Health

Health News 08/16/2017

August 16, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Healthier and safer for new school season
Premier Community Healthcare Group’s fourth annual Back-to-School Health & Safety Fest handed out approximately 600 backpacks stuffed with school supplies, gave 18 free school physicals, and completed nearly 50 dental screenings. Dr. Reda Awad provided the physicals during the event.

(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

Hospital recognized by cancer society
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point was recognized by the American Cancer Society as a Platinum sponsor in the Relay for Life in Hudson, for raising more than $6,000 in the fight against cancer. The hospital also was recognized as a Pink Ribbon Supporter in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Pasco, for raising more than $5,000. From left: Tom Lawhorne, CFO; Diane Ricca, volunteer chairperson and top fundraiser; and, Mary Ellen Woska, Health Systems manager, American Cancer Society.

Bilirakis talks health care reform

August 9, 2017 By Kevin Weiss

Health care reform was the main topic during U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’s visit to Zephyrhills last week.

Bilirakis, who represents Florida’s 12th congressional district, was the featured speaker during The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting on Aug. 3.

He said he was “very disappointed” when the Republican party’s reform and repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) stalled in the Senate.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis gives members of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce his take on what’s happening in Washington D.C., regarding health care reform. (Kevin Weiss)

The so-called skinny repeal bill, which the GOP titled the Health Care Freedom Act, would have eliminated the ACA’s individual mandate; delayed the employer mandate until 2025; allowed states greater flexibility in implementing market reforms, such as essential health benefits and out-of-pocket spending limits; and increased Health Savings Account limits for three years, among other changes.

However, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the skinny repeal bill would have increased the number of uninsured by 16 million over the next nine years and increased health care exchange premiums by more than 20 percent.

The measure sank on July 27, in a 49-51 Senate vote, with three Republican senators — Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and John McCain of Arizona — joining the entire Democratic caucus against the bill.

The action, Bilirakis said, displayed his party’s inability to stick together.

“To be honest with you, you can’t keep voting ‘no.’ Maybe you’re a hero at home, but you’ve got to work with the leadership to get things done,” he said.

Bilirakis acknowledged he “didn’t agree with everything” in the bill, but noted it was a good starting point to replace Obamacare.

“Obamacare is failing,” Bilirakis said to a roomful of constituents. “Seventy-three percent of the counties in our state only have one provider…so we have to fix it, we have to do something different, we have to bring the (deductibles) down.

“Now, don’t get me wrong, we want to take care of the pre-existing conditions. I want to make sure that everyone has access to mental health treatment, if their family member needs it or if they need it. These are very important issues to me, they’re close to my heart,” he added.

Bilirakis said he wanted to see the skinny bill pass, mainly so it could be improved in a House-Senate conference committee.

“We don’t do that very often anymore,” he said, “where we go to conference, appoint Republicans and Democrats in a room, and make it work.”

Meanwhile, Bilirakis assigned blame to both parties for not crafting a viable bipartisan solution on health care.

“We’ve got to think of the country first, and work together. That’s what voters mostly want,” Bilirakis said.

“With health care, it shouldn’t be a political issue. It’s a personal issue, and both parties should be involved in getting this done, because both parties have good ideas,” he later added.

He also criticized President Donald Trump for his shifting stance on health care. Regarding Obamacare, the president has waffled on the following actions:

Repeal and replace
Repeal only, then replace
Let it “fail.”

“Listen, I am a Trump supporter, but he’s got to be consistent in what his plan is,” Bilirakis said. “These members (of the Senate) are not going to buy it, just saying we’ve got to pass a bill. It’s got to be a good bill.”

Bilirakis, though, did credit the president for reducing regulations on U.S. businesses, as well as the soaring stock market— the Dow Jones industrial average passed the 22,000 mark for the first time on Aug. 3.

“The economy’s much better. We are making a difference, but we can do better,” Bilirakis said.

Elsewhere, the congressman discussed some of his recently introduced bills, such as The Lower Costs Through Competition Act and The Open Act, both related to health care.

The Lower Costs Through Competition Act, co-sponsored by Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader of Oregon, seeks to reduce prescription drug prices by speeding up Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of high-cost generic products, which lack competition.

Bilirakis pointed to last year’s EpiPen controversy, where Mylan, the makers of the life saving, anti-allergic reaction device, increased its product price by nearly 400 percent, to $700 for a twin-pack.

