THE HOSPITAL
Lake Wales Medical Center is a 154-bed facility located in Lake Wales, Florida. Serving Lake Wales and Polk county, the facility provides health care services to the larger areas encompassing both Hardee and Highlands Counties also. The service population is approximately 32,300 residents. Surrounding communities include Winter Haven, Haines City, Floritan, Highland Park, Cypress Gardens, and Crooked Lake Park. Midway between the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts in the Florida peninsula, Lake Wales is within 60 miles of both Orlando - to the northeast - and Tampa- to the west. International airports are available at both of these metropolitan areas. Two miles to the southwest of Lake Wales, the Lake Wales Municipal Airport supports local and passing general aviation, recreational glider activity and skydiving.
Services provided at Lake Wales include: 24-hour emergency services, ambulatory surgery, clinical lab, outpatient lab, social services, patient education, radiology, nuclear medicine, inpatient and outpatient surgery, blood bank, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, patient education services and support groups, registered dietitians and nutrition services, intensive care unit, progressive care unit, medical/surgical unit, and a skilled nursing facility attached. The staff at Lake Wales Medical Center consists of physicians specializing in cardiology, dermatology, ENT, gynecology, gastroenterology, nephrology, oncology, otolaryngology, pediatrics, podiatry, and urology.
THE COMMUNITY
The history of Lake Wales begins in 1853, the year in which deputy surveyors for the State of Florida deemed the area around the present-day town to be uninhabitable. Unshaken by previous reports, Sidney I. Wailes, agent for the Florida Land and Improvement Co., helped surveyor Col. J.W. Childs obtain a contract to do second survey of the region in 1879. It wasn't long after that enterprising individuals began to purchase land and began making plans to colonize the area, which he named "Lake Wailes." In a capricious act by an ACL railroad official, the town name on the depot sign was changed to "Lake Wales" reflecting the popular usage at the time. A town Council was elected in 1917, thus establishing the City of Lake Wales. Throughout the twentieth and into the twenty-first century, Lake Wales and the surrounding communities have grown and prospered. The citrus industry plays a major role in the lives of the 11,000 residents of the city of Lake Wales. One-fifth of Lake Wales' largest employers are involved in the citrus industry in one form or another. Civic and social organizations range from the Elks Lodge to the Boy and Girl Scouts. Two local newspapers, the Lake Wales News and the Lake Wales Newschief , report on the community and surrounding area. Forty-three churches and synagogues support the spiritual needs of the community. The Historic Lake Wales Society ensures the preservation of the historical and cultural integrity of the city so it can be enjoyed by future generations.
EDUCATION
Lake Wales is part of the Polk County School System, the eighth-largest school district in Florida. Over 77,000 students from pre-kindergarten through adult education are enrolled. The Lake Wales area is served by five elementary schools (K-5), one middle school (6-8), one high school (9-12), one technical academy, two private parochial schools and one private co-educational residential school. Lake Wales is proud of the fact that three area schools have been nationally recognized as drug-free: Babson Park, Spook Hill, and Roosevelt Academy. This achievement is largely accredited to a unique, comprehensive K-12 substance abuse curriculum culminating at the high school level in the Peer Facilitating program. Lake Wales is the proud home of The Vanguard School, an independent, internationally recognized boarding school for students with learning disabilities, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, and other learning problems. The highly acclaimed school boards students from 23 countries. Annual enrollment is between 120 and 130 students in grades 6 through 12. While most students live on campus, the school has a small number of day students who live at home. The Vanguard School is accredited by both the Florida Council of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Two colleges, Warner Southern and Webber International University, offer higher education close to home. Warner Southern College is a Christian liberal arts college offering 16 Bachelor of Arts degrees from Biology to Church Music. Webber International University is a private, four-year independent college offering Associate of Science, Bachelor of Science and Master's degrees in business. Polk Community College is in nearby Winter Haven and offers Associate degrees in a variety of subject areas. Larger educational institutions in close proximity to Lake Wales include Florida Southern College, the University of Central Florida, the University of Southern Florida, Webster University and the University of Tampa.
RECREATION
The community of Lake Wales is established along the state's geographical ridge which boasts peninsular Florida's highest elevation - 295 feet above sea level. This geography affords Lake Wales an advantage over other Florida cities - the city basks in Florida sunshine, at the same time avoiding the high humidity of the coastal areas. During the summer, daytime temperatures rarely exceed the mid-90's, and seldom fall below the 60's in winter. Yearly rainfall averages 53 inches, occurring mostly in late spring and summer. Unique to Central Florida, the Lake Wales area is characterized by rolling hills, stand of lush, green citrus trees, and the inviting waters of sparkling lakes. The National Historic District in downtown Lake Wales is home to some of Central Florida's finest restaurants, most interesting shops and art galleries, antiques, striking architecture, and active nightlife. There are unique shops, fascinating architecture and many structures listed in the National Register. One of the advantages of living and working in the Lake Wales area is the wide variety of parks and facilities for leisure activities. The City of Lake Wales maintains 110 acres of parks and community recreational facilities. Residents and visitors can enjoy an early morning walk on the trail around Lake Wales, visit the lush gardens surrounding the world-renowned bell tower at Historic Bok Sanctuary, enjoy outstanding community theatre, or meander through a lovingly preserved historic downtown district.