Health

Health News 05/02/2018

May 2, 2018 By Mary Rathman

New donor record
Donate Life Florida, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the public to save and enhance lives through organ, tissue and eye donation, announced a new donor record.

Ten million Floridians have signed up as donors through Florida’s Joshua Abbott Organ and Tissue Donor Registry, the third largest in the nation.

The strength of Florida’s donor registry is due in great part to the work of the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles and Florida tax collector offices, where residents completing driver license applications can sign up.

Because of the partnership, 95 percent of the state’s 10 million registered organ donors have come through the state’s tax collectors and DHSMV.

Since the registry was established in 1997, donors who had registered prior to death made possible nearly 37,000 life-saving transplant surgeries in the state. Donors helped even more through tissue donation.

To learn more, visit DonateLifeFlorida.org.

Lauren’s Kids charity
Lauren’s Kids, a statewide organization to prevent childhood sexual abuse through education and awareness, will be the Pasco County Tax Collector’s charity of the month.

Individuals who have vehicle registrations coming due in May can trade in existing license plates for a Lauren’s Kids specialty plate. The tags also may be purchased for newly registered vehicles.

Those that purchase the specialty tag will be entered into a drawing for a gift card.

Cash donations also will be accepted at any of the five tax collector offices.

For information, call Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

For information on the nonprofit, visit LaurensKids.org.

Treadmill challenge
The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA was the winner in the Treadmill Tuesday Tie-Breaker, an annual competition meant to inspire community members to become more physically active and adopt healthier lifestyles.

The total distance and number of local participants for the Tampa YMCA were: Bob Sierra North Tampa YMCA, 281 participants, 684.81 miles; Dade City Family YMCA, 46 participants, 75.28 miles; East Pasco Family YMCA, 131 participants, 224.69 miles; and New Tampa Family YMCA, 132 participants, 269.57 miles.

In addition to participating at a neighborhood Y, community members were also able to join via social media.

Health News 04/25/2018

April 25, 2018 By Mary Rathman

New appointments at Trinity medical center
The Medical Center of Trinity has appointed Cathy Lowe, MSN, MBA, CEN (certified emergency nurse) as associate chief nursing officer.

Lowe comes from the HealthTrust Transitional Leadership program, where she served as an interim director of emergency services at multiple HCA sites for the last three years.

Lowe has a Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Business Administration from Anderson University.

She also has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana University and an Associate of Science in Nursing from Fayetteville Technical Community College.

The hospital also has appointed/promoted Ankit Patel, Pharm.D., into the new position of vice president of operations. He has been the director of pharmacy services since 2014.

Patel earned his Doctor of Pharmacy at Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and completed a pharmacy residency at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. He also was the interim pharmacy director at South Bay Hospital.

During his tenure as director of pharmacy at Trinity, he initiated the first Pharmacy Residency Program in the HCA West Division.

Patel received the Health Trust Supply Chain Outstanding Leadership Award in 2017.

Woman’s club hosts brunch
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club hosted and served a brunch to the Hope Lodge resident patients who receive extended treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center.

The lodge provides a home away from home for patients and spouses, and it give the club a chance to prepare and serve homemade meals, along with conversation and fellowship.

The women’s club also donates puzzles, board games and other items for the residents.

For information about the club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org.

Battle of the Belts
The trauma center at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point sponsored the $500 prize, which went to Fivay High School, for the most-improved seatbelt use in the “Battle of the Belts.”

The competition promotes seatbelt use among teens, who have the highest fatality rate of any age group for motor vehicle crashes.

The Pasco County campaign is conducted at participating high schools with partners Safe Kids/Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

Several award categories also included: Poster Contest won by Jessica Vernak, Anclote High School; Essay Contest won by Tyler Riccardo, J.W. Mitchell High; Public Service Announcement won by Anclote High; Campaign Book won by Mitchell High; and Battle of the Belt Champion 2018 was Land O’ Lakes High School.

Seeking a sensory room to serve students with autism

April 18, 2018 By Kevin Weiss

Dan Reyes has often witnessed the benefits of a sensory environment for his 13-year-old son, Jacob, who has autism.

Each Sunday, his family attends LifePoint Church in New Tampa, which has a sensory room devoted to children with special needs.

“He absolutely loves going into that room,” Reyes said. “He’s happy in there. He’s active, and it’s a very engaging room when sometimes other environments are not.”