“The EpiPen situation — that was horrible,” he said. “There’s a couple of other drugs like that, and you have these monopolies out there that are taking advantage, and so we want to make we speed up the FDA process, the approval process and incentivize these companies to reduce the prices.”

The bill, introduced in January, has since been referred to the House Subcommittee on Health.

“It’s a no-brainer, but in (Washington) D.C., sometimes the no-brainers won’t pass, so you’ve got to keep pushing,” said Bilirakis.

Meanwhile, Bilirakis’ Orphan Products Extension Now (OPEN) Act — which also has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Health — would provide incentives for drug makers to repurpose mainstream treatments, at mainstream prices.

According to Bilirakis, there are 7,000 rare diseases affecting 30 million Americans, and yet 95 percent of those conditions have no approved treatment or cure.

The bill, as it stands, amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to extend by six months the exclusivity period for a drug or biological product approved by the FDA when the product is additionally approved to prevent, diagnose, or treat a new indication that is a rare disease or condition (also known as an orphan disease).

A common issue, Bilirakis explained, is those afflicted with rare diseases resort to off-label drugs for treatment. “We’ve got to find cures and treatments. We want to make sure it’s safe, we want to make sure we have a proper dosage,” he said.

Published August 9, 2017

Health News 08/09/2017

August 9, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Excellence in nursing awards
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point recognized two staff members for excellence in nursing at the hospital’s HCA Awards of Distinction celebration. Andrea Ioviero received the Excellence in Nursing award in the compassionate care category, and Melissa Reed received the award in the professional mentoring category. Each winner received $250, a plaque, a front-row parking spot or pass to the physicians’ lot for a full year, a dish garden, and their photo displayed in the front entrance of the hospital.

Oak Hill Hospital awards
Oak Hill Hospital has recognized Dr. Pariksith Singh with this year’s Frist Humanitarian Physician Award.

Named in honor of Dr. Thomas F. Frist Sr., the founder of HCA and renowned humanitarian, the award recognizes individuals whose daily dedication and care giving epitomize the highest standards of quality and personal commitment.

Liz Jennings, a registered nurse and certified perianesthesia nurse, was recognized by the Business & Professional Women of Florida with the Elaine Gordon Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award, in memory of former State Representative Elaine Gordon, is given to those individuals who promote full participation, equity and economic self-sufficiency for Florida’s working women.

In the past, Jennings also had been recognized as an employee Frist Humanitarian Award winner.

Quilting for comfort

August 2, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Quilting with Grace, a group from Grace Presbyterian Church in Spring Hill, presented 17 handmade quilts to the Oak Hill Hospital Pediatric ER and Pediatric In-Patient Units. The quilts will be distributed to young children in need, who need additional comfort from a traumatic experience. Members of the quilting group, from left: Nancy Bolton, Sue Swahn, Pat Conkle, Marge Gavin and Marylou Bonesteel. Not pictured: Elizabeth Acevedo. (Courtesy of Oak Hill Hospital)

Hospital recognizes staff, volunteer

July 26, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has honored Dr. Dominic Sorresso as Physician of the Year. Sorresso is a pulmonologist, board certified in critical care medicine, internal medicine, pulmonary disease, and sleep medicine. He was chosen for his dedication to providing high-quality, compassionate patient care.

The hospital also recognized Suzanne Sarabalis and Jessica Dent as Nurses of the Year.

Sarabalis is a 30-year nursing veteran who serves on the Medical Oncology Unit, and Jessica Dent serves on the CS Unit.

The GME Resident of the Year award was given to Dr. Anna Marshall.

Employee of the Month went to registered nurse Aida Guardiani, a patient care navigator.

Health News 07/19/2017

July 19, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Donna Owen, Judy Larkin and Shayne George, CEO

Frist Humanitarian Award recipients
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has recognized its winners of this year’s Frist Humanitarian Awards, in honor of their humanitarian and volunteer activities.

Dr. Shaival Thakore and Dr. Joseph Pino, CMO

Judith Larkin received the Volunteer Frist Humanitarian Award. Larkin has been with the hospital since 1988, accumulating more than 16,000 hours of service, volunteering as a chaplain’s aide, co-chairperson, visiting the assisted living facilities, and taking individuals out to dinner, run errands, shopping and doctor appointments.

