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ZEPHYRHILLS – The Zephyrhills Police Department is renewing its appeal for information concerning the disappearance of Carlton McCarthy Ireland, who has been missing since spring 2007.

Ireland was 54 years old when he disappeared from Zephyrhills. His last known account activity was a water bill payment on April 18, 2007. Five days later, he was documented pawning a ring in Tampa. His red 1997 Toyota Tercel also disappeared and has never been recovered.

Ireland was born in Jamaica and had acquaintances there. He was also known to frequent Tampa and Dade City. as well as attend dog track races, according to police. 

Nearly two decades have passed, but Ireland’s family continues to search for answers.

“Carlton Ireland has a family that has lived with unanswered questions for far too long,” Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer said. “As time passes, people’s circumstances and relationships change. Someone who may not have felt comfortable speaking in 2007 may be ready to come forward today. Even a seemingly minor memory could help provide Carlton’s family with the answers they have been waiting for.”

The Zephyrhills Police Department asks anyone who knew Ireland, encountered him around the time of his disappearance, saw his vehicle or has heard information about what may have happened to him to contact investigators.

Information may come from Zephyrhills, Tampa, Dade City, Jamaica, dog tracks or any other location where Ireland had personal, employment or social connections. Police said no detail is too small.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Zephyrhills Police Department tipline at 813-819-8847. Information may also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-8477.

• 1: Skye serves alongside AdventHealth’s AirStar 1 helicopter crews. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth
• 2: The six-month-old pups were given a special community welcome recently during a Puppy Pawty at AdventHealth Dade City, complete with pup-friendly ice cream and hugs. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth
• 3: Wilbur has worked with AdventHealth team members and first responders in Pasco County for more than five years. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth

 

 

DADE CITY – AdventHealth has welcomed three new members to the hospital system’s therapy dog team.

Pilot and Skye are joining their dad, Wilbur, in bringing comfort and emotional support to patients, families and caregivers in AdventHealth hospitals across the Tampa Bay area. A third puppy from Wilbur’s litter, Boots, has joined AdventHealth EMS partner Pasco County Fire Rescue.

The 6-month-old pups were given a special community welcome recently during a Puppy Pawty at AdventHealth Dade City. Patients, visitors and AdventHealth team members got to meet the new therapy dogs and hear more about the work they will be doing alongside their handlers.

Wilbur, chief barking officer for AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, has worked with AdventHealth staff and first responders in Pasco County for more than five years. Wilbur provides encouragement and companionship.

Skye serves alongside AdventHealth’s AirStar 1 helicopter crews. Boots works with Pasco County Fire Rescue. All of the dogs will provide comfort and support during stressful situations and challenging moments.

Brendon Sanders, chief flight nurse for the AdventHealth AirStar 1 helicopter program, said they are very grateful to have Skye as part of their team and part of his family.

“She brings a lot of comfort to people, especially in times of stress. She kind of lightens the mood and is there to bring peace to otherwise stressful situations,” Sanders said.

Skye is living with Sanders full-time.

“She’s very affectionate and she’s naturally well-disciplined,” Sanders said. “It’s been really amazing.”

He said it has been great to have her with him every day at work as they go about their duties.

“If we are in the office, she’ll run around and go into everybody’s individual office and visits with them,” Sanders said. “Then we will go to visit AdventHealth hospitals in different parts of the Tampa area. We will walk through the ER, she greets patients and families, then we’ll go to other floors and visit the ICU or go over to labor and delivery and visit with team members at hospital. She just lightens everyone’s mood and brings some joy into their day.”

AdventHealth has used a pet therapy program for decades with dogs supporting patients, caregivers and first responders in a variety of roles, from cheerleaders to entertainers and even physical therapy assistants.

 

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North hosts Girl Scouts

LUTZ – Girl Scout Troop 24402 from Spring Hill recently visited St. Joseph’s Hospital-North to learn about the use of robotics in surgery. 

The troop donned surgical gear, toured a St. Joseph’s Hospital-North operating room and got hands-on experience with a surgical robot. The classic table game, “Operation,” was used in their learning. 

Jennifer Downing, the hospital’s surgical services director, and surgical team members Lisa Lockhart, Louis Garcia and Lauren Hale led the demonstration. They described the various roles of team members assisting the surgeon during procedures.  

Marissa Davis, a representative from the robot’s manufacturer, also participated and provided insight. 

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has three robots that are guided by specially-trained surgeons.

Robotic surgeries are minimally invasive and can provide patients with smaller incisions, less pain and faster recoveries. The robots provide St. Joseph’s Hospital-North surgeons with improved dexterity, vision and surgical access compared to conventional minimally invasive surgery or traditional open surgery.