Weightman Middle School seventh-grader Jacob Reyes is one of many students with autism who could benefit from a sensory room. (Courtesy of Dan Reyes)

The caring parent also wants a similar setting made available for Jacob and his fellow classmates at Weightman Middle School, in Wesley Chapel.

So, earlier this month, Reyes launched a GoFundMe page to build a sensory room at the school, where his son is a seventh-grader.

Throughout the school year, Reyes worked closely with school administration and teachers to develop a budget plan for a fully equipped sensory room — something he hopes “will have a lasting impact for years to come.”

A sensory room is a specially designed room that combines a range of stimuli to help individuals develop and engage their senses. These can include lights, colors, sounds, sensory soft play objects, and aromas within a safe environment that allows the person using it to explore and interact without risk.

These rooms are credited with helping those who have learning difficulties, such as developmental disabilities or sensory impairments, to learn to interact with the world around them, and build up their confidence.

Such rooms often include a variety of items with vestibular input (items that allow users to spin, swing or hang), visual input and lighting, olfactory (smell), proprioception (items that allow the user to be squished or hugged), tactile, touch, feel, and auditory output.

Some examples include swings, bouncing chairs, lava lamps, fluorescent light filters, scented oils, scented playdoh, therapy balls, mini trampolines, textured puzzles, vibrating kids toys, sound pillows, and indoor wind chimes.

Several of those items will be purchased to meet the needs of current, as well as incoming, students.

As of April 16, nearly $4,000 of the $35,000 goal has been raised on the GoFundMe page.

Additionally, the school has held a beanie baby sale, sponsored dinners and set up other fundraisers at local restaurants to make the sensory room project a reality.

Weightman Middle has about 30 students in its Access Points Social Behavior Communication Program, geared toward students with severe and continuous behavioral needs, communication and sensory needs associated with autism spectrum disorder.

For the time being, the school is utilizing a makeshift sensory space that accommodates just one student at a time. It includes a handful of donated and purchased sensory items like a piano mat, drumsticks and tumble balls, along with some other handmade playthings.

But, Weightman staff hopes to have a full-size sensory room ready by the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

This is an image of a sensory room, which is specially designed to combine a range of stimuli to help individuals develop and engage their senses. The rooms are credited with helping those who have learning difficulties, such as developmental disabilities or sensory impairments, to learn how to interact with the world around them, and build up their confidence. (Courtesy of Edutopia)

The designated room would take the place of a regular-size classroom situated in the school’s Exceptional Student Education (ESE) unit, where it’s expected to exhibit a “nature theme” on walls and carpeting.

Teachers would have the possibility of scheduling classes in the sensory room, or could take students there, as needed. The room could also be utilized at the beginning of the school day or in 30-minute break periods.

Assistant Principal Laurie Johnson, who supervises the school’s ESE department, said such a space would allow special-needs students to self-explore and find items that best meet their sensory needs to calm their behaviors.

For instance, one student may relax by spinning. Another may enjoy a swinging motion. Others, moreover, may utilize a punching bag to release frustration.

“If their sensory needs are not met, then often they can start to experience behavioral problems,” Johnson said.

Without that sensory input and output, students with autism may exhibit aggressive behaviors, such as biting and self-harm, educators explained. Others may resort to crying or the inability to stop moving.

“It’s not that they’re acting out ‘just because.’ They are acting out because they have a need and it’s not being met,” said varying exceptionalities teacher Loretta Seekins.

Having those sensory needs met helps those students become more attentive during lessons, Seekins said.

“You’re not going to get any educational benefit by a student that can’t focus,” she said.

The teacher added a sensory room would also reinforce and enhance communication and socialization skills among the school’s autistic population.

Seekins said the idea is to help students become more acclimated to being in environments where others are doing things, talking and socializing.

“It’s not something that will happen overnight, but you’re building toward that,” she said.

School behavioral specialist Leslie Monticco agrees such a room is imperative for nonverbal students to better express themselves and self-regulate. “To have somewhere to go as an escape is huge,” she said. “It is a need.”

Weightman Middle Principal Rachel Fowler has fully endorsed the sensory room.

She stressed the importance for students to receive support for all their needs, not just academically.

“We do a lot for social interaction and having that space outside of a regular classroom is essential, so they can remove themselves and truly use those other senses to help their brain,” Fowler said.

To donate to the sensory room project, visit GoFundMe.com/sensory-room-for-children-wautism.

