Doctor driven

For the first time since opening its doors in 1941, Lakeland-based Watson Clinic had 1 million visitors last year.

The health care practice's top executive, CEO Dr. Louis Saco, says that number will likely grow quickly in the next few years, given the Polk County population surge. Areas in need of more medical offices include south Polk, south Lakeland and Bartow.

“I can assure you, we will branch into areas where there is a need,” Saco says. “We followed the projections and the population grew even larger, especially along U.S. 17, Highway 60, U.S. 98 and Polk Parkway. We want to make it one large community with seamless growth.”