Health

Pasco OKs medical marijuana dispensaries

March 1, 2017 By Kathy Steele

The Pasco County Commission has approved medical marijuana dispensaries, on a limited scale, to open for business in the county.

Commissioners approved an ordinance on Feb. 21 that permits two medical marijuana dispensaries.

The permits will be issued only for a low-level form of the product, known as Charlotte’s web.

The permits also will be issued to two separate applicants, who will be able to open locations within the county’s industrial districts.

And, the ordinance stipulates that if the number of qualified patients exceeds 1,200, a third dispensary can be permitted.

Qualified patients must be state residents who are added to the “compassionate use registry” by a physician licensed to receive the low-level marijuana from a dispensary.

Florida voters, in 2014, approved a referendum to allow Charlotte’s web as a medical marijuana option. It can be provided to patients who suffer from seizures. In some cases, late-stage cancer patients also can qualify.

State health officials didn’t approve guidelines for the program until last year. The first recipient was a resident of Hudson.

Now, Pasco and other counties are in waiting mode, again.

Last year, voters approved a new referendum that covers a broader range of medical conditions and allows for stronger potencies.

Dispensary permits for this expanded program are on hold until Florida legislators and state health officials craft new regulations and guidelines.

Pasco’s ordinance on Charlotte’s web had the support of Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco However, Chase Daniels, assistant executive director of the sheriff’s office, said, “We continue to (watch) what the legislature is going to do with Amendment 2.”

To prepare for medical marijuana within the county, Pasco county commissioners, in December, approved the framework for where and how dispensaries can operate.

Besides being restricted to industrial districts, the county also request a one-mile separation between the medicinal shops. Dispensaries also must be at least 1,000 feet from such facilities as schools, day care centers and drug treatment centers. Buffering and adequate setbacks are required between a dispensary and any residential property.

Applicants must show they are licensed by the state to operate a dispensary and must meet the county’s zoning conditions for permitting.

Published March 1, 2017

Make your heart happy: Eat healthy

February 22, 2017 By Betsy Crisp

Here’s the bad news: Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.

Every year, one in four deaths results from heart disease.

Here’s the good news: Heart disease often can be prevented.

To keep your heart happy, it’s important to make healthy lifestyle choices and also essential to manage your health conditions.

Communities, health professionals and families can work together to create opportunities for people to make healthier choices.

Here are just a few ideas from the American Heart Association, to help you get started:

Encourage your family members and other families to make small changes, such as using spices to season food, instead of using salt.
Motivate teachers and administrators at your children’s schools to make physical activity a part of the school day, and to never use physical activity as a punishment. This can help students start good habits early.
Ask doctors and nurses to be leaders in their communities by speaking out about ways to prevent heart disease.

Here’s a recipe to help you start off your day in a heart-healthy way.

You can be healthy and enjoy delicious foods, such as a nice heart-healthy waffle with fruit.
(Betsy Crisp)

Heart-Healthy Pecan Waffles (or Pancakes)

Ingredients:
1 cup whole-wheat flour (If this is too heavy for your taste, use one-half cup all-purpose flour and one-half cup whole wheat flour)

½ cup quick-cooking oats

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon sugar

¼ cup unsalted pecans, chopped

2 large eggs, separated (For pancakes, see note)

1 ½ cups fat-free (skim) milk

1 tablespoon canola oil

For fruit topping:
2 cups fresh strawberries, rinsed, stems removed, and cut in half (You can substitute frozen strawberries, thawed)
1 cup fresh blackberries, rinsed (You can substitute frozen blackberries, thawed)
1 cup fresh blueberries, rinsed (You can substitute frozen blueberries, thawed)
1 teaspoon powdered sugar

Tip: If you don’t happen to have fresh/frozen fruits on hand, just use unsweetened applesauce, instead.

Directions:

Preheat waffle iron.
Combine flour, oats, baking powder, sugar and pecans in large bowl.
Combine egg yolks, milk and canola oil in a separate bowl. Mix well.
Add liquid mixture to the dry ingredients and stir together. Do not overmix. Mixture should be a bit lumpy.
Whip egg whites to medium peaks. Gently fold egg whites into batter (for pancakes, see note below).
Pour batter into preheated waffle iron. Cook waffle until iron light signals it is done (or steam stops coming out sides). Waffles are considered perfectly done when they are crisp and well-browned on both sides with a light, fluffy inside.
Add fresh fruit to each waffle (or pancake stack), and dust lightly with powdered sugar before serving.

Note: For pancakes, do not separate eggs. Just mix the whole eggs with milk and oil (eliminate steps 4 & 5).