 

Hospital leader tapped to lead Polk market

DAVENPORT – AdventHealth named veteran health care leader Mike Murrill president and CEO of AdventHealth Polk Market, which includes AdventHealth Heart of Florida and AdventHealth Lake Wales.

Murrill previously served as president and CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills and AdventHealth Connerton in Pasco County and provided executive oversight and support for AdventHealth Dade City. Since joining AdventHealth’s West Florida Division, he has led strategic growth initiatives, operational improvements and team member engagement efforts while advancing AdventHealth’s mission throughout the region.

Murrill succeeds Tim Clark, who has accepted a new role as regional CEO for the Tampa Bay Metro Region within AdventHealth’s West Florida Division. 

 

BayCare named among Companies That Care

CLEARWATER – Great Place To Work and PEOPLE magazine have named BayCare Health System to the 2026 PEOPLE Companies That Care list.

BayCare ranked No. 21 nationally, marking its sixth appearance on the list.

“This recognition belongs to BayCare’s team members, who are our greatest asset,” said Stephanie Conners, BayCare president and CEO. “Every day, they make a difference in the way they care for our patients, support one another and strengthen our communities.”

The rankings were based on employee survey responses and company data. Companies also submit essays about their efforts to support employees, communities and the environment. 

Organizations must be Great Place To Work Certified and have at least 10 U.S. employees to be considered.

 

BayCare names CFO for physician, ambulatory division

CLEARWATER – BayCare has named Erin Gerner the vice president and chief financial officer of its physician and ambulatory division.

Gerner is a certified public accountant with more than 20 years of health care finance experience. She previously spent eight years as chief financial officer of PeaceHealth Ambulatory Services in Vancouver, Washington.

She also spent 13 years at INTEGRIS Health in Oklahoma City.

“Erin brings years of health care industry experience, with expertise in the ambulatory care setting,” said Janice Polo, BayCare’s chief financial officer. “Her strong work ethic, collaborative approach and commitment to our values make her a great addition to the finance team.”

 

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North offers support for mothers

LUTZ – St. Joseph’s Hospital-North will offer free support groups and classes for mothers during September.

The programs focus on breastfeeding and newborn care and are open to participants regardless of where they delivered or plan to deliver their babies. Events will be held in classrooms at the hospital, 4211 Van Dyke Road.

The schedule includes:

• Breastfeeding Support Group – Breastfeeding mothers can receive guidance from certified breastfeeding consultants and support from other mothers. Babies and an optional support person are welcome. The group meets Thursdays in September from 11 a.m. to noon.
• Understanding Breastfeeding – Expectant mothers and an optional support person can learn about breastfeeding basics, skin-to-skin contact, returning to work and when to contact a health care provider or lactation consultant. The class meets Sept. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Understanding Your Newborn – Expectant mothers and an optional support person can learn about feeding, diapering, bathing, signs of illness, cues and communication. The class meets Sept. 17 from 2 to 5 p.m.

 

Quick Hits

• NeckWise Land O’ Lakes recorded 2,328 patient visits and 154 new patients during its first year, according to co-founder Dr. Matt Morris. The upper cervical chiropractic clinic serves patients from Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Lutz and the northern Tampa Bay area.
• AdventHealth Heart of Florida collected more than 100 backpacks and more than 2,500 school-supply items for students at Loughman Oaks Elementary School in Davenport.

PASCO COUNTY – The Florida Economic Development Council has awarded Bill Cronin the Eunice Sullivan Economic Development Professional of the Year award for his work over the past 30 years. 

Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco Economic Development Council, described the award as an incredible honor. 

“While this award may have my name on it, I see it as a reflection of the extraordinary team we have at the Pasco Economic Development Council,” Cronin said. “Their talent, commitment and passion for making a difference in our community are behind everything we accomplish.”

Cronin has a long career in economic development spanning over 30 years in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. 

He worked 10 years with Enterprise Florida, now FloridaCommerce, specializing in international trade and business development.

Since he began leading the Pasco EDC in 2016, the organization has assisted companies through business expansions and relocations resulting in more than $1.8 billion in capital investment and 11,600 new jobs.

Under Cronin’s leadership, the Pasco EDC has been recognized as one of 92 economic development organizations accredited by the International Economic Development Council.

Beth Cicchetti, executive director of the Florida Economic Development Council, said the award recognizes people whose careers have shaped Florida’s economic future through leadership, innovation and service – qualities Cronin embodies. 

“His ability to build partnerships, inspire collaboration and deliver transformative results has strengthened not only Pasco County but the entire economic development profession in Florida,” Cicchetti said. “Bill’s leadership has left an enduring legacy, and we are proud to honor him as the 2026 recipient of this distinguished award.”

