Mary Rathman

Milo is 3 years old

September 4, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Milo is a Dalmation with brown spots. His three favorite things to do are: lay in the shade, jump in the water, and help pick basil. Milo resides with Elsie Rehberg, of Wesley Chapel.

Thomas Kolessar got a close-up of a female ruby-throated hummingbird at his backyard feeder in Lutz. These tiny birds, ranging in size from 2.8 inches to 3.5 inches, often visit hummingbird feeders and tube-shaped flowers, and defend these food sources against others. They may also be seen plucking tiny insects from the air or from spiderwebs.

Health News 09/04/2019

September 4, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Charity night deals a good hand
The second annual Charity Casino Night raised net proceeds of $35,000 to support patient care for Gulfside Hospice. The fundraiser featured authentic casino-style gaming tables, a silent auction, a ‘giggle water’ station at the bar, dancing, and Restaurant Roulette and Prohibition Crate drawings. A group of representatives from Maus Nissan, Queen sponsor of the event, showed off their flapper dresses and partied like it was the Roaring Twenties.

New epilepsy unit
AdventHealth Tampa has opened a new Epilepsy Monitoring Unit — the only one of its kind in Tampa Bay. It now has the only neuroscience unit with five beds dedicated specifically for treating and monitoring patients with seizures.

The unit also includes a control room where highly trained specialists can observe patients utilizing telemedicine capabilities that allow 24/7 monitoring of up to 24 patients, not only at AdventHealth Tampa, but at other facilities, including AdventHealth Connerton, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Carrollwood.

AdventHealth has partnered with Compumedics, a supplier of sleep, neurological monitoring and brain research systems, to bring the latest technology and software systems to AdventHealth Tampa.

Nurses and technicians who are specially trained in the treatment, diagnosis and monitoring of patients with seizure disorders will be present continuously on the unit.

AdventHealth Tampa is one of the largest epilepsy centers in Florida.

High-performing hospital
AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has been recognized as a High Performing Hospital for 2019-2020 by U.S. News & World Report, for hip and knee replacement, in recognition of care that was significantly better than the national average.

For the 2019-2020 ratings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide in nine procedures and conditions.

Fewer than a third of all hospitals received any high-performing rating, and only 57 earned this rating in all nine procedures and conditions.

Know where to go
According to WellSpan Health, knowing whether to go to Urgent Care or to the Emergency Department can be broken down into these symptoms:

Urgent Care: stitches; back pain and strain; cold, flu and sinus; insect bites; allergies; constipation and diarrhea; cuts, burns and wounds; and, broken bones and sprains

Emergency Department: stroke; severe burns; shock; difficulty breathing; major trauma and injury; heart attack and chest pain; and uncontrollable bleeding

For more information, visit WellSpan.org.

Thoracic surgeon joins team
Dr. Mathew Ninan, an expert in the surgical treatment of lung cancer and other surgical procedures involving chest organs, has joined West Florida Thoracic Surgery, at 9332 State Road 54, Suite 405, in Trinity.

He specializes in surgery of the lungs, esophagus and other chest organs, including upper abdominal surgery of the esophagus, such as anti-reflux surgery, hiatal hernias and achalasia.

Ninan has been performing robotic, minimally invasive lung surgery since 2008.

He completed his surgical training in London and his cardiothoracic training at the University of Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania.

Ninan has been named a U.S. News & World Report top doctor for several years.

Residents recognized
The Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point announced that three of its GME residents received high recognition in the HCA West Florida Graduate Medical Education Consortium Poster Exhibition.

“The event showcased the great research, scholarly activity, and quality initiatives being undertaken by residents and fellows across all GME programs in the HCA West Florida Division,” said Dr. Frederick M. Schiavone, vice president and designated institutional official of the West Florida division, in a release.

The three physicians recognized are:

Dr. Ken Baxa, rheumatology: first place Scientific Award, for “Assessment of Intravenous Micronutrient Therapy (Myer’s Cocktail) for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia”
Dr. Paul Hoffman, internal medicine: third place Scientific Award, for “Doxycycline Induced Acute Pancreatitis”
Dr. Huma Zuman, transitional year: first place Inter-Professional Award, for “Spectrum of Imaging Findings on CDT Perfusion of Brain for Acute Stroke”

Chalk Talk 09/04/2019

September 4, 2019 By Mary Rathman

International students parade in with their country’s flag during ‘Welcome to the Pride.’ (Courtesy of Renee Gerstein, Saint Leo University)

Record-setting class moves in
Saint Leo University welcomed its largest class of incoming students for the 2019-2020 school year.

