DAYTONA BEACH, FL – (October 2, 2020) – Lowell and Nancy Lohman, local business owners and philanthropists, have made their single largest gift as an endowment to provide diabetes resources for the people of our community. The $4 million endowment is being given to Halifax Health to build the Lohman Diabetes Center of Excellence at Halifax Health Medical Center. Lowell and his brother Victor have had Type 1 diabetes since their early twenties. Lowell and Nancy brought attention to the lack of diabetes education and navigation in the area to Halifax Health’s attention. As Lowell says, “Halifax Health is the 800 pound gorilla in healthcare here (in Volusia County) and we poked the gorilla.”
To date, Halifax Health has worked with the Lohmans, the YMCA, and Help a Diabetic Child to bring attention and programming to people fending off or having prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, along with providing resources for people with Type 1 diabetes. Now the group is joining forces with UF Health to bring Endocrinologist, Poonam Kapadia, MD to the Halifax Health – UF Health stable of medical practices housed at the Halifax Health Campus.
“In honor of the Lohman’s commitment and gift, the Halifax Health Professional Building is being renamed the Lohman Building. The Lohman Building will house centers of excellence for diabetes, neurosciences, heart and vascular surgery,. “This multidisciplinary approach is designed for complete patient care for those who may need additional services for health issues caused by diabetes,” said Jeff Feasel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Halifax Health.
The Lohman Diabetes Center of Excellence will be a comprehensive center to provide education and care for the 14.2% of Volusia County residents with prediabetes and diabetes for years to come. According to Joe Petrock, Executive Director of the Halifax Health Foundation, “the Lohmans have been great friends to so many in our community. They have supported so many causes to make this a better place to live, work and play. Our community is stronger because of their generosity, and we are proud and thankful they have chosen Halifax Health to be a part of their legacy.”
Endocrinology services are slated to start November 1, 2020 in temporary offices. The 2,800 square foot Center of Excellence location will open in the second quarter of 2021.
Halifax Health
Ranked among the top five percent of all hospitals in the nation for clinical outcomes, Halifax Health serves East Central Florida and provides a continuum of healthcare services through a network of organizations including a tertiary hospital, a community hospital, psychiatric services, a cancer treatment center with four outreach locations, the area’s largest hospice, a health maintenance organization, and a preferred provider organization. Halifax Health offers the area’s only Level II Trauma Center, Comprehensive Stroke Center, Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units, Pediatric Emergency Department, Child and Adolescent Behavioral Services, complete Neurosurgical Services and OB Emergency Department. Halifax Health has consistently received top ratings for its medical specialties including #1 in Florida and top 5% in the United States for Orthopedics, #2 in Florida and top 5% in the United States for Spinal Surgery, top 5% in the United States for Maternity care in 2012, top 5% in the United States for Stroke Services, top 10% in the United States for Vascular Services and the highest rankings for Heart Services. Halifax Health also ranked #1 in the Orlando Sentinel’s 2007 Top 100 Companies for Working Families. Halifax Health has been Five-Star Rated in Overall Orthopedic Services, Joint Replacement, Total Knee Replacement, Hip Fracture Treatment and Back and Neck Surgery Spinal Fusion for 8 years in a row; Five Star Rated in Spine Surgery for 7 years in a row and Five Star Rated in Back and Neck Surgery excluding Spinal Fusion for 10 years in a row. Halifax Health Maternity Care has also been Five Star Rated for 4 years in a row and Five Star Rated in Gynecologic Surgery in 2011 and 2012. For more information, visit halifaxhealth.org.