The Employee Frist Humanitarian Award was given to Jonathan Hoehn, of the imaging department, for his outstanding patient care and skill level. Hoehn is a former army sergeant and an active Scout leader for the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.

Dr. Shaival Thakore was honored with the Frist Physician Award for his mentorship of new physicians.

Residency class graduates
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point graduated its second Osteopathic Internal Medicine Residency Class.

The program recognized the achievements of graduating residents Camille Alfonso, Jonathan Lind, David Otis, Michael Roberts, James Shepard and Woody Taves; Faculty of the Year Dr. Nidal Hamame; and, Resident of the Year Woody Taves.

The highest in-service exam scores went to Michael Harris, 99th percentile among all second-year osteopathic medicine residents who participated; and, Hamish Patel, 99th percentile among all first-year osteopathic internal medicine residents who participated.

NAMI support meetings
The Pasco County Chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers two types of support group meetings every month.

The NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a structured closed group, open only to those with a mental illness diagnosis. The group is for individuals age 18 and older, who are interested in the recovery process, sharing coping skills and being with others who understand the daily challenges of living with a mental illness. The group is facilitated by trained peers.

The NAMI Family Support Group is for family members and caregivers of an adult with a mental illness diagnosis.

The support meetings cover all brain disorders including, but not limited to, OCD, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, multiple personalities and more.

For information, call (727) 992-9653, or visit NamiPasco.org.

Stigma poses obstacle to mental health care

July 12, 2017 By B.C. Manion

People who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder have a 20 percent risk factor for suicide, Dr. Marlene Hart said, during a community seminar at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

Despite that staggering risk, however, many people refuse to seek treatment for mental health problems.

That needs to change, Hart told the audience.

Dr. Marlene Hart hopes to help reduce the stigma attached to mental illness, with the goal of encouraging more people to seek the treatment they need. (B.C. Manion)

A shift in public perception about the problem could go a long way to help, she said.

“We have to fight stigma. It interferes with people getting treatment. It causes people not to come in,” Hart said. “If there is one message that I hope people get — is that psychiatric disorders, including bipolar … are medical problems.

“The brain is the most complicated organ in the body,” Hart added. “Why would we think, for whatever reason, it doesn’t have imbalances? It’s not logical.”

There are about 5.7 million adult Americans who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which is about 2.6 percent of the population, according to the National Institute on Mental Health.

Hart, who is medical director at North Tampa Behavioral Health, has worked with countless clients struggling to overcome the difficulties of managing bipolar disorder. She spent 18 years of her career in Dade City, working with patients who grew up and graduated from high school and college. She worked with them through deaths of close family members, through marriages and divorces.

She got into the field because she wanted to help. Initially, she trained to be a social worker, but later went back to get her medical degree. She has seen the challenges of mental illness up close because her sister was a schizophrenic.

When people are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it is very common to find someone else in the same family who has been diagnosed with the condition, Hart said. “It is one of the genetically connected medical problems that we know of.”

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks, according to the National Institute for Mental Health.

There are four basic types of bipolar disorder; all of them involve clear changes in mood, energy and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely “up,” elated and energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very sad, “down” or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes, the NIMH reports.

Hart said the condition can be difficult to diagnose, and often can go undetected for 10 to 20 years.

“How do bipolar patients come to health care? They may be depressed,” Hart said.

“So, it looks like a major depression,” she said.

They don’t often come in when they’re manic, because they’re having a good time — unless it is causes them problems, Hart said.

When people come in to be treated for their mania, it’s generally because they got themselves into trouble, she said.

“People get into a fight at Walmart because somebody didn’t move fast enough, or didn’t get out of their way,” she said. Or, “people get into impulsive behaviors, like shoplifting. It’s the thrill. The excitement.

“When it gets severe, people run naked in the parking lot,” she added.

Or, they may go on lavish spending sprees or make foolish business decisions, she said.

Or, they become involved in sexual situations that are not the norm for them, which can lead to relationship problems.

“You can imagine if somebody is impulsively engaging in sexual behaviors they do not normally do, that this could cause a problem for their long-term relationship,” Hart said. “We have people coming in all of the time that say, ‘You know I got involved in this thing, I don’t know why I did it.’”

Excessive drinking may be another sign.

