On September 1, the Watson Clinic Foundation partnered with the Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida on Redefining Survivorship, a breast cancer survivorship workshop featuring informative presentations from Watson Clinic Oncologist-Hematologist Dr. Leonard Gitter and registered dietitian Massiel Gilpin.

 

 

 

Held on September 10, the Foundation presented The Infrastructure of Well-Being: How Arts, Culture, and Community Spaces Shape Health, Connection, and Quality of Life, a dynamic leadership convening that explored how investments in arts and culture strengthen workforce well-being, economic vitality, community connection, and long-term quality of life.

 

Leaders of local businesses, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, educational institutions and public agencies enjoyed a star-studded panel of community influencers, including Executive Director of the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art Daryl Ward, Lakeland Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley, Vice President of Core Wealth Nate Dunham, Deputy Director of the City of Lakeland Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department Pam Page, President & CEO of Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine Alice Koehler, and others. The program also featured remarks on the growing Arts & Health movement and highlights from the region's economic impact study by the Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance, along with a special opening performance by a Lakeland Symphony Orchestra quartet.

 

 

 

When Brooke Pickavance received a scholarship from the Foundation in November of 2025, she was working towards her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. That gift empowered her to graduate in April of this year.

 

"This scholarship means so much to me, not only because it helped support my educational journey, but because it represents the encouragement and investment that Watson Clinic and the Watson Clinic Foundation have in their employees," Brooke said. "This scholarship meant more to me than financial assistance toward my degree, it was an incredible reminder that my goals and professional development were valued and supported."

 

For more information on the most recent recipients of the Foundation's scholarship program, visit WatsonClinic.com/WCFScholarships.