The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Omicron variant is spreading rapidly

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The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been spreading rapidly and nearly every state had been touched by it as of Dec. 20 when The Laker/Lutz News went to press.

It has not yet been determined how dangerous Omicron is, and despite its rapid spread, the Delta virus remained the main variant circulating in the United States as of early this week, according to experts from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control.

Omicron was first detected in specimens collected on Nov. 11 in Botswana and on Nov. 14 in South Africa, according to the CDC’s website. The first confirmed Omicron case in the United States was detected on Dec. 1.

An interpretive posting on the CDC’s website said: “We don’t yet know how easily it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, or how well available vaccines and medications work against it.”

Meanwhile, the rapid spread and uncertainty of Omicron’s impacts have hit at the height of the holiday travel season.

In a Dec. 14 posting, AAA predicted that more than 109 million people would travel 50 miles or more between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2 — a 34% increase from 2020.

AAA attributed the uptick in travel to the fact that so many Americans had to cancel getaways and get-togethers last year because of the pandemic and are making up for lost time this holiday season.

“That dramatic bounce-back — 27.7 million more people traveling — will bring this year’s numbers to 92% of 2019 levels. Airlines will see a 184% increase from last year,” according to AAA’s projections.

It is not yet known whether news of Omicron’s rapid spread will put a damper on holiday travel plans.

For those flying during the holidays, the Tampa International Airport reminds passengers that face masks are required in the airport.

The airport’s website also advises passengers to arrive two hours early.

Travelers should use carry-on luggage and mobile boarding passes to limit touchpoints, the TIA website advises.

While the pandemic’s impact on holiday plans has not yet played out, COVID-19 infections already have had an impact in the worlds of entertainment and professional sports.

The Radio City Rockettes canceled the remainder of its Christmas Spectacular “due to increasing challenges from the pandemic,” according to a Dec. 17 posting on its website.

There was no live audience at Saturday Night Live, and the NBA, NFL and NHL have postponed games.

Overall, the United States recently surpassed 50 million COVID-19 cases and 800,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic, according to the CDC.

Florida reported 35,720 cases in the seven-day period ending Dec. 18, according to figures reported by the CDC.

Stay safe
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommends these steps to reduce the chance of a COVID-19 infection:

  • Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can. If you’re eligible for a booster shot, get one now.
  • Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth when in indoor public places.
  • Whenever possible, stay 6 feet apart from people who don’t live with you.
  • Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
  • Consider self-testing before indoor gatherings. If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t go.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water; use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.

Published December 22, 2021

Health News 12/22/2021

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New initiative for senior safety
The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas (AAAPP), a nonprofit focused on coordinating services to keep seniors healthy and independent, announced a community program in collaboration with Ring, to support senior safety in Pasco and Pinellas counties, according to a news release.

Ring, whose mission is to make neighborhoods safer, is donating 1,000 Ring video doorbells, including free installation and a Ring Protect subscription, to local residents age 60 and older throughout Pasco and Pinellas, as defined by AAAPP.

“Now that so many of the seniors we serve live independentlly, it’s increasingly important to ensure that they’re safe at home,” said Ann Marie Winer, AAAPP executive director, in the release.

Congressman Gus Bilirakis stated, in the release, “We have an obligation to support vulnerable members of our community and help protect them. This exciting collaboration harnesses the technology available in the private sector and the existing infrastructure of an effective senior advocacy organization to help seniors and support AAAPP’s comprehensive initiatives.

“Seniors using this product can feel more comfortable at home or when someone comes to their door, which inherently contributes to safety.”

Those interested in receiving a donated Ring device can apply online, at CommunityPrograms.ring.com/pascopinellas.

Doctor joins Unity VIP
Unity VIP Health Care has welcomed Dr. Evelyn E. Castillo Delgado, to its practice at 1180 Mariner Blvd., in Spring Hill.

Dr. Delgado comes to Unity VIP with more than 30 years of experience as a family physician in evaluating and managing patients.

She received her medical degree from Universidad Central del Este in San Pedro, Dominican Republic.

She completed her residency at Hospital Universitario Ramon Ruiz Arnau Hospital in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and an internship at Hospital de Areia de Aqmacao.

For information, call 352-652-4080.

Health News 12/15/2021

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Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point’s senior leadership team throws shovels of dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony for the hospital’s new medical tower. (Courtesy of Newsome Studio)

New medical tower
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, recently broke ground on a multi-phase state-of-the-art medical tower addition. The $82 million project will expand capacity, helping the hospital stay ahead of the health care needs of the growing community and the West Florida region, according to a news release.

