The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Health News 08/15/2018

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(Courtesy of Florida Hospital Tampa_

Moon Lake gets needed school supplies
Team members from Florida Hospital at Connerton Long Term Acute Care delivered much-needed school supplies to Moon Lake Elementary in New Port Richey. The donations will help students successfully kick off the school year. This is the fifth year the LTAC team has provided the supplies.

 

 

 

New robotic technology
The Medical Center of Trinity has acquired the latest enhance technology in robotic-assisted surgery, which will enable doctors to operate with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control.

The high-definition 3D vision system allows surgeons to see key anatomy with immense depth and clarity.

The specially trained surgeons who perform the procedures at the hospital control the robotic-assisted surgical system, which translates his or her hand movements into small, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside the body.

Robotic-assisted surgery allows the doctor to perform complex procedures through just a few tiny openings.

For patients, this may mean less trauma and pain, minimal scarring, decreased blood loss, and faster recovery.

The new technology is guided hands-on at all times by a board-certified physician.

Procedures are now performed in general surgery (gall bladder, appendectomy, hernia), colorectal, gynecology, thoracic, urology and urogynecology.

For more information on minimally invasive surgical options and physicians who perform robotic-assisted surgery at Medical Center of Trinity, call (727) 834-5630, or visit MedicalCenterTrinity.com.

Panel offers formula to help struggling teens: Judge less, listen more

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Those working in the front lines of mental health, drug prevention, drug addiction and recovery heard firsthand last week from a panel of youths about strategies that can help young people who need help in those areas.

The panel made up of members of STAND (Safe Teens AgaiNst Drugs) convened at the community center at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, under the auspices of the monthly coalition meeting of the Pasco Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention.

A panel of youths recently shared suggestions about taking aim to reduce drug abuse and mental health problems. For starters, they said, it would help to have more counselors on campus who have time to listen to them. From left: Ormand Derrick, panel moderator, and panelists Mariah Morales, Ariana Santillana, Mia Cuasey and Annabelle Durff. (B.C. Manion)

The room was filled with professionals, and the youths— who have experienced firsthand the issues of addiction, attempted suicide, losing a loved one to drug abuse or being shuffled between foster homes —  had plenty of ideas to share.

There needs to be better access to help, said panelist Annabelle Durff.

Services are available sometimes, but they’re across town, she said.

“That’s not going to help. It’s too far away,” Durff said, noting many students don’t drive or have a way to get a ride.

Paying for therapy is another issue, she said.

Lack of parental support is a problem, too, she said, noting that some parents refuse to help their kids get help.

“I think if you have more school programs that are right (there), direct for the kids, that’s going to help,” Durff said.

It’s not enough to simply have counselors available, the staffing needs to be adequate, panelists added.

There are guidance counselors on campus, but they are pulled in too many directions.

“If I’m having an issue, or a mental breakdown, I have to wait until next week because they (other students) want to talk about their test scores.

“There’s nobody there just for the students to talk to,” she said.

More creative approaches are needed to teach young people to avoid using drugs and alcohol, said panelist Ariana Santillana.

She thinks that people tend to minimize the dangers of alcohol abuse. In her opinion, it’s the biggest substance abuse problem in Pasco County.

“I feel like it’s been so normalized. Nobody really thinks it’s a big deal,” she said. Plus, it’s easily available in many homes.

She advocates coming up with new strategies to reach kids, instead of simply pulling out a Power Point presentation and repeating the common refrain “drugs are bad, don’t do them,” she said.

There needs to be a new attitude when helping people who have substance abuse or mental health illnesses, panelists said.

“Offer your support, instead of punishment,” Santillana said.

Panelist Mia Causey agreed: “We need to show kids we are here for them. If they need help, we’re there to help them, instead of passing them off to somebody else.”

Drug prevention efforts usually last for about a week and generally involve free pencils, wrist bands, stickers and posters, the panelists said.

Durff asked: “What about the kids that are already doing drugs?”

She added: “What about kids (whose) parents are already doped up?”

It doesn’t help to tell people that drugs are bad, she said.

“They probably already know that, but they don’t have the strength to stop it themselves,” Durff said.

Talk about issues, don’t hide them, panelists say
Mental illness, substance abuse and suicide are issues that need to become part of the public conversation, panelists said.