Published April 18, 2018

Lutz ER gets new manager

April 18, 2018 By Mary Rathman

The Medical Center of Trinity has appointed Bernadette Melendez as manager of its new ER 24/7 in Lutz.

Melendez began her career in corporate accounting and human resources until 2006 when she began her nursing career.

She received an Associate of Science in Nursing in 2006 and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2012, from Ohio University; and went on to get a Master of Business Administration in 2017.

Melendez comes from Mease Countryside Hospital in Safety Harbor, where she served as CN II in the emergency room and assistant nurse manager of PCU.

She has extensive experience in emergency management having served as preceptor, charge nurse and magnet champion for a 42-bed Level II trauma center, and charge nurse and preceptor for a free-standing emergency room

Is your memory problem a normal part of aging, or a form of dementia?

April 11, 2018 By B.C. Manion

Those attending Dr. Andrew E. Budson’s talks at the Plantation Palms Golf Club in Land O’ Lakes last week had two key takeaways.

Dr. Andrew Budson (Courtesy of The Roche Associates)

First, if you’re having problems with your memory, go to a doctor who specializes in memory issues. In some cases, the problem may be the result of something that’s completely reversible, and even when it’s not, the sooner treatment begins, the better, said Budson, co-author of the book “Seven Steps to Managing Your Memory.”

The second takeaway was this: If you’re looking for something that’s very likely to help your memory, exercise is the key.

“People often ask me, ‘Dr. Budson, is there a magic pill out there to help improve my memory?’ My answer is, ‘Yes, there is. It’s called exercise.’”

Budson gave two talks on April 6 as part of a program presented by Keystone Place at Terra Bella, a new retirement community that will be opening in Land O’ Lakes, which will offer independent living, assisted living and memory care accommodations.

To get things rolling, Budson asked the audience during the 12:30 p.m. talk to consider whether these common memory issues were a result of normal aging, or something else:

You walk into a room to get something and you forget why.
You’re having trouble remembering the name of a friend of yours from church, even though you’ve met her a half-a-dozen times.
You’re having trouble remembering some of the details of your life, such as your wedding.
When you are driving and not paying attention, you take one or more wrong turns, and you end up somewhere you did not intend to be.
You spend too much time looking for your keys, glasses, wallet or purse.
Your family said you’ve asked that question before.

One of the key things to watch for is a change in behavior, Budson said.

“If you are someone who every morning as you’re getting ready to leave the house you spend 5, 10 or 15 minutes hunting around for keys, glasses, wallet, purse, and now you’re getting a little bit older and you’re still spending 5, 10, 15 minutes hunting around the house for these things, well, that’s probably normal for you.

“But if you are someone who is always very organized, never spend any time hunting around for these things — and now you’re spending 5, 10, 15, maybe 20 minutes, maybe an hour, maybe you never find that wallet, you have to replace the credit cards or you have to replace the cellphone because you couldn’t find it, you know, that would be concerning,” Budson said.

He gave another example.

“Anyone can forget that they’ve already told their best friend that story and start to tell it again, or cannot remember the answer to a question and ask it again. Sure, that can happen once or twice, no big deal.

“But, for somebody that’s telling the same story, again and again and again … every time you meet this individual they tell it, maybe even twice during the same visit, that sounds like rapid forgetting. Rapid forgetting is never normal,” he said.

To help explain how memory works, the doctor used the analogy of a filing system.

“The file clerk is our frontal lobes. It is our frontal lobes’ file clerk’s job to take the information in from the outside world and to put it inside the file cabinet.

“So, when we want to retrieve a memory, you can picture the frontal lobe file clerk pulling open the file drawer, leafing through the files until he finds the memory that he’s looking for,” he said.

As we get older, our file clerk doesn’t hear quite as well as he used to, so information may need to be repeated a couple of times in order for it to be stored in the file cabinet.

It also can take longer to retrieve a memory, and we may need a hint or cue about what a memory was about, he added.

But, the main thing is, if a memory goes into the cabinet — it can be retrieved.

Using the same filing system analogy, he then focused on the file cabinet itself.

“The file cabinet is another part of the brain. It’s actually our hippocampus. The hippocampus is the part of the brain that stores new memories. It’s located in the temporal lobes.

“The problem with diseases like Alzheimer’s is that it damages the hippocampus, and ultimately, in fact, destroys the hippocampus.

“Imagine if you pull open the drawer of the file cabinet and you look down inside, and you find out there’s a big hole in the bottom of the file drawer.

