The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Health 09-17-14

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Lecture on sugar hazards
Access Health Care, 5350 Spring Hill Drive in Spring Hill, will have a lecture called “Sugar is a Huge Health Hazard: Know the Facts and Save Your Life” Sept. 18 at 5:15 p.m. Dr. Maria Scunziano-Singh will make the presentation.

For information or to register, call (352) 688-8116.

Huntington’s disease
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will offer a monthly support group for anyone whose life is affected by Huntington’s disease, the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

The next meeting is Sept. 18.

For information, call Nina Qualters at (727) 236-3578, or email .

Tools to Quit tobacco
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, will offer the free Tools to Quit class Sept. 19 at noon.

The class includes free nicotine replacement patches, gum or lozenges, while supplies last.

Registration is required.

For information, call (813) 929-1000, Ext. 213, or email .

Infant CPR course
The obstetrics program at Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will offer a pediatric/infant CPR class Sept. 20 at 9 a.m.

Participants will learn the skills of the American Heart Association course.

Cost is $15 per person, or $25 for two.

Reservations are required. For information, call (727) 834-5630.

Atrial fibrillation seminar
The Heart Institute at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, will host Dr. Darshan Patel and Dr. N.S. Rattehalli Sept. 24 at 3 p.m., for a presentation on “Atrial Fibrillation: Treatment for Irregular Heart Rhythm.”

Admission is free. Refreshments will be served.

Seating is limited. Reservations are required. For information, call (727) 869-5498.

Surviving cancer seminar
Dr. Roberto Diaz from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute will speak about surviving cancer Sept. 25 at 7 p.m., at Keystone Community Church, 21010 State Road 54 in Lutz.

The program is free, and will cover new treatments for cancer, and allow for a question-and-answer period.

For information, call Walt Bockmiller, chair of the Keystone Cancer Support Group, at (813) 527-8211. Or call Keystone Community Church at (813) 948-4522.

Free pregnancy care
LifeChoices Women’s Care, 1527 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 101 in Lutz, offers free pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasounds to teens, women and couples facing an unplanned pregnancy.

The center is open Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Appointments are recommended.

Donations of new or gently used baby or maternity clothes, or baby items, for the center are being accepted at Lutz Ace Hardware and ELLA Boutique, 18469 U.S. 41, Oct. 1-15. Those donating will receive 10 percent off a purchase up to $100.

For information, call (813) 948-7734.

Sertoma receives $8,000 from Wells Fargo
Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida recently received $8,000 from Wells Fargo. The funding will be used to sponsor Sertoma’s school screening program in Pasco County.

Sertoma volunteers perform state education department mandated hearing screens for all Headstart, pre-K, kindergarten and first-grade students, as well as sixth-grade students at local middle schools.

(Courtesy of Jean Nathe)
(Courtesy of Jean Nathe)

Rotary club welcomes Shane Sanborn
Shane Sanborn, lead physical therapist with Bayfront Health Dade City, recently spoke to the Sunrise Rotary Club about the growth of the rehab program at the hospital. Community Health System, the hospital’s parent company, is planning on spending about $2 million for a new orthopedic and operating room to service the community. With Sanborn, left, is Francis Crociatta and Candy Linville.

Women’s health center opening
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills is hosting a grand opening for its newly remodeled Women’s Health Center Sept. 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m. There will be a tour of the center, food and refreshments, and information about personalized care for women in the community.

For information, call (877) 534-3108, or visit FHZeph.org.

Community baby shower
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd., will host a community baby shower Sept. 28 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Guests can take a tour of the newly renovated maternity suites, meet the staff and physicians, and have questions answered.

All registered attendees will receive a free gift and be entered to win door prizes. Other activities include a children’s zone, fire truck tours, and car seat safety checks.

Admission is free, but registration is required.

For information, call (877) 534-3108, or visit FHZeph.org.

Gulfside memorial service
Gulfside Hospice will host a memorial service Sept. 29 at 3 p.m., at East Pasco Seventh-day Adventist Church, 7333 Dairy Road in Zephyrhills.

The service is for anyone who wishes to remember loved ones who have passed away in the last year.

Guests can submit a photo of their loved one to be included during the service by emailing .

For information, call (727) 844-3946.

Sister Stroll 2.0
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills will kick off the Pink Army breast cancer awareness campaign Oct. 2, on its front lawn.

Registration is at 5 p.m. The stroll begins at 5:30 p.m., with a ceremony to follow.

Participants can stroll along the walking trail and enjoy food and fun along the way.

Registered participants will receive a swag bag filled with pink goodies.

There will be a car show, entertainment, door prizes, as well as food and drink.

Advance registration is $15 per person, or $20 at the event.

All proceeds benefit the Simpson Breast Health Center at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills.

To register, call (877) 534-3108, or visit FHZeph.org.

 

Raising awareness to fight colon cancer

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Wesley Chapel resident Michelle Giacomino understands the pain that colon cancer can cause.

“Two-and-a-half-years ago my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer just before her 50th birthday,” Giacomino said. “She was the epitome of health otherwise.”

