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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Health News 01/02/2019

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(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

Pharmacists awarded certification
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point announced that, from left: Brittany Petrosky, Pharm.D., BCCCP; Nicholas K. Rigopoulous, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCGP; Kris Miley, Pharm.D., BCPS; and Erika Mooney, Pharm.D., BCPS and have received National Board Certifications by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS). All four passed a rigorous certification exam by the board.

 


Hospital receives award for organ donation awareness
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has been recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services with a Platinum Award for its activities to increase enrollment in the state registry as organ, eye and tissue donors.

Regional Medical was informed by LifeLink of Florida that the award was in recognition of Bayonet Point’s organ donor registration efforts between Oct. 1, 2017 and April 30, 2018.

The hospital hosted various donor registry events in high traffic areas of the hospital, had a donation flag raising ceremony for its staff and the community, and ran a campaign of hospital public service announcements on its internal cable channel.

Presentations about organ, eye and tissue donations also were made, and posters were displayed throughout the facility.

The hospital even joined with an organ recipient who showed appreciation for staff efforts regarding the donation process.

Bilirakis bill to help heart patients
The Congenital Heart Future Reauthorization Act sponsored by Congressman Gus Bilirakis has been signed into law.

This legislation addresses the need to invest in continued research to assist the millions of Americans living with congenital heart disease (CHD).

The legislation seeks to build upon the success by ensuring continued investment in surveillance research to assess the lifelong needs of individuals with CHD.

Emphasis also is placed upon the need for continued biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of CHD.

This is the 26th bill authored by Bilirakis to become law since 2015.

Robotic breast reconstruction
Women who undergo a mastectomy to remove cancerous tissue or as a preventive measure because of a heightened genetic risk of breast cancer may choose reconstructive surgery.

One option is to use their own tissue for the reconstruction, which can achieve a more natural appearance and is a more permanent solution, compared with implant-based reconstructive surgeries.

According to a news release, surgeons from the University of Pennsylvania are the first in the world to use a surgical robot to assist with a bilateral free flap breast reconstruction, a procedure in which tissue is taken from the lower abdomen (similar to a tummy tuck), and used to rebuild the breast.

The technique enables surgeons to make a much smaller incision into the abdominal wall muscles, allowing patients to recover and to be discharged quicker, without the use of addictive narcotic painkillers.

For information, visit PennToday.upenn.edu, and click on the Health Sciences link.

 

 

 

Health News 12/26/2018

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New MADD national president
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has announced Helen Witty as its new national president, effective Jan. 1.

Witty joined MADD in 2000, after her 16-year-old daughter, Helen Marie, was killed by a drunk and drugged driver while rollerblading on a designated bike path near the family’s home.

As president, Witty will serve as national spokesperson and chief advocate for MADD, which grew from a grassroots movement started up by a grieving mother in 1980 to one of the most influential and effective organizations in history.

In addition to her work with MADD, Witty spent nine years as a Delta Air Lines employee and eight years as a college advisor in Miami-Dade Public Schools.

Helping kids have a happy holiday
Florida Hospital at Connerton Long Term Acute Care in Land O’ Lakes has been collecting gifts for children within the Eckerd Youth Foster Angel Program.

More than 130 gifts were delivered to 20 children, in an effort to ensure they have a happy holiday.

Surgery expansion
Following the opening of Pasco County’s first Neuro Interventional program and Comprehensive Stroke Center, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point will undertake a major renovation and expansion of the hospital’s surgical services.

The project includes enlarging and updating the hospital’s existing operating rooms, construction of a new Sterile Processing Department and an expansion of the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).

The 19,000-square-foot venture involves the internal renovation of operating rooms and PACU at a projected cost of $14.7 million.

New construction will be at the south end of the hospital — the opposite end of the hospital’s emergency room. The build out will not impact existing roads or visitor parking.

The expansion and renovation is expected to take approximately 14 months to complete.

Straight As for patient safety
Florida Hospital West Florida Division once again earned the highest marks possible for patient safety and quality.

The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit health care ratings organization, announced the Top Hospitals in the country, and Florida Hospital Carrollwood, Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center Sebring, Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel and Florida Hospital Zephyrhills all received the Top General Hospital award.

This is the second top designation for Florida Hospital Carrollwood, and the first for Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel and Florida Hospital Zephyrhills.

