The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Health News 07/05/2023

By

AdventHealth teamed up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ operations staff for a no-cost CPR training and certification class. (Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

Learning life-saving techniques
AdventHealth provided no-cost CPR training and certification to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ operations staff, a result of NFL player Damar Hamlin’s collapse during a January game due to cardiac arrest, according to a news release. Cardiac arrest is the leading medical cause of death in young athletes.

In addition to the team’s trained medical personnel, certification training was open to all members of the Buccaneers’ operations staff, including coaches, trainers and additional staffers who may be present during a medical emergency situation.

The CPR program provides hands-on training and instruction on how to recognize the signs of cardiac arrest, perform CPR, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

“We are thrilled to work with our valued partners at AdventHealth to provide all members of our football operations staff with the opportunity to participate in this critical training that could save a life someday,” said Brian Ford, chief operating officers for the Buccaneers, in the release.

“Player safety is always our top priority, and this type of additional certified training provides us with yet another level of preparedness should an emergency situation arise in the future,” said Ford.

Water safety education
Now that summer has begun, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) encourages citizens to educate their friends and family on water safety. As the summer heat draws people toward pools, lakes and oceans, the threat of water-related incidents increases.

The PSO offers these suggestion to prevent water incidents:

  • Learn to swim
  • Know your swimming limitations
  • Know the water conditions ahead of time
  • Do not leave children unattended in or near water
  • Keep a fully charged phone and first aid kit poolside
  • Learn to perform CPR
  • Don’t swim farther than or hold your breath longer than you are able to.
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Complete a safety inspection on your boat
  • Ensure your vessel has safety equipment, including life jackets and flares
  • File a float plan before boating

Funding available to fight opioid addiction
The Pasco County Opioid Task Force is seeking applications for treatment, prevention and recovery programs aimed at serving people who are affected by the opioid crisis in Pasco County. The application period for funding has been extended through July 14. The funding available exceeds $8 million and can be used to provide opioid and substance-use disorder services in our community.

Applicants are required to watch a one of these two informational sessions before applying:

For more information, visit MyPas.co/AdvisoryBoardsCommittees.

Best Maternity Hospitals named

By

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Tampa have both been awarded on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2023, according to a news release.

(Mike Camunas)

Three data sources were used for the evaluation:

  • Nationwide online survey — health care professionals and hospital managers with knowledge about maternity processes, e.g., neonatal and perinatal doctors, nurses and midwives were asked to recommend leading maternity hospitals in the United States
  • Medical KPIs on hospitals with a focus on indicators relevant to maternity care
  • Results from patient surveys

“Having two of our Tampa Bay area hospitals on this list is a tremendous honor and validates the exceptional quality of our maternity services across AdventHealth’s West Florida Division,” said Dr. Robin McGuinness, chief nurse executive, in the release.

“It reaffirms our commitment to providing comprehensive, compassionate, and whole-person care to expectant mothers and their families. We are proud to be recognized among the top maternity hospitals in the nation,” said McGuinness.

Both facilities have a robust offering of resources for new and expecting parents, including lactation consultants and classes, labor and delivery rooms, and private postpartum rooms.

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel also was designated baby-friendly, for having the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

AdventHealth Tampa will begin an OB/GYN Residency program in Summer 2024.

Local hospital named one of the best

By

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has been named to Newsweek’s list of World’s Best Hospitals 2023, an award presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider, according to a news release.

An aerial view of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. (Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

Four data sources were used for the evaluation:

  • Hospital recommendations from medical experts — an international online survey sent to more than 80,000 doctors, hospital managers and health care professionals
  • Patient experience — survey of patient satisfaction with hospitalization
  • Patient reported outcome measures — surveys measuring patient satisfaction with hospitals
  • Hospital quality metrics — patient safety, hygiene measures, waiting times and quality of treatment

“We are honored to be on this highly recognized list. This award underscores our unwavering commitment to deliver world-class health care services to our community,” said Erik Wangsness, president and CEO AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, in the release.

“It’s also a testament to the hard work, dedication, and expertise of our committed team members and physicians,” said Wangsness.

Health News 06/07/2023

By

Connie Bladon helps to pack produce bundles for vulnerable families. (Courtesy of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel)

A beneficial collaboration
AdventHealth Wesley Chapel collaborated with Atonement Lutheran Church’s Food Pantry and Dube’s Mobile Market on May 24 in an effort to provide fresh produce to families facing food insecurity in the community.

Volunteers assembled and distributed produce bundle bags, benefiting 540 vulnerable families, according to a news release.

