Board Members

Dr. Loewy is an Ophthalmologist with Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida, PA. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan and his Medical Degree from University of Michigan. He completed an Internship at Henry Ford Hospital and an Ophthalmology Residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School. He is a Fellow with the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Board Certified with the American Board of Ophthalmology and American Board of Eye Surgeons. Dr. Loewy is a member of the Society for Excellence in Eye Care, the Polk County Medical Association and Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce. In addition to serving as President of the Board, Dr. Loewy is active as a We Care Volunteer Physician providing numerous medical services each year.

Dr. Schemmer is an Ophthalmologist with Advanced Eye Care Associates. He has been in private practice for more than 31 years. He received his undergraduate, graduate and medical degrees from the University of Florida. He completed an internship in internal medicine and his residency at the University of Florida as well. Dr. Schemmer is board certified in Ophthalmology. He is a member of the American Medical Association, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Florida Society of Ophthalmology, Florida Medical Association, Polk County Medical Association and the Central Florida Ophthalmology Society. In addition to serving as Vice President of the Board, Dr. Schemmer serves as a We Care Volunteer Physician providing hundreds of medical services each year.

Barbara Turner, R.N., B.S.N. serves as the Chief Quality Officer / Risk Manager with Central Florida Health Care (CFHC), Inc., a Federally Qualified Health Center, since 2104. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Florida. She has served as a Registered Nurse specializing in OB/GYN in high and low risk departments within both large and small hospital settings, Director of an OB department at Georgetown Community Hospital in Georgetown, Kentucky, and Director of Quality, Risk, Infection Control (as the Infection Control Nurse), and Education. She then served as Director of Nursing and Deputy Director for 12 years for two separate Health Departments. Upon moving to Florida and prior to joining CFHC, she became Operations and Business Manager for the Highlands County Florida Department of Health. Barbara currently serves as Secretary of the Board and volunteers her time to attend We Care fundraising activities and development meetings.

Ellen Thornton, C.P.A., serves as Partner for Thornton, Townsend & Company, LLLP, with over 30 years of experience in public accounting. She spent 20 years of her career at Beckert, Price & Rowse, P.A., which merged with Cross, Fernandez & Riley, LLP (C/F/R) in 2008. Ellen then joined BDO as Tax Partner as a result of its combination with C/F/R. She provides comprehensive tax, accounting and consulting services to the firm’s clients. She works primarily with clients in the real estate and agricultural industries. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Florida Institute of CPAs. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Florida Southern College. In addition to serving as Treasurer of the Board, Ellen volunteers tax preparation and filing services for We Care.

Dr. Lyle is a retired Otolaryngologist, having been affiliated with The Barranco Clinic in Winter Haven, Florida for 29 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Tulane University and his MD from the University of Virginia. He completed his internship and residency at Naval Medical Regional Center in San Diego. CA. He is Board Certified by the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, as well as the Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. He is a member of the FSO-HNS, Florida Medical Association, and past president of the PCMA. Dr. Lyle has been the recipient of multiple Naval commendations and awards. He has served on numerous boards and committees in local hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers in Central Florida.

Dr. Benedict is a Family Practice physician with Lakeland Regional Family Health where she specializes in caring for people of all ages, at all stages of life. She earned a Medical Degree from Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine and Pharmacy. Dr. Benedict completed a Residency in Family Medicine at Mt. Carmel Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, and is Board Certified by the America Board of Family Medicine. In addition to serving on the Board, Dr. Benedict assists with volunteer physician recruitment.

Doris Griggs Nardelli serves as Communications Director for Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, Inc. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida, with Bachelor Degrees in English/Speech Communication and Education, and a Masters Degree in Public Administration. She also attended University of Chicago’s Executive Series in Strategic Planning & Marketing. Doris’ professional career spans both the public and private sectors working with Kohler Co in Advertising, Product Development and Marketing and as a co-owner of a services franchising company in the Carolinas. Upon returning to her home state of Florida, she managed educational programs for a contractor with the Department of Juvenile Justice and implemented an award winning Co-Occurring Systems Development Project. In addition to serving on the Board, Doris volunteers her time to attend We Care fundraising activities and development meetings.

Commercial Banker, VP with Bank of Central Florida. Been in banking for over 20 years, but have worked in Polk County since 2012. Prior to moving to BOCF, I was with BB&T for 7 years. At the beginning of my career, I worked in the Orlando market for SunTrust. The role includes expanding the relationship with existing commercial clients and bringing in new clients to the bank. I specialize in assisting with solutions for commercial lending and deposit services. I am a Florida native, grew up in the Lake Mary area, and moved to Winter Haven in 2009. I am a graduate of UCF, with Marketing and Public Relations degrees. The part of my job I enjoy the most is building long-term relationships with business owners and helping to support their companies’ needs for success and financial growth. While I am a great resource to my clients for their financial needs; I have care and compassion and try to do my best to get an understanding of what my clients really need to provide them with financial strength and wellness. I am also active in the community and feel that it is very important to give back to the communities in which we serve. I am the Secretary of the Winter Haven EDC, on the Board for the Humane Society of Polk County, We Care of Central Florida, and am a member of the Polk State Corporate College Advisory Board. I am a graduate of Leadership Winter Haven, Class XXXIII, and Leadership Polk, Class VII. My 2 boys are both very active in sports, so attending baseball, football and other seasonal sports take up a great deal of my family’s time. We are also Disney Passholders, and love going to the parks.