Gulfside is expanding
Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care announced plans to expand the company’s care options by becoming Gulfside Healthcare Services.

With the expansion, Gulfside Healthcare will now offer an option for skilled home health, furthering its mission to provide a comprehensive circle of personalized care.

The option of skilled home health services will encourage patients and their loved ones to participate in the healing process side-by-side, in the comfort of their own home.

Beginning in March, the home health services will be offered in Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, alongside its current hospice services in Pasco County and palliative services in Pasco and Hillsborough.

For information, visit GHPPC.org.

BayCare wants to build new hospital in Pasco

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BayCare has received preliminary approval of an application to build a new 60-bed hospital on a 111-acre site, at the northeast quadrant of Interstate 75 and Overpass Road.

The Agency for Health Care Administration on Dec. 10 announced preliminary approval of the hospital’s application for a Certificate of Need.

Tommy Inzina, president/CEO of BayCare (Courtesy of BayCare)

As part of its application, BayCare outlined plans that include:
• Construction of the hospital
• Recruitment of primary care practitioners
• Implementation of additional behavioral health services
• A commitment to community outreach, wellness and education activities
• An investment in training and education for Pasco County school students interested in health care careers.

Tommy Inzina, president/CEO of BayCare, said the new hospital would provide medical services in a growing area of Pasco County.

The proposed site meshes well with the hospital’s need to take the long view, Inzina said, noting, “hospitals have to have a plan for 50 or 100 years.”

When BayCare was considering locating a hospital in Pasco, it began looking north of Wesley Chapel, to meet the growing need moving north along the Interstate 75 corridor, the hospital executive said.

BayCare wanted a site near Interstate 75, to make the site easily accessible, and it wanted 50 acres or more of land, Inzina said.

“There’s just not an infinite number of sites that would meet that definition,” Inzina said.

The property at I-75 and Overpass Road fit the bill.

Inzina noted the property is “a large enough piece of property to not only accommodate the hospital needs today, but what the needs might look like 30, 40, 50 years into the future.”

There are plans to create an interchange at I-75 and Overpass Road, and the area is poised for considerable growth, as new developments occur in the state-approved Connected City corridor, which covers about 7,800 acres in northeast Pasco County, bordered by I-75, State Road 52, and Curley and Overpass roads.

The timing for construction of the new hospital is unclear at this point, Inzina said.

Adventist Health, which operates Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills and Florida Hospital Dade City in Pasco County, has raised objections to BayCare’s application.

Inzina said BayCare expects to know by early January whether Adventist Health will appeal.

Inzina said the state was aware of the objections that were raised and BayCare’s responses, when it issued its preliminary approval for the Certificate of Need.

“If they (Adventist Health) appeal this, it could take perhaps up to a year to work through the appeals process,” Inzina said.

Meanwhile, BayCare will continue preparing for the new hospital, Inzina said.

“You can’t begin construction without a Certificate of Need, but we can do all of the planning we want to,” he said. For example, the hospital can work to secure the proper zoning for the land.

Typically, it takes 3 ½ to 4 years for a hospital project to be completed, including design, permitting and construction, Inzina said.

No specific figures are available for the project’s cost, but Inzina offered a rough estimate ranging from $250 million to $300 million.

BayCare expects hospital construction to bring hundreds of jobs to the area. It also expects about 300 permanent positions at the hospital by the second year of hospital operations.

Additionally, BayCare expects the hospital’s economic impact to include surrounding growth, including medical offices and other businesses.

BayCare Health System operates 15 hospitals in the Tampa Bay and Central Florida regions.

Published December 19, 2018

Health News 12/19/2018

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(Courtesy of SACFCU)

Giving campaign helps Sunrise
Each holiday season, the San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union chooses a local children’s charity for its annual Santa’s Tree Giving Campaign. This year, the East Pasco county families in the programs of the Sunrise Domestic & Sexual Violence Programs were the recipients. SACFCU offices in San Antonio, Dade City, Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel decorated trees with gift tags requesting gift cards to donate. The cards were distributed to the parents in the programs so they could shop for their own children with guidance from the Sunrise staff. Combined, the offices collected 144 gift cards valued at $2,875.00. From left: Linda Wade, of Sunrise; Jill Evans, of SACFCU; and Vicki Wiggins, of Sunrise.

