Special to The Laker/Lutz News

TAMPA – Twelve University of South Florida students pursuing degrees in Exceptional Student Education gained teaching experience while helping children with learning disabilities at Pepin Academies.

The four-week Summer Institute wrapped up recently, giving both groups a chance to learn and grow. 

Pepin Academies students in grades 3 to 12 received individualized support from aspiring special education teachers, while USF students applied what they are learning in their coursework to a classroom environment.

“This has been great. It’s been nothing I could have prepared myself for,” USF student Solee Boutilier said. “I think this is the kind of thing where you can read about it in a textbook, but you’re not going to understand it until you’re in the classroom. So, this has been awesome.”

Boutilier said her time in the classroom deepened her understanding of teaching.

“It’s made me more appreciative of my teachers because, wow, there is a lot that goes into it,” she said. “Being able to adapt what students need into every single lesson… I feel very grateful for all my teachers growing up.”

Learning alongside future educators gave Pepin Academies students encouragement and extra support as they prepare for the upcoming school year.

“I feel that they want us to learn more and be ready for a new grade, a new level,” said Pepin Academies student Savannah McGowan, an incoming sixth grader. “They made it fun and treated you with respect. If something was hard for us, they would find a way to help us understand it in our way.”

USF student Maya Moneze said the experience has reshaped how she approaches instruction and lesson planning.

“I took what they know and enjoy and morphed it into our daily routine,” Moneze said. “We learned through games, so everything I taught used activities that engaged them. I changed my lesson plans at least three times a day based on comments they told me, and that’s been a really big part – being able to adapt to their needs.”

The Summer Institute concluded with a student showcase featuring performances created in partnership with Arts4All Florida, a USF-affiliated arts education program. Students spent part of the summer working with dance, music and visual arts instructors to develop an original production celebrating America’s 250th birthday and the nation’s diverse cultures and traditions.

 

CLEARWATER – Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside celebrated the Honrado, Soto and Unterberger families as they received the keys to their new Habitat homes June 18 at the Grove in St. Petersburg. 

St. Petersburg Councilman Corey Givens Jr. presented each family with a Bible. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch officially welcomed the families to their new community.

“This is what progress looks like in our city when we work together with focus and intentionality,” Welch said. “I want to thank Mike Sutton (Habitat president and CEO), the Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside team, all the board members, volunteers, community partners and everyone who played a role in making this possible. To the Honrado, Soto and Unterberger families, we extend our warmest congratulations. Today marks a new chapter, and we could not be happier for you.”

Jazhel Honrado addressed the crowd on behalf of the new homeowners. 

“We’d like to first thank Habitat. Everyone here was integral in making this a reality,” Honrado said. “We can’t express enough how much this means to us. We are forever grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We are blessed, honored and proud to be a part of this community.”

• AdventHealth Carrollwood 001/002: Bob Rohrlack, of the Tampa Bay Chamber, moderates a community conversation on AdventHealth Carrollwood’s investment in the community. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth
• AdventHealth Carrollwood 003: Malee Brookbank, a Hillsborough County teacher, shared how team members at AdventHealth Carrollwood helped save her from cardiac arrest. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth
• AdventHealth Carrollwood 004: Clinical team members learned about the impact of this expansion, from what it means for patients, to how it will help them provide whole-person care to the community. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth
• AdventHealth Carrollwood 005: From left: David Ottati, president and CEO of AdventHealth West Florida; state Rep. Susan Valdes; Joe Johnson, president and CEO of AdventHealth Carrollwood; Bob Rohrlack, Tampa Bay Chamber president; and state Sen. Brian Nathan. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth
• AdventHealth Carrollwood Expansion Project Rendering. Rendering courtesy of HuntonBrady
• AdventHealth Carrollwood Expansion Project Rendering. Rendering courtesy of HuntonBrady
• AdventHealth Carrollwood Expansion Project Rendering. Rendering courtesy of HuntonBrady
• AdventHealth Carrollwood Expansion Project Rendering – New Parking Garage. Rendering courtesy of HuntonBrady

 

TAMPA – AdventHealth Carrollwood will soon begin construction on an expansion with a new six-story patient tower, increased inpatient capacity and enhanced surgical and specialty services. 

AdventHealth said the expansion will create a more seamless experience for patients while preparing the hospital for continued growth across the Tampa Bay region.

The project includes:

• Expanded surgical support areas, including pre-operative and recovery capacity
• A new cardiac catheterization/electrophysiology lab
• A new parking garage to improve hospital campus access
• Flexible space for future clinical and support services
• Additional space reserved to support future bed expansion

More than 300,000 residents live within a short distance of the hospital. Demand for complex and inpatient care has steadily increased, according to AdventHealth, with many patients traveling outside the area for higher-acuity services.

