The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Health News 06/09/2021

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St. Joseph’s Hospital-North nurse manager Ellen Normandin alongside Robert Sakoff. (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

Patient gifts painting to hospital
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz prominently displays a painting of a spring nature scene with trees, flowers and a small footbridge over a brook, in a team member common area.

There is a small gold plate attached beneath the painting inscribed with these words: “A Bridge to Recovery. To staff on 4 West for saving my life.”

The painting was done by COVID survivor Robert Sakoff, as a gift to the unit, according to a news release.

Sakoff spent 16 days in St. Joseph’s Hospital-North earlier this year as a COVID patient.

“I feel 120%,” said Sakoff, age 74, in the release.

Sakoff is originally from New York, but now resides in Tampa’s Northdale section.

Robert Sakoff’s painting titled, ‘A Bridge to Recovery.’

He described his battle with COVID during his early days in the hospital as being serious and “on the brink.”

As he began to recover and to feel better, Sakoff started the painting.

His wife, Mary, brought painting supplies to the hospital entrance and team members would take the supplies to Sakoff’s room.

“It was kind of boring being by yourself,” said Sakoff. “It was lonely, you couldn’t have family or visitors, so I started the project of this painting….It took hours in the day and it also helped my recovery because mentally it helped me focus also.”

Sakoff said he was pleased with the way the paint-by-numbers painting turned out.

“The care that I received there (St. Joseph’s Hospital-North) was amazing. The people were amazing, they’re friendly, they’re efficient. In my gratitude, I finished the painting and wanted them to have it. The painting was a park scene with a bridge, so I titled it ‘A Bridge to Recovery’” he said.

Board certifications
Advanced Cancer Treatment Centers has announce that its radiation oncologists, Dr. Peter James Zavitsanos and Dr. Clayton Elliott Alonso, have been granted certification on radiation oncology and now can use the designation of Diplomate, American Board of Radiology.

Having completed the appropriate training for “Authorized User Eligibility,” Zavitsanos and Alonso also will receive the AU-eligible designation on their certificates.

The doctors’ names and demographic information will now be included in a directory published by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Mosquito warning

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The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH-Pasco) advises residents that there has been an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity in areas of Pasco County, according to a news release.

The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County has issued a warning about an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity. (File)

Several sentinel chickens have tested positive for the Eastern equine encephalitis virus infection. As a result, the risk of transmission to humans has increased.

The Pasco County Mosquito Control District and DOH-Pasco continue surveillance and prevention efforts.

DOH-Pasco reminds residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure.

To protect yourself from the insects, remember to drain standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.

Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots and other containers. Empty plastic swimming pools and boat tarps that accumulate water, too.

Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used. Empty and clean birdbaths and pet water bowls at least once or twice a week.

Residents should cover their skin with clothing or repellent.

Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeves.

Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Always use repellents according to the label.

Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.

For more information, visit Pasco.floridahealth.gov.

Social worker addresses rising youth mental illness

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As efforts continue to lessen stigma and discrimination regarding mental illness — the challenges have become even greater during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even so, there are ways to strengthen awareness and improve access to treatment and counseling for troubled youth and adults, according to Sativa Fisher, a social worker for the Hernando County School District.

Fisher was a featured guest speaker during an April 27 virtual social services event hosted by Saint Leo University’s East Pasco Education Center.

Hernando County School District social worker Sativa Fisher (Courtesy of Mary McCoy, Saint Leo University)

Her talk was part of a speaker series for students and prospective students interested in “helping careers.”

Topics for the free online series were selected with the goal of having broad appeal to those interested in social work, education, criminal justice, psychology, and human services.

Fisher’s presentation focused on her work, the prevalence of youth mental health issues and the function of social workers in the public school setting.

The social worker emphasized just how “widely underestimated” mental illness is in the United States, particularly among teens and high school students.

She cited these statistics and figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey:

  • 19% of students nationwide considered suicide
  • 16% of students nationwide made a suicide plan
  • 9% of students nationwide attempted suicide
  • Notable risk factors for suicide ideation include being a non-Hispanic, Black female who identifies as lesbian, gay or bisexual.