Atonement’s pantry currently supports more than 500 local families on a weekly basis by providing essential food items. However, due to resource limitations, fresh produce has not always been available, the release said.

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel made the decision to fund the produce donation.

“AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has been in this community for 10 years and we know health care is about more than just treating illnesses, it’s about preventing illness and supporting a healthy lifestyle. By providing nutritious food to those who don’t normally have access to fresh produce, we can help support our community in maintaining a healthy diet and reducing the risk of chronic disease,” said Connie Bladon, director of community outreach, in the release.

In support of this initiative, Nicole Dube of Dube’s Mobile Market contributed $2,000 worth of fresh produce. Dube is an active partner with multiple local food banks.

(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Pinwheels for Prevention
GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club members Gail Howard, left, and president Elayne Bassinger attended a seminar and meeting in Tampa regarding the ‘Putting Children First Pinwheels for Prevention’ campaign, which raises funds through the sale of blue pinwheels to aid groups working with children who have suffered abuse. Bikers Against Child Abuse, a club that is similarly working to raise funds to bring awareness to child abuse, also attended.

Health News 05/31/2023

By

Tom Craigshead, left, and Tom Mahoney, right, present the check to Carla Armstrong, director of philanthropy at Gulfside Hospice. (Courtesy of Gulfside Hospice)

A donation that ‘tips the scales’
The Bay Area Bassmasters presented a record-breaking donation totaling $12,710.69 to support Gulfside Hospice patients and families. The funds were raised through the fishing club’s annual Ina Mahoney Hospice Challenge, which was created in 2009 to celebrate the life of former member Ina Mahoney and to support Gulfside in gratitude for the care she received. With this year’s donations, the club has now raised nearly $65,000 in support of Gulfside Hospice.

Addressing mental health
The University of South Florida (USF) is partnering with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay due to a demand for guidance on how employers can address mental health.

The USF College of Behavioral and Community Sciences is offering a free, online course designed to help managers and employees become more well-versed in addressing mental health and its impact on their organizations.

Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace is a seven-session course that covers symptoms of some of the most common mental and behavioral disorders, how to identify behaviors that may suggest an impairment and how to approach the employee.

The course also will include information on available resources to help businesses attract and retain top talent.

A new, two-hour sessions will be released each week starting on June 12, with all sessions becoming available at the end of July. 

The course features 40 speakers from organizations and corporations across the country, such as Tampa Electric, Bealls and USAA.

The group of professionals includes executive coaches, intervention specialists and several USF faculty and staff members who have an expertise in mental health and human resources.

Registration is required, at tinyurl.com/339thefu. For more information, visit USF.edu/MHWW.

Upon completion of the course, participants have the option to earn a certificate and digital badge from the USF Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education for a $179 fee.

Gulfside donation
Gulfside Healthcare Services has announced it received a donation from the DeBartolo Family Foundation, which will support the direct services of its Family Bereavement program that provides grief and traumatic grief counseling at no cost.

“We are humbled by the generosity of the DeBartolo Family Foundation and appreciative of their support so that we may continue to strengthen our local community. This recognition from such a supportive local partner allows our organizations to work together to continue creating powerful and lasting impacts in the lives of many Pasco County and Tampa Bay area residents,” said Linda Ward, president and CEO of Gulfside, in a news release.

Health News 05/24/2023

By

New partnership
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County is partnering with Pasco County Schools to provide WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) services at The Hub, at Gulfside Elementary School in Holiday, according to a news release.

WIC is a supplemental nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding assistance, and referrals for health care and community services.

Gulfside Elementary is a Community Partnership School that provides a range of services to families through innovative partnerships with agencies and organizations in the area, such as the University of South Florida, Premier Community HealthCare, the YMCA, and the Florida Department of Health-Pasco County. Providing WIC services on a school campus is a first for Pasco County.

WIC services will be available at Gulfside, 2329 Anclote Blvd., every Wednesday. 

OB/GYN accreditation
AdventHealth Tampa has announced the accreditation of its new Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program.

The four-year training will provide a learning environment that combines robust clinical experiences, including hands-on experience, new ways of learning, and opportunities to develop professionally, according to a news release.

AdventHealth’s residency program will focus on creating a culture of learning that aligns with its mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ.

The program welcomes people from all backgrounds, encourages people to fearlessly express genuine caring, compassion and empathy, and is deeply dependent on teamwork. The curriculum is evidence-based, employing the best practices in educational theory and state-of-the-art facilities, the release said.

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program will welcome new residents on campus in Summer 2024.

