The Chair of the Women’s Business Council, Sylvia Blackmon‑Roberts (Southeastern University), welcomed guests and offered a powerful invocation, setting the tone for an afternoon rooted in purpose and possibility.

​The sun smiled through the windows of the Junior League of Greater Lakeland building as the doorways embraced attendees who gathered in a space where so many women have gathered before. Constructed in 1927, the Building has long been a place where Lakeland women have organized, learned, and led. When the event began, the space itself seemed to listen.

Call it chit chat if you want, but when women gather and speak openly, it becomes something much greater. It becomes Real Talk. Our panelists included: Moderator, Amy Wiggins (Lakeland Chamber), Pamela Mutz (Dozen Family LLC.), Deidra Joseph (City of Lakeland), Kay Fields (Girls Inc. / Polk County School Board Member), The Honorable Judge Brenda Ramirez (Florida's 10th Judicial Circuit Court), Michelle Netwal (Bank of Central Florida), and Beatrice Dela Pena (GEICO). They spoke candidly about the fears, challenges, and successes that have defined their leadership journeys. Through sharing their stories, their successes all circled back to the importance of mentorship from others who believed in them, opened doors, and offered them opportunities at just the right moment. They reminded women unsure of themselves that leadership is not about perfection, it’s about honesty, resilience, and showing up.

Following the panel discussion, Alisha Martin of Suncoast Credit Union took the stage with her keynote, “From Bankruptcy to the Boardroom.” Her story captivated the room and echoed the same themes of vulnerability and grit. She spoke about difficult topics with humorous clarity like choosing courage, rebuilding herself, again and again, and about the unexpected places strength can come from. Her inspiring message complemented the panel’s discussion and significantly deepened it. All of it, from the stories, the candor, the laughter, and the quiet nods of recognition, felt right at home in a building that has held generations of women learning from one another. As the luncheon drew to a close, a simple truth lingered; none of these women got where they are today alone. Someone believed in them, encouraged them, and helped them grow.
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It seems that whether guiding an individual or supporting local business, growth often starts with one investing in another’s potential. That same spirit continues to shape Lakeland today, and The Chamber’s investment in the business community, while not mentorship in the traditional sense, believes in providing resources and opportunities to help businesses succeed.

Thank you to our Master of Ceremonies, Patricia Uiterwyk, owner and operator of Venue Salon  and member of the Women’s Business Council, for her voice and commitment.

Thank you to our generous sponsors -
Presenting Sponsor - Lyndsay Health
Lunch Sponsor - Bank of Central Florida
Goody Bag Sponsor - SUN ‘n FUN | Aerospace Center for Excellence
Giveaway Sponsor - Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital
In-Kind Sponsors: Strong Souls - Venue Salon - Your CBD Store | SunMed - Healing Glow Juices

We kindly thank the volunteers from the Women’s Business Council for their time and dedication in supporting this inaugural event.

Thank you to the event's photographer, CatDave Productions.
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About the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce
The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce serves as the Catalyst for business success, Convener of leaders and influencers, and Champion for our thriving community. Its vision is to be the premier catalyst for the advancement of Lakeland’s economic growth and enhancement of quality of life.

About the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Women’s Business Council
The Women's Business Council was established to cultivate a community in Lakeland, Florida, where women in business are united by a shared purpose: to excel, uplift, and leave a lasting impact. Through mentorship, collaborative networking, and targeted skill enhancement, this council aims to empower women to navigate the business world confidently. By fostering a culture of resilience, innovation, and positive change, this council seeks to create a legacy of influential women who drive economic growth, inspire progress, and lead with purpose in the Lakeland community.

For more information on the Women’s Business Council, reach out to Dr. Takiyah Dixon, Director of Business Resources, at [email protected].

Every entrepreneur has a story to share about their journey pursuing growth. Whether they’ve just opened or been in business for years, that journey requires building relationships. When business owners focus on building relationships, there is a drive that stems from serving others more than simply selling a product. As relationships grow, the community grows and there is a greater potential for long-lasting impact. This is why Bank of Central Florida focuses on relationship banking.

Bank of Central Florida provides a personalized financial experience where proposed solutions are based off the client’s business and its goals. The application of relationship banking is reflected in three different stages: establishing trust and support, collaborating strategically, and guiding the client towards growth and success.