Despite the sticky, hot, rainy weather, students and their parents moved their belongings into their residence halls. Faculty, staff, alumni and students helped pull items out of vehicles and haul them into the students’ rooms.

New Student Orientation included a “Welcome to the Pride” event to cheer on more than 1,000 members of the Class of 2023.

More than 800 new freshmen and 180 transfer students moved into the Saint Leo campus in Pasco County.

This represented a 45% increase over last year’s new student enrollment.

New students received Saint Leo lapel pins to symbolize their membership in the scholarly community.

Five-year-old Maite Tenorio wears a photo of her sister, Megan Rowe, on her shirt, as she helps Rowe move into Saint Leo University.

Michelle and Rob Rosales get some help from their son, Blake, as they move their new-student son, Savion, into Marmion-Snyder Hall.

Belle of the Ball
The Belle of the Ball Project again will provide free homecoming dresses and accessories to in-need high school girls on Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at its boutique at 1210 Holt Ave., in Clearwater.

The event also will take place on Sept. 21, Oct. 5 and Oct. 12, during the same hours.

Dresses will be available to all in-need high school girls for their high school prom, homecoming or military ball.

No referral letter is necessary. No appointment is needed.

A $1 to $5 donation is requested, but not required.

Donations of dresses and accessories also can be made at the site. Large size dresses (size 18 to 26) are the biggest need.

For information, visit BelleOfTheBallProject.com.

Early release days begin
This school year, Pasco County Schools will implement a monthly, two-hour early release time to allow for staff to engage in professional development aligned with student needs, and district and school priorities.

Early release days will take place on the second Wednesday of each month, with the exception of January and May.

The first early release day is coming up on Sept. 11.

Additional scheduled days are Oct. 9, Nov. 13, Dec. 11, Jan. 15, Feb. 12, March 11 and April 8.

Fee adjustments
Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider approving proposed adjusted student-related fees at a Sept. 17 board meeting, at 6 p.m., at the Spring Hill campus, 450 Beverly Court.

The fee adjustment proposal was reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by the PHSC President’s Administrative Leadership Team, a committee of college administrators.

Many fee adjustments relate to vendor increases for workforce courses, laboratories, and program testing.

Some fees may be covered by financial aid, scholarships and grants.

For details regarding the proposed fees adjustments, justification for the fees, and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu.

Student loan tip
If you are having trouble repaying federal student loans, you may be able to apply for a deferment, according to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA).

A deferment allows you to postpone paying loans, if you meet certain guidelines.

You may qualify for a deferment if you are:

enrolled in college at least half time
in a rehabilitation training program
unemployed or can’t find a full-time job
having economic hardship
on active duty service in the military

However, according to KHEAA, if you have defaulted on your federal loans, you may not be able to get a deferment.

If you qualify for a deferment, you must submit an application, but continue to make your monthly payments until such time as you are told your loans are in deferment.

The public, nonprofit agency KHEAA provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents.

The organization also helps colleges manage their student loan default rates and verify information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

To learn more about services, visit KHEAA.com.

Coco loves her taco toy

August 28, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Coco is a Brussels-Griffin mix, adopted in June from Hillsborough County Pet Resources. She absolutely loves to cuddle with her family. Coco quickly made her new home with JoAnn and Frank Rygiel, in Wesley Chapel.

Making a home

August 28, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Ray Martinez Jr., snapped this photo in his Lutz backyard of a male and female red-bellied woodpecker at their nest. If you live near any wooded patches, you may be able to attract them using feeders filled with suet, peanuts and sometimes sunflower seeds. The red-bellied woodpecker will even drink nectar from hummingbird feeders. Dead trees may encourage the birds to forage naturally or even nest in your yard, and they may feed on berry trees.

Chalk Talk 08/28/2019

August 28, 2019 By Mary Rathman

From left: Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning, Ronak Agarwal, Foundation Board Chairman Mark Van Trees, Emmerson Parks, Logan Beatty, Manok Kambara, Ben Mellin, School Board Chairman Alison Crumbley and Foundation Executive Director Paula Mekley. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Medals of honor
The Pasco County School Board and the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation recognized students who created National History Day projects on Medal of Honor recipients.

The Medal of Honor Convention will be hosted in Tampa, in October.

