The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

A parent’s love

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Fran Sieradzki snapped this photo of a black-bellied whistling duck and its duckling, behind her home in Seven Oaks, Wesley Chapel. These ducks have high-pitched whistles as they travel from feeding fields to roosting sites. They often perch in trees and on logs over water. The whistling duck is found mostly in wetlands, in warm parts of the Americas, from Florida to northern Argentina.

Health News 11/27/2019

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Medical director earns fellow status
Dr. Lisa W. Barker, medical director for Gulfside Healthcare Services in Pasco County, has earned the designation of Fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. The academy is the professional organization for physicians who care for patients with serious illness.

Lisa Barker (Courtesy of Gulfside Healthcare Services)

Dr. Barker received her medical degree from the University of Kentucky and also trained in family medicine at the school.

Following her residency, she joined Ashland Family Medicine in Ashland, Kentucky, and later began working in the field of hospice, while still working as a family physician.

She became the medical director of community hospice, serving northeastern Kentucky and southern Ohio.

Dr. Barker moved to Florida in 2016 to practice hospice and palliative medicine full-time.

She is board certified in family medicine, and hospice and palliative medicine, and is a certified hospice medical director.

Dr. Barker will be presented with her designation during the closing plenary session at the annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care in San Diego, California, in March.

The Fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine status is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a physician member.

New trauma director
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has appointed Dr. Maryam Bita Tabrizi as the Level II Trauma Center’s trauma medical director.

Dr. Tabrizi received her medical degree from the University of Tennessee Memphis College of Medicine.

She completed her residency at the University of Florida-Jacksonville, and completed a fellowship in trauma/critical care at USCD College of Medicine.

Dr. Tabrizi has served as a clinical instructor at Harvard University, as a trauma/critical care general surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital, and trauma medical director at North Shore Medical Center, where she established the North Shore Acute Care Surgical Program.

She has also earned Level III Trauma Center verification.

AA book available to the deaf
The book, “Alcoholics Anonymous,” is now available in an updated abridged translation into American Sign Language, according to a release from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

Commonly referred to as “The Big Book,” this basic text of the worldwide fellowship that bears its name is now available on DVD to the deaf community, the hard-of-hearing community, and the hearing community, as well.

The AA organization has been committed to making its program of recovery available to anyone, anywhere who reaches out for help with a drinking problem.

This translation has been updated with current language and signing most familiar to today’s deaf community.

For information about AA resources for the deaf, call (212) 870-3344.

To order the translated book/DVD, visit AA.org, or stop by your local AA office to see if it available.

Equipment exchange program
Crescent Community Clinic, 5244 Commercial Way in Spring Hill, has a Durable Medical Exchange Program.

Equipment (for long-term or short-term), such as a walker, cane, wheelchair, shower chair, bedside commode, bed rails, CPAP/BPAP machine, or nebulizer, may be available.

The clinic offers these items for a donation to the clinic, to keep the program running.

Equipment availability depends on donated items received.

If you are in need, call the clinic at (352) 667-1462. Leave your name, phone number and the name of the item you need, and the clinic will contact you.

You can also call the clinic if you have items to donate.

Hospitals gets ‘A’ safety grade
The Medical Center of Trinity and Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point were awarded an A in the fall 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing the hospitals’ achievements protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care.

These are the only two hospitals in west Pasco to receive an A grade.

The safety grade is assigned to all general hospitals across the country based on performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care.

Poison Control enhances website
Florida’s Poison Control Centers has launched two new features to enhance its website.

The network has added multi-language capability by allowing the user to select a Spanish language translation while viewing all its related poison prevention information.

Users quickly will be able to choose “Espanol” from a dropdown at the top of the site to find all poison prevention information content translated by certified translators.

Additionally, the Poison Control Centers added a new data dashboard to its existing page that adds a novel approach to characterizing poisonings in Florida, handled by its three poison control centers.

The new dashboard allows users to obtain more detailed information about toxic exposures in their local area.