Betsy Crisp recently retired from a 29-year career as an Extension Family & Consumer Sciences agent and a licensed dietitian for the University of Florida/IFAS.

Published February 22, 2017

Crowd gives Bilirakis an earful

February 15, 2017 By B.C. Manion

A crowd — that sometimes became raucous — turned out to a listening session held by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis on the issue of health care reform.

Bilirakis billed the session as an opportunity to receive feedback and ideas from constituents on the future direction of the nation’s health care system, including the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act.

Many people brought signs to help communicate their views on the health care issue.
(B.C. Manion)

People filled every seat of the Pasco County Commission’s chambers at the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey during the Feb. 11 session.

They stood in the back of the chamber, and along both walls, and the overflow spilled into government center’s lobby and down a hallway corridor.

The crowd was made up of men and women, of all ages and ethnicities. Some came in wheelchairs. Some used walkers or canes.

Some carried signs proclaiming such messages such as: “Repair, not repeal.” “The ACA is pro life” and “Health Care is a Human Right.”

Television reports on the event aired on local and national networks, and excerpts of speakers streamed on social media.

The vast majority of speakers protested repealing and replacing the ACA.

Speakers told Bilirakis that repealing the ACA will cause chaos.

Some told Bilirakis that keeping the ACA, for them, or their loved ones, is truly a matter of life or death.

The crowd jeered in reaction to comments by Bill Akins, secretary of the executive committee of the Republican Party of Pasco County, who said: “There is a provision in there (the ACA) that anyone over the age of 74 has to go before what is effectively a death panel.”

As the crowd booed and shouted “no,” Akins insisted he was right. “The provision is in there.”

As speakers took their turn at the microphone, some folks in the lobby occasionally chanted, “Medicare for all. Medicare for all.”

In response, one man counter-chanted: “Make someone else pay. Make someone else pay.”

One speaker told Bilirakis that the ACA had not really worked because it was too expensive, and another said he preferred keeping the government out of his back pocket.

But, most of the speakers, including Ivana Sheppard, a member of Action Together Tampa Bay, want to see Obamacare improved — not repealed and replaced.

“Your job as a congressman is to fix it,” Sheppard told Bilirakis.

Insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies should not be involved in reform efforts, she added. “Take their seat from the table. The insurance companies, the pharmaceutical companies should not be at the table,” she said.

“We are actively searching for (U.S. Sen.) Marco Rubio,” Sheppard added.

Beverly Ledbetter, active in Pasco County Democratic politics, reminded Bilirakis: “Affordable health care is more than being able to go to the doctor. It’s peace of mind. It’s the ability to know that you can be treated when you have an illness.

“I taught at Pasco High School, and I would have students who would come in that would be very upset. When I talked to them, I found out that mom had Stage IV breast cancer, or dad had lung cancer … They had to balance between paying their mortgage or getting health care.

“In East Pasco County, we have a 33 percent poverty level. Having access to affordable health care is important. We need a commitment that these people are not going to be left behind. We need a commitment that you’re going to listen and you’re going to act on our behalf.

“We ask that you not make America sick again,” Ledbetter said.

Other speakers told Bilirakis that repealing the ACA will cause people with pre-existing conditions to lose their access to health care. They said medicines will be too expensive, and they said without subsidies, people won’t be able to afford insurance.

Two doctors told Bilirakis that the ACA has resulted in people getting medical treatment sooner, before their conditions worsened.

In response to comments about Medicare, Bilirakis assured the crowd that Medicare will stay the same.

“Medicare will not be affected. Medicare is the greatest program in the history of the United States, and we’re going to keep it,” Bilirakis said.

He also said he knows that health care reforms are needed.

“Premiums are very, very high. We have to fix that,” said.

He said that increased competition between pharmaceutical companies will reduce prescription drug prices.

As speakers continued to share their opinions and experiences, Bilirakis told them: “We are taking notes, and I know this is being recorded. So, I’m going to take all of these stories with me to Washington.”

Published February 15, 2017

Health News 02/15/2017

February 15, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Margaret Polk is School Nurse of the Year
The Florida Association of School Nurses selected Pasco County Schools’ school nurse Margaret Polk as Florida’s 2017 School Nurse of the Year.

Polk is the school nurse at Pasco High School and James Irvin Education Center. She has worked for Pasco County Schools since 1991.

The FASN Florida School Nurse of the Year award recognizes a Florida school nurse who has demonstrated excellence in both school nursing and leadership in school health.

