We’re proud to celebrate Willie Ford, an LVIM patient who recently took home a $500 Publix gift card for her hard work and commitment to her health!

Willie participated in the Steps to Good Health Program, a wellness initiative offered through LVIM’s Healthy Living Coach Program, funded by BayCare. The Steps to Good Health Program is made possible through the George W. Jenkins Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation, which allows LVIM to offer the program at no cost to patients.

To be eligible to win, Willie had to meet several key requirements over six months:

• Attend the YMCA and use health and wellness services at least 24 times
• Meet with LVIM’s nutrition counselor at least twice
• Maintain active eligibility at LVIM
• And most importantly—achieve a personal health milestone, such as losing weight, reducing A1C or blood pressure, or quitting smoking.

Willie not only met these goals, but she went above and beyond, earning her spot in the prize drawing and ultimately being selected as the winner of the $500 Publix gift card. She also received a $25 gas card for completing the attendance requirement.

Her success is a powerful example of how dedication, support, and community resources can make a real difference in someone’s life.

Congratulations, Willie! We’re so proud of your journey and the healthy steps you’ve taken.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

It’s your chance to win big and give back. From June 16 to July 31, you can enter to win 50% of the total jackpot, with the remaining half supporting free, high-quality healthcare for uninsured residents in Polk County through Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine.

Entry Prices
$5 = 1 entry
$10 = 20 entries
$20 = 50 entries

How It Works
All entries are tracked electronically. No physical tickets will be issued. Your name will be entered into the drawing based on the number of entries you purchase.

Drawing Info
The winning name will be drawn Friday, August 1 at noon, live on LVIM’s Facebook page. The winner will also be contacted directly.

Free Entry Option
One free entry per person is available by mail or in person. Please click on the link to the Official Rules to learn more details.

Eligibility
Must be a Florida resident age 18 or older.

Click here to view the Official Rules for full entry and eligibility details.

LVIM is excited to recognize Pam Harrington as our Volunteer of the Month for April! Pam has been an amazing part of our team for 1 year and 5 months, working as both a Scheduler and a Receptionist. She has given 572 hours of service, which is valued at $19,022.12. Pam’s dedication to helping others is truly inspiring.

Pam discovered LVIM during a time of change in her life. With her children grown and out of the house, she wanted to find a meaningful way to give back to her community. A quick Google search brought her to LVIM, and she knew it would be a great fit. Since joining, she has been a friendly face at the front desk, greeting and helping with scheduling appointments to receive the care they need.

For Pam, the best part of volunteering is the thank-you’s she gets from patients. When they let her know she’s made a difference in their lives, it keeps her motivated to keep giving her best. Pam also loves the welcoming environment at LVIM and the amazing people she works with, especially her supervisor, Nicole. Pam says Nicole is a great boss who always keeps things fun.

Pam doesn’t stop at LVIM! She also volunteers at Resurrection’s Food Pantry and the Polk Theatre. Volunteering helps her stay active and involved, and she enjoys that her role at LVIM challenges her to think critically while also keeping her computer skills sharp. She appreciates that her work requires focus and problem-solving, making every day engaging and rewarding.

When asked what she would tell someone who’s thinking about volunteering at LVIM, Pam said, “You won’t regret it.” She believes others will love the work, the people they meet, and the difference they make in the community.

Thank you, Pam, for your hard work, kindness, and support of LVIM’s mission. We are so lucky to have you on our team!

 

Super Tickets are on sale now for LVIM’s Swan Derby, giving you the chance to win incredible prizes while supporting a great cause! This year’s lineup includes exciting items like a Trek Bicycle, a Sky High Adventure with a private flight to Marathon, FL for lunch, a Chef’s Table experience at Nineteen Sixty-One, a Home Makeover Box with a $500 gift card to Shades & Co, and so much more. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to take home one of these amazing prizes—purchase your Super Tickets today!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS!

Cheering on Wellness:

The Healthy Living Journey with Michelle Snover

If someone asked you, “What is diabetes?” what would you say? You might think diabetes is just about high blood sugar, right? Well, it’s actually much more complicated than that. It’s a complex condition that can feel confusing and even overwhelming, especially when understanding it feels like a challenge. At Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine, this is where Healthy Living Coach Michelle Snover steps in.

Thanks to a partnership with BayCare, LVIM created the Healthy Living Coach position to help patients with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Over the past year, Michelle has become a source of support and encouragement for her patients. She meets them where they are and helps them take small steps toward better health.

“My job is to make things simple,” Michelle explains. “I want my patients to understand what diabetes is and what their A1c means. When they understand the ‘why’, they feel empowered to try.”

From breaking down complex medical terminology to discussing realistic changes in diet and exercise, Michelle’s approach is practical and patient-centered. Rather than expecting her patients to overhaul their lifestyles overnight, she focuses on small, meaningful changes that lead to sustainable progress.

Creative Motivation: Swiss Rolls and Raffles

Michelle’s creativity makes a big difference in motivating her patients. One day, a patient called her and confessed, “I have Swiss Rolls in my house, and I know you wouldn’t want me to eat them. I’m bringing them to your office so you can get rid of them for me.” Inspired by this interaction, Michelle started the Healthy Living Raffle, sponsored by Window World of Polk County and D.O.C. Electric, Inc.

Patients can earn raffle tickets by taking steps toward better health. They can get tickets for attending appointments, lowering their A1c by half a point, and even turning in junk food like those Swiss Rolls. Every quarter, two patients win a $50 Walmart gift card, and at the end of the year, one lucky patient wins a $500 Walmart gift card. “The first winner asked me to give her gift card to someone who needed it more,” Michelle shares. “It was so touching and really speaks volumes about who our patients are.”

Celebrating Success: The Way to Go Wellness Wall

Michelle’s commitment to celebrating her patients’ progress goes beyond words. At first, she filled her office with balloons to milestones, but she wanted something more lasting. So, she had an idea to create the “Way to Go Wellness Wall,” a colorful display of patient achievements that has grown to include all LVIM patients.

“I’ve never had a patient say no to having their name on the wall,” Michelle says. “And the more exclamation marks I use, the bigger their smiles. It’s a big deal, and they deserve to feel proud.”

Results That Matter

Michelle currently works with 167 patients, and the results are inspiring. On average, diabetic patients have lowered their A1c levels from 9.2 to 8.1. One of her biggest success stories is a patient who dropped her A1c from 12.6 to an impressive 5.9 in just five months.

“Diabetes has become an epidemic,” Michelle says, “and having a dedicated role to help patients manage it is a game changer.”

Looking Ahead: What’s Next in 2025

In 2025, Michelle wants to turn her role into a full-fledged program with bi-monthly events. She’s planning things like:

• Cooking Classes focused on making healthy meals on a budget.
• Diabetes Fact & Fiction Panels where LVIM providers answer patient questions.
• Mindful Exercise Classes to help reduce stress, which can raise blood sugar levels.

“As long as you’re not quitting, you’re not losing,” Michelle tells her patients. This mantra, combined with her support and positive attitude, helps her patients push through setbacks and celebrate every step forward.

The Heart of LVIM

Michelle’s work reflects the heart of LVIM: meeting the needs of hardworking people who often are doing everything they can to make ends meet. “Many of our patients work seven days a week for the bare minimum,” Michelle says. “They are really trying, and they deserve to be celebrated.”

Through her role as LVIM’s Healthy Living Coach, Michelle is changing lives one step at a time. LVIM’s partnership with BayCare shows the power of collaboration in creating a healthier community. The journey is far from over, but LVIM patients are now learning how to take control of their health and their futures.