Those interested must submit an application online through the Electronic Residency Application Service from the Association of American Medical Colleges, at tinyurl.com/yc3fk5wt.

Applications must be submitted by Oct. 1 to be eligible for consideration.

Patrol cars get AEDs
AdventHealth Heart of Florida is teaming up with the Haines City Police Department to provide life-saving devices to help officers respond to emergency calls, according to an AdventHealth West Florida Division news release.

The hospital is donating seven AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) to be placed in patrol cars. An AED is a medical device used when a person is in cardiac arrest — pads are placed on a person’s chest, the machine monitors the heart rhythm and, if needed, delivers an electrical shock to help reestablish a normal heart rate. An AED can be more effective than CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) alone, when used during a heart attack.

Haines City Police Chief Greg Goreck said in the release, the donation is another example of a great partnership with AdventHealth that helps serve Haines City residents.

To learn more, visit AdventHealth.com.

A step up to giddy up

By

There was no neigh about it.

Not from the horses, or from the kiddos, either.

Ten-year-old Kam Venkat, of Wesley Chapel, straps on a helmet and gets ready to ride a friendly stallion with the help of Tammy Sliger during Saddle Up for Autism on April 29, at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson. Venkat, and a handful of other kiddos with special needs, had a fun afternoon that included feeding farm animals, riding and grooming horses, and playing on the ranch compound. (Mike Camunas)

The youngsters, who have special needs, spent the afternoon on April 29 taking part in SaddleUp for Autism at Kiddy Up Ranch, in Hudson.

The event was one of various inclusive activities offered by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department during April, which is Autism Awareness Month.

Children and their parents were able to spend time on the small farm, interacting with and feeding farm animals, riding and grooming horses, including friendly painting them and just playing on the grounds on an overcast afternoon.

“I really liked riding the horse,” said 16-year-old Oliver Rice, from Oldsmar.

He recalled that he had rode on a horse when he was 3 and was scared at that time, but said he enjoyed the experience this time.

Kiddy Up Ranch staff, led by founder and owner Tammy Sliger, guided helmet-clad kiddos around on horses. In addition to helping them with the horses, Sliger also helped the children interact with bunnies, hogs, goats and other animals on the compound.

Sliger started Kiddy Up Ranch more than 12 years ago as a way to provide horse therapy to kiddos with special needs, as well as those suffering traumas, such as PTSD in veterans and those who have survived human trafficking.

“The number of people suffering human trafficking in this county keeps growing,” Sliger said. “Horse therapy really helps them and these kids with special needs.”

Saddle Up For Autism was the final inclusive activity the parks department put on in April, following the Adaptive Sports Day at Wesley Chapel District Park and the “At Bat 4 Autism” Home Run Derby at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

Senior Recreation Coordinator Kimberly Miller runs these inclusive activities through the department’s Pasco Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation (P.A.I.R) program, which provides active events and activities for those with disabilities. 

For more information on Kiddy Up Ranch, call 727-868-5433. For more information on P.A.I.R, visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Published May 17, 2023

Nine-year-old Daniel Sosa, of Riverview, straps on a helmet and gets ready to ride a friendly stallion with the help of staff at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson on April 29 during Saddle Up For Autism.
Chas Sahadi, a 3-year-old from Wesley Chapel, initially was wary about taking a horseback ride at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson. But he gradually warmed up to the adventure during Saddle Up For Autism, an event put on by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department on April 29.
Tampa resident Elisa Sisk, left, laughs with her 6-year-old son, Oliver, as he feeds a goat at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson on April 29.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five-year-old Lucas Aguiar, of Wesley Chapel, takes his time and paints the side of a very patient horse at the Saddle Up For Autism, on April 29.
Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Senior Recreation Coordinator Kimberly Miller snaps a pic of Oliver Sisk as he eagerly is ready for a guided horseback ride at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson.
A horse named Sugar tries to grab a peak over her stall at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wesley Chapel youngster Kason Devries flashes a smile during Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson.
Oliver Rice, 16, of Oldsmar, wasn’t so sure he wanted to go for a ride during Saddle Up For Autism, but ultimately, he enjoyed the experience and other activities at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson.
Local youngsters with special needs had a fun afternoon riding horses at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson, which has provided horse therapy for those with special needs and also for suffering traumas, such as PTSD in veterans and survivors of human trafficking.
Land O’ Lakes resident Andrew Perry holds onto his son, Jaxton, 8, during the Saddle Up For Autism.

New Zephyrhills VA clinic ready to help veterans

By

The road was long and sometimes uncertain, but after nearly four years, the new Zephyrhills Veterans Clinic is finally open.