Specific criteria include quality of care, performance appraisal and ethics, educational standards, collegiality, collaboration, research, resource utilization, communication, program management and health education.

Polk was chosen for her volunteer work coordinating student services teams and advocating for the migrant families in the Dade City community.

She also has helped coordinate outreach services for medically needy students, and has volunteered her expertise on district, state and national committees.

Polk was honored during the FASN annual conference in Orlando in January.

Health department relocates
The Florida Department of Health in Zephyrhills and Land O’ Lakes will relocate to Wesley Chapel, at 33845 State Road 54.

Starting Feb. 15, these services will be available at the new location: family planning, immunizations, child health, adult health, immigration physicals, WIC nutrition services, Healthy Start services and more.

To contact clinical offices, call (813) 780-0740.

To contact the WIC offices, call (727) 619-0129.

Adult day center needs bridge volunteers
Jaime’s Adult Day Centers, 18950 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz, is looking for volunteers to play with or teach the game of bridge to its senior members, preferably on Wednesdays and Fridays.

The center offers a variety of innovative activities for senior citizens throughout the day.

If interested, contact Jaime Goddard at (813) 263-6735 or .

Neuropathy education
CARE Tampa Bay offers free peripheral neuropathy education and support on the second Saturday of every month, by appointment.

Topics include symptom management, coping, maximizing physical function, and medications and nutritional supplements.

To make an appointment, contact Cindy Tofthagen at (813) 396-9441 or .

Health News 02/08/2017

February 8, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Eric James joins BayCare Medical Group
Dr. Eric James, orthopedic surgeon, has joined BayCare Medical Group and will accept appointments at three locations: 4211 Van Dyke Road in Lutz; 2727 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in Tampa; and, 10141 Big Bend Road in Riverview.

James specializes in orthopedic surgery, including foot and ankle reconstruction. His focus is on the nonsurgical and surgical management of foot and ankle conditions, including ankle arthroscopy, fusions and post-traumatic reconstruction.

James received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh, and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Orlando Health. His foot and ankle surgery fellowship was at the Foundation for Orthopedic Athletic and Reconstruction Research in Houston, Texas.

For information, visit BayCareMedicalGroup.org.

NAMI members visit health fair
NAMI Pasco (National Alliance on Mental Illness) was represented by members Lt. Toni Roach, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office; Gloria Strother, vice president; and, Beth Piecora, Central Florida Behavorial Health, at the third annual Premiere Community Healthcare Women’s Health Fair in Hudson on Jan. 14.

NAMI Pasco is all-volunteer and offers support, education and advocacy for those living with mental illness and their families.

For information, call the NAMI info line at (727) 992-9653, or visit NAMIpasco.org.

The center offers a variety of innovative activities for senior citizens throughout the day.

If interested, contact Jaime Goddard at (813) 263-6735 or .

Health department relocates
The Florida Department of Health in Zephyrhills and Land O’ Lakes will relocate to Wesley Chapel, at 33845 State Road 54.

To contact clinical offices, call (813) 780-0740.

To contact the WIC offices, call (727) 619-0129.

Neuropathy education
CARE Tampa Bay offers free peripheral neuropathy education and support on the second Saturday of every month, by appointment.

Topics include symptom management, coping, maximizing physical function, and medications and nutritional supplements.

To make an appointment, contact Cindy Tofthagen at (813) 396-9441 or .

Health News 02/01/2017

February 1, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Wear Red Day
The staff and volunteers of The Heart Institute at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, will celebrate Heart Month by wearing red attire Feb. 3 for Wear Red Day. In addition, hospital employees can donate $5 to wear jeans on that day to raise funds for the American Heart Association.

Wear Red Day is a call to attention to the fact that women are at high risk for heart attack and stroke.

Any visitors to the hospital that day are also asked to wear red attire.

Throughout February, the hospital will offer free blood pressure screenings every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., in the lobby of Entrance A.

For information, call (727) 869-5498.

Medical Center of Trinity lights up for heart month
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will celebrate February as National Heart Month by lighting the outside of its hospital, the Citrus Park ER, and its ER 24/7 in Palm Harbor red to promote heart disease awareness. The public is invited to stop by and check out the lighting from dusk to dawn through February.

Be healthier: Start with small steps, be consistent

January 25, 2017 By Betsy Crisp

So, maybe you decided to start the New Year like you always do — with a resolution to be healthier.

If you did, you’d be like many of us who always have good intentions.

Sadly, many of us don’t follow through.

Just about everyone enjoys a sweet now and then. Fresh fruit offers a healthy option.
(Courtesy of Betsy Crisp)

Still, there’s no time like the present to begin making positive changes in your life, and most of us could stand to improve when it comes to our diet and exercise regimen.