Susan Middleton had many family members and friends turn out to a walk in Fort Myers to raise awareness about colon cancer. She died in 2013, but her daughter, Michelle Giacomino, is bringing Get Your Rear in Gear to Tampa for the first time on Sept. 20. (Courtesy of Michelle Giacomino)
Susan Middleton had many family members and friends turn out to a walk in Fort Myers to raise awareness about colon cancer. She died in 2013, but her daughter, Michelle Giacomino, is bringing Get Your Rear in Gear to Tampa for the first time on Sept. 20.
(Courtesy of Michelle Giacomino)

After a 15-month battle, Giacomino’s mother, Susan Middleton, lost her fight with colon cancer.

Before she died, Middleton joined the family in a Get Your Rear in Gear event in Fort Myers. Her team of family members raised the most money at that event to help fight colon cancer.

To honor her mother, Giacomino decided to spearhead the effort to bring the Get Your Rear in Gear event to Tampa. This year, the 5-kilometer walk and run will be on the morning of Sept. 20 at Al Lopez Park in Tampa.

Giacomino, 33, said she wants to help prevent colon cancer by raising awareness about early detection. She also wants to support people who are coping with the disease and those who, like herself, have lost a loved one.

Giacomino and her husband Justin moved from Pittsburgh five years ago to live closer to her parents. Then her mom, a seemingly healthy woman, started experiencing abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with colon cancer shortly before she turned 50, the recommended age for colon screenings.

The death of her mother was not only a tremendous blow to Giacomino, but also to her three boys — Giovanni, 6; Luca, 3; and Dominic, 2 — who lost a tremendous grandmother.

As of last week, about 100 people had registered for her version of Get Your Rear in Gear, but she expects the number to climb in the days leading up to the event.

Get Your Rear in Gear Tampa is one of 40 scheduled across the nation planned by local volunteers, with help from the Colon Cancer Coalition. It increases awareness of the nation’s No. 2 cancer killer, and raises funds to prevent colon cancer.

Besides the walk and run, the event also features a celebration for survivors, support for caregivers, and a remembrance of those who have died.

Funds raised in Tampa will stay in the area to help with prevention, early detection and treatment, as well as projects to support healthy living.

Florida Cancer Specialists and Tampa General Hospital are among the local sponsors.

If you go …
WHAT: Get Your Rear in Gear Tampa 5-kilometer walk/run to prevent colon cancer
WHERE: Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes Ave., Tampa
WHEN: Sept. 20, with registration at 7 a.m., and runs beginning at 8 a.m.
COST:
5K Run/Walk Adult: $25 until Sept. 18, $35 on race day
5K Run/Walk Youth: 12 and younger, $15 until Sept. 18, $20 on race day
Kids Fun Run: 10 and younger, $15 until Sept. 18, $20 on race day
INFO: ColonCancerCoalition.org

Some facts about colorectal cancer
• Is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer death.
• Affects men and women equally, and people of all races and nationalities. Anyone can get colorectal cancer.
• Affects about 1-in-19 people during their lifetime.
• Usually develops slowly over a period of 10 to 15 years.
• Has a 90 percent five-year survival rate for those diagnosed in first two stages, but just a 12 percent five-year survival rate for those diagnosed in fourth stage.

Published September 17, 2014

 See this story in print: Click Here

Health 09-10-14

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Bayfront Health receives A-fib certification
Bayfront Health Dade City has received full Atrial Fibrillation Certification from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and has been recognized as a health concern that in some cases can lead to stroke and possible death.
Atrial fibrillation patients use more health care services and have much higher health care costs than those without the disease.
Bayfront Health Dade City has demonstrated its expertise and commitment to quality patient care by meeting or exceeding a wide set of stringent criteria and undergoing a comprehensive review by an accreditation review specialist from the SCPC.

(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)
(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

Kramer named Employee of the Month
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has honored Keith Kramer, an environmental services assistant, with the August Employee of the Month award. He received multiple nominations from visitors, family members and colleagues. Kramer (with certificate) is seated with members of the Environmental Services team, at a reception in his honor.

Breast cancer support
Florida Cancer Affiliates will host a breast cancer support group Sept. 11 at 6 p.m., at its New Port Richey center, 5500 Little Road.

For information, call (727) 505-6379.

Hearing aid battery giveaway
Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida is having a battery giveaway Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon, at 4443 Rowan Road in New Port Richey.

The foundation is offering free hearing aid batteries in the most common sizes of 10, 13, 312 and 675, while supplies last.

The Sertoma Hearing Aid Recycling Program will collect old hearing aids at the giveaway, and containers can also be found in area Publix stores.

For information, call (727) 834-5479 or (866) 999-2443.

Electrophysiology lab tour
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, will have free tours of its Electrophysiology Lab Sept. 15 at 3 p.m., and 4 p.m.

The tour will include the procedural suite, and a meeting with the lab team.

Space is limited. Reservations are required.

For information, call (727) 869-5498.

Learn about functional foods
The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, 2700 Healing Way, will host a Functional Foods seminar Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m.

Learn which functional foods can offer additional benefits to reduce the risk of disease and promote overall wellness.

The seminar is free for members of the Center, and $5 for non-members.

Space is limited. Reservations are required.

For information, call (813) 929-5432.

Wound care seminar
Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, is hosting a seminar entitled “Wounds Big or Small, We Heal Them All” Sept. 17 at noon.

Guest speaker will be Sharon Owen, director of Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine.

A first-aid kit will be available to all who attend.

Admission is free. A complimentary lunch will be served.

Seating is limited. Reservations are required.

For information, call (727) 834-5630.

