The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Health News 08/21/2019

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(Courtesy of Pasco Kids First)

Pasco Kids First receives grant
The Florida Medical Clinic Foundation of Caring selected Pasco Kids First as a grant recipient. The funds from the grant will be used to provide therapy and case management services for children who have experienced a traumatic event. The Foundation of Caring was founded in 2005 and has granted more than $2.5 million to 135 local nonprofits for community needs. From left: Layton Jennings, Ashley Jennings, Dana Selfridge, Angela Pottinger, Angelita Rodriguez and Becky Bennett. To learn more, visit FMCFoundationOfCaring.org.

Hands-on experience
AdventHealth hosted the eighth annual Brain Expansions Scholastic Training (B.E.S.T.) Academy, which provided hands-on health care experience to more than 80 teens across Tampa Bay.

Twenty-five students from across the Tampa Bay region took part in the Brain Expansions Scholastic Training Academy offered at AdventHealth Zephyrhills. (Courtesy of AdventHealth-West Florida Division)

This the fifth year AdventHealth Zephyrhills hosted the program.

The B.E.S.T. Academy encourages high school and middle school students to focus on careers within the health care sector.

Students participate in either a one-, two- or four-week program immersed in hands-on workshops, which include lab work, triage, suturing, splinting and shadowing hospital staff on the job.

The Academy also is offered in AdventHealth Carrollwood, AdventHealth Tampa and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel.

 

New CEO announced
AdventHealth has named Erik Wangsness to the position of CEO for AdventHealth Wesley Chapel.

Wangsness will assume the leadership role on Sept. 1, replacing Denyse Bales-Chubb, who recently transitioned to a new role as CEO for AdventHealth Tampa.

Recently, Wangsness served as president for Washington Adventist Hospital in the Washington D.C. region.

Terry Shaw, president/CEO for AdventHealth, said in a release, “Over the years, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has grown to meet the increasing health care needs of this community, and with Erik’s guidance, I know it will continue to provide exceptional Christ-centered care and foster hope and wholeness.”

Staff achievements
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point honored its physicians and new residents at the hospital’s annual Nursing Gala.

The event recognizes the significant accomplishments of the hospital’s physicians and nurses.

Physicians are nominated for their dedication to providing high-quality, compassionate patient care.

Both physicians and new residents are nominated by the hospital’s nursing staff.

This year’s winners were Dr. Keshav Remireddy as Physician of the Year and Dr. Andrei Hetman as New Resident of the Year.

Humanitarian award
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point announced that Dr. Keshav Ramireddy has been recognized as this year’s Frist Physician Humanitarian Award winner.

The award was created in 1971 to honor individuals for their humanitarian and volunteer activities, named in honor of Dr. Thomas F. Frist Sr.

The nominee is judged in four categories: level of commitment to the facility and patient care; level of commitment to the community; having a positive effect on others; and, dependability, consistency and people-oriented.

Dr. Ramireddy will receive a donation of $500 to the charity of his choice, and a Frist lapel pin and a plaque.

Health and Wellness Fair focuses on the elderly

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A free community Health and Wellness Fair, held recently in Land O’ Lakes,  focused on services that are available to the elderly, as they face changes in mind and body.

The Aug. 1 event was hosted by Keystone Place at Terra Bella, 2200 Livingston Road, which offers residential options for independent living, assisted living and memory care.

Bryan D’Onofrio spoke at the event on behalf of the North Tampa Behavioral Health Hospital. The Wesley Chapel facility serves people who are suffering from issues such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse, by providing in-patient and out-patient services – including a geriatrics unit.

Local organizations in the Tampa Bay area gathered at a Health and Wellness Fair held at Keystone Place at Terra Bella to inform the public about various services available to help the elderly. (Brian Fernandes)

Many of the elderly patients who are admitted are dealing with depression,  D’Onofrio noted.

“As we get older, things don’t work like they used to,” he said. “As those things hit us, we can suffer some depression.”

At the behavioral health hospital, patients engage with a psychiatrist, therapist, social workers and licensed mental-health counselors, to receive the right treatment.

Patients also partake in group therapy to keep social, and recreational therapy, such as board games, yoga and other exercises. They are encouraged to continue activities when released home, to help them stay positive, D’Onofrio said.

Bayada Home Health Care and Bluestone Physician Services also participated in the event.

These companies offer mobile services — providing medical care to residents in assisted living facilities, such as Keystone Place at Terra Bella in Land O’ Lakes.

Tyler Patrick, marketing manager at Bayada, said that the goal of this type of care is to help prevent the need for hospitalizations.

