About Us
Our mission is to engage, restore, and empower individuals in our community to reach their fullest potential.
The vision of Peace River Center is to be a center of excellence for building emotional wellness.
CORE VALUES
Integrity Can be trusted by other team members to consistently communicate truthfully and honestly and to act in accordance with the best interests of the persons served, the team, and Peace River Center.
Accountability Can be depended upon to accept responsibility for actions and decisions and to follow through. Readily admits mistakes and initiates steps to remedy them.
Team Focus Joins with colleagues to advance the interest of PRC customers, team members, and other stakeholders. Is a responsible and caring partner and can be counted upon to help.
Respect Believes in the intrinsic worth of all people and works to create a culture of inclusion built on trust, empathy and the philosophy of Recovery. Values and treats others with dignity.
Excellence Maintains an optimistic and proactive attitude to ensure that products and services surpass expectations. Tries to do his/her best at all times and continually looks for innovative ways to do it even better.
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individuals each year.With 27 locations, 30 programs and accreditation from The Joint Commission and licensed by ACHA and DCF, Peace River Center is one of the largest behavioral health agencies in Florida.
We offer an array of services with 30 programs, which include:
Our Story
Peace River Center was founded in the late 1940s in response to the community’s concern for the emotional and psychological well-being of children. Over time, Peace River Center gradually expanded their services to include adults. A significant growth period for the Center came after the 1973 passing of the Baker Act, which is Florida’s Mental Health Act, enabling them to establish a community mental health center as an alternative to treatment at the State Hospital. In the late 1970s Peace River Center opened the first of two domestic violence shelters, and in 2013 we added a primary care Wellness Clinic. Our Lakeland Crisis Campus opened in January 2018.
Our Team
Executive Team
Bill Gardam, MBA
President and Chief Executive Officer
Carol Gilmore, PHR
Director of Human Resources
Candace Barnes, LMHC CBHCMS-AC
Chief Operating Officer
Ileana Kniss
Director of Development and Community Relations
David J. Tournade, CPA
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board assists PRC with fundraising ideas, planning special events and increasing community awareness about the services we offer to Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties. The Advisory Board's main goal is to increase community involvement in the mission and vision of Peace River Center.
Kelly Aiken
Nancy Cattarius
Denise Crenshaw
Susan Curry
Erin Golotko
Rachel Hollis
Joy Jackson Martin
Amy Laderer
Maggie Mariucci
Steve and Lisa Moseley
Matt Mucci
Carole Philipson
Don and Carol Pickard
Clint Rhoton
Sandra G. Sheets
David Shepp
Bevin Strickland
Stacy Walsh
Lindsay Zimmerman
Board of Directors
Peter Golotko, CPA/PFS, MBA
Chair
Al Dorsett
Vice Chair
Deborah Petrovich Weber, CPA
Treasurer
Paul Baggett, M.P.A., MSHRM, CPM
Secretary
David S. Bergdoll, Esquire
Robert S. Bodolay, RHU
Cheryl R. Dee, Ph.D.
Ian Floyd
Clarence B. Grier, Sr., MA
Emeritus Member
Mary Kay Langford
Emeritus Member
Michael A. Micallef, Jr., MA, MBA
Stanley B. Reed, MAI
Lori Walsh
Edward Weed
Emeritus Member
Capital Campaign Committee
Denise Crenshaw
Chair
Kathy Haley
Hollis Hooks
Barbara Lineberger
Deborah Petrovich Weber
Margaret Parry
Campaign Coordinator
Adriana Hall
Sheriff Grady Judd
Seth McKeel
Edgar G. Weed
Bill Gardam
Cheif Executive Officer
Barbara Hoffman
Mary Kay Langford
Ihla Sloman
Junior Advisory Board
Grayson Aceto
Nathan Calzat
Ben Chase
Matthew Echenique
Anna Esterline
Trent Henley
Landon Hopper
Logan Hopper
Chloe Lausell
Sebastian Martinez
Madeline Murphy
Ben Schiller
Zoe Steelman
Anna Terlep
Matthew Werd
More Information
PRC will never deny services to anyone based on their inability to pay. PRC will provide discounts to patients based on family size and income.