Expected to be complete in midyear 2023, the tower will expand the number of inpatient beds, by 102 beds. This incudes the new Comprehensive Medical Rehabilitation Center, which will provide 30 private patient rooms with associated therapy spaces.

The second and third floor of the tower will add 72 private patient rooms and support areas.

All systems and equipment are being upgraded for energy efficiency, and reflect current design trends in health care.

The project is underway, so the main entrance to the hospital is on the east side of the hospital, Entrance D.

Access Health add staff
Access Health Care Physicians has welcomed new medical personnel to its staff.

  • Dr. James W. Craig III comes to Access Health after completing his residency at HCA Healthcare, USF Morsani College of Medicine, GME: Citrus Memorial Hospital in Inverness.
  • Dr. John Ameen Jr., joins Access Health after completing his internal medicine residency at HCA/USF Morsani College of Medicine, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point.

Both Dr. Craig and Dr. Ameen will practice at 5350 Spring Hill Drive in Spring Hill.

  • Dr. Francis Mercado joins Access Health after completing a post-graduate internship in the Hospital Auxillio Mutuo in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he actively worked the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Mercado will practice at 13235 State Road 52, Suite 102, in Hudson.

COVID-19 has had wide-ranging impacts on mental health

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The COVID-19 pandemic — with its associated lockdown, and even without it — has created mental health challenges that have played out in assorted ways, according to a panel of experts who addressed the topic in a Zoom session organized by the League of Women Voters Hillsborough County.

“I heard from parents of children who were maybe 6 years old, bedwetting, acting out aggression, not wanting to leave home,” said Natasha Pierre, executive director of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Hillsborough.

She said she was not prepared for the number of college students who reached out, who were dealing with work, parents having COVID, roommates having COVID, or not having insurance.

“I heard from a lot of veterans. Veterans, who because of the stillness, were having memories of combat,” she said.

She heard from women who had experienced military sexual trauma or date rape.

“Because of the stillness, once again, these memories are coming back,” she said, noting many of those women had never reported the assault.

She also heard from retired people, who were financially stable, but felt socially isolated.

The pandemic created a mental health crisis, with people feeling overwhelmed by frustration, fear and stress, she said.

The first step for getting help is to let someone know you need it, said Pierre, who has lived with mental illness for more than 20 years.

“We know that there are people that are being affected by a mental illness, and they’re not talking. They are living in pain. Suffering in silence. They’re existing in a silo,” said Pierre, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder ultradian.

She shares her experiences, with the goal of helping others.

“When it comes to public awareness, we know that storytelling saves lives,” Pierre said.

“The only reason I am speaking to you tonight — with certainty — is because I had great insurance at a time when I needed it most.

“The reality is that the vast majority of the people who need the treatment that I got, will not receive it,” Pierre said.

Stigma and self-stigma are the biggest barriers to people seeking help, she said.

But she added, it’s important for people with mental health challenges to know: “‘You’re not alone. You’re not the only one feeling anxious when you leave home. You’re not the only one concerned about going back to work. You’re not the only one that is in active grief.”

An essential part of helping those who are suffering is to simply be present, she said.

“Sometimes support is: ‘I’m so sorry that happened to you. That sounds awful. That’s probably hard on you. What can I do to help. I’m going to check on you later tonight.’

“Hurting in a silo, in my experience, causes people to lose their lives. Suffering in silence leads to decreased and diminished hope, and if there is anything people need right now, people need hope.

“They need hope that tomorrow will be the day that a job calls me back.

“Tomorrow will be the day where I have insurance.

“Tomorrow will be the day where I can fall asleep and remain asleep through the night.

“That tomorrow will be the day where I am less paranoid, or I am able to keep food down.

“As long as we can fuel and empower hope, in our communities, we have a chance to reduce the number of people who take their lives,” Pierre said.

She continued: “I’ve heard it many times, you know, ‘People who die by suicide, they take the easy way out.’ As a person who has had suicidal thoughts, as a person who has been suicidal, that is not true.

“When that’s an option for you — you’ve run out of options. You’ve run out of hope. You are hopeless, (you’re thinking) there’s no way life can change,’” she said.

She said she keeps telling her story and talking about the work that NAMI and mental health community partners do, in an effort to change that trajectory.

“We want to get to someone before they make that decision (to take their own life), before they have that plan,” Pierre said.