Patrick added that, “If you’ve got a resident that has a disease that’s becoming exacerbated, the doctor may want an RN (registered nurse) checking in on that resident two, three times a week to monitor [and] make sure the medications are working. Our nurses can come in and do that.”

Assisted living facilities also provide a safe and secure environment for those known to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.

Amanda Wood, a program manager at the Alzheimer’s Association, shared information that help individuals, or their loved ones, identify the disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association, offers this list of 10 early warning signs:

  • Memory loss that disrupts daily life
  • Challenges in planning or solving problems
  • Difficulty completing familiar tasks
  • Confusion with time or place
  • Trouble understanding visual images
  • Difficulty with speaking or writing
  • Misplacing things and difficulty retracing steps
  • Decreased or poor judgement
  • Withdrawal from work or social activities
  • Changes in mood or personality

“One of the best things to do for noticing these signs, is to talk about it,” Wood said. “Go talk to your primary care physician.”

She emphasized the importance of initiating the conversation, whether it’s the individual exhibiting the signs, or a loved one witnessing them.

That person’s doctor can then refer them to a neurologist for further analysis.

An ongoing consistency in these signs may be a red flag that can differentiate them from usual memory loss, Wood said.

When a current or potential Alzheimer’s patient is living at home, it is also important to plan ahead for emergencies.

Teresa Haver, of the Alzheimer’s Family Organization, gave a demonstration on how the Wanderer’s Reunification Program is set up. This personalized kit can be useful in helping locate an Alzheimer’s patient gone missing.

Teresa Haver stood at the Alzheimer’s Family Organization booth and showed visitors one preparation technique – the Wanderer’s Reunification Program.

This is a free kit made up of sterilized equipment used in helping locate a missing patient.

“What you do is take the sterile pad and rub it on your loved one to get their scent, put it in the jar [and] seal it up,” Haver explained.

The jar is then placed on top of the refrigerator and is good for seven years.

Should the person go missing, the local sheriff’s department has already been trained to look for the jar on the fridge. Deputies then use blood hounds to search for the scent on the pad.

Haver also said the caregiver should familiarize themselves with the patient’s dominant hand, because they tend to wander in the direction of that hand.

She also recommended that a caregiver place an identification bracelet on the patient’s wrist and to have door locks that are higher than the patient’s reach.

Wood said there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s, but there are lifestyle choices that may help the brain age well.

Those include exercise, staying socially active, challenging the brain and a proper diet.

“Every time our heart beats, 25 percent of that blood goes to our brain,” Wood explained. “If we’re getting exercise, we’re getting more nutrient and oxygen-rich blood up to our brain.”

Exercise can include such things as walking up stairs and dancing, she noted.

Social activities, such as playing strategic games like chess, can help preoccupy and strengthen the mind, she said.

Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets are good alternatives, Wood noted.

These heart-healthy choices consist of nuts and grains, as well as foods high in protein and low in sodium.

The Rev. Virginia Walsh, of Unity North Tampa Church, also shared her knowledge at the health and wellness fair.

Proper nutrition can help lead to effective meditation practice, Walsh said.

Before doing a meditation session, participants should drink plenty of water.

They also should eat foods rich in protein, and stay clear of foods high in carbohydrates, processed sugar, flour and starches.

Walsh conducted a meditation class during the fair, offering participants tips they could apply at home.

“Meditation can help us think more clearly, be able to focus, and also has shown to often improve memory,” the reverend said. “Being mindful helps us to cope better with what happens in life.”

This in turn, produces more peace and may lead to a healthier brain, she said.

Published August 14, 2019

Medical Center of Trinity marks a first in Tampa Bay area

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Medical Center of Trinity is the first medical institution in the Tampa Bay area to use the CorPath GRX system – a robotic-assisted device used in coronary care.

The hospital had a celebration on July 30 to unveil the device to the public.

Dr. Patrick Cambier, an interventional cardiologist at the medical center, has had the opportunity to operate using the new device.

Brandon Davis of Corindus Vascular Robotics Inc., demonstrated how the CorPath GRX system operates during a July 30 ribbon cutting ceremony at Medical Center of Trinity. The device is used to help treat blocked arteries. (Brian Fernandes)

“We’re very excited for the Medical Center of Trinity, that they decided to be the first hospital (in the Bay Area),” Cambier said. “It’s a completely new paradigm.”

The robotic arm handles medical tools that would otherwise be manually used by physicians – including a catheter and stents.

