The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Health News 01/25/2017

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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.

(Courtesy of BayCare Medical Group)

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

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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

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(Courtesy of Peter Castellani)

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.

Health News 01/11/2017

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(Courtesy of Oak Hill Hospital)

Twins born in two different years
The Maternity Suites at Oak Hill Hospital announced the delivery of twins born in both 2016 and 2017. On Dec. 31, 2016 at 11:43 p.m., baby girl Yulliana came into the world. She was followed by her twin brother, Zane, on Jan. 1 at one minute after midnight. Both children were delivered by Dr. Mohammed Tabbaa. Cheryl Collito was the attending midwife. Mother, Geraldine Alexander, holds both her infants soon after their delivery.

 

 

 

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.

Access Health Care recognizes employees
Access Health Care, with offices in Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando, Citrus and Pinellas counties, recognized its employees at its ACES Event (Access celebrates excellent service) at a gala on Dec. 9.

The winners of the ACES awards were nominated by fellow team members. Each winner received a certificate, a trophy and eight hours of paid time off.

The honored employees were: Leslie Lawler, best attitude; Julie Erickson, best co-worker; Yarelys Rodriguez, best skills; Alyson Johnson, dirty job; Bethann Hunt, HIPAA hero; Catherine Kohl, integrity; Deborah Haney, most dependable; Doreen Ruggiero, most hospitable; Sandra McMurchie, most humble; Debra Ludlow, most tactful; Nathan Glass, most teachable; Rose Fiore, participation; Tony Miranda, ray of sunshine; Joeline Watson, team player; and, Diane Dearing, unsung hero.

State college clears the air – of smoke

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The campuses of Pasco-Hernando State College will become smoke-free and tobacco-free zones effective Aug. 14, 2017.

The college’s District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Nov. 15 to expand an existing policy that prohibits smoking in college buildings and “workplace” areas, but allows smoking in designated areas.

That means smoking and other forms of tobacco will be banned entirely on the college’s campuses, said Courtney Boettcher, assistant director of marketing and communications at PHSC.

The no-smoking, no-tobacco rule will apply to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, E-cigarettes and any vaporizing devices, such as hookah pipes. Snuff and chewing tobacco also will be prohibited. The rule applies to students, faculty, visitors, vendors and others who come on campus.

Trustees approved the campus-wide ban “to promote the health and wellness of its students and employees, as well as a safe, comfortable environment for all who work, study, conduct business, or visit the college,” according to college documents.

The coverage area includes all properties leased and owned by the college. The college’s fleet of vehicles also will be smoke-free and tobacco-free, whether on or off campus.

The ban goes along with a national trend among colleges and universities to create smoke-free and tobacco-free campuses.

Hillsborough Community College also has such a policy, and the University of South Florida adopted a no smoking policy in January 2016.

In 2011, there were more than 580 smoke-free colleges and universities in the nation, according to the Association for Nonsmokers Rights.

As of October 2016, the nonprofit reported more than 1,700 schools with smoking and tobacco bans.

About 1,400 of that total includes schools that also ban tobacco use of any kind, and more than 1,200 that ban E-cigarettes.

Officials at PHSC will help ease people into the new policy.

During the transition, an ad hoc committee of students, faculty, staff and administrators will help spread the word on the tougher policy.

Free smoking cessation programs also will be available before and after the transition for students, faculty, staff members and other employees.

Published January 4, 2017

Giving the gift of life

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A donor gives blood during an outreach blood donation camp in Jaipur, India.
(Courtesy of Access Healthcare)

Auroveda Integral Foundation in Jaipur, India, organized a blood donation camp on Dec. 3, during which camp youths donated 120 units of blood to be used cost-free in accidental, catastrophic and other medical cases. Auroveda Integral is a sister foundation of the Auroveda Foundation in the north Suncoast area and is funded by Access Healthcare, as well as global outreach by the local Auroveda Foundation.

The Auroveda Foundation is a charitable trust and is involved in a wide range of activities including The Auro Community Garden, The Kid’s Garden at Pine Grove Elementary School, and the Auroveda Community Outreach center.

For information, call (352) 593-5920, or visit Auroveda.org.

Inspiring hope through origami cranes

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Tina So and Mia Thielbar were pre-International Baccalaureate freshman at Land O’ Lakes High School when they began a project they call “Cranes for Cancer.”

Now, more than three years later, they are seniors — and they are still involved with the project to handcraft paper origami cranes for people afflicted with cancer.

The goal is to instill hope, and the idea was spawned in August 2013.

