Mary Rathman

Connect to seniors during the holidays

December 1, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Across the state, local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) are working together to promote mental health resources and programs for seniors through the “Together Apart: Holidays at Heart” campaign. While many older adults choose to stay safer at home and isolate themselves to prevent exposure to the coronavirus, the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas (AAAPP), in partnership with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA), wants to ensure that no senior feels alone during the holiday season.

“AAAPP provides seniors with many services all year long, but the upcoming holidays and continuing rise of COVID-19 cases makes it even more important to connect with those who need us most,” said Executive Director Ann Marie Winter, in an AAAPP news release.

“We must do our part as a community to promote the mental health of our most vulnerable seniors by engaging with them in the safest ways possible,” said Winter.

Locally, AAAPP is offering its Silver Santas program, which provides holiday gifts to 600 local area seniors who do not otherwise have any family to celebrate the holidays with. More information about the program can be found online at BLSpinellas.org/silver-santas.

“This year has presented numerous challenges for everyone, but we know Florida’s older population has been disproportionately affected,” said DOEA Secretary Richard Prudom. “We want to make sure the holidays remain a time of joy and connection for our seniors by reminding them that even though they might be apart from loved ones, there are many ways to reach out and stay connected.”

For information about “Together Apart: Holidays at Heart,” visit HolidaysAtHeart.org.

To learn more about AAAPP, visit AgingCareFL.org.

If you or a loved one are living with feelings of depression and loneliness this holiday season, please call the Elder Helpline at 800-963-5337.

Published December 02, 2020

Bella, Bella, Bella

December 1, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Bella is a 14 year-old purebred miniature dachshund. She was rescued when she was 2 years old from a backyard breeder who kept her in a cage all the time. Bella was very shy and scared at first, but over the years, she has learned to trust and love. Bella has taught her owners patience and acceptance. She has slowed down in her old age, but she is healthy and likes to walk in the yard and sleep in her soft bed. At dinnertime, Bella gets very excited, and squeals and jumps around while she waits for food in her bowl. Bella lives with her parents, Sarah and Paul Jackson, in Land O’ Lakes.

A happy sight

December 1, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Janna Rolfe saw this gopher tortoise while on a walk in Meadow Pointe. Because these tortoises are a threatened species, Rolfe said she was delighted to see one.

Health News 12/02/2020

December 1, 2020 By Mary Rathman

St. Joseph’s has a ‘gold’ heart
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has earned the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Receiving Award for meeting and exceeding specific standards of performance, for quick and appropriate treatment of patients suffering heart attacks.

These St. Joseph’s Hospital-North team members were involved with winning the American Heart Association award. (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

The performance metrics consider the entire process — from the 911 call, to EMS transport, to hospital treatment to discharge. This is the third consecutive year that St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has received the award.

STEMI is an acronym for ST elevation myocardial infarction, the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. For these heart attacks, it’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North received a “Gold” designation for the Mission: Lifeline STEMI award, meaning the hospital has achieved the quality measures for 24 months.

“This award means that St Joseph’s Hospital-North achieves excellence in providing cardiovascular care to the community it serves. It means every local resident and visitor should feel secure in knowing that this hospital will care for them at the highest level of quality and safety. It is a well-deserved recognition of the team-based effort to deliver the very best care. It is a great honor that the administration and staff should be very proud of,” said Dr. Christopher Pastore, an interventional cardiologist affiliated with St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, in a St. Joseph’s news release.

“Exceptional patient care is our top priority, and we are proud to achieve this ‘Gold’ designation from the American Heart Association,” said Tom Garthwaite, president of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North. “Our community can be reassured that it is safe to use the hospital and emergency room and that their care remains in the safe hands of the cardiovascular program at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North.”

Joining forces
Florida Blue, the Florida Hospital Association and the Florida Medical Association are joining forces to encourage Floridians to get a flu shot, so all may have a #FluFreeFlorida.

As the number of COVID-19 cases in the state begin to increase, the potential for a devastating collision of COVID-19 and the flu (twindemic) this season is real, according to a joint news release from the medical groups.

The organizations are uniting to use their collective and powerful voices to raise awareness around the state about the importance of getting a flu vaccine this year, encouraging all to ‘spread the word, not the flu,’ by using #FluFreeFlorida on social media.

