LAKELAND, FL — Less than 15 hours after Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital officially opened its doors, the hospital welcomed the first baby born at the new facility.
Liam was born at 11:44 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce, according to hospital officials. His parents, 29-year-old Anaïs and Yassir of Winter Haven, along with their newborn son, are all doing well.
Hospital President Carlos Carrasco said welcoming the first baby is one of the most memorable milestones for the new facility and the first of many births expected at the hospital.
Liam’s birth also came with a unique gift. Through a partnership between Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital and Polk State College, he received the Born to Soar Scholarship, which will cover full tuition, fees, and required books for any degree program at Polk State College when he is ready to pursue higher education.
Polk State College President Anastasios Kamoutsas said the scholarship provides Liam with a clear path to college from his very first day of life, while Foundation Executive Director Steve Warner said the award reflects the community’s commitment to ensuring financial barriers do not prevent students from pursuing higher education.
Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital officially opened at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, becoming Lakeland’s first new hospital to open in more than a century.
Source: Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital / Polk State College
