In this episode of “I Am Lakeland,” host Don Burns sits down with Dr. Kay Klymko, a candidate for Mayor of Lakeland. With a distinguished career as a PhD-prepared nurse practitioner and gerontologist, Dr. Klymko shares her lifelong commitment to improving the quality of life for the community’s most vulnerable populations, specifically older adults, families in poverty, and the unhoused.
Dr. Klymko discusses her professional trajectory—from working as a nurse’s aid in high school to receiving a prestigious National Research Service Award from the NIH to study the effects of high blood pressure on cognition in older adults. She brings this data-driven, empathetic perspective to her campaign, advocating for a “moral budget” that prioritizes human services alongside economic growth.
Whether you are a longtime resident or new to the area, Dr. Klymko’s “builder’s perspective” and focus on social support offer a fresh vision for the future of Lakeland. 132
