History

PRESENT FOR THE DEDICATION of the Winter Haven Hospital when it moved to southwest Seventh Street in September 1928 were physicians and a group of community leaders representing every local civic and fraternal organization.

The original building was located on Northeast Avenue C.

Among the group here are Willard Frederick, Ernest Wimberly, Russell Haas, L. E. Huie, O. E. Frye, James Keefe, O. P. Warren, O. R. Lindstrom, Roy Wilkerson, George Sampson, Harry King, Jay Stull, Dr. R. E. Gilbert, Hart McKillop, Dr. Sherman, Mrs. Charles Worden, Al Newman, Frank Pierce, Dr. W. T. Simpson, K. E. Bragdon, Dr. R. H. Mooty, O. C. Stanley, Dr. O. R. Alexander, Dr. F. E. Irons, and Glenn D. Gerke.

Timeline

1926

Winter Haven Hospital founded (charter)

1930

Original hospital moved from Avenue C, NE to 223 7th Street

1937

New Hospital facility built on current Lake Martha site

1953, '56, '61

Major capital campaigns

1967

Nine-Story "Swann" building completed

1968

First hospital based community mental health center in U.S. established

1972

"Street" building completed

1975

"Arnold" building completed - E.D./A.S.U.

1978

Cancer treatment center completed

1983

Mid-Florida Medical Services (Chartered)

1987

Regency Medical Center (woman's hospital) completed

1990

"Sweet" Center complex completed (multi-purpose office space)

1991

Establishment of Mid-Florida Rehab Center
First nationally accredited comprehensive physical rehab center in polk county

1995

Winter Haven Hospital acquires "Gill Jones" campus
(40,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose office complex)

1999

New Winter Haven Hospital Emergency Department completed

1999

New Winter Haven Hospital Ambulatory Surgery and Diagnostic Center completed

2000

Mid-Florida Medical Services
2,500 employees (5th largest employer in Polk County)

2001

Winter Haven Hospital celebrates 75 years of service.

2001

Winter Haven Hospital, Shands Healthcare, and
the Unversity of Florida College of Medicine implement health service partnership.

2003

Winter Haven Hospital (527 total licensed beds)

2003

Winter Haven Hospital completes agreement with the
University of Florida College of Medicine to manage and staff our
Emergency Services Department.

2005

Winter Haven Hospital establishes Bostick Heart Center

2006

Winter Haven Hospital receives JCAHO designation as a Stroke Center