At a console station, the doctor maneuvers the arm using a set of joysticks. A large monitor shows where to guide the catheter, as its inserted into the patient’s artery.

The blockage can be pinpointed, through the use of an X-ray. A stent is inserted into the clogged artery with a balloon catheter. The balloon is inflated and the stent is locked into place, to keep the artery open.

Brandon Davis of Corindus Vascular Robotics Inc., explained the functions of the device, at the event, which took place in the hospital’s lobby.

“This robot can stretch out all the way across the patient and can go to any access point. It’s driving the wires and balloons through your artery, through your arm and all the way up to your heart,” he said.

In addition to being inserted through the forearm, it can also go through the femoral arteries in the thighs.

Although patients have limited exposure to radiation during a stent procedure, medical staff have higher safety risks that are two-fold, Davis added.

Despite wearing lead suits for precaution, staff are still exposed to radiation as they spend time around X-ray equipment.

The weight of the lead suit can also pose risks of spinal injury.

However, with the CorPath GRX, medical staff can work from their console station and keep a safe distance from the X-ray machine, while using the robot to operate.

Dr. Cambier said patients benefit because the machine reduces the chance of a medical error during the procedure.

“This allows us to raise the bar of existing equipment to a more precise fashion,” the cardiologist said. “It takes all of the variables of a human out, in terms of tremors [and] fatigue.”

While this is a new feature in the Bay Area, it has had considerable growth in the United States and abroad after being introduced in 2017.

There are more than 60 devices in use across the U.S., and the device is reaching such countries as Singapore, Japan, China and Brazil, Davis said.

The system also allows doctors to perform remote procedures.

“We’ve already done our first remote case in India where the physician was 20 miles away from the patient,” Davis explained. “That was done all wireless.”

Both Cambier and Davis pointed out that this technology is only advancing as efforts are underway to broaden its use into neurology. This would allow stroke victims to receive treatment from their operating physician, while in another region of the globe.

Last year, Cambier had to travel to Texas to train and acclimate himself to the new device. However, he welcomes other Bay Area physicians to train locally at Medical Center of Trinity and understand the robotic benefits.

“It starts making things much more uniform,” he said. “Uniformity leads to more consistent outcomes and [that’s] good for the patients of the Tampa Bay Area.”

Published August 07, 2019

Health News 08/07/2019

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(Courtesy of Debra Ruyle)

Raising funds for breast cancer
Breast Friends Forever Inc., based in Caliente Resort and Spa, raised more than $34,435 for Moffitt Cancer Center, with the support of sponsors and the community during a derby fundraiser. The money is specifically earmarked for breast cancer treatment and research. Taking part in the presentation, from left: Debra Ruyle, Diane Wiley, Pam Gerbig, Judi Miller, Debbie Wright and Hilda Holt. Member Sharon LeVand is not pictured.

 

 

 

Critical need for blood donors
OneBlood, a local blood center, is urging people with O-positive blood to donate as soon as possible.

Summer is a challenging time for blood donations. School is out and people are on vacation, but the need for blood does not stop, according to a release by OneBlood.

Thirty-seven percent of the population has O-positive blood, making it the most common blood type, which makes it transfused more often.

Generally, healthy people age 16 and older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood.

For a list of OneBlood Donor Centers and Big Red Bus blood drives, visit OneBlood.org.

Hospital performs robotic procedure
The Medical Center of Trinity has announced the successful completion of the first robotic-assisted coronary/peripheral angioplasty in the Tampa Bay region.

According to a release, this is the first and only FDA-cleared and CE Marked medical device to bring robotic-assisted precision and control to coronary and peripheral interventional procedures.

Physicians use minimally invasive technology, which improves the precision of stent placements. Combined with the enhanced visualization of the X-ray images and robotic precision, procedures are transformed, ultimately improving patient care.

Nursing excellence
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point recognized registered nurse Aida Guardiani for Excellence in Nursing.

The Excellence in Nursing Awards were established to honor outstanding nurses who demonstrate excellence in professional mentoring and in providing compassionate care.

Melanie Wetmore, chief nursing officer, pointed out, in a release, that Aida goes out of her way daily to go above and beyond in the care and navigation of her patients; patients and families consistently rave about the care she provides; her compassion for others is evident in everything she does; and, she ensures every interaction with patients is positive, caring and nurturing.

Guardiani received a $500 check, a plaque, a special parking spot for a year, and an lapel pin.

New staff member
Access Health Care Physicians welcomes Dr. Melitza Lopez Valle to its medical staff.