“About 40 percent of the people are estimated, who have bipolar, use alcohol to try to get themselves to sleep or calm down.”

She points to Robin Williams’ portrayal of Mork, on the television show, “Mork & Mindy” as a classic example of manic behavior.

The movie, “Silver Linings Playbook” also offers valuable insights, Hart said.

“I thought it was a really excellent portrayal of bipolar disorder,” she said.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

People having a manic episode may:

Feel very “up,” “high” or elated
Have a lot of energy
Have increased activity levels
Feel “jumpy” or “wired”
Have trouble sleeping
Become more active than usual
Talk really fast about a lot of different things
Be agitated, irritable or “touchy”
Feel like their thoughts are going very fast
Think they can do a lot of things at once
Do risky things, like spend a lot of money or have reckless sex

People having a depressive episode may:

Feel very sad, down, empty or hopeless
Have very little energy
Have decreased activity levels
Have trouble sleeping, they may sleep too little or too much
Feel like they can’t enjoy anything
Feel worried and empty
Have trouble concentrating
Forget things a lot
Eat too much or too little
Feel tired or “slowed down”
Think about death or suicide

Source: National Institute for Mental Health

Published July 12, 2017

Health News 07/12/2017

July 12, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Sertoma Foundation receives funding
Sam Shrieves, marking president of Capital City Bank, presented a $250 check to Debra Golinski, executive director of Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation, to be used for program services. Capital City has been a supporter of Sertoma programs in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties for nearly 20 years.

Hospital hands out awards
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has recognized Peggy Pappas, RN, with the 11th annual Good Samaritan Health Clinic Nurses’ Gala Nurse of the Year award. A winner is selected from each local hospital.

Pappas will reign for one year with community appearances, such as a judge for the Festival of Trees event and riding in the Chasco Fiesta Parade.

The hospital also has selected its male and female volunteer of the year award recipients.

Dixie Cagle joined Regional Medical’s volunteer association in 2009 and has volunteered 17,500 hours. Cagle greets patients and families at Welcome A and Welcome D, is a chairperson for Welcome D, a courier team leader and a member of the awards committee. She also has served two years as director-at-large on the Volunteer Association Board.

Adrian Borel has been with the hospital for nearly 28 years and has accumulated more than 15,000 hours of service. Borel worked for 26 years in the pharmacy, and two years ago started working in materials management making deliveries throughout the hospital.

He received the Five Star Award in 2014 and the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from former President George W. Bush in 2008.

Real-time online scheduling launches
New and existing patients of Bayfront Health Medical Group now have anytime access to make an appointment online, with select medical providers.

Bayfront Health Medical Group, affiliated with Bayfront Health Dade City, is among the first health care providers in the area to offer a real-time online booking service.

Individuals now have 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week access to check availability and schedule an appointment, using a mobile device or a PC through MyBayfrontHealth.com.

The free, online service also can help patients gain access to appointments that open up on a doctor’s calendar due to last-minute cancellations and reschedules.

Providers available for the service are Dr. Elizabeth John, internal medicine; Dr. Kozhimala John, internal medicine; Dr. Fernando Morales, primary care; Dr. Kousalya Sara, pediatrics; Dr. Joseph Nystrom, family practice; nurse practitioner Barrie McCrimmon, family practice; and, nurse practitioner Mark Roque, family practice.

Most providers are expected to be available for online booking in the future.

Maternity Suites celebrate one year
Oak Hill Hospital in Spring Hill celebrated the first anniversary of the opening of its Maternity Suites. On opening day June 7, 2016, two boys were delivered to separate parents. Since then, 607 babies have been delivered by OB/GYN physicians and certified midwives at the hospital.

The Maternity Suites is a 22,000-sq.-ft. facility, which includes six labor and delivery suites, 10 postpartum recovery suites, two antepartum labor suites, a cesarean surgical suite, and a 12-position holding nursery for babies who need special monitoring or continuous observation.

In addition, there are board-certified specialty nurses and other professional support staff on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week; a lactation specialist; next-generation amenities, including the latest industry standards for patient monitoring and an advanced baby security system; and, wireless fetal monitoring.

NAMI support meetings
The Pasco County Chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers two types of support group meetings every month.

The NAMI Family Support Group is for family members and caregivers of an adult with a mental illness diagnosis.

The support meetings cover all brain disorders including, but not limited to, OCD, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, multiple personalities and more.

