Health

Phillip Betz is nurse of the year
Phillip Betz, a Florida Hospital Zephyrhills ICU (Intensive Care Unit) nurse was named Nurse of the Year in an awards ceremony during national Nurses Appreciation Week. Betz was selected by hospital management from among 291 nurses at the hospital. After graduating from Polk State College in 1997, Betz started in the ICU at a Lakeland hospital and joined Florida Hospital Zephyrhills nine years ago. Betz accepts the Nurse of the Year award from Gwen Alonso (left), the hospital’s chief nursing officer, and Monica Wills, administrative director of patient care services.

Genetic cancer testing
The Intrinsic Wellness Center, 2808 Windguard Circle, Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel, will now offer genetic cancer testing, designed to inform and help oncologists devise a personalized treatment plan for patients. The test can detect early signs of developing cancer, monitor existing cancers, and create individual profiles showing which cancer drugs and natural substances can be used to achieve the best treatment outcome.

The clinic also offers functional medicine, weight loss, chiropractic care and gluten sensitivity support.

For information, call (813) 549-3551, or visit IntrinsicWellnessClinic.com.

Alternate blood-thinning meds
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, is the first hospital in Pasco County to offer an implant that can help reduce the risk of stroke in some patients with atrial fibrillation.

The hospital’s heart institute team recently performed the first implant of Boston Scientific’s Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Closure Implant, a small, flexible wire and mesh system that when inserted into the heart via a catheter placed in the groin, closes off an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage. This is where blood can pool and clots most often form. These clots are believed to cause the majority of strokes in people with nonvalvular AFib.

The Watchman offers a nondrug alternative, and over time, patients may be able to stop such blood thinners as soon as 45 days from the date of the implant.

Gulfside receives $3,350 donation
Members of Bay Area Bassmasters presented a donation check in the amount of $3,350 to Gulfside Hospice. The donation was from the group’s annual Ina Mahoney Hospice Challenge.

The club started the annual challenge in 2010 to raise money for Gulfside as a way to say thank you for the care provided to Ina Mahoney, the wife of Tom Mahoney, president of Bay Area Bassmasters.

Since the challenge began, more than $18,000 has been donated to Gulfside Hospice in support of patient care and bereavement services in Pasco County.

Janet Link is Frist Humanitarian award winner
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has honored volunteer Janet Link with the Frist Humanitarian Award. Link has been a volunteer at RMCBP for more than 15 years. She leads the art group, and works with volunteers, food service staff and a schedule that is planned a year in advance. Link began her volunteer career more than 50 years ago in northern New Jersey in her children’s elementary, middle and high schools.

Prevent heat-related car deaths
Each year in the United States, an average of 38 children and hundreds of dogs die from hyperthermia (heatstroke) in hot cars.

At 70 degrees on a sunny day, a car can reach 100 degrees within 15 minutes. Body temperatures for children and dogs rise three to five times faster than an adult’s, and brain damage can occur in a matter of minutes.

Reduce the risk through A.C.T.:

• AVOID heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in the car, not even for a minute. Be sure to keep your car locked when you are not in it, so kids don’t climb in on their own.
• CREATE a reminder by putting something in the back of your car next to your child, such as a briefcase, a purse or a cellphone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you are not following your normal routine.
• TAKE ACTION. If you see a child or dog alone in a car, call 911 and stay with the victim. If help does not arrive quickly and you note signs of immediate distress such as lethargy, poor coloring or heavy breathing, engage witnesses and do what is necessary to ensure the victim’s safety.

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

NAMI Connections is a structured closed-group, open only to those with a mental illness diagnosis, for ages 18 and older, interested in the recovery process, sharing coping skills, and being with others who understand the daily challenges. This group is facilitated by trained peers. Meetings are as follows:

• every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., WellCare Office, Southgate Shopping Center, 5113 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey.
• the second and fourth Friday of every month from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel
• NAMI on campus, Pasco-Hernando State College students, Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., PHSC Building M, Room 176A, Stairwell

Family & Friends support meetings are for family and friends of those with mental illness. Meetings are as follows:

• the second and fourth Monday of each month from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54
• the first and third Thursday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, Shoreline Café, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson
• first and third Tuesday of every month from 7 p.m.to 8:30 p.m., at Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel.

