The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Orlando Health expands in Pasco County

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Orlando Health, which acquired Florida Medical Clinic (FMC) last August, continues to expand its presence in Pasco County.

Construction began earlier this year on a 300-bed hospital at 3000 Wiregrass Ranch Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, according to Orlando Health’s Media Relations Manager Sandra Bentil.

The facility, which is known as Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital, is reportedly anticipated to be completed and ready to serve patients in early 2025.

(Marcelo Leal/Unsplash)

The multistory hospital is going to be one of the anchors of the Wiregrass community that is being developed by J.D. Porter. It reportedly will be the largest hospital in Wesley Chapel when it is completed.

A wide range of health care services, including emergency and inpatient care, are going to be offered at the hospital.

Physicians from FMC, which was rebranded as Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health on May 1, will be among the professionals providing health care services at the new hospital.

Orlando Health also will build a freestanding emergency room at the intersection of State Road 54 and Henley Road in Lutz.

The plan to construct the 10,865-square-foot facility was announced last December by Matt Taylor, senior vice president of Asset Strategy for Orlando Health. 

A groundbreaking hasn’t occurred yet at that site, Bentil said.

The ER will have 10 exam rooms, an imaging suite, lab and ambulance bay, according to Taylor.

The property for the Lutz ER was purchased from LIV Development. 

That company is currently involved with the construction of Livano Sunlake, a 234-unit luxury multifamily and mixed-use development also located in Lutz, Taylor said.

The decision to build the ER in Lutz was driven by the tremendous population growth that Pasco County has experienced in the last decade, and also by the desire to provide a convenient location to meet patients’ needs for emergency care, Taylor said.

Pasco County’s population in 2022 was 608,794, a nearly 31% increase from the 465,516 who lived there in 2010 according to USAFacts.org. For comparison, the population of the United States grew 7.7% and Florida’s population grew 18% during that period. 

“The demand for convenient access to a wider range of choices in health care services has been increasing and continues to grow in this area. Orlando Health is pleased to expand its presence to serve this community and address their health care needs,” Taylor said.

A freestanding ER is simply an emergency facility that’s not physically attached to a hospital, according to Orlando Health’s Media Relations Department.  The purpose of a freestanding ER is to provide the same level of care and services as are available at traditional hospital-based emergency rooms, to be staffed by board-certified emergency medicine doctors and nurses who are certified in advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support.

The Lutz ER will be the seventh one operated by Orlando Health. The other six are located in Leesburg, Clermont, Kissimmee, Lake Mary, Orlando and Davenport.

At last report, the not-for-profit health care organization has $9.6 billion of assets under management that serves the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico.

More information about Orlando Health can be found at OrlandoHealth.com.

Published May 15, 2024

Gulfside honors thrift shop volunteers

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Jill Skinner receives her President Lifetime Achievement Award from Aaron Barrish, director of thrift shops at Gulfside. (Courtesy of Gulfside Healthcare Services)

Gulfside Healthcare Services celebrated National Volunteer Appreciation Day on April 24 with a tribute to its dedicated thrift shop volunteers, recognizing their invaluable contributions through their unwavering dedication and commitment in support of Gulfside Hospice patients. 

The day of appreciation included breakfast, lunch and snacks to fuel their spirits, and each volunteer was presented with a gift as a token of thanks for their selfless service.

Four individuals were honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award — Fran Hunt, Hudson; Beth Dwyer, Dade City; Jill Skinner, Zephyrhills; and Dick Rudy, New Port Richey.

In addition, more than 60 volunteers received the Gold Award.

Gulfside Healthcare is committed to fostering a culture of appreciation and support for its volunteers, recognizing their vital role in fulfilling the organization’s mission of providing exceptional care and support to those in need.

For more information about Gulfside and its volunteer programs, visit Gulfside.org/volunteer-with-gulfside.

Published May 15, 2024

How workplaces can contribute to COPD risk

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. Impacting 11.7 million people in the United States, many people only think of it as a disease that impacts people who smoke and use tobacco products, but long-term exposure to dust, chemicals, fumes and vapors from the workplace are also risk factors.

((c) KatarzynaBialasiewicz / iStock via Getty Images Plus)

In fact, work-related exposures account for 10% to 20% of either respiratory symptoms or lung function impairment consistent with COPD.

To help people understand the many facets of COPD risk, the American Lung Association is launching a campaign to raise awareness of occupational COPD. As part of the campaign, they are sharing patient insights, along with information to help people identify workplace risk factors and signs of disease progression.

Knowing the risk factors
Mary Cohen, who lives with COPD, started having symptoms when working at a nail and hair salon.