“You can have the most efficient file clerk in the world, taking information in from the outside world, putting it into the file cabinet. If there’s a big hole there, the memories are going to disappear, never to be retrieved again,” he said.

Diet and exercise can strengthen memory
The doctor also explained the distinction between the terms dementia, Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment.

Dementia is a general term that means that someone’s thinking and memory have declined to the point that it interferes with day-to-day function, he said.

It can be caused by things that are easily treatable and actually completely reversible, but also can be caused by serious diseases, including Alzheimer’s.

Mild cognitive impairment means that a person has a confirmed memory loss, but that the individual’s day-to-day function is normal, Budson said.

Over time, about half of the people with mild cognitive impairment go on to develop Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, but the other half don’t, he said.

Once a memory problem has been determined, the next step is treatment, Budson said. There are standard medications that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, he said. Plus, there’s more research underway now than there ever has been during the 110-year history of Alzheimer’s.

Early treatment is crucial, he said.

“They (medications) can turn the clock back by six to 12 months,” he said. “I am much more likely to be able to turn the clock back all of the way to 12 months, all the way to make their memory like it was a year ago, if they come to see me early.”

Research also shows that lifestyle changes can help, he said.

“The Mediterranean diet, and a few variations of it, is really the only diet that study after study after study has been proven to be healthy for the brain and good for the memory,” he said. That diet includes fish, olive oil, avocados, fruits and vegetables, nuts and beans, and whole grains.

Exercise also is good for you, but before increasing your activity, be sure to check with your doctor, he said.

The recommended amount of exercise is at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five days a week, plus two hours a week of things that help with strength and balance, and flexibility.

Besides reducing the risk for stroke and improving your mood, exercise can help you sleep better — which is critically important for the memory, he said.

“Remember we talked about how the new memories are stored in the hippocampus, in our new memory file cabinet? Well, it turns out there’s another memory file cabinet that is storing the older memories. It is during sleep that the memories go from the short-term, temporary store (file) to the long-term permanent store (file),” he said.

Besides exercise and diet, other ways to strengthen the memory including social engagement and learning new things, Budson said.

There is no evidence, however, that doing brain-training games and crossword puzzles will improve the memory, he said.

“What the studies show is that if you spend time doing crossword puzzles, or Suduko or computerized brain training programs, you get better at crossword puzzles, Suduko and computerized brain training programs. It simply does not translate to overall brain function,” he said.

Know the 10 signs

Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Challenges in planning or solving problems
Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure
Confusion with time or place
Trouble with understanding visual images or spatial relationships
New problems with words in speaking or writing
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
Decreased or poor judgment
Withdrawal from work or social activities
Changes in mood or personality

For more details on this list and for more information about Alzheimer’s, visit ALZ.org.

Published April 11, 2018

Seeking answers in the opioid battle

April 11, 2018 By Kevin Weiss

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis wants all voices to be heard in the quest to combat the nation’s opioid crisis.

The congressman met with the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) on March 27 to discuss the issue and listen to reactions to proposed federal legislation related to the opioid crisis.

The public meeting, held at the community center at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, attracted dozens of people who are interested in the issue.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis recently met with the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP), to discuss and solicit feedback on federal bills related to the opioid crisis. The House Health Subcommittee has heard 26 bills as a starting point related to opioid legislation that will be rolled into one large bill to be passed out of the House by the end of May. (File)

It piggybacked off a similar ASAP meeting in August, where Bilirakis provided an update on federal efforts to combat opioid abuse.

So far, the House Health Subcommittee has heard 26 bills as a starting point related to opioid legislation that will be rolled into one large bill to be passed out of the House by the end of May.

The bipartisan bill, CARA 2.0 Act, builds on the original Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act by providing $4 billion in additional resources for opioid prevention and treatment.

The funding was earmarked as part of President Donald Trump’s $1.3 trillion long-term spending bill, which passed March 23.

Throughout the 90-minute session, ASAP members shared personal stories and presented ideas to help solve the opioid crisis.

Opioid overdoses accounted for more than 42,000 deaths in 2016, more than any previous year on record, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. An estimated 40 percent of those deaths involved a prescription opioid, the agency says.

Members of ASAP, including Beth Piecora, advocated for additional peer support specialist programs. In this type of program, people who have significant personal experience with struggles pertaining to mental health, psychological trauma or substance abuse provide support to people who are currently struggling with those types of issues.

Piecora, a representative for Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, said federal dollars are needed to train and employ an increased number of those peer specialists.