Ground was broken for the $16 million clinic on June 7, 2019. But after the long wait, the new clinic marked its opening with a celebration on the morning of May 6.

Government officials, veterans and well-wishers gathered to welcome the new 14,000-square-foot facility, at 37827 Eiland Blvd.

The Zephyrhills Veterans Clinic, at 37827 Eiland Blvd., is now open, after nearly four years in the making. Government officials, veterans and well-wishers turned out for the May 6 ceremony, where they had a chance to tour the $16 million facility. (Mike Camunas)

It’s one of 16 clinics operated by James A. Haley Veterans Hospital (JAHVH) and will help address the health needs of veterans in Zephyrhills, the largest municipality in Pasco County.

“This facility will have all the stops under one roof for convenience,” JAHVH Director David Dunning said. “We believe in the qualities of the upgrades at this location in Zephyrhills, which was very much needed, and we will continue to provide our hallmark treatment and services known with the Veterans Hospital.”

The clinic is designed to accommodate people with disabilities and will offer new services such as podiatry and physical therapy.

Additional services it will provide include hearing aid repair, social work, food and nutrition and tele-health. Each patient will have an assigned patient-aligned care team that will consist of a physician, nurse, social worker and a mental health provider.

Patients needing surgeries and extensive therapy will be referred to the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital for those services.

Ten rooms will be used for primary care. Six rooms are devoted to mental health treatment, which aligns with the VA’s efforts to provide improved access to psychiatric care services.

People who need care but lack transportation will be able to take advantage of a service that provides free rides to appointments.

“I’m excited about the new clinic because it’s going to enhance the patient experience for our veterans,” Dr. Scott Knoeppel, chief medical officer of Zephyrhills Community Based Outpatient Clinic, said in a statement in January to The Laker/Lutz News. “The new clinic will be nearly triple in size, so we now have the capacity to add some high-demand specialty care services, such as physical therapy, podiatry and hearing aid repair.

A large physical therapy room will be used to provide services at the Zephyrhills VA clinic.

“Additionally, our mental health providers will be seeing patients in the new building, as well. Offering these services in one building will be of convenience to our veterans. Lastly, we will be expanding parking capacity, which had been a challenge at the previous location.”

The clinic’s construction was finished in late 2022, but supply chain issues delayed the opening.

Additionally, the Tampa VA had an unprecedented amount of construction activities occurring at the same time, swamping officials with a logjam of projects.

The main hospital unveiled a Bed Tower of 240,000 square feet and 150 beds on Jan. 21, the VA clinic in New Port Richey expanded to serve up to 24,000 veterans and Lakeland broke ground on a new 93,000-square-foot facility in April 2022.

Now, services at the Zephyrhills clinic will get underway led by a staff of more than 50 medical professionals.

David Issacks, director of Veterans Integrated Services Network 8, said the importance of the new clinic and its services are invaluable. 

“With everything and all the services we provide under one roof, people will walk through the doors of this great facility and always reflect on every veteran that served and made a facility like this, that is for them, possible.”

Published May 17, 2023

Health New 05/17/2023

By

Capt. Toni Roach (Courtesy of Pasco Sheriff’s Office)

Officer is Woman of the Year
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) announced that Capt. Toni Roach, who oversees PSO’s Behavioral Health Intervention Team (BHIT), was selected as Tampa Bay Business and Wealth Magazine’s Tampa Bay Business Woman of the Year for 2023 in the Military and First Responder category.

The BHIT works to connect individuals who are frequent users of emergency services due to mental health or substance-use conditions with community-based services.

Capt. Roach also oversees Crisis Intervention Training for PSO deputies, which provides the officers with skills they can use on a call for service to help those experiencing a crisis.

Read more about the award, at tinyurl.com/y5bv87uv.

Nurses Week
AdventHealth celebrated Nurses Week (May 6 to May 12) with a variety of events and activities to recognize nurses’ roles in health care, and to give them an opportunity to relax, rejuvenate and feel appreciated. This year, the theme was “Nurses Make a Difference: Anytime, Anywhere – Always.”

Events included educational seminars, appreciation luncheons, massages, ice cream socials, pet therapy, games, food trucks, and more.

AdventHealth is committed to investing in its nurses and providing them with the resources and support they need to fulfill their professional and personal goals, including opportunities with AdventHealth University. Nurses are encouraged to continue their education and pursue advanced degrees, certifications, and other professional development programs.

For more information, visit AdventHealth.com.