Floridians should be immunized to prevent severe illness and to keep the health care system from being overwhelmed with both COVID-19 and flu cases.

While influenza seasons vary in intensity, adults in the 65-plus age group bear the greatest burden of severe influenza disease. In Florida, an average of 80% of seasonal pneumonia and influenza deaths occurred in adults age 65 and over, during the last five flu seasons.

The flu vaccine can be given to almost anyone 6-months of age and older.

A flu shot is especially important for high-risk groups, including senior citizens, children, pregnant woman, and people with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and other pre-existing conditions.

Most people with health insurance can get a flu shot at no cost when they go to a doctor or pharmacy that is in their network.

There are many local events planned around the state to ensure each eligible Floridian has access to a flu vaccine. There are also numerous resources for those without insurance.

Visit ThePowerToProtect.org or FLShotsUsers.com/search/provider to find additional information.

Care Pavilions in the works
AdventHealth will break ground on the construction of two new Care Pavilions, one in Westchase and one in New Tampa. The new pavilions will be part of the AdventHealth network of care, and will provide additional convenient access to patients by integrating multiple health care services into one location for “one-stop shopping,” according to a release.

The AdventHealth Care Pavilions will provide both traditional and non-traditional health care amenities at each location, based on the size of the facility and the medical needs of the local community.

The use of innovative technology and architectural designs also will be fundamental and unique to each location, to deliver an exceptional patient experience.

The first two pavilion concepts will be in Westchase, at 10987 Sheldon Road in Tampa, and in New Tampa at 8702 Hunters Lake Drive.

Construction on both facilities is expected to be completed in summer 2021.

Gulfside fundraiser
The third annual Charity Casino Night to benefit Gulfside Hospice has been rescheduled to Jan. 30, due to the current pandemic, at the Heritage Springs Golf & Country Club in Trinity.

All proceeds will provide patient care and bereavement support in Pasco County through Gulfside.

For tickets and sponsorship information, visit CharityCasinoNight.org.

Hospital expansion
Following the opening of Pasco County’s first Neuro Interventional program and Comprehensive Stroke Center, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point began a 19,000-square-foot renovation and expansion project in late 2019. This project is now complete with larger operating rooms, a new Sterile Processing Department, and an expansive Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) where patients recover after their procedure.

“We are delighted with the results of this project which showcases our commitment to meeting the health care needs of Pasco County and surrounding communities,” said Chief Executive Officer Gina Temple, in a hospital news release.

“We are continuing to invest heavily in our surgical programs to ensure our surgeons have the latest tools and technology for optimal patient outcomes,” Temple said.

Bayonet Point also has taken significant steps to ensure the safety of surgical patients and caregivers during the pandemic.

For more information, visit BayonetPointHospital.com.

Chalk Talk 12/02/2020

December 1, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Saint Leo University hosted an early tree lighting on Nov. 18. (Courtesy of Sam Gonzalez, Saint Leo University)

Christmas season kick-off
Saint Leo University kicked off the Christmas season on Nov. 18 – a little early this year – in order for students, faculty and staff to celebrate together before Thanksgiving break.

The last two weeks of the fall semester will be completed online, Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, and many students will not be on campus.

Saint Leo University’s manger awaits the Christ child.

The Saint Leo community was joined by members of the Pasco County community for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at University Campus, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

Father Randall Meissen, university chaplain, blessed the university’s Christmas tree and nativity as the university prepares for Advent.

Student Government Union President Ashley Butler read the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke 2: 1-14, and students, faculty and staff provided Christmas music.

Leadership webinar
Saint Leo University’s Tapia College of Business will present a free virtual Leadership Re-Imagined Webinar on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m., entitled “Finding Strategic Flexibility to Power Through the Pandemic and Beyond,” to assist small businesses.

The discussion will take a closer look at how businesses are thinking and acting differently, and why flexibility is an indispensable mindset.

The guest speakers will be Dr. Drew Gold, associate professor of management for the Tapia College of Business, and Brian Quinn, chief development officer for Domio Inc.

To register, visit www.SaintLeo.edu/business-events.