Hospital gets ‘A’ for patient safety
The Medical Center of Trinity was awarded an “A” from The Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2018 Hospital Safety Grade.

The designation recognizes the hospital’s efforts in protecting patients from harm and meeting the highest safety standards in the United States.

The Leapfrog Group is a national organization committed to improving health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers.

Safety Grade assigns an A, B, C, D or F to hospitals across the country based on performance in preventing medical errors, infections and other harms among patients in their care.

To see the Medical Center of Trinity’s full grade details, and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.

Komen organization expands
Susan G. Komen South Florida, based in West Palm Beach, has expanded its reach to become Susan G. Komen Florida.

The new statewide organization will serve the entire state, except for Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, which will continue to be supported by Komen Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.

The new Komen Florida will focus its work on saving the lives of more than 2,700 Florida women who die from breast cancer every year.

With key investments across the state, the affiliate will seek to impact approximately 13,700 women in Florida who are diagnosed each year, ensuring that the most vulnerable women have access to high-quality screenings, diagnostics and treatment.

As part of the affiliate’s launch, it is currently issuing a statewide grant request for proposals available on KomenFlorida.org. Organizations that support breast health education and screenings are encouraged to apply.

Swing for Charity
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point’s Swing for Charity Golf Tournament raised more than $18,000 for the American Heart Association Heart Walk.

The tournament took place at Plantation Palms Golf Club in Land O’ Lakes.

Jonathan Jefferson, Bayonet Point Heart Walk chair and Swing for Charity tournament chairman said, in a release, “The success is due to a combined effort from all involved both with Regional Medical Center and by the community at large.”

 

Local agency helps people to stop smoking

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While some people wait until New Year’s Eve to make a resolution to quit smoking, experts say there’s no time like the present to get started on the effort.

Those who have tried to quit smoking understand the uphill battle in attempting to kick the habit to the curb.

But, help is available.

Through its tobacco cessation program, the National Area Health Education Center has been training health care professionals nationwide to help smokers overcome their addiction.

As part of the National Area Health Education Center, Nicole Kelly works as a specialist in helping smokers quit throughout Pasco County. (Courtesy of the Gulf Coast North Area Health Education Center)

In Florida alone, the organization has 10 centers covering all 67 counties.

The Gulf Coast North Area Health Education Center (GNAHEC) covers five counties, including Pasco.

Established in 1993, this center has long been affiliated with the University of South Florida’s College of Medicine. It provides resources to help end tobacco use.

The Gulf Coast center offers courses through funding provided by the Florida Department of Health.

“They contract with us to do the in-person group classes,” said Nicole Kelly, tobacco program manager for the center.

Kelly’s background in public health serving Pinellas County was put to good use when she joined the center’s staff in 2013.

After undergoing additional training for her position, she became certified in holding tobacco cessation programs – which aims to help smokers to kick the habit.

The Gulf Coast center offers two free tobacco cessation programs – ‘Tools to Quit’ and ‘Quit Smoking Now.’

‘Tools to Quit’ is a one-time, two-hour session that helps attendees to make plans and prepare to quit smoking.

Specialists, like Kelly, identify the withdrawal symptoms that are expected, how to deal with them as they arise and offer nicotine replacement therapy, if needed.

“We encourage them to set a quit date a week or two after class, so they don’t feel like they have to quit that day,” she explained.

One-time sessions are usually followed up with an evaluation to check on the person’s status seven months after the class.

While walk-ins are welcomed, those who plan to attend are asked to register in advance.

This helps to get an idea beforehand of how long they have been smoking, how often and if they have taken any medications.

‘Quit Smoking Now’ is a six-week program. Class members meet one hour each week.

It’s the same methodology as ‘Tools to Quit,’ but at a more gradual process.

Between classes, members are supposed to put into action the techniques and advice given.

At each session, they report their progress and, by the third week, are asked to quit cold turkey.

The Gulf Coast center is planning to implement a third program in January 2019, which would accommodate large classes at behavioral health sites.

Programs can be held at various locations from medical establishments to libraries.

“Most hospitals and health care systems don’t have tobacco cessation programs that they provide, so we fill that gap perfectly,” said Kelly.

The program also partners with establishments at on-the-job sessions for employees battling with addiction.

This was the case on Nov. 15 for the Great American Smokeout when Gulf Coast center specialists helped encourage workers at their job site to quit smoking.

