80 Years of Quality Healthcare

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

In the summer of 1941, the classic Citizen Kane premiered in theaters, baseball great Joe DiMaggio began a 56-game hitting streak for the New York Yankees, and a new car would set you back an average of $925.

It also marked the season when Watson Clinic first opened our doors to the community.

The seedlings of Watson Clinic were planted long before they sprouted into existence 80 years ago.

The future of healthcare for residents of Lakeland and surrounding communities had its origins in Metter, Georgia, a small city in the southeastern portion of the state. That’s where Willis Herman Watson was born into the world on February 12, 1889. Two years after graduating from the University of Georgia School of Medicine in 1912, he made the move to Lakeland to start his own private practice, a professional ambition that was interrupted briefly by his calling to serve during World War I.

In the years immediately following the war, Lakeland enjoyed a brisk population boom. Quality healthcare options became even more paramount to service the needs of our growing community. Dr. Herman Watson was soon joined in his practice by his nephew Edgar. In 1938, Dr. Jere Annis joined the team from the world-renowned physician-led team at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Plans were set in motion to model a healthcare establishment from the Mayo Clinic’s formidable example. In 1941, that vision was born in the form of Watson Clinic.

So much of the world has changed over the past eight decades, but it’s comforting to know that our mission has not.

Watson Clinic continues to be owned and operated by its physicians. That means that the services we provide are not determined by outside bureaucrats, but by the medical professionals who come face to face with the patient population on a daily basis. Every decision we make is based upon the needs of the patient, and our mission to elevate the health and vitality of our community as a whole.

Through evolving technologies and escalating challenges, Watson Clinic continues to set the standard for an all-inclusive healthcare experience.

It’s a recipe that has enhanced the lives of countless people, and served as a great influence to other medical establishments throughout our region and beyond. Many have followed our lead when it comes to groundbreaking research, innovative care, and personalized approaches to the practice of medicine.

We may be turning 80 this year, but we’re just getting started.

As we enter our next 80 years, we remain focused on responding to the needs of our community through the convenience of our locations, the ingenuity of our providers, and the breadth of our specialties and services. We’ll never waver from delivering the tools of tomorrow that will continue to ease illness and cure disease. Finally, we will continue to maintain the meaningful doctor-patient interactions that have successfully cemented our legacy above all else.

We thank each and every one of you for being a part of the Watson Clinic family.

6/9/2021

Comments:

Response to: 80 Years of Quality Healthcare
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Alvie Davidson says:

My family has utilized WC since 1968 but we have sold our Lakeland property & purchased a new home in Apollo Beach, FL & we now use the services of Tampa General Hospital & their wonderful staff. TGH even has a branch near my home in Apollo Beach. Many years ago Dr Edgar Watson performed some minor surgery for m. Thank you for years of service.p

Response to: 80 Years of Quality Healthcare
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Shirley Brooks says:

Watson Clinic has provided the best medical care that I could have ever imagined for the last 50 years. I had Dr. Tullis for my primary care physician for 42 years. He was the best. I now have a new primary care physician that I am well pleased with. I have never had to go outside the Watson Clinic for any other services. Lakeland is so fortunate to have such a wonderful medical organization. Keep up the good work, Polk County needs you.??

Response to: 80 Years of Quality Healthcare
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Alvie Davidson says:

Thank you for your many years of service to my family.

Response to: 80 Years of Quality Healthcare
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Linda and Don Huie says:

We are so very grateful for the physicians we have at Watson Clinic. We research each physician before choosing the doctor for each need. We only changed one time due to the lack of concern over care but we have been with all others for many, many years. This and our church is the reason we stay in Florida. Thank you for caring about the quality of care that Watson Clinic provides.

Response to: 80 Years of Quality Healthcare
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Valse Johnson says:

I have been fortunate that I was delivered by Dr. Edgar Watson at home in 1942. While growing up in Lakeland Dr. Watson made many calls on my family at home. One of the worst times for the family was our mother dying of cancer at home. Dr. Watson was there regularly. Later In the fifties I started seeing Dr. Watson at the Marble Arcade office. I now see Dr. Colucci at the Watson Clinic. Dr. Colucci is a shining example of the quality of treatment Dr. Edgar was seeking. Val Johnson

Response to: 80 Years of Quality Healthcare
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Frances Clark says:

