Health & Wellness - Best of LKLD 2026

Best Family Doctor

DONNA ASUPAN, MD | WATSON CLINIC

1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland

Congratulations to Dr. Asupan! For preventative care, physical exams, chronic conditions, and more, patients trust Dr. Asupan to treat them and their families with dignity and care. One patient wrote, “Great doctor! I definitely recommend her. She listens to you and does a thorough examination.”

2nd: Rony J. Alvarado, MD | Watson Clinic

3rd: Anthony Moon, MD | Lakeland Regional

Best Pediatrician

NICOLE HINDS, MD LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH

3030 Harden Blvd, Lakeland

As a parent, you only want the best care for your children. Dr. Hinds’ patients absolutely love her. One happy parent wrote, “Dr. Hinds is an exceptional pediatrician. She is incredibly detailed and thorough during every visit, taking the time to carefully explain everything and answer all of my questions. She never rushes and makes sure I fully understand my children’s care. What stands out most is how wonderful she is with kids. My children feel comfortable and at ease with her ...” Congratulations to Dr. Hinds!

2nd: Janelle Peery, MD | Lakeland Regional Health

3rd: Central Florida Health Care

Best Obstetrician | Gynecologist

LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH OB/GYN NORTH

1525 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland

Listen ladies, let’s be honest. This is not our favorite thing to do. But we have to do it. We have to take care of ourselves. Lakeland Regional Health supports women through every stage of life with compassion. From adolescent gynecology, breast health, birth, birth control management, to menopause, they offer compassionate and expert care.

2nd: Central Florida Health Care

3rd: Watson Clinic Women’s Center

Best Eye Specialist | Optometrist

EYE SPECIALISTS OF MID-FLORIDA, PA

3350 Harden Blvd, Lakeland

2004 Co Rd 540A, Lakeland

For decades, Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida has helped Central Florida patients see life more clearly. With comprehensive eye care, advanced treatments, and multiple convenient locations, they’re keeping an eye on your vision, and making sure your future looks bright! If you’re a “four eyes” like me, or have a more complex issue with your sight, visit Eye Specialists! Congratulations to the team!!

2nd: Eyes on Lakeland

3rd: Swan City Eye Care

Best Dentist

FRANK LAGA, DMD NORTHSIDE FAMILY DENTAL

6731 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland

Dr. Frank Laga brings a passion for dentistry with a military background. After serving four years as an Army dentist, including nine months in Kuwait, he returned to Florida and made Lakeland home. With compassionate, comprehensive care, Dr. Laga knows the drill and can get to the root of your dental issues or help with preventative care. Congrats to Dr. Laga for keeping Lakeland smiling bright!

2nd: Lea Wheeler, DMD

3rd: William Nerestant, DDS | Midtown Dental

Best Orthodontist

SCOTT ORTHODONTICS

5030 S Lakeland Dr, Lakeland

211 6th St SE, Winter Haven

Since 1987, this local, independent, and privately-owned practice has served the community with state-of-the-art technology and compassion. The doctors are totally floss-ome, and locals em-brace them. One patient wrote, “Scott Orthodontics is the best of the best. They are patient and informative and go above and beyond to ensure you’re happy with your smile. 10/10 recommend.” Congratulations to the entire Scott Orthodontics team!

2nd: Dietrich & Kelso Orthodontics

3rd: Imagine Orthodontic Studio

Best Urgent Care

LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH URGENT CARE

Multiple locations

With multiple locations, extended weekday hours, weekend availability, and no appointments required, getting care is easy. Services include X-rays, lab testing, and treatment for common conditions, from coughs and colds to sprains and rashes.

2nd: Watson Clinic Urgent Care

3rd: BayCare Urgent Care

Best Spinal Care Clinic

ADVANCED SPINAL CARE CHIROPRACTIC MEDICAL SPA & MASSAGE

2125 Crystal Grove Dr, Lakeland

They’ve adjusted the competition! Specializing in chiropractic care, spinal decompression, massage, and wellness services, their team takes a hands-on approach to helping you feel better. Stand corrected and stay on the straight and narrow with Advanced Spinal Care. Congratulations to the entire team for helping our spines feel fine!

2nd: Excel Pain and Spine

3rd: Lakeland Regional Health

Best Chiropractor

BRADLEY BARTEL, DC

Advanced Spinal Care Chiropractic Medical Spa and Massage

2125 Crystal Grove Dr, Lakeland

Congratulations to Dr. Bartel!! Dr. Bradley Bartel knows that great chiropractic care should always have your back! With a hands-on approach and a focus on spinal health, he helps patients get aligned with feeling their best. You’ll get your back on track with Dr. Bartel.

2nd: The Well Society

3rd: The Lakeland Chiropractor

Best Rehab Services

LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH

Multiple locations

Lakeland Regional Health’s outpatient rehabilitation services help patients get back on their feet, and stay there! With physical, occupational, and speech therapy, expert therapists help rebuild strength, improve balance, and restore confidence after injury or surgery. They help every step of the way toward feeling your best. Congratulations to the staff at all locations!

2nd: Watson Clinic

3rd: Orthopedic Physical Therapy Associates

Best Massage Therapy

ADVANCED SPINAL CARE CHIROPRACTIC MEDICAL SPA & MASSAGE

2125 Crystal Grove Dr, Lakeland

This is a hands-on way to melt away stress and loosen those stubborn knots. Licensed therapists customize each session, from deep tissue and sports massage to hot stone and relaxation. With heated tables and soothing surroundings, Advanced Spinal Care will knead those worries and pain away. Congratulations to the team!

