A 4:30 p.m. ribbon-cutting today at a strip shopping near I-4 marked the official opening of Lakeland’s first medical marijuana dispensary. Curaleaf opened last week in the Market Square center on U.S. 98 that also includes Just Moves Gym and Guitar Center. It is part of an expanding company that advertises same-day or next-day delivery throughout Florida. More
Residents were warned against fishing and swimming in Lake Parker today after up to 400,000 gallons of raw sewage poured into the west side of the lake near Valencia Street and Lake Parker Drive. The spill was caused when tree stump removers accidentally broke a pressurized sewage line. It will be Friday morning before the extent of damage is calculated, and city officials said they expect vegetation in the spill area to minimize long-term environmental damage.
LakelandMom.com’s April Mucci took an advance tour of Lakeland Regional Health’s Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women & Children, which opens next week, and shares a parent’s perspective on the eight-floor facility.
Jay Care Medical Center (web), a five-clinic practice based in Lakeland, and its affiliate, Parkview Medical Group, have been acquired by Palm Medical Centers (web), a Miami-based company associated with private equity firm MBF Healthcare Partners, Tampa Bay Business Journal reports. “Jay Care will serve as the foundation for our growth strategy in Central Florida as we continue to partner with other providers and leverage our experience in the managed care space,” Palm Medical Centers CEO Juan Ortiz said in a statement.
Rachel Saintfort, who was inspired to lose weight to make her daughter proud, was one of five women who were featured by People magazine for losing more than 100 pounds each. Saintfort tracked her progress on Instagram.
Lindsey Jones, who grew up in Lakeland, plans to open Polk County’s first medical marijuana dispensary in the strip shopping at U.S. 98 North and Griffin Road in mid-July.
Steven G. Achinger, a nephrologist at Watson Clinic since 2009, has been named the organization’s managing partner. Achinger, 45, replaces Dr. Luis Saco, who resigned in December from the position that oversees management and business strategy for the 220-member physician group.
Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration has denied a license application for Oakbridge Health Care Center, part of the for-profit nursing-home chain Consulate Health. Consulate is appealing the denial, and will reportedly shut Oakbridge if the appeal fails.
Daniel Leviten, who built a solo pediatrics practice into a seven-physician operation, is retiring at what a partner calls a “young” 67.