“I did not realize that working in a hair and nail salon doing nails would put me at risk for lung disease, COPD,” says Cohen.

The leading industries and job types that increase risk for COPD include agriculture, mining and manufacturing; however, many types of workplaces, from construction to welding, can potentially expose workers to harmful irritants that can contribute to developing COPD. Workplace exposures include:

  • Secondhand smoke
  • Mineral dusts like silica, coal and asbestos
  • Organic dusts like cotton, wood and grains
  • Metal or welding fumes like cadmium
  • Diesel or exhaust fumes
  • Asphalt, tar fumes, or vapor in roads or roofing
  • Smoke from fires

Recognizing the signs
While there is no cure for COPD, it is often preventable and once diagnosed can be managed and treated. That’s why recognizing the symptoms as early as possible is so important. These symptoms include shortness of breath, a cough that may bring up sputum (mucus or phlegm), wheezing, tiredness or fatigue, or repeated lung infections like bronchitis or pneumonia. Perhaps a person notices they are taking the elevator instead of the stairs because of shortness of breath, or that they develop a lingering cough every time they sweep sawdust. Unfortunately, people often attribute these changes to their health to aging or because they have gained weight or are out of shape.

If a person has been exposed to risk factors for occupational COPD or has symptoms, the American Lung Association recommends that they speak to their health care provider. For more information, visit Lung.org/workplace-COPD.

The workplace is where people spend hours of their day and years of their life. Learning more about how to protect the lungs at work is critical.

-StatePoint

Published May 15, 2024

Five things athletes need to know about asthma and summer heat

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Nearly 25 million people of all ages in the United States are living with asthma, a lifelong chronic disease that makes it harder to move air in and out of the lungs, and for athletes, the summer heat can exacerbate the disease.

Here’s what the American Lung Association wants everyone to know during summer, when extreme heat can make asthma harder to manage.

(Maarten van den Heuvel/Unsplash)

New challenges are emerging.
Beyond traditional asthma triggers like respiratory infections, secondhand smoke and pets, new challenges are emerging. Extreme heat, poor air quality, increased allergens, extreme weather events, and more frequent and intense wildfires, all are making asthma more difficult to manage.

Excessive heat and humidity increase the risk of asthma exacerbations, asthma-related hospitalization and asthma-related death, especially for children and women. Athletes should limit time outdoors during heat waves, seek access to air conditioning and take steps to improve indoor air quality, as humidity allows dust mites and mold to thrive.

City dwellers are particularly vulnerable.
Two-thirds of the average U.S. city is made up of roads, parking spaces, sidewalks and roofs. Since these surfaces are typically dark and nonporous, they contribute to flooding, increased air pollution, poor health and what is known as “urban heat,” a phenomenon in which cities experience warmer temperatures than surrounding areas. Urban heat, combined with pollutants from power plants, motor vehicles and other pollution sources, creates ozone pollution, also known as smog. Those with asthma can experience symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing from both ground-level ozone and particle pollution, as well as from the impacts of extreme weather and airborne allergens.

Flooding can harm lung health.
Increased severe storms result in more flooding, which can harm lung health. Chemicals, sewage, oil, gas and other dangerous substances found in floodwaters can pose health risks, and mold, associated with asthma attacks, can grow anywhere there is water or dampness.

Advocacy efforts are underway.
The Smart Surfaces Coalition is made up of 40 national and international organizations committed to making Smart Surfaces the global urban design standard. Smart Surfaces encompass a suite of cutting-edge technologies, including reflective (cool) roofs and pavements, green roofs, trees, solar panels and rain gardens. Designed to mitigate urban heat, enhance air quality and improve health, these transformative urban features can cool cities by 5 degrees F, reduce flooding, provide economic benefits and potentially advance environmental justice.

The American Lung Association, an active member of the Smart Surfaces Coalition, encourages cities to take these actions:

  • Install light-colored roads, parking lots and driveways to reflect sunlight and reduce heat.
  • Install solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity and provide shade for roofs.
  • Plant trees to increase shade.
  • Select porous surfaces to collect polluted stormwater, soak it into the ground, and filter out pollution.

Other strategies to reduce urban heat, air pollution and ozone levels include using public transportation carpooling, increasing green spaces and installing cooling centers in extreme conditions.

Resources are available.
Educational programming can help people better manage the disease in summer and year-round. Patients can check out the self-management education programs, information and tools available at Lung.org/asthma or call the American Lung Association’s Lung Helpline at 1-800-LUNGUSA. Living with an illness, or being the caretaker to someone who is, can take a physical and emotional toll. Patients can get support and knowledge, and connect with others by joining the Lung Association’s Patient & Caregiver Network.