Visit FloridaPoisonControl.org.

Compliance deadline near
The new safety standard, USP 800, is being implemented with the intent to minimize the exposure to hazardous drugs from health care personnel, patients, and anyone else in contact with these drugs, as written by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to a news release.

The standard regulates the practice and quality standards of handling hazardous drugs (HDs) to promote patient safety, worker safety, and environmental protection.

Handling HDs includes, but is not limited to, the receipt, storage, compounding, dispensing, administration, and disposal of sterile and nonsterile products and preparations.

The deadline for compliance to the new safety standard, USP 800, is Dec. 1.

Non-compliance not only places a pharmacy’s staff and patients at risk of exposure to HDs, but a pharmacy and pharmacist-in-charge licenses also can be impacted if a breach of USP 800 is recognized.

Enforcement will come from the state board of pharmacy.

Oak Hill residents recognized
Oak Hill Hospital anesthesiology residents participated in the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), in Orlando.

Each year, the ASA hosts more than 14,000 anesthesiology professionals from around the world.

Four of Oak Hill’s graduate medical education anesthesiology residents not only participated, but their research was accepted for presentation and display.

Chalk Talk 11/27/2019

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Saint Leo University’s Class of 1969 celebrates its 50th reunion at the school’s annual homecoming weekend. (Courtesy of The Lions’ Pride Media Group)

Saint Leo celebrates homecoming
Alumni and guests from throughout the United States and the world came home to Saint Leo University to celebrate homecoming weekend at University Campus.

The three-day event included a Greek Mixer; Brews & Bites; a Scholarship Ball; brunch with Jeffrey Senese, Saint Leo president; alumni recognitions; softball, baseball, volleyball and soccer games; a Lions Rally; and, the crowning of the homecoming king and queen.

Members of the Rho Xi chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity present Carla Willis, interim vice president of Advancement and Communication, with a check for $28,080 for scholarships at the 30th anniversary Scholarship Ball.

Alumni awards went to:

  • Antonio Cruz, Christopher Laney and Kevin Sullivan II — Roaring Onward Recognition
  • John Gassler — Benedictine Spirit Award
  • James Cervera — 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award

Maurqise McGill and Victoria Omoregie were crowned the 2019 homecoming king and queen.

The weekend wrapped up with goat yoga, Mass at the Abbey Church, and a brunch.

 

 

Elementary school hosted family night
Chester Taylor Elementary School, 3638 Morris Bridge Road in Zephyrhills, hosted a Physical Education Family Night on Nov. 21, for students, families and staff.

Physically active kids are more likely to be motivated, focused and successful in school.

Practicing a skill helps improve abilities and helps to make kids feel more accomplished.

Mastering physical skills builds confidence at every age.

At the event, parents had the chance to learn about healthy eating choices and fun physical activities to do at home with the kids.

Students participated in games like Pin Knock Over, Spike Ball, jump rope and more.

There also was a raffle at the end of the evening, and special appearances by Raymond, the Tampa Bay Rays mascot, and players from the USF Bulls.

Saint Leo: Best for Vets
Saint Leo University was named by the Military Times as the No. 1 university in the country for educating veterans.

Saint Leo ranked first in the nation in the Military Times’ Best for Vets: Colleges 2020 in the Online and Nontraditional Schools category.

This ranking recognizes the school’s commitment to educating military personnel, veterans and their families wherever they may be, even if they are deployed.

The first-place ranking marks a jump from last year’s fourth place, and an eighth place in 2017.

More information about the rankings can be found at Charts.militarytimes.com/chart/17.

Financial aid tip
According to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), an important phrase in the language of student aid is “satisfactory academic progress” (SAP).

All colleges that award federal student aid must have SAP standards, based on three key areas: GPA, pace, and a maximum time frame.

The GPA may vary by school, major and whether the student is an undergraduate or graduate student.

The pace means that the student has to pass a stated percentage of the classes taken in a given period of time. This also may vary by college.

