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As of March 11, 2019, Lake Wales Medical Group has joined Heart of Florida Physician Group to increase access to quality healthcare providers throughout Polk County.

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By linking the two groups under one name, patients can be confident in knowing they have access to physicians in 11 different specialties, including primary care, breast care, orthopedics and plastic surgery, to name a few. Plus, patients can use one scheduling number for all offices: 844-634-DOCS (3627). Same-day or next-day appointments are available and patients may go to www.HeartOfFloridaPhysicianGroup.com to request an appointment. Our primary care offices also have online scheduling.

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"Over the past two years, Lake Wales Medical Group and Heart of Florida Physician Group have been joining their operations in an effort to offer patients more options in specialties and locations within one convenient healthcare network," stated Ann Barnhart, Market CEO for Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center and Lake Wales Medical Center. "The unification of our physician groups under one name is the final step in helping our communities recognize our affiliated providers.

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As Lake Wales Medical Group rebrands itself with the Heart of Florida Physician Group name, the local healthcare providers in Lake Wales will remain the same to offer you and your family the high quality healthcare you have come to trust. The providers in Lake Wales will continue to be affiliated with Lake Wales Medical Center.

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Under the name Heart of Florida Physician Group, we also remain committed to recruiting healthcare providers to the Lake Wales area. Notably, coming this Fall, two natives to Lake Wales will be joining Heart of Florida Physician Group with offices in Lake Wales. Amber Shepard, M.D., a family medicine physician, and James Pilkington, M.D., a urologist, will be returning to Lake Wales, where they grew up, to open offices and see local patients. They will be credentialed with Lake Wales Medical Center.

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Beginning in this month, the following offices will be renamed with Heart of Florida Physician Group as the identifier:

· Lake Wales Medical Group, Family Medicine

· Lake Wales Medical Group, General Surgery

· Lake Wales Medical Group, Gastroenterology

· Lake Wales Medical Group, Occupational Medicine

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"As we continue to grow," said Rebecca Brewer, CEO at Lake Wales Medical Center, regarding the name change, "you know that, regardless of where you live or how hectic your schedule is, you have easy access to a network of providers who share a passion for excellence."

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For more information on the services or providers of Heart of Florida Physician Group, visit www.HeartOfFloridaPhysicianGroup.com.