FHWC hosts women’s event
Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel is hosting a free, multi-generational women’s health and wellness event at Saddlebrook Resort, 5700 Saddlebrook Way in Wesley Chapel, Sept. 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event will include health and wellness presentations from area experts, and a healthy cooking demonstration.

There will be free health screenings, pampering and giveaways. A continental breakfast and full lunch are included.

The keynote speaker will be ABC Action News anchor Deiah Riley.

Admission is free, but registration is required.

Women can register by calling (813) 929-5432, or visiting tinyurl.com/WCWomensEvent.

Medical grants available for children
The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation is seeking grant applications from families in need of financial assistance to help pay for their child’s health care treatments, services or equipment not covered — or not fully covered — by their commercial health insurance plan.

Qualifying families can receive up to $5,000 per grant, with a lifetime maximum of $10,000 per child to help pay for medical services and equipment such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, counseling services, surgeries, prescriptions, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses and hearing aids.

Children must be younger than 17, and families must meet economic guidelines, reside in the United States, and have a commercial health insurance plan.

Grants are available for medical expenses families have incurred 60 days prior to the date of application, as well as for ongoing and future medical needs.

Parents or legal guardians can apply for grants at UHCCF.org. There is no application deadline.

New MinuteClinic in Lutz
MinuteClinic has opened a new walk-in clinic inside the CVS store at 2322 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Lutz.

The clinic is part of the company’s plan to add 150 new clinics nationwide in 2014.

No appointments are required. Most health insurance is accepted.

The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For information, visit MinuteClinic.com.

Moffitt recruiting patients for research
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute is recruiting male patients and their caregivers for a research study that takes a closer look at the uptake of prostate cancer information and health service.

Participants should be between the ages of 40 and 75, and newly diagnosed in the past three months. Patients also must have a caregiver who is willing to participate.

For information, call Shani Davis at (813) 745-6806, or email .

Medical center gets advanced certification
The Joint Commission, in conjunction with The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, recently recognized the Medical Center of Trinity with Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers.

The certification signifies an organization’s dedication to fostering better outcomes for patients. The center also has demonstrated that its program meets critical elements of performance to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients.

Surviving cancer seminar
Dr. Roberto Diaz from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute will speak about surviving cancer Sept. 25 at 7 p.m., at Keystone Community Church, 21010 State Road 54 in Lutz.

The program is free, and will cover new treatments for cancer, and allow for a question-and-answer period.

For information, call Walt Bockmiller, chair of the Keystone Cancer Support Group, at (813) 527-8211. Or call Keystone Community Church at (813) 948-4522.

Free pregnancy care
LifeChoices Women’s Care, 1527 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 101 in Lutz, offers free pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasounds to teens, women and couples facing an unplanned pregnancy.

The center is open Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Appointments are recommended.

For information, call (813) 948-7734.

 

Veterans lobbying for where in Pasco new VA clinic should go

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The men and women who have served our country during times of war, or in case of war, have been fighting a new conflict to ensure they have access to the federally provided health care they were promised.

But now part of that battle might turn into a turf war between the west and east sides of Pasco County.

Kathleen Fogarty, chief of the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa, shares some of the issues her facility has faced in recent months during a packed town hall meeting of veterans hosted by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, right. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Kathleen Fogarty, chief of the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa, shares some of the issues her facility has faced in recent months during a packed town hall meeting of veterans hosted by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, right.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

Veterans gathered at the West Pasco Government Center last week to tell U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis where they want to build a new consolidated center made possible thanks to a Veterans Affairs bill signed by President Barack Obama last month.

The bill has set aside $1.3 billion to create or expand 27 VA clinics around the country, including Florida’s only new one — a planned 114,000-square-foot facility that would consolidate five existing locations on the west side of the county.

Many veterans have come to depend on having those centers in New Port Richey and Port Richey, and some are balking at the idea of moving the new consolidated center into Land O’ Lakes, or even into Zephyrhills or Dade City.

No plans have been finalized, or even proposed, on where this new facility would take place. But a majority of those speaking up last week were pushing for the government to take over the former Community Hospital campus in New Port Richey. That hospital shut down in 2012 after its owner, HCA Healthcare, opened the new Medical Center at Trinity on State Road 54 just east of Little Road.

But bringing that building up to the standards needed for a new VA clinic could be costly.

“We tried to get Community Hospital about seven years ago,” said one veteran, Paul Rizzo. “We met with the VA, and they turned us down, because they said the building was unsafe. It was only built for one floor, but it’s three floors.”

Despite that, Rizzo wants to have the new clinic there.

“I still say that Community Hospital is one of the best places that we could use,” he said. “It’s been standing there for 50 years now, so how is that unsafe? They say we need a complete overhaul of the building there, but what we really need is a complete overhaul of the VA.”

The Land O’ Lakes area has also been shared as a possible location for a new VA clinic, since it’s in central Pasco. However, east Pasco also remains on the radar simply because of the available land out there in case VA officials decide to build something new.

But getting out that way might create as many problems as simply going to the James Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa, some say. Plus, a clinic already exists near Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. That facility will not be a part of the consolidation, officials said.

“Most people, especially disabled veterans, have financial problems, and transportation is a huge factor in their lives,” said Lauren Price, an Iraqi war veteran who is one of the founders of the VeteranWarriors advocacy group. “We have some limited mass transit here in West Pasco, and there is much more minimal mass transit that gets out to Trinity. And before someone offers all that real estate out in Dade City or Zephyrhills, I will remind them that the only mass transit out there are the mud swamp runs.”