Peers often can be instrumental in leading someone to pursue treatment, Piecora said.

She also suggested background check screenings be eased when hiring such specialists. “Some folks that have that lived experience sometimes have those certain things on their record,” she explained.

Others mentioned Narcan — a life-saving emergency opioid treatment — should become more readily available for addicts and their families.

The medication is the first and only FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone, which helps blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing.

Besides enhancing distribution efforts, ASAP members said Narcan should be subsidized for consumers, particularly those uninsured. Without a prescription, the medication can cost more than $130.

One speaker even suggested requiring doctors to provide Narcan as part of prescribed pain medications.

While grant programs are available to receive free Narcan through nonprofits, barriers still remain in getting quick, easy access, ASAP coordinator Monica Rousseau said.

“You can access Narcan for free, but it usually involves a lot of paperwork…and it’s kind of obscure. It’s also very difficult to get it in a moment when you have people struggling,” she said.

Crisis needs to be attacked on many fronts
Meanwhile, Pasco Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Art Rowand inquired about creating a policy to allow law enforcement to place addicts into treatment, without arrests.

The law enforcement officer said such a measure could help eliminate the cycle of drug abuse, and cut down on overdoses and deaths.

“Basically, the only thing we have to take care of the situation…is to arrest them,” Rowand said.

Some ASAP members stressed that Bilirakis and other policymakers continue to address comprehensive addiction issues, including alcoholism.

“Opioid is now the new kind of thing, and everybody’s aware of it, but I don’t want to leave out treatment for alcoholism,” said Dena Lynch, who spoke on behalf of Alcoholics Anonymous.

“It goes hand in hand, and there’s a lot of people using drugs that also drink, so I think you can’t disregard that as far as treatments. A lot of people in all walks of life have alcohol problems, and it’s really easy to focus on opioids.”

Other suggestions included:

Additional measures to help juveniles with addiction treatment
More impactful opioid and drug education in schools for younger-aged children
New educational opportunities for parents of drug addicts
Additional ‘sober living’ houses that also are affordable
An increased number of child and adolescent psychiatrists
Improved access for psychological services and treatment for the LGBTQ community
Mandatory needle exchanges
Additional faith community nursing programs

Bilirakis said he wants to schedule a discussion next month with a handful of stakeholders, to continue to brainstorm about possible legislation related to fighting addiction.

Addressing the audience, the congressman said, “We can get your voice heard up there and really get these things into law, but we’ve got to find out what works.”

He continued: “You can throw all the money in the world at something, but if you don’t do it right and it’s not effective, then it doesn’t do anybody any good.”

Published April 11, 2018

Health News 04/11/2018

April 11, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Rasmussen launches new program
Rasmussen College, in New Port Richey, hosted a surgical technologist associate degree program launch and open house, in March. Participants were able to tour the surgical suite that allows students to get hands-on experience in a simulation lab, before completing the required practicum in a real-world health care environment. The laparoscopic video tower and laparoscopic simulator was just one piece of equipment in the suite, which looks and feels like an operating room.

Bilirakis receives award
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis was given the Champion Award by the National Association of Community Health Centers, in recognition of exemplary and continuous legislative leadership and advocacy on behalf of 25 million patients who utilize the Community Health Centers throughout the country.

Bilirakis has a long history of championing common-sense health care solutions, and ensuring that the centers remain a viable option in which the insured, uninsured and underinsured can get high-quality primary care, mental health and dental care.

Health care advocates presented the award for his efforts on Capitol Hill on March 15.

A great day to go for a walk
Florida Hospital celebrated National Walking 2018 at its campuses in Tampa, Carrollwood and at Connerton Long Term Acute Care. The hospital encouraged everyone to get in 10,000 steps.

Pasco health drops in rankings

April 4, 2018 By Mary Rathman

The 2018 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps tools released by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation highlights the many community factors that influence health and uses established data, which is available on FLHealthCHARTS.com.

Pasco County ranks 38th in Florida for overall Health Outcomes in the 2018 County Health Rankings.

Mike Napier, health officer, said in a release, “It is disappointing to see Pasco drop three spots in the rankings. However, we are not discouraged, as it takes more than one year to register impacts related to improve access to care, Healthy Start, and the many other areas being worked on in our Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).”

The health improvement plan is designed to address specific opportunities for improved health that have been identified by the community itself.

Through CHIP, Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources is working toward implementing healthier concession stands at Pasco County parks, using “Fun Bites” guidelines.