For the 24.8 million Americans living with asthma, extreme summer temperatures and emerging environmental threats can make life more difficult. Fortunately, new educational resources and expanded programming can help patients navigate new and old challenges alike.

-StatePoint

Published May 15, 2024

Health News 05/15/2024

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(Courtesy of AdventHealth)

Bucs Babies celebrates 10 years
The AdventHealth Bucs Babies Program, an ongoing partnership between AdventHealth West Florida and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, continues to celebrate each newborn arriving at any AdventHealth hospital across the Greater Tampa Bay area as an AdventHealth Bucs Baby.

Marking the milestone of the program’s 10th year, infants born during the NFL draft week are officially inducted into the “rookie class,” receiving an exclusive Bucs Babies Draft Kit, according to a news release.

Included in the kit are essential items for new parents, such as newborn wash, shampoo, lotion, a hat, and an array of Bucs-themed gear.

The program also includes an invitation to the annual Bucs Babies Birthday Bash, a free event each year at the AdventHealth Training Center where parents and their little ones can enjoy activities and photo opportunities.

Health center consolidation
The Pediatric Health Center, near downtown New Port Richey, has merged with a new comprehensive health center on Rowan Road. The last day of medical and dental services at the Pediatric Health Center was April 30, according to a news release.

The New Port Richey Family Health Center, 5957 Rowan Road, offers a wide range of services under one roof, including medical, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy services for children, ensuring greater convenience and accessibility to patients, the release says.

For more information and questions, call 352-518-2000, or visit PremierHC.org.

Mosquito activity increases
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH-Pasco) is advising residents there has been an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity in areas of Pasco County, according to a news release.

Eastern equine encephalitis virus was detected in a group of sick emus. The risk of transmission to humans has increased. Pasco County Mosquito Control and DOH-Pasco will continue surveillance and prevention efforts, the release says.

Residents and visitors are reminded to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure.

To protect yourself from mosquitoes, remember to “Drain and Cover.”

Drain standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.

  • Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater collects.
  • Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.
  • Empty and clean birdbaths and pet water bowls at least once or twice a week.
  • Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
  • Maintain swimming pools in good condition and properly chlorinated. Empty plastic pools when not in use.

Cover skin with clothing or repellent.

  • Wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
  • Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone and IR3535 are effective. Ensure repellent is safe for children and age-appropriate. Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
  • Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of the house. Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches and patios.

To learn about what repellent is right for you, use the Environmental Protection Agency’s search tool to help choose skin-applied repellent products.

The DOH continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya, and dengue.

For information, visit the department’s website, or call DOH-Pasco at 727-619-0300.

For more on the Pasco County Mosquito Control District, visit PascoMosquito.org.

DeSantis touts more spending for the developmentally disabled in Florida

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(The Center Square) — Floridians with developmental disabilities will benefit from a record level of funding for direct services after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a multibillion dollar investment from the state.

DeSantis spoke at the Els Center in Jupiter on Monday and announced that as part of the Live Healthy legislation spearheaded by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, and his Focus on Florida’s Bright Future Budget that $2.2 billion will be going to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities for services through the iBudget waiver.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stands with a $1 million check for the Els Center of Excellence.(Facebook/Governor Ron DeSantis)

This would allow those living with autism and other developmental disabilities to access social, behavioral, therapeutic and medical services.

“That is the highest amount ever appropriated in the history of Florida by a country mile, and the iBudget waiver offers an array of social, medical, behavioral, and therapeutic services to individuals who have developmental disabilities,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis stated that the record-high funding includes $200 million to support an across-the-board increase for iBudget waiver providers, $64.8 million to enroll additional individuals in crisis onto the iBudget waiver and $55.7 million to enroll individuals currently in a pre-enrollment category.

“So, this is a big deal, this is a big investment, it shows the state of Florida’s commitment,” DeSantis said, adding that he also has approved an additional $1 million for the Els Center of Excellence recreational complex.

DeSantis noted that the new facility will provide a specialized swim and water safety program, aqua therapy sessions, indoor sports and fitness, and a specialized autism-friendly hurricane shelter.

“The facility will also provide a specialized athletic curriculum that gives parents, teachers and coaches the best tools to assist children and students with unique abilities. We want them to get active, we want them to live healthier lives, and that’s exactly what they’re doing here at the Els Center.” DeSantis said.

Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Taylor Hatch said that more individuals living with developmental disabilities will be empowered by the funding provided by DeSantis and the Legislature.

“This historic funding will provide services that empower a greater number of individuals and their families to thrive through the power of partnership, highlighting the importance of a strong provider workforce through first-ever, across-the-board pay increases, as well as focusing on the importance of community partners,” Hatch said.