Despite hosting the town hall, Bilirakis will have minimal input on where the new facility will be located, he said. That decision, instead, will rely on the VA department itself, which also will receive an additional $10 billion to outsource some of the care to private doctors when VA officials get behind. It also gives Robert McDonald, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs secretary, the power to remove senior executives not meeting expectations more easily than before.

Congress put the legislation in motion this past summer after a series of reports highlighting backlogs in service and other problems at VA hospitals around the country. A government investigation found some of those hospitals were guilty of flubbing appointment lists while supervisors turned a blind eye.

The report, however, said there was nothing connecting the delays created by that activity with preventable deaths.

But some of the veterans in New Port Richey still feel like they’ve been treated improperly by the system. However, James Haley VA Medical Center chief Kathleen Fogarty said many of the delays and problems experienced locally are from the sheer volume facilities like hers have taken on.

“I am very pleased to tell you that all of our clinics were audited, and we did not have any discrepancies in the scheduling,” Fogarty said. “But will I tell you that we don’t have any waiting lists? Absolutely not.”

That’s because her system handles 89,000 unique patients every year, she said. Haley has 4,000 patients a day, and conducts 42,000 consultations a month.

“I am very blessed to have the University of South Florida a bridge away from me,” Fogarty said. “They don’t have a hospital they use to train all of their doctors. We are the primary facility they use, which is a great thing for us because I think we get the best doctors out there.”

Besides where the new consolidated clinic should be located, the more than 100 veterans who attended also shared some of the services they’d like to see there. That includes urgent care, physical therapy, radiology, women’s care and greater access to dental, Bilirakis spokeswoman Summer Robertson said.

If any other veterans wants to express their preferences on where the clinic should go and what should be there, they can call Bilirakis’ office at (813) 501-4942, or send an email to the congressman through his website at Bilirakis.house.gov.

Published September 3, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Health 09-03-14

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NAMI Peer-to-Peer
The National Alliance on Mental Illness will host a free Peer-to-Peer recovery focused education program for adults living with mental illness from Sept. 5 to Nov. 7.

The program is 10 two-hour sessions for individuals at least 18 years old. It incorporates presentations, discussions and exercises, and provides a toolkit of information on up-to-date research, symptoms, relapse prevention, and skills for making decisions and reducing stress.

Classes are from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at BayCare Behavioral Health Veterans Resource Center, 6819 Massachusetts Ave., in New Port Richey.

To register, call (727) 992-9653.

MS support group
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will host a monthly multiple sclerosis support group on the second Tuesday of the month.

The next meeting is Sept. 9 at noon.

Caregivers and family members are invited.

For information, call (727) 372-1568.

Understanding Medicare
Charlotte Kocian will present a seminar on understanding Medicare Sept. 10 at 11 a.m., at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., in Tampa.

Topics will include who is eligible, what options are available, and the various plans and parameters.

Admission is free.

Obstetrics tour at Trinity
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, is offering tours through its obstetrics program.

The next tour is Sept. 10 at noon.

Guests will visit the mother-baby and birthing suites, and observe the Infant Safety and Security Program.

Space is limited, and reservations are required.

For information, call (727) 834-5630.

Surviving cancer seminar
Dr. Roberto Diaz from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute will speak about surviving cancer Sept. 25 at 7 p.m., at Keystone Community Church, 21010 State Road 54 in Lutz.

The program is free, and will cover new treatments for cancer, and allow for a question-and-answer period.

For information, call Walt Bockmiller, chair of the Keystone Cancer Support Group, at (813) 527-8211. Or call Keystone Community Church at (813) 948-4522.

Moffitt recruiting patients for research
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute is recruiting male patients and their caregivers for a research study that takes a closer look at the uptake of prostate cancer information and health services.

Participants should be between the ages of 40 and 75, and newly diagnosed in the past three months. Patients also must have a caregiver who is willing to participate.

For information, call Shani Davis at (813) 745-6806, or email ">.

FHWC hosts women’s event
Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel is hosting a free, multi-generational women’s health and wellness event at Saddlebrook Resort, 5700 Saddlebrook Way in Wesley Chapel, Sept. 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event will include health and wellness presentations from area experts, and a healthy cooking demonstration.

There will be free health screenings, pampering and giveaways. A continental breakfast and full lunch are included.

The keynote speaker will be ABC Action News anchor Deiah Riley.

Admission is free, but registration is required.

Women can register by calling (813) 929- 5432, or visiting tinyurl.com/WCWomensEvent.

Atrial fibrillation seminar
The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, 2700 Healing Way, is having a seminar on “Atrial Fibrillation: Treatment of Irregular Heart Rhythm” Sept. 9 at noon.

Guest speaker Dr. Binu Jacob will discuss the causes and symptoms, and the minimally invasive treatment options available.

Lunch will be provided.

Space is limited, and reservations are required.

For information, call (813) 929-5432.

Understanding Medicare
Charlotte Kocian will present an educational seminar on understanding Medicare Sept. 10 at 11 a.m., at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., in Tampa.

Topics will include who is eligible, what options are available, and the various plans and parameters.

Admission is free.

Gulfside Hospice orientation

Gulfside Hospice is hosting a volunteer orientation Sept. 18-19 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Gulfside’s Center for Hospice Care, 5760 Dean Dairy Road in Zephyrhills.