 

Recent winners

The award was first given in 1985 and was renamed in 1991 to honor Eunice Sullivan for her dedication and commitment to the economic development profession and the Florida Economic Development Council. 

Cronin joins other economic development leaders who have also received the award, including:

• 2025 Keith Norden, Team Volusia
• 2024 Jeff Hendry, North Florida Economic Development Partnership
• 2023 Suzanne Christman, CEcD, MEDP, Pinellas County Economic Development
• 2022 Kelly Smallridge, BDB of Palm Beach County
• 2021 Marc Hoenstine, CEcD, Duke Energy
• 2019 Crystal Stiles, Florida Power & Light
• 2018 Cathy Chambers, JAXUSA Partnership
• 2017 Crystal Sircy, Orlando Economic Partnership
• 2016 Bob Swindell, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
• 2015 Allen Cherry, Madison County Economic Development

“I am also deeply humbled to join the distinguished list of past Eunice Sullivan Award recipients – economic development professionals whom I have respected and admired throughout my career,” Cronin said. “To now have my name among theirs is truly one of the great honors of my professional journey.”

 

TAMPA – The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay announced Aug. 11 that it has been reaccredited by Inform USA for a period of five years. 

The organization underwent a process that took 12 months and involved five phases: 

• A consultant’s report that assessed the agency’s compliance with national standards; 
• A detailed review of the resource database; 
• A secret shopper component; 
• A survey of the organizations that are listed on their resource database; and
• A virtual site visit.

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay uses best practices to help people get connected to the right resources to meet their needs, such as food, utility assistance or mental health services. 

The nonprofit offers a range of evidence-based programs designed to meet community needs:

• Gateway Contact Center (988 & 211): suicide prevention, crisis counseling and information and referral services);
• Corbett Trauma Center (trauma counseling and sexual assault survivor services);
• Success 4 Kids & Families (support for families coping with behavioral health challenges, recovery navigation); 
• TransCare (911 emergency life support ambulance services, behavioral health transports, basic and advanced life support interfacility transportation, community paramedicine).

People can access these services by calling 211. 

The organization has achieved this honor four times. 

“The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is the community’s gateway to connect to resources when they are facing life’s challenges,” said Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of the center. “Achieving the Inform USA accreditation confirms that we are maintaining best practices in providing information and referral services to our community.”

Learn more about Inform USA at informusa.org/accreditation.

On the web: crisiscenter.com.

 

TAMPA – ZooTampa at Lowry Park has incorporated veterinary acupuncture into treatment plans for animals with complex medical conditions, including a manatee, a black-bellied whistling duck and a roseate spoonbill chick.

The initiative is led by Dr. Alex Mason, a staff veterinarian certified in veterinary acupuncture. Traditionally associated with human and domestic animal medicine, acupuncture is now being applied to various species at the zoo to enhance recovery and well-being.

“At ZooTampa, each animal receives individualized care, and acupuncture gives us another way to support patients when traditional treatment options may be limited or when we are working to improve comfort, mobility and healing,” Mason said. “It is used alongside our traditional veterinary care and allows us to take a more comprehensive approach to supporting the animals’ well-being.”

Acupuncture can help stimulate nerves, enhance blood flow and encourage the body’s natural pain management and healing responses. At ZooTampa, it is used as a complementary therapy, meaning it may be incorporated alongside traditional veterinary medicine, physical therapy and other treatments when appropriate.

Earl Grey, a 14-year-old black-bellied whistling duck, experienced sudden weakness in his right leg. After performing a physical examination and taking x-rays, the veterinary team initiated supportive care, including fluids, vitamins, pain management and electroacupuncture. Following the first treatment, Earl Grey showed improved movement and posture. After two additional sessions, further enhancements in coordination, strength and walking ability were observed.

“For acute conditions, three initial treatments can provide a strong foundation and help us evaluate how a patient responds,” Mason said. “Earl Grey’s progress has been encouraging, and we will continue to adjust his treatment plan based on his mobility and overall recovery.”

A roseate spoonbill chick hospitalized for a leg injury received electroacupuncture alongside traditional veterinary medicine, including pain medications and physical therapy. The chick has since regained normal function in the limb.

Sloth, a manatee under ZooTampa’s care, arrived with a chronic condition causing significant nerve injury to one side of his face, affecting his ability to open one nostril and blink one eye. While chronic nerve injuries can be especially difficult to treat, acupuncture has provided ZooTampa’s veterinary team with another option after traditional approaches were limited. The team has observed mild improvements, including increased movement around the affected nostril and eye.