For information, email Kim Bulmanski at .

College essay tips
The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host a live event, “College Essays for Teens,” on Dec. 4 at 4 p.m., to discuss the best tips and methods to writing college essays.

The program is for teens in grades eight to 12. There will be a Q&A session after the presentation.

Registration is required. Zoom meeting details will be sent out the day before the event.

For information, call Amaris Papadopoulos at (727) 861-3020.

Ask a college student
The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host “Ask a College Student” on Dec. 11 at 4 p.m., through Zoom, for teens in grades eight to 12.

A panel of current students from a variety of colleges, majors and experiences will answer any questions participants may have.

Registration is required. Zoom meeting details will be emailed the day before the event.

For information and to register, contact Amaris Papadopoulos at (727) 861-3020 or .

Wreath challenge
The Florida Aquarium’s inaugural “Upcycled Wreath Challenge: Conservation Connections” is a platform for youth to learn about critical environmental issues impacting our planet through a creative art format.

All schools in Hillsborough County can participate.

Each upcycled wreath will focus on one of the aquarium’s conservation priorities and be made entirely of reused/repurposed items or materials.
Guests can then come to see the wreath in the aquarium’s CIBC Aquatic Lounge, in the Mosaic Center.

The challenge runs from Dec. 6 through Jan. 3.

For information, visit FlAquarium.org.

New nursing program
Saint Leo University will launch a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program starting in the 2021 fall semester, its University Campus. The program is designed to prepare students for generalist nursing practice within complex health care systems.

The limited-access program will be accepting new students into pre-nursing coursework in arts and sciences during the first two years, including courses in anatomy, microbiology, math, writing, ethics and psychology. Students can then apply to the nursing program during their sophomore year to begin the nursing-major courses in year three.

The application process is competitive and limited spaces are available for the BSN program. This program format will allow for potential transfer students and second-degree students who may want to pursue their BSN degree in a shorter time-frame to consider Saint Leo.

There is a growing need for nurses in the coming years as a result of the rapidly aging U.S. population and a simultaneous number of nurses retiring.

The global pandemic continues to support this urgent need for licensed nurses in the field as the health care system undergoes a major transformation in structure and groundbreaking technology advances.

Upper-level nursing courses will commence in the fall semester of 2023, and the university anticipates having 48 spots for students in the first group admitted. Students will participate in theory, simulation, lab, and clinical experiences at a variety of health care and community agencies. The program will prepare graduates who can provide safe, quality care with an emphasis on wellness.

Another advantage offered at the Saint Leo campus includes the Anatomage Table, a 3-D educational display system that is usually found only in medical schools. The table displays actual X-rays of the human body and can be operated by touch-screen mode to help teach students in anatomy and physiology classes the various systems (respiratory, vascular, etc.) and structures they need to know as nurses.

The BSN will be available for undergraduate students only at Saint Leo’s residential University Campus. Students applying for the fall semester will receive automatic scholarship consideration.

The new BSN program has received approval from the Florida State Board of Nursing and is pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Applications are currently being accepted.

For more information, email , call (352) 588-8283, or visit SaintLeo.edu/bachelor-nursing-program.

Meals On Wheels for Kids expands

November 24, 2020 By Mary Rathman

The Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger (TBNEH), a tri-county leader in hunger relief, research and program development, will expand Meals On Wheels for Kids (MOW4Kids) into Lutz (zip codes 33548, 33549) and Safety Harbor (zip codes 33759, 34695, 33761), in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, respectively.

The program will begin delivering food to children attending school from home the week of Nov. 30. Deliveries will take place out of Mort Elementary School in Tampa and Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center in Safety Harbor, in partnership with the Nutrition Services and Transportation Departments at Pinellas County Schools and Hillsborough County Schools.

The Network’s innovative MOW4Kids program launched this past March, and was developed in response to COVID-19 school closures, to serve children (18 years or younger) with meals delivered to their homes by volunteers.

The program presents an alternative option for kids that are not able to access meal distribution sites throughout the county and/or kids that have difficulty accessing open food pantries.