The orientation is for all new volunteers in East Pasco County.

Volunteers must be at least 15 years old. Reservations are required.

For information, call Jennifer Ball or Tracey Thompson at (813) 780-1235.

Women’s health center opening
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills is hosting a grand opening for its newly remodeled Women’s Health Center Sept. 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m.

There will be a tour of the center, food and refreshments, and information about personalized care for women in the community.

For information, call (877) 534-3108, or visit FHZeph.org.

Community baby shower
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd., will host a community baby shower Sept. 28 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Guests can take a tour of the newly renovated maternity suites, meet the staff and physicians, and have questions answered.

All registered attendees will receive a free gift and be entered to win door prizes. Other activities include a children’s zone, fire truck tours, and car seat safety checks.

Admission is free, but registration is required.

For information, call (877) 534-3108, or visit FHZeph.org.

Health 08-27-14

By

(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)
(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

Bob South honored as Employee of the Month
Bob South, a transporter with the lift team at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, was named the hospital’s July Employee of the Month. South received a pin, a blanket gift, a reception with refreshments for his colleagues, a front-row parking spot for his use for one month, and a $50 gift card. Chief operating officer Shalin Shah, left, congratulates South, along with associate chief operating officer Dajana Yoakley and human resources vice president Geoff Washburn.

Caregiver’s support group
The Caregiver’s Support Group meets the first Wednesday of each month at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, to help those caring for loved ones afflicted with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

This free group meets at 11 a.m.

For information, call Phyllis Bross at (813) 996-1361, or email .

Nutrition and diabetes
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, is offering the community education class “Nutrition & Diabetes” Sept. 2 at 10 a.m.

The class will cover the basic principles of nutrition, including how meal timing, carbohydrates, proteins and fats can affect blood sugar.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required.

For information, call (727) 834-5630.

Atrial fibrillation seminar
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, is hosting its “Learn About Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation” seminar Sept. 2 at 3 p.m.

Dr. Luis Annoni, a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist; and Dr. Michael Wahl, a board-certified cardiac surgeon, will discuss a breakthrough procedure.

Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required.

For information and to register, call (727) 869-5498.

NAMI basics program
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is offering a free educational program for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illness.

The program is for six sessions starting Sept. 3, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson.

Those attending will be provided with critical information and strategies related to caregiving, view presentations, and take part in discussion and interactive exercises.

To register, call (727) 277-8059 or (727) 992-9653.

‘A Matter of Balance’
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, is offering “A Matter of Balance,” a program designed to help people manage concerns about falls and increase physical activity.

Classes will be on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., starting Sept. 3, for four weeks.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required.

For information, call (727) 869-5498.

Diabetes self-management
The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, 2700 Healing Way, is offering a four-part series on diabetes self-management.

The series runs on Thursdays from Sept. 4-25 at 6 p.m.

Topics will include nutrition, medications, exercise, glucose monitoring, complications, stress management and foot care.

Space is limited, and reservations are required.

For information, call (813) 929-5555.

Ice bucket challenge tops $32 million in donations
Donations from the ice bucket challenge recently topped $32 million nationally, according to the most recent tabulations from The ALS Association.

Florida chapter spokeswoman Alissa Gutierrez said she hopes the Florida organization will see an increase in donations as well, according to a release.

The challenge became a viral sensation thanks to Pete Frates and his family. The former Boston College baseball captain has lived with ALS since 2012, and has been an advocate for The ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter.

The challenge is, within 24 hours, to pour a bucket of ice water over your head, or make a donation to an ALS charity. Or both.

 

Health care providers offer prescription for better services

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There’s no easy fix for the challenges facing today’s health care system. But there are some steps that can improve its overall performance, panelists said at a roundtable discussion hosted by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

Bilirakis hosted two 21st Century Cures roundtables at The Bethany Center in Lutz last week. One focused on health care from a patient’s perspective. The other took a look at the issue from a provider’s point of view.

A panel of health care providers discusses ways to improve health care delivery to patients. Reducing bureaucracy, increasing funding and encouraging innovation are some of their suggestions. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
A panel of health care providers discusses ways to improve health care delivery to patients. Reducing bureaucracy, increasing funding and encouraging innovation are some of their suggestions.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

At the Aug. 22 session, “Spurring Innovation, Advancing Treatments, and Incentivizing Investment,” Bilirakis asked panelists to talk about regulatory roadblocks and other issues that hinder patient care.

The providers had plenty of suggestions for Bilirakis and his congressional colleagues to consider as they set policy in Washington, D.C.

Dr. David Morgan, the chief executive of the University of South Florida’s Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, told Bilirakis the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s patients must improve. About one in five people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s do not have the disease, Morgan said.

The disease can be accurately diagnosed with PET — positron emission tomography — scans, but those are expensive and generally not covered by insurance, Morgan said. Proper diagnosis is important not only for treatment of patients, but also to ensure that clinical trial results are not skewed by including patients in the trials who do not have the disease.

Morgan also sees reform needed in the way clinical trials are conducted. The current approach takes too long and costs too much, he said.

Other health care providers agreed that changes are needed regarding clinical trials. They also called for changing the Food and Drug Administration’s regulatory practices.

Dr. Clifton Gooch, of USF’s Morsani College of Medicine, said the FDA needs to focus on simplicity, transparency and consistency. Standards for clinical trials must become more flexible. The current approach looks for a particular outcome with a specific group of people, but it fails to consider how the drug benefits a sub-population.

As the nation moves toward more personalized medicine, “we need to approach nontraditional trials,” agreed Dr. Thomas Sellers, the center director and executive vice president for the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.

“We really need to bring the right drug to the right patient at the right time,” Sellers said.

Dr. Richard Finkel, chief neurologist at Nemours Children’s Hospital of Orlando, said the focus must be greater on patient-centered cures.

“Patients are willing to accept different levels of risk. But the FDA doesn’t look at it that way,” he said. “They are very risk averse.”

A patient with a short life expectancy, for instance, may be willing to accept a much higher risk than someone who has a slow-developing disease, Finkel said.

There are various roadblocks in the research arena, panelists said.

“Funding is dismal,” Sellers said. Not only is that hurting research on specific treatments, it’s also hurting the entire research arena.

“A lot of people are getting out of the (research) game,” Sellers said, which he characterized as a “major casualty.”

Even when there is money, the grant process takes too long, panelists said. Those selecting grant winners also need to broaden their thinking, Sellers said.

“They’re not selecting for innovation. They’re not selecting for bold ideas,” Sellers said.  “Somebody has to be pushing the envelope.”

Finding money to pay for pilot trials is difficult, too.

“The trouble with pilot trials is that nobody wants to pay for them,” Gooch said.

There’s also a need to reform the regulatory process used by the FDA, panelists said. Improvements are needed not only in speeding the time it takes to get a new drug to market, but also in regulatory processes involving the development of new medical devices.

Lisa Novorska, chief financial officer for Rochester Electro Medical Inc., said her company can know how to improve a device, but can’t pursue those improvements because of the costs to comply with FDA requirements. The FDA plays a valuable role in protecting the public, but it also creates paperwork nightmares for small businesses, she added.

The agency’s inspections also can force small companies to lose valuable work time as employees are occupied answering questions on issues that seem compelling.

Geary Havran, president of NDH Medical and chairman of the Florida Medical Manufacturers Consortium, agreed. The FDA should focus on high-risk issues, not those with little or no risk, he said.

As Sellers put it: “I think the question is: What’s a reasonable amount of oversight?”

The medical device manufacturers also are calling to an end of the medical device tax, which they say has a disproportionate negative impact on smaller companies.

Payment for medical services is another huge issue.

“The payment issue is sometimes as much of a barrier as regulations,” said Glen Hortin, clinical pathology medical director of the southeast region for Quest Diagnostics.

Diagnostic tests play a substantial role in guiding physician decisions, Hortin said.

“There’s a possibility of destroying people’s access to lab tests, if the payments are cut too much,” Hortin said.

Many tests that have been developed could help doctors diagnose their patients more accurately, but are too expensive for patients to afford and are not covered by their insurance plans.

In the long-term, the nation needs to shift from operating on a “sick-care” model to placing a greater emphasis on prevention, Hortin said.

Bilirakis believes the private sector can help solve some of the problems facing patients today. Incentives are needed to spur private investments in health care, he added.

“Regulations can stand in the way of private investments in health care,” Bilirakis said. “The bottom line is the potential for reform is huge.”

Published August 27, 2014

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Patients offer their perspectives on needed health care reform

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Before she became ill, Ashleigh Pike was a vibrant young woman who delighted in teaching elementary school children.

Now she lives life from a wheelchair, with her mother providing her full-time care.

Ashleigh Pike, left, looks on as her mother, Beth Pike, describes the impacts that Ashleigh’s illness has had on the young woman’s life. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Ashleigh Pike, left, looks on as her mother, Beth Pike, describes the impacts that Ashleigh’s illness has had on the young woman’s life.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“On the outside, I look fine,” the former teacher said. But, “my quality of life has been greatly compromised.”

The young woman suffers from a form of dysautonomia, a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. That system controls automatic functions of the body, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, kidney function, temperature control, and dilation and constriction of the pupils, according to Dysautonomia International’s website.

Pike was one of several panelists at a roundtable discussion of health care issues, as seen from the patient’s perspective.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis hosted the session on Aug. 19 at The Bethany Center in Lutz to help inform his work as a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Healthcare subcommittee. Later in the week, Bilirakis hosted a second roundtable, focusing on health care issues from the point of view of providers.

The first 21st Century Cures Roundtable, “Patients and the Patient Perspective,” put a human face on the often complicated and frustrating experiences that ill people have in trying to find treatments and cures for their conditions.

Colleen Labbadia shared the heartbreaking story of her young son, who has been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive condition that is always fatal. Labbadia urged a greater degree of flexibility for clinical trials in the effort to find ways to treat and cure the condition.

“Each loss of function is like a little death,” Labbadia said. “Parents like myself, we’re willing to accept significant risk.”

Dr. Samantha Lindsey advocated for Alpha-1 patients, such as herself. Alpha-1 is the most common known genetic risk factor for emphysema, and also can lead to liver disease, according to the Alpha-1 Foundation’s website.

Anyone who has been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should be tested for Alpha-1, the website recommends.

Early diagnosis can make a tremendous difference, Lindsey said.

“Even though I look healthy on the outside, my lungs are like the lungs of a 104-year-old,” she said.

Gretchen Church and her husband, Michael — who both suffer from Parkinson’s disease — were at the session to advocate for better medical treatment for people who have the conditions.