Lopez Valle comes to Access Health from Puerto Rico, where she has practiced medicine since receiving her medical degree in 2007 at that Universidad Central Del Caribe, Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

She completed her residency at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus.

Lopez Valle is proficient in both Spanish and English.

Access Health’s main office is at 5350 Spring Hill Drive in Spring Hill.

Medicare information
Being uninformed of your Medicare benefits and options can result in delays in coverage, financial penalties and higher health care costs.

To learn more, speak to a local Medicare counselor that can be provided by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs’ SHINE Program.

The SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) program provides free, confidential and unbiased counseling.

For information, visit the Florida Elder Helpline at FloridaShine.org, and complete the “contact us” form.

 

Summer heat poses health risks; take steps to stay safe

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Heat advisories, warnings and watches have been issued in recent weeks across the country, putting millions of Americans at risk.

At least six deaths were attributed to the massive heatwave, and events, such as the New York City Marathon, were cancelled, according to CBS News.

Besides being uncomfortable, hot weather also can pose potential health risks. If you need to be outside, be sure to seek shade and be sure to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. (Christine Holtzman)

And, it comes as no surprise that Florida’s notorious heat and humidity also can create potentially dangerous conditions.

So, what can people do to reduce their risk of suffering from heat-related illnesses?

One of the most important steps people can take is to avoid dehydration, said Dr. Katrina Cordero, the Emergency Room medical director at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, in Lutz.

Dehydration can lead to other complications, including heat exhaustion and heatstroke, she said.

Heatstroke is a serious condition that requires immediate emergency care, Cordero said.

Symptoms of heatstroke include a temperature, confusion and, at times, irritability, she said.

Other symptoms can include hallucinations and tremors, she added.

Cordero offered some reminders to help avoid heat-related illnesses.

“If you must be outside for a prolonged period of time, at least try to stay in some shade,” the doctor said.

Be sure to stay hydrated. It helps to carry a bottle around with you, to serve as a reminder, she added.

Drinking Gatorade can help, too, to restore electrolytes that are lost when people sweat.

A personal fan can help keep you cool, and wearing a broad brim hat can give you your own personal shade, too.

“If  you must go out, make sure you’re not staying out there all day,” she said.

Beach-goers also need to avoid too much time in the sun, she said. “You might want to take a break, go into a store — so your body has a chance to cool down.”

It’s also important to wear sunscreen, and to reapply.

People often forget to reapply — especially after they’ve been swimming, she said.

“Just a short exposure, with our strong sun, can cause some damage,” Cordero said.

The doctor also advised coaches to be sure they give their players plenty of chances for water or sports drink breaks.

“The hotter that it is, increase their (break)  frequency, depending on how long they’re staying out and how much they’re exerting themselves,” Cordero said.

Summer dangers

Children die in hot cars
Fifty-two children died in hot cars in 2018 — the deadliest year on record in the past 20 years, according to the National Safety Council. Almost 800 children have died from vehicular heatstroke since 1998.

How does it happen?

  • A caregiver forgets a child in a vehicle
  • The child gains access to a vehicle
  • Someone knowingly leaves a child in a vehicle

The National Safety Council says to stick to a routine to reduce the risk of forgetting a child. Keep a purse, briefcase or even a left shoe in the back seat to force you to look there before leaving the car. Also, be sure to keep vehicle doors locked, to prevent children from climbing in; and never leave a child inside the car when you are not there, even if you’re just running a quick errand. (Editor’s note: Remember to protect your pets from hot cars, too).

Prevent drownings
Drowning is the leading cause of injury death for children ages 1 through 14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC offers these key prevention tips:

  • Learn life-saving skills: Know the basics of swimming (floating, moving through the water) and learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
  • Fence your pool: Use a four–sided isolation fence, with self–closing and self–latching gates.
  • Require life jackets in and around natural water bodies, such as lakes or the ocean.
  • Be vigilant: Closely supervise kids when they’re in or near water, including bathtubs. Drowning happens quickly and quietly. Adults watching kids in and near water should avoid distracting activities, such as playing cards, reading books, talking on the phone, and using alcohol or drugs.

Heatstroke is dangerous, can be deadly
Heatstroke requires emergency treatment, experts at the Mayo Clinic say. Untreated heatstroke can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. The damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing your risk of serious complications or death.

Published July 31, 2019

Teen’s health struggle makes her a national voice

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When Mark and Kelly Dees of Land O’ Lakes decided to name their unborn daughter Hope, it was a sign of their unwavering optimism despite devastating news.