Fisher also shared various findings from Mental Health America, the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit to address the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting overall mental health of all:

  • 9.2% of United States youth ages 12 to 17 cope with severe major depression
  • The state prevalence of youthwith severemajor depressive episodes ranges from 6% in Mississippi to 13.2% in Nevada (Florida stands at 10%).
  • The number of youth experiencing major depressive episodes increased by 121,000 from 2018 to 2019.

The social worker pointed to an “alarming” finding in her research cited from Mental Health America — youth experiencing major depressive episodes continue to go untreated.

Even among states with greatest access for youth, almost 50% of youth still do not receive the mental health services they need, according to the organization’s reports, Fisher said.

“It’s interesting how much of an issue mental health is, and how undertreated it is, even within our society today,” said Fisher, who obtained her bachelor of social work from Saint Leo University and her master of social work from University of South Florida.

Fisher also shared her thoughts about potential contributing factors regarding why suicide ideations and major depression have become so prevalent among American youth in recent years.

“We have many kids who have access to social media and are learning a lot more than they used to, and that’s become evident between both in elementary and middle school, and the things that they’re exposed to, they don’t know, developmentally, how to deal with it,” she said.

The pandemic hasn’t helped, either.

Fisher referenced data showing about 40% of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health this past year, up from about 25%, pre-COVID.

Parents and caregivers are struggling “with everything that comes with being in this pandemic that we all have experienced,” she said.

The rising levels of stress, loneliness, depression, anxiety has all but “rubbed off” on children, Fisher said.

“I’ve heard more stories of families having friction, more arguments,” Fisher said. “(Students) just feel more anxious…and that shows up in their schoolwork, that shows up in their peer relationships, with their adult relationships.”

Social work delivers rewarding responsibilities
Fisher is one of 13 social workers in the Hernando County School District.

She started working this past school year, amid the pandemic.

Besides her educational background, Fisher joined the district equipped with real-world experience — having worked in internships in a hospital pediatric unit and residential program for adolescent girls.

Saint Leo University’s East Pasco Education Center has an ongoing virtual social services speaker series focusing on social work, education, criminal justice, psychology, and human services. An April 27 seminar focused on substance abuse and mental health issues among youth in public schools. (File)

In her role, Fisher assists kids, families and the community at large. She strives to “make a difference in someone’s life.”

She also described the duties of a school social worker, which includes making referrals, doing evaluations and completing behavior assessments. It also involves problem-solving through multi-tiered system of supports, counseling, teen parenting education, substance abuse education and more.

“It’s so much,” quipped Fisher, who also has started completing the supervision requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

She detailed how school social work has evolved from focusing on attendance and truancy issues to being more involved with students who have mental health and behavioral issues.

Today’s school social worker reaches out to parents of students who are undergoing major behavioral issues, gathers information on their home life, and offers potential solutions and sources of help.

Fisher put it like this: “Sometimes, parents don’t even know the resources available to them, so if they have a student who’s having major behavior issues and they don’t understand why, maybe we’ll talk a little bit about that. Some kids require a little bit more structure than other kids. Some kids require to be spoken to a little bit differently. Every child is different…”

School systems play an important role in helping bridge the mental health gap, she said.

“Many people will say, ‘Oh, it’s on the parents,’” Fisher said.

But, parents don’t always know about services and because school attendance is mandatory until age 16, school districts are in a good position to observe students who have mental health needs and can help direct families to resources, she said.

One of the satisfactions of her job is seeing a student make positive changes during the course of a school year, Fisher said.

“It’s not anything that I necessarily do, it’s the choices that they make. I just give them the information and the platform to express and explore,” the social worker said. “I have a couple of kids right now that I’ve been working with for several months, and they’ve turned their grades around, they’ve turned their peer relationships around, and that, I think, is the most rewarding.”

Published May 26, 2021

New resource launched for mental health

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Hillsborough County understands the mental challenges, as well as the stress, tension and anxiety that the coronavirus pandemic presents and is offering simple resources through a new Mindful Mondays program, to help promote the different ways to make mental health a priority, according to a news release.

To participate, residents can visit HCFLGov.net/MindfulMondays, to learn about unique programs and initiatives, and to read helpful articles.
Through Mindful Mondays, residents will have access to a variety of free resources to help them find balance in their day-to-day lives.
Mindful Mondays offers virtual health classes focused on mental health and exercises to reduce stress. There will be short videos to find “Moments of Zen,” and relaxing nature tours.

Content also will include mental health tips from community partners, along with ways county programs and initiatives can help residents manage stress.
Mindful Mondays kicked off for Mental Health Awareness Month, but will continue to offer resources and content throughout the year to support residents in making mental health a priority. Content will be updated on a monthly basis.

Published May 26, 2021

Health News 05/26/2021

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Lions Club receives eyewear donation
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club continue to outdo themselves during this difficult pandemic year with their donations to myriad local organizations. Elaine Pittman recently delivered 91 pairs of eyewear to the Lutz-Land O’Lakes Lions Club for its mission in Third World countries. From left: Lions Club President Jackie Cameron, Elaine Pittman and Lions Club member Claudette Henry. For membership and community service information about the woman’s club, visit LutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org, or its Facebook page.

Gulfside needs volunteers
The Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppe Team is looking for volunteers ages 15 and older for its Dade City, Lutz and Zephyrhills stores.

Volunteer duties include greeting and assisting customers, sorting and pricing items, and accepting donated items.

The proceeds from each of the Gulfside shops directly support its patient care costs and the operation of the Gulfside Centers for Hospice Care.

For information, visit Gulfside.org/thrift-shoppes.

Stroke certification
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has received Primary Stroke Certification from DNV GL Healthcare, an international accrediting body that emphasizes clinical best practices and a disciplined management system, according to a news release.

The certification signifies clinical excellence through diagnosis, stabilization and treatment by the hospital’s stroke team.

Prior to the certification, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North underwent a rigorous review process, as a team of DNV GL surveyors observed practices, interviewed teams and reviewed documentation.

The survey incorporates standards from the Guidelines of the Brain Attack Coalition and recommendations from the American Stroke Association.

The DNV GL certification is St. Joseph’s Hospital-North’s third significant award for the treatment of strokes and heart attacks in the last nine months.

Top hospital
AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has been named to the Fortune/IBM Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals list.

This is the fourth consecutive year the hospital has been recognized with this honor, as one of the top performing hospitals in the United States.

“We are honored to be receiving this recognition for the fourth year in a row,” said Erik Wangsness, president and CEO of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel.

“At the heart of an award-winning hospital is an award-winning staff. This award recognizes our physicians’ and teams’ daily commitment to providing compassionate, whole-person care to our community. It is gratifying to know that one of the best 100 hospitals in the United States is right here in Wesley Chapel,” said Wangsness.

In addition to this accolade, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has again attained a CMS five-star ranking by the federal government.

The CMS ranking system assigns a star rating to hospitals based on performance across several quality categories.

Only 455 out of more than 3,300 CMS-ranked hospitals received a five-star rating.

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel was the only hospital in Tampa Bay to achieve a CMS five-star rating in 2020.

Those fully vaccinated rarely need masks, CDC says

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President Joe Biden announced last week that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had issued new guidance on the wearing of masks, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden said those who have been fully vaccinated, in most cases won’t need to wear masks — whether indoors or out, in large crowds or small.

Specifically, the CDC’s updated guidance says:

  • Fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
  • Fully vaccinated people can refrain from testing following a known exposure unless they are residents or employees of a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter.

CDC prevention measures continue to apply to all travelers, including those who are vaccinated. All travelers are required to wear a mask on all planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations, the CDC’s website says.

Those who are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to continue wearing masks, to avoid becoming infected by COVID-19, or spreading it to others, CDC officials add.

While there has been a downturn in the daily number of people getting vaccinated, use of the Pfizer vaccine has been granted emergency authorization for those ages 12 to 15.

The CDC’s latest guidance comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order lifting restrictions imposed by local governments, with the exception of school districts.

The public schools districts in Pasco and Hillsborough counties both announced they would keep the mask mandate until the end of the school year.

Private businesses can decide whether to retain or drop their mask requirements, and so far, the response has been varied.

Also, while the pace of vaccinations for adults has declined, efforts continue to reach out to those who are hesitant about being vaccinated to answer their questions and address their concerns.

While fewer children have been infected by COVID-19, the CDC does recommend vaccination for everyone age 12 and older to help protect against COVID-19.

Published May 19, 2021

Mother’s Day treats

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club donated gift items as Mother’s Day treats for residents and staff of Angels Senior Living of North Tampa. Assembling the contents and hand-crafting gift bags was a joint club project with the woman’s club teen affiliate group, Little Women of Lutz. Club member Pam Blumenthal, left, delivered 63 gift bags to Abbey Bennett, an intern at Angel Senior Living. For information on the club, visit LutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org, or its Facebook page.

Activity increasing, as COVID-19 restrictions relax

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Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed an executive order lifting all local COVID-19 restrictions and mandates on individuals and businesses.

As a result, Hillsborough County, Pasco County and the city of Tampa have dropped their mask requirements.

The order, however, does not apply to school districts — and both Pasco County Schools and Hillsborough County Schools will keep their mask orders and other safety protocols in place until the end of the school year.

Private businesses are not subject to the governor’s order, either, meaning they can keep their COVID-19 restrictions — and at this point, many continue to require masks, limit indoor seating and follow other safety measures.

Increased traffic on area roads and more cars in retail and restaurant parking lots, however, provide clear indications that more people are getting out and about.

Air travel is up — way up.

The Transportation Security Administration reported there were 1.7 million travelers at its checkpoints on May 9, compared to 200,815 on the same day last year. However, the number of air travelers is still substantially lower than it was in 2019, when there were 2.4 million air passengers on the same day.

Many travelers — now fully vaccinated — were flying to see family for the first time since the pandemic began. Televised news reports captured emotional reunions of moms and their kids, on Mother’s Day, all over the country.

Travel experts also are advising those wishing to take summer vacations to plan early to ensure accommodations and rental cars are available.

In another sign that things are changing, more graduation ceremonies are being held live — not virtually — this year.

In addition to some area college graduation celebrations, Pasco public schools will hold in-person events again this year, scaled back as they were last year. Hillsborough public school students also will be celebrating at live events, as well.

The Diocese of Saint Petersburg also has announced that the general obligation to attend Sunday Mass will resume on May 22.

Bishop Gregory Parkes, who leads the diocese, had granted a dispensation from the obligation as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19.

Although Catholic churches have been holding services, with mask requirements and social distancing protocols in place, many parishioners opted instead to watch services remotely.

Health experts continue to caution the public to be careful because at the same time COVID-19 restrictions are being relaxed or lifted, the demand for vaccinations has been dropping.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of May 9, 152 million individuals had received at least one dose of vaccine, including 83.6% of those age 65 and older. Of those in that age group, 71.3% were fully vaccinated.

If you are fully vaccinated, the CDC says you can start doing many things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.

When choosing safer activities, consider how COVID-19 is spreading in your community, the number of people participating in the activity, and the location.

Keep in mind that outdoor visits and activities are safer than indoor activities, and fully vaccinated people can participate in some indoor events safely, without much risk.

The CDC also notes: “While more than eight in 10 people 65 years and older have received at least one dose of vaccine, only around 1 in 3 people ages 18 to 29 have. All age groups currently eligible for the vaccine can benefit from the protection it provides themselves and others, especially as more states are easing prevention measures.”

As the pace of vaccination slows, vaccination persuasion campaigns are on the rise.

Celebrities, politicians and faith leaders are among those urging others to get vaccinated. Some efforts, as reported nationally, involve people making door-to-door visits to encourage people to get a single shot of Johnson & Johnson, or two shots of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.

Sites run by Hillsborough County dispense only the Pfizer vaccine, which can be given to individuals 16 years of age and older. Those ages 16 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, a county news release says.

Efforts by Pfizer could lower the eligible age for its vaccine to 12, if the Food and Drug Administration approves its request for authorization — which could occur as early as this week, according to national reports.

Those seeking vaccinations should know there is no out-of-pocket cost to be vaccinated and no prescription or doctor’s note is required, a Hillsborough County news release says.

With demand continuing to decline at the large public COVID-19 vaccination sites, Hillsborough County Emergency Management is reassessing distribution strategies and developing other options for residents to get vaccinated. Companies, community organizations, and faith-based organizations interested in an on-site targeted vaccine event are encouraged to call 888-513-6321, or email .

Published May 12, 2021

County board relaxes COVD-19 rules

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The Pasco County Commission has changed its rules and is now allowing a limited number of members of the public to attend its meetings in person.

The board voted on May 4 to allow up to 18 people from the public to be in the board’s chambers during meetings at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City, and up to 30 members of the public to be in the board room at the government center in New Port Richey.

The board adopted that change before Gov. Ron DeSantis lifted COVID-19 requirements imposed by local governments, so it is unclear how the governor’s order will affect the board’s action.

In adopting the new rules, the board noted the maximum capacity limitations will be posted on signage outside of the board rooms and could change over time, based on the most current public health agency recommendations.

The amended rules also allow for the county administrator or designee to impose additional rules for use of the county’s board rooms through posted signage, including any required ingress/egress points for each board room.

At the time of adoption, the county attorney recommended masks be worn inside the board room.

The amended rules continue to allow other public participation options — email, WebEx and public comment kiosk — but also allow the county administrator or chair to close the kiosk, if it is not needed for overflow capacity and if no one shows up at the kiosk within 10 minutes of the morning or afternoon meeting start time.

Published May 12, 2021

Health News 05/15/2021

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Hospital recognized for 40 years of service
A resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County congratulated Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point on its 40 years of service to Pasco County citizens and its transition to an award-winning medical center.

Bayonet Point-Hudson Hospital opened its doors in 1981, in a small facility serving the northwest Pasco community of less than 25,000 people.

The medical center adopted a new name in 1997, transforming to Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point. The facility is connected to the nation’s largest healthcare system, HCA Healthcare.

Bayonet Point also received the 2021 Patient Safety Excellence Award for a fourth-consecutive year. The award recognizes a hospital’s excellence in safeguarding patients from serious, potentially preventable complications during their hospital stay.

The hospital is the only Level II Trauma center serving Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties.

And, its graduate medical education program has earned Bayonet Point a Statutory Teaching Hospital designation.

For more on the hospital’s achievements, visit BayonetPointHospital.com/about/newsroom.

Mental health awareness
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) helps to fight the stigma of mental illness, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.

This year, NAMI will continue to amplify the message of “You Are Not Alone,” and will use the time to focus on the healing value of connecting in safe ways, prioritizing mental health and acknowledging that it is OK to not be OK.

The organization will use its own blog, personal stories, videos, digital toolkits, social media engagements and national events to share the vision where anyone affected by mental illness can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

For information and a list of events, visit NAMI.org/calendar.

Pregnancy center
The Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers has opened a new office at 37522 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

The center provides pregnancy tests, ultrasounds by appointment, pregnancy options counseling, pregnancy and parenting classes, essential baby items, and community resources and referrals.

All services are free, and are provided in English and in Spanish.

For information, call 352-534-5003.

Gulfside needs volunteers
The Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppe Team is looking for volunteers ages 15 and older for its Dade City, Lutz and Zephyrhills stores.

Volunteer duties include greeting and assisting customers, sorting and pricing items, and accepting donated items.

The proceeds from each of the Gulfside shops directly support its patient care costs and the operation of the Gulfside Centers for Hospice Care.

For information, visit Gulfside.org/thrift-shoppes.