Pasco’s department of health also has launched a “Move More” countywide initiative that aims to increase awareness of and access to physical activities throughout the county.

The county’s Tobacco Prevention Program works with Tobacco Free Florida and other community partners to promote tobacco-free living by using multiple strategies, including education, implementing smoke-free and tobacco-free policies at work places and colleges, and promoting the “Quit Your Way” campaign.

In addition to the aforementioned programs, Pasco also offers the Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which gives free or low-cost breast and cervical screenings for eligible women, ages 50 to 64, who reside in Pasco County.

And, the Healthy Start program offers free services to all pregnant women, and children ages 0 to 3 years, to educate new moms in everything from preconception and childbirth to parenting skills.

For information on all programs and services, visit Pasco.floridahealth.gov.

Creating harmony in the hospital

March 28, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Florida Orchestra members played several classical selections, including Beethoven, to a crowd of about 200 people at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North.

The Mallah Garden Atrium at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, in Lutz, was transformed into a concert hall when The Florida Orchestra gave a free performance on March 16.

Approximately 200 people — patients, staff and visitors — filled the atrium to listen to the classical music presentation. The performance was broadcast to patient rooms for those who could not attend.

Guest conductor Joseph Young led the orchestra through musical pieces from some of history’s greatest composers, giving an overview of each selection’s history.

Conductor Joseph Young acknowledges the audience after leading The Florida Orchestra performance at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North. (Mary Rathman)

Compositions included Ludwig Beethoven’s “Coriolan Overture” and “Symphony No. 1,” Claude Debussy’s “Petite Suite,” and Franz Haydn’s “Symphony No. 82 ‘La Poule’.”

There also was a variety of Bela Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances.

This was the orchestra’s third appearance at the hospital as part of its health and wellness concert series, aimed at bringing comfort and healing through the power of music.

St. Joseph’s also provided free valet parking, and refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.

Published March 28, 2018

Health News 03/28/2018

March 28, 2018 By Mary Rathman

‘Breast Friends’ raise money for Moffitt
Caliente Resort and Spa hosted a fundraiser for the Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation. ‘Breast Friends Forever’ organized the event and donated $41,800 specifically earmarked for breast cancer research and treatment. Participating in the presentation were Kim Norman, Judi Miller, Courtney Ryals of the Moffitt foundation, Polly Honor, Hilda Holt and Sharon Levand.

Hospital appointments
Three hospitals have recently announced appointments, promotions and new staff members.

Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has appointed Carlie Thomas as its new program director for the hospital’s Regional Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine. Thomas comes from Seven Rivers Wound Care Center in Crystal River, and brings with her expertise in sales, marketing and hospital administration.

Oak Hill Hospital welcomed Dr. Richard Chlouber to its medical staff. Chlouber is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, and practices at Suncoast OB/GYN and All Women’s Midwifery in Spring Hill. He received his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Oak Hill has also promoted Robert Linares as vice president of Cardiovascular & Critical Care. Linares previously was administrative director of clinical operations, and has worked in the HCA system for nearly 13 years.

The Medical Center of Trinity appointed Sally Seymour as chief operating officer. Seymour replaces Ken West, who was promoted to chief operating officer at Regional Medical Center in San Jose, California. Seymour has served as the director of physician relations for several years. For the past two years, she has been COO at Fawcett Hospital.

Crisis Center launches pilot program
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has been awarded a $285,000 grant from the Florida Blue Foundation to launch an innovative new community paramedicine program in Hillsborough County.

The program will focus on frequent users of local EMS and hospital emergency room services by connecting patients to medical and mental health resources. Many of these individuals have both medical and behavioral health needs that require a specialized form of nonemergency care. The pilot program is designed to holistically care for the medical, behavioral and social needs of these patients.

Through its TransCare Medical Transportation division, the Crisis Center will have two community care coordinators, who are paramedics, dedicated to patients after they are discharged from the emergency room due to both a physical and behavioral health need. The coordinators will work with emergency room staff or insurers to identify which patients may benefit most from additional one-on-one assistance.

The Crisis Center, a nonprofit agency, offers a range of programs designed to meet community needs, including:

Gateway Contact Center (2-1-1: suicide prevention, crisis counseling, and information and referral services)
Corbett Trauma Center (trauma counseling and sexual assault survivor services)
TransCare (9-1-1 emergency and mental health ambulance services, medical van transportation)

For information, visit CrisisCenter.com.