“The thing about STAND is that we’re not afraid to bring light to the problem,” Causey said. “How do you expect to solve the problem, if we don’t bring light to it?”

Getting help to end drug use or to cope with mental health issues shouldn’t be taboo topics, she added.

An appointment for a therapy session should be viewed in the same light as going to the doctor for an ankle injury or to treat a cold, Causey added. “It should be a normalized thing.”

Helping kids find their passions and a positive outlet could go a long way in reducing drug use and promoting positive mental health, panelists added.

Causey: “If you have passion for something, take what you already know and take your already given talents and apply it to that. I love talking. I also am really good at writing poetry, so I do spoken word. I speak at all sorts of different events.”

Santillana noted: “Schools offer sports and band. I’m in band, and I’ve got a zillion things to do every day, so what time do I have for drugs?”

Mariah Morales, another panelist, said she immerses herself in art. “That has really helped me through everything I’ve been through. Art is my way of getting out my feelings and expressing myself. It really does help.”

The panelists also said they believe having a 12-step program in schools would be helpful.

Finally, they believe that sharing their stories can help other youths who are going through challenging times.

“We need to step up, and talk about it and say, ‘If you are going through these things, I got past it. I got through it, and it’s not the end,” Durff said.

Causey agreed: “Saying ‘No’ for yourself is the first step. Helping somebody else say ‘No’ is the next step.”

Safe Teens AgaiNst Drugs (STAND) is a team of youth leaders determined to end youth substance abuse in Pasco County by providing education to teachers, police, businesses and other community members.

Priority Issues:

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

Published August 8, 2018

Summer volunteer job helps teen chase bigger dreams

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At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be much remotely related between a teenager’s ambition to work in forensic nursing and her volunteer role in the Mom/Baby Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North.

But, Sherika Edwards has a plan, and her volunteer stint at the hospital in Lutz figures into it.

The 17-year-old, from Lutz, said she’s always been interested in criminal justice and that other members of her family work in medical careers.

Sherika Edwards spent part of her summer vacation working as a volunteer at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North. She aspires to become a forensic nurse and said having the opportunity to work at a medical facility while she is still in high school was a valuable experience.
(B.C. Manion)

So, the idea of becoming a forensic nurse and tracing evidence to help bring justice to the victims of crime makes perfect sense to Edwards, entering her senior year at Steinbrenner High School.

She said she eagerly signed on when she had the chance to become a volunteer at the hospital, which enabled her to get some exposure to the life that goes on inside of a medical facility.

She wrapped up her summer commitment last week.

During her volunteer stint, she handled a variety of chores.

She answered call lights to find out what patients needed. Sometimes, they just wanted a snack, or a cup of juice or ice, which Edwards would get for them.

She also helped to organize file cabinets and to assemble information folders for patients at the hospital to deliver babies, or to have surgical procedures, Edwards said.

The types of information the patient receives depends on their needs, she explained.

Edwards also helped put together kits containing supplies that a patient might need.

One of the highpoints during her volunteer time at the hospital was having the opportunity to witness a live birth, she said.

Edwards said she was happy to pitch in.

“I like being able to help out the nurses with simple tasks,” she said.

Over the course of the summer Edwards earned 72 volunteer hours toward the community service hours she needs for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

In addition to getting exposure to the variety of jobs that are done within the hospital, the volunteer work gives the youths a chance to be mentored by adults, said Tiffany Scalone, Media Relations Coordinator for St. Joseph’s Hospitals BayCare Health System.

“They’re learning about responsibility, commitment, things like that, as well,” Scalone said.

Edwards was among 21 participants at the hospital’s Volunteen program at St. Joseph’s Hospital–North over the summer. The program on that campus is open only to children of hospital employees at this point, but is expected to be expanded in the future, Scalone said.

Edwards’ mom, Dian Creighton, is a patient care technician in the medical/surgical unit at the hospital in Lutz.

The teen volunteers are well-received by patients and staff, Scalone said.

“All of the team members and the patients just love the Volunteens. They love the energy that they bring, and just the unique perspective that they have. Being fresh and go-getters,” Scalone said.

Edwards said she’s glad she did the volunteer work.

