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.

 

We are delighted to honor Dr. Bill Malzone as LVIM’s Provider of the Year! Since joining our team in January 2018, Dr. Malzone has volunteered an incredible 586 hours, offering expert care and compassion to every patient he serves.

As a retired neurologist, Dr. Malzone’s contributions have been instrumental in ensuring access to high-quality care for those who need it most. This year, the Malzone family’s dedication to LVIM grew even stronger with his wife, Linda, joining our volunteer team in the Prescription Assistance Program.

Together, the Malzones truly embody the heart of LVIM’s mission. Thank you, Dr. Malzone, for your extraordinary service and unwavering commitment!

At LVIM, our volunteers are the heart of everything we do, and this December, we are proud to celebrate Sue Snover as our Volunteer of the Month!

Sue plays many vital roles at LVIM, including Patient Enrollment Screener, Data Entry Assistant for Community Grants, and a member of the Volunteer Advisory Committee. Her dedication is unmatched, with an incredible 745 hours and 49 minutes of service, valued at $24,116.10.

Before joining LVIM, Sue served as the Director at the John’s Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Lakeland. Her leadership skills and passion for service have been a tremendous asset to our mission. Outside of volunteering, Sue enjoys gardening, sewing, reading, and spending quality time with her family. These hobbies reflect the creative and nurturing spirit she brings to every aspect of her life.

For Sue, the most rewarding part of volunteering at LVIM is seeing the joy on patients’ faces when they are accepted into our program. She also loves the camaraderie she shares with her fellow volunteers and staff, making her experience even more meaningful.

Sue, thank you for your incredible dedication and kindness. You inspire us all, and we are so grateful to have you as part of the LVIM family.

Diana Kurtz’s Volunteer Story at LVIM

Since moving to Lakeland a year ago, Diana Kurtz has found more than just a new place to call home—she’s discovered a meaningful way to give back by volunteering at Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine (LVIM). Passionate about helping others, Diana found her way to LVIM through a chance email, which led her to a volunteer role that perfectly matched her interests.

“I wasn’t specifically looking to volunteer at a medical clinic since I don’t have a medical background,” Diana recalls. “But when I saw the opportunity to be a greeter, I thought, ‘I can greet! I love greeting!’ And from the moment I signed up, I’ve loved every minute.”

As a greeter, Diana plays a key role in welcoming patients to LVIM, making them feel comfortable and supported from the moment they walk through the door. It’s a role that’s allowed her to witness firsthand the profound impact LVIM has on the lives of those it serves. She remembers one particularly moving encounter during her shift when she met a patient who was visibly emotional after his appointment.

“I asked him, ‘How are you doing today?’ and he told me, ‘LVIM saved my life.’ This patient has no health insurance, and before finding LVIM was struggling to manage chronic diabetes. He had already lost sight in one eye and could barely see out of the other. However, after learning about LVIM, the help he received saved his life. He told me that now he is on medication and feels more independent. Hearing stories like that really strikes me—it reminds you of the difference we’re making.”

Diana is deeply committed to LVIM’s mission of providing free, high-quality healthcare to the medically underserved in Polk County. She understands the challenges faced by many LVIM patients, who often fall into the gap of earning too much to qualify for government assistance but not enough to afford private insurance. Her work at LVIM allows her to contribute to a cause she believes in—one that treats patients as friends and neighbors and ensures they receive the dignity and care they deserve.

Through her volunteer efforts, Diana has not only made an impact on the lives of patients but has also formed close bonds with her fellow volunteers. “The team here is like a second family,” she says. “We laugh, we support each other, and we’re always there to lend a hand.” Despite her busy schedule running a real estate business and spending weekends with her family in Orlando, Diana is steadfast in her commitment to her Friday mornings at LVIM. “It’s on my calendar, just like my business meetings.”

For Diana, volunteering at LVIM is more than just an activity—it’s a fulfilling way to give back. “I’ve been fortunate in my life, and I believe in paying that forward. Volunteering fills my heart,” she shares. She encourages others to consider joining LVIM’s team of volunteers, emphasizing that you don’t need a medical background to make a difference. “There are so many roles—from greeting to scheduling, or even working in the pharmacy. Every role makes a difference, and the relationships you form are incredibly rewarding.”

As Diana puts it, “Volunteering at LVIM isn’t just something to pass the time—it’s a way to help others. And there’s always room for more volunteers to join us.”