During a community conversation on June 18, physicians, patients and leaders shared how this expansion will not only improve coordination across the AdventHealth network, but also meet the growing demand for specialized healthcare services in Carrollwood.

“We are honored to serve a community that continues to grow and evolve,” said Joe Johnson, president and CEO of AdventHealth Carrollwood. “This expansion represents our commitment to caring for our neighbors – body, mind and spirit – bringing more complex care closer to where they live and work. It allows us to continue extending the healing ministry of Christ while improving access, convenience and the overall patient experience.”

Construction is set to begin soon. The parking garage is expected to open ahead of the tower, which is projected to welcome patients in 2029.

 

Race car driver reunited with people who saved his life 

SEBRING – Porsche GT3 Cup driver Scott Vanacore is crediting first responders and AdventHealth Sebring staff with saving his life after suffering a heart attack at Sebring International Raceway.

Vanacore was rushed to the hospital after experiencing chest pain, where his condition worsened and his heart stopped multiple times before being stabilized. Paramedics urged him on.

“I remember getting light-headed and I remember starting to fade away and I remember them saying ‘Scott, stay with us. Stay with us.’ and ‘Scott, you need to fight. You need to fight for your life,” Vanacore said.

Doctors performed emergency procedures and placed stents to stabilize him.

“The care I got, the professionalism was amazing, and I say that with all my heart,” Vanacore said.

Vanacore later reunited with his care team and now hopes to return to racing.

 

AdventHealth Polk Foundation launches pickleball tourney 

DAVENPORT – Registration is open for the inaugural AdventHealth Polk Foundation Paddles for a Purpose Pickleball Classic, set for April 10 at The Courts of Gary and Dr. Naomi Boyer in Polk City.

The event will raise money for 3D mammography equipment at AdventHealth Heart of Florida, expanding access to breast cancer screening.

“This event is about coming together as a community to make a real difference in the lives of those who call this area home,” Executive Director Leigh Ann Wynn said. 

The tournament will feature doubles play with divisions based on skill level, along with a “Play with a Pro” session following competition.

Proceeds will support early detection efforts in Polk County.

 

BayCare opens urgent care in Plant City

CLEARWATER – BayCare has opened a new urgent care center in Plant City, expanding access to non-emergency and occupational health services.

BayCare Urgent Care will treat adults and children ages 6 months and older in the Ed and Myrtle Lou Swindle Medical Arts Center, 1601 W. Timberlane Drive.

“Urgent care plays a vital role in meeting growing community demand for timely, convenient care,” said C. Todd Jones, BayCare’s chief strategy officer and chief ambulatory services officer.

The facility will provide treatment for minor illnesses and injuries, physicals and occupational health services. It will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends.

This marks BayCare’s first urgent care location in Plant City.

 

Dyachim named VP of mission, ethics

CLEARWATER – Dr. Jojo Dyachim has been named vice president of mission and ethics for BayCare Health System.

He previously served as director of the department and will succeed Colleen Walters, who is retiring in April.

Dyachim joined BayCare in 2017 as a chaplain at St. Joseph’s Hospital and later served as spiritual care manager at St. Anthony’s Hospital before becoming systemwide director of missions and ethics in 2023.

“I am excited to advance our mission and ethics services, keeping us grounded in our mission as BayCare continues to grow and evolve, as well as promoting the moral agency of our clinicians and team members, upholding high ethical standards across the continuum of care, and fostering the conditions for human flourishing for the communities we are privileged to serve,” Dyachim said. 

 

VanMeter appoints executive director of Bay Pines VA

BAY PINES – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has appointed David J. VanMeter as executive director of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System.

The system serves about 111,000 veterans annually and includes nine sites of care and more than 5,100 employees.

“His proven leadership qualities and experience will be an asset for the facility, the employees and volunteers, and most importantly, for the veterans we are honored to serve,” said David Dunning, acting VISN 8 director.

VanMeter previously served as deputy medical center director at the Tampa VA Healthcare System and has more than 20 years of experience with the VA.

 

Get answers on Medicare

ST. PETERSBURG – SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco & Pinellas.

Specially trained volunteers can assist with Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information.

They’ll answer questions at the following programs: 

• Medicare Basics: April 2, 10 a.m. at New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey. 727-853-1279
• Medicare Financial Assistance: April 9, 10 a.m. at Genesis Center, 38112 15th Ave., Zephyrhills. 813-782-7859
• Medicare Basics: April 16, 10:30 a.m. at New River Library, 34043 FL-54, Wesley Chapel. 813-788-6375
• Medicare Basics: April 18, 10 a.m. at Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes. 813-929-1214
• Medicare Basics: April 23, 10:30 a.m. at Hugh Embry Library, 14215 4th St., Dade City. 352-567-3576

SHINE services are free, unbiased and confidential. Counselors do not sell anything. They can be reached by calling 1-800-963-5337 or 727-217-8111.