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WESLEY CHAPEL – AdventHealth Wesley Chapel showed Dec. 11 how music can comfort patients and their families, connect the community, and inspire gratitude during its Christmas at the Piano celebration. 

Staff, patients, visitors and community members came together in the hospital’s lobby to enjoy a musical program made to bring hope and joy to all.

The event featured performances from vocalists across all AdventHealth West Florida Division Hospitals.

“Music has an incredible way of lifting hearts and spirits, especially during the holidays,” said Daniel Sierra, chaplain of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, who organized the event. “This celebration reflects the meaning of Christmas – bringing people together to give thanks, share joy and remind us all of the healing and hope that Christ brings.”

The annual tradition is part of AdventHealth’s mission of “Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ” to the community. 

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel also encouraged guests to reflect on the importance of giving back and fostering connections with one another, making the season brighter for all.

TAMPA – The AdventHealth West Florida Division is bringing breast cancer screenings directly to communities across the Tampa Bay region thanks to a new mobile mammography bus.

Community leaders celebrated the launch of the bus Nov. 22 at the AdventHealth Care Pavilion New Tampa.

It will serve as a rolling medical office, staffed by experienced technologists and equipped with advanced 3D imaging technology. It will provide women with screenings from the comfort of their community or workplace.

“By offering mobile mammograms, AdventHealth is empowering individuals to prioritize their health,” said Genia Evarts,  outpatient imaging director for the AdventHealth West Florida Division. “This new bus not only represents our commitment to quality but also sets a high standard for the care we provide.”

Kristen McCall, president of the AdventHealth West Florida Foundation, described the addition as a “tremendous achievement.”

“We are grateful to our foundation donors who invested in lifesaving care and allowed this addition to be fully funded through local philanthropy,” McCall said. “The impact of enhancing access to early detection will be experienced for years ahead.”  

The AdventHealth West Florida Division performed more than 7,000 mobile mammography patient screenings in 2023 in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools, Florida Department of Health and other agencies.

Of those screenings, 1,350 were with Hillsborough County Public Schools teachers and employees.

Hillsborough County teacher Heather Leitzke signed up for a screening when the mammogram bus visited her school last year. Leitzke said she needed a mammogram because her OB/GYN of 25 years had retired. 

“I got my mammogram and didn’t think much of it until I got a phone call a couple weeks later saying there were abnormal findings,” Leitzke said. “The results of a follow-up biopsy came back, and I heard the words no one wants to hear, ‘It’s cancer.’ 

“Fortunately, they also used words like ‘caught early’ and ‘treatable.’ I had a lumpectomy, followed by radiation and I am now six months cancer-free! Thanks to AdventHealth for having this program and making it easy for busy teachers to get this important test.”

Visit adventhealth.com/adventhealth-mobile-mammography to schedule the mobile mammography bus at a location. 

DADE CITY – As fears of Y2K computer crashes spread leading up to the turn of the century, Kathleen Sullivan sought to connect quilters worldwide.

Sullivan, an avid quilter and officer with the Tampa Police Department, thought it would be fun to create a project with a Y2K theme. She encouraged other quilters online to exchange 25 2.5-inch fabric squares with one another. The idea was to incorporate 2,000 squares into each quilt in honor of the millennium. 

Sullivan received 250 envelopes filled with fabric blocks from throughout the United States, Canada and 27 other countries. Many envelopes included letters sharing personal stories about the senders’ lives and families. 

After Sullivan passed away in 2022, her family donated the fabric squares and letters to the East Pasco Quilt Guild.

Members of the guild incorporated these squares and letters into 10 quilts of different sizes for the  “Y2K Quilt Collection Exhibit,” currently on display at The Bike Spoke. The project took about a year and a half to complete. 

“We wanted to see Kathleen’s vision through,” \member Judy Croucher said. 

Each set of fabric squares came with a “siggie” block that included the sender’s name and hometown. 

“We have kept track of each block so it is kind of like the world came to Dade City,” President Rozanne Ritter said. “This is an opportunity for our community to see what people had sent from around the world.”

Some quilts in the collection are designated as “scavenger hunt quilts,” encouraging visitors – especially children – to search for specific things within the designs. 

“It’s a fun way for people to spend more time exploring the details,” Ritter said.

Since the Dade City Heritage Museum is being renovated, the exhibit will be displayed through Dec. 20 at The Bike Spoke, 37800 Church Ave., Dade City. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The guild will also display the quilts at Dade City events, such as Church Street Christmas, Kumquat Festival and Farm Festival & Quilt Show. 

Email for details about the quilts and the guild. 

WESLEY CHAPEL – Luiza Guryeva created an Active Hearts Association chapter in Florida this summer to help people in the community. 