When a new relationship begins, a banker will start with one main question “how can I connect and help this client?” Being attuned first to understanding what the client needs fosters trust. Developing a strategic plan to achieve financial goals can be a complex process, and it is difficult to know how to move forward without understanding what a client needs.

One of Bank of Central Florida’s clients, Automotive Development Group (ADG), experiences the relationship banking difference every day. Accounting Manager Olivia Urker describes that Bank of Central Florida wants to know about the personal lives of their clients, and she feels that working with Bank of Central Florida feels like working with family, which she believes is the feel they have at ADG. Having a banker who understands a client and gets to know them is essential to a client’s financial journey.

With a trusted banker, a business owner can move into the second stage of relationship building where the banker and the business owner can collaborate on how they can achieve their financial goals. This strategic partnership requires a great amount of care and dedication. One of the ways bankers show they care is by simply returning phone calls. Communication can be critical to business deals and time-sensitive decisions. Bank of Central Florida knows the commitment it takes to advance towards growth and financial success as a team: it requires the pursuit of going beyond transactions and embracing new opportunities at every turn.

Once a banker establishes trust and develops a strategic financial plan, the banker can guide the client to propel towards growth. Even though the journey to growth can be challenging, having a partner who has the expertise to surpass many obstacles can be the difference between a business’s success and achieving it. 

Over the years, Bank of Central Florida’s CEO and Chairman of the Board Paul Noris is encouraged by the work of the Bank’s team helping clients on their financial journey. “I can remember several clients who have come back to me over the years and said, ‘Paul it’s really the relationship with our company and the allocation of capital back to us that allowed us to accomplish what we accomplished.’ And that really makes a difference for me and it really makes a difference to our employees as well.” He explains “The knowledge that we can help a client go from small to large, or to continue to grow is really core to what we want to be doing.”
At the end of the day, the journey of relationship banking is about establishing trust, building strong partnerships with the right expert, and being a guide to clients. Whatever your banking needs may be, the Bank of Central Florida team is ready to serve local businesses in Polk and Hillsborough County.

For more information, visit the Bank of Central Florida website and connect with a banking expert. 

Click here to learn hear from Bank of Central Florida from CEO and Chairman of the Board Paul Noris about The Reward of Helping Small Businesses Grow.

​Written by Bank of Central Florida, Member FDIC

When Greg Manning hiked to the top of Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome, he knew it marked a milestone, not just in miles or elevation, but in how far he’d come since his heart valve replacement.

The 16-mile trek, which includes an elevation gain close to 5,000 feet, would be a challenge for anyone. For Greg, it was proof of his renewed health, endurance, and strength.

“I don’t think I could have done it without the valve. We never had to stop because of fatigue or because I was out of breath. I wouldn’t have been able to do that before,” says Greg.

Greg’s path to surgery began many years earlier. He didn’t even have any obvious symptoms at first. His journey began when his primary care provider detected a heart murmur at a routine physical.

“About four years ago, my doctor found it and started doing echocardiograms every other year,” he says. “Over time, the numbers kept going down until I reached a point where I needed to consider next steps.”

When his valve measurements reached that serious level, Greg’s cardiology team, including Dr. Andres Medina and Dr. Mohammed Hassan, Cardiothoracic Surgeons at Lakeland Regional Health, helped him review his options. Those included traditional open-heart surgery or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure used to replace a diseased aortic valve that isn’t opening or closing properly. Instead of open-heart surgery, doctors guide a new valve into place through a small incision in the leg and expand it inside the existing valve. TAVR helps to improve blood flow, reduce symptoms like fatigue or shortness of breath, and allows for quicker recovery with less time in the hospital.

Dr. Medina helped pioneer the procedure, LRH was the first hospital in Florida to perform it, and more than 1,000 TAVR procedures have been performed since it was introduced.

Greg had his TAVR procedure in 2024, staying just one night in the hospital. Within days, he was walking regularly, and he was back to work within a week.

“My experience was extremely positive,” he said.

With renewed stamina, Greg completed the Half Dome hike with his son and is now planning future climbs, possibly Mt. Elbert in Colorado.

If he had to make the decision again, he would choose TAVR every time. “TAVR just made sense for me,” he said. “It was less invasive with a quicker recovery.”