Mia Thielbar, left, and Tina So handcraft origami paper cranes for cancer patients. The initiative, which began in 2013, seeks to inspire hope for those battling cancer.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)

At the time, Marilyn Ling, a reading teacher at the high school, was battling ovarian cancer. As a show of empathy, So and Thielbar together assembled 1,000 paper cranes after their Inquiry Skills teacher, Angelle Damalos, relayed the gesture’s significance in class one day.

In Japanese culture, cranes are a traditional sign of long life and good fortune. Other cultures, meanwhile, fold 1,000 paper stars to make a wish.

The ambitious crane project took four months to complete.

They first used post-it notes, then progressed to traditional origami paper.

Cranes were also sculpted in an assortment of colors — pink, gold and blue.

“We had one that would flap,” So said, “and, we had one that just looks prettier because it has a stomach to it.”

It required some trial and error.

“At first, it took us a while,” So said. “Initially, we were not very good at it.”

Eventually, they improved.

“We worked consistently,” Thielbar said. “We did it everyday; whenever there was free time in class, we’d work on it.”

The pair never actually met Ling.

“(Ling) was sick, and she didn’t want us to see her in her condition,” So said.

Damalos, instead, presented the 1,000 cranes to her that December.

Ling passed away in April 2014.

The students, however, have continued their efforts.

They’ve since volunteered at Shriner’s Hospital in Tampa, where they distributed over 500 cranes to children surgical patients.

In multiple hospital visits, So and Thielbar taught patients the origami art form, and assisted them with crane decorations.

“It’s sort of a distraction for them,” Thielbar said, “so that they’re not as worried to…see the doctor.”

The pair, too, sold cranes at various Relay for Life events, helping to raise money for cancer-afflicted patients.

“We always have wanted to share cranes with people,” Thielbar said. “We make them whenever we can.”

The cranes, they believe, help cancer sufferers hold onto their faith during personal struggles.

“Positivity can change everything,” So said. “Even if it can’t cure you, it can prolong your life; you can enjoy that prolonged time.

“Without hope, it’s a losing battle.”

The philanthropic journey has been fulfilling — for both.

“I really enjoy reaching out to people like that,” So said, “and it has inspired me to be a better person, like evaluate my actions and values. Overall, it just really makes me feel really good to help people.”

“We just want to serve as more of an inspiration to our peers — to be more kind toward other people,” said Thielbar, “and respectful of the things they might be going through.”

In other words, expressing sympathy.

“That’s one of the values that I feel is being lost in our culture,” Thielbar said.

“A lot of people are losing empathy and compassion, and generosity towards other people.”

Besides “Cranes for Cancer,” the duo has other grandiose plans on the horizon.

“We still want to continue the efforts of helping people,” Thielbar said, “but, we want to make a bigger impact. We’re still working on what would that impact be — how to affect more people.”

That may include additional fundraising efforts for cancer patients.

“I feel like that would make a bigger impact financially for a lot of people, because I know that’s a big struggle,” said Thielbar.

“But, we also want to be like an inspiration to other people.”

They’ve already inspired Jeff Morgenstein, an assistant principal.

“Seeing Mia and Tina use their creativity and compassion in order to improve the lives of others is greatly in tune with our (school) mission statement,” Morgenstein said, via email.

He continued: “To say that I’m proud of them is an understatement. It is through these meaningful actions here in the community that they are truly changing the world.”

Beyond high school, Thielbar plans to study educational administration at the University of South Florida, and aspires to become a school principal, someday.

So is considering the University of Florida, where she would like to study psychology.

Published December 28, 2016

Burgess seeks state funding for veterans’ health

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Alternative therapies to treat post-traumatic stress or brain injuries are bringing relief to veterans who say more traditional approaches don’t work.

Danny Burgess

Rep. Danny Burgess is sponsoring a bill (the Alternative Treatment for Veterans Act) in the 2017 Florida legislative session to authorize the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs to provide state funding for alternative treatments offered by nonprofits and state university organizations, according to a news release from Burgess’ office.

It is similar to the national Cover Act (Creating Options for Veterans’ Expedited Recovery), sponsored by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, which focuses on mental health care options, such as sports therapy and service dog therapy.

Such legislation “will help ensure the (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) finally recognizes that one size does not fit all when it comes to treating Veterans for physical and invisible wounds,” said Bilirakis, in a written statement in the press release.

According to Burgess, the state legislation will put “Florida in the lead of serving those who served us.”

Alternative therapies, including service dog therapy and hyperbaric oxygen treatment, “have saved my life,” said Brian Anderson, a retired Green Beret and founder of Veterans Alternative in Pasco County.

If approved, the state Veterans Alternative bill will open opportunities to help more veterans statewide, Anderson said.

For information on Anderson’s program, visit VeteransAlternative.org.