The maximum time frame means the student will have to finish his or her degree within a given number of attempted credit hours.

If a student does not meet the school’s SAP standards, he or she may not be able to receive state or federal student aid.

The public, nonprofit agency KHEAA was established in 1966 to improve students’ access to college. It provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents.

For information, visit KHEAA.com.

Withlacoochee Electric scholarships
The Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) will accept applications for scholarships, starting Dec. 1.

Students will be selected in their senior year of high school by local guidance counselors and WREC personnel.

Each applicant must:

  • Be a high school senior and maintain a minimum 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. 1
  • Plan to attend an in-state college, university or technical school full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester)
  • Maintain a 2.0 GPA each semester (or higher if mandated by the institution) to maintain eligibility

Each successful candidate will receive $1,375 per semester (maximum $11,000) for undergraduate studies.

Applications will be available after Dec. 1 at high school guidance offices, any WREC district office, or online at WREC.net.

Completed applications must be mailed to WREC headquarters and postmarked no later than March 20.

Bahamas school supply drive
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is collecting donations of school supplies to assist the schoolchildren of the Bahamas. An estimated 18,000 children and their families have been displaced since Hurricane Dorian struck the islands on Sept. 1.

Ten schools were destroyed on the island of Abaco alone, while many other schools sustained damages.

The children of the Bahamas, some of whom lost family members, classmates, and their homes are transitioning to schools that are undamaged but strained to accommodate additional students.

Donations of classroom supplies will be accepted at all PHSC libraries.

Each college store also is accepting donations and selling discounted supplies to anyone contributing to the drive.

Needed items include new backpacks, flash drives, notebooks, binders, calculators, pens, pencils, art materials, and other typical classroom supplies.

The deadline to donate is Dec. 5, as the items will be shipped to the Bahamas in December.

Campuses are in Dade City, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey, Brooksville and Spring Hill.

For information, email Lucy Miller, director of community outreach, at .

Pre-kindergarten screenings
Pasco County FDLRS Child Find offers developmental information and free screenings in coordination with the Past County Pre-K Assessment Team.

The screenings are for children not yet enrolled in kindergarten who may be having difficulties with speech, language, hearing, vision, concepts or motor skills.

Primary emphasis is on children ages 3 to 5.

For information, call Child Find specialist Caitlin Ryan or Colleen Costa at (813) 794-2630, (727) 774-2630 or (352) 524-2630.

Feeding Pasco food drive
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office’s annual Feeding Pasco Kids food drive is in full swing.

The proceeds from the drive will go directly to local organizations whose mission is to provide support for homeless children and students.

This year, the recipients include the Pasco Schools system and Metropolitan Ministries.

Donation boxes are placed in the lobbies of the Pasco Sheriff’s office buildings throughout the county.

Several area churches also agreed to have boxes in their buildings to assist with the food collection.

Monetary donations can be made by check or money order to Pasco Sheriff’s Charities, with “Food Drive” in the ‘for’ line, and mailed to Food Drive Donations, Pasco Sheriff’s Charities, 8700 Citizen Drive, New Port Richey, FL 34654.

The deadline to donate is Dec. 13.

For information, call (727) 844-7759.

Alzheimer’s walk raises nearly $56,000

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More than 500 residents from Pasco County joined the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s at the Starkey Ranch District Park in Odessa, on Oct. 25.

Participants raised $55,784 to help pay for care, support and research programs of the Alzheimer’s Association. The event fell short of its goal of $85,000, but fundraising efforts continue through Dec. 20.

Hundreds of Pasco County residents took park in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, in the fight to end the disease. (Courtesy of Alzheimer’s Association)

“Alzheimer’s is destroying our families, our finances and our future,” said Michelle Olson, Alzheimer’s Association development manager, in a release.

“It’s time to end it,” she added.

The moving opening ceremony featured several local families affected by the disease, as well as Maria Johnson, of the West Pasco Business Association; Daniel Paasch, director of strategic operations; U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis; and Margie Pagano, an Edward Jones financial advisor.