During the annual event, put on by the American Cancer Society, thousands of smokers across the country make a pledge to quit.

In 2006, Florida voters accepted an amendment that would allocate funds into tobacco cessation programs, thus supporting the Gulf Coast center and creating the Tobacco Free Florida Bureau in 2007.

Tobacco Free Florida opened up courses not only for cessation to end chain-smoking, but also courses for prevention as well.

These organizations also aim to prevent smoking, especially among youths.

According to the Florida Department of Health, the state has made improvements among high school students.

In 2018, 3.6 percent of students were reported as cigarette smokers, a decline from 8.5 percent just five years before.

However, electronic cigarettes, or e-cigs, have become a popular alternative to traditional ones among Florida teens.

In 2013, 5.3 percent of high school students were consuming the product where now, in 2018, it has nearly quadrupled, to 24.8 percent.

The Gulf Coast center does not advocate the use of e-cigarettes or vaping as a method within its program.

As part of the reasoning, Kelly stated: “Our program is evidence-based. We follow the clinic practice guidelines for tobacco dependence.”

She added that there are seven medications known to help and “we only promote the ones that we know there is strong research to show that they can help someone quit.”

While Kelly works mostly with adults, she said she gets excited when younger smokers come to the sessions because she can help stop smoking earlier in life.

Many older adults experience a health scare, which triggers their decision to quit smoking, she said.

To find an upcoming tobacco cessation class in your area with contact information, visit GNAhec.org/tobacco-cessation.

Published December 12, 2018

Health News 12/12/2018

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From left: Florence Briggs, Bob Williams and Elizabeth Bridwell (Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

Volunteer stars recognized
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point announced the recipients of its third quarter volunteer Star Awards.

Elizabeth Briggs has volunteered for more than 14 years with over 1,750 accumulated life hours. She has served the hospital’s visitors giving information and visitor passes, and has helped the marketing department with tutorials.

Bob Williams has been at the hospital as a volunteer for more than 15 years. He began as a courier and is now a courtesy cart driver. He has more than 3,600 accumulated life hours.

Elizabeth Bridwell has served as a volunteer courier every Friday afternoon for more than 13 years, and has accumulated over 2,200 life hours and 2,300 merit hours.

Breast Cancer Foundation gets $15,500
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices partnered with the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation to help raise funds and awareness of breast cancer, its symptoms and treatments.

The five branches promoted the sale of the “End Breast Cancer” specialty license plates, as well as the voluntary check-off donations on automobile registrations.

Forty-three plates were sold. Combined cash donations of $15,500 also was raised.

National Hospice Month
The Board of County Commissioners for Pasco County proclaimed the month of November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, and commended the staff from Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care for their service to the residents of Pasco County.

District 1 Commissioner Ron Oakley visited Gulfside’s Center for Hospice Care in Zephyrhills to present the proclamation.

In the last year, Gulfside’s staff of more than 300 interdisciplinary professionals has cared for 2,701 patients facing a life-limiting illness in Pasco County.

Nationally, more than 1.6 million Americans living with life-limiting illnesses, and their families, received care from the nation’s hospice programs in communities throughout the United States.

Children’s mental health
Florida KidCare reminds parents that checking in on a child’s mental well-being is critical, and does not have to be intimidating.

Behavioral or mental health is just as important as a child’s cardiovascular health, weight and other physical developmental benchmarks.

Children often feel as much stress as adults following stressful situations, such as natural disasters like a hurricane.

Kids’ symptoms can be subtle, so a few key signs to be mindful about include:

  • If your child is having trouble sleeping or having a loss of appetite
  • If your child is reluctant to cooperate
  • If your child is angry or irritable
  • If your child’s grades are suffering
  • If your child becomes less interested in an activity they once enjoyed

Being a kid today comes with a lot of pressures and that is why starting the conversation early is key.

Mental illness is like any other disease — the earlier it is identified and treated, the better the health outcomes.

Florida KidCare says parents should consider their child’s pediatrician or family doctor as a partner in starting the mental health conversation.

Pasco shelter offers haven from abuse

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Abuse can come in many different forms.

It can also be a sensitive issue for victims to divulge, especially if it occurs within their own households.

It’s a nationwide problem, and efforts have been made nationally and locally to provide safer environments for adults and children who have been abused.