If you have been told you have a heart murmur or aortic stenosis, talk with your cardiologist about whether the TAVR procedure may be right for you. Lakeland Regional Health provides comprehensive cardiovascular care, offering advanced treatment options to support patients across a wide range of heart conditions.

➡️ Watch Greg share his story.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, kidney stones send over half a million people in the U.S. to the emergency room every year. One in ten people will get a kidney stone in their lifetime. These hard, crystalized objects that form in the kidneys can be about the size of a grain of sand and cause little to no symptoms. As they get bigger, they’re more likely to lodge in the ureter, blocking the passage of urine and causing immobilizing discomfort.

Surgical intervention may be necessary to remove larger stones, but clinical studies have shown that traditional approaches can leave residual stone fragments, which leads to post-procedure issues like pain, hospitalization and the need for additional follow-up treatments.
 
The CVAC System is a new treatment option designed to remove these risks. Genesis Nieves, MD, a Urologist who treats patients from Watson Clinic Main in Lakeland, is the first specialist in the Lakeland area to offer this groundbreaking procedure, and she has achieved exceptional 98% clearance rates for stones averaging 2 cm in size.  

The system uses a ureteroscopy (a catheter with a tiny camera that travels through the urinary tract) to break up stones with a laser fiber, then gently removes the stone fragments with irrigation and vacuum aspiration, leaving behind a stone-free kidney. 
 
“This newer CVAC technology has been a game changer for many patients,” she says, “because it significantly improves our ability to clear stone burden in one procedure and reduce the chance of leftover fragments or recurrence. While no surgery can promise 100% clearance, outcomes are excellent in the majority of cases.”
 
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Nieves and find out if you’re a candidate for this procedure, call 863-680-7300 or visit WatsonClinic.com/Nieves. 

Alongside 600+ organizations, the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce signed onto a U.S. Chamber of Commerce coalition letter urging the U.S. Senate to build on the House of Representatives’ progress and pass bipartisan, comprehensive permitting reform. The support of this organization underscores the shared recognition that modernizing federal permitting is essential to building, investing, and strengthening our communities and economy.

The letter has been shared with all U.S. Senate offices. The letter has also been featured in recent coverage [Politico Pro’s Morning Energy and shared widely across social platforms. Our charge to Lakeland Chamber members: please help amplify this effort by sharing the letter on your platforms and reminding your Senators that permitting reform must remain a top priority.

​View the full letter below.

2026 George Jenkins Award Recipient: Nancy Cattarius
The George Jenkins Award, named for the founder of Publix Super Markets, is considered the Lakeland Chamber’s highest honor for an individual. Todd Jones, Executive Chairman of Publix Super Markets, Inc., presented the award to Ms. Cattarius.

A Lakeland resident since the age of 10, Cattarius grew to love the community by attending local schools and college at Florida Southern College. After launching her professional career in Winter Haven, she found her long-term home at a Lakeland company, where she rapidly ascended to leadership and earned multiple accolades. Her career is defined by her adaptability in the face of seismic industry shifts, navigating the evolution from vinyl records to digital streaming, while consistently mentoring her staff to prioritize community engagement and find their own paths to leadership.

​Cattarius’ civic impact is profound. As a graduate of Leadership Lakeland Class 2, she has dedicated her time to an exhaustive list of organizations, including the SPCA, American Cancer Society, Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, Habitat for Humanity, Peace River Center, and Lakeland Pigfest. Her leadership also extends to Florida Southern College, VISTE, Central Florida Speech and Hearing, the Polk Advertising Federation, and the Radio Broadcasters Alliance of Tampa Bay. With the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, Cattarius has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors, as part of the Small Business Awards Committee, Chair of Leadership Lakeland Class 28, and a past president of the Leadership Lakeland Alumni Association, through which she was honored in 2008 with the Jere Annis Award for her enduring legacy of service.

2026 Kathleen Munson Quality of Life Champion: Harrell’s LLC
The Kathleen Munson Quality of Life Champion Award honors those businesses that are dedicated to making Lakeland a great place to live, work, and play.