Doug Fresh, CEO of St. Mark’s Village and a participant for Team St. Mark’s, shared his thoughts on the walk.

“It was fabulous. The walk is important to St. Mark’s Village because of the people we serve. It’s important to work together with the Association to get some answers for this terrible disease,” Fresh said.

Currently, St. Mark’s is the top fundraising team, raising nearly $7,587. The team has been participating for about 10 years.

For information, visit ALZ.org, or call (800) 272-3900.

Roo likes to bounce

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Roo was found at a community park in Tampa. He was less than a year old, underweight and in pretty rough shape. The Wantuch family tried to find his owners for a month, but with no luck, they adopted him. He is named Roo (the ending of kangaROO) because his ears reminded the family of the animal, and he would bounce around in the grass. Roo welcomes Jackie Wantuch and family members home every day with a smile on his face — literally! Roo lives in Lutz.

Ready for its close-up

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Craig Mellinger loves nature photography. This squirrel photo was taken at Lake Heron in Lutz, where Mellinger lived for almost 15 years. Mellinger recently moved to Dade City, where he also hopes to take many pictures.

Chalk Talk 11/20/2019

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(Courtesy of Melonie Monson)

Chamber honors student citizens
Eight students from across the community were honored as The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Students of the Month for October. Students are recognized for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. Front row, from left: Olivia Williams, The Broach School; Rudy Shari, Heritage Academy; Austin Jacobs, Chester Taylor Elementary; Landon Connell, West Zephyrhills Elementary; Lilly Garcia-Mahon, Woodland Elementary; and Melonie Monson, Zephyrhills chamber. Back row, from left: Katy Boyd, chamber ambassador chairperson; Malachi Kellerman, Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Bella Crain, Stewart Middle; Joseph Hoppe, Zephyrhills High; Lance Smith, City of Zephyrhills councilman; and Vicky Jones, Zephyrhills chamber president.

Student achievements

  • Kerry Cordero, of Odessa, graduated from Western Governors University with a Bachelor of Science, IT.
  • Charlene Meyer, of Odessa, graduated from Western Governors University with a Bachelor of Science in nursing.
  • Julianna Mitten, of Odessa, served at Dayton, Ohio’s Life Enrichment Center alongside fellow senior Cedarville University nursing students, to complete seven week clinical studies as part of the Nursing Care of Population course.
  • Nelson Napoli, of Land O’ Lakes, graduated with an online MS Performance Improvement from Grantham University, a 100% online school.
  • Daniel Penning, of Odessa, graduated from Western Governors University with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, IT management.
  • Anntara Roy, of Lutz, was initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, in Boston.
  • Artemii Stepanets, of Lutz, was named a Harrison Scholar at Mariette College in Ohio. Stepanets is a graduate of Academy at the Lakes and is majoring in petroleum engineering.

Schools take a break
As a reminder, Pasco and Hillsborough county students will have a Thanksgiving/Fall break from Nov. 25 to Nov. 29. All students will return to classes on Dec. 2.

Withlacoochee Electric scholarships
The Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) will accept applications for scholarships, starting Dec. 1.

Students will be selected in their senior year of high school by local guidance counselors and WREC personnel.

Each applicant must:

  • Be a high school senior and maintain a minimum 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. 1
  • Plan to attend an in-state college, university or technical school full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester)
  • Maintain a 2.0 GPA each semester (or higher if mandated by the institution) to maintain eligibility

Each successful candidate will receive $1,375 per semester (maximum $11,000) for undergraduate studies.

Applications will be available after Dec. 1 at high school guidance offices, any WREC district office, or online at WREC.net.

Completed applications must be mailed to WREC headquarters and postmarked no later than March 20.

AP Capstone diploma recipients
Pasco County Schools has announced that 32 students earned the Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Diploma, and six students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate last school year.

The AP Capstone program develops students’ critical thinking, research, and presentation skills, both individually and as a team.