Pasco County is among those striving to improve services for people in this situation.

Kelly Sinn has been working at Sunrise of Pasco County Inc., since 2002, helping survivors of domestic abuse rehabilitate. In 2013, Sinn succeeded Penny Morrill as CEO of the organization. (Courtesy of Sunrise of Pasco County Inc.)

Pasco has been engaged in this issue since 1982, when a group of Pasco residents formed a small coalition group which later became known as the Sunrise of Pasco County Inc., Domestic and Sexual Violence Center.

“It started as a grassroots organization,” explained Kelly Sinn, current CEO of Sunrise. “Initially, it was community members that saw that there was an issue.”

Under the helm of a female abuse survivor, the organization recruited volunteers within the community who were willing to open their homes for a night or two.

While it provided a temporary solution, it was understood that there needed to be something in place more long-term.

Sunrise started with one office in Dade City and, over the years, expanded with a shelter, a thrift store and outreach sources for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.

During its 35-year history, Sunrise has grown, and now has facilities in Dade City and New Port Richey serving all of Pasco County.

The problem is well-documented. In Pasco County alone, during 2017 there were more than 4,000 reported incidents of domestic abuse, which includes sexual assault, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The number of reported cases has risen steadily since 2013, figures show.

Sunrise works to reduce incidents of abuse through prevention programs, such as its collaboration with the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the initiative has trained counselors from Sunrise who travel to Pasco middle schools and high schools to teach students about such things as safe dating, healthy relationships and anti-bullying.

The students also are taught about being aware of their surroundings and learning to recognize — and avoid — areas that are prone to violence, both on and off campus.

All Sunrise employees go through a certified training, said Sinn, and when a counselor is told by a student that there is abuse occurring within their home, the counselor is obligated to make a report to authorities.

On the collegiate level, Sunrise has implemented the Green Dot Program at Saint Leo University, which teaches students how to safely intervene and de-escalate tense situations on campus.

When it comes to the legal aspect, Sunrise constantly works with all Pasco police departments to relay vital information.

This initiative was partially propelled by the Intimate Violence Enhanced Service Team (InVEST) established in 2009.

In addition to communicating with law enforcement, InVEST is a program that allows Sunrise to use both East and West Pasco courthouses as meeting places for survivors and legal advocates, as well as attorneys.

Here, survivors can learn the best options for their situation whether it is getting legal representation, getting a restraining order or an injunction.

Immense resources must be put in place for all these factors to play out.

That’s where the recent Reindeer Run held on Dec. 1, and Peace Breakfast, set for Dec. 6, come in.

While they can be enjoyable events, they also raise money to support Sunrise.

The Peace Breakfast is free; however, generous donations are accepted.

Aside from these benefits, the organization also receives federal, state and local funding, as well as private donations.

This makes it possible to provide three meals a day and counseling to victims, and direct them to resources for employment, housing and financial aid.

The 40-bed shelter, which houses individuals for a minimum of eight weeks, is a launching pad for progression said Sinn.

However, in some cases it may take an extended three to four months.

“Sometimes eight weeks isn’t long enough for a family to be able to find employment, child care [and] save up enough money to rent their own apartment,” she explained.

Sunrise also works with the welfare system to make sure that children are not split from their nonoffending parent, reducing the number taken into foster care.

While people tend to think of women and children as being targets of abuse, Sinn said there are men, too, that can be abused.

Sunrise does take in men, from time to time, and they have their own separate shelter.

While the organization typically deals with difficult and traumatizing issues, it also witnesses survivors who are able to pick up the pieces of their lives.

This is something Sinn credits to “such a supportive and embracing community” in Pasco County.

Sinn remembered a call she received several years ago from an abuse survivor who was in a happy marriage, with a child going off to college.

“That’s really humbling,” she said.

“Thank Yous come in so many different forms,” Sinn said.

Besides phone calls, Christmas cards, hugs and tears, there are also those who come back to work or volunteer at Sunrise, a place that helped them regain a sense of security.

If you have experienced abuse and you need help, Sunrise’s hotline staff is available 24 hours a day at (352) 521-3120.

Sunrise of Pasco’s 15th Annual Peace Breakfast
Where: Greenfelder Board Room at Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in Saint Leo
When: Dec. 6 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Cost: Free with a voluntary donation
Details: Courtney Weil and her children will speak at the breakfast about being survivors of domestic violence and prevention efforts.
Info: To RSVP, contact Sunrise at (352) 521-3358 or .

