Mary Rathman

Health News 06/13/2018

June 13, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Medical Center of Trinity honors staff
The Medical Center of Trinity has announced the following staff awards.

Dr. Debra Angelo, internal medicine, was named the Physician of the Year, a nurses’ choice award selected by the nurses of the hospital.

Angelo was chosen for her integrity, professionalism, accountability, responsiveness, teamwork, nurturing, empathy and respect, as well as the time she takes to educate each patient on their condition/options, striving to answer their questions.

The Frist Humanitarian Physician of the Year was given to Dr. Visal Numrungroad.

The award is one of HCA’s Awards of Distinction named in honor of Dr. Thomas F. Frist Sr., founder of HCA and humanitarian.

Numrungroad is a member of the Project HOPE team that responded to those in need after Hurricane Maria’s devastation, volunteering in Puerto Rico and collecting donations in Tampa Bay.

Nursing awards were given to MJ Dodson, RN, medical telemetry, as Nurse of the Year; and, Matthew Prince, RN, progressive care unit, as New Nurse of the Year.
Duane Hollier and Athena Markos were chosen for the HCA Innovators Award for their collaborative efforts on the Safetrac RadioPharmaceutical Barcoding pilot program to reduce patients dosing errors. Hollier is in nuclear medicine and Markos is with the pharmacy.

County commissioners recognizes CEO
Access Health Care Physicians’ founder and CEO Dr. Pariksith Singh was honored by the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners for his achievements and contributions to the community.

In presenting the Resolution to Singh, county commissioners discussed his economic impact on the community. The Resolution covered:

The opening of the Auro Community Outreach Center to help provide food, cash and medical assistance to those in need
The Auro Community Garden as a sustainable garden “using natural growing methods, free of harmful insecticides and other chemicals”
The Auroveda Operating Foundation, which includes the outreach center and community garden
Singh’s recognition as Oak Hill Hospital’s Frist Humanitarian Physician of 2017, an award which honors outstanding individuals for their humanitarian and volunteer activities

Regional Medical adds new tool
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, has installed a digital X-ray imaging system for its Neuroscience Center to view detailed, real-time images of a patient’s head, neck and spine during stroke and other neuro endovascular procedures requiring exact precision.

For information, visit RMCHealth.com or HeartOfTampa.com.

Chalk Talk 06/13/2018

June 13, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Scholarship recipients recognized
The GFWC Woman’s Club of Zephyrhills awarded a total of $10,000 in scholarships to 10 deserving students at an end-of-the-year luncheon. The students receiving a certificate and a check are, back row, from left: Jasmine Dobbs (Southeastern University), Domenique Benjamin (Florida Atlantic University), Autumn Roe (Pasco-Hernando State College), Luis Arturo Chavez Rincon (Pasco-Hernando State College) and Tyceson Sampson (Tallahassee Community College). Front row, from left: Annica Morgan (University of South Florida), Madison Kaylor (Ringling College of Art and Design), Allyson Worthy (University of South Florida), Lacy Downs (Pasco-Hernando State College) and Hanna Binnicker (Pasco-Hernando State College).

National Merit Scholarship winners
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced this year’s National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners.

The finalists in each state were judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

Winning students in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area were:

Grant J. Lopresti, of Lutz, George M. Steinbrenner High School. Probable career field: Engineering
Varun M. Puri, of Odessa, Hillsborough High School. Probable career field: Finance
Catherine L. Weng, of Tampa, Freedom High School. Probable career field: Business

Students excel at skills competition
Pasco-Hernando State College graduate Kenith Christian, of Land O’ Lakes, was awarded gold in the Related Technical Math category of the SkillsUSA Florida State Leadership and Skills competition.

Christian will compete at the SkillsUSA National competition in Louisville, Kentucky, June 24 to June 29.

Other PHSC students that were recognized at the state competition were:

Jordan Rucker, Customer Service, silver medal
Dwight Howard, Technical Drafting, silver
Duniesqui Rodriguez, Architectural Drafting category, bronze
Karen Becker, Customer Service, bronze
Kristen Knight, PHSC student, voted in as a state representative

More than 300,000 students and advisors join SkillsUSA annually.

For information about career programs at PHSC, visit PHSC.edu.

Pasco Schools wins gold
Pasco County Schools was recognized as a Gold level district for the period of May 2018 through April 2020 by the Florida Partnership for Healthy Schools.

The designation is based on the Florida Healthy School District Self-Assessment, which considers sustainable infrastructure, policy, programs, and practices from national and state guidelines, best practices and Florida statutes.