Published May 08, 2024

Why summer is the best time to take your child to an orthodontist

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Barbecues, beaches and braces? Summertime typically may not be associated with orthodontics, but according to experts, it’s a great time of year to start orthodontic treatment and help kids enter a new school year with a confident smile.

“Braces can be a very exciting step, but like with anything new, there will be a short adjustment period as a child adapts to changes to their routine, as well as to the feel of aligners or brackets and wires in their mouth,” says Dr. Vijay Bhagia of Space City Orthodontics, a board-certified orthodontist who has been practicing for over 20 years. “That’s why we recommend parents bring their kids into our offices in summer, when schedules are more relaxed and they have more time to adjust to the change of pace.”

(Enis Yavuz/Unsplash)

Whether you’re considering orthodontic treatment for your child, your teen or yourself, these insights from Smile Doctors, a national network of leading orthodontists, can help:

Is orthodontic treatment really necessary?
Straightening teeth through orthodontics is not just cosmetic. Poorly aligned teeth can affect the way one speaks, bites and chews, and even breathes. An important part of oral health, braces can correct bite issues, gaps and crooked, crowded or overlapping teeth.

When should my child see an orthodontist?
Orthodontics is for people of all ages, even adults. However, it might be surprising to learn that the American Association of Orthodontics recommends children see an orthodontist by age 7. This is because orthodontists are uniquely trained to evaluate children’s growth, as well as the exchange of baby teeth for permanent teeth, and can help you get ahead of potential issues as adult teeth continue to come in.

How do I get my teen on board with the plan?
Teens now have more braces options than ever. From traditional braces with fun colors, to clear aligners like Invisalign, braces can help them express their personality. Of course, it also helps to remind teenagers that when they’re done with treatment, they’ll have a healthy smile.

How do I know which braces are right for me or my child?
There are several types of orthodontic treatments. Metal braces use a combination of stainless-steel brackets, arch wires and elastic ties or bands to gently move teeth as prescribed. Ceramic braces are tooth-colored or clear brackets made of ceramic, porcelain or plastic. Clear aligners like Invisalign are a removable and discreet orthodontic treatment consisting of a series of aligners worn for one to two weeks at a time. Some orthodontists will provide a free consultation to discuss affordability and treatment options that best suit your needs.

What steps should we take between visits?
Have your child brush around each bracket and floss between each tooth right after eating to avoid permanent white marks, cavities or gum disease. Doing so prevents the acidity and sugars from settling into the crevices in between the brackets. Opt for mouthwash without blue or red dyes for further cavity protection.

Do braces hurt?
There is sometimes mild discomfort during treatment, but it’s manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers. To reduce swelling, try rinsing with warm salt water. For bracket pain, your orthodontist will usually give you dental wax and show you how to apply it. You can also avoid some discomfort by sticking with softer foods at first.

Use the downtime of summer wisely this year. Put your child on the path toward a healthy, confident smile that will last a lifetime.

Published May 08, 2024

Health News 05/04/2024

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(Courtesy of Deborah Erdahl)

Raising awareness of child abuse prevention
In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, members of the GFWC Lutz Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club ‘planted’ blue pinwheels and signs at the Historic Old Lutz School, painted one finger on each hand with blue nail polish, and made a point of wearing blue and denim to their monthly meeting to represent their stand against domestic violence and sexual abuse. For more information about the club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org or its Facebook page.

Chris Angilella signs one of his books during a special event at Marchman Technical College. (Courtesy of Corey Dierdorff/Pasco County Schools)

Storytelling and the human spirit
Marchman Technical College in New Port Richey hosted “Meet the Author,” a special event that celebrated the power of storytelling and the human spirit. 

Chris Angilella, a 25-year-old author with autism and Asperger’s syndrome, shared his journey and the stories he’s crafted in his children’s books.

Angilella told jokes, took the audience on a tour of his daily life, and discussed his challenges and strategies to overcome them.

The author also talked about his five published books, including his first, “Dotty’s Freckles,” and his latest, “Speckle Delivery.” The stories often feature animated characters and are not just tales, but lifelines of self-discovery and acceptance. All the books’ illustrations are drawn by a close friend of Angilella.

Marchman Technical has been a supportive home for the author over the past seven years.

Confused by nutrition labels? You’re not alone

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Shopping for groceries can be like navigating a maze: so many choices in every aisle, food packages covered in marketing claims and little direction on what is truly healthy and what isn’t. People want to make healthy choices for themselves and their families, but how can they when the information available to them can be so overwhelming?