“I think it’s a good opportunity, especially if you want to be in the medical field,” said the young woman, who has not yet decided where she will study nursing.

Published August 8, 2018

Health News 08/08/2018

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(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

Neuroscience Center now open
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point hosted an open house at its Neuroscience Center. The center features a new digital x-ray imaging system to view extremely detailed, real time images of a patient’s head, neck and spin during stroke, and other neuro endovascular procedures that require exact precision. Dr. Rao Musunuru and Sharon Hayes, CEO Bayonet Point (center), cut the ribbon at the open house.

Hospital licensed as stroke center
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has been licensed as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Agency for Healthcare Administration.

It is one of the only 45 hospitals in the state, and the only one located in Pasco County, providing patients with 24/7 availability of immediate access to the full spectrum of neuroscience-related care, including the latest technologies in the detection, treatment and rehabilitation for strokes.

(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Comfort pillows help make a difference
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club spent hours sewing, stuffing and delivering comfort pillows to area hospitals for breast cancer patients, post-surgery. More than 400 pillows were delivered to Moffitt Cancer Center, Hope Lodge and Florida Hospital. Barbara Booth dedicated much time and effort to sew 290 pillows by herself.

Pasco school district adopts new mental health plan

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The Pasco County School Board has approved a plan that allocates additional funding provided by the Florida Legislature to address youth mental health needs.

The Legislature’s decision to provide more money to address mental health issues came in response to the Valentine’s Day shooting spree at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools

The Pasco school district was allocated slightly more than $1.7 million in mental health funding, according to Melissa Musselwhite, director of student support programs and services for the district.

Ninety percent of the funding must be spent to provide mental health services and 10 percent can be spent on prevention, she said.

So, the district has designated $1.4 million for services for at-risk youths and slightly more than $150,000 for prevention services. It also has allocated $123,000 for public charter schools.

The district’s plan calls for contracting with Central Florida Behavioral Network to help the district manage access to mental health services and help the district with data reporting.

It also will help the district with wraparound services for students.

“Many times we refer kids out and parents don’t go. We need to be sure that we’re diligent about tracking those kids and following up,” Musselwhite told the Pasco County School Board during a workshop on July 24.

The district’s plan, which required school board approval, was due to the state by Aug. 1.

Board members approved the plan at their evening meeting on July 24.

“There hasn’t be a comprehensive approach to referring kids out for services and support, and the follow-up and the wraparound with the family,” Musselwhite said, noting she would spend close to $100,000 in general fund money every year for a limited number of students.

By working with Central Behavioral Florida Network, the district will be expanding its reach to community resources that it didn’t know about before, Musselwhite said.

The mental health plan also includes:

  • Contracting with behavioral analysts to work one-on-one with students most at risk
  • Training in youth mental health first aid
  • Training in trauma-informed care
  • Training in Positive Behavior Intervention
  • Increased funding for alternatives to suspensions program
  • Additional adult assistance to help with students who are severely at risk for various reasons
  • Increased data collection to help the district make more informed decisions
  • Refining threat assessment procedures to be sure the law enforcement and district personnel are speaking the same language
  • Adding a high-performing school nurse, school psychologist and school social worker who will serve in a coaching/mentoring role for district staff

The district also plans to incorporate Social Emotional Learning across the curriculum, to help kids to learn how to effectively deal with anger, disappointment and difficult situations that arise.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent, is a proponent of the approach.

Social Emotional Learning helps kids “deal with the emotions of maybe not being the best player on the team, or not being able to play nine innings every game, or maybe having to sit on the bench for the good of the team,” Gadd said.

“Those things are upsetting to some folks, but how do you learn to handle that because those things that happen in life.

“SEL is trying to help teachers understand how to help kids to build foundational skills so they learn to manage those troublesome behaviors,” Gadd said.

Musselwhite said the district is looking for ways to embed SEL across the curriculum, “so that it’s not something stand-alone, and that it can be holistically done throughout the district, not in one subject or during your time with your school counselor.”

Gadd put it like this: “What we need is more SEL and less people with guns. If I had my choice, I would have rather have seen the Legislature fund a lot of SEL programs all around the state to help kids build those foundational skills so they never get to a point where they want to shoot people.”

Also, the district plans to add another Crisis Intervention Team.