The assessment was developed by FPHS to recognize and celebrate the hard work and success of school districts related to the physical, mental and social health of students and staff.

Pasco County Schools will be invited to participate in the Healthy District Collaborative facilitated by the Florida Departments of Education and Health, where they will be provided professional development, technical assistance and information for resource/funding opportunities.

Area students win honors

Gianna N. Basulto, of Land O’ Lakes, has been named to the President’s List at Andrew College in Cuthbert, Georgia.
Brycie Gauthier, of Lutz, has been named to the Spring 2018 Dean’s Honor Roll at Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Omer Shareef Mohammed, of Lutz, graduated from the University of the Cumberlands, in Williamsburg, Kentucky, with a Master of Science in Information Systems Security.
Katelyn Prieboy, of Lutz, was named to the Spring Dean’s List at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Taryn Raval, of Lutz, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at the University of South Florida.
Maxim Stepanets, of Lutz, was named to the Alma College Dean’s List for winter 2018. Stepanets is studying general studies and is a graduate of Academy at the Lakes. Alma College is in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
Payton Strawser, of Land O’ Lakes, earned a spot on the Spring Dean’s List at Bethel University’s College of Arts and Sciences and College of Health Sciences in McKenzie, Tennessee.
Riley Wood, of Land O’ Lakes, made the Honor Roll at Bethel University’s College of Arts and Sciences and College of Health Sciences in McKenzie, Tennessee.
Katie Wynn, of Lutz, made the Spring Dean’s List at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Saint Leo Summer Fest
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, is hosting Summer Fest on June 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on the university’s main campus.

The event gives families and prospective students an opportunity to enjoy a day of music, food, fun and sun. The event is open to students who have committed to attending the university this fall, to students who are still making their college decision and to students who may be interested in attending the university in the future.

The event is free.

For information, email .

Lexington Oaks Merit Award Winners
Four Lexington Oaks students recently each received $500 merit awards from the Lexington Oaks Woman’s Club.

The recipients were Katherine Vo, Emily Shay, Tyler Luginski and Alex Carr.

Vo was given special recognition for the career she is pursuing in pediatric cardiology. The award was anonymously donated in the name of a former club member, JoLee Fallis, with the stipulation that it be used for a student studying nursing.

Student bus passes
The Pasco County Public Transportation Department will offer Student Summer Haul Passes to students for $20.

Pasco County students can ride the fixed-route bus system all summer. The special rate will be effective through Aug. 31.

Haul passes can be picked up at all Pasco County libraries; the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s office at the West and East Pasco Government Centers; the Pasco-Hernando State College bookstores in Wesley Chapel, Dade City and New Port Richey; and the PCPT Administrative Offices at 8620 Galen Wilson Blvd., in Port Richey.

For information, call (727) 834-3322, or visit vit.ly/SummerHaulPass.

For bus routes and schedules, visit RidePCPT.com.

Miss Princess rules

June 6, 2018 By Mary Rathman

One of five kittens in an alley cat’s litter, little Miss Princess is aptly named. Besides her gorgeous emerald green eyes, she is confident, serene and has a regal demeanor. Miss Princess loves to be outdoors and she reigns over all she sees. Curt Kibbe, of San Antonio, is her proud owner.

Grabbing a bite to eat

June 6, 2018 By Mary Rathman

This red-shouldered hawk had been perched up on the trampoline in Kanasha Reyes’ backyard in Land O’ Lakes for a few days. Evidently, the hawk was spotting prey and ultimately was rewarded by catching a lizard.

Chalk Talk 06/06/2018

June 6, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Taking action against local hunger
Fifth-grade students from Carrollwood Day School volunteered at Feeding Tampa Bay as part of their student-initiated study focusing on hunger. The class and its teacher, Barbie Monty, inspected, sorted, organized and weighed nonperishable and perishable goods for distribution throughout the Tampa Bay communities. The group played a role in providing 2,892 meals for the hungry in the area.

Chamber awards eight scholarships
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce awarded a total of $5,000 in scholarships to eight Zephyrhills High School seniors during a ceremony in the school’s auditorium on May 15. Recipients were chosen based on community service, presentation, character and academic achievement. Recipients were Madison Reidenbach ($500), Katharine Ayers ($500), Meghan Shannon ($500), Avyanna Galyan ($1,000), Ghyslain Velaquez ($1,000), Eden Faison ($500), Sandy Lin ($500) and Amanda Cook ($500).

