Mary Rathman

Health News 10/14/2020

October 13, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Community supports the Lighthouse
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices collected donations totaling $4,007.43, in support of the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired & Blind.

From left: Janet Oroz, Carlton Francis, Katrina Koscielniak, Sharlo Ward, Samantha Bisconti and Tammy Dziedzic, staff of tax collector’s Land O’ Lakes branch; and Jonathan Fister, CEO of the Lighthouse. (Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office)

The Lighthouse’s mission is to educate, empower and employ people who are visually impaired and blind. The organization’s services are provided at no cost to program participants, and all donations received help to provide more services to more people in need.

“We are so grateful for the support of the Pasco Tax Collector during these uncertain times,” Jonathan Fister, CEO of the Lighthouse, said in a news release.

“Thank you for serving the Lighthouse and for being a champion in the community,” Fister commented.

Fasano said, in the release, “The need for vision services is something we tend to think about only if we have a personal connection to the issue. That is what makes our Charity of the Month program so wonderful. We are able to help individuals who often are not thought of in the day-to-day bustle of life, especially during a time when COVID consumes so much of our waking moments.”

For information on the charitable programs, contact Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

For more on the Lighthouse, call Patricia Porter, director of grants, donations and media, at (813) 713-2492.

Taking care of veterans
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s club delivered a check in the amount of $1,625 to Operation Patriot officers Ken Escobio and Sharon Richmond, to be used for the benefit of the residents of the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes.

The funds are earmarked for the veteran residents’ personal needs and treats, which are not covered by their modest pensions.

Operation Patriot will distribute the funds to the veterans.

For information on the woman’s club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.com.

Chalk Talk 10/14/2020

October 13, 2020 By Mary Rathman

A budding photographer
Alec Brown, a fourth-grader at Bexley Elementary, took this photo of an alligator in one of the Bexley ponds, in Land O’ Lakes. He submitted the photo for a youth art exhibition, called the ‘Mini Matisse Show,’ at the Carrollwood Cultural Center and won first place.

Kicks for Kids
The GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club has announced its Kicks for Kids campaign, to collect new children’s shoes and socks (toddler size 10 through adult men/women size 9), to benefit Mort Elementary School.

Teachers report that attendance increases when a child from an at-risk home has new shoes.

Children can focus on the lessons in school instead of focusing on their feet that hurt.

Proper shoes also help increase a child’s activity, which, in turn, helps to decrease childhood obesity and diabetes.

Throughout the month of October, the club will have a drop-off at the New Tampa YMCA, 16221 Compton Drive.

It the drop-off is not a convenient location, email , to set up a meeting place. Monetary donations also will be accepted using PayPal.

TechHire scholarships
CareerSource Tampa Bay and the TechHire program are offering scholarships to students who want to receive entry-level certification for information technology and health care-related fields.

The TechHire scholarships will cover 100% tuition for qualified programs.

The classes are accelerated programs for ages 17 to 29 in the Tampa Bay area, to help students discover and learn technology skills that are in demand by local businesses.

Scholarship coverage includes tuition, lab and certification fees, and amounts range from $100 to more than $3,000, depending on the program and funding availability.

For a list of covered IT and health care training programs, visit tinyurl.com/y2p2vdgf.

Students who qualify will be contacted by a TechHire administrator who will assist in the application process.

Program options
Upcoming dates for events related to Pasco County Schools’ Pasco Pathways/Innovative Programs and School Choice options available for students:

Nov. 16 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Virtual Pasco Pathways Expo (west side)
Nov. 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Virtual Pasco Pathways Expo (east side)
Jan. 7 to Jan. 21: Pasco Pathways Application Window
Feb. 19 to Feb. 28: Secondary Notification and Acceptance Window
March 12 to March 26: Elementary Notification and Acceptance Window

For more information, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/ed_choice.

Cindy Harper, Sunrise book chair, left, delivers books to Pasco Elementary Principal Nena Green. (Courtesy of Jean Nathe)

Keeping literacy alive
The Rotary Club of Dade City Sunrise partners with the Pasco Education Foundation to take advantage of a matching grant and provide books to local elementary schools.