For information on any of the support groups, call (727) 992-9653 or visit NamiPasco.org.

Preregister for maternity suites
Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville, is now accepting preregistrations to deliver at its new Maternity Suites at Oak Hill Hospital.

The suites include six labor and delivery suites, 10 postpartum recovery suites, two ante-partum labor suites, a Cesarean surgical suite, and a 12-position holding nursery for babies who need special monitoring or continuous observation.

To preregister, visit OakHillHospital.com/service/pre-register.

Seniors needed for memory performance classes
The University of South Florida Research Study PRO#19415 is looking for adults ages 60 to 80 for a study on the impact of piano training on cognitive performance and psychosocial well-being in older adults. USF has received support from the National Endowment for the Arts to provide seniors with free piano lessons or computer brain training to examine the effects on memory performance.

Classes meet twice a week for 90 minutes. The next training session will start Aug. 1. All materials, training and parking are free to participants.

Summer piano sessions also are open to adults ages 50 to 80 with a formal diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. To see if you qualify, contact Jennifer Bugos at (813) 517-9625 or .

Free neuropathy clinic
A free, volunteer-run clinic is open for the education and support of people who have been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy.

CARE TampaBay provides education and support in the following areas: coping with neuropathy, dealing with physical limitations, home safety, and symptom management. The clinic is available by appointment only, and is now taking appointments for June and July.

For more information and appointments, contact Cindy Tofthagen at (813) 396-9441 or .

Christmas in July donation drive
St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital’s “Christmas in July” donation drive will help provide entertainment and comfort to pediatric patients throughout the year.

To help make a difference:

• Brighten the spirits of hospitalized kids by donating a patient experience, activity or distraction item online at StJosephsChristmas.org. Monetary donations can be made in any denomination.
• Become an event sponsor. Sponsorships are available starting at $1,000.
• Start or join a “Christmas in July” team. Host an online fundraiser and enlist friends, family and coworkers to meet a goal. Fundraising ideas include bake sales, raffles, jeans day and walk/run/bike activities.
• Become a community partner by getting your customers involved through a donation of a percentage of sales, register campaigns and spirit nights.
• Drop off toys and donations in the circular drive in front of St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital during the “Christmas in July” event July 29 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For information, visit StJosephsChristmas.org, or call (813) 872-0979.

Hospital needs volunteers
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills needs volunteers to help its staff and doctors provide services. Volunteer positions cover a variety of disciplines, helping participants build unique skills and gain experience in a state-of-the-art health care facility.

Volunteer areas include clerical/administrative services escorting, kitchen duties, gift shop and patient services.

Time commitments begin at one four-hour shift per week, and volunteers must be 16 years of age and older.

Those interested can pick up an application at the hospital’s volunteer office or main desk, or go online to FloridaHospital.com/Zephyrhills/volunteer.

For information, call (813) 779-6256.

Humana celebrates 25th anniversary
Humana’s 25th anniversary community celebration for the Zephyrhills Guidance Center, the health company’s first retail location in the country, drew nearly 100 area Humana members, community residents and East Pasco County business and civic leaders. Visitors took part in exercise and fitness classes, healthy cooking demonstrations, and other health and wellness activities.

New website for Lighthouse organization
The Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind has a new, accessible, intuitive and responsive website for clients, families, donors and the general public. The site, LVIB.org, will help visitors using smartphones, tablets and desktops to easily find answers to questions about Lighthouse programs and services, and accessing them.

The site was designed and donated to Lighthouse by Ayantek LLC, located in Boston, Massachusetts. Ayantek is a digital strategy and solutions firm focused on delivering value through Social, Mobile, Analytics and Cloud (SMAC) technologies.