Published December 5, 2018

Health News 12/05/2018

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Marcis Brevard Wynn
(Courtesy of Pasco Kids First)

New executive director
Pasco Kids First welcomed Marcia Brevard Wynn, Ph.D., as its new executive director.

Wynn brings more than seven years of nonprofit experience to the organization in a position that will include leadership roles as both executive director and housing director.

She also has served several years in the areas of development, grant writing and fundraising.

Wynn earned a Bachelor of Arts in public affairs and a master’s degree in human behavior and conflict management, both from Columbia College in Columbia, South Carolina.

She also has a doctorate in human services from Capella University.

Pasco Kids First is a private, nonprofit organization committed to advocating for the best interests of children with assessment, therapy and prevention services through their work as a fully accredited Children’s Advocacy Center.

Medication disposal
X-Tra Discount Drugs, 6953 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills, has partnered with Sharps Compliance Inc., to combat the epidemic of prescription drug abuse by providing safe disposal of opioid painkillers and other unused medications.

A MedSafe drug collection and disposal receptacle is now located inside X-Tra Discount Drugs for the safe and anonymous disposal of unused or expired medications and controlled substances.

The receptacle is securely installed and can only be accessed and emptied by two pharmacy employees as required by Drug Enforcement Administration guidelines.

MedSafe receptacles are located in retail pharmacies, long-term care facilities, hospitals and clinics with onsite pharmacies, law enforcement, government agencies and narcotic treatment facilities.

Grant awarded to ‘get moving’
More than 700 adults in the University Area neighborhood will benefit from a $48,000 grant awarded to University Area Community Development Corporation’s “Get Moving!” program by the Simply Healthcare Foundation.

Get Moving! is a wellness program that focuses on various aspects of an individual’s health: physical, emotional, mental, nutritional and/or spiritual.

The funds will be used to expand programming into Harvest Hope Park, a 7-acre resident-friendly development in the heart of the University Area Community that encourages family play, healthy eating, environmental sustainability, education and community interaction.

The park is owned by University Area CDC and, once complete, will include a community garden, teaching kitchen, multipurpose sports field, playground, outdoor fitness stations, walking trails and a tilapia fish pond.

PHSC seminar aims to help reduce impaired driving

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Drunk driving forever changed Brian Rushing’s life.

He was just 18 years old when he wrecked his SUV and killed his 21-year-old brother, Nathan.

That fateful night on Nov. 18, 2007, Rushing’s blood alcohol content was 0.09, over the legal limit.

After a night of partying, the last thing he remembers is seeing his brother at the family’s Land O’ Lakes home.

Brian Rushing shared his personal tragedy of being involved in a drunk driving crash, during a DUI awareness seminar at Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel. Pictured in the background is Rushing’s older brother, Nathan, who died in the 2007 Land O’ Lakes crash. (Kevin Weiss)

He doesn’t remember getting in his car or pulling out of his family’s driveway; nor does he remember swerving off the road on Parkway Boulevard in Land O’ Lakes.

“I was in a blackout,” Rushing recalled. “I shouldn’t have been drinking.”

Rushing was later charged with DUI manslaughter in the death of his brother.

He was sentenced to nine months in county jail and 10 years felony probation. His license was revoked for life. Said Rushing: “DUIs destroy lives.”

More costly to Rushing, however, is each day he must cope with the loss of his brother — a brother he adored and looked up to.

“I have to live with that decision for the rest of my life,” he said. “And the consequences.”

Rushing was a guest speaker at a DUI awareness seminar at the Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, in Wesley Chapel.

The Nov. 13 event was part of the state college’s ongoing Community Awareness Series, open to the public, students, faculty and staff.

Rushing, now 29, has turned his life around.

He’s been sober for more than 10 years, graduating from college and now working as a registered nurse.

He often shares his personal story to warn others about the dangers of driving under the influence, in hopes of preventing other families from experiencing a tragedy like his did.

“I never thought it could happen to me,” he said, “until it did, and it rocked my world. I thought it was something you’d read about in the newspapers in other towns.”

Stories like Rushing’s are all too common, the seminar revealed.