Now in its 11th year, Sunrise has been able to provide 1,282 books to date, supporting education and literacy.

The Rotary theme for September was “Basic Education & Literacy,” and during a recent Zoom meeting, books were presented virtually and then delivered in person.

The guest speaker was Kimberly Poe, assistant superintendent for Pasco County Schools, who gave an update on the breakdown of students learning “in person” versus “online,” lunchroom procedures, and the recent parent survey results.

For information on Sunrise’s Rotary meetings, email President Jen Ferguson at .

WREC 2021 scholarships
The Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) every year offers scholarships to high school students. The students are selected by local guidance counselors and WREC personnel.

Applications for the 2021-2022 school year will be available after Dec. 1, and must be postmarked no later than March 26, 2021.

To apply, students must:

be a high school senior and maintain a 2.0 GPA
be a dependent of a WREC member
be a bona-fide resident within the service area of WREC for at least one year prior to Dec. 31.
plan to attend an in-state college, university or technical school full-time (minimum 12 credit hours per semester)
keep a 2.0 GPA each semester (or higher if mandated by the institution) to maintain eligibility

Applications can be found at any local WREC office, high school guidance office or online at WREC.net.

Successful candidates will receive $1,375 per semester ($11,000 maximum) for undergraduate studies.

Sadie is a great family member

October 6, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Sadie is 6 1/2 years old and is very caring and loving. She has a great personality, but is spoiled. She loves pulling all of her toys out and sunbathing in the Florida sun (whether it be through the window or laying on the screened patio). If you mention a walk, you better be ready to go because Sadie loves walks and becomes sad if she can’t go. Sadie hogs all the covers and pillows, and loves tummy rubs. Sadie’s family rescued her from a shelter when she was about 6 months old. She lives with Remy and Jennifer Burgunder in Land O’ Lakes.

Flying & swimming experts

October 6, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Marisol Fontanez got up close and personal at the Blue Jay Mobile Home Park in Dade City, with this colorful dragonfly. Dragonflies are expert fliers. They can fly straight up and down, and hover like a helicopter.

Fontanez also snapped this photo of a dragonfly hitching a ride atop a turtle, at the Blue Jay Mobile Home Park in Dade City.

Health News 10/07/2020

October 6, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Health Library
Due to the temporary suspension of all classes, BayCare offers a Health Library online for those interested in finding health and wellness resources, and medical information.

The library includes a variety of topics for a variety of reasons, such as: Drug Interaction Checker; Vitamins, Herbs and Supplements; HealthNav; and, a Health Encyclopedia that contains information on thousands of conditions and treatments.

Podcasts and quizzes also can be found through the library link.

The information provided in the library is “not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice,” according to BayCare’s website.

For information, visit BayCare.org/health-library.

Rapid COVID testing
AdventHealth Centra Care has doubled its weekly rapid testing capacity for COVID-19.

The rapid antigen test is run in-house, with results back in 15 minutes.

The tests are now available at Centra Care locations.

The increase in testing capacity will allow Centra Care to conduct more than 20,000 tests per week, which averages to about 100 tests per day, at select locations.

Anyone who wants to be tested should make an online reservation, at Centracare.adventhealth.com/urgent-care/covid-19-testing, to be evaluated by a Centra Care provider.

Charity of the Month
The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation will be the featured charity of the month at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office.

The foundation’s main objectives are to advocate on behalf of patients, education the public on all aspects of breast cancer, and to provide funds for research seeking new treatments and ultimately a cure for breast cancer.

Individuals can choose to trade in a regular license plate for the “End Breast Cancer” specialty tag, with an automobile registration renewal.

Customers also can purchase the tag for newly registered vehicles, or use the voluntary check-off box on their registration form and donate directly.

All five tax collector office locations also will accept cash donations on behalf of the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation.

For information, contact Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

Temporary visitor policy
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, has instituted a Temporary Visitor Policy, in order to protect patients, visitors, physicians and caregivers from the spread of the coronavirus.

