The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

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.

Health News 10/20/2021

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GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club team members take a break from working on the garden border at Camp Idlewild in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Garden aims to create peaceful setting
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club has undertaken a large, special project in creating a sensory garden, from scratch, at Camp Idlewild in Land O’ Lakes.

The camp serves as a setting for autistic children, and the club chose the garden project to provide a colorful, fun space with a calm atmosphere for the campers.

Club members have provided benches, borders, a gravel pathway, an interesting sculpture, and two garden arches and a wooden Ms. Catie Pillar ‘train’ (made by David Bellingar).

Plants soon will be placed to attract butterflies, too.

The garden is still a work in progress, coming along in stages.

For information about the woman’s club and membership opportunities, visit their Facebook page, or GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org.

Skin cancer treatment
Skin cancer is the country’s most prevalent kind of cancer and often involves surgery, which can cause deformity, significant pain, long recovery periods, scarring, and discontinuation of    medications.

ForCare Medical Center, 15416 N. Florida Ave., in Tampa, now offers electron-beam therapy for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma skin cancers, according to a news release.

The therapy requires no cutting or downtime, and may be less painful than surgery itself.

Electron-beam therapy allows precise depth control and tight borders, especially around sensitive areas such as eyelids, lips and ears.

And, patients do not need to stop taking medication, as they may have to if undergoing surgery, according to Dr. Seth Forman, in the release.

For information, visit ForCareMed.com, or call 813-960-2400.

Board chair named
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay’s nonprofit Board of Directors has named Meredith Freeman as its chair for the 2022 financial year, according to a news release.

Freeman has voluntered as a member of the board since 2017. In previous years, she served on the executive committee as the board secretary and chair-elect.

“The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay provides critical services to our community, from recent efforts to help residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, to helping those in crisis through the 211 crisis hotline. I am humbled and honored to be selected by my fellow board members to serve as chair of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay,” said Freeman, in the release

Moffitt and Pasco Schools have big plans

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Pasco County Schools and Moffitt Cancer Center envision great possibilities of working together when the school district builds its planned 6-12 magnet STEAM school on land near Moffitt’s planned campus in Land O’ Lakes.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, recently updated the school board about a meeting between school district and Moffitt staff members.

“We had our first real, live, meeting with the administrative staff of Moffitt Cancer Center. And, it went really very, very well,” Gadd told the school board on Oct. 5.

“On the Angeline property, as the crow flies, is kind of back behind Land O’ Lakes High School, Moffitt is putting in a hospital and a big research center, and we have a school right across the street,” Gadd said.

“That school, we’ll start construction on that, I think, about mid-October. We’ll probably be the first building up out there. And, we are currently working with Moffitt and Pasco-Hernando State College to develop a very unique school setting.”

The campus will serve students in grades six through 12.

“More than likely, the upper classmen will have an opportunity to interact in the Moffitt hospital, with Moffitt researchers; (and) participate in apprentice programs and internships.

“It would be something that is very unique to the Pasco school system,” Gadd said, noting that Dr. Kim Moore, assistant superintendent who oversees the district’s career and technical programs, was at the meeting, as well as Dr. Monica Ilse, assistant superintendent for high schools, and Steve Hegarty, public information officer.

“We had a very, very positive reception from the Moffitt folks,” Gadd said.

In remarks to her school board colleagues, Cynthia Armstrong said it’s exciting “that we’re going to have a magnet school right next to their campus, which is going to be huge. So, we’re very excited about that.”

That meeting was a follow-up to a previous session between Gadd and Dr. Patrick Hwu, president and CEO of Moffitt.

Gadd previously briefed school board members about his meeting with Hwu.

During that briefing, Gadd told board members that he’d “heard through the grapevine that he (Hwu) was a big supporter of education, public education.”

But Gadd added: “My meeting with him was beyond expectations. I went there with a few ideas and he had hundreds of ideas about how our new STEM magnet in the Angeline area could be a partner with Moffitt.”

Gadd noted: “We’d have to work through all kinds of legal issues, as he and I discussed, but having students actually sit in, participate in procedures, surgeries, internships. Having graduate students and doctors actually come to the school building and teach courses and work with us, district-wide on virtual programs for kids, who are in nursing programs, health programs, biomedical engineering and those kinds of things.

“He was exuberant, and we made arrangements to connect my staff with his staff. I am really looking forward to the potential we have to work with Moffitt,” Gadd said.

Funding for the construction of the district’s planned 6-12 school in Land O’ Lakes was approved on Oct. 5, when the school board adjourned, then reconvened as the Pasco County School Board Leasing Corporation to approve $85 million in financing that will pay for the lease‐purchase financing of that school, and projects Hudson and Gulf high schools.

The new Angeline mixed-use community — which is being billed as a wellness-themed community — will be developed on thousands of acres of land, east of the Suncoast Parkway and south of State Road 52.

Moffitt plans to create a massive research and corporate innovation district.

Site entitlements for Moffitt’s project, which encompass 24 million square feet, include plans for a hospital, research and development space, office, manufacturing, laboratories, pharmacies, educational facility/university, hotel, and commercial space. The multiyear, multiphase project is expected to create 14,500 jobs.

The school district’s new school in Angeline will be designed for 1,694 student stations, which at 90% capacity translates to about 1,530 students, according to a previous report in The Laker/Lutz News.

The school board hired Ajax Building Company at its Sept. 15, 2020 meeting to do pre-construction work at the 6-12 STEAM school site.

The school is planned on an 18.8-acre site within Angeline, south of State Road 52, north of the future Ridge Road extension and west of Sunlake Boulevard, according to Ajax’s website.

“Campus plans include a one-story administration area, a one-story dining and multipurpose area with a full kitchen, two-story media, band and art areas, and a four-story classroom wing, with all areas connected by a one-story and two-story atrium/central corridor, the website post says.

The site development also includes “walkway canopies, aluminum shade system, fencing, walking trail, sidewalks, chiller/generator plan, site lighting, underground utilities, landscaping and irrigation,” according to information posted by Ajax.

Harvard Jolly is the architect on the school district project.

Published October 13, 2021

Ray Gadd named to state task force

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Ray Gadd

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, has been named to a state task force seeking solutions to address mental health and substance abuse issues.

Gadd told members of the Pasco County School Board, at their Oct. 5 meeting, that he had been appointed by Senate President Wilton Simpson to serve on the Senate Commission on Substance Abuse and Mental Health.

“It’s made up of people that represent education and community mental health from all across the state. We meet about once a month for the next two years,” Gadd said.

The task force has high hopes for improving the coordination of efforts by school systems and community mental health organizations in taking on these problems, rather than using a silo approach, he said.

“I’m hopeful that some really good things will come out of that task force,” Gadd said.

He also invited board members and district staff to bring issues to his attention that he can present in task force discussions.

Published October 13, 2021

Woman’s club donates special gift

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(Courtesy of Shantel Meyers)

The GFWC Wesley Chapel Woman’s Club recently hosted guest speakers from Idlewild Autism Camp, who shared information about its programs for children and young adults — activities that include a weeklong summer camp, as well as a weekend camp in the fall and spring. The women’s club donated $300 to sponsor a weekend camper, as a special gift to help a family struggling to get a child into Camp Idlewild. From left: Linda Jenkins, GFWC; Idewild staff Nathan Stowers, Sherri Sherman and Irene Roach; Cindi Nalon, GFWC; Shantel Meyers (holding check), GFWC; and Idewild staff Wendy Neal and Mariah Pasko.