So, this column is meant to encourage those of you who want to begin the journey of making the lifestyle changes you need to make to become a healthier you in 2017.

As we know, every year is filled with special occasions, milestone celebrations and other gatherings that make it tough to be disciplined about our diet.

So, here are some tips that are intended to help navigate the minefield of unhealthy temptations:

Never go to a party when you are starving. Plan ahead, and eat a healthy snack and drink some water to help you fill up. This will help you avoid eating everything in sight when you arrive. If you asked to bring a dish, bring a healthier option that can enjoy and others can, too. Fruit salads, such as ambrosia, can provide sweetness, but not as many calories and no fat.
Focus on family and friends. Enjoy the company and the conversation instead of focusing on the food
Go slow! Rather than piling up a plate with food, try to just pace yourself and eat a little throughout the evening. Take time to chew your food well, and enjoy every bite.
Practice portion control. Be aware of what you are eating. Appetizers are small, so it is easy to eat more than you realize. Use a small plate, and don’t overload it. Be equally aware at the buffet line. Look for healthy choices, as you make your way down the line.
Don’t forget: desserts can be dangerous. They contain many calories from fat and sugar, so be careful here. Just pick one favorite and practice portion control. Dark chocolate is a healthier selection.
After eating, circulate around the party. Don’t just plop down on the couch — move around, instead, and burn off some calories.
Avoid drinking too much alcohol. The drinks add calories, but they also make it easier to be less disciplined about eating. To cut calories even more, just drink carbonated water or club soda, with a slice of lemon or lime.

Substituting ingredients when making brownies can reduce calories and still provide a tasty treat.

Here are some cooking tips that can help you be healthier, too.

When making fruit pies, cut the sugar in half, or more. The fruit contains natural sugar, so you won’t miss the added sugar. For every half-cup of sugar you don’t use, you cut your calories by 372.
Use 2 percent milk instead of heavy cream in puddings, cream pie fillings and soups. This will cut 350 calories for every 4-ounce serving. It will still taste creamy, but have a lot less fat.
Make cookies and crusts with half whole-wheat flour and half all-purpose flour, instead of all white all-purpose flour. That increases the fiber content. Whole wheat flour has 12 grams per cup.
Make a cheesecake using part-skim ricotta cheese, instead of cream cheese. That will increase protein by 60 grams per cup, and lower fat and calories. You can use strained Greek yogurt (as yogurt cheese) for a no-bake recipe, with similar rewards.
Bake brownies and quick breads using a pureed fruit such as apricot, pumpkin or prune, or applesauce, instead of oil, butter or margarine. For every half-cup, you will save more than 900 calories and 100 grams of fat, and your baked good will stay moist.
Substitute three tablespoons of cocoa powder for one ounce of baking chocolate in cakes and fudge. That will cut 85 calories and 13 grams of fat.

There are many more substitutions for general pantry ingredients, but these six will get you started.

Of course, everybody enjoys sweet treats from time to time. The key is moderation.

Here’s wishing you a healthier 2017!

Betsy Crisp is an Extension Family & Consumer Sciences agent and a licensed dietitian for the University of Florida/IFAS. She is based in Pasco County and can be reached at .

Published January 25, 2017

Health News 01/25/2017

January 25, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Volunteers donate to holiday basket program
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point volunteers donated $2,000 to the hospital’s holiday basket program for community members.

Each year, the staff, physicians and volunteers collaborate to provide the gift baskets, food and extras for challenged children and their families.

The referrals come from schools and social agencies. The hospital also helps some of its own, who are having difficulty.

Hospice needs volunteers
Gulfside Hospice is looking for volunteers and is scheduling orientation sessions.

Volunteer opportunities include sitting with patients, providing spiritual care and counseling, assisting with the Pet Peace of Mind program, and helping in administrative offices.

The thrift shops also need help with accepting and sorting donations, organizing shelves and window displays, greeting customers and running cash registers.

The Centers for Hospice Care need volunteers for serving meals, answering phones and greeting guests.

Volunteers must be at least 15 years old.

For information, call (800) 561-4883.

Brett Armstrong joins BayCare
Dr. Brett Armstrong has joined BayCare Medical Group and is now accepting patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, 4211 Van Dyke Road, Suite 200, in Lutz.

Armstrong specializes in general surgery, with clinical interests in abdominal hernias and colorectal surgery.

Armstrong received his Doctor of Medicine from Florida State University School of Medicine in Tallahassee, and completed his general surgery residency at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia. He also is a member of the American College of Physicians and the Florida Medical Association.

