p.m. Then, plan for shopping + self-care at The Vintage Warehouse’s Girls Day on Saturday, July 26, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Events
Events
Wednesday, July 16
Morning Mindfulness | 9-11 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Explore your surroundings through a guided journaling and watercolor painting session.
Zumba with Liv | 7-8 p.m. | Just Dance Courtyard Studio | $10 | Get an energy boost with cardio and muscle conditioning set to upbeat music.
Thursday, July 17
AGB Thursdays: Julián Pernett Castilla and Friends | 5-6 p.m. | The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art | Free | A pianist, vocalist, and percussionist walk into an art gallery — catch their after-hours performance to see what happens next.
Film Friday | 2-4 p.m. | Larry R. Jackson Branch Library | Free | Bring the whole family to watch “The Wild Robot” with free popcorn in hand.
Ladies Night in the Loft | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Picassoz Art Cafe | $21+ | Relax with friends while creating a mosaic or painting pottery together.
Saturday, July 19
Flower Power Garden Fest | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Parkesdale Farm Market, Plant City | Price of purchase | It’s the market’s final day before summer break — celebrate with plant vendors, food trucks, and crafts.
Finding Balance | 1-4 p.m. | Satya Life Yoga | $50+ | Draw from tai chi and yoga to cultivate a sense of balance through physical poses.
$1.5 million. That’s how much state funding Bonnet Springs Park will receive to expand parking to meet demand during busy events. CEO Josh Henderson says the park’s team is deciding where to add more surface lots, but a parking garage is not up for consideration due to costs. (The Ledger)
Travel
Take these Avelo updates into account while planning autumn trips — flights from Lakeland to Grand Rapids, Long Island, Rochester, and San Juan are seasonal. These four flights will be paused in September before resuming in early to mid-November before peak travel season. (The Ledger)
Ranked
No. 9. That’s where Lakeland ranked on WalletHub’s list of the best places for first-time home buyers based on affordability, the current market, and quality of life. If you’re a new mover, consider our New to Lakeland guides a housewarming gift.
Traffic
FDOT will hold a virtual public meeting tomorrow, July 17, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss changes to County Line Road + US 92. It’s considering raising one or both roads above the CSX railroad to reduce traffic delays. See the alternatives and register for the meeting. (The Ledger)
Edu
The sky’s the limit for local students. A group from Florida Poly was the only team to complete NASA’s challenge to create a space repair device for astronauts. Closer to earth, students in PCPS’ new air traffic control program can now access high-tech simulators before their careers take off.
Outdoors
City of Lakeland crews are helping pollinator populations grow by planting butterfly gardens at Hollis Garden + Lake Crago Park. These have re-established habitats for monarch and Atala butterflies, keeping these species alive. You can help by growing native plants from places like The Nectary. (LkldNow)
Kids
The Little Gym is coming to Lakeside Village soon, and spots on the waitlist are now open. The facility will offer gymnastics classes for children from 4 months to 12 years old. Before the doors open, here’s where to let your littles burn some energy.
Your next big event could use some attention. Get a crowd in the room by letting us help you spread the word. Our self-service ad portal can put your event in front of our highly engaged local audience in a matter of two days. Get started now.
Post of the Day
Nothing beats an ice-cold lemonade on a steamy Lakeland day — just ask the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Last week, deputies sold out fifth-grader Jude’s lemonade stand, bringing him closer to his goal of buying a new Nintendo Switch.
To try it for yourself, find the young entrepreneur this week on Winter Lake Road, between Rudolph + States Streets.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Lakeland isn’t the only place to find murals by local artists. Over the weekend, I spotted this one by Gillian Fazio at Disney Springs — which we reached in record time thanks to those new lanes on I-4. Find it on your next trip by looking for the Art Walk near the bus station.
Look for signs to the Art Walk by shops between the parking garages.
}})
