The 2020 Julius Rhian Volunteer of the Year began volunteering with LVIM a few years ago during her summer breaks from the University of Central Florida.  She graduated in December of 2019 with her undergraduate degree and came back to volunteer on a full-time basis in early 2020. She stayed with us throughout the entire COVID situation, during which time she was often the only clinical volunteer onsite. She was cross-trained and easily transitioned from the clinic to the pharmacy to the lab, sometimes all in a single day. She has been such a blessing to LVIM, especially during these difficult times.

She is currently applying to PA school, to become a physician assistant, and also has an externship with a physician in Orlando beginning soon which means her time with us is drawing to a close. She is an intelligent, confident, and highly motivated young professional who will go far both in life and her career.

The 2020 Julius Rhian Volunteer of the Year goes to….Laura Roth!!!

Thank you, Laura, for your dedication to LVIM and to the field of medicine.

In the spirit of the holidays and in the era of COVID-19, our End of Year Celebration is Virtual this year!

There are two virtual links below. Our End of Year video highlights our 2020 achievements.  Our segment of Holiday Cooking with LVIM allows you to join us in your kitchen for a Thanksgiving Reboot using your leftovers.

To view the End of Year Celebration video, click below.

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To join us in your kitchen for our segment of Holiday Cooking with LVIM, click below.

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Click here to view the Thanksgiving Reboot Recipes.

It is with warm excitement that I get to introduce LVIM’s new Volunteer Manager to you!

Meet Eva Hawkins!

Eva comes to LVIM with an array of experience and a passion for LVIM’s mission.

For the last four years, she has been the Watson Clinic Foundation’s Arts in Medicine Coordinator where she worked with volunteers to bring the healing power of art to individuals undergoing cancer treatment. In this role, she worked closely with the medical community and managed the day-to-day operations of the program, including volunteer recruitment and management.

Prior to her role with the Arts in Medicine Program, Eva was the Program Director for Project Think Pink Program at WeCare of Polk County, one of LVIM’s closest collaborative partners.  While there, she oversaw both the day-to-day operation of a grant-funded free mammogram program and the fundraising initiatives that made it possible.

Her background is comprised of a wealth of experience in human resources, non-profits, and organizational development.  Fun fact:  Eva is also a twice published author and an avid quilter.  Many of her quilts are on display at the Watson Clinic Cancer Center as part of the programs rotating art collection.

We are excited to welcome Eva’s creativity, warm spirit, and extensive knowledge and experience to LVIM.   Eva officially began her new role as LVIM’s Volunteer Manager on November 9^th.

Welcome to the LVIM Family Eva!

During the month of October, LVIM is taking part in a feminine products drive.  Did you know around 1 in 4 women struggle to afford period products?

You might be asking how you can help.  You can drop off items such as pads, tampons, pantyliners, and feminine wipes at LVIM.  Our address is 600 West Peachtree St, Lakeland, FL 33815.

We will be adding new drop off locations here as well as on our social media.  Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @wearelvim.

Let us know if you would like to become a drop off location!

Click here for more information about the Pink Tax.

NEW dropoff locations this week, look for the PINK box!

Krazy Kricket – 115 E Main St, Bartow, 33830

Southern Posh – 145 W Broadway St, Fort Meade, FL 33841

by Caroline Benitez

When it comes to managing type 2 diabetes, monitoring blood sugar is probably the first step that comes to mind, but there’s another number worth keeping an eye on – cholesterol. For many patients with diabetes, LDL cholesterol is more likely to be elevated. Chronically high levels of this “bad” kind of cholesterol can accumulate on blood vessel walls and can lead to problems like heart attacks or stroke over time.  As a result, having diabetes can mean that a person is 2-4 times more likely to experience these cardiovascular diseases.

In addition to regular screening and treatment with medication, lifestyle changes are key to tackling high LDL cholesterol. At Lakeland Volunteers In Medicine (LVIM), our patients are connected to a team of providers dedicated to turning their health around, including access to in-house nutrition counseling and diabetes education. Thanks to a partnership with the YMCA of West Central Florida, free gym memberships are available to patients interested in getting active through exercise. Creative solutions like these bring results- as of July 2020, 58% of diabetic patients were able to bring their LDL cholesterol to less than 100mg/DL on their most recent lab test.

About LVIM

LVIM provides free, high-quality, out-patient medical, dental, and mental health care to the working uninsured of Polk County in a compassionate manner. Through 19 years of excellent leadership, LVIM has grown into a thriving and crucial organization for the Polk County community serving the health care needs of over 4,300 eligible patients each year and providing over $9 million in services in 2019 alone. At LVIM the treatment is free, the care is priceless!

References

“Cholesterol Abnormalities and Diabetes.” Www.heart.org, 2019, www.heart.org/en/health-topics/diabetes/why-diabetes-matters/cholesterol-abnormalities–diabetes.

Diabetes Care Jan 2003, 26 (suppl 1) s83-s86; DOI: 10.2337/diacare.26.2007.S83