New MRI system is faster, more comfortable
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive diagnostic imaging exam of the soft tissue, bone and muscle. MRIs have become one of the fastest-growing types of medical diagnostic tests in the United States.

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills recently installed a MAGNETOM Aera 1.5 T MRI System from Siemens Healthcare, for faster and more comfortable exams for patients.

The new equipment boasts a wide-open bore, which is the tube-like structure of an MRI machine where the patient lies during the imaging process. This design helps reduce the closed-in feeling of traditional MRIs, and its short design allows for exams to be performed with the patient’s head outside the system.

There also are patient-friendly features including a mood light application so patients can set the mood for their exam through custom lighting to create a more relaxed environment.

Ann Amato honored for volunteer work
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point honored Ann Amato, in a private ceremony, for her 30 years of service to the hospital. Amato was born in Elmurst, New York, 85 years ago.

In her years of service, she has logged in an excess of 9,200 hours. Amato is usually the face that greets you at Welcome Center A on Wednesday afternoons. She is regarded as diplomatic and patient, and said interacting with visitors and guests means a lot.

Volunteers receive presidential awards
Regional Medical Center has announced that two of its volunteers have been honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. The award comes from the office of the President of the United States to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of volunteers and volunteering throughout the nation.

The recipients receive the President’s Call to Service Award certificate, an order of congratulations from President Obama and a pin to commemorate the event. To receive the award, an individual must have volunteered a minimum of 15 years, and logged in more than 7,500 hours of service.

Baker has been volunteering at RMCBP for almost 16 years and has accumulated 19,425 hours of service. He has worked as a courier dispatcher and at the hospital’s Welcome Door A. He also has received One Star and Five Star awards, and spearheaded aluminum pull tab collections for the Shriner’s Hospital.

Brannon has volunteered for more than 15 years and has accumulated 8,950 hours of service. He is a clergy volunteer and was the recipient of the hospital’s Frist Volunteer Humanitarian Award in 2001.

National EMS Week
If there is one phone number every adult, and most children, should know, it is 911. Urban or rural, English-speaking or not, every citizen should know that in an emergency, dial those three digits, and expert help will come.

During National EMS (emergency medical services) Week — May 15 to May 21 — pause to remember those who provide emergency medical care in the form of EMTs (emergency medical technicians), firefighters, paramedics and registered nurses.

EMS week has a fitting theme of “Called to Care,” and also is being celebrated as the 50th anniversary of the modern EMS systems, and its 50 years marked by change and innovation.

Regional Medical appoints chief nursing officer
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point appointed Lori Spight as chief nursing officer. Spight comes to the medical center from Overland Park Regional Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas. There, she served as both associate chief nursing officer and interim chief nursing officer.

Spight holds a master’s degree in health administration from Webster University and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Rockhurst University. She also is a graduate of the HCA Chief Nursing Officer Development Program.

Hospice names executive director
HPH Hospice, an affiliate of Chapters Health System, has named Patrick Allen as its executive director. Allen will manage operations and strategic business development for the 32-year-old hospice organization.

Allen started his career in health care in elder case management by assisting with legal guardian protection of adults. In 2006, he joined Haven Hospice as the Gainesville assistant administrator. Over the years, he has had roles of director of access department and administrator of the Chiefland office.

Allen received his bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of West Florida and his master’s degree in social work from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. He also is a certified hospice administrator from the Corridor Group.

New children’s grief center opens
HPH Hospice officially opened its new Children’s Grief Center, 12139 Majestic Blvd., in Hudson. The center will provide the community with grief support services, education and resources.

With the assistance of a professionally trained staff and volunteers, the grief center will assist youth ages 5 to 17 on their journey toward healing and hope. Young grievers will be encouraged to express feelings through creative interactions with children of similar ages, through art, games and dramatic play.