What was supposed to be an exciting reveal of their baby’s gender, soon became a moment of sadness after Hope was diagnosed with congenital heart defects.

Hope Dees, of Land O’ Lakes, sits next to her father, Mark, in the office of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis in Washington D.C. The 13-year-old was among many youths who traveled to Capitol Hill to talk to lawmakers about policies to better help kids with health issues. (Courtesy of Amy Gall, BayCare Health System)

“We were told by the first doctor that she wouldn’t live to see her first birthday,” Kelly recalled.

But now, at age 13, Hope has far exceeded that grim diagnosis.

Not only has she undergone multiple operations, she also recently had the chance to make her voice heard by the nation’s lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Still, it hasn’t been an easy path.

A fighting chance
After hearing the initial troubling news about their daughter, the couple went to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa, where a second diagnosis showed a brighter outcome.

Hope had a 92 percent success rate of survival, according to Dr. James Huhta, who still cares for her to this day.

She was born eight weeks premature with not only a weak heart, but a mild form of cerebral palsy, among other health complications.

At just 2 months old, she had her first open-heart surgery and spent several months recuperating at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Also, her esophagus did not connect to her stomach and had an abnormal connection to her trachea. This resulted in her being tube fed. Because of her complex situation, doctors waited until she weighed at least 4 pounds before performing corrective surgery.

Hope underwent two more heart surgeries, the second at 9 months old and the last at age 10. These were performed at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.

She had other health concerns, too.

When Hope was 18 months, her parents noticed she was walking unusually.

Hope Dees, 13, stands alongside U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist while on a trip to Washington D.C. She and her parents spoke to Florida legislators about health care coverage for kids with medical needs.

Over the years, she has had to go through extensive physical therapy and orthopedic surgery on her left leg and foot.

“As she grows, the bone grows faster than the muscle,” Kelly explained. “The bone is growing and the tendon is pulling in because it’s not as long as the bone.”

Although Hope uses a leg brace for stability, she still may need another surgery.

Being in and out of hospitals all her life and getting to know medical staff, especially at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, has become routine for Hope.

“This has always been her normal,” Kelly said of her daughter. “For me, it’s nothing but gratitude for all that they’ve done for her over the years, and all they continue to do.”

Speaking aloud for action
BayCare Health System and the Children’s Hospital Association have been working in conjunction for years to bring kids with medical needs to Washington D.C., for the annual Family Advocacy Day.

Amy Gall is a regional communications coordinator for BayCare Health System and has become Hope’s friend.

“We’ve been bringing a family up to meet with the legislators every summer,” Gall said.

Because Kelly is an advocate for protecting Medicaid for kids, Gall knew that Hope would be the perfect candidate to go to Capitol Hill with her family from June 24 to June 27.

Like dozens of other youth from around the nation, Hope had the opportunity to meet with congressional representatives from their respective states, and perhaps help to influence policy.

At Capitol Hill, Hope had the chance to meet with U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott. Also present were U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan, Kathy Castor, Charlie Crist, Darren Soto, Ross Spano and Greg Steube.

Along with Hope, Mark and Kelly helped address concerns about stabilizing health coverage for kids.

“As they are adults, taking responsibility of their own health care, it’s important that they have the coverage that they need and the assistance that they need,” Kelly said, in an interview with The Laker/Lutz News, after the family traveled to Washington D.C.

She said she wants assurance that when kids like Hope become adults, that they are guaranteed coverage and not discriminated because of pre-existing conditions.

Hope is currently on Children’s Medical Services, which falls under the Medicaid program.

There is a premium to pay, based on income, but the program has been helpful, Kelly said.

However, she said, a child must reapply annually, or the coverage will lapse.

One year, Hope’s paperwork was late, and she was without coverage for a month.

Changing that system was a topic presented to Congress.

“Some families can’t afford to just abruptly lose their coverage,” Kelly added. “It’s important that they are able to continue to afford their own coverage or doctor visits. It’s not cheap.”

Kelly said the reception offered by the federal lawmakers was sincere, and they appeared to be willing to see what could be done to help kids like Hope.

Still pressing forward
Even after everything Hope has endured, she still views herself as an average teenager, her mom said.

When she has free time, she practices the piano and goes swimming. And as she prepares to enter eighth grade at Dr. John Long Middle School, she plans to sing soprano in the choir.

While she was visiting Rep. Ross Spano’s office, he showed the family a sign engraved with the words: “Never give up.”

Kelly said she’s inspired by the same mantra — and, she added, that her daughter, Hope, has taught her the true meaning of those words.