Students conduct academic research on topics of personal interests in two interdisciplinary courses.

To receive the diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research and four additional AP exams.

To receive the certificate, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research.

Students focused their research on a range of topics, including the extent to which phthalates used in U.S. food packaging harm human health, whether brine deposits from desalination plants trap excess CO2 in oceans and reduce the effects of ocean acidification, and how the utilization of hexagonal house structures made of hempcrete can create a more cost-effective, durable home.

Of the Pasco County Schools students who participated in the diploma program, the number of diplomas increased from 20 in the 2017-2018 school year.

Bahamas school supply drive
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is collecting donations of school supplies to assist the schoolchildren of the Bahamas. An estimated 18,000 children and their families have been displaced since Hurricane Dorian struck the islands on Sept. 1.

Ten schools were destroyed on the island of Abaco alone, while many other schools sustained damages.

The children of the Bahamas, some of whom lost family members, classmates, and their homes are transitioning to schools that are undamaged but strained to accommodate additional students.

Donations of classroom supplies will be accepted at all PHSC libraries.

Each college store also is accepting donations and selling discounted supplies to anyone contributing to the drive.

Needed items include new backpacks, flash drives, notebooks, binders, calculators, pens, pencils, art materials, and other typical classroom supplies.

The deadline to donate is Dec. 5, as the items will be shipped to the Bahamas in December.

Campuses are in Dade City, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey, Brooksville and Spring Hill.

For information, email Lucy Miller, director of community outreach, at .

Volunteers needed
The GFWC Pasco Junior Woman’s Club is looking for dependable high school students for a variety of volunteer opportunities.

The club is a 501© nonprofit organization, and time spent volunteering will count toward the necessary Bright Futures scholarship hours.

For information, text the word ‘volunteer’ to (813) 461-3131.

Feeding Pasco food drive
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office’s annual Feeding Pasco Kids food drive is in full swing.

The proceeds from the drive will go directly to local organizations whose mission is to provide support for homeless children and students.

This year, the recipients include the Pasco Schools system and Metropolitan Ministries.

Donation boxes are placed in the lobbies of the Pasco Sheriff’s office buildings throughout the county.

Several area churches also agreed to have boxes in their buildings to assist with the food collection.

Monetary donations can be made by check or money order to Pasco Sheriff’s Charities, with “Food Drive” in the ‘for’ line, and mailed to Food Drive Donations, Pasco Sheriff’s Charities, 8700 Citizen Drive, New Port Richey, FL 34654.

The deadline to donate is Dec. 13.

For information, call (727) 844-7759.

With age, comes ‘the grumps’

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Varla is a 10-year-old male green iguana, which is pretty old for an iguana. His favorite foods are grapes, watermelon and a nice tossed salad. Varla does not like to be bothered when he is eating. His favorite music is anything other than the mariachi music the neighbors play, which seems to annoy him. Varla dislikes the fat guy who feeds him and cold winter months. His favorite game is slapping people with his tail. Varla’s loving owner (and the fat guy who feeds him) is Christopher Hanson of Dade City.

One foot? No problem

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Kevin Durkin tracked this limpkin all over the Learning Gate Community School campus in Lutz before he got the right photo. The limpkin only had one foot, but seemed to be managing just fine.

Health News 11/13/2019

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Patient comfort, a priority for these ladies

(Courtesy of AdventHealth)

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sew Caring group at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel put their hearts into helping care for breast cancer patients. The group provided comfort for the patients throughout the month of October with handcrafted pillows. Many of the breast cancer patients are sore following surgery, and the pillows add the much-needed comfort and support for each patient, as they recover.

 

(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club undertook a large sewing project to handcraft comfort pillows for women post-surgery at several area hospitals. The ladies stuffed the pillows, packed and delivered them to Advent Health/Fletcher, Advent Health/Wesley Chapel and to the Moffitt Cancer Center. Members Irene Hernandez and Barbara Booth package the pillows for the hospitals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Hospice Month
November is recognized as National Hospice & Palliative Care Month to help raise awareness of the efforts of local hospice and palliative health care organizations.

