Sonia Glisson

In 1999, Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine was just a dream. As a result of Dr. Glen Barden's passionate pursuit to find a way to fill the gap in access to healthcare, Dr. Barden and several of his colleagues were inspired by the work of Dr. Jack McConnell, founder of Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island. When Dr. Barden presented the Volunteers in Medicine model to his colleagues at the Watson Clinic Foundation and the community, the idea was enthusiastically embraced. Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine moved from dream to reality and opened its doors to the first patient on Valentine's Day 2001. Today, LVIM stands as an independent nonprofit organization governed by a local Board of Trustees. Through nearly 20 years of excellent leadership, LVIM has grown into a thriving and crucial organization for the Polk County community serving the health care needs of over 4,300 eligible patients each year and providing an average of 30,000 services per year. The organization's 2018 operating budget of $1.6 million has grown from humble beginnings and now boasts a return of over $5.00 for every $1.00 raised. Through the years, LVIM has added a number of services, making LVIM one of the most successful and impactful of the 89 Volunteer in Medicine clinics in the country. LVIM has grown from providing sporadic healthcare services at its inception to truly becoming a medical home where patients are building healthier lives.