2nd: Josh Soto | TrueMedSpa

3rd: Lani Renee Holistics

Best Medical Spa

THE SKIN BOUTIQUE

464 W Pipkin Rd, Lakeland

1645 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland

Congratulations to this repeat winner! The Skin Boutique is putting the “glow” in glowing reviews! With treatments ranging from hydrafacials and microneedling to peels, laser services, injectables, and more, it’s a one-stop shop for putting your best face forward. Ready to get skin in the game? Book your appointment and let your complexion shine!

2nd: Eternal Youth Aesthetics and Wellness

3rd: Esthetica Medspa

Best Mental Health Services

WALK WITH HOPE

215 E Bay St, Lakeland

Year after year, Walk with Hope wins in this category. They offer compassionate, nonjudgmental therapy for individuals, couples, and families. With in-person services in Downtown Lakeland and teletherapy throughout Florida, their licensed counselors create a safe space to navigate anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, self-esteem, and more. When life feels overwhelming, Walk With Hope helps you take things one step at a time.

2nd: Lakeland Regional Health

3rd: Cassidy Psychiatry

Best Hospital

LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH

1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland

Lakeland Regional Health has served the Lakeland community for more than a century, growing from a 65-bed hospital into one of Florida’s largest hospitals. With 910 beds, advanced specialty care, emergency services, trauma care, and more than 400 providers, Lakeland Regional Health continues its mission of putting patients at the heart of everything.

2nd: Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital

3rd: BayCare Bartow Regional Medical Center

Best Orthopedic Doctor

ERIC WICKS, MD LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH

3030 Harden Blvd, Lakeland

If you knee-d care for your aching body, Dr. Wicks is one “hip” guy. He specializes in orthopedic surgery, helping patients get back on their feet and moving comfortably. With a caring approach and expertise in bones, joints, and mobility, he’s got your health covered from head to toe. Congratulations to Dr. Wicks for helping Lakeland get moving!

2nd: Renee Genova, MD | Lakeland Regional Health

3rd: Joseph D’Alonzo, DO | Florida Orthopaedic Institute

Best Veterinarian

SPCA VETERINARY CLINIC

5850 Brannen Rd S, Lakeland

SPCA Florida Veterinary Clinic is paws-itively committed to helping pets! Founded in 1979, this nonprofit provides compassionate, affordable veterinary care, from wellness visits to lifesaving treatments. With a fur-midable team and a big heart for animals, SPCA Florida is making tails wag and giving pets plenty of reasons to paws for celebration. Congrats to the staff at the SPCA!

2nd: All Creatures Animal Clinic

3rd: Highland Square Family Vet

Best Gym | Fitness Studio

RESTORATION FITNESS & NUTRITION

2984 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland

With coach-led workouts, personal training, nutrition coaching, and a supportive community, they help you reach your goals. Whether you’re building strength or better habits, Restoration helps you muscle your way toward becoming your best self. Sweat now, shine later! Congratulations to the team at Restoration!

2nd: The Well Society

3rd: CrossFit Stay in Motion

Best Yoga | Pilates Studio

THE WELL SOCIETY

336 Kathleen Rd, Lakeland

The Well Society’s Pilates program is designed to help you stretch your limits, strengthen your core, and find your balance, literally! With mindful movement and purposeful exercises, you can build strength, improve mobility, and feel more aligned. It’s a real core commitment to wellness and your health. Congratulations to the team at The Well Society!

2nd: Yoga Pointe

3rd: Pike Pilates

Best Martial Arts Studio

KARATE BEYOND

613 School House Rd, Lakeland

Kick your fitness into gear with karate-inspired training! Punch up your strength, sharpen your skills, and kick bad habits to the curb. Pre-K Ninjas, kids, teens, and adults can build confidence, strength, and discipline while learning self-defense at Karate Beyond. Congratulations on your win!

2nd: Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu

3rd: Choe’s Martial Arts

Best Holistic | Wellness Store

CHAMBERLIN’S NATURAL FOODS

4001 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland

From organic produce and natural groceries to vitamins, supplements, and fresh smoothies, they’ve been serving up plenty of ways to nourish your body since 1935. Guests at Chamberlin’s rave about the friendly staff and wide selection of healthy food. Congratulations to the staff at Chamberlin’s for this repeat win! Kale yeah!!

2nd: Anthony’s Health Hut

3rd: The Vitamin Shoppe

Best Cannabis Dispensary

SURTERRA

1222 Florida Ave S, Lakeland

Another year, another win for Surterra! Weed by lying if we said we were surprised. Lakelanders have high hopes for this place, and Surterra keeps rolling along with wins. Card-carrying locals love the edibles, flower, concentrates, and more. Check their website for specials and leaf your troubles behind.

2nd: Goldflower Cannabis

3rd: Trulieve

Best Non-Profit

KEEP POLK COUNTY BEAUTIFUL

keeppolkcountybeautiful.org

Keep Polk County Beautiful is on a mission to keep our community looking, well, beautiful! Since 1994, this nonprofit has rallied volunteers, businesses, schools, and civic groups to tackle litter, recycling, waste reduction, and beautification. With thousands of volunteers and tons of trash collected, KPCB proves that keeping Polk beautiful is truly a clean sweep!

2nd: VISTE

3rd: Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida

Best Place of Worship

THE WAY COMMUNITY CHURCH

2300 Commerce Point Dr, Lakeland

This welcoming community embraces imperfect people, celebrates Jesus, and believes His life-giving power can transform any situation. No perfect churchgoers required. Just come as you are, have some fun, find encouragement, and walk the journey together.

2nd: Access Church

3rd: First United Methodist Church