Visiting hours are from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.

Inpatient Units: One visitor per patient is permitted. No visitors will be allowed in the Coronavirus Units.
Emergency Room: One visitor per patient in the ER.
Patients Undergoing Procedures: One visitor allowed per patient. Visitor must remain in the designated waiting area. If the patient is admitted, the visitor can visit with the patient after the patient is admitted to a room.
Anyone younger than the age of 18 will not be considered for visitation, unless they are the parent of a hospitalized child.
Hospital cafeteria: Visitors are not allowed.

For information, visit BayonetPointHospital.com.

Chalk Talk 10/07/2020

October 6, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Pasco County Schools award
Pasco County Schools has been awarded the EVERFI 2020 Champion District Seal, which recognizes districts that demonstrate an exemplary commitment to whole-child education.

Pasco won the award for its support of financial education, mental health, digital safety, substance abuse prevention, STEM and other initiatives that benefit students, according to a Pasco County Schools news release.

“We are honored to earn this recognition because we believe that teaching the whole child has a positive impact on students’ health and well-being, helping them succeed in college, career and life,” Kurt Browning, Pasco County superintendent of schools, said in the release.

“Educators in Pasco County are having a profound impact on students that goes well beyond their time in our school system,” Browning said.

EVERFI is a digital education organization focused on helping educators address the most challenging issues affecting students and society, including financial literacy, social-emotional learning, health and wellness, inclusion, and college and career readiness.

Each year, the organization honors school districts that demonstrate a dedication to equity and the well-being of all students.

To learn more, visit EVERFI.com/k-12/champion-seal/.

New initiative partnership
Fred K. Marchman Technical College is joining forces with the Florida Department of Education for a new workforce education initiative aimed at raising awareness of short-term career and technical education programs.

“Get There Florida” highlights the benefits of the programs available locally in Pasco County and to all Floridians statewide.

Career and technical education, often referred to as CTE, is a critical component in preparing individuals for occupations important to Florida’s economic development, especially during this time of economic challenges.

Programs are organized into 17 career paths and are geared toward middle school, high school, district technical school, and Florida College System students.

At Marchman Technical College, students can enroll in an in-demand, high-quality workforce program, move quickly and gain critical skills needed in East Central Florida, Region IV essential and emerging industries.

Programs include, but are not limited to: automotive service technology, cosmetology, electricity, patient care technician, and welding technology.

For more on program offerings, visit FKMTC.edu.

To learn about the CTE and workforce training programs available at state and technical colleges, visit GetThereFL.com.

Student-athlete finalists
Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) Tampa Bay has named seven Pasco County Schools student-athletes as finalists in its Triple-Impact Competitor Scholarship.

The PCA aims to show student-athletes how to use their athletic platform to benefit others.

Selected finalists participate in a year-long program, to gain professional skills by meeting with business leaders and mentors; completing phone, video and personal interviews; promoting their school or club athletic team; and giving back to their communities with volunteer service to parks and recreation centers.

Winners will be selected in the spring as recipients of the Triple-Impact Competitor Scholarship Award, presented by Sagicor Life Insurance Company.

Each of the seven students has the opportunity to earn $2,000 toward college expenses.

The student-athlete finalists are:

Taylor Denney, Land O’ Lakes High School
Alexa Dusch, Mitchell High
Alexis Fernandez, Land O’ Lakes High
Kelsey Kadlub, Pasco High
Kaylei Koschman, Wesley Chapel High
Kayla Mys, Wesley Chapel High
Emma Rogers, Mitchell High

Scholarship America
Scholarship America, a nonprofit scholarship and education support organization, is accepting applications through Oct. 15, for the 2021 Scholarship America Dream Award.

The program is open to any college student with financial need, who has overcome barriers and has successfully completed at least one year toward their college education.

The scholarships are inclusive of all types of students, from diverse backgrounds, seeking a two-year or four-year degree.

The scholarships are renewable and increase in amount each year.