More than 11,000 people died and more than 290,000 were injured last year in drunk driving crashes, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

More than 1,100 of those fatalities occurred between Thanksgiving Eve and New Year’s Eve.

The problem hits locally, too.

The Tampa Alcohol Coalition (TAC) reports that Hillsborough County ranked No. 1 in Florida for DUI arrests (4,077) last year.

The county was also tops in Florida in 2015, which is the latest available data from the state, in alcohol-related crashes (1,469), alcohol-related injuries (993) and alcohol-related fatalities (66), the coalition reports.

“To be No.1, even though we’re the fourth-most populated county, is very alarming,” said Ellen Snelling, who chairs the Tampa Alcohol Coalition, which is part of the larger Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance.

Snelling, who has worked with the organizations since 2000, provided a closer look at the sobering statistics throughout the seminar.

Some suggest the area’s limited public transportation system is largely to blame for the county’s impaired driving figures.

Snelling, however, believes there’s more at play.

“We can try to work more on public transportation,” she said, “but I think the real reason is the mindset of people thinking, kind of like Brian said, ‘It’s not going to happen to me.”

Too many people want to party, and then think they can drive home and be fine, she said. “And, that’s a huge problem.”

Snelling also pointed to the high number of concentrated bars and clubs throughout the Tampa area.

She refers to them as “drinking malls,” where groups of people will hit several spots in one night, taking advantage of drink specials at each establishment.

“And, what if you haven’t made a plan? You’re going to get in the car and drive,” she warned.

Snelling went on to explain that closing gaps in some of Florida’s alcohol laws is critical to preventing impaired driving incidents, in particular, first-time offenses.

Florida is one of two states that has no law against bars serving obviously intoxicated persons; the other being Nevada.

Florida also has a weak dram shop law, which refers to civil liability for bars and clubs that serve an intoxicated person who later causes serious injury or fatality. (Under the law, individuals or businesses who sell alcohol will generally not be held liable for damages or injuries caused by a drunk person who they sold alcohol to.)

Snelling put it this way: “Now we don’t want bartenders and servers to lose their jobs, but we do want to send a strong message, because if you prevent a person from getting super intoxicated, there’s less of a chance they’re going to get in a car and drive and cause a terrible crash.”

She also observed: “We need to look at the circumstances, and if a bar is making tons of money by overserving and having like all these drink specials, then they should be held accountable, too.”

Drinking and driving isn’t the only problem, Snelling said.

“It’s not just about alcohol — it’s about drugs. It’s about marijuana. It’s about pills. It’s about opioids. …We’ve got to work on ways to reduce the use of alcohol and drugs before driving,” she said.

The Tampa Bay region leads the state with the most confirmed crashes caused by drugged drivers, with 465 since 2014, Snelling said. Also, deadly crashes caused by drivers high on drugs have increased 47 percent in the past three years.

Other speakers at the seminar included Jeannine Laurence, Mothers Against Drunk Driving program specialist; and, Dr. Eddie Williams, PHSC assistant professor of human services.

Published November 28, 2018

Health News 11/28/2018

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Day of Caring
Florida Hospital team members in the West Florida Division volunteered to give back to the communities for the annual Day of Giving, on Nov. 16.

More than 1,000 volunteers from several Florida Hospital locations gave back to more than 20 nonprofits across the state.

Some of the local initiatives in the Tampa Bay area included:

  • Food Donations for Atonement Lutheran Church: Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel staff and leadership sorted and packed food at the church.
  • Feed Our Children: Florida Hospital Tampa employees collected food donations for the Feed Our Children Ministry to help hungry members of the community.
  • Food Drive for The Shepherd Center: Florida Hospital North Pinellas employees collected green beans for the center, and donated about 1,000 cans.
  • Thanksgiving Baskets: Florida Hospital North Pinellas employees put together baskets of Thanksgiving goods to be shared with their own colleagues in need.

Access Health Care raises money for Marines
Access Health Care Physicians hosted a fundraiser at the Silverthorn Country Club to benefit Marine Corps League Spring Hill Detachment No. 708.

The detachment provides U.S. Marine veterans and other U.S. veterans with comfort, support and dignity of life.

The event included a silent auction, raffles and dancing.

The guest speakers included Maj. Gen. James “Hammer” Hartsell and Dr. Jaime Torres, an Access Health Care physician and veteran.

A total of $34,444 was raised for the Marine Corps detachment.