The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Hillsborough consolidates COVID-19 services

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Hillsborough County has consolidated its COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, booster shots and antibody therapy treatment to a single location.

The change became effect on Nov. 27, according to a county news release.

The West Tampa Community Resource Center, 2103 N. Rome Ave., Tampa, is now the only public site supported by Hillsborough County.

It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. It offers free COVID-19 testing, adult and Pfizer pediatric vaccinations, Pfizer booster shots for those who are eligible, and antibody therapy treatment. Appointments are not required.

Proof of medical insurance is recommended and should be presented at the time of the visit, however those without medical insurance still will be tested, vaccinated, or receive antibody therapy treatment for free.

Children ages 5 to 11 who are accompanied by their parent or legal guardian can receive the COVID-19 Pfizer pediatric vaccine at the site. The child must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to verbally confirm the child’s age.

Residents that would like to make an appointment are encouraged to visit patientportalfl.com or call 844-770-8548 for assistance.

Visit HCFLGov.net/COVID19 or Vaccines.gov  to locate pharmacies and other sites offering COVID-19 vaccinations.

For more information on COVID-19, and any other potential emergency in the county, visit HCFLGov.net/StaySafe and sign up for the HCFL Alert system.

Published December 01, 2021

Fasano Center stops monoclonal antibody treatments

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The Fasano Center has stopped providing monoclonal antibody therapy, but there are number of other sites in the county that are providing the treatment.

The Fasano Center ceased the state-supported therapy on Nov. 27, according to a news release from the Department of Health-Pasco County.

Other sites that are delivering the treatment are:

  • AdventHealth Dade City, 13100 Fort King Road, Dade City
  • Medical Center Of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, Suite 401, Trinity
  • AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, 2600 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Wesley Chapel
  • Morton Plant North Bay Hospital, 6600 Madison St., Port Richey
  • AdventHealth Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills

Monoclonal antibodies  help the immune system to recognize and to respond effectively to the COVID-19 virus, according to the health department.

Monoclonal antibody therapy treatment is for individuals who have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19. Monoclonal antibody therapy treatment can prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death in high-risk patients who have contracted COVID-19.

Specifically, it:

  • Reduces the risk of death/hospitalization by 70% to 85%
  • Reduces the risk of developing symptomatic disease by over 80%

The Florida Department of Health will continue to allocate doses of monoclonal antibodies to health care providers with high utilization rates and will ensure inventory levels meet county demand, according to a news release from the health department.

Monoclonal antibody therapy treatment locations can be found at FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov and by using the National Infusion Center Association’s treatment locator.

Published December 01, 2021

Health News 12/01/2021

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The Medical Center of Trinity Behavioral Health Program team was awarded the Office of the Year from Pasco NAMI. (Courtesy of HCA Healthcare)

Hospital garners Pasco NAMI award
NAMI Pasco, an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), announced its 2021 Heroes of Hope Awards recipients.

The awards celebrate community members and organizations that are making an impact on mental health support in Pasco County, in the midst of the ever-increasing demand for mental health services, according to a news release.

Now in its second year, the awards program “honors those in the community who have gone above and beyond to help community members get the care and support that they need for their or a loved one’s mental health,” in 12 different categories, the release says.

The Medical Center of Trinity Behavioral Health Program was honored as the Office of the Year.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our team of caregivers and the strong programs and therapy they provide to our patients,” said Kevin Sullivan, director of behavioral health sciences, in the release.

“Their compassion and expertise working with the mental health community make a difference.”

Students & mental health
A recent Intelligent.com survey found that eight in 10 Americans support giving college students with mental health issues accommodations such as extra absences, extended deadlines, and more time to take exams, according to a news release.

Additional findings include:

  • 86% of Americans who support these accommodations say mental health challenges can make it more difficult to perform to the best of one’s ability
  • The plurality of Americans say depression is the No. 1 mental health condition that should qualify students for accommodations
  • 54% of Americans who don’t think students with mental health issues should get special accommodations say it’s because students must learn to cope

To read the full article, visit tinyurl.com/ywn7248n.