Suicide calls spiked
Sunny Hall, vice president of client services for the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, said the call volume ramped up because of COVID-19.

Suicide calls increased dramatically, she said.

“What was super alarming to us was (that) calls from kids, ages 13 to 18, went up 36% — suicide calls from kids 13 to 18 went up 36%,” Hall said.

A spike in suicide calls is not unprecedented, she said, noting there was jump in the volume after Robin Williams took his own life, and the same with Kate Spade.

During COVID, Hall said, “the suicide calls started going up and they stayed up, and they’re still up.”

She highlighted another startling statistic involving sexual assault calls: “We saw a 70% increase in people who met their assailant online. People were meeting their assailant online, then they were going to physically meet them,”

Hall also addressed COVID-19’s impacts on children.

“One in 500 kids in our country have lost a caregiver, they’ve lost somebody close to them, to COVID. There’s a lot of anxiety,” Hall said.

“Kids in school are seeing teachers or teacher’s spouses, dying, especially in the last three, four months.

“I was talking to someone in the Pasco school system the other day and the social workers have responded every week to a death of an adult in the Pasco County school system. So, that’s what’s happening to kids. Those triggers lead them to some acute needs, related to mental health,” Hall said.

Alan Davidson, chief clinical officer for Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, said the aging population also has felt the extra mental health challenges because of COVID-19.

Some have experienced social isolation; others have chosen or have been forced to retire early; some have had trouble accessing specialized care or day-to-day assistance that they need; and, some have faced a whole new set of adjustments, as changing circumstances have caused them to move.

Hall said the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has honed its focus and its mission to ensure that no one faces crisis alone.

The panelists encouraged anyone needing help to reach out to let someone know.

Need help?
Here are some numbers you can call:
Suicide prevention lifeline: 800-273-8255
NAMI Helpline, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.: 800-950-6264
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay: 2-1-1 (to connect with local resources)

Published December 08, 2021

Health News 12/08/2021

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Young professional honored
Sara Dodds, a Lutz resident and operations director at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, has been named to the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list honoring young professionals, according to a news release.

Sara Dodds

Every year, the Journal selects outstanding young professionals under the age of 40 from Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties.

More than 500 nominations were received this year and 40 made the final list, the release said.

Nominees are evaluated on business success, community involvement, leadership ability, and influence on the region, public policy or quality of life.

As operations director at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, Sara has oversight in areas that include quality of patient care and finance.

She works closely with all departments in the 216-bed hospital.

Dodds also had a leading role in the hospital’s $76-million expansion that was completed in 2020, and doubled the hospital’s bed capacity and increased services.

Dodds has been in her executive position since 2016.

She has been with BayCare since 2004 when she started at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, as a patient care technician, while attending nursing school. She became an RN at St. Joseph’s in Tampa in 2005.

Dodds is an original team member at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North since it opened in 2010, and has performed the roles of a charge nurse and a nurse manager prior to her current operations director position.

Nonprofits receive donations
For the fifth consecutive year, the Florida Blue Foundation hosted the #FloridaGives social media campaign asking Floridians to share on social media the nonprofits they supported and why, along with the hashtage #FloridaGives, according to a news release.

The foundation randomly selected five of the social media posts and surprised the Florida 501(c)3 charities with a $10,000 donation on Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving.

LYF Inc., in Land O’ Lakes, received one of the donations.

LYF Inc. fulfills the need for individuals with disabilities to learn life skills, independent choice-making and environment-specific learning by maximizing a quality-of-life approach.

Other nonprofits from across the state that received a donation include: Help Now of Osceola (Kissimmee); Epi-Cure (St. Augustine); Haitian American Nurses Association of Florida (Miami); and Wheels of Success (Tampa).

More than 2,000 people submitted names of nonprofits to the 2021 #FloridaGives campaign.

Hospitals get safety grade
The Medical Center of Trinity and Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point received an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for fall 2021, according to a news release.

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

The Leapfrog Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients.

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

“The mutual focus on safe patient care between our medical staff and caregivers drives this performance in excellence,” said Tripp Owings, CEO of the Medical Center of Trinity, in the release.

“We are proud to provide high quality health care to our community,” said Owings.

The Leapfrog Group assigns an A, B, C, D or F grade to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, injuries, accidents and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

“Patient safety is our top priority when providing care to our community. Receiving the ‘A’ grade validates our commitment to safety,” said Gina Temple, CEO of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, in the release.

“I’m extremely proud of our caregivers and the work they do every day to provide safe, high quaity care to our community,” said Temple.

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.