Webber International University Signs Affiliation Agreement with Orlando Health

Babson Park, FL (January 6, 2026) – Webber International University is the latest Polk County college or university to sign an affiliation agreement with Orlando Health, allowing students to gain valuable, hands-on clinical experience at any Orlando Health facility as they earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

Webber follows Polk State College, Florida Southern College and Keiser University in signing an affiliate agreement, which comes six months before Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital is scheduled to open a new, state-of-the art facility in Lakeland.

“We are helping local nursing students as they step onto a path to a rewarding career in healthcare,” said Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital President Carlos Carrasco. “These agreements open a world of opportunities to these students, so they can learn first-hand how to treat patients with the highest level of compassionate care available, which people expect from Orlando Health and Watson Clinic providers and nurses.”

Webber International University President Nelson Marquez said this collaboration provides their nursing students with in-person, advanced patient-care experiences while being mentored by some of the region’s most skilled and respected nurses.

“This agreement reflects the core values we are committed to instilling in every student: care, collaboration, and excellence,” Marquez said. “We look forward to the tremendous impact this partnership will have on the next generation of nurses in our region, across our state, throughout the nation, and around the world.”

Orlando Health has also partnered with three area high schools –– George Jenkins, Bartow and Auburndale –– to provide equipment and mentorship in those schools’ medical academies. Students can graduate from those programs with certification to work in the medical field.

Last June, Orlando Health expanded its popular Preferred Education Program to Polk State College. Students working as Orlando Health team members can have the cost of tuition and books fully covered. The program also covers master’s degrees at Florida Southern College.

About Orlando Health

Orlando Health is a private not-for-profit, integrated academic healthcare system with $14 billion of assets under management, that serves the southeastern United States – including Florida and Alabama – and Puerto Rico. With corporate offices in Orlando, Florida the system provides a complete continuum of care across a network of medical centers and institutes, community and specialty hospitals, physician practices, urgent care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare, and long-term and behavioral health care services. Founded more than 100 years ago, Orlando Health’s mission is to improve the health and the quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve. The system provided nearly $2 billion in community impact in the form of community benefit programs and services, Medicare shortfalls, bad debt, community-building activities and capital investments in FY 24, the most recent period for which the information is available. For more information, visit orlandohealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

About Watson Clinic

As one of the largest multispecialty medical clinics in the southeast, Watson Clinic provides comprehensive healthcare services to residents of Lakeland and surrounding communities. First established in 1941, Watson Clinic has grown to include over 200 board-certified physicians representing more than 40 medical and surgical specialties. The Clinic is proud to deliver quality healthcare to every generation from our Main Clinic location at 1600 Lakeland Hills Boulevard in Lakeland, as well as 19 additional convenient locations throughout Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. More information is available at www.WatsonClinic.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

About Webber International University

Webber International University is a private, notfor-profit, independent university offering degrees at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s levels in a wide range of programs. Students come from 29 states and 48 countries. Webber has been recognized by the Princeton Review as one of “America’s Best Value Colleges” and a “Best in the Southeast” school.