Guryeva, a senior at Wesley Chapel High School, said the youth-led organization empowers “students to create lasting, meaningful change in their communities by leading impactful healthcare support initiatives.”

She is the executive of Florida AHA, which has chapters across the state, including Wesley Chapel High School, Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation and The School of Advanced Studies in Miami. She leads a coalition of more than 100 students.

The chapter she founded was the first in the United States, Guryeva said. 

Active Hearts has chapters in Almaty, Kazakhstan – the founding chapter – Astana, Kazakhstan and Boston, Massachusetts. Plans are in the works to open new chapters in Shanghai and Bangkok, Guryeva said.  

The Active Hearts Association in all chapters across the world is a medical hub providing opportunities for healthcare enthusiasts and fundraising for hospitalized children, according to its website.

“I was drawn to the ethical and financial challenges within the healthcare industry and sought to create opportunities for meaningful community service for students, fostering greater hope for patients,” Guryeva said about why she started Florida’s AHA chapter. 

She formed the new chapter in Kazakhstan alongside her former classmates, Mereyli Baisariyeva and Almansur Samat, the founders. 

Luiza moved to the United States only three years ago from Kazakhstan. 

After graduating from Wesley Chapel High School next year, she plans to study business with a focus on finance, management and economics. She aims to use her education to create meaningful change in healthcare management and policy, particularly in addressing the influence of private equity firms.

Recently, Active Hearts Association prepared more than 300 “get well soon” cards that were delivered to patients in hospitals such as AdventHealth and Pruitt Health in Lutz. 

Each card was handmade with a handwritten message of encouragement inside, Guryeva said. This effort was intended to reduce feelings of loneliness and ensure recipients felt the personal touch and thoughtfulness behind each card, rather than receiving something mass-produced or printed by a computer, she added.

She personally took the cards to the hospitals and left them with the director of volunteers who distributed them to patients. 

At Pruitt Health, Luiza was able to organize a hospital visit for members of Active Hearts Association. They donated the cards and were given a tour of the hospital. 

In addition, Active Hearts Association members are organizing a talent show for nursing home residents, collecting Christmas cards for AdventHealth’s patients and developing wellness packets for women in Bangladesh.

Guryeva expressed hope that more high schools across Florida will establish Active Hearts Association chapters within their communities.  

Email or follow @activeheartsflorida and @activeheartsassociation on Instagram for details on how to open a chapter.

WESLEY CHAPEL – Community leaders signed a beam Nov. 8 to mark the progress of the AdventHealth Meadow Pointe ER, a new off-site emergency department in East Pasco County.

The more than 13,000-square-foot emergency department will include 12 patient beds and two triage rooms when completed in the first half of 2025. It will also offer imaging and lab services.  

“The Meadow Pointe ER is located in a rapidly growing part of Pasco County and AdventHealth wants to make sure we’re meeting the needs of our community there,” said Mike Murrill, president and CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills and AdventHealth Connerton. “We are committed to expanding our footprint of emergency care services and making it easy for our neighbors to access AdventHealth’s robust network of care.”  

The signed beam was placed over what will become the main entrance of the ER. The names of those who helped make the $26 million project a reality will welcome future patients through the door.

The opening of the new emergency department will create more than 30 jobs in Pasco County.

“Reaching this milestone in such a short period of time is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, teamwork and innovation,” said Todd Watson, manager of Robins & Morton Florida Division. “We are proud to be working on a project that will enhance health care access and deliver vital services to our community.”

The AdventHealth Meadow Pointe ER joins the organization’s nine other freestanding emergency departments across the Tampa Bay area. 

This also includes an EMS fleet with 21 ambulances and AdventHealth AirStar 1, a medical helicopter dedicated to critical patient transport across the Tampa Bay region.    

PASCO COUNTY – Ryan Guynn officially took over command of Pasco County Fire Rescue following a confirmation ceremony at the Nov. 12 county commissioners meeting.

Guynn brings more than 25 years of experience in public safety to the role. He most recently served as the assistant chief and interim fire chief of Pasco County Fire Rescue. 

Guynn said he is honored to continue serving the community and lead Pasco County Fire Rescue.

“Chief Guynn’s step up from assistant chief highlights our commitment to cultivating talent from within,” County Administrator Mike Carballa said.  “His dedication to the community, combined with his leadership experience, make him an outstanding fit to guide Pasco County Fire Rescue forward. His vision for a strong foundation and team unity aligns with our mission to prioritize people, purpose and performance.”

Chief Guynn began his career at Pasco County Fire Rescue in 2003. He has risen through the ranks from firefighter, driver engineer, captain, division chief, deputy chief and assistant chief.

“Over the past two years, I’ve personally watched Chief Guynn grow professionally in his role as the assistant fire chief,” Assistant County Administrator J.J. Murphy said.  “I have zero doubts that Chief Guynn is ready to take the helm of the agency and move Pasco County Fire Rescue into its next chapter.”