Published July 24, 2019

Health News 07/24/2019

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(Courtesy of Pasco Kids First)

Opening new doors to keep kids safe
Pasco Kids First had an open house and ribbon cutting at its new East Pasco office, in the Dade City Business Center, 15000 Citrus Country Drive, Suite 103. The new office houses the Healthy Families Pasco-Hernando East Pasco Team and Trauma Treatment Team. There were light refreshments, and guests could meet team members and learn more about the services provided for children and families. For information, visit PascoKidsFirst.org.

(Courtesy of Tanita Tucker)

Gulfside center dedicated
Gulfside Hospice honored two special people who fully embraced and represented the spirit of Gulfside: Walter and Mary Rucki. To celebrate their generosity, a dedication took place in their honor at the facility, now called Rucki Center for Hospice Care. Friends, employees and board members came together to remember these individuals and share stories about their experience at Gulfside. The commemorative plaque was unveiled at the ceremony and will remain in the center. The Rucki Center is at 5760 Dean Dairy Road in Zephyrhills.

Autism grants
Every year, the Florida Support Autism Programs Specialty License Plate generates funds that support nonprofit organizations providing direct services for individuals with autism and related disabilities in Florida.

According to a news release from the Autism Services Grants Council, in 2018, nearly $99,600 was awarded to nonprofit organizations throughout Florida, bringing to life projects across the state.

All nonprofit organizations with a current Internal Revenue Service designation as a 501c(3) exempt organization, and a current State of Florida Charitable Solicitation Registration number that are providing services to individuals with autism and related disabilities in Florida are eligible to apply.

For information and to submit a proposal, visit AutismLicensePlate.com/grant-application/.

The deadline is July 31.

Hospital wins Gold Award
The Medical Center of Trinity has been awarded the Gold Winner “Best of Hospitals in West Pasco and North Pinellas” in the Suncoast Readers’ Choice Awards for 2019.

Sponsored by the Suncoast News, the Medical Center of Trinity received top honors in the hospital and medical center category.

Leah Massengill, CEO, said in a release, “It is gratifying to see that our community truly believes that we at Medical Center of Trinity walk the walk with regard to our mission, vision and values of providing the highest standards and most compassionate care to its community.”

In It Together scholarship
According to the Florida Center for Nursing, more than 40 percent of Florida nurses are approaching retirement age in the next 10 years, which could leave the state with a nursing shortage by 2025.

And, at the same time, health care jobs continue to grow in the Tampa area.

Altierus Career College in Tampa offers the “In It Together” scholarship to help make in-demand health care jobs more affordable to attain by reimbursing half of a student’s tuition, after the student completes the program and passes a certification exam.

The scholarship is for those enrolled in nursing or surgical technology programs at the school.

The nursing and tech programs at Altierus provide students with hands-on training in a realistic setting using industry-current equipment, included mannequins with functioning organs, ranging from a “mother that births babies” to infant and toddler-size mannequins.

For information, visit Altierus.edu.

Neuroscience Center hits milestone
One year ago, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point installed an x-ray imaging system for its Neuroscience Center, which allows physicians to view extremely detailed, real-time images of a patient’s head, neck and spine during stroke and other neuro-endovascular procedures that require exact precision.

The faster life-saving interventions can be performed on a patient, the greater the chances of survival and optimal recovery.

Patients at the Neuroscience Center receive treatment for a variety of medical conditions, including ischemic stroke, brain aneurism and neurovascular abnormalities.

As of July 12, Bayonet Point had successfully completed its 100th neuro-endovascular stroke intervention.

Panel sheds light on youth drug use in Pasco

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Speaking before a roomful of adults, a panel of teens offered their insights and observations about drug use among youths in Pasco County.

Marijuana use appears to be the biggest drug-related issue among youth across Pasco County, said the panelists, who are members of Safe Teens Against Drugs (STAND).

They said kids are increasingly turning to marijuana as a way to escape their personal problems.

From left: Maddie Horn, 12; Destiny Winter, 17; Jocelyn Meriwether, 14; Christos Loupis, 17; Austin Vaughan, 13; Ashley Dew, 19; Jeromy Vaughan, 14; and, Yahkaira Barbosa, 14. (Kevin Weiss)

“They’re not happy, they feel depressed, they have anxiety, so they smoke,” said panelist Destiny Winter. “They’re constantly trying to solve these problems by self-medicating instead of seeking help,” said the 17-year-old Anclote High student.

The group of youth leaders who make up STAND are determined to end youth substance abuse in Pasco County by educating teachers, police, business owners and other community members about their observations, and offering suggestions for solutions. The youth group is organized by the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP).