He is fluent is English and Spanish.

For information, visit BayCareMedicalGroup.org.

For appointments, call (813) 264-6490.

Health services relocating to Wesley Chapel

January 18, 2017 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County health clinics in Zephyrhills and Land O’ Lakes will close and their services moved to a professional office building in Wesley Chapel.

The Pasco County Tax Collector’s office is expected to take over the former building used by the Land O’ Lakes clinic.

County officials then plan to use the tax collector’s old space for County Development Services, which includes its permitting office.

Staff of the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office will move from the David ‘Hap’ Clark Jr. building into the vacated Land O’ Lakes health clinic, which closes in February. (File)

The new consolidated clinic in Wesley Chapel, at 33845 State Road 54, will open as of Feb. 15, according to a news release from the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County.

“The move will provide a broader range of services in the community,” according to the news release.

Services provided by the county health department clinics include family planning, testing for sexually transmitted diseases, immunizations, child and adult health services, and a nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

The Zephyrhills clinic currently operates in a trailer at 4717 Airport Road. The Land O’ Lakes clinic, at 4135 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., discontinued most of its health care services in late 2015.

The only program still operating at the site is WIC. County officials reassigned staff members to other clinics in New Port Richey, Dade City and Zephyrhills.

No jobs will be lost in the current consolidation, said Angela Babson, spokeswoman for the Pasco County health department.

The new clinic will be an upgrade to a better facility, she added.

It also is located on a bus line, and is near U.S. 301 and Interstate 75.

Health department data showed that about 1,600 people received clinical services from the Zephyrhills’ location in the past year. About 5,400 participated in WIC.

In Land O’ Lakes, about 5,600 people received WIC services.

Pasco County commissioners approved the purchase of the new clinic site – the Brookfield Professional Center – from Pilot Bank in October 2016, at a cost of about $422,000. They also agreed to spend about $235,000 to remodel the building, which has three lobbies, four bathrooms, three break rooms and multiple offices, according to county records.

According to information given to county commissioners, the majority of clients seen at the Zephyrhills and Land O’ Lakes clinics were from Lutz and the Wesley Chapel area.

The vacated Land O’ Lakes clinic won’t go unused.

Within the year, employees at the tax collector’s office anticipate moving one door over from their current office in the David “Hap” Clark Jr. building, at 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano said the clinic building will be gutted and remodeled for about $1.2 million. Funding will come from the tax collector’s budget, not the county, Fasano said.

Renovations are expected to take about seven months, with an opening in October or November.

“It is very much needed,” Fasano said. “Our Land O’ Lakes office continues to see more clients from one month to the other, as the area grows.”

New homes, new buildings and new businesses are all in the mix, he said.

The Land O’Lakes’ office is the second busiest in Pasco after the New Port Richey office at 4720 U.S. 19.

According to data from the tax collector’s office, hundreds of customers are served daily at the Land O’ Lakes office. At times, people wait in long lines, spilling onto the sidewalk outside.

Fasano cited data showing that on Jan. 3, the office had 763 customers. On other dates in early January, customers ranged from more than 560 to more than 600 on a single day.

Fasano said Pasco is the only county in the state to open its tax collector’s offices for business half a day on Saturdays. On Jan. 7, records showed that 275 people stopped by the Land O’ Lakes office.

“We definitely need a bigger office to accommodate our Land O’ Lakes service area,” Fasano said. “This will do that.”

Published January 18, 2017

Health News 01/18/2017

January 18, 2017 By Mary Rathman

Pregnancy center announces staff

Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 108, in Land O’ Lakes, has announced staffing appointments for 2017. With Peter Castellani, Oasis founder and executive director, are from left: Jacqueline Quinones, center director; Princess Roshell, Wesley Chapel center director; Anita Albert-Watson, client services director; Debbie Hamby, post-abortion recovery director in a volunteer position; and, Mardee Harvey, executive assistant and event coordinator.

New pregnancy center hours
Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers will now operate with new hours.

The Land O’ Lakes center at 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 108, will be open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Wesley Chapel center at 5854 Argerian Drive, Suite 102, will be open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For information, visit OasisPregnancyCenter.org.

Sertoma Foundation gets fundraiser check
The Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida benefited from the second annual Tom McCormick Memorial Fund Beach Bash at Sun West Park in Hudson to the tune of nearly $16,000.

The proceeds from the event will benefit the Foundation’s Children’s Hearing Help Fund. The fund was created to help hard of hearing children with services and equipment.