Mental Health Month
NAMI Pasco County (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month with these events:

Upcoming awareness weeks/days include: 

  • Mental Health Action Day, May 18
  • National EMS Awareness Week, May 21 to May 27
  • World Schizophrenia Awareness Day, May 24

For more information, follow NAMI Pasco on Facebook, or visit NAMIPasco.org.

Hospitals earn an A
Two area hospitals have earned an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, according to a news release.

This national distinction recognizes a hospital’s achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error in the hospital.

The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.

Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

HCA Florida Trinity Hospital, 9330 State Road 54 in Trinity, received the top safety grade.

“We are grateful to again receive this recognition,” said Mike Irvin, CEO of HCA Florida Trinity Hospital, in a news release.

“This recognizes all of the efforts our physicians and caregivers do every day to provide a safe environment for our patients,” said Irvin.

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, 4211 Van Dyke Road, Lutz, also was awarded an A.

The hospital’s president, Sara Dodds, stated in a news release, “…Patient safety is the highest of our priorities and goals. Each team member and medical staff member takes ownership of their patient care responsibilities as it relates to safety. Patients and visitors to our hospital can be assured we have taken exhaustive measures to provide quality and safe care. These consecutive grades of ‘A’ are indicators of that.”

To see the hospital’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.

Health News 05/10/2023

By

City Hall (Courtesy of Tampa Bay Thrives)

A campaign for mental health care
Tampa Bay Thrives kicked off Mental Health Awareness Month by unveiling a campaign featuring residents across the region who are sharing their stories of mental health, according to a news release.

The campaign, “If you know, you know” (IYKYK), builds upon the social media hashtag that speaks to those who have shared or lived experience.

To show its support, the City of Tampa illuminated city bridges and landmarks in green, the official color of mental health awareness, from May 1 to May 8.

Hillsborough, Manatee and Pinellas County governments all recently passed resolutions to light up the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in green from May 21 to May 28.

Tampa Bay Thrives also will launch a video featuring the stories of four Tampa Bay residents who share the struggles that led them to slip into various stages of depression. They also talk about seeking therapy, receiving support from loved ones, and finding outlets that lifted them from darkness, the release said. A new website shares resources and highlights additional stories from across four counties, too. 

Thrives also offers confidential support for mental health through its free Let’s Talk line, to help callers figure out what support they might need for their mental health. This service includes: short-term telehealth bridge counseling; an appointment at a local AdventHealth Express Care at Walgreens; a referral to a licensed counselor at Tampa General’s Urgent Care; a connection to a licensed clinical social worker at Northside Behavioral Health Center. All these options are available by calling Let’s Talk at 844-YOU-OKAY.

For additional information, visit TampaBayThrives.org.

Mental Health Month
NAMI Pasco County (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month with these events:

Upcoming awareness weeks/days include: 

  • Children’s Mental Health Week, May 7 to May 13; Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, May 11
  • Brain Injury Awareness Week starts May 11
  • National Women’s Health Week starts May 14
  • Mental Health Action Day, May 18
  • National EMS Awareness Week, May 21 to May 27
  • World Schizophrenia Awareness Day, May 24

For more information, follow NAMI Pasco on Facebook, or visit NAMIPasco.org.

Promoting awareness
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club promoted awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Month and sold blue pinwheels at all of its April club meetings, the funds of which were donated to social services working with child victims of abuse. GFWC members Gail Howard and Roseann Lange planted a large garden of pinwheels at the Historic Old Lutz School to draw community attention to the issue. Club members also displayed the pinwheels in their gardens and yards.

Honorary membership
Trainers at the AdventHealth Wellness Center Wesley Chapel honored 100-year-old veteran Roy Caldwood with an honorary membership in recognition of his dedication to health and wellness, according to a news release.

Caldwood, a retired World War II U.S. Army Buffalo soldier, began his fitness journey last summer, after his wife passed away. He works out regularly at the center and his home gym to keep himself fit.

Caldwood says the key is to keep moving, and he’s “not ready for the rocking chair just yet,” the release said.

“We are honored to have Roy as a member of our wellness center,” said Erik Wangsness, president and CEO of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, in the release. “His dedication to health and wellness as a centenarian is an inspiration to us all! We are grateful for his service to our country and are proud to be able to help him achieve his fitness goals,” said Wangsness.

Hospital promotion
HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital has promoted Marcus Smith to vice president of operations, where he will ensure the development and implementation of effective operations systems to meet current and future needs at the 320-bed acute care hospital.

Now in his fifth year at HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital, Smith has served as its manager of facilities, director of facilities management, and most recently as assistant administrator.