The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report

Safe Haven saves its 393rd baby

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A Safe Haven for Newborns is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Florida dedicated to ending infant abandonment and recently recorded its 393rd baby saved, according to a news release.

In its 23-year partnership with hospitals, fire stations and EMS, Safe Haven is making a positive impact and saving two lives: the mother’s and the infant’s.

All services are provided at no cost to the expectant mother while protecting her right to privacy.

Safe Haven’s current statistics include:

  • 393 A Safe Haven for Newborns babies saved since July 2000
  • 300+ newborns not abandoned in Florida, left at Safe Haven (Fire/EMS and hospitals)
  • Over 6,000 girls/women assisted in their time of need or crisis
  • 72 mothers, their anonymity not a concern, choose to place their baby directly with a licensed adoption agency
  • Six parents were helped to successfully regain their parental rights
  • Nine newborns saved from abandonment in other states and one newborn saved in the country of Honduras

To learn more about Safe Haven for Newborns’ mission, visit ASafeHavenForNewborns.com.

Hospital receives excellence award

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HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital was recognized as a 2024 Patient Safety Excellence Award recipient by Healthgrades, the leading resource consumers use to find a hospital or doctor, according to a news release.

Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted complication and mortality rates for approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to determine this year’s top-performing hospitals for patient safety.

The organization revealed that patients treated in hospitals receiving this award have a significantly lower chance of experiencing one of the four leading safety indicators than patients treated at non-recipient hospitals, the release says.

These indicators include:

  • In-hospital fall resulting in fracture (approximately 52% less likely)
  • Collapsed lung due to a procedure or surgery in or around the chest (about 56% less likely)
  • Pressure sores or bed sores acquired in the hospital (about 67% less likely)
  • Catheter-related bloodstream infections acquired in the hospital (about 71% less likely)

“HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital has cultivated an outstanding safety culture that prioritizes the well-being of both patients and staff, setting a high standard for patient safety nationwide,” said Dr. Brad Bowman, chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades, in the release.

Emergency care gets boost with new helicopter

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AdventHealth West Florida Division launched AdventHealth AirStar 1, a cutting-edge medical helicopter, on March 4, according to a news release.

The helicopter is set to redefine the landscape of patient transfers within the Tampa Bay region and will serve all 13 AdventHealth West Florida Division hospitals, the release says.

The state-of-the-art twin-engine Airbus H135 P3H will be stationed at the Lakeland Linder International Airport, strategically positioned to serve AdventHealth West and Central Florida Divisions.

AirStar will be operated by a team of 12 highly trained medical professionals, including registered flight nurses and certified flight paramedics. Dr. Fredrick Yonteck, a board-certified emergency medicine physician, will serve as the medical director of the flight program, and Dr. Michael Longley, chief medical officer of AdvenHealth North Pinellas, will oversee the division’s patient transfer center.

The aircraft, which is essentially a flying Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will be operational 24/7, 365 days a year, equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation and safety features to guarantee the highest standards of medical transport.

AirStar also will be on standby for community 911 responses, providing rapid medical assistance for trauma, stroke and cardiac alert patients across multiple surrounding counties.

Our Favorite Tampa Bay Summer Camps for 2023

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Calling out all parents!

Summer is just around the corner, and it’s time to start thinking about how your kids will be spending their time during the break. Luckily, Tampa Bay is home to some of the best summer camps around, offering everything from sports and outdoor adventures to academic activities. To help you make the most of your child’s summer, we’ve compiled a list of the top 4 local summer camps to check out for 2023.

Camping at the Creek

Cypress Creek Middle School is offering its annual “Camping at the Creek” basketball camps for students entering 5th grade through 10th grade. Students will receive instruction on ball handling, shooting, and basketball fundamentals. They’ll also have the opportunity to compete against other campers in games and scrimmages. This is a great opportunity for students, who are interested in pursuing basketball in middle or high school, to gain some valuable exposure and experience.

Camp dates are Monday June 5 – Thursday June 8 and Monday June 12 – Thursday June 15. Camp times are 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. The camp cost is $100 each week. Checks can be made out to CCMS (Cypress Creek Middle School) and delivered to the school office prior to the beginning of camp.  Current CCMS students may pay using Rycor. Completed registration forms must be submitted prior to attending. Send all forms and requests for further information to: .  Cypress Creek Middle School is located at 8845 Old Pasco Rd, Wesley Chapel.

Snacks/lunch will be available for purchase.

Click here to access camp registration form

8845 Old Pasco Road
Wesley Chapel, FL  33544
(813) 346-4600
https://ccms.pasco.k12.fl.us/

 

The After School Scholar

For those who are looking to keep their children engaged during the summer, The After School Scholar Summer Camp is a great choice. Participants will receive individualized instruction to master academic concepts, enjoy daily outdoor activities, and take weekly educational field trips in a fun atmosphere.

There will be a new summer camp theme every week as part of the S.T.E.A.M. curriculum and outdoor play time every day to help young minds grow while having fun, all summer long!

Week long camps are available in age groups 5-8 years and 9-13 years.

The camp will run from May 29th until August 6th, from 10AM until 4PM.

Read more on The After School Scholar Summer Camp webpage and sign up by calling (813) 690-2071 or email .

2418 Raden Drive
Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639
(813) 690-2071
https://theafterschoolscholar.com/

 

Summer Camp at the Tampa Y

At the Tampa YMCA Summer Camp, kids aged 6 to 15 years old can explore a wide variety of activities each day in a safe, fun environment that provides the opportunity to build lifelong friendships and make memories to last long after summer ends.

Activities include swimming, science, arts/crafts, nature education, games, team building and more!

Tampa YMCA Summer Camp offers campers the opportunity to try something new while they build character through activities based on the Y Core Values: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. It’s also important to mention that Tampa YMCA Summer Camps are ACA-Accredited and have high standards for program quality, safety and operations.

Summer Camp programs run 9AM to 4PM, Mondays-Fridays, from May 30th until August 4th in 12 locations around Tampa.

Details on location, pricing and registration can be found on the Tampa YMCA website.

110 E. Oak Ave
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 224-9622
https://www.tampaymca.org/

 

Summer at Mathnasium

The expression “use it or lose it” applies to math knowledge, too. On average, students lose 2.6 months of what they’ve learned in math class over summer break. Summer at Mathnasium is the answer to help your kids retain, expand, and apply their STEM knowledge all summer long!  The program activities revolve around legos, algebra, geometry and robotics.

Mathnasium can help kids of all ages to retain their math knowledge, gain an advantage for the coming school year and apply math in fun and engaging ways

Contact the center at (813) 590-0641 for more details and start by scheduling a free assessment.

28652 FL-54
Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
(813) 590-0641
https://www.mathnasium.com/summer-math-programs

 

SF MOMA: Pioneering Artist Joan Brown to be Featured

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Joan Brown was a pioneering artist of the Bay Area Figurative Movement and a leader of the 20th century American avant-garde. Born in 1938 in San Francisco, she developed a distinctive style of painting that fused figuration, abstract expressionism, and occasionally surrealist elements. Her works often featured female figures and animals, rendered in thick paint and vibrant colors. Brown’s paintings and sculptures have been exhibited in numerous art institutions, from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. She also served as a professor at the California College of Arts and Crafts, inspiring the next generation of artists. Joan Brown’s work has left an indelible mark on the American art landscape, and serves as an enduring testament to her artistic vision.

Brown’s art is currently on display at SFMOMA. Read more about her work and the exhibit on our sister site, the Marina Times, here.