May 14, 2026

To everyone at LVIM,

I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for the outstanding care and compassion I have received at your facility. From my very first visit, I have been treated with kindness, professionalism, and genuine concern, and it has made an incredible difference in my life.

Emma McMicken, APRN, has been absolutely exceptional. She is caring, thorough, knowledgeable, and truly attentive to my needs. She takes the time to listen carefully, explain things clearly, and make thoughtful recommendations to ensure I receive the care I need. What has touched me most is the way she follows up on conversations and concerns we have discussed. That level of attention and compassion is rare, and it has meant more to me than words can fully express. I can honestly say I have never experienced this level of care before.

Prior to coming to LVIM, many of my experiences in healthcare left me feeling stressed, dismissed, and unheard. Even when I was in significant pain and deeply concerned about my health, I struggled to receive the proper testing and attention I needed. I had to repeatedly advocate for myself just to receive X-rays, despite having insurance coverage. When the imaging was finally completed, it revealed a cervical disc issue that should have been addressed much sooner. In many places, I felt like I was treated as just another number rather than a person who genuinely needed help.

At LVIM, everything has been different. Your team goes far above and beyond what is expected. You have restored my faith that compassionate, patient-centered healthcare still exists. I truly did not think there were people and medical professionals as dedicated and caring as all of you.

While I may not remember every individual name, I want every single person at your facility to know how appreciated they are. From the wonderful ladies at the front door, to the staff who check patients in, the team members who helped register me as a new patient, the kind people who performed my X-rays, and the person who drew my blood and made me feel comfortable and cared for – every interaction I have had has been positive, welcoming, and professional. Not once have I had a bad experience. Every member of your team has treated me with warmth, dignity, patience, and respect.

I also deeply appreciate how many members of your staff, including my provider Emma, have tried to help me beyond just my immediate healthcare needs by offering additional services, guidance, and resources that could improve my overall well-being. It is clear that your team genuinely cares about the whole person, not just the medical issue being treated. That level of compassion and support is something truly special and very rare to find.

Thank you all for the remarkable work you do each day. Your compassion, dedication, and willingness to go above and beyond do not go unnoticed, and I will always be deeply grateful for the care and support you have given me.

With heartfelt appreciation,
Rosanna Park
An LVIM Patient

Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine is proud to recognize Carlos Ramirez as our February Volunteer of the Month. In just nine months of service, Carlos has already given 296 volunteer hours to LVIM, supporting patients as both a Clinical Assistant and a Pharmacy Assistant. His dedication, compassion, and positive spirit have quickly made him a valued member of the LVIM volunteer family.

Carlos first discovered LVIM while searching for volunteer opportunities as he prepared for medical school. What began as a way to gain experience soon became something much more meaningful. He started in the pharmacy, where he immediately connected with the mission and the people he served. As new opportunities opened, he expanded into a clinical role, allowing him to work even more closely with patients and providers.

For Carlos, the most rewarding part of volunteering is the relationships he builds with patients. He especially values helping individuals who may feel overwhelmed navigating their healthcare. Whether that means explaining medications, assisting with translation, or simply taking extra time to listen, Carlos steps in wherever he is needed. One moment that stands out to him was helping a patient who felt confused and unsure about an appointment. By advocating for the patient and coordinating with the care team, Carlos helped ensure they received the care they needed that day. Experiences like this remind him how meaningful even small acts of kindness can be.

When asked what he would tell someone considering volunteering at LVIM, Carlos encourages others to come ready to help and ready to learn. He believes there is a place for everyone and that a genuine heart for service makes all the difference.

Whether he is assisting patients in the clinic or supporting the pharmacy team, Carlos approaches each shift with empathy, patience, and professionalism. His commitment reflects the heart of LVIM and the powerful impact volunteers make in the lives of our patients.

Congratulations, Carlos, and thank you for the incredible difference you continue to make at LVIM.

Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine is proud to recognize Carolina Rocha as our November Volunteer of the Month!

Carolina has been part of the LVIM family for over a year, serving as a Clinical Assistant and contributing an impressive 405 volunteer hours. Her journey with LVIM began when she discovered our volunteer opportunities through the University of South Florida’s Instagram page. As a Biomedical Sciences graduate from USF, preparing for the MCAT, Carolina wanted to stay connected to the medical field while making a difference.

From the moment she joined, Carolina has been a bright light in our clinic. She says that helping patients and working alongside such compassionate volunteers and staff has been incredibly rewarding. “Every time I leave, I feel like I’ve learned something new,” she shared, recalling how she’s gained hands-on experience and valuable knowledge from LVIM’s volunteer providers.

Carolina’s favorite part of her role is greeting patients and setting a welcoming tone for their visits. Whether she’s assisting with rooming patients or helping bridge communication barriers, she takes pride in creating a positive, caring experience from the very first interaction.

When asked what she would tell someone considering volunteering at LVIM, Carolina didn’t hesitate: “100% do it. Everyone here is so uplifting and kind. There’s no way to come here and leave unhappy.”

Thank you, Carolina, for your dedication, positivity, and the care you bring to every patient you meet. You truly embody the spirit of LVIM!

Born in Lakeland and raised with a heart for service, Kaleigh has dedicated her time and talents to uplifting the community through leadership, philanthropy, and hands-on volunteerism. She is an Operations Support Manager with MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, where she has built a successful career marked by progressive promotions, innovative workflow solutions, and a passion for developing teams.

Beyond her professional success, Kaleigh is deeply invested in community service. She currently serves as Chair of EMERGE Lakeland, a Board Member of the Swan City Piano Festival, and Webmaster Chair for the Junior League of Greater Lakeland. She also lends her leadership to United Way of Central Florida as Volunteer Chair of the Young Leaders Society, a member of the Community Investment Team, and a planning committee member for Women United’s spring event.

Her commitment to philanthropy is equally inspiring. She sustains a generous spirit as a member of the United Way Leadership Giving Association, LVIM Swan Society, and the Pace Center for Girls’ Believing in Girls Society. She is also an active fundraising advocate, supporting initiatives such as the Junior League’s Little Black Dress Initiative, the Pace Center’s Ten Story Challenge, and the LVIM Swan Derby Leaders of Polk.

In recognition of her impact, Kaleigh has been honored with the 2025 Polk Young Professionals Emerging Leader Award, the 2025 Difference Maker Award from United Way of Central Florida, and the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Junior League of Greater Lakeland.

Kaleigh first joined the Swan Derby family as part of the Leaders of Polk Class XI in 2024, where her team placed third in the Derby Dash while raising vital funds for LVIM. She is honored to now lead the next Leaders of Polk as Mama Swan and is excited to continue advancing LVIM’s mission of providing compassionate, quality healthcare to the working uninsured of Polk County.

“I’m here with the intention of building a meaningful legacy, spending my gift of life on improving support for those who might otherwise be left behind. Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine offers a perfect avenue to make that impact. I am deeply honored to support the 2026 and 2027 Swan Derbies as Mama Swan. Following in the legendary wings of those before me feels daunting, but I know that with their support, our Leaders of Polk will soar to the greatest heights.”