Published December 28, 2016

Health News 12/28/2016

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Hospital promotion
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, has appointed Elisabeth M. Ferguson as director of its Surgical/Trauma ICU/Trauma Stepdown Unit. The unit complements the hospital’s Level II Trauma Center.

Elisabeth Ferguson

Ferguson was promoted from her position as nurse manager of the Medical Oncology/Progressive Care Unit.

She has served since 2013 while also maintaining her reserve status. Ferguson is a U.S. Army veteran serving eight years as a combat medic with a forward surgical team. She was a noncommissioned officer in charge of advanced trauma life support, as well as a certified educator for the U.S. Army.

Ferguson has a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Phoenix and an associate of science degree in nursing from Harrison College in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in nursing through the University of Maryville, Missouri.

 

(Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector)

Moffitt Cancer Center receives $5,549
The Moffitt Cancer Center was the featured nonprofit organization for the month of November at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s offices, which teamed with Moffitt to raise funds and heighten awareness of the many cancers that exist, and to help fund research. Tax office customers were asked to purchase a license plate or make a cash donation to assist in advancing the work and research of the cancer center, and a check for $5,549.64 was presented to Moffitt. From left: Elizabeth Kehlenbeck, special events officer, Moffitt; Tammy Dziedzic, Land O’ Lakes manager; Linda McNally, Dade City manager; Michelle Vancuren, director of branch operations; Christine Sobel, strategic marketing coordinator, Moffitt; and, Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector.

Pasco OKs medical marijuana dispensaries

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The complete picture of the future of the medical marijuana industry remains hazy, but by spring – perhaps even sooner – Pasco County could have its first medical marijuana dispensaries.

The number of dispensaries that will be permitted remains unclear.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore wants to allow no more than six. One location and one permit each could be awarded to the six dispensary operators currently licensed by the state, if they apply.

“They may not all come,” Moore said, adding he doesn’t think all of them will.

A vote on an ordinance, which could include a six dispensary limit, is scheduled for Feb. 21 in New Port Richey. The county’s legal staff plans to research the issue for potential legal challenges.

However, at the Dec. 13 meeting in Dade City, county commissioners approved a separate ordinance allowing dispensaries within industrial districts, and establishing conditions for their operations. The vote was 4 to 1, with Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano the lone dissenter.

Mariano said access is important and confining dispensaries to industrial areas “is not good for us economically.”

However, the Dec. 13 vote opened the door for applicants to file for dispensary permits. The process generally takes 45 to 60 days, with a final vote needed by commissioners.

If approved, the medicinal shops would be dispensing the low-level form of medical marijuana, known as Charlotte’s web. This limited medical marijuana program is the result of a 2014 statewide referendum.

New regulations stemming from a Nov. 8 referendum that will increase the number of qualified patients, and allow stronger strains, are months away. They will be decided by the Florida Department of Health and state legislators.

In the interim, county commissioners also approved an ordinance for a one-year moratorium on the production, cultivation and distribution of cannabis, the product used to make medical marijuana. This replaces an existing moratorium that ends Dec. 31, and gives the county additional time to wait on what happens with the new amendment.

The sticking point for county commissioners is where to place dispensaries – in industrial or commercial districts.

“I would rather be open for business,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells. “I want to make sure we’re open to this when it comes time for the legislature to make decisions …or we’re going to miss the boat. I don’t see why we limit it.”

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey had reservations. “If we don’t limit it, and we allow it in any zoning, they could be everywhere,” she said.

County staff members presented a map, pinpointing up to 20 locations in the county that would meet the county’s requirement of a one-mile separation between facilities. However, they estimated fewer than 10 dispensaries would open.

Other restrictions require that dispensaries 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, as well as meeting the county’s zoning conditions for permitting.

Some residents who spoke during public comment urged county commissioners to make dispensaries as accessible as possible.

Industrial areas often are isolated and not safe, said Kelly Miller, who lives in Holiday.

While no one wants dispensaries on every corner, she said, “My concern is we are shaming people to go into these (industrial) areas. What happens is, you’re limiting people to the access. How are you going to get a bus if you have glaucoma? If you’re suffering from cancer? Are you going to take a cab out to the middle of nowhere?”

Todd Pressman, a Palm Harbor-based land use attorney, told commissioners to “err on the side of caution. You don’t have complete control over conditional use (permits), and there will be challenges. You know that.”

Hudson resident Michelle Flood said, the Nov. 8 referendum sent a clear message that people want dispensaries.

“I know people personally who get their medicine from Hillsborough (County) and Pinellas (County), and they are being delivered into Pasco County,” she said. “It’s coming. You’re not going to be able to stop it.”

Published December 21, 2016