We
have begun construction
of two new
operating rooms on
the north side of our Emergency
Department/Ambulatory Surgery
Center building. We anticipate completing
these two large rooms by July
2005 so we can begin Open Heart
Surgery in July. We are also building
a new Cardiovascular Intensive Care
Unit for patients following cardiac
surgery. Cardiac surgeons from
Watson Clinic will be our cardiac surgeons
and our nurses have begun the
crucial necessary training to provide
this exceptional new service for our
community.
Our newly renovated Radiation Oncology Center is beautiful with the very latest technology. An Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) machine highlights our state of the art center. It helps assure cancer killing radiation doses go to a specific target (tumor) without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. This significantly reduces uncomfortable side effects for our patients. A new CT (Computerized Tomography) simulation system has also been added. It is crucial for treatment planning, along with MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and Nuclear Medicine scans for the patients. Our exceptional Radiation Oncology Team, led by Dr. Inder Bhutiani and Dr. Hee Yoon is well equipped to provide the very best in Radiation Oncology treatment.
In the last few months with the addition of our University of Florida Physicians we have devoted a major effort to assure quality care and significantly reduce waiting times for patients in the Emergency Department. We realize people prefer to get in and out quickly, if they are not admitted to the hospital, so we have analyzed processes to significantly reduce times people spend receiving emergency care.
Dr. Angela Alfaro leads the care team at our new Southeast Winter Haven Family Health Center which opened in October. The address of the new Clinic is 6035 Cypress Gardens Boulevard (across from Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in the Winter Haven Square Shopping Center). The phone number is 324- 4725. We look forward to providing exceptional care for patients in the southeast Winter Haven area.
We now have more than 50 individuals/groups who have agreed to voluntarily participate in our Arts in Medicine Program. They are musicians, artists, clowns, and puppeteers. They all share a desire to provide an enjoyable experience for our patients.
Some go room to room and some perform in common areas like the lobby, the cafeteria and visitor waiting areas. The coordinator of this program is Lorraine Rella. People interested in volunteering are encouraged to call Lorraine at 293-1121 ext. 4140.
We renovated several patient units in the Street Building in the last few months and will have the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors completed prior to January. The areas are bright and welcoming. We believe a warm, inviting environment is important for patients and these improvements, along with Arts in Medicine, are all part of creating a positive healing environment.