For years, the Nutrition Facts label on the back of food packages has provided important nutrition information, such as the amount of calories, fat, sodium, sugar, protein and vitamins and minerals. But all the numbers can be confusing, and they’re not readily visible. Given America’s high rates of diet-related disease and illness, advocates say that more must be done to make sure consumers have the information they need to make healthy choices.

(Courtesy of the Food and Drug Administration)

That’s why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which sets standards for nutrition labeling, is developing a new labeling system that would appear on the front of food and beverage products, offering clear and concise information to help people quickly and easily identify healthier foods. Research from other countries shows that front-of-pack labeling helps consumers make healthier purchases and even gets manufacturers to make healthier products.

What could a front-of-pack label look like? More than 40 countries already require it. Some countries use stoplight colors like red, yellow and green, or a grading system like a report card — A, B, C, D, E — to indicate how healthy a product is. Other countries use a warning system that indicates whether products include high amounts of added sugars, saturated fat or sodium. Approaches like these make it easy for consumers to understand with a quick glance what’s healthy and what’s not.

The success of front-of-pack labeling in other countries suggests it will help people in the United States make healthier choices that can improve well-being and reduce high rates of diet-related diseases, including some forms of heart disease and cancer. In fact, the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) recommended such a system more than 10 years ago, and national polls show most Americans support it.

The FDA plans to release a proposal for a front-of-pack food labeling system in the United States that can get everyone out of the food shopping maze. To stay informed and learn more, visit YoureTheCure.org/FOP.

“Clear, concise front-of-pack nutrition labeling is the answer. After all, grocery shopping shouldn’t require a degree in nutrition,” says Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association.

-StatePoint

Published May 01, 2024

Health News 05/01/2024

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Sidd Pagidipati stands alongside his parents after making a historic donation to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation in their honor. (Courtesy of Ashley Ozols-Thomas/BayCare)

Children’s hospital receives historic gift
St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation announced a $50 million gift from the Pagidipati family of Tampa, to support the future of pediatric health care in the Tampa Bay community, according to a news release.

Tampa business leader and philanthropist Sidd Pagidipati, along with his brother Rahul and sister Srujani, made the donation to honor their parents’ legacy as health care providers, their 50th wedding anniversary and their 50th anniversary of coming to the United States, the release said.

The gift will support the new, specially designed pediatric facility for St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, which BayCare announced last October as part of a strategic effort to increase the region’s access to high-quality, state-of-the-art health care for children.

When the new children’s hospital facility opens, it will be named Pagidipati Children’s Hospital at St. Joseph’s, in recognition of the donating family.

The new hospital is scheduled to open in 2030.

Mental health resources
If you or someone you know are facing a challenge with mental health, substance use or other difficulties such as homelessness, suicide, veterans and PTS (post-traumatic stress) or more, there is help available within the community. The Pasco Sheriff’s Office offers a list of community-based resources on its website, to give you a place to start. Visit PascoSheriff.com/MentalHealth-html/ for additional information.

Crisis dispatch service launched
The Tampa Police Department (TPD) and the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay launched a Crisis Intervention Dispatch Service Program on April 15, at Tampa Police Dispatch, during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, according to a news release.

The individuals who answer 911 calls address a range of emergency and crisis situations, including calls from individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

Many behavioral health calls to 911 do not require in-person law enforcement intervention. For this reason, the TPD will soon house intervention specialists from the Crisis Center in its dispatch center, the release says.

The program aims to reduce officer dispatched calls relating to individuals undergoing a behavioral health crisis, connect 911 callers in need of behavioral health support to resources, reduce recidivism of Baker Acts, and engage high utilizers of 911 for prevention.

People in the community who are experiencing thoughts of suicide and other crises can call 988. If someone needs information about community resources, call 211. Both numbers are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

The 911 emergency services number is available 24/7 for anyone in need of immediate assistance from police, the fire department or an ambulance.

Dr. Huy D. Nguyen (Courtesy of Martin E. Bahl/BayCare)

Doctor joins BayCare
Huy D. Nguyen, DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine) has joined BayCare Medical Group’s primary care office at 4211 Van Dyke Road in Lutz, on the campus of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North.

The physician is board certified in family medicine, speaks fluent Vietnamese, and treats patients age 18 and older. Nguyen’s clinical interests include hypertension, weight loss, ADHD, diabetes, cholesterol, sports-related injuries, and joint infections.

He completed an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of South Florida-Tampa and earned his DO from the Bradenton campus of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. He also completed a family medicine residency at the University of Incarnate Word/Graduate Medical Education and Research in San Antonio, Texas.

To learn more, visit bit.ly/3PMKhUy. To reach Dr. Nguyen’s office, call 813-960-4026.