Harrell’s, LLC was named recipient of the 2026 Quality of Life Champion. Their story began in 1941 with the purchase of a small feed and seed store at Pine Street and Florida Avenue in downtown Lakeland and has continued through four generations of leadership. What started as a modest, family-run business has now grown into a nationwide leader in customized agronomic solutions, helping turf and ornamental professionals grow a better world.
Rooted in unwavering Christian principles, Harrell’s is built on integrity, a people-first mindset, and a deep commitment to doing what is right. Its values center on serving, honoring, and glorifying God, caring for people, and growing financial strength responsibly, principles demonstrated daily through action, stewardship, and generosity. In 2016, the company became 100% employee-owned and now includes more than 500 employee-owners across 30 locations. With its corporate headquarters in Lakeland, Harrell’s remains a preferred employer and a cornerstone of the local business community.

Also in 2016, the Harrell family established Harrell Family Charities to expand its commitment to honoring God and taking care of people. A champion of health and wellness, the Charities have invested in infrastructure to include:
• Harrell Family Center for Behavioral Wellness at Lakeland Regional Health
• Jack and Tina Harrell Institute for Advanced Cardiovascular Medicine at Lakeland Regional Health
• Jack and Tina Harrell Family Courtyard of the Bannasch Institute for Advanced Rehabilitation Medicine at Lakeland Regional Health
• Jack and Tina Harrell Family Botanical Gardens at Bonnet Springs
• Jack and Tina Harrell Family Greenhouse at Bonnet Springs
• Harrell Family Charities Front Yard Gallery at the Florida Children’s Museum at Bonnet Springs

Additional philanthropic endeavors have benefitted Parker Street Ministries, Gospel, Inc., YMCA of West Central Florida, VISTE, Catapult Lakeland, and countless others. Through financial support, volunteerism, and long-term partnerships, Harrell Family Charities reflects the heart of the Harrell family and the values on which the company was built.

2025 P. Scott Linder Small Business of the Year: Bungalow Boutique and Gifts
The Small Business of the Year Award is a prestigious award given to a member business in recognition of their accomplishments and entrepreneurial spirit. The recipient is selected from 12 Small Business of the Month recipients from the year prior.
 
Bungalow Boutique and Gifts, 2025 Small Business of the Year award recipient, embodies the spirit of local entrepreneurship, rooted in family, passion, and a dedication to serving others. For the past decade, Bungalow Boutique & Gifts has grown from a leap of faith into a welcoming, stylish destination in Lakeland.

Owned by sisters Christine Boring and Barbara Boulerice, the boutique offers women’s clothing, accessories, and gifts, with unique pieces thoughtfully selected to help customers feel comfortable, confident, and chic. Known as “The Shop that LOVES Lakeland,” their strong commitment to customer service reflects their belief that supporting customers means supporting the community.

Community involvement is central to their story. Bungalow Boutique and Gifts supports ~25 nonprofits, host programs, fashion shows, and events that bring people together. They are active in organizations such as the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) and Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO). The sisters credit their Chamber membership with strengthening credibility, expanding networks, and supporting their growth.

2025 Annual Meeting
The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Annual Meeting presented by Suncoast Credit Union united business leaders, community advocates, and champions of Lakeland’s business community to celebrate a successful year and usher in a new era of leadership. 2025 Board Chair, Lori Martini of GiveWell Community Foundation, reflected on the Chamber’s achievements in 2025 as well as treasured moments during her tenure. The event featured a keynote address from Madeleine Thakur, President & CEO of The Children’s Movement of Florida, who shared valuable insights on the state of early childhood education in Florida and why access to high-quality, affordable early learning opportunities is a critical matter for the business community.

The evening concluded with the formal passing of the gavel to the Chamber’s 2026 Board Chair, Par Sahota of Boring Business Systems, who expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to the business community and vision for 2026.
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A special highlight of the Annual Meeting connected more than 50 years of Chamber history and leadership as the 1976 Board Chair Dick Mason and the 2026 Board Chair Par Sahota exchanged ceremonial “golden gavels” to mark Mason’s 50th passing of the gavel ceremony.

Among a highly competitive class of applicants, Dr. Takiyah Dixon was recently selected to participate in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Business Leads Master Class: Building Business Leadership for High-Quality Curriculum, a competitive, national fellowship experience focused on strengthening the role of business leaders in education and workforce development.