I have been a patient at Watson Clinic for about 40 years and I am so blessed to have such good caring physicians who provide my medical care. I moved to Ocala in Marion county 3 years ago, but I still make the 2 hour drive to the Watson Clinic for my health care because Ocala doesn't have such a place where one can get everything (blood work, xrays, catscans, etc) done in one place. I prefer having my doctors in one place and it would be wonderful if Watson Clinic opened up in Marion County where we have a high number of older folks who would really appreciate such a place for their health care needs. Respectfully, Frances Clark

Response to: 80 Years of Quality Healthcare
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Mary Ellen Benoit says:

I am a Watson Clinic patient and devotee. Almost 78 years old, single, and living 1000 miles away from my children, I won't even consider moving back to New England. I enjoy the diversity and all-inclusive pattern of Watson Clinic's healthcare. I call it my "one-stop" healthcare. I have a complex medical history, and I see many Doctors at Watson. I have used the lab, the radiology dept., the Dexa scan, frequent CT's, biopsies, eye care, hearing and otolaryngology, acupuncture, mammogram. rheumatology and much more. I could never go back to healthcare scattered around in various towns. cities, buildings, or hospitals. I think it is critically important that all my physicians are connected electronically, and that I am also able to track all my medical information via Patient Portal. The nearby availability of Lakeland Regional and Bartow Medical add to the convenience and accuracy of my health needs. I'm grateful to Dr. Watson and the other founders for conceiving of and creating this w

Response to: 80 Years of Quality Healthcare
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Karla Groenewold says:

I have been coming to the Watson Clinic since shortly before I moved to Lakeland, about 5 yrs ago. I have been to all of the clinics at one time or another. I currently go to the south clinic, my PCP is Dr. Elaine Turcan. Her and all the staff are very friendly and helpful. If Dr Turcan is not available I go to Urgent Care, south. It's great that matter what Watson Clinic you go to they can access all your medical records. I recommend Watson Clinic to all my friends. I have a friend who lives in Brandon and she is happy you have opened a Clinic there, she will be making an appointment with the dermatologist there.

Response to: 80 Years of Quality Healthcare
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Dee Gudroe says:

I gave birth to my first son in 1961. My doctor was Edgar Watson.

Response to: 80 Years of Quality Healthcare
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Pete McMullen says:

We moved to Polk City from Albuquerque where our healthcare needs were provided by the Lovelace Health Care system. We were concerned about finding a similar health care system in Florida but neighbors recommended Watson Clinic and 20 years later we are very satisfied with the health care we receive.

Response to: 80 Years of Quality Healthcare
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Lila M Smith says:

Absolutely love Watson Clinic and the one stop feature. Never a need to go anywhere else. Thank you for being there for us.

Response to: 80 Years of Quality Healthcare
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Betty B. Crews says:

In the winter of 1949 my mother , Christine M. Bishop was diagnosed with breast cancer. by Dr. Edgar Watson. At that time Watson Clinic was a small white building . Dr. Edgar Watson advised that she go to Orlando for some type of mustard treatment. Also at that time patients were not told the diagnosis was cancer. The family was told privately. It was common practice. The mustard treatment did not help her and she ultimately died on July 19,1949m I tell you all this so you can hear first hand how things were "back then" and how our culture has changed. Thank you very much. Betty B.Crews

Response to: 80 Years of Quality Healthcare
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Wanda F. Taylor says:

I was one of Dr. Edgar Watson's first patients when he was upstairs on Kentucky Ave downtown .I also wrote a poem on your 75th anniversary and it was printed in your Healthscene Magazine that year. Yes he was special and such a good Dr. I was only In the 6th grade and he had to put me to bed for 5 weeks after I was in a auto accident. I am still in the Watson clinic family and was just at the South Clinic Urgent Care today. Our daughter help plan these urgent care clinics while she was employed there also. Yes our Lakeland area and communities are so Blessed to have the Watson Clinic for our health care providers. May God Bless you all for the wonderful care and work you do everyday to help us stay healthy. Thank you

Response to: 80 Years of Quality Healthcare
Friday, July 2, 2021
Irma Hickman says:

I receive very professional care and service whenever I am at any location. The staff are amazing and caring too. I just wished that you had your own Hospital, because if you build one, they would come.

Response to: 80 Years of Quality Healthcare
Friday, July 2, 2021
Robert Alden Gates says:

Dr. Dona Stone is one outstanding physician. She is very knowledgeable and always has time for questions. A great addition to Watson Clinic. Thank you, Robert Gates