BayCare Polk Hospital Highlights
Capital City Today
This month, the Center for Behavioral Health is observing Mental Health Awareness Month with the theme “You Are Not Alone.”
BRMC SURGICAL TEAM 2: The new team members are: Maritza Rivera, Cristy Link, Tiffany Tucker, Rosalian Rosario, Ariana Vazquez-Espada, Kelsey Clark, Rachel Collins and patient care technician Georgia Caruthers.
Bartow Regional Expands Surgical Services Team
Bartow Regional Medical Center recently expanded its Surgical Services team to accommodate a slate of procedures available to the community we serve.
The expansion of services is made possible with the arrival of several physicians performing ear, nose and throat (ENT) cases and other procedures exclusively at BRMC.
Joining the Surgical Services team: nurses Maritza Rivera, Cristy Link, Tiffany Tucker, Rosalian Rosario and Ariana Vazquez-Espada; surgical technician Kelsey Clark, operating room care technician Rachel Collins and patient care technician Georgia Caruthers.
“We’ve been fortunate to attract quality candidates from all over our region and other health systems because of the quality of care our hospital has been doing,” said Surgical Services Director David Petersen. “We’re invested in constantly finding better ways to treat patients.”
Center for Behavioral Health Marks Mental Health Awareness Month
Winter Haven Hospital’s Center for Behavioral Health has participated in the recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month since its inception in 1967 as the first community mental health center in the United States to be developed with federal funding aimed at deinstitutionalization of those with mental illness.
It is safe to say that the way they serve our community has never looked more different. If anything, our community’s reliance on mental health services has intensified during the pandemic, and like so many teams, the behavioral health department had to pivot to check in on their patients.
The theme of Mental Health Awareness Month this year is “You Are Not Alone.” In addition to adjusting to the circumstances of the pandemic, the behavioral health team is also glad that BayCare recently announced its commitment to expand mental health services in the region, including in Polk County. The system recently awarded a $100,000 grant to the four National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) affiliates in the Tampa Bay area.
“This effort, and our work to make sure we are helping our patients, will help us make it easier for our community to get the help they need,” said Teresa Even, manager of behavioral health services.
Learn more about the Center for Behavioral Health: https://baycare.org/hospitals/winter-haven-hospital/services/behavioral-health/center-for-behavioral-health
Community Blood Center
The Winter Haven Hospital Community Blood Center is currently seeking donations of all blood types. Those who want to give can donate at the center, 460 First St. N., Winter Haven, FL, 33881. The center’s Bloodmobile also continues to make various stops in the area as well. To find the one nearest to you, visit: https://whhcommunitybloodcenter.org/category/blood-drives/