Currently, MOW4KIDS serves Clearwater, Gulfport, Lealman, and St. Petersburg in Pinellas County; Tampa (33612 and 33613) and Wimauma in Hillsborough County; Dade City in Pasco County, and will continue to expand the program, to include Safety Harbor and Lutz.

Volunteers with level 2 background checks will help deliver Meals On Wheels for Kids on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting at 10 a.m., and will board public school buses, along with the bus driver, to then go out and deliver shelf-stable boxes of food and cold meal packs to children and families.

At the core of this program is nutritious food delivered to the homes of children and their families, and it will provide meals and shelf-stable groceries, including produce, as resources allow.

Children may experience an increase in overall nutrition, food security, and feelings of social connectedness from volunteers stopping by.
To receive meals delivered to your home, visit NetworkToEndHunger.org/mow4kids/, or call (813) 344-5837.

Volunteers are needed each week to help pack boxes and deliver meals on various days throughout the week out of Mort Elementary School in Tampa and Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center in Safety Harbor. Routes take about an hour to complete. To sign up, visit NetworkToEndHunger.org/volunteer/.

The Network also is currently accepting donations at NetworkToEndHunger.org, to help support the MOW4Kids program. A donation of $20 will provide a week of Meals On Wheels for Kids deliveries to children in need.

Published November 25, 2020

Living the good life

November 24, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Samoa (light-colored boy) and Fiji (tiger-striped girl) both were discovered, years apart, under a loading dock of a warehouse in South Florida, where Char Vinik worked. Samoa’s mother is Fiji’s grandmother. The loading dock seemed to be a safe place for stray cats to have their litters, but Samoa needed to be rescued from the nearby trash bin by office staff before collection day. Fiji was rescued when she was a tiny baby and needed to be bottle fed. Char and Steve Vinik are fortunate they could give these two a good home, and are thankful for their company and affection. Samoa and Fiji like to lounge on the patio furniture and now with the Viniks in Wesley Chapel.

Braving the elements

November 24, 2020 By Mary Rathman

On a recent windy day, Max Rathman found this tiny Cuban tree frog clinging to a leaf on one of the plants in his front yard. This kind of tree frog can be 1.5 inches to 3 inches long, and it typically eats beetles, roaches, spiders and other small invertebrates.

Chalk Talk 11/25/2020

November 24, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Lucy Butler, first place (Courtesy of Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office)

Constitution essay winners
Pasco County fifth-graders who entered the eighth annual Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Constitution Essay Contest drew inspiration from culture and history.

Lucy Butler, from Bexley Elementary School, earned top honors in the contest by penning an inspired fan letter to the United States founding document.

Part of Lucy’s essay read: “The U.S. Constitution protects the rights of American citizens. In our country, the government does not hold us back from being free. We can say or write what we want (unless it’s plagiarism), we can choose our religion, and we can protest things that aren’t fair…”

Lucy also backed up her research with a shout-out to the musical “Hamilton,” and Federalist Papers co-authors James Madison and John Jay. She made arguments for the Constitution that resonate with her today.

She wrote, “‘Hamilton’ is my favorite musical, but before I was introduced to it, I really didn’t think about the U.S. Constitution.”

One of the judges wrote that Butler’s introduction paragraph was “interesting and conversational,” and it immediately pulled the reader in.

Essays by Oakstead Elementary 10-year-olds Derek Knoedler and Bethany Fissehaye claimed second and third place, respectively.

Bethany Fissehaye, third place (Courtesy of Abeselom Fissehaye

Derek extolled the virtues of the Constitution’s “building blocks of our governing system,” creating “checks and balances to ensure that no one has too much power.”

For Bethany, the Constitution is personal. She notes the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, and the 13th Amendment abolished slavery. She wrote, “No more African Americans like me must live in such a terrible way.”

The essays that were recognized with honorable mentions were submitted by Saksham Batra, Henry Perez, Heidi Keck, Alyssa Kasubinski, Dequrez Gulley Jr., Kayla Golden and Ashley Parenton.

Pasco Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles said, “Congratulations to all who entered in this extremely difficult year. The courage of so many young people choosing to write and compete when so much seems at loose ends, gives me confidence that the rock of our republic – the Constitution – will make sure we endure.”

The discussion will take a closer look at how businesses are thinking and acting differently, and why flexibility is an indispensable mindset.