Essay winner
As part of the Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’ Neill’s Constitutional Essay Contest, Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano announced Angie Bolton, a student at St. Anthony’s Catholic School in San Antonio, as the essay winner.

Bolton’s essay best communicated her response to the topic question, “Which taxes impact you the most: local, state or federal? Why?”

Her submission met all the contest criteria of overall essay structure, appearance and readability.

Students in sixth through eighth grade, from public, private, parochial, charter, online and home-schools entered the contest.

Bolton was awarded a Best Buy gift card at a ceremony on May 3.

All entrants received a personal letter from Fasano thanking them for their participation.

Outstanding students and alumni
Pasco-Hernando State College recognized outstanding student leaders and named the Distinguished Alumni for 2018 at a banquet at its West Campus in New Port Richey.

The Dr. Felisha R. Barker Outstanding Student Leaders were: Johnathan McCurnin and Audrey Pease, East Campus-Dade City; Emily Brock and Keilah Rodriguez, North Campus-Brooksville; Markishia Clarke and Dean Powell, Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch-Wesley Chapel; Savannah Lugo and Kaitlyn MacLean, Spring Hill Campus; and Dealaney Allen and Steven Gomez Rosario, West Campus.

Additionally, four military veteran students were recognized: Jesse Aldrich, North Campus; Brandon Bryant, Porter Campus; Amande Moore Frazier, West Campus; and Brandon Swanbom, East Campus.

The 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Margarita Romo (Class of 1980), founder and executive director of Farmworkers Self-Help Inc., which allocates services to house, feed, clothe, education and employ less fortunate farmworkers.

Donation creates endowed scholarships
Pasco-Hernando State College’s spring commencement included presentations of two $10,000 donations to the PHSC Foundation provided by Dr. Rao Musunuru, chair of the PHSC District Board of Trustees and local cardiologist.

The two donations created endowed scholarships in honor of Marilyn Pearson-Adams, PHSC District Board of Trustees member, and Robin Schneider, PHSC District Board of Trustees vice chair.

In the past year, the Foundation has awarded $1 million in scholarships to benefit PHSC students.

Fee adjustment meeting
Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its next board meeting, scheduled for June 12 at 6 p.m., at the North Campus in Brooksville, 11415 Ponce de Leon Blvd., in the library’s McKethan Conference Room.

Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs, a committee that includes representation by administrators, deans, academic department chairs, faculty and staff.

For details regarding the proposed fee adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation dates, visit Policies.PHSC.edu, and click on Policies and Procedures, Public Disclosure.

Pasco summer meals
Pasco County Schools Food and Nutrition Services Department has expanded its Summer Food Service program, which runs to Aug. 1, to more than 100 sites across the county.

Meals will be provided at 50 school sites and 50 additional locations, including libraries, churches, parks, housing complexes and more.

Summer lunch bus stops are included among the 100 sites.

Any child age 18 and younger can participate with no enrollment or fees, and no requirement that they attend a Pasco County public school.

To find the nearest location, visit SummerFoodPasco.net, text “food” to 877-877, or call (813) 794-2480.

Families can attend one of the summer kickoff events, which will include food, games, prizes, cool treats and fun. The parties are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

June 8 at Crews Lake Park, 16739 Crews Lake Drive in Spring Hill
June 14 at Zephyr Park, 5039 Fourth St., Zephyrhills

Student bus passes
The Pasco County Public Transportation Department will offer Student Summer Haul Passes to students for $20.

Pasco County students can ride the fixed-route bus system all summer. The special rate will be effective through Aug. 31.

For information, call (727) 834-3322, or visit vit.ly/SummerHaulPass.

For bus routes and schedules, visit RidePCPT.com.

Health News 06/06/2018

June 6, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Florida Hospital earns straight As
The Florida Hospital West Florida Division has a perfect score card in patient safety and quality, and is the only hospital system in the Tampa Bay area that earned the highest rating for all of its hospitals that participated in the survey.

The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit health care ratings organization, announced its 2018 Hospital Safety Grades, and all seven participating hospitals in the West Florida Division received an A, including Florida Hospital Carrollwood, Florida Hospital Tampa, Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, Florida Hospital North Pinellas, Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center Sebring and Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center Lake Placid.

Florida Hospital Carrollwood also was named a Top General Hospital in 2017 and has received an A grade from Leapfrog six consecutive times since 2015.