Health News 11/24/2021

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The TransCarotid Artery Revascularizations (TCAR) team at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, in Lutz. (Courtesy of BayCare)

Innovative procedure debuts
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North is performing TransCarotid Artery Revascularizations (TCAR), an innovative surgical procedure that is less-invasive for patients with carotid artery disease, according to a news release.

Carotid arteries are the blood vessels on the side of the neck. The disease happens when fatty, waxy buildups clog these arteries. The buildup can restrict blood flow to the brain.

Any repair of the carotid artery carries some stroke risk during the procedure itself. TCAR is specifically designed to help minimize stroke risk by keeping potential stroke particles away from the brain during the procedure.

TCAR is considered an excellent alternative to the carotid endarterectomy, another type of carotid artery surgery, the release says.

“TCAR is not as high risk for stroke; it is a newer platform for major surgery,” said Alicia Allen, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North manager of interventional services, in the release.
Dr. Brandt Jones, a vascular surgeon who performed the first several TCARs at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, points out other advantages in addition to a lesser chance of stroke.

“It can also prevent injury to nerves, complications related to post-surgical swelling and there is less of a risk for cardiovascular side effects,” Dr. Jones said, in the release.

“The surgery is also more cosmetically appealing. The incision is significantly smaller and that can make a big difference for some people.”

TCAR also can reduce the time required to perform the procedure and the amount of time a patient needs to spend recovering in the hospital.

Learn more about TCAR at tinyurl.com/2rrd76fh.

Crisis Center grant
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has been awarded a $50,000 grant from USAA to support community paramedicine and care coordination services for veterans in Tampa, according to a news release.

Veterans participating in the program can receive one-on-one support from a paramedic for ongoing medical issues, while also working with a care coordinator to get information for situational and behavioral health concerns.

The Crisis Center also operates the Florida Veterans Support Line, where veterans can receive support and links to community resources from a veteran peer.

“We are incredibly appreciative of USAA’s ongoing support of the Crisis Center’s mission. Over the years, they have provided funding for several programs within the Crisis Center. We are excited to see the impact that combining these two services could potentially have on veterans throughout our community,” said Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, in the release.

Veterans and their family members interested in learning more about the program or about receiving help can call the support line at 1-844-MyFLVet (693-5838).

Resource list
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office has compiled community-based resources on its website to help serve its citizens, according to a news release.

Resources are available for a variety of challenges that citizens may encounter, including mental health issues, houselessness, suicidal thoughts, and more.

The list was developed to give those seeking assistance a place to start when they may not know how.

To see the resources, visit PascoSheriff.com/MentalHealth.html.

Hospice proclamation

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From left: Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller; Comisssioner Mike Moore; Linda Ward, president & CEO of Gulfside; Commission Chair Ron Oakley; Kirsty Churchill, director of public relations for Gulfside; and Commissioner Jack Mariano. (Courtesy of Gulfside Healthcare Services)

The Pasco County Commission at its Nov. 9 meeting proclaimed the month of November National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, and commended the staff from Gulfside Healthcare Services for their compassionate care to the residents of Pasco County, according to a news release.

“We are so grateful to have been able to provide quality care to those who need it in Pasco County for the last 32 years,” said Linda Ward, Gulfside president & CEO, in the release.

“Our team has bravely pioneered the challenging times and never wavered from our mission of providing quality, compassionate care to everyone who needs it, regardless of their financial situation,” said Ward.

In celebration of National Hospice & Palliative Care Month, Gulfside is offering complimentary copies of Five Wishes, an easy-to-use tool with advance directives and planning information prior to becoming seriously ill.

To receive a free copy, contact the Public Relations Department at or 800-561-4883.

A real ‘goal-getter’

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(Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

Jennifer Koszewnik, Pasco County teacher and mother of two, was honored by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at a recent game as the AdventHealth Goal Getter of the Game. Koszewnik, during the pandemic, was diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing treatment. She and her husband enjoyed the full Bucs experience, and Jennifer was recognized during the game, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Making strides, against breast cancer

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club volunteered, as they traditionally do, at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at The Shops of Wiregrass. The club also manned an information booth and dispensed water to the walkers, as did its affiliate club, the GFWC Little Women of Lutz. The women dressed in shades of pink embellished with attention-getting headgear, tutus and boas. Members Linda Mitchell (Chair) & Debbie Cardona.