Student winners and their projects are:

Manok Kambara and Logan Beatty, Land O’ Lakes High School: Group Website, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Mary Edwards Walker
Ben Mellin and Ronak Argawal, Land O’ Lakes High School: Group Website, The Hardship & Conquest of Robert Patterson, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient
Emmerson Parks, Pasco High School: Individual Documentary, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Gary Beikirch

Student goes to space camp
Bryce Holeman, of Lutz, attended Space Camp Robotics Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

The weeklong educational program promotes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), while training students with hands-on activities and missions based on teamwork, leadership and decision-making.

The program is specifically designed for trainees who have a passion for programming and engineering.

Using the Office of Naval Research’s SeaPerch undersea robotics, Holeman, along with teammates, could strengthen teamwork and leadership skills, while learning engineering, programming and wireless control concepts. Using Lego Mindstorms EV3 technology, students tested payloads on unmanned aerial vehicles, and created and piloted underwater robots.

More than 900,000 trainees have graduated from a Space Camp program since its inception in 1982.

To learn more, visit SpaceCamp.com/robotics.

New chair to serve two-year term
Tampa Bay real estate professional D. Dewey Mitchell has become chair of the Saint Leo University Board of Trustees for a two-year term.

Mitchell is co-owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group in Trinity, and markets commercial, industrial and mixed-use properties in Tampa and Central Florida.

Mitchell also has been active in Realtor groups, various regional business development organizations, and nonprofit boards.

He received his bachelor’s degree in commerce and business administration/marketing from the University of Alabama.

He first became a trustee of Saint Leo in 2012. Immediately prior to assuming the role of board chair, Mitchell served as vice chair for two years. His new duties began on July 1.

The event also will take place on Sept. 21, Oct. 5 and Oct. 12, during the same hours.

Dresses will be available to all in-need high school girls for their high school prom, homecoming or military ball.

No referral letter is necessary. No appointment is needed.

A $1 to $5 donation is requested, but not required.

Donations of dresses and accessories also can be made at the site. Large size dresses (size 18 to 26) are the biggest need.

For information, visit BelleOfTheBallProject.com.

Business leaders needed
Nearly 180 Tampa Bay CEOs on Oct. 18 will volunteer an entire day at Hillsborough County public elementary schools as part of a new educational initiative, CEOs in Schools.

A Vistra Communications initiative, in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools, CEOs in Schools serves to connect business leaders with the workforce of the future.

The CEOs will see, hear and do the things that our public school educators and students experience, and gain a new perspective on the role of schools in preparing students for success in the future workforce.

As an initiative under Vistra’s 1 Day of Change program, CEOs in Schools is a catalyst for big advances that are possible from just one day of change.

Any CEOs or most senior executives interested in participating can learn more at 1DayOfChange.com, and sign up under the Get Involved tab.

Once a school selection is made, participants will receive an email with program information and the next steps.

For questions about CEOs in Schools, contact Jamie Needham at (813) 961-4700, ext. 201 or .

Students need more than paper and pencils

August 21, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Once again, the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office is participating in the new shoes and socks collection campaign, “Two Good Soles,” to assist local students and families in need.

A collaborative effort between Pasco County government and the school district, the campaign is in its fourth year, and is looking to collect as many new pairs of shoes and socks as possible.

Shoes are primarily needed at the middle and high school levels, although shoes for elementary school students will also be accepted.

The school district reports that the sizes most in need are children’s shoe sizes 9 and higher, adult shoes of all sizes, and socks of all sizes.

It is recommended that sneakers, shoes and socks be of a neutral color, but all new donation items will be accepted.

The campaign will not accept flip-flops or open-toe shoes.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano said, in a release, “It is heartbreaking to know that children come to school without socks or shoes in good repair,” and he encourages everyone who is able, to stop by one of the offices to leave a donation.

The tax collector’s office locations will be the collection sites for donations between now and Oct. 25.

For office locations, visit PascoTaxes.com.

For information on the “Two Good Soles” campaign, call Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, at (727) 847-8179.

Published August 21, 2019

Relief from a heatwave

August 21, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Jagger is a 4-year-old lab, greyhound, charpe mix, and also is a rescue dog. To beat the heat, Jagger just may need a bigger pool at his home. His proud owners are Randy and Pan Ayers of Land O’ Lakes, and Laurel Ayers of Wesley Chapel.

Cleaning up the boulevard

August 21, 2019 By Mary Rathman

There are two types of vultures in Florida: the black vulture and the turkey vulture. Both are often called buzzards or carrion crows, but are not related to either family. A group of vultures is called a committee, venue or volt. In flight, a flock of vultures is a kettle, and when the birds are feeding together at a carcass, the group is called a wake. Sharon Thompson of Wesley Chapel caught this ‘wake’ cleaning things up on Mansfield Boulevard, off State Road 56.