Oak Hill hands out awards
Oak Hill Hospital recognized its employees with the following honors:

Kristin Baker, emergency room RN: Excellence in Nursing Professional Mentor
Jennifer Diaz, CNA, fifth-floor Telemetry: Star Associate of the Year
Shawn Kernz, intensive care RN: Excellence in Nursing Award for Compassionate Care
Katie Stacy, marketing coordinator: Frist Associate Humanitarian Award
Martha Sugg, current president of the Volunteer Association: Frist Volunteer Humanitarian Award

For information, visit OakHillHospital.com.

Zebra finches call Lutz home

May 30, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Zedd (in the back) is the older of the two, and is bossy and a boisterous singer. Zuko has a mutated gene and is actually a Penguin Zebra Finch. The pampered pair feels right at home in Lutz with Meagan Rathman-Urena.

Squirrels are everywhere…

May 30, 2018 By Mary Rathman

…in Florida, from the coastal area to the inland. They are incredibly agile climbers and jumpers. Bird enthusiasts know that a squirrel can empty out a feeder in a matter of minutes! This squirrel doesn’t seem to mind Keith Taylor, of Wesley Chapel, snapping a photo during its snack time.

Health News 05/30/2018

May 30, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Hospital receives honor for organ donor program
Oak Hill Hospital had an organ donor flag raising ceremony and prayer memorial service in honor of its platinum recognition for its participation in the National Hospital Organ Donation campaign.

The recognition was for encouraging hospital, staff and community members to enroll in their state registry as organ, eye and tissue donors.

The award was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Human Resources & Services Administration, Health Care Systems Bureau, Division of Transplantation.

New vice president of neuroscience
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has promoted Carol Corder as vice president of neuroscience, where she will lead the strategic planning business growth and programmatic development of neurosciences at the hospital.

Corder has worked for HCA for 30 years and has served as a director for 21 years.

She has been promoted from her position as director of imaging & non-invasive cardiology, where she has been since 2002.

Corder has a bachelor’s degree from Ottawa University and is currently completing her master’s degree in leadership and management.

Chalk Talk 05/30/2018

May 30, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Students shine at Fine Arts Festival
The elementary and junior high students at Land O’ Lakes Christian School competed in the annual Sunshine State Association of Christian Schools State Junior Fine Arts Festival, in April.

The students, representing Christian schools throughout the state, competed in the basic areas of music, speech and art.

Music students challenged each other in solo and group competitions, for both vocal and instrumental music.

Speech contestants participated in such categories as humorous interpretation, acting and other categories.
Art and photography students entered pieces in categories such as acrylic, drawing, watercolor and digital photography.

Most Outstanding, Elementary Group:

Choir-Fourth to Sixth Grade: Honors Choir
Large Instrumental Ensemble: Beginning Strings
Large Vocal Ensemble: Fifth Grade
Small Vocal Ensemble: Mixed Fifth & Sixth Grades
Humorous Interpretation: Emily Mason, Ben Woodson
Piano Solo/Non-Sacred: LouisAden Capellupo
Sacred Piano Solo: Kaden Garcia
Sculpture: Natalie Zika
String Solo: Katharine VanderVere
Woodwind Solo: Luci Rhode

Most Outstanding, Junior High Group:

Choir: Junior High Choir
Handbell Choir: LOLCS Handbell Choir
Large Instrumental Ensemble: LOLCS Large Instrumental Ensemble
Bible Teaching: Alex Vidal
Photography: Robert Luckey
Piano Solo/Non-Sacred: Mia Cruikshank
Sacred Piano Solo: Kate Livingston
String Solo: Kate Livingston

Superior, Elementary:

Band/Orchestra: Elementary Band
Brass Solo: James DeStefano, Caleb Seiverd
Duet Acting: Ariana Cruikshank and Olivia Rotella, and Avery Pham and Jenny Prill
Piano Solo/Non-Sacred: Jaela Parrone, Zachary Tomasell, Lily Vincent
Photography: Jennifer Prill
Polychromatic Drawing: LouisAden Capellupo
Sculpture: Jonathan Maass
Woodwind Solo: Nadia Dimas, Lily Vincent

Superior, Junior High:

Piano Solo/Non-Sacred: Will DeStefano, Hayden Vincent
Polychromatic Drawing: Susie DeStefano
Woodwind Solo: Susie DeStefano, Will DeStefano

Excellent, Elementary:

Small Instrumental Ensemble: Strings Ensemble, Brass Ensemble
Small Vocal Ensemble: Grade Six Girls
Acrylic: Sofia Chinchilla, Jaela Parrone
Duet Acting: Zarah Collins and Kaitlyn Crockett, and Javen Ironside and Gage Smith
Humorous Interpretation: Bryant Mateo
Oral Interpretation of Poetry: Natalie Craver
Photography: Emily Mason
Piano Duet: Lydia Becker and Abigail Lonski
Piano Solo/Non-Sacred: Dixie Blessing
Polychromatic Drawing: Mia Caputo, Jodiah Christensen, Jayla Hunt, Talia Tedesco
Sacred Piano Solo: Ryleigh Blessing, Olivia Rotella
Sculpture: Zayda Thomas
Serious Interpretation: Waylon Dimas
String Solo: Olivia Price

Excellent, Junior High:

Band/Orchestra: LOLCS Strings
Readers’ Theatre: LOLCS Readers’ Theatre
Small Instrumental Ensemble: LOLCS Small Instrumental Ensemble
Bible Teaching: Alex Reed
Duet Acting: Corey Drexler and Caleb Moreno, and Ethan Mengel and Chance Newsome
Humorous Interpretation: Justin Zabilowicz
Photography: Jaxson Pham
Polychromatic Drawing: Jordan McClain
Serious Interpretation: Isabel Rivera-Cordero
Vocal Solo: Caleb Moreno
Watercolor: Mackenzie Craver

Good, Elementary:

Humorous Interpretation: Alex Doan

Good, Junior High:

Acrylic: Kaitlyn Mendez
Humorous Interpretation: Brianne Bagshaw, Isabella Lexama-Solarte
Monochromatic Drawing: Lily Sutton, Alex Vidal
Oral Interpretation Poetry: Madison Fine
Photography: Ryan Dahlberg, Chance Newsome

Average, Elementary:

Acrylic: Dixie Blessing
Watercolor: Laura Tipton

Average, Junior High:

Acrylic: Ethan Peterson

Summer food service
Hillsborough County will again participate in the Summer Food Service Program, which provides free nutritious lunches and afternoon snacks to children when school meals are not available. This year’s program runs from May 29 to Aug. 3, at more than 50 sites in the county.

The meals and snacks will be offered at local parks and other convenient locations for children younger than age 18. Applications are not required.

Nearby sites can be found online at tinyurl.com/yaupwshl.

For information, email , or call (813) 276-8625.

Student bus passes
The Pasco County Public Transportation Department will offer Student Summer Haul Passes for $20.

Pasco County students can ride the fixed-route bus system all summer. The special rate will be effective June 1 through Aug. 31.

For information, call (727) 834-3322, or visit bit.ly/SummerHaulPass.

For bus routes and schedules, visit RidePCPT.com.

Graduates overcome adversity
Pasco-Hernando State College hosted spring commencement May 2 with two ceremonies to honor graduates earning bachelor and associate degrees, certificates and diplomas.

Several students have encountered adversity in pursuit of higher education.

Rachel Watson, 19, of Dade City, received an Associate of Arts degree.

At PHSC, Watson was a full-time student, worked part-time as an English tutor, and completed a Professor-Student internship while traveling nearly every weekend to North Carolina where her fiancé was preparing for deployment with the Marines.

She will pursue a bachelor’s degree in advanced literary studies at Saint Leo University.

Kathryn McCarthy, 25, of Land O’ Lakes, earned an Associate of Science in nursing.

McCarthy was a sixth-grade world history teacher for Pasco County Schools when, in 2012, an illness left her paralyzed and on a ventilator for four months.

McCarthy left teaching to pay it forward as a caregiver and entered the PHSC nursing program. She also is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

Andrew Moses, 28, of Spring Hill, received an Associate of Arts.

Moses withdrew from high school to complete an auto mechanic program in New York. He moved back to Florida to work with his mother’s business. A client, Matic, encouraged Moses to apply for an engineering internship within the company, which now employs him.

In 2015, he decided to go back to school to earn a college degree.

Moses will seek a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering.

Jonathan McCurnin, 22, of Dade City, earned his Associate of Arts.

McCurnin was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at an early age, resulting in language struggles, and a resistance to form bonds and make connections with people.

His family enrolled him in the all-inclusive Academy at the Farm charter school and, in seventh grade, McCurnin was transferred to a mainstream classroom at Pasco Middle School, where he participated in football and made the honor roll.

McCurnin graduated from high school with letters in three varsity sports and was active in a variety of groups.

He then immersed himself into the PHSC community as a student and a student employee at the school.