Health News 11/03/2021

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(Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office)

Boot drive garners over $2,800 for MDA
The five Pasco County Tax Collector’s offices in September accepted donations on behalf of the Firefighters Charities of Pasco’s Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Boot Drive. Breaking with the tradition of firefighters standing on street corners, the tax collector offices instead served as donation sites for those wanting to support the cause. This year, staff and customers raised $2,808.13 to help the MDA fund its 150 research projects around the world. Boot drive coordinator Sean Messer and fellow firefighters joined Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano and members of the tax collector’s staff to deliver the donation.

Breast cancer donation
The Watson Clinic Foundation (WCF) presented a check in the amount of $100,000 to the Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida (BCFCF), an organization the provides financial resources and support to individuals and families impacted by breast cancer.

The WCF in 2019 committed to donating three $100,000 checks to the BCFCF over the course of three years, for a grand total of $300,000. This is the third installment of its donation.

“By easing the psychological and emotional burdens faced by patients and family members following a cancer diagnosis, the BCFCF creates an environment for the patient that’s free from unnecessary stress and more conducive to healing,” said WCF chairman of the board Dr. Steven G. Achinger, in a news release.

“Their goals fall right in line with the foundation’s mission to improve the health of our community through education, research and service, and that’s why we’re proud to support their efforts,” said Dr. Achinger.

For more information or to make a contribution, call 863-904-2656, or visit WatsonClinic.com/WCF.

Rotary Club donates $7,500 to Gulfside Hospice

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The Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes has donated $7,500 to Gulfside Hospice representing proceeds from the Oct. 2 Bands ‘N Brews festival held at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.

Terri Dusek, who chaired the festival committee for the Rotary group, deemed the festival a “huge success,” especially since this was its inaugural year.

Terri Dusek, left, of The Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes, announces a $7,500 donation to Gulfside Hospice. Accepting the gift is Leesa Fryer alongside Carla Armstrong from Gulfside Healthcare Services. (Diane Kortus)

Leesa Fryer, fundraising and event planning specialist, and Carla Armstrong, director of philanthropy, for Gulfside Hospice, accepted the donation at the Rotary Club’s Oct. 22 weekly meeting.

“Bands ‘N Brews was an awesome event, and we are so honored and grateful to receive this very generous donation,” said Armstrong.

“Gulfside Hospice provides services for 650 patients every day. Ten years ago, we reached just 150 people a day, and thanks to generous donations like this, we’ve been able to continue to grow, to support the needs of our community,” she said.

Armstrong noted the $7,500 donation from The Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes will help offset costs for patients not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance.

“About 15% of our patients do not have insurance or other means to pay for care, and we’re proud that we never turn away anyone needing hospice services,” Armstrong said.

Gulfside Hospice is part of Gulfside Healthcare Services, which also provides palliative care and home health services to Pasco and north Pinellas residents. The organization is based in Land O’ Lakes and has 350 employees.

Published October 27, 2021

Volunteer wins national award

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Vanessa M. Dazio, OTD, OTR/L, certified occupational therapist (Courtesy of CARES)

The CARES nonprofit organization announced that Vanessa M. Dazio, OTD, OTR/L, won the 2021 NBCOT Impact Award for her volunteer work at the CARES Claude Pepper Senior Health Clinic in New Port Richey, according to a news release.

The award recognizes certified occupational therapy (OT) practitioners who demonstrate exceptional professional commitment through their dedication, hard work, and outstanding OT skills to improve their clients’ overall life satisfaction.

According to the NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy), treatment strategies include wellness promotion, rehabilitation, and habilitation.

The occupational therapy professional assists the client in regaining function or adapting to changes by assessing and addressing all aspects of recovery, not just the physical.

Dazio was nominated by clinic manager Gisela Dalnoky, RN, for her outstanding work of providing OT treatment to underserved, uninsured older adults in the Pasco County community.

“It’s been an honor to work with so many fine people at the CARES Senior Health Clinic. I would encourage retired or working medical professionals to volunteer some time with us. We are truly saving lives and improving health outcomes for people who need the help. It’s been incredibly satisfying,” said Dazio, in the release.

The CARES Claude Pepper clinic is at 6640 Van Buren St., in New Port Richey, and can be reached at 727-844-3077.