“I probably don’t look like I have Parkinson’s, but believe it, I do, ” said Gretchen Church, of the Parkinson’s Action Network.

The couple said that Bilirakis and his congressional colleagues should help people with Parkinson’s by making it possible for these patients to use telehealth services — a remote form of health care delivery.

Telehealth services would make life easier for Parkinson’s patients who often have trouble getting around, Church said. It also would reduce financial burdens.

One obstacle to telehealth are current state licensing requirements that require doctors to be licensed in the state to serve patients there, Michael Church said. The problem is that many people live in states where there are no doctors specializing in movement disorders.

“For the Parkinson’s community, telehealth has the potential to be powerful,” Gretchen Church said. It could help people live independently longer, she added.

Dr. Wayne Taylor, a leukemia survivor, said there’s room for improvement in the matches for clinical trials. Taylor, a physician from Hudson, underwent a clinical trial, and once he was in remission, he was able to undergo a double umbilical cord transplant.

In a double umbilical cord transplant, the blood-forming stem cells collected from the umbilical cord blood of two babies is used for blood stem cell transplantation. One umbilical cord would not provide sufficient stem cells for the transplant.

When it comes to clinical trials, Taylor believes more people could benefit from better matching.

Patricia Stanco, a regional care manager for the ALS Association’s Florida Chapter, posed some questions for Bilirakis and his congressional colleagues to consider:

“Is there a smarter way to do research? Is there a common-sense approach to access?”

She also wonders if changes can be made in Food and Drug Administration regulations.

“There are surely ways to get more shots on goal for research,” Stanco said.

Janice Starling, a kidney transplant recipient, was there on behalf of the American Association of Kidney Patients.

“If people in Congress would do more of what we’re doing right now, we’d get more help,” Starling observed.

She noted that Medicare often doesn’t cover treatments that are effective, or will cover them only for a specific period of time when more time might be necessary.

“What is going on? Why can’t we get the help we need?” Starling asked.

Dr. David Lubin, a recently retired physician from South Tampa, also offered some observations from the audience.

“Insurance companies and big pharma are in control of medicine,” Lubin said.

With the vast array of illnesses, Lubin said, it takes “almost Solomon-like” wisdom to know where to direct efforts and resources.

From a personal perspective, Bilirakis said he’s watched family members and friends suffer from rare conditions that have no cures.

“The right thing to do is to help our people, our patients,” Bilirakis said. “I want to take the politics out of this.”

Published August 27, 2014

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Robin Williams’ suicide sparks important conversations

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While the death of Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams has prompted expressions of sadness from around the globe, some local grief and suicide prevention experts said the loss also has stimulated important conversations.

Suicide-depression-r100When news hit that Williams had taken his own life Aug. 11, the celebrity’s death sparked discussions about suicide, mental illness and grief.

Williams’ death is tragic, but it has focused attention on a topic that many people would prefer to avoid, said Betsey Westuba, chairwoman of the Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition.

“When I say the word ‘suicide,’ I find people will change the subject. I call it the ‘S-word,’ because people want to run away from it,” said Westuba, who also facilitates a group that meets in Lutz for people who have lost a loved one to suicide. “The point is, it’s real. It’s out there.”

To help combat the problem, people must become more alert to signs that others are thinking about suicide, and must be willing to step in to do what they can to help, she said.

Jason Tompkins, a licensed clinical social worker, said the death by suicide of a well-known personality, such as Williams, can serve as a catalyst to raise awareness to help prevent suicides.

“A high-profile suicide starts a lot of conversations with people who would not be having this conversation,” said Tompkins, who coordinates the annual International Survivors of Suicide Loss Conference.

While Williams’ death has received worldwide attention and prolonged media coverage, there have been hundreds of suicides around the country that have occurred since Williams died, Tompkins noted.

Up to 39,000 people die by suicide in the United States each year, Tompkins said. That works out to more than 100 people a day.

Deaths by suicide tend to raise many questions, Tompkins said.

“A lot of the questions that I hear in the aftermath of suicide: ‘Why did they do it? How come we couldn’t stop them? Didn’t they know that we loved them?’” Tompkins said. “Those are the types of questions that, years later sometimes, people wrestle with.”

Grief is a common reaction to deaths of all kinds, said Grace Terry, founder of Grief Resolution Resources of Tampa. It’s not uncommon, either, for people to feel a certain measure of regret for things they should or shouldn’t have done before their loved one passed away. Those regrets can be magnified when the death is by suicide.

“I believe that friends and families of those who die by suicide have a particularly difficult grief challenge,” Terry said. “No matter what the circumstance or situation, people who have loved ones die by suicide have a crushing sense of guilt.”

People wonder how someone like Williams — who was talented, rich and famous — could reach a point where he would end his life.

“When someone is incredibly depressed, it doesn’t matter how wealthy they are or how much fame they have,” Terry said. “Really, none of that matters if someone is clinically depressed.”

There are ways to help people — both those who may be considering suicide and those who are coping with the loss of a loved one through suicide — the experts said. Treatment is available, Terry said. And in many cases, those who seek professional help can get better.

“Depression can be mild, moderate or severe,” Terry said. There are times when it becomes life-threatening and life-ending, she added.

If you suspect someone needs help, it’s important to respond, Terry said.

“Express your concern in a loving way,” Terry said. Offer to go with them to see a doctor or attend a support group.