To celebrate the month, Gulfside Hospice will offer free copies of the Five Wishes booklet, a living will document that outlines your wishes for care.

To request a free booklet, visit tinyurl.com/yylav2qq.

Gulfside’s team also is available to give a presentation about the booklet, along with complimentary copies, to local groups and clubs.

To schedule a presentation, call (727) 845-5707.

Free rapid testing
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County, along with the public defender’s Mobile Medical Unit, will offer free rapid HIV and Hepatitis C testing to the public at several locations throughout November.

Results from the rapid tests will be available in 20 minutes.

For a calendar of times and locations, visit Pasco.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services.

Rose Bowl participation
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point received an invitation to participate in the 2020 Donate Life Rose Bowl Parade float’s hospital CEO rose dedications.

A select group of hospitals have been asked to prepare a handwritten message honoring the patients and families who, with the support of hospital staff, have saved and healed lives through the gift of organ, eye and tissue donation.

One of the trademarks of the annual Donate Life float is a ‘dedication garden’ filled with thousands of roses, each placed in a vial carrying a unique, personal message from an individual, family or organization.

Gina Temple, Regional Medical’s CEO, will prepare a note to be included on the float.

Better breast health
AdventHealth Wesley Chapel is now offering multiple innovative breast health advances to detect breast cancer and provide safer, convenient options for patients who require treatment.

The hospital now offers the Contrast Enhanced Mammography and SCOUT Wire-Free Radar Breast Localization System.

Contrast enhanced mammography is used to detect tumors in dense breasts that may not be visible on a traditional mammogram, and is an alternative for breast care patients who are unable to undergo an MRI.

SCOUT is a new, more comfortable and convenient surgical option for women awaiting breast cancer surgery.

Businesswoman of the Year
Access Health Care Physicians has announced that Dr. Manjusri Vennamaneni, its chief medical director, has been recognized as Businesswoman of the Year by the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Vennamaneni was chosen for her accomplishments during her years practicing in Hernando County:

  • Initiated the first Accountable Care Organization in the county
  • Had the first practice in the area recognized by the NCQA as a Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home
  • Recognized by Optimum Health Care with a five-star rating as chief quality director
  • Led a team to the development of IT products used in utilization management, compliance, and revenue cycle management
  • Helped to develop the first Third Party Administrator in Hernando County

Dr. Vennamaneni practices at the main office of Access Health Care in Spring Hill.

National certification
Oak Hill Hospital is the recipient of the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing’s 2019 National Certification Champion Award in the large health care organization category.

During a recognition breakfast, the following awards were presented:

  • Distinguished CEN Award
  • Distinguished CPEN Award
  • National Certification Champion Awards in: small health care, large health care, and health care system.

Board certification is nursing’s highest professional credential, and it is a requirement of eligible nurses of the emergency room at Oak Hill Hospital.

Currently, 93% of Oak Hill’s eligible emergency room nurses are board certified, with the other eligible nurses scheduled to take the board certification test.

All of Oak Hill Hospital’s nursing leaders are board certified in a specialty.

Hospital adds third scanner
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson has added a third CT scanner, which will be placed in the emergency department of the hospital to support its trauma, ER, stroke and cardiac services, for faster and more convenient service.

The latest scanning technology has the advantage of the new 64-slice Revolution Evo, which includes higher quality images and lower dose to the patient.

It also is environmentally friendly, cutting power consumption by 54%.

Bayonet Point is the only Level II Trauma Center and Comprehensive Stroke Center in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties.

New medical staff
Access Health Care Physicians has welcomed Dr. Seenu Sanka to its medical staff in Spring Hill.

Dr. Sanka joins Access Health from Davita Medical Florida Inc., in St. Petersburg, where he has practiced since 2002.

Dr. Sanka is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

He received his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed his internship and residency in internal medical at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.