The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

01/02/2016 – Photoshop class

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The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host the second class in a series on Photoshop elements on Jan. 2 at 10:15 a.m. The class will focus on “expert mode.” For information and to register, call (813) 929-1214.

Assisted living open house

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Assisted Living and Memory Care at The Watermark at Trinity will host two open houses in its sales office, 10751 Maple Creek Drive, Suite 104.

  • Dec. 29 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Guests can stop by for hors d’oeuvres and wine.
  • Dec. 30 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Guests can stop by for coffee and bagels.

Those attending can learn more about the care facility scheduled to open in Spring of 2016, and check out floor plans, a site map and sample finishes.

For information, call (727) 597-4082.

Free cancer video series

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New Leaf Chiropractic Wellness Center, 2029 Osprey Lane, Suite B, in Lutz, will present a nine-week video series called “The Truth About Cancer.” The series will run every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., starting Jan. 5. The program will touch on topics such as how to decrease your chance of getting a cancer diagnosis, and the types of alternative therapies available. Admission is free, but a reservation is required for limited seating. For information, call (813) 254-2500.

Vision treatments for diabetics

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Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd., will offer a monthly diabetes support group. The next meeting is on Jan. 6 at 3 p.m. The guest speaker will be Dr. Ahad Mahootchi, board certified ophthalmologist, on the topic of how new treatments can save vision for those affected by diabetes. Admission is free. For information and to register, call (813) 715-6683.

Arthritis and joint pain

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Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd., will present “Getting Down to the Bare Bones” on Jan. 6 at 12:15 p.m. The program is for anyone experiencing arthritis, hip or knee pain. This will be an open questions-and-answer forum with Dr. Gerald Alexander III. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. For information and to make a reservation, call (877) 534-3108.

Pelvic disorder discussion

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The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, 2700 Healing Way, will host “Bellies, Bladders and Bowels…Oh My!” on Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. This will be a discussion about pelvic floor disorders that can range from incontinence to pelvic organ prolapse, and advances in treatment options. Admission is free, but reservations are required. For information, visit FloridaHospital.com/wesley-chapel/events.

Knee and hip surgery

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Dr. Randolph Knight, a Zephyrhills-based orthopedic surgeon, will give a presentation on robotic partial knee and hip surgery on Jan. 13 at 1 p.m., at the Wellness Center conference room at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd. Dr. Knight will discuss who is a candidate, what’s involved and the recovery process. Light refreshments will be served. Reservations are required. For information, call (877) 534-3108.

Heart presentation

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Florida Hospital Zephyrhills’s Creation Café will host a bingo session with a wellness presentation on heart attacks and when to call 911, on Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. There also will be cookies and coffee. Admission is free, but reservations are required. For information, call (877) 534-3108.

Health News 12/23/2015

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Health-Buchanan rgb
(Courtesy of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills)

Local responder takes Homeland Security training
Vicki Buchanan, emergency responder and a registered nurse with Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, completed training offering by the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama.

The CDP is operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and is the only federally chartered Weapons of Mass Destruction training facility in the nation.

Buchanan is a 23-year employee with the hospital and currently serves as a nursing supervisor. She has served as the hospital’s liaison with the Pasco County ESF No. 8 Healthcare Coalition, and is a member of the Medical Reserve Corps. Buchanan also leads the hospital’s Emergency Response Team.

Gulfside looking for volunteers
Gulfside Hospital is looking for volunteers. Opportunities include sitting with patients, providing spiritual care and counseling, assisting with the Pet Peace of Mind program, and helping in the administrative offices.

Thrift shop volunteers also are needed for shifts at all five stores to help with accepting and sorting donations, organizing shelves and window displays, greeting customers and running the cash register. Volunteers also are needed at Gulfside’s Centers for Hospice Care to serve meals, answer phones and greet guests.

Orientation sessions are scheduled throughout the month for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old.

For information, call (800) 561-4883.

Chamber gets ‘healthy’ at breakfast meeting
More than 80 people attended the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce breakfast in November hosted by Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. The program took place in the hospital’s CREATION Café.

Casio Jones, the hospital’s director of wellness, spoke on what it means to live CREATION healthfully. The acronym stands for choice, rest, environment, activity, trust, interpersonal relationships, outlook and nutrition. Jones touched on the fitness, spa, cooking and educational programs offered at FHZ’s Wellness Center.

To learn more about CREATION healthfully, or to get employees involved, call Jones at (813) 779-6277.

Access welcomes new doctor
Access Health Care LLC announced the addition of Dr. Anil Bhatia to its medical staff.

Bhatia is board certified in internal medicine. He received his medical degree from Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital Medical College in Indore, India.

Bhatia completed his residency in internal medicine and an internship at Flushing Hospital in New York, New York. He is the former president of Good Shepherd Medical Clinic.

Jennifer Laman gets recognition for patient care
Jennifer Laman, doctor of osteopathic medicine with Access Health Care Physicians, was recognized as a Level 2 for its Patient Centered Medical Home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

The recognition uses evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term participative relationships. The National Center for Quality Assurance will list Dr. Laman’s practice on its website with a recognition seal.

Her office is located at 13235 State Road 52 in Hudson.

Oak Hill appoints new director of emergency
Oak Hill Hospital has appointed Kimberly Loucks as director of its Emergency Care Center. This is a promotion from Loucks’ current position as ER manager.