Be direct, Westuba said. If you suspect someone is suffering through depression, ask, “Are you suicidal? Are you having suicidal thoughts?” Then help them find professional help.

There are some actions to avoid, Terry said.

“Do not nag. Do not scold. Do not shame people,” she said. “Do not tell people, ‘Get a grip. Get over it.’ Or, ‘Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.’ That does more harm than good.”

Those who take their own lives generally have impaired judgment, said Terry, who at one point in her life was clinically depressed and considered ending her life.

“People who attempt to complete suicide are usually in so much emotional pain that they have no capacity to consider what pain their action might cause someone else,” she said.

The death of a comic genius that brought so much joy to others illustrates what a pervasive and potentially deadly force depression can be.

“What comes out of all of this is that we never know when someone is suffering suicidal thoughts,” said Westuba, who facilitates a group called Healing After a Loved One’s Suicide. “It’s a very complex situation.”

The group meets at Suncoast Kids Place in Lutz, which is part of Van Dyke Church. Westuba leads a group for adults, but another group for teenagers is expected to begin meeting in September.

Such settings can be helpful for people who are coming to terms with their loss and their grief, Tompkins said.

Even if there are no easy answers, he added, “It does seem very helpful and beneficial to be able to have a place to ask those questions.

“I think that it’s important to remember that grief is a process,” he said. “It’s not like a light switch” that can be easily turned off and on. “For many survivors, the sad part lives on for a long time.”

Suicide Hotline: (800) 273-8255
Local 211 hotline: Visit 211.org and enter your ZIP code to find help for all sorts of issues.

WHAT: Healing After a Loved One’s Suicide
WHO: Adults, 18 and older
WHEN: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the first and third Wednesday of each month
WHERE: 17030 Lakeshore Road, Building G, Lutz
COST: Free
INFO: Suncoast Kids Place, (813) 990-0216

Warning signs
People who die by suicide often show one or more of these warning signs before they take action:

• Talk about wanting to kill themselves, or say they wish they were dead
• Look for ways to kill themselves, such as hoarding medicine or buying a gun
• Talk about a specific suicide plan
• Feel hopeless or having no reason to live
• Feel trapped, desperate, or needing to escape from an intolerable situation
• Feel like they’re a burden to others
• Feel humiliated
• Have intense anxiety or panic attacks
• Lose interest in things, or lose the ability to experience pleasure
• Experience insomnia
• Become socially isolated and withdrawn from friends, family and others
• Acting irritable or agitated
• Show rage or talk about seeking revenge for being victimized or rejected, whether or not the situations seem real

Those showing these types of behavior should be evaluated for possible suicide risk by a medical doctor or mental health professional.

Source: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

August 20, 2014

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Health 08-20-14

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New MinuteClinic in Lutz
MinuteClinic has opened a new walk-in clinic inside the CVS store at 2322 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Lutz.

The clinic is part of the company’s plan to add 150 new clinics nationwide in 2014.

No appointments are required. Most health insurance is accepted.

The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For information, visit MinuteClinic.com.

Huntington’s disease support
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, offers a monthly support group for anyone whose life is affected by Huntington’s disease.

The next meeting is Aug. 21 at 6:30 p.m.

For information, call Nina Qualters at (727) 236-3578, or email .

Lymphedema group meeting
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, is hosting a lymphedema support group meeting Aug. 21 at 3 p.m.

Lymphedema is a persistent swelling, usually affecting an arm or leg that sometimes occurs as a side effect of cancer treatment.

For information, call (727) 834-5630.

PAN ‘Boots and Bling’
The annual Pasco Aging Network’s Boots and Bling fundraiser will be Aug. 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., at Spartan Manor in New Port Richey.

The event will include a Texas hold ‘em poker tournament, dancing, food, auction and more.

All proceeds help support senior services in Pasco County.

Tickets are still available by calling Terry Weaver at (352) 796-9891, or emailing at .

Health seminar at cultural center
Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road in Tampa, will host a health seminar Aug. 23 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Guest speakers will be Michael Pease of New Leaf Chiropractic Wellness Center, financial coach Melinda Turner, registered nurse Geraldine Novy, and Kenneth Andreasen of Orange Theory Fitness.

Admission is $10.

For information or to reserve a seat, call (813) 514-7650.

‘I Quit’ at FHZH
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd., is offering the “I Quit” tobacco cessation program Aug. 21 at 5 p.m.

The workshop will include education on nicotine addiction and withdrawal, strategies for handling cravings, a free four-week supply of nicotine replacement therapy, and a referral to the Florida Quitline for ongoing support.

To register, call Jihane Ambroise at (813) 929-1000, or visit AHECtobacco.org.

Vitamins and supplements basics
The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, 2700 Healing Way, is offering the “Vitamins and Supplements 101” seminar Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.

Dr. Mary Kristine Ellis will cover the basics of vitamins and supplements and how they may help people live healthier lives. She also will cover how supplements interact with medications.

Space is limited, and reservations are required. A free meal will be provided.

For information, call (813) 929-5432.

Atrial fibrillation seminar
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, is hosting its “Learn About Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation” seminar Sept. 2 at 3 p.m.

Dr. Luis Annoni, a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist, and Dr. Michael Wahl, a board-certified cardiac surgeon, will discuss a breakthrough procedure.

Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required.

For information and to register, call (727) 869-5498.