Scholarship America has awarded more than $2.3 million to 108 students, with scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 based on financial need.

Eligible students can apply online at LearnMore.scholarsapply.org/dreamaward/.

Upon application, students also will be notified about additional scholarship programs that they may be eligible for.

Program options
Upcoming dates for events related to Pasco County Schools’ Pasco Pathways/Innovative Programs and School Choice options available for students:

Nov. 16 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Virtual Pasco Pathways Expo (west side)
Nov. 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Virtual Pasco Pathways Expo (east side)
Jan. 7 to Jan. 21: Pasco Pathways Application Window
Feb. 19 to Feb. 28: Secondary Notification and Acceptance Window
March 12 to March 26: Elementary Notification and Acceptance Window

For more information, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/ed_choice.

The TechHire scholarships will cover 100% tuition for qualified programs.

The classes are accelerated programs for ages 17 to 29 in the Tampa Bay area, to help students discover and learn technology skills that are in demand by local businesses.

Scholarship coverage includes tuition, lab and certification fees, and amounts range from $100 to more than $3,000, depending on the program and funding availability.

For a list of covered IT and health care training programs, visit tinyurl.com/y2p2vdgf.

Students who qualify will be contacted by a TechHire administrator who will assist in the application process.

Internet & WiFi offer
Charter Communications Inc., has relaunched its Remote Education Offer to provide free Spectrum internet and WiFi access for 60 days to households with kindergarteners through 12th- graders, college students and/or educators.

The promotion is available for customers that live in a Spectrum market and do not currently have Spectrum internet services.

To enroll, call (844) 310-1198, and a free installation kit will be provided.

‘Jazz’ is a joy

October 1, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Always All That Jazz is a 7-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that spent more than four years in a puppy mill before her rescue. “Jazz,” as her owners call her, has a desire to be held after a period of neglect. She enjoys long walks in the morning and loves car rides at any time. One of Jazz’s talents is dancing on her paws like a ballerina when food is offered to her. Jazz has become a loving companion to and lives with the Wes and Mary Mollard family in Wesley Chapel.

Health News 09/30/2020

September 29, 2020 By Mary Rathman

Trauma director appointed
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has appointed Dr. Erika van Doorn as the trauma medical director for the hospital’s Level II Trauma Center.

Prior to joining Bayonet Point as a trauma surgeon in 2019, van Doorn spent 14 years as a surgical specialist in several Texas hospitals, including Medical Center Plano, a 603-bed Level I Trauma Center.

She completed her general surgery residency and surgical critical care fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

Dr. van Doorn is board certified in general surgery and surgery critical care.

New staff
Dr. Sanjay Jain has joined BayCare Medical Group, specializing in family medicine, and will provide continuity of care to geriatric patients, adults and children.

Dr. Jain is proficient with minor office procedures, including skin biopsies, excisions, joint injections and cryotherapy.

He also is certified in advanced cardiac life support, pediatric advanced life support and basic life support.

The physician earned his Doctor of Medicine from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the State University of New York in Buffalo, New York.

He completed a family medicine residency with AdventHealth in Winter Park.

In addition to his medical education, Dr. Jain has a graduate degree in business administration also from the State University of New York.

The doctor will practice at 17512 Dona Michelle Drive, Suite 5, in Tampa, and is accepting patients age 5 and older.

Chalk Talk 09/30/100

September 29, 2020 By Mary Rathman

From left: Tara Perez, Dr. Todd Bodanza, Jennifer Conforti and Bre McLeod, of Champion Wellness Clinic (Courtesy of Pasco Kids First)

Filling a back-to-school need
Pasco Kids First serves more than 1,600 children each year through prevention, assessment and treatment services addressing child abuse and neglect.

Most of these children are school age, and many do not have the resources to purchase the needed school supplies and clothes for the new year.