Loucks has been a member of the Oak Hill Hospital team since 2001, working in the Emergency Care Center as a charge nurse. She also has worked deploying Meditech (information systems for health care organizations) in emergency departments throughout the country.

Loucks obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Troy University. She is nationally certified in emergency nursing, and holds certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support and completed the Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course, Trauma Nurse Core Course, Neonatal Resuscitation Program, and Advanced Certified Life Support.

Chalk Talk 12/23/2015

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Bigger Oct 2015 COM (450x295) rgbChamber honors Citizens of the Month
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce recognized these students as Citizens of the Month for October: Bryce Hewell, Academy at the Farm; Elizabeth Franklin, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Faith Quinn, Saint Anthony Catholic School; Hannah Ditomasso, Centennial Elementary; Hailey Hitts, Lacoochee Elementary; Adrian Sandoval, Pasco Elementary; Jair Pantoja, Rodney B. Cox Elementary; Logan Dyal, San Antonio Elementary; Anissa Wilson, Centennial Elementary; Juan Pablo Benavides, Pasco Middle; Diamond Diaz-Cherry, James Irvin Education Center; and Yocia Abney, Pasco High.

Chamber honors students
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce recognized these students as Citizens of the Month for November: Brock McKendree, Academy at the Farm; Daniel Rivera, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Hannah Fox, Saint Anthony Catholic School; Gabriella Philipsen, Centennial Elementary; Sophia Alvarez Martinez, Lacoochee Elementary; Jazlyn Torres Rodriguez, Pasco Elementary; Juan Serrato, Rodney B. Cox Elementary; Sadie Williams, San Antonio Elementary; William Harrison Barker, Centennial Middle; Kelly Rose, Pasco Middle; Andres Limas, James Irvin Education Center; and Diana Ryan, Pasco High.

Sen. John Legg recognized by Children’s Home
The Children’s Home Society of Florida recognized Senator John Legg as Legislator of the Year during a luncheon on Dec. 9 at Joshua House in Lutz.

Legg was honored for his leadership as an advocate for community schools. As chair of the Education Pre-K-12 Committee, Legg was instrumental in the appropriation of additional funding to expand the model throughout Florida, including future placement at Mort Elementary School in Tampa.

For information on the Children’s Home Society of Florida’s legislation priorities, visit CHSFL.org/issues.

Bright Ideas contest
Belle of the Ball Project is supporting Bright House Networks’ program, “Bright Ideas STEM from Today’s Youth,” to help youth develop into innovative entrepreneurs. In the program, students are encouraged to submit a new idea, powered by STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) that can help make the world a better place.

By entering, high school students will vie for the opportunity to compete head-to-head on TV, in front of a studio audience in Orlando. The winner will have the chance to work with a leading innovation firm.

The program is currently open and available for students ages 14 to 19. The deadline to enter is Jan. 4.

To enter, visit BrightIdeas.BrightHouse.com/.

School board meeting cancelled
The District School Board of Pasco County has cancelled the regularly scheduled Jan. 5 board meeting due to winter break.

The district is closed from Dec. 21 through Jan.4.

Magnet school offers tour
Sanders Memorial Elementary STEAM Magnet School, 5126 School Road in Land O’ Lakes, will offer a school tour on Jan. 8, to show parents and prospective students the programs and facilities.

Principal Jason Petry and staff will lead parents through each grade level area, the collaboration center, outdoor classroom areas, boardwalk, and athletic facilities. Sanders is Pasco County’s first magnet school and was designed to focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

For information, call Kristie Newsome at (813) 794-1500.

Still time to enroll for spring classes at PHSC
Currently enrolled and returning Pasco-Hernando State College students are encouraged to register for spring classes as soon as possible. Spring classes begin on Jan. 11.

New students interested in taking classes this spring should visit PHSC.edu/wise, for admissions information. The application fee is $25, with an additional $20 assessed during the late registration period, which is Jan. 11 through Jan. 15.

For more information, visit PHSC.edu., or contact the Student Development Office at a nearby PHSC location.

Thursday Musicale offers scholarships
The Thursday Musicale, a women’s choral group formed to promote music in Pasco and Hernando counties, offers scholarships to graduating high school seniors in Pasco and Hernando counties who plan to study music in college and make it a career.

The deadline to apply for a scholarship is Jan. 22. Auditions will be Feb. 2 and Feb. 9 at Trinity Presbyterian Church of Seven Springs in New Port Richey.

For applications, contact your high school career counselor and/or music director.

For information, email .

PHSC receives disability support gift
Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation received a $10,000 gift from the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation to help pay for the cost of assessment testing for students with a disability and need assistance to be successful in the classroom.

The PHSC Access to Success program is designed to help provide financial support to pay for psycho-educational testing for enrolling recent high school graduates with a learning disability, psychiatric or neurological condition, and who show a financial need.

The program also provides support to students for academic success to obtain an education, and develop work force skills that lead to employment.

For information about the Access to Success program, call (727) 816-3737.

Land O’ Lakes senior gets free ride to college
Bethashley Cajuste, a Land O’ Lakes High School International Baccalaureate Programme senior, was awarded the Questbridge National College Match Scholarship. The scholarship covers the entire cost of her college tuition, books, housing, expenses and incidentals for all four years of study.

Cajuste was chosen as one of the 657 honorees, out of 13,264 applicants.

She will attend Colby College in Augusta, Maine.