This is the fourth year that members of STAND have addressed members of numerous community stakeholder groups — in a forum arranged by ASAP — to talk about various health and safety issues facing Pasco youths.

Marijuana has become prevalent among teens because of peer pressure and relatively easy access to the substance, panelists told the audience.

And, the way it’s sensationalized in pop culture and social media hasn’t helped, either.

”It’s being influenced as cool, so they’re trying it out,” 14-year-old Land O’ Lakes High student Jocelyn Meriwether said.

“I believe it’s happening because of its popularization online by many celebrities, many singers or rappers that kids listen to,” added 14-year-old Gulf High student Jeromy Vaughan.

Moreover, the teens said the legalization of medical marijuana in Florida and throughout the country has contributed to the impression that it’s is OK to use, and a quick fix to cope with anxiety, boredom, sadness, depression and so on.

Winter pointed out that her peers aren’t adequately warned about marijuana’s side effects, such as withdrawals that can result from abusing the substance.

“They’re misled about how good it is for you,” said Winter, an Anclote varsity basketball player. “They’re told constantly about all these benefits from their peers and from social media, but they’re not told enough about what might not be good,” she said. “It’s just misinformation.”

The panelists also told those gathered at the Land O’ Lakes session that e-cigarettes and vaping, as well as vaping marijuana, are growing issues among teens.

They said it’s perceived as both cool to do and safer than smoking because it’s electronic and so prevalent in public spaces, such as parks and beaches.

Vaughan called vaping “the norm among this generation.”

“It’s become a very big problem,” the teen said. “Everyone believes it’s OK. Everyone does it. Everyone knows someone that does it, and still no one says anything about it.”

Added Winter: “I feel like many kids don’t understand the effects, they don’t understand we’re not quite sure yet what vaping is doing to our bodies and that there’s still research being done.”

Aside from drug use, 12-year-old Maddie Horn said youth violence is another issue in her community.

“A lot of kids are generally angry,” said Horn, “and it could come from things that are happening at home, and they don’t know how to cope with that.”

Besides talking about issues, STAND members offered some possible solutions.

They advocated for more mentorship programs, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, as well as more free afterschool programs, in general.

“I think partially just having safe spaces (would be good), places where kids can go after school that might not be home,” Winter said. “A lot of kids, especially in the area that we live in, don’t live in homes that are very supportive or leading them in the right direction.

“Where I live, the rec center is the only free place I can go to hang out and feel safe, really,” she said.

More robust education programs and awareness campaigns on the negative side effects of drug use might be another step in the right direction, panelists agreed.

“I remember last year we had three school assemblies and not a single one was about health or anything,” Vaughan said. “Just informing people about what happens when you do this kind of stuff and how your brain is affected, and how monumental it is compared to someone that doesn’t do it.”

Other STAND panelists present were: Ashley Dew, 19; Yahkaira Barbosa, 14; Christos Loupis, 17; Moriah Morales, 15; and, Austin Vaughan, 13.

STAND’s mission is to:

  • Change youth perspectives of drugs
  • Reduce accessibility of drugs
  • Reduce marketing of drugs to young people
  • Create an environment where young people in recovery can thrive

To learn more about STAND, contact .

Published July 10, 2019

Health News 07/10/2019

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(Courtesy of Angelika Dennis)

Vitamin drop-offs aimed at fighting malnutrition
Rainbow Light, a supplement brand, and Vitamin Angels, a charity that provides lifesaving vitamins to mothers and children at risk of malnutrition, teamed up for the Shine Your Light campaign. The organizations visited Guiding Star Tampa in Lutz and the Immokalee Pregnancy Center, to drop off essential vitamins for women and their families. The teams also met with the clinicians and staff at each location. Rainbow Light is celebrating its 25th anniversary with its first-ever domestic vitamin drop-offs to help underserved communities across the United States.

Autism grants
Every year, the Florida Support Autism Programs Specialty License Plate generates funds that support nonprofit organizations providing direct services for individuals with autism and related disabilities in Florida.

According to a news release from the Autism Services Grants Council, in 2018, nearly $99,600 was awarded to nonprofit organizations throughout Florida, bringing to life projects across the state.

All nonprofit organizations with a current Internal Revenue Service designation as a 501c(3) exempt organization, and a current State of Florida Charitable Solicitation Registration number that are providing services to individuals with autism and related disabilities in Florida are eligible to apply.

For information and to submit a proposal, visit AutismLicensePlate.com/grant-application/.

