The Laker/Lutz News

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Retired police officer receives mortgage-free home

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Christopher LaFramboise and his family join a community of heroes that are working to reclaim their independence after injuries. Photo courtesy of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation

LAND O’ LAKES – The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was scheduled to welcome Christopher LaFramboise and his family on Aug. 7 into a new mortgage-free smart home in the Let Us Do Good Village.

LaFramboise medically retired in October 2024 as master police officer after 16 years with the Tampa Police Department. He previously worked with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office for 13 years. 

“I have lived and served in the Tampa Bay area my entire life,” LaFramboise said. “I am thrilled and honored to be the first local first responder to join the Let Us Do Good Village.”

His career has spanned many different departments within the police force. One of the highlights was as a narcotics detective and a crisis negotiator, where he maintained a perfect success rate. He felt especially called to support veterans, active-duty military and fellow first responders navigating moments of personal crisis.

“Throughout 29 years of police work, there were a lot of highs and lows, along with dangerous situations, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing,” LaFramboise said. “All of the challenges and triumphs have taught me resilience and empathy. It wasn’t always easy, but each moment contributed to who I became. I enjoyed living the life of public service.”

LaFramboise suffered a life-altering stroke while on duty Aug. 15, 2022. He suffered two more within the next 30 days. The trauma left him with cognitive and processing difficulties, short-term memory loss and issues with gait and mobility. Ongoing occupational, physical and speech therapy has become part of his new routine.

“It has been very difficult coming to terms with my career ending in a different direction than I imagined,” LaFramboise said. “It has been hard having to lean on my family with my everyday care.”

LaFramboise and his wife, Trish, are excited to begin their new adventure in the Let Us Do Good Village.  The family has already met many of their neighbors and has attended other dedication ceremonies throughout the year.

The Tunnel to Towers Smart Home Program builds specially adapted, mortgage-free smart homes or renovates existing homes to help injured veterans and first responders reclaim their day-to-day independence.

These homes feature zero thresholds, motorized doors and keyless entry for easier access. The homes’ lights, temperature, security and sound system can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app or touch screens throughout the house. Wide doors, hallways and bathrooms are designed for easy navigation.

Visit T2T.org for more information and to support the foundation’s mission.

Chalk Talk (8/6/25): Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

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Saint Leo grad heading to Italy 

Paul Vitaliti has made the most of his time at Saint Leo University, having graduated summa cum laude to being admitted to a global arts management program in Milan, Italy, 

A 2025 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in theater, Vitaliti also completed minors in English and art, and was an active member of the Honors Program. He’ll continue his studies through the Global Master in Performing Arts Management at Politecnico Milano, in collaboration with the renowned Teatro alla Scala and Teatro Piccolo.

At Saint Leo, Vitaliti served as president of Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honor Society and founded the Italian Trivia and Language Intracultural Association. He was involved in University Ministry, LEAD Scholars and multiple honor societies. As a resident assistant, he was named RA of the Year and received the Student Affairs core value award for personal development.

His senior Honors project, The Backstage Pass, included writing, producing and directing the original play “The Circus Comes to Town.” 

Vitaliti credits Saint Leo for helping him grow as a leader and artist. 

“My favorite memories revolve around how much of an impact I’ve been able to make,” he said.

 

Saint Leo appoints board leadership

ST. LEO – The Saint Leo University board of trustees announced new board officer appointments.

Noel Boeke, a partner at the law firm Holland & Knight, will lead the 27-member board as chair. He has served on the board since 2010.

Iskra Sbraccia, head of sanctions screening operations at Google in Chicago and CEO of I Am Spark in Tampa, will serve as vice chair. Sbraccia has served on the board since 2021 and is a past president of the Saint Leo University Alumni Association.

Thamir A.R. Kaddouri Jr., managing partner at TAMPALAW, will serve as secretary. Kaddouri is a past president of its alumni association.

“Their professional expertise and long history of serving the university will allow us to quickly make strides forward to support our students and community in new and greater ways,” said James DeTuccio, interim chief operating officer and chief financial officer. .

 

Governor announces Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

PANAMA CITY BEACH – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the return of Florida’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, which will run from Aug. 1 to 31, giving families a full month of savings on essential school supplies.

The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday includes exemptions for:

  • School supplies selling for $50 or less: Binders, Lunch boxes, Notebooks, Pens and pencils
  • Clothing, footwear, and apparel priced at $100 or less: Backpacks, Pants, Shoes, Shirts and Sweaters.
  • Learning aids selling for $30 or less: Flashcards, Interactive Books and Puzzles.
  • Personal computers and accessories priced at $1,500 or less (for noncommercial home or personal use): Flash drives, headphones, Laptops and Printers.

“By cutting taxes, empowering parents, and growing our economy, we’re making it easier for people to live, work, and thrive in the Free State of Florida,” DeSantis said. 

Visit FloridaRevenue.com/BackToSchool for more information and to view lists of qualifying items.

 

Student Achievements

  • Ronak Agarwal, of Tampa, earned the distinction of Faculty Honors for the spring semester at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. Agarwal earned a 4.0 academic average for the semester. 
  • Rebecca Bach, of Lutz, graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude in the Honors College at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. Bach earned a GPA of at least 3.5 to graduate with honors.
  • Leroy Forbes, of Lutz, earned an Associate of Arts from the University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphi, Maryland.
  • Jalen Stevens, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Technology from the University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphi, Maryland. Stevens graduated Summa Cum Laude and made the President’s List

 

Protecting those who protect us

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Officers from multiple jurisdictions graduate from a certificate program at St. Petersburg College that is focused on mental health. Photo courtesy of Pepin Family Foundation

ST. PETERSBURG – More police officers die by suicide than in the line of duty. Behind the badge, many carry invisible wounds and far too often suffer in silence. A growing movement in Tampa Bay is changing that.

Law enforcement officers from around Tampa Bay walked across the stage July 28 as the second graduating class of the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association Applied Mental Health Advanced Technical Certificate for First Responders program at St. Petersburg College. 

This year’s class includes graduates from the St. Petersburg, Tampa, Largo and Bradenton police departments. 

Each graduate is driven by personal experiences:

  • Detective Stephanie Blitz, Largo PD: A seasoned hostage negotiator, found herself in an unimaginable position when her husband was involved in an officer-involved shooting and she had to negotiate the scene. She says it highlights the importance of support after critical incidents for officers and their families.
  • Officer Angie Torres, TPD: A U.S. Marine Corps veteran now serving in the department’s behavioral health unit, she is passionate about expanding wellness resources for officers. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in counseling to further support her fellow officers and military veterans.
  • Retired Captain David DiSano, Tampa International Airport: Enrolled in the program in memory of several friends and co-workers he lost to suicide.

The certificate program was developed to expand on the mental health resources offered by local law enforcement agencies. It was a brainchild of Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association President Jonathan Vazquez and Executive Director/General Counsel Sasha Lohn, based on their experiences supporting officers facing mental health challenges. 

Vazquez said you go to war with an expectation that people may die but he didn’t expect how many of his peers would return home safe only to later die by suicide. 

“Law enforcement culture is a lot like military culture,” Vazquez said. “We need to talk about the hard things we see, hear, smell. We need to help each other.”

With legislative support from Florida Rep. Linda Chaney and Sen. Ed Hooper, the college developed and implemented the academic pathway, prioritizing the mental health needs of law enforcement officers. 

Tuition for the six specialized courses in this three-semester program is fully funded thanks to this partnership and the continued support of the Pepin Family Foundation and Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Foundation.

 “Officers are trained to respond in crisis, but too often, they’re expected to carry that weight alone,” said Tina Pepin, executive director of the Pepin Family Foundation. “We believe when officers are educated and trained in mental and physical resilience, they’re better prepared to care for themselves, their families, and the people they serve. This program is already improving lives across Tampa Bay.”

Greg Mertz, president of the  Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Foundation, said each officer that completes this program is helping shift the culture of law enforcement. 

“This is how we stop trauma, burnout and suicide from spiraling,” Mertz said. “This is how we protect the people who protect us.”

This fall, the cohort plans to share what they’ve learned by distributing a custom challenge coin to first responders in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Manatee counties. The front of the coin reads “First to Respond, Last to Ask for Help” with “We Fight as a Family, You are Never Alone” on the back. Each coin will be accompanied by a card and QR code linking to a vetted list of mental health resources specifically for first responders. A $5,000 donation from the Pepin Family Foundation is helping expand the reach of this initiative.

News Briefs (7/30/25): Pasco County hosts 4-H open house

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LUTZ – The Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s club attended a recent Habitat for Humanity home dedication. The club provided the family with a housewarming gift to include a fire extinguisher, fire blanket, books and a water filtration system. Pictured from left are Nancy Branham, Melba Pineiro, Jan King, Gail Howard and Shirley Simmons. Photo courtesy of Pennee Bowen

 

23 Habitat homes coming to Brandon neighborhood

BRANDON – Habitat for Humanity and Hillsborough County was scheduled to celebrate the groundbreaking for a 23-home affordable community in Brandon on July 23. 

One of the new single-family homes will be for a woman and her family who lost nearly everything during Hurricane Milton last year.

All of the homes in Windhorst Commons, 205 W. Windhorst Road, will include hurricane shutters. The neighborhood is targeted at those with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income.

Hillsborough County contributed $1.4 million toward home construction in Windhorst Commons, plus another $600,000 for infrastructure costs.

 

Pasco County hosts open house for 4H program

PASCO COUNTY – Pasco County Cooperative Extension invites the community to a 4-H Open House to showcase the program’s fun, hands-on experiences.  

It’s a great way to connect with fellow Pasco County 4-H kids and the leaders who help make it all happen.

The 4-H Program open house takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County Office, 36702 County Road 52, Dade City.

4-H members work with adult volunteers to complete projects, community service, camps and workshops in areas such as leadership and citizenship, environmental science, animal science, shooting sports, plants and gardening, food and nutrition, and community service.

Email for more information or to join a club.

 

Pasco to resume fees for storm-related permits

PASCO COUNTY – If you still need permits for damage related to hurricanes Helene or Milton, act fast. Pasco County property owners can save money on permit applications while fees are still waived, but you must apply by July 31.

With the 2025 hurricane season underway and last season’s recovery efforts progressing across the county, permitting fees will resume on Aug. 1 to support ongoing services. Pasco has so far waived approximately $3 million in storm-related permitting fees after last fall’s hurricanes caused billions of dollars in property damage.

To help you take advantage of zero fees on required storm-related permits, Pasco’s Building Construction Services team has permitting technicians ready to assist with your applications. To avoid fees, be sure to complete your forms properly before Aug. 1.  

Apply for your permits online at PascoGateway: https://aca-prod.accela.com/pasco/Default.aspx.

 

Veterans help veterans with donation

TAMPA – Joel Markman, CEO of Florida Veterans Assistance Association Inc., made a donation of needed supplies to Liberty Manor for Veterans. 

Florida Veterans Assistance Association Inc. collects veteran donations and distributes resources for veterans in the Tampa area.  The charity has been helping veterans since 1996.  It also hosts a holiday food basket program in which volunteers offer baskets of food to veterans so they can feed their families. Additionally, veterans have access to food certificates from various grocery stores and cash grants to VA hospitals in Florida. These cash grants help veterans pay for necessary medical equipment.

Liberty Manor for Veterans promotes the developmental and social needs of disabled and honorably discharged veterans who have fallen victim to homelessness. The nonprofit has transitioned over 1,000 veterans since 2016. Contact Connie Lindsay at 813-900-9422 for more information.

On the web: libertymanor.org

 

Florida Aquarium to open new exhibit Aug. 1

TAMPA – The Florida Aquarium is rolling out The Tide Pool, a new hands-on exhibit that brings the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest coast to downtown Tampa.

Opening to the public on Aug. 1, The Tide Pool is one of the only cold-water touch habitats on Florida’s west coast, quadrupling the number of animals from the previous touch experience. 

Guests will be able to connect with more than 200 marine invertebrates, from colorful sea stars to purple urchins, in a 60-foot habitat featuring crashing surf sounds, wave motion and a day-to-night light display.

“The Tide Pool offers a multi-sensory, up-close experience that connects our guests with marine life like never before,” said Roger Germann, president and CEO of The Florida Aquarium. 

Presented by Robert R. Sharp & Family and Marvin L. & Betsy Holloway, The Tide Pool marks the second major milestone in the aquarium’s multi-year expansion. The project continues with the arrival of puffins in 2026 and a new California sea lion habitat in 2027 along with a new habitat for the aquarium’s African penguins.

Buy tickets at flaquarium.org.

Finalists named for Pasco EDC 37th Annual Awards 

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PASCO COUNTY – For more than 30 years, Pasco Economic Development Council has been recognizing companies for achieving outstanding growth. That tradition will continue with the upcoming 37th Annual Awards.

The event is regarded as one of Pasco County’s premier business events, attracting over 400 business and community leaders in Pasco County and the Tampa Bay region. 

The awards committee has interviewed all finalists who have demonstrated innovation, economic growth and significant community impact from January 2024 to March 2025.

This year’s finalists include:

  • Abreu Environmental LLC
  • Amerikey Locksmith LLC
  • Athenaeum Brews LLC
  • Dre’s Island Food Services LLC
  • Escape Brewing Company
  • Florida Design Consultants Inc.
  • General Cabinets
  • Merrell Bros. Inc.
  • Mettler Toledo Product Inspection Division
  • Pasco News Media Group LLC
  • Southlake Signs Tampa Inc.
  • Thirsty Buffalo Brew Factory
  • Ultimate 3D Printing Store Services
  • Xgