The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Health News 04/14/2021

By

(Courtesy of Shantel Meyers)

A brighter day for residents
The GFWC Wesley Chapel Woman’s Club painted mason jars and added flowers to deliver to 85 residents at the Hanna Assisted Living Facility in Tampa. Two of the club’s future Juniorettes also hand-made Easter cards to go with all the floral arrangements.

Ethical company
HCA Healthcare has been recognized for the 11th time by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2021 World’s Most Ethical Companies, according to a news release.

HCA Healthcare is one of seven honorees in the Healthcare Providers category.

The COVID-19 pandemic was at the forefront of 2020 and HCA Healthcare responded by protecting its colleagues and patients, and by partnering with others to improve care beyond the organization.

The company has not laid off any employees due to the pandemic and, in April, it instituted a pandemic pay program, which allowed the organization to continue to pay more than 127,000 colleagues, even when their hours were affected by the significant decrease in patients visiting hospitals across the country.

And, HCA Healthcare hospitals do not bill patients who are diagnosed with COVID-19, whether they have insurance or not, for testing or hospital care related to the treatment of the coronavirus.

In 2021, Ethisphere recognized 135 honorees spanning 22 countries and 47 industries.

To view the full list of the 2021 World’s Most Ethical Companies, visit WorldsMostEthicalCompanies.com/honorees.

BayCare recognition
BayCare Health System has been named one of the 2021 Best Workplaces in Health Care & Biopharma by Great Place to Work and Fortune, according to a news release.

BayCare ranked seventh on the list based on feedback from more than 825,000 employee surveys from companies across health care and biopharma industries.

Employees evaluated their workplace in more than 60 different categories during a global pandemic that put health care and biopharma organizations on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19.

BayCare ranked as a top health care organization out of 28 large companies in the country for creating a great workplace experience for all team members, no matter who they are or what they do.

Gulfside receives grants
Gulfside Hospice has received two grants from United Way of Pasco, totaling $15,000, toward patient care costs and bereavement services, according to a news release.

The Community Impact Funding Grant provided $10,000 toward hospice charity care. The contribution will help cover hospice care costs for patients who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid benefits and cannot afford private insurance.

An additional Family Bereavement Grant was given to Gulfside in the amount of $5,000. These funds will provide staffing necessary for delivering free bereavement support services to Pasco County clients, training/certification for counselors to expand their skills, and equipment and software to create online content as a community resource.

For more information about Gulfside Hospice, visit Gulfside.org.

Pasco health department seeks community help

By

The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County is reaching out to physicians and pharmacists to help provide COVID-19 vaccine to eligible Florida residents.

“As more COVID-19 vaccine becomes available and more people become eligible to receive it, more people will want to book appointments as quickly as possible,” Mike Napier, the county’s health officer, said in a news release.

“It’s just a matter of time before everyone who wants a shot can get one, and we need to work with our community doctors and pharmacists to make that happen,” Napier said.

To become a Vaccine for Adult (VFA) provider, physicians and pharmacists need to sign up for the Florida SHOTS program at FLShotsUsers.com. Those that are already a Florida SHOTS provider can log into their account and visit the COVID-19 enrollment page.

Pasco County continues to make progress in its efforts.

The county also is asking pediatricians to plan ahead for the time when vaccinations will be available to children.

For additional information, call the COVID-19 Vaccine Enrollment Desk at (833) 701-1397, or email .

For information about vaccine storage, handling and administration, visit CDC.gov/vaccines/covid-19/hcp/faq.html.

Published April 7, 2021

NAMI chapters get a boost from grant

By

In its continued efforts to improve access to mental health services, the BayCare Health System recently awarded a $100,000 grant to the four National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) affiliates in the Tampa Bay area.

The grant allows the chapters to collaborate on an awareness campaign to reach across the Tampa Bay area, as well as to meet the unique needs of the Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk county NAMI organizations, according to a news release.

The mission of NAMI is advocacy, education, support and public awareness, so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

The mental health service organization provides free support groups and education courses to individuals and their families by supplying resources to local behavioral health agencies, and by sharing experiences during presentations to corporations, faith organizations, community groups and others, the release says.

The affiliates in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties each will receive $25,000, while Pasco County requested and received $21,928. Each chapter requested money to meet needs specific to that area, and each also contributed more than $7,700 of its grant money for the awareness campaign, “You Are Not Alone.”

The campaign will consist of direct mail and social media, with the goal of reaching those who feel alone during this time of social isolation and physical distancing, to spread the word that help is available.

Published April 07, 2021

Health News 04/07/2021

By

(Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

ThunderBug helps to raise awareness
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the Tampa Bay Lightning helped AdventHealth to spread the word. Before puck drop against the Dallas Stars at a recent game, ThunderBug stopped by AdventHealth Tampa and AdventHealth Connerton to raise awareness and encourage the community to get screened. Hospital team members also dressed in blue to honor the month.

Autism Awareness Month
The Autism Society in 1970 launched an ongoing nationwide effort to promote autism awareness and assure that all affected by autism are able to achieve the highest quality of life possible, according to its website.
The society in 1972 launched the first annual National Autistic Children’s week, which evolved into Autism Acceptance Month. This April, it continues its efforts to spread awareness, promote acceptance and ignite change.
The Autism Society of America recognizes Autism Acceptance Month (AAM) in April 2021 with its “Celebrate Differences” campaign. Designed to build a better awareness of the signs, symptoms, and realities of autism, #CelebrateDifferences focuses on providing information and resources for communities to be more aware of autism, promote acceptance, and be more inclusive in everyday life.
The Autism Society recognizes that the prevalence of autism in the United States has risen from 1 in 25 children in 2010, to 1 in 54 in 2020 – and, due to this continued increase, the goal of AAM is to further increase awareness about autism signs, symptoms and opportunities through information and referrals, events, printable and digital resources, and community partnerships with businesses and organizations dedicated to building inclusive experiences.
The Autism Society has a variety of resources designed to inform and encourage communities to celebrate differences, and become more inclusive of individuals with autism.
For information, visit autism-society.org.

Child abuse prevention
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused financial strain, isolation and anxiety, and children are more vulnerable than ever, according to a Champions for Children news release.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and four local nonprofits will work together to ensure that at-risk parents have the knowledge, skills and resources they need to promote children’s social and emotional well-being, and prevent child abuse and neglect.
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Feeding Tampa Bay and the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County will join Champions, to help equip families with “resources, support and coping strategies that allow them to parent effectively, even under stress,” said Dr. Amy Haile, executive director, Champions for Children, in the release.

Hospital hits milestone
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point’s TAVR team completed a milestone of 500 transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures.
The innovative procedure has shifted aortic valve replacement from the operating room to a hybrid cardiac catheterization lab, reducing procedure time, recovery time, and improving outcomes for patients with heart valve disease.
In TAVR, the new valve is guided up to the patient’s heart via an artery, as the physician directs the position with X-ray guidance. The new valve is placed into the diseased valve and opened like an umbrella, pushing aside the old valve and providing a new, clear pathway for blood flow through the valve.
At Bayonet Point, the procedure is primarily performed without general anesthesia, allowing for a faster recovery.

New infusion center
Patients with COVID-19 in Tampa Bay now have the option to receive another innovative new treatment, as AdventHealth has opened a clinic offering monoclonal antibody therapies, according to a news release.
The 18-chair outpatient infusion unit, in Hillsborough County, is treating adult patients with the monoclonal antibody bamlanivimab.
The treatment is intended for those who have developed COVID-19 symptoms, are not hospitalized or on oxygen, but are at high risk for progressing to a more severe case.
To qualify, patients must also have a high-risk factor, such as diabetes, heart disease or obesity, and have a doctor’s order.
If a patient is 65 or older, they must simply have a positive COVID-19 test within the 10-day symptom window and a doctor’s order.
The monoclonal antibodies are the latest in a suite of innovative treatments offered by AdventHealth, including remdesivir, sarilumab, dexamethasone and convalescent plasma.
To schedule an appointment, call 321-235-6185.

Health News 03/31/2021

By

Nurse navigator serves as guide
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North’s orthopedic surgery services includes the unique position of nurse navigator.

Krystal Taylor, orthopedics nurse navigator, left, and Brynn Ladoniczki, orthopedics nurse manager (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

Krystal Taylor, the hospital’s nurse navigator, guides patients completely through orthopedic surgery, working with their surgeon.

“Krystal is the person with you from the very start, before surgery, before you even come into the hospital,” said Brynn Ladoniczki, the hospital’s orthopedics nurse manager, in a news release.

“She’s also with you during pre-op, post-op and after discharge. You’ll have your very own person who’s with you each step of the way to make sure you have everything you need,” Ladoniczki said.

Taylor added, “I’m the patient’s advocate. I’m there to help you maneuver through each stage, prior to admission, while they are in the hospital and when you go home. I’m here to prepare, educate, inform and help you know what to expect.”

Taylor also has the advantage of being an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). This special designation allows her to do things similar to a doctor and beyond the role of a traditional nurse. She can write orders for physical therapy or home health care, prescribe medications, order nutrition and diet consultations or order equipment like a rolling walker. She can also speak on a surgeon’s behalf and facilitate a discharge so a patient can go home faster.

“Patients appreciate the work of our nurse navigator,” Ladoniczki said. “They like that familiarity and consistency of having that same person with them the whole time.”

Learn more about St. Joseph’s orthopedic services at BayCare.org/hospitals/st-josephs-hospital-north.

Count the Kicks campaign
The Florida Department of Health is partnering with Count the Kids, an evidenced-based stillbirth prevention public health campaign, to educate and empower pregnant women about the importance of tracking fetal movement in the third trimester of pregnancy.

One out of every 147 pregnancies in Florida ends in stillbirth, according to Florida vital statistics, in a news release.

The campaign was launched in April 2020, near the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research shows the benefits of expectant moms tracking their baby’s movements daily and learning how long it normally takes the baby to get to 10 movements. After a few days, moms will begin to see a pattern.

If the baby’s “normal” changes during the third trimester, it could be a sign of potential problems and an indication that the expectant mom should call her health care provider.

Maternal health providers, birthing hospitals, social services agencies, childbirth educators and other providers in Florida can order free Count the Kicks educational material, at CountTheKicks.org, to help them have the kick-counting conversation with expectant parents.

Since the launch of the campaign last year, more than 313,000 educational pieces have been distributed throughout the state.

Count the Kicks also has a free app available in the iOS and Google Play app stores, and is available in 12 languages.

It also features a kick-counting history, daily reminders, and the ability to count for a single baby and twins.

 

Health News 03/24/2021

By

Hospital celebrates 40 years
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, a Level II Trauma Center, celebrates its 40th anniversary on March 23, in recognition of its historical beginning and contributions to the community.

The Pasco County Commission on March 9 presented the hospital with a proclamation in appreciation of its four decades of service.

More than 82,000 patients yearly arrive from the West Suncoast, Nature Coast, and across the nation to receive superior care at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, a facility that is connected to the nation’s leading health care system, HCA Healthcare, according to a news release.

“Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has been providing exceedingly excellent and exceptional service for the past 40 years, with constantly evolving cutting-edge technology and progressively improving world-class patient care,” said Dr. Rao Musunuru, who has served as chairperson of the hospital’s Board of Trustees multiple times over the past 40 years and was instrumental in establishing the nationally acclaimed heart institute, in the release.

Comfort for those in need
Three members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club — Dolores Tarafa, Debbie Cardona and Dee Knerr — designed and fabricated “fidget” lap blankets for patients at the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home Memory Unit in Land O’ Lakes.

The women did some research and learned that this type of blanket is a very helpful tool in calming the anxiety of dementia patients.

Many hours of sewing and handcrafting went into each piece, and 10 blankets were delivered to the nursing home facility’s activities director, Johanna Snee.

For information on the club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org or its Facebook page.

Local hospitals recognized
AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Zephyrhills are the only Tampa Bay hospitals to achieve Healthgrades’ 2021 America’s 250 Best Hospitals Award, according to a news release.

The distinction places the two hospitals in the top 5% of nearly 4,500 hospitals assessed across the United States for superior clinical performance, according to Healthgrades.

“Patient safety and high quality of care continues to be our priority and we are honored to receive this recognition, said Erik Wangsness, president and CEO, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, in the release.

“This award is a testament to the hard work of our physicians and team members who are committed to keeping our patients safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and each and every day,” Wangsness said.
During the 2021 Healthgrades study period, these facilities showcased superior performance in clinical outcomes for patients who suffer heart attacks, stroke, heart failure and sepsis.
“Clinical excellence is at the core of our care and this distinction highlights our ongoing commitment to provide our expertise to every patient, every time,” said Amanda Maggard, president and CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills and AdventHealth Dade City.

“This prestigious honor celebrates the dedication of our teams who continue to go above and beyond to ensure our communities are receiving the best care possible and experiencing better outcomes,” said Maggard.

To learn more about how Healthgrades determines award recipients, and for more information on Healthgrades Quality Solutions, visit HealthGrades.com/quality.

Will the COVID-19 pandemic end soon?

By

It’s been a year since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shocked the United States and the world, but brighter days are seemingly ahead, thanks to the ramp up of vaccinations combined with other established health and safety protocols.

Dr. Javier Gonzalez, a board-certified emergency department medical director with AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills, for one, is cautiously optimistic that a sense of normalcy could arrive by summertime.

Dr. Javier Gonzalez, AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills board-certified emergency department medical director (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

That’s assuming that surging COVID-19 virus variants don’t “get crazy” and force the population to get revaccinated, he said.

“Hopefully we’ll get through this in July when we’re supposed to be majority vaccinated, so hopefully this won’t last long and we’re in the final stretch,” Gonzalez said. “As soon as we can get everybody vaccinated, the easier it will be for all for us to go back to a normal time again.”

Gonzalez was the featured guest speaker during The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce March virtual business breakfast meeting.

Gonzalez — also certified as a diplomate with the American Board of Toxicology — spent the bulk of his 45-minute informational talk discussing the various COVID-19 vaccines available and the science behind them.

The health care leader explained the “whole goal” of the vaccines is not necessarily about not getting COVID-19, but rather to mitigate or prevent serious complications or death from the virus.

He put it like this: “People think the goal of the vaccine is, ‘I don’t want to get the disease.’ No, the purpose of the vaccine is not getting the complications. So, the endpoint really should be, ‘Am I going to get sick enough that I’m going to go to the hospital, or am I going to die from COVID-19?’ That’s what you’re trying to prevent, just like the flu vaccine. Most people can get the flu even if you’re vaccinated, but you don’t want to die from the flu, you don’t want to get the pneumonia complications.”

Gonzalez detailed how vaccines are designed to introduce some of the viral genetic material into the body so antibodies can be developed, “which is the key to help you fight the virus in the future.”

He shot down myths that the authorized COVID-19 vaccines may somehow change or interact with a person’s DNA in any way, explaining how the vaccine is delivered into cell’s cytoplasm, not the nucleus.

Said Gonzalez, “I know a lot of people are concerned it’s messing with our DNA. It doesn’t; it stays outside the nucleus of our cells, so it doesn’t go into where our DNA is…”

He touched on the efficacy of the various types of available vaccines, too.

He mentioned both the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines have shown to be about 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 infections for the general population, while the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson viral vector vaccines have come in at 72% and 70%, respectively.

For comparison, the annual flu shot is about 40% to 50% effective in preventing influenza, he said.

The notable piece, Gonzalez emphasized, is the four COVID-19 vaccines are proven 100% effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths related to the virus.

“Don’t be discouraged by these (efficacy) numbers,” he said. “Look at the flu vaccine. We get it every year, and it’s only 40% to 50% effective, but (lack of) hospitalization and death is the important factor here. I don’t care if I get COVID, as long as I don’t die from it.”

Saint Leo University hosted the first COVID-19 vaccine distribution in East Pasco County back in mid-January, at its campus in St. Leo. (File)

With that, he encouraged people to go ahead and get the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, if eligible to do so.

Said Gonzalez, “Is Johnson & Johnson weaker? Yeah, it’s weaker for you not to get COVID, but it’s going to prevent me from going to the hospital and dying from it, so if you are eligible to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, then by all means, please get it.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded the groups eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida, as of March 15, to include those age 60 or older.

Eligibility continues to evolve, so be sure to check for the latest information on state or local health department websites.

Gonzalez, who’s been vaccinated himself, acknowledged experiencing some pain in the injection site.

He knows others have experienced headaches, fatigues and muscle aches for 24 hours to 48 hours — not dissimilar to flu shot symptoms.

He recommended taking Tylenol for relief post-injection. “When you get a side effect from the flu vaccine, most likely you’ll probably get it from COVID-19 (too),” Gonzalez said.

Serious side effects like anaphylaxis are rare, with less than a 0.1% reported, he said, adding, “We haven’t seen any deaths from people getting COVID vaccines.”

Meantime, as others wait to get vaccinated, Gonzalez emphasized continuing proper mask-wearing in public spaces.

He underscored how it reduces risk of transmission or spread of respiratory droplets containing viruses, whether through breathing, talking, coughing or sneezing.

The medical professional admitted, like others, he doesn’t particularly enjoy wearing a mask, but illustrated the bigger picture at play: “I know it’s cumbersome, (but) it doesn’t take that long, you’re helping your neighbor, you’re helping yourself, so, it’s just easier to wear one, whether you believe in it or not, it doesn’t take much from somebody to wear a mask. Just cover your mouth and cover your nose, and be a good citizen with everybody else.”

Improved COVID-19 treatment options
From an encouraging standpoint, inpatient and outpatient COVID-19 treatment options have improved greatly since the pandemic’s onset, Gonzalez observed.

Inpatient hospital care options include anti-virals like remdesivir, similar to Tamiflu to fight influenza; steroids like decadron, given to patients with low oxygen saturations; and convalescent plasma injections, whereby COVID-19 survivors’ antibodies are transfused into sick COVID-19 patients.

In the way of outpatient COVID-19 management, AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills were some of the first hospitals in the health care system’s West Florida division offering monoclonal antibody infusion, Gonzalez said.

This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. (File)

With monoclonal antibody infusion, synthetic antibodies created in a pharmaceutical laboratory are used to limit the amount of virus in the body, treating COVID-19 positive patients and preventing progression to more severe cases and symptoms.

The therapy requires an IV infusion at the hospital and takes about three hours, Gonzalez said.

“We got a lot of good feedback from patients that have received this,” he said, noting his parents and fellow physicians have received therapy at both facilities. “Within 24 hours they were miraculously better.”

Gonzalez pointed out this treatment was actually used to help President Donald Trump recover from the coronavirus, administered at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Bethesda, Maryland.

Don’t ignore other health care issues
Even amid the pandemic, Gonzalez strongly advised people to not put other non-COVID-19-related health care issues on hold, or simply ignore new or persistent symptoms.

Hospitals have taken extreme measures to make sure that people with COVID-19 are held in separate locations, he said, so there shouldn’t be fear of visiting facilities to take care of other medical conditions — whether it’s diabetes, hypertension, or routine cancer screenings.

“Please keep your appointments for chronic disease management, especially if you’re taking medications,” he said.

The speaker noted how hospitals are reporting fewer heart attacks and strokes amid fear of COVID-19 —worrying doctors that patients are avoiding visits for health issues that require prompt care.

“Timing can be the difference,” he said. “If you wait too long (to seek medical care) you’re going to get more comorbidities and more risk for mortality or death.”

A seasonal virus?
At least one lingering question is whether COVID-19 will become a seasonal virus, like the flu.

Gonzalez said it’s “really a debatable question,” adding, “at this time, there’s no data suggesting it will be seasonal.”

However, the medical director explained because COVID-19 is virally enveloped, it’s more apt to survive and travel in cold weather.

Moreover, because sunlight is less intense in the wintertime, there’s less UV radiation light to kill the virus, he said.

Other concerning factors of the virus perhaps spreading more in the wintertime, he said, is a byproduct of people congregating in enclosed indoor spaces more often. There’s also risk of weakened immune responses as people have less Vitamin D amid less sunlight, he said, so supplements are recommended in wintry months.

Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and appear two days to 14 days after exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.

  • Fever/chills
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dry cough
  • Loss of smell/taste
  • Muscle aches
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Note: Seek medical care immediately if someone has emergency warning signs of COVID-19.

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Five mistakes to avoid with your mask

  • Not washing your hands
  • Not covering your nose and mouth
  • Touching or adjusting mask
  • Masking too late, removing it too soon
  • Reusing old/dirty masks

Source: Akron Children’s Hospital

COVID-19 general prevention measures

  • Avoid sick individuals
  • Socially distance at least six feet
  • Wash hands for at least 20 seconds
  • Disinfect high-touch and high-transit areas, such as elevators and stairwells
  • Wear a mask in the community

Published March 17, 2021

Mascot leads the way with safety precautions

By

(Courtesy of Pratt Communications)

The Museum of Science and Industry, and the Tampa Bay Lightning continued their partnership with a recent virtual field trip led by Thunderbug, the Lightning mascot. Thunderbug took advantage of the high-tech UVZone Ozone + UVC shoe-sanitizing station at the museum to ‘score a goal for safety.’ The station can be used with any footwear or shoe cover.

 

AdventHealth expands cancer care in Pasco

By

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has unveiled a 24-bed, inpatient oncology unit, dedicated to the care of cancer patients.

The 13,000-square-foot unit has private rooms, to substantially decrease infection risks for cancer patients, according to a news release from the hospital chain.

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel also unveiled two new state-of-the-art operating rooms, expanding the hospital’s ability to provide its clinical expertise in surgical care, the release says.

“Many of our cancer patients have had to travel outside Pasco County for the specialized care they need, and we’re excited to provide convenient access to that expert care right here in our community,” Erik Wangsness, president and CEO of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, said in the release.

The addition of the unit also allows the hospital to expand its workforce and hire more nurses, specifically for the care of cancer patients.

“AdventHealth has a vision to expand its footprint to provide trusted, innovative cancer care to many of our growing communities,” Elizabeth Hayden, director of oncology for AdventHealth West Florida Division, adds in the release. “Our greater strategy is to build on our connected network of care to provide cancer patients in all of our counties with the access to exceptional cancer care when they need us most.”

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel is home to a number of surgical cancer services and screening opportunities for the community and survivorship programs geared toward patients who are post-treatment and in remission, the release says.

For more information, visit AdventHealth.com, or Facebook.com/AdventHealth.

Published March 10, 2021

Hospital ‘shines on’ during pandemic

By

(Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel illuminated its building with the color blue, to honor the lives lost from COVID-19, and to remind people that ‘Hope Shines On.’ The lights also are in recognition of the perseverance of the hospitals’ team members and the community throughout the pandemic.