The deadline is July 31.

Reduce the spread of infectious diseases
Hospital infections have become all too common and can be particularly hazardous for the elderly.

Although not a guarantee, here are a few simple steps to help diminish the risk of staph infections and other infections when a loved one, particularly an older loved one, is in the hospital.

  • Ask everyone who comes in contact with the patient to wash their hands before touching the patient. Bring your own bottle of hand sanitizer to put at the bedside. Hang a sign asking people to “Please wash hands before touching.”
  • Ask the physicians to clean their stethoscopes with anti-bacterial gel on the flat, round part before touching the patient. Bring a pack of anti-bacterial wipes to leave in the patient’s room.
  • Ask if antibiotics can be given before surgery to help prevent an infection.
  • Ask for a private room, if possible.
  • As a visitor, do not use the patient’s bathroom.
  • As a visitor, do not put a purse, briefcase or backpack on the floor or any surface of the hospital room. If you need to do so, place a clean towel between the item and the floor/surface.
  • Do not bring children to the hospital room, as they could spread germs or leave germs behind.
  • Wash your hands after touching the elevator buttons.

For more information, visit VeryWellHealth.com.

Pasco Sheriff launches unit to help mentally ill

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The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is launching a new unit aimed to better serve the needs of people facing significant mental health issues.

The new unit — called the Mental Health and Threat Assessment Team (MHTAT) — will feature six deputies, two caseworkers, a clinical social worker, a sergeant and a lieutenant, who will collaborate with local behavioral health providers to provide tailored, long-term programs for citizens in need.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is launching a new unit to better serve the needs of local citizens facing significant mental health issues. The Mental Health and Threat Assessment Team (MHTAT) will collaborate with local behavioral health partners to provide long-term care and criminal diversion to the county’s Baker Act repeats. (File)

The team’s primary task is to keep tabs on the county’s Baker Act repeats — through a proactive approach that includes frequent visitations, welfare checks, expedited behavioral health resources and criminal justice diversion programs.

An individual struggling with addiction may be referred to outpatient substance abuse treatment, for instance. Or, someone undergoing financial struggles may be referred to Pasco County Human Services and the county’s homeless coalition.

The unit will have partnerships with BayCare Behavioral Health, Chrysalis Health, Novus Medical Detox Center, HCA Florida Hospitals, AdventHealth and others, “working towards a common goal in our community,” Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said.

The program ultimately will put the agency “ahead of the curve” in crime prevention, the sheriff said.

“We see mental health and substance abuse are the two drivers of criminal justice issues in our county. That’s why we’re creating this unit,” Nocco said.

It’s also about crisis mitigation, said Lt. Toni Roach, who will head up the MHTAT unit.

“Everybody has a baseline, and when they start to dip below that baseline we can provide some intervention strategies, connect them with a case manager or whatever other behavioral health resources are in the community that could help them stabilize,” Roach said.

The unit is expected to be up and running by October. It will cost roughly $1.5 million annually.

About 11 percent of the sheriff’s calls for service in 2018 were mental-health related.

That included roughly 3,400 Baker Act reports and more than 2,100 calls involving suicides or suicide attempts.

Of those reports, 503 individuals had multiple interactions with the agency, including some who’ve been Baker Acted as many as four or five times, Nocco said.

The MHTAT will be concentrating on the population who have had multiple interactions with the county, Nocco said. The unit will help divert those people from having to call 911 and thereby free patrol deputies to respond more quickly to urgent or violent calls.

As an example, the sheriff pointed out that, last year alone, one individual with a history of mental illness called county dispatch 124 times.

But, through a personal visit from the sheriff’s office back in May, those calls have stopped, the sheriff said.  “A lot of times they just need to talk to somebody. They just need somebody to help them out.”

“It’s all about connection,” added Roach. “Interacting with anybody is just that communication piece, being able to sit down with somebody and have a conversation with people, to listen to what’s going on, what are their concerns, what are their barriers.”

And, it’s those types of soft skills that will be required for those selected to the 11-person unit.

“It takes a special person to want to be in this unit,” Nocco said. “You want somebody that has that compassion and care. Somebody who says, ‘I’m not just going to be here for an hour, I might be here two to three hours working with somebody.’”

In recent years, the sheriff’s office has placed an emphasis on training law enforcement personnel to respond better to people who are mentally ill.

The office has an eight-hour foundational course in mental health first aid and a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) program held quarterly in Shady Hills. About 50 percent of the agency’s patrol deputies are CIT certified.

Published July 03, 2019