PRESS RELEASE — Lakeland Regional Health Foundation Receives Record-Setting Gift From Hollis Family

Lakeland, FL – During a press conference today, Lakeland Regional Health announced an unprecedented $5 million donation from the Hollis family designated to benefit and name the Cancer Center. The facility, undergoing a 34,500-square-foot renovation and expansion, will bear the name Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center in honor of this gift. This philanthropic contribution is the largest in the history of the Lakeland Regional Health Foundation.

“We were blessed to have a wonderful and compassionate medical team and support network in Lakeland during Mark’s battle with cancer,” said Lynn Hollis. “Our goal is that the Hollis Cancer Center will be known as THE place to CONQUER cancer, by providing compassionate care to every person who comes through these doors.”

Mark C. Hollis, who served as President of Publix Super Markets Inc. from 1984 to 1996, passed away from complications of pancreatic cancer in December 2012. Mr. Hollis was actively involved with the Lakeland Regional Health System Board of Directors, serving as its Chairman from 1982-1983. He was a devoted husband to Lynn Hollis and loving father to Clayton, Jack, and Dean, all four of whom were present at today’s announcement. Mr. Hollis was also a beloved grandfather to 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mr. Hollis also enjoyed retired life as a sculptor and his piece “Survivor” is showcased at the Hollis Cancer Center. The stone sculpture depicts a female torso and signifies the difficult journey and inner strength of breast cancer patients. “They are fighting a battle, the battle of cancer and just like the stone, their own beauty comes from within,” he had said of his work.

“We are blessed to have found such compassionate and generous partners in the Hollis family,” said Elaine C. Thompson, PhD, FACHE, Lakeland Regional Health President and CEO. “The Hollises truly believe, as do we, in the importance of ensuring that our community has access to leading-edge, patient-centered cancer care.”

The Cancer Center, which opened in 2003, was recently re-accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers – one of only 30 centers in Florida honored with this recognition. For more than 25 years, Lakeland Regional Health has been earning accreditation for its exceptional cancer care from the Commission on Cancer, and this year exceeded the benchmarks to receive accreditation with commendation.

“While there are many worthwhile organizations in Polk County, we believe that because cancer touches almost every person in the county, the Hollis Cancer Center has the opportunity to have the largest beneficial impact on the most people in this region,” said Jack M. Hollis, middle son of Mark and Lynn Hollis.

“We are blessed and honored to be here today to announce the Hollis Cancer Center,” said R. Dean Hollis, their youngest son. “However, it’s not the name ON the building that’s important, it’s what happens IN the building that we are proud to support.”

“I’ve seen, firsthand, the action behind Lakeland Regional Health’s Promises – ‘to treasure all people as uniquely created; to nurture, educate and guide with integrity; to inspire each and every one of us to do our very best’ ” said M. Clayton Hollis, Jr., their eldest son.

The Hollis Cancer Center expansion is expected to be complete in early 2016. Enhancements include:

  • 40 chemotherapy stations thoughtfully designed to provide patients with lake view and accessibility to care team members, increasing the present capacity by 17 chairs.
  • Addition of a third linear accelerator that offers patients TrueBeam STx technology designed to treat tumors with advanced speed and high precision using image-guided radiotherapy and radiosurgery. TrueBeam STx targets cancer anywhere in the body where radiation treatment is indicated with enhanced patient safety and reduced operation times.
  • Pharmacy expansion to support increased chemotherapy volumes.
  • State-of-the-art education and meeting space for community outreach, multidisciplinary meetings and physician and team education.
  • Beautiful chapel for meditation, prayers and serenity.
  • Facility entry for stretchers and roadway access for ambulance/transport vehicles.
  • Additional, more convenient parking.

“The Hollis Cancer Center is a special place for healing, hope and discovery,” said Graham F. Greene, MD, FACS, FRCS, Lakeland Regional Health Chief Academic Officer and Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center Executive Director. “We are honored and humbled by the Hollis family’s support for our work. This gift helps ensure we can continue to offer all the best expertise, technology and programs needed to conquer cancer.”

As a not-for-profit healthcare organization, Lakeland Regional Health is committed to providing effective, safe, timely, efficient and equitable care, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay for services. Contributions to the Lakeland Regional Health Foundation provide for advances that keep Lakeland Regional Health on the leading edge of services and technology.

“We are extremely thankful to the Hollis family for their tremendous generosity,” said Timothy J. Boynton, Associate Vice President, Lakeland Regional Health Foundation. “The philanthropic support of donors plays such an important role in the health of our community.”

About Lakeland Regional Health Foundation

The Lakeland Regional Health Foundation was created as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 1971 to support Lakeland Regional Health’s work to deliver nationally recognized healthcare, strengthen the health of the community and advance the future of healthcare for those it serves. 100% of all donations are invested in facilities, equipment and programs used to care for patients. For more information about Lakeland Regional Health Foundation, visit http://foundation.myLRH.org.

About Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center

The Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center provides specialized cancer care services, including medical oncology, hematology, radiation oncology, gynecologic oncology, surgical oncology and urologic oncology. The Hollis Cancer Center’s 13 board-certified physicians and team of clinical and research professionals use state-of-the-art technology to provide the best possible outcomes for cancer patients. Currently, the Hollis Cancer Center is participating in 36 clinical trials and its research over the years has helped to bring 50 FDA-approved chemotherapy and biologic medications to the marketplace. For more information about Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center, visit http://www.mylrh.org.

 

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