For information, call (727) 992-9653, or visit NamiPasco.org.

Family seeks help for their 5-year-old son

July 5, 2017 By Kevin Weiss

Priscilla Avila-Posey knew early on her son, Julian, was unique from others.

He looks like a typical 5-year-old, but suffers from many severe developmental and medical issues.

He has a rare micro-chromosome deletion that has been diagnosed as autism.

He is stuck mentally at the level of a toddler. He suffers from mixed expressive receptive language disorder, auditory processing disorder, sensory processing disorder and severe anxiety.

Julian Posey is pictured with his father, Mike, and mother, Priscilla. The 5-year-old suffers from many severe developmental and medical issues, including a rare micro-chromosome deletion that has been diagnosed as autism.
(Kevin Weiss)

He cannot talk, potty train, dress himself or brush his teeth.

He cannot attend school, either.

For treatment, Julian sees multiple therapists — speech, occupational, physical and applied behavioral analysis — totaling about 46 hours each week.

But, that’s not enough.

To develop the skills he needs for a normal life, additional therapy is needed at the family’s Zephyrhills home, his mother said.

However, the family’s insurance plan won’t cover the therapeutic equipment that’s needed.

Avila-Posey was forced to quit her part-time job in 2014 in order to care for Julian. Her husband, Mike, works full-time.

To help with the family’s financial needs, Avila-Posey created a GoFundMe page in May.

She set a goal of $3,000 to purchase eight items, ranging from a sensory pod to a therapeutic listening program.

She didn’t expect any donations.

But, by June 30, more than $1,300 had been raised.

Donations have poured in from friends, family members, and former teachers at Zephyrhills High School.

Even perfect strangers have pitched in.

“It was very nice to see the reaction we got, and to see that people cared,” Avila-Posey said. “It makes me happy, because I know somebody is taking time out of their day to think about him.”

Already, the Posey family has used funds to purchase a Yogibo, for deep sensory input; a platform swing and stand, for sensory integration; and, a bubble column, used as a calming mechanism during therapy.

“We didn’t want people to think that we’re just asking for money,” Avila-Posey said. “We’re fine with donations, second-hand — if anybody even wanted to have us purchase them at like a cheaper rate or reused, we’re all for that.”

Besides cognitive handicaps, Julian also has numerous health problems.

Perhaps the worst is erythromelalgia, a rare condition characterized by episodes of pain, redness and swelling in various parts of the body, particularly the hands and feet.

The episodes are usually triggered by increased body temperature, which may be caused by exercise or entering a warm room.

In the Florida heat, especially the summer, Julian can only be outside for a few minutes at a time before symptoms arise.

“He has to play somewhere where there’s A/C, in order to be physically active,” Avila-Posey explained.

Julian also suffers from asthma, acid reflux, chronic constipation, chronic sinusitis, allergies, an immune system deficiency and gait disturbance.

All told, Julian sees over eight specialists for his health issues, and has already undergone six surgeries.

He goes to doctor’s appointments all over the place — from Zephyrhills to Odessa, to St. Petersburg and Orlando.

“If it’s not one thing, it’s literally the other,” Avila-Posey said.

“It’s been like nonstop. He almost doesn’t catch a break.”

Avila-Posey acknowledges there are “bad days,” when her son screams and cries endlessly — with no solution to console him.

“It’s so sad,” she said, “because it almost makes you think you’re not doing something right because you can’t fix it.”

Formerly a childcare day care professional, Avila-Posey had experience working with special needs adolescents.

That, she said, has made caring for her son “a lot less scary.”

Still, it breaks her heart to see him struggle.

The hardest obstacle, she said, is Julian’s limited understanding.

“Some days he doesn’t know what you’re saying to him,” she said.

Forming a bond with Julian wasn’t automatic from birth.

“I had to earn that,” Avila-Posey explained. “It took years to form that bond, and it’s super strong now.

“I feel like that makes it even more special, because I had to work for it. It wasn’t unconditional. It is now, but I had to establish that.”

For the most part, Julian is a happy, fun-loving boy.

It’s evident when he visits entertainment centers like Chuck E. Cheese’s, Bangin’ Bungee Kidz Zone and 2Infinity Extreme Air Sports.

He also gets a kick out of movie monsters, dinosaurs, minions and superheroes, Avila-Posey said.