The staff members at the center will work closely with the school systems in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties to help students work with unresolved grief due to the death of someone significant in their lives. For information, call (727) 863-7971 or (800) 486-9794.

Hospital needs volunteers
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills needs volunteers to help its staff and doctors provide services. Volunteer positions cover a variety of disciplines, helping participants build unique skills and gain experience in a state-of-the-art health care facility.

Volunteer areas include clerical/administrative services escorting, kitchen duties, gift shop and patient services.

Time commitments begin at one four-hour shift per week, and volunteers must be 16 years of age and older.

Those interested can pick up an application at the hospital’s volunteer office or main desk, or go online to FloridaHospital.com/Zephyrhills/volunteer.

For information, call (813) 779-6256.

Hospital needs volunteers
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills needs volunteers to help its staff and doctors provide services. Volunteer positions cover a variety of disciplines, helping participants build unique skills and gain experience in a state-of-the-art health care facility.

Volunteer areas include clerical/administrative services escorting, kitchen duties, gift shop and patient services.

Time commitments begin at one four-hour shift per week, and volunteers must be 16 years of age and older.

Those interested can pick up an application at the hospital’s volunteer office or main desk, or go online to FloridaHospital.com/Zephyrhills/volunteer.

For information, call (813) 779-6256.

Ombudsman advocates needed
Florida’s Long-term Care Ombudsman Program has advocate positions available in Hillsborough County. Volunteers visit with residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes to ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.

Training and certification are provided, and volunteers participate in council meetings, administrative assessments and complaint resolution in facilities.

Candidates need to:

• enjoy working with seniors and those with disabilities
• plan to volunteer 20 hours a month
• pass a background check (paid for by the program)
• complete certification training
• communicate well
• attend a monthly meeting

Those interested in becoming an ombudsman, can visit Ombudsman.MyFlorida.com, or call (888) 831-0404.

Free neuropathy clinic
A free, volunteer-run clinic is open for the education and support of people who have been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy.

CARE TampaBay provides education and support in the following areas: coping with neuropathy, dealing with physical limitations, home safety, and symptom management. The clinic is available by appointment only, and is now taking appointments for May and June.

For more information and appointments, contact Cindy Tofthagen at (813) 396-9441 or .

Strength & balance class
The Grove Golf and Country Club, 7924 Melogold Circle in Land O’ Lakes, will host the “Silver Sneakers Strength & Balance Class” on Wednesdays, at 9 a.m. and Fridays, at 10:30 a.m.

These are low-impact classes for men and women to help improve flexibility and balance, which may help prevent falls, broken hips and other injuries. Strength exercises may include lifting handheld weights, using tubing, and your own body resistance and core muscles.

The classes are free to Silver Sneakers members, and $5 per session ($30 per calendar month) for non-members.

For information, contact Tom Marbell at (352) 409-2984 or .

Oak Hill appoints chief medical officer
Oak Hill Hospital has appointed Dr. Edward P. Nast as its chief medical officer. Nast comes to Oak Hill from Arnot Health in Elmira, New York, where he served as chief of the department of surgery. He also practiced cardiothoracic and vascular surgery.

Nast is board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Emory University and his medical degree from the University of Maryland.

Center for veterans
The Pasco County Vet Center, 5139 Deer Park Drive in New Port Richey, provides counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, bereavement counseling, marriage and family counseling, and resources for benefits information and suicide prevention referrals.

The center is open Monday to Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some Saturday appointments are available.

All services are confidential and provided at no cost to the veteran and family members.

To learn more, or to schedule a tour of the facility, call (727) 372-1854.

Information is also available at www.vetcenter.va.gov.

Lutz Nar-Anon family group
The Nar-Anon Family Groups are a worldwide fellowship for those affected by someone else’s addiction. The 12-step program offers shared experiences, strength and hope.

The Lutz Nar-Anon group meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m., in the sanctuary at Hope Church, 5107 Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz.

For information on the program, visit NarAnonFl.org, or call the help line at (888) 947-8885.