Current news and updates regarding the Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine Community.

How the Heart Led the Way

Edith’s Story with LVIM

When Edith walked past Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine on her way to work, she noticed the heart in LVIM’s logo. Curious, she decided to step into the clinic and learn more about it. From the moment she entered LVIM, Edith noticed a difference in the people she encountered compared to other healthcare facilities she had visited. From the enrollment volunteers to her healthcare providers, she felt that everyone wanted to help her and genuinely cared about her and the work they were doing.

Before finding LVIM, Edith struggled with Type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. She didn’t always have access to medical check-ups or the medication she needed. Alongside her diabetes, she also struggled with rheumatoid arthritis, which inflicted significant pain upon her. Through LVIM’s Collaborative Care model, Edith began receiving mental health services, including prescribed medications from LVIM’s Pharmacy and Publix’s pharmacy. She expressed that this comprehensive approach to her health, addressing both physical and mental aspects, had made a significant difference in her life. She feels cared for as a whole person, rather than just being evaluated for her conditions.

Through LVIM’s Steps to Good Health program, funded by the GiveWell Community Foundation, Edith received a free YMCA membership to help her in reaching her medical goals through physical exercise alongside her prescribed medications. This program enabled Edith to engage in regular exercise and even learn how to swim, which helped alleviate the pain from her arthritis.

Despite the obstacles posed by her arthritis, Edith worked very hard to manage her diabetes. With the support of the YMCA program and her medications, she successfully lowered her A1c from 13.7 to 8.8 and her rheumatoid arthritis pain has lessened. Additionally, her mental health is improving through the care provided by LVIM’s Collaborative Care model. Edith emphasized that without the cost-free services at LVIM, she would not have been able to afford the care and medications necessary to manage her health issues.

Welcome, Beth Hill!

We’re thrilled to introduce Beth Hill, the newest addition to the LVIM Team! 🌟 As LVIM’s Director of Donor Relations, Beth brings a wealth of experience from her role as Senior Director of Workplace Campaigns at United Way of Central Florida. Her passion for fostering meaningful connections and her dedication to philanthropy make her the perfect fit for our mission.

At LVIM, we’ve seen incredible growth over the years, and with our operating budget now twice the size it was in 2017, expanding our development team has become a necessity. Beth’s expertise will allow us to enhance our focus on individual donors, stewardship campaigns, and donor portfolios, while Sonia Glisson continues to lead our efforts with corporate donors and events.

Join us in extending a warm welcome to Beth as she embarks on this exciting journey with LVIM. Together, we’ll continue to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Congratulations, Michelle Snover!

 

We are excited to announce that Michelle Snover has started in her new position as LVIM’s Healthy Living Coach!

Michelle has volunteered with LVIM since 2020 in a variety of roles. Most recently, Michelle stepped in to manage the LVIM lab and has done so with grace and professionalism. Her passion, kindness, eagerness to learn, and positive outlook shine. She is excited to put her nursing skills and knowledge to work to help LVIM’s patients ultimately live healthier lives.

This position is fully funded through a grant provided by Baycare and will have the primary purpose of assisting LVIM patients diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes with behavior modification and lifestyle changes to improve the management of blood glucose levels.

Congratulations, Michelle, on your new position!

March 2024 Volunteer of the Month

 

Join us in celebrating Ingrid Foster, our March 2024 Volunteer of the Month!♥️

With 17 years of dedicated service at LVIM, Ingrid has contributed 1,500 volunteer hours, valued at an incredible $49,116.03! As LVIM’s Radiologic Technologist, you might recognize her if you’ve ever received an X-ray at our facility, however, Ingrid also volunteers in our Medical Records department, as a Medical Coder, and during our Mobile Food Pantry. Ingrid’s impact is truly immeasurable.

When she’s not at LVIM, you can find her volunteering at the Lakeland Runners Club, doing yard work, crocheting, or enjoying quality time with her grandkids. Ingrid’s passion for helping others and her appreciation for our LVIM family make her an invaluable part of our team. Thank you, Ingrid, for all that you do!

SUPER TICKETS Now Available!

The 2024 Swan Derby – Super Ticket is now available for activation.

There are 12 items to choose from and each is valued at $300 or MORE!

To activate your tickets, CLICK HERE

LVIM’s Enrollment Portal is LIVE!

Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine proudly unveils its latest initiative aimed at enhancing our patient care: the new enrollment portal. This milestone comes after years of planning and development, with the primary focus on creating a seamless and user-friendly experience for our patients.

Dedicated to providing accessible healthcare to all, LVIM has invested significant time and resources into perfecting this portal. One of the key features of the enrollment portal is those applying to become a patient will have direct communication with volunteer LVIM Enrollment Specialists. These compassionate individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the table, ensuring that patients receive personalized assistance throughout the enrollment process.

The primary goal of the enrollment portal is to enhance accessibility for both new and existing patients. By providing a centralized platform for submitting required paperwork, LVIM aims to streamline the enrollment process and reduce barriers to healthcare access. Whether individuals are seeking to become new patients or update their information, the portal offers a convenient solution.

As LVIM continues to prioritize innovation and patient-centered care, the launch of the enrollment portal marks another significant step forward in its mission to promote health and wellness for all.

For more information and to access the enrollment portal, visit lvim.net/enrollment.

Tax Form 1095

As tax season approaches, we want to clarify some important information regarding tax form 1095 and its relevance to your healthcare coverage.

Many of you may be wondering about the significance of Form 1095 and whether you need it for your tax returns. Form 1095 is a series of tax forms introduced with the Affordable Care Act, designed to report your healthcare coverage during a tax year.

However, it’s crucial to note that LVIM is not health insurance, and therefore, we do not provide tax form 1095. This means that you will not receive Form 1095 from LVIM for your healthcare coverage.

Here’s a summary to help you determine if you need Form 1095 for your federal tax return:

  • You do not need Form 1095 to file your federal return if:
    • You had health insurance through your employer, a government program, or another non-marketplace source,
    • You receive Form 1095-B or Form 1095-C.
  • You do need Form 1095 to file your federal return if:
    • You obtained health insurance through a federal or state marketplace.
    • You receive Form 1095-A.

If you receive a Form 1095 from another entity, please keep your copy with your tax records for reference.

Thank you for entrusting LVIM with your healthcare needs. We remain committed to supporting you in every way possible.


[Additional Information]

Form 1095-A: Marketplace Insurance Statement
Form 1095-B: Health Coverage
Form 1095-C: Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage

February 2024 Volunteer of the Month

Jathan Branch is our Volunteer of the Month for February 2024!

Jathan serves as a Pharmacy Assistant and a Check-In Greeter, and he also volunteers at our Mobile Food Pantry. He has accumulated 421 volunteer hours that value his service at $13,393.10.

He is currently working on an undergraduate degree in the hope of becoming a Physical Therapist. When Jathan isn’t volunteering at LVIM or studying, he enjoys fitness, movies, and cooking. His favorite part about volunteering at LVIM is helping people.

Congratulations, Jathan, on being our Volunteer of the Month for February 2024!

Welcome, Nicole Colon!

Please join us in welcoming Nicole Colon, LVIM’s new Front Office Coordinator to our team!

A graduate of Pasco Hernando State College, she is also a longtime volunteer at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and is excited to get to work with our dedicated, inspiring team of LVIM volunteers. Nicole brings a wealth of knowledge and an array of experience in medical office settings, ranging from radiology to neurosurgery, and comes to LVIM with high praise.

In her role as Front Office Coordinator, she will be supporting LVIM’s front office operations, including reception, scheduling, and medical records.

Nicole is excited to join the LVIM team and grow with us. She will bring compassionate support to the front office volunteer team, as well as an eager desire to support LVIM’s mission while delivering high-quality healthcare. Her dual language skills will be a welcome addition to the front office team as well.

When asked how she defines vulnerability, Nicole responded, “Strength.” She is deeply grateful for her mom, and she is looking forward to being part of LVIM’s Culture of Caring.

Congratulations on your new role, Nicole!

 

January 2024 Volunteer of the Month

Mary Henderson is LVIM’s Volunteer of the Month for January 2024!

She volunteers as an LPN for our volunteer GYN providers and has been with LVIM since we opened in February 2001. Mary joined LVIM after retiring from Lakeland Regional where she worked as an LPN for 22 years. To date, Mary has served a total of 6,971 hours which equals a value of service of over $175,000!

When asked what keeps her coming back to LVIM Mary said that she enjoys the work that she does and that enjoys working with our providers.

Thank you, Mary, for your decades of service at LVIM. We appreciate you!♥️