“He’s got a cute little sense of humor,” she said, joyfully. “He’s got like 20 different laughs.”

Meanwhile, her son’s various obstacles create a whole new perspective on life.

“It almost humbles you a little bit,” Avila-Posey said. “It makes you step back and take a check at your attitude, like, ‘Really, what are you complaining about today? Is your day that hard?’”

In caring for Julian, Avila-Posey takes one day at a time, finding ways to make his life easier.

She also maintains her faith in him, regardless what others may say.

“Sometimes you’re your only child’s advocate and cheerleader,” she said. “Always be their voice.”

To donate, visit GoFundMe.com/supportbabyjulian.
The Posey family will also accept second-hand items, including an adaptive stroller, tablet, therapeutic listening program, climb and slide, sensory pod, crash pad and abilitation jigglers.

Published July 5, 2017

Health News 07/05/2017

July 5, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Excellence in Nursing awards
The Medical Center of Trinity has recognized two nurses who demonstrate excellence in professional mentoring and compassionate care.

Michelle Sparks, RN, received the Excellence in Nursing Professional Mentoring Award. Sparks has been employed at the hospital for four years, and has taken on the role of mentor and preceptor for 5 West Oncology.

Gregory Kennedy, RN, received the Excellence in Nursing Compassionate Care Award. Kennedy has been employed at the hospital for four years, and is the nursing manager for 2 West. His attention to detail, ability to empathize and genuine concern for those in his care are inherent to him.

New vice president of operations
Oak Hill Hospital has appointed Cathy Edmisten as its new vice president of operations, replacing Alejandro Romero, who has transferred to the Medical Center of Trinity.

Edmisten has a background in emergency services, nursing operations, nursing administration and nursing finance.

She has lived in Spring Hill for 30 years and has had a wide range of health care management positions, including assistant chief nursing officer at Oak Hill Hospital; chief nursing officer/director of clinical services at University Community Health Long Term Acute Care Hospital in Connerton; director of nursing support operations at University Community Hospital in Tampa; director of operations at Woodruff & Company in Brooksville; charge nurse at Oak Hill Hospital’s emergency department; and, 2010-2011 Kiwanis Club of Nature Coast president.

LifeLink board appointment
The LifeLink Legacy Fund, a nonprofit community service organization dedicated to the mission of the LifeLink Foundation, has announced Dr. Thomas C. Pearson as a new member to its Board of Directors.

Pearson, an Atlanta-based physician, is currently director of the Emory Transplant Center’s Kidney Transplant Program. He also is a professor of surgery for Emory University and an affiliate scientist at the Yerkes Division of Pathobiology and Immunobiology, both in Atlanta.

Pearson steps into the board position previously held by Dr. John Whelchel, who served with the Fund for five years.

Frist Humanitarian award
The Medical Center of Trinity has honored Lizette Otero, director of nursing for the Progressive Care Unit/Cardiovascular Care Unit, with the Frist Humanitarian Employee Award.

Otero has served at the hospital for more than a decade, and has been a member of the Women’s Orthopedic Global Outreach for four years. Otero also uses her vacation time for medical trips.

The Frist award, created in 1971, honors outstanding individuals for humanitarian and volunteer service. The award is named for Dr. Thomas Frist Sr., founder of HCA and renowned humanitarian.

Battle of the Belts award
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has awarded a $500 prize to the students at Ridgewood High School for the “most improved safety belt use” while driving in the “Battle of the Belts.”

The program, with partner Safe Kids of Pasco County, was initiated in an effort to change the statistics and increase seatbelt use.

There were several award categories such as highest seatbelt use, most improved seatbelt use, best school campaign, best public service announcement, best poster and best essay.

Nonprofit of the Year
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has been recognized as the 2017 Nonprofit of the Year in the crisis resources category, by the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

The Nonprofit of the Year awards recognize Tampa Bay nonprofit organizations in a number of categories, including arts, culture and humanities; crisis resources; education; and, environment and animals.

NAMI support meetings
The Pasco County Chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers two types of support group meetings every month.

The NAMI Family Support Group is for family members and caregivers of an adult with a mental illness diagnosis.

The support meetings cover all brain disorders including, but not limited to, OCD, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, multiple personalities and more.

For information, call (727) 992-9653, or visit NamiPasco.org.