It has four teams and will be adding a fifth.

“There was a huge increase, a 46 percent increase, in our crisis callouts for the crisis intervention team over the last year,” Musselwhite said. “It was pretty taxing last year on the four teams that we had.”

The teams are voluntary and are made up of student services team members and school counselors, who receive additional training to respond to crisis situations throughout the district.

Published August 1, 2018

Residents receive recognition at poster exhibit

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Two residents at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point received recognition at the HCA West Florida Graduate Medical Education (GME) Consortium Poster Exhibition.

Dr. Anthony Salibi with his People’s Choice Award trophy and Dr. Ravi Chari, president HCA West Florida
(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

Dr. Anthony Salibi, internal medicine, was awarded the People’s Choice Award with his poster entitled, “Early Recognition of Sepsis and Goal Directed Therapy Resulting in Reduced Hospital Mortality.”

Dr. Nicholas Kolinsky, internal medicine, received the Inter-Professional Award for his poster entitled, “Left Main Coronary Artery Dissection and Aortic Insufficiency Following Blunt Chest Trauma.”

The awards were presented at the second annual exhibition at the University of South Florida, Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation.

Each of the HCA West Florida GME hospitals presented posters showcasing the research, scholarly activity and quality initiatives being performed by the residents and fellows across all GME programs.

Scholarships awarded

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Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point’s Volunteer Association, in conjunction with the Suncoast Health & Education Foundation, presented six $2,000 scholarships to graduating seniors in Pasco County. The recipients were, from left to right: Brennon Chruscial, Anna Boglino, Marissa Sanders, Michaela Barney, Ryan Aing and Luke Detlor. (Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

Enjoy the summer, but heed these tips

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As the summer temperatures increase, so do the calls to poison control across the state.

More people are outdoors and kids are out of school, which can lead to an increased number of poison exposures, including pool chemical accidents; snake, spider and insect bites, and aquatic stings.

The Florida/USVI Poison Information Center in Jacksonville offers tips to keep Floridians safe this summer.

Pool Chemical Safety:

  • Be sure that you are in a well-ventilated area when using pool chemicals.
  • Follow product instructions carefully.
  • Do not store chemicals where flammable items may mix with them.
  • Never mix pool chemicals because that can create a toxic gas.
  • Always keep pool chemicals stored up and away from children.

Inspect Repellent Usage:

  • Read and follow product instructions carefully, as some repellents are not meant to be applied to the skin.
  • Do not use on a child’s hands, eyes, mouth or cut/irritated ski; spray repellent onto adult’s hands and then apply to child’s face.
  • Consumers also should not use a combination of sunscreen and insect repellent, as sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, and repellent should not be reapplied.
  • DEET should not be used on children younger than 2 months old.
  • Always wash treated skin with soap and water after returning to the indoors.

Snake and Spider Bites:

  • If bitten by a snake, remove jewelry and tight clothes, immobilize the extremity if possible, keep affected area at or below the heart, and wash the area gently.
  • Do not feed the victim, make cuts or place ice on the bitten extremity, or apply a tourniquet.
  • If bitten by a spider, call the poison control center immediately.
  • If believed to have been bitten by one of the six venomous snakes in Florida, call poison control at (800) 222-1222, or 911, if victim cannot be aroused, is convulsing or has stopped breathing. Venomous snakes include the coral snake, cottonmouth/water moccasin, Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, copperhead or canebrake (timber) rattlesnake.

Outdoor Hazards:

  • Jellyfish and other aquatic life can bite and sting. Have a spray bottle with vinegar available at the beach for jellyfish stings. Call poison control for specific treatment advice.
  • Treat all wild mushrooms as poisonous, unless you are absolutely certain they are safe.
  • Initially, apply a baking soda paste to insect stings, including fire ants, bees, wasps and caterpillars. Then call poison control for specific treatment.

Pesticides also should be used according to the product instructions, and properly stored and disposed of according to the label. All pesticides should be kept in their original containers.

Consumers should avoid using produce that require leaving powder or pellets in areas where children or pets have access.

The Poison Help Hotline can be reached at (800) 222-1222 and provides free, confidential medical advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year-round, from toxicology specialists, such as nurses, pharmacists, physicians and poison information providers.