The guest speakers will be Dr. Drew Gold, associate professor of management for the Tapia College of Business, and Brian Quinn, chief development officer for Domio Inc.

To register, visit www.SaintLeo.edu/business-events.

For information, email Kim Bulmanski at .

The program is for teens in grades eight to 12. There will be a Q&A session after the presentation.

Registration is required. Zoom meeting details will be sent out the day before the event.

For information, call Amaris Papadopoulos at (727) 861-3020.

Health program accepts Pepin
Amidst an unprecedented school year, Pepin Academies hopes to stay one step ahead of illness, helping to stop the spread and keeping more kids healthy with the help of Kinsa smart thermometers, according to a Pepin news release.
As one of the schools accepted into the Lysol + Kinsa FLUency health program, all Pepin Academies families will receive free Kinsa smart thermometers, and will be able to see aggregate, anonymous information on any symptoms and illnesses going around the school.

“This school year is unlike any other, as our nation continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and its widespread impact,” said Inder Singh, Kinsa founder and CEO. “Never has the need for real-time insights been greater, empowering schools to make data-driven decisions to keep their students healthy and learning. We’re excited to work with Lysol again to bring the free FLUency program to thousands of schools to help provide these insights.”

The FLUency program, now in its sixth year, will help nearly 350,000 families this year across almost 4,000 schools in the United States and Canada.
“The health and well-being of our students and teachers is our top priority, while continuing to support learning and education,” said Catherine Hernandez, registered school nurse for Pepin Academies Tampa. “We are grateful to be part of this innovative program, giving us a look at the trends affecting our classrooms.”

‘Type’ capsule contest
The Pasco County Library Cooperative is sponsoring a 2020 “Type Capsule” Essay Contest through Dec. 31, for grades three to five.

Because 2020 has been a historic year, students are asked to answer this question: “If you made a time capsule, what would you want to share about the year with future generations?”

The essay can discuss something the child experienced during 2020 and explain why it is worth remembering.

Submission deadline is 11:59 p.m., on Dec. 31.

Third-graders should write at least three paragraphs; fourth-graders, four paragraphs; and fifth-graders, five paragraphs.

Essays should not be more than three pages of writing. The student also can include images, but the images must be on separate pages from the writing itself.

For more details and guidelines, visit PascoLibraries.evanced.info/signup.

Fish art contest
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in partnership with Wildlife Forever, will host the Florida State Fish Art Contest.

Students in kindergarten through 12th grade can compete in the free contest for a chance to win state and national honors, and prizes. The program is designed to inspire creativity, while encouraging the next generation of anglers and conservationists.

Florida winners will be selected by the FWC in four grade categories: kindergarten through third grade; fourth through sixth grade; seventh through ninth grade; and 10th through 12th grade.

State winners will advance to the national competition to be judged for top prizes, such as Best of Show.

To enter, students should submit their entry consisting of the following:

An original horizontal 9-inch by 12-inch piece of artwork featuring any fish from the Official Fish List
A piece of creative writing, no longer than one page, about the chosen species (required for grades four to 12)
A Florida State Fish Art Contest entry form

The deadline to enter is March 31.

Participants can mail entries to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Attn: Laura Rambo, Florida Fish Art Contest, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32301.

Entrants also can submit photos or a scanned copy of the entry to .

For complete contest information, entry forms and the Fish On! Lesson Plan, visit StateFishArt.org.

Health News 11/25/2020

November 24, 2020 By Mary Rathman

New executive director
The Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind (LVIB) of Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties has named Stefanie Pontlitz as its new executive director. Pontlitz will succeed Jonathan Fister, upon his retirement.

Pontlitz joins the Lighthouse after serving as vice president of development for Youth and Family Alternatives, and prior to that, COO (chief operating officer) of the United Way of Pasco County.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank Jonathan Fister for his years of service and wish him well in his retirement. We are thrilled that Stefanie has agreed to be the new executive director of the Lighthouse. Her extensive leadership and fundraising experience will enable us to expand our services to the blind and visually impaired community,” said Jennifer Selk, Lighthouse board chair, in a news release.