​The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation empowers the business community to serve as champions for education and workforce systems that drive long-term economic prosperity. Through its Business Leads Fellowship network, the Foundation convenes leaders from across the country to engage in deep, issue-focused learning on topics critical to the future of education and the economy. The Master Class is an extension of their efforts, focusing on how business leaders can help advance the adoption and effective implementation of high-quality instructional materials, aligned educator training, and systems-level strategies that improve student outcomes and strengthen the future workforce.  

Dixon's experience included pre-work assigned by the Foundation and a two-day, in-person convening on January 29–30, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dixon engaged with peers from throughout the nation to explore best practices, build a community of practice, and contribute to solutions that align education systems with workforce and economic needs. The Master Class will be followed by virtual community-of-practice sessions three and six months after the event. 

"The High-Quality Curriculum Master Class clarified that improving curriculum quality is one of the most cost-effective, long-term investments a community can make in its workforce," said Dixon. "Literacy, numeracy, and aligned career pathways are foundational to economic growth, and sustained collaboration between education, business, and community partners is essential to ensuring students are prepared for what comes next."

On Monday, January 26, 2026, the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce joined communities across Florida to participate in All In for Early Learning Day: a statewide initiative powered by The Children’s Movement of Florida, convening parents, educators, business leaders, local officials, and community partners to highlight the importance of high-quality early learning programs for all Florida children.

“The first five years build the foundation for school success, career readiness, and lifelong health,” said Madeleine Thakur, President & CEO of The Children’s Movement of Florida, in a recorded statement. “Early learning strengthens families, supports today’s workforce, and builds tomorrow’s talent pipeline.”

90% of the brain develops before age five, providing a foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health (Center, n.d.). “What children experience during this time shapes everything that comes next—their confidence, their curiosity, their language development, their ability to form relationships, and their readiness for school,” said Sarah Vespa, General Counsel for GMF Steel Group and a Vice Chair of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “Early learning also strengthens our community. It helps parents work, supports local employers, and builds the future workforce our businesses will rely on… when communities invest in early learning, they see returns in health, education, workforce stability, and long-term economic growth.”

Strong early learning experiences help children show up to kindergarten ready to learn, confident, curious, and on track. In Polk County, only 38% of students are considered “kindergarten ready” by state standards, falling below the state average of 44% (Florida Department of Education, n.d.). Readiness is currently measured by the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) Star Early Literacy assessment, a 20-minute, 27-question exam administered within the first 30 days of kindergarten for all kindergarten students (Florida Department of Education, 2025). Yet research by the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County uncovered additional definitions of kindergarten readiness: self-readiness, the ability to follow directions, and kindness. “If children walk into the classroom ready to treat each other with care and empathy, everything else becomes teachable,” according to ELC CEO, Dr. Marc Hutek (Reynolds, 2025).

Citations
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (n.d.). Brain architecture. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/key-concept/brain-architecture/

Florida Chamber Foundation & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. (2023). Untapped Potential in FL: How Florida’s childcare crisis is impacting early learning, workforce productivity, and Florida’s economy [Online flipbook]. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://www.flipsnack.com/flchamber/untapped-potential-in-fl/full-view.html

Florida Department of Education. (2025). 2025–26 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) K–2 fact sheet [PDF]. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://www.fldoe.org/file/20102/2526FASTK2FS.pdf

Florida Department of Education. (n.d.). Kindergarten Readiness. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-studen0074-assessment/best/k-ready.stml

Reynolds, L. (2025, November 26). Planting seeds of kindness: A new chapter of kindergarten readiness for the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County, FL. Highlights Early Learning. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://earlylearning.highlights.com/blogs/the-confident-classroom/planting-seeds-of-kindness-floridas-elc-polk-county-begins-a-new-chapter-in-kindergarten-readiness?srsltid=AfmBOoo6VxS1Mf1_615SkqL3Xc0eIHt3a5FjR_3l0l_G-OSPSGqbEwF

The Florida Chamber of Commerce (Florida Chamber) recently announced the release of 2026 Where We Stand, its annual jobs and competitiveness agenda developed in collaboration with job creators, local chambers of commerce, key policymakers, leading business trade groups and industry leaders across Florida. The agenda unites the business community around priorities for the 2026 legislative session and reflects the Florida Chamber’s long-term focus on continued national leadership, job creation, economic growth, and global competitiveness.