Published July 18, 2018

Health News 07/18/2018

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Shelli Ginther

Humanitarian award winner
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has recognized Shelli Ginther as this year’s Frist Volunteer Humanitarian Award winner. In addition to volunteering at the hospital, Ginther is active in the United Methodist Church as an organist, choir member and in volunteer services. She also is a certified lay servant and lay delegate to the Methodist Conference, and is a member in the Native Plant Society, as well as the New Port Richey Garden Club and the Spring Hill Garden Club.

 

 

New director appointed
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has appointed Jennifer Aceituno-Cardona as hospital administrative director of graduate medical education and program support for the hospital’s newly ACGME-accredited general surgery residency program.

Prior to joining Regional Medical, Aceituno-Cardona recently served as administrative director for graduate medical education at John T. Mather Memorial Hospital, an affiliate of Stony Brook University in New York.

In addition to her role at Mather, she worked as the graduate medical education specialist in the GME office at Stony Brook and as a fellowship coordinator at Southampton Hospital, giving her experience with both osteopathic and allopathic programs.

Aceituno-Cardona has a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Stony Brook University.

Autism specialty plate
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. In 2017, nearly $80,000 was awarded.

All nonprofit organizations with a current Internal Revenue Service designation as a 501(c)(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.

Proposals are due by July 31, by visiting AutismLicensePlate.com/grants.

New chief nursing officer
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has announced the appointment of Melanie Wetmore as chief nursing officer.

Wetmore comes to Bayonet Point from Oak Hill Hospital, where she served as assistant chief nursing officer. Prior to Oak Hill, she was employed at Memorial Hospital of Tampa.

Wetmore has more than 20 years of experience in emergency care and nursing leadership. She began her career in Rochester, New York, and served in emergency nursing in Torrance, California; Tucson, Arizona; and Tampa.

She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the State University of New York College at Brockport.

Wetmore also has a Master of Science degree in nursing leadership from Jacksonville University and is in the process of completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

She also is a board-certified nurse executive, certified emergency room nurse, and holds certification in advanced cardiac life support, basic life support and pediatric advanced life support.

Wetmore also is a trauma nursing course educator.

Health News 07/11/2018

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(Courtesy of Alzheimer’s Family Organization)

Project aims to help ease frustration
Members of the Brooksville Girl Scout Troop 24302 earned their sewing badges by creating Fidget Mats for the Alzheimer’s Family Organization. The mats may help sooth the agitated fidgeting of those with dementia. The West Hernando Branch of the Hernando County Library donated the space and provided free introductory sewing lessons for the project, and the scouts completed 10 fidget mats. Members of the troop are Alexa Brook, Isabel Shelby, Madeline Grob, Hannah Opyoke and Ami Rodriguez, under the leadership of Sarah Shelby and Angela Brook.

Adult day center honored
Jaime’s Adult Day Centers, of Lutz, has been recognized by the National Adult Day Services Association as an Adult Day Services Center of Distinction for its outstanding service and unique activities for its members.

The center’s monthly programming is developed by a certified recreation therapist and encompasses social, emotional, spiritual, intellectual and physical activities.

Social wellness considers satisfaction in personal relationships with family and friends, and participation in the community

Emotional wellness considers one’s ability to recognize, accept and manage feelings, strengths and limitations.

Spiritual health considers the connection with a higher being.

Intellectual wellness looks at skills and knowledge within the individual.

And, physical well-being considers activities, such as exercise and a balanced diet.

Activities at Jaime’s range from themed parties to pet therapy with teacup goats. There also are Zumba Gold classes, resistance training and yoga; expressive arts and music therapy; daily prayer, and more.

For information, call (813) 527-6315.

Hospital adds new ER department
Morton Plant North Bay Hospital has completed the final phase of its emergency department, continuing to improve care for the West Pasco community.

Morton Plant’s new emergency department opened last December for patient care, featuring private treatment rooms, a spacious waiting area, nature-inspired artwork and contemporary design touches.

The final phase added a 15-bed unit for those requiring more observation or monitoring and four additional treatment rooms, bring the total to 28 private treatment rooms.

The permanent ambulance entrance also has opened.

The hospital is at 6600 Madison St., in New Port Richey.