Pontlitz is a Pasco County resident and has held multiple positions in the community, including president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals; president of Leadership Pasco; founder and president of Business Networking International – Outlook to Success Chapter; president of Junior Service League; president of Trinity Rotary; and others.

She also was named Hometown Hero in 2017, by It’s Your Home Trinity magazine.

“I am incredibly excited to join the Lighthouse. I’ve seen the dedication and passion the staff have for their clients, and I look forward to working with them and the board of directors. By empowering those with visual impairment and blindness, we provide members of our community with the chance to achieve their goals and live independent lives. A mission I am proud to be a part of,” said Pontlitz.

For information about the Lighthouse, visit LVIB.org.

Lung cancer awareness
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Medical Center of Trinity wants to share its comprehensive Lung Cancer Screening Program. Through Incidental Findings and Scheduled Low-Dose CT Screening, the hospital is finding lung cancer before it becomes symptomatic, according to a hospital news release.

“A dedicated Lung Cancer Program provides great benefit to the community through early detection and with an established goal of a reduction of mortality from cancer. Our team of caregivers work together to identify cancer, establish the best course of treatment and provide ongoing support throughout the cancer journey” said Dr. Mathew Ninan, thoracic surgery and director of Thoracic Surgery and Lung Nodule Program, HCA West Florida.

Incidental Findings: Utilizing innovative technologies to detect suspicious lung nodules by analyzing CT exams, which include the lungs, in any of the hospital’s emergency departments (Trinity, Citrus Park, Lutz, Palm Harbor), outpatient imaging and inpatient services.

Scheduled Screening: Low-Dose CT Lung Screening is referred through a physician, is quick and painless, requires no needles or dye, and uses less radiation than traditional CT scans. Studies have shown screening those at high risk with Low-Dose CT scans before symptoms are present can find lung cancer early, when it is easier to treat and more likely to be cured.

Early Detection is Key: Lung cancer has the lowest five-year survival rate at only 18%. The five-year survival rate for lung cancer drops dramatically from a stage 1 diagnosis (68-92% survival) to a stage 4 diagnosis (0-10% survival).

First program graduate
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point announced that on Oct. 31, Dr. Katie Groff became the first graduate of the hospital’s Cardiology Fellowship Program. She began the program on Nov. 1, 2017, after being the first resident to start with the hospital’s graduate medical education (GME) Internal Medicine Residency Program.

Groff is continuing her GME training in the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program, which she is scheduled to complete on October 31, 2021.

The Cardiology Fellowship Program is a three-year program and is in Continued Accreditation status from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

Cardiology Fellowship is one of the 11 programs that is offered at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, for a total number of 119 residents and fellows that occupy these programs.

The hospital congratulated Dr. Katie Groff on her outstanding accomplishments, and thanked all its caregivers and attending physicians who have contributed to supporting the GME programs and future physicians’ education and training.

Gulfside fundraiser
The third annual Charity Casino Night to benefit Gulfside Hospice has been rescheduled to Jan. 30, due to the current pandemic. The event will take place at the Heritage Springs Golf & Country Club in Trinity.

All proceeds will provide patient care and bereavement support in Pasco County through Gulfside.

For tickets and sponsorship information, visit CharityCasinoNight.org.

New board members
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) affiliate in Pasco County (NAMI Pasco) has announced its 2020-2021 Board of Directors.

“The pandemic has created an increased need for mental health support in our community” said Debbie L. Proulx, executive director. “I have faith that this new board will help us expand our reach and meet the need.”

NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. The nonprofit provides free mental health support, advocacy, outreach, and education to those with mental health conditions and support to their loved ones.

Loni Aurbeck, Pasco Outreach Diversion and Prevention supervisor for Metropolitan Ministries, will assume the role of board president.

Also joining the board as vice president is Marie Macher, an active NAMI Pasco volunteer and peer leader for the past seven years.

Completing the Executive Board are Meghan Shattuck as secretary and Dr. Eddie Williams as treasurer.

Additional board members include past president Stephanie Centella, Shawna Levondosky, Sylvia Escala-DeRosa, Lucy Miller, Christine Pringle, Ken Delaney and Elaine Sabra.

For information on NAMI Pasco, visit NamiPasco.org.