DOVER – Bikes For Christ is preparing for another busy holiday season.

The need for bicycles becomes even greater around this time of year and Bikes For Christ needs help this Christmas season to continue supporting those less fortunate.

Bikes For Christ partners with over 100 organizations in the Tampa Bay area, providing bicycles as transportation for the clients these agencies serve. 

Its main focus is on veterans overcoming hardships, underprivileged children and individuals striving to escape poverty and challenging circumstances. 

Each bicycle is accompanied by a copy of the Gospel of John, reflecting the organization’s mission to share Christ’s love and care.

In addition to its ongoing holiday activities, Bikes For Christ has added a few events: 

• Ribbon Cutting: Bikes For Christ will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 14 to dedicate its new building at 2500 Al Simmons Road. facebook.com/share/17vBkETCq8/
• Bicycles and Holiday Bells Fundraising Event: Belleair Towers in Clearwater will host the Bicycles and Holiday Bells fundraiser. The family-friendly event includes a ride on the Pinellas Trail, pictures with Santa, refreshments, raffles and auctions. The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 7 at 1100 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Clearwater. www.eventbrite.com/e/bicycles-and-holiday-bells-tickets-1055289432099

This year, Bikes For Christ has received several accolades, including:

• Nonprofit of the Year – Valrico FishHawk Chamber.
• Finalist for Nonprofit of the Year – South Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

LAND O’ LAKES – School board members took turns Nov. 5 praising Kurt Browning for 12 years of leadership at Pasco County Schools. 

Browning was first elected as superintendent of schools in November 2012 and reelected in 2016 and 2020. He decided in 2022 not to seek a fourth term. Former Florida Sen. John Legg was elected superintendent on Nov. 5.

Nov. 18 will be Browning’s last day.

District 1 school board member Al Hernandez told Browning that he had shown “unwavering dedication and profound commitment” while serving as superintendent.

Hernandez, who was elected in 2022, also told Browning that all the things he had accomplished over the last 12 years should be celebrated. 

“He has stood as a beacon of resilience and vision,” Hernandez said. “We’ve come a long way in this last 12 years.”

District 3 representative Cynthia Armstrong said Browning was going to be missed. 

“We have been innovative and we have become a standout district, leading the way for many other districts in the state,” Armstrong said. 

District 2 representative Colleen Beaudoin spoke positively about both Browning and vice chairwoman Allison Crumbley, whose 14-year tenure on the board will end Nov. 19. Jessica Wright defeated Crumbley to claim the District 4 seat in the nonpartisan school board election in August. 

“I know how deeply you both care about our community and the countless hours you’ve spent advocating for championing public education locally and in Tallahassee,” Beaudoin said. 

Things that were added to the district during their tenure included the Cambridge, STEM and STEAM programs. After thanking the board members for their remarks, Browning looked back at some of the things that had been achieved over the past 12 years.

One of those was saving families millions of dollars in tuition charges because of opportunities in the district.

Browning said he never thought when he graduated from Pasco High School nearly 49 years ago that he would one day be superintendent of Pasco County Schools.

Browning added that he hadn’t considered running for a third term in 2020. However, Browning changed his mind  because he loved the job, the district’s staff and what had been accomplished during his tenure.

He credited the school board and the district’s staff with helping to make those things possible. 

“The superintendent is powerless without a great school board and just as importantly the superintendent is powerless without an incredible team that supports that superintendent,” Browning said. “After 12 years you really become a family and it’s hard to divorce yourself from people that you’ve worked with day in and day out.”

Makeup days picked for hurricanes Helene and Milton

Pasco County Schools will make up for instructional time lost to hurricanes Helene and Milton by operating on Jan. 29, Feb. 26, March 26 and April 30.

Assistant Superintendent Kevin Shibley told the school board Nov. 5 the four days would allow the district to meet the state minimum for instructional time. Those days would not interrupt other upcoming vacations and holidays.

The school board voted 4-1 on the plan. District 2 representative Colleen Beaudoin cast the dissenting vote because she thought more makeup days were needed. The district canceled two days ahead of Helene and seven days before and after Milton. She favored Feb. 14 and April 21 as additional makeup days. 

“I’m just having a hard time coming to terms with losing so much time,” Beaudoin said.

Other members were concerned about the number of days students had lost. However, they settled on the four dates after Assistant Superintendent Cortney Gantt told them too many employees wouldn’t be available on Feb. 14 and April 21.

“We believe we will have so many staff absences that it will become, for lack of a better term, babysitting,” Gantt said.

A similar situation could be avoided in the future, Shibley said, if the administration planned to place three-day weekends into the spring semester. Those could be converted into four-day weekends if makeup days were not needed, Sibley said.