The 2026 Where We Stand was released during day one of the Florida Chamber’s 2026 Legislative Fly-In held in Tallahassee in conjunction with the start of the legislative session and aligns state policy priorities with the Florida 2030 Blueprint. Together, these priorities provide a roadmap to continue strengthening Florida’s economy while benefiting communities, families and local businesses in every community in Florida. The agenda also reinforces the Florida Chamber’s commitment to making Florida’s tax climate the best in the nation while advocating for further tax reductions and guarding against tax increases or shifts onto local businesses.

“Florida’s continued success is driven by a unified business community that believes in free enterprise and has a long-term vision for Florida’s economic competitiveness,” said David Sweeney, Chairman of the board for RS&H and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “The Florida Chamber’s 2026 Where We Stand agenda keeps Florida on the path where businesses can continue to grow, families can prosper and opportunity reaches every zip code.”

The agenda draws on data-driven research from the Florida Chamber Foundation and direct input from businesses of every size in every industry from Pensacola to Key West. It focuses on policies that support a strong business climate, prepare Florida’s current and future workforce and position the state for sustained economic success and growth.

“Florida’s growth did not happen by chance, and maintaining our competitive edge requires thoughtful policy choices that put the long-term ahead of the short-term and ensuring we don’t take any steps backward,” said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “With 2026 Where We Stand, the Florida Chamber remains laser-focused on the Florida 2030 Blueprint goal of becoming a top‑10 global economy.”

​Top priorities outlined in the 2026 Where We Stand that advance the Florida 2030 Blueprint goals include:

• Strengthening Florida’s Free Enterprise System: Advancing policies that support job creation, economic growth, and long‑term competitiveness and limit government intrusion in the marketplace.
• Continued Lawsuit Abuse Reforms and Protecting the 2023 Reforms: Continuing Florida’s progress in 2023 by advancing further lawsuit abuse reforms and reducing cost drivers that impact families and businesses.
• Insuring Florida’s Future: Continuing the stabilization of Florida’s insurance markets by protecting the significant reforms already made and encouraging additional competition in the market.
• Expanding Affordable Workforce Housing Options: Supporting policies that continue to increase affordable, attainable workforce housing options at all income levels across Florida.
• Building Florida’s Talent Pipeline: Strengthening Pre-K-post-secondary education, skills training, and work‑based career and technical learning to meet Florida’s current and future workforce demand.
• Investing in Infrastructure for a Growing State: Supporting infrastructure investments that keep pace with the next 2.5 million Floridians, 40 million additional visitors, and 2.1 million new drivers expected by 2030.
• Advancing Wellness and Mental Health Outcomes: Improving outcomes and access to quality healthcare and behavioral health services to support a healthy, productive workforce.
• Protecting Florida’s Long‑Term Competitiveness: Promoting responsible fiscal policy, regulatory certainty, and a stable and competitive business climate.

Through the 2026 Where We Stand, the Florida Chamber continues its work to unite the business community around policies that support job growth, strengthen communities and expand economic opportunity across Florida.

Read 2026 Where We Stand below. (Source: Florida Chamber of Commerce)

Watson Clinic board-certified Podiatric Surgeon Zully A. Calvo, DPM is pleased to offer a new procedure called Arthrex Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy, an advanced surgical approach to treating a common foot deformity that afflicts millions of adults in the United States.
 
A bunion occurs when the first metatarsal in the big toe rotates out of alignment.  This causes the big toe to turn inward against the other toes. The metatarsal at the base of the big toe protrudes outward as a result. This deformity can cause stabbing pain, redness, swelling and difficulty walking and wearing shoes. It’s unlikely that many bunions will reverse on their own without surgical intervention. 

Traditional surgical treatments have involved long incisions, intrusive realignment efforts, and a lengthy period of recovery. “The Arthrex Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy offers a wealth of benefits to patients who wish to reclaim their mobility and quality of life,” Dr. Calvo explains. “These benefits include a much smaller incision that leaves only a tiny, oftentimes imperceptible scar, a correction of the bunion deformity through highly advanced, pin-sized instrumentation, significantly less postoperative pain, swelling and stiffness, and a recovery period that’s up to 8 weeks faster than traditional bunion surgery.”

Dr. Calvo treats patients from Watson Clinic South at 1033 N. Parkway Frontage Rd. in Lakeland. Appointments with Dr. Calvo may be scheduled by calling 863-680-7214 or visiting WatsonClinic.com/Calvo.