Local businesses, individuals and groups reached out to help fill this need. Some of these local philanthropists include:

Mike Peters Insurance Agency in New Port Richey donated to Pasco Kids First’s Children’s Advocacy Center. The State Farm Good Neigh Bear, Peters and his team visited the center and dropped off boxes of school supplies, headphones, gift cards and more to help the kids get ready for the school year.
Dr. Todd Bodanza, of Champion Wellness Clinic, and his Conforti Crossroads Chiropractic team in Trinity had their second annual event to collect backpacks and school supplies, offering new and current patients free exams and adjustments for those who brought in a backpack with supplies.
Bonnie and Pat Martucci, of Gulf Side Corvette Club, rallied members and others to pitch in to purchase backpacks and supplies for kids in need.Bonnie and her granddaughter, Kinsley, delivered 38 backpacks filled with supplies to the Pasco Kids First Healthy Families Pasco-Hernando Hudson Office.

Miss Florida Teen
Ashlynn Nicole Diaz, a recent graduate of Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel, was crowned the 2020 National American Miss Florida Teen, an organization that provides young girls with academic scholarships and promotes volunteerism through its dedication to encourage character development.

Diaz is a freshman biology student at the University of Florida and one day hopes to become an anesthesiologist.

She will compete in November at the national level to win an additional cash scholarship and an opportunity to travel the United States to spread awareness on the importance of giving back to others.

Diaz also received the Presidential Gold Service Award for volunteering more than 1,000 hours, to make a difference in her community.

Scholarship America
Scholarship America, a nonprofit scholarship and education support organization, is accepting applications through Oct. 15, for the 2021 Scholarship America Dream Award.

The program is open to any college student with financial need who has overcome barriers and has successfully completed at least one year toward their college education.

The scholarships are inclusive of all types of students, from diverse backgrounds, seeking a two-year or four-year degree.

The scholarships are renewable and increase in amount each year.

Scholarship America has awarded more than $2.3 million to 108 students, with scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 based on financial need.

Eligible students can apply online at LearnMore.scholarsapply.org/dreamaward/.

Upon application, students also will be notified about additional scholarship programs that they may be eligible for.

Lutz teen competes
Lilly Luttrell, a Freedom High School student, has been selected to represent Lutz at the Miss Florida USA/Miss Florida Teen USA competition, as Miss Lutz Teen USA.

Luttrell’s selection was based on her academic and professional interests, involvement in her community, her passion for the pursuit of excellence, and her interest in empowering other young women to follow in her footsteps.

Girlbossing Inc., will produce and conduct Florida’s oldest and most celebrated competition in April to qualify two young women from Florida to advance to either Miss Teen USA or Miss USA, and ultimately Miss Universe.

Luttrell said, in a Miss Florida USA press release, “When we are young sometimes our voice is not heard but this organization gives me the spotlight to make a change. I am a 15-year-old that wants to shift my story into epic proportions…..I am representing Lutz and all of its classic beauty.”

Young women, ages 14 to 27, who want to represent their hometown at the state event can submit an application at MissFloridaUSA.com.

Saint Leo ranked as a best value
Saint Leo University was ranked as one of the best values in higher education and one of the best regional universities in the South in the 2021 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings, which was released on Sept. 14.

The university moved up to fourth place from last year’s fifth place among Best Value Schools in the South. And, among the Best Regional Universities in the South, Saint Leo ranked 26th.

Once again, the school was named a Best for Veterans School among southern regional universities, ranking 14th, the same as last year.

Saint Leo’s diversity was noted by the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, as it ranked sixth, up from last year’s seventh-place rank, for campus ethnic diversity among regional universities in the south.

The university was ranked 14th in the Top Performers on Social Mobility category.

And, the school ranks in the top five for most international students.

Spanish language degrees
Saint Leo University is collaborating with global education services partner AVENU Learning to offer fully online degree programs in Spanish, starting in March.

In the first year, eight Saint Leo online degree programs will be available to students.

The programs will include bachelor degrees in business administration, accounting, human resource management, liberal studies, psychology, computer information systems, cybersecurity, and health care administration.

In fall 2021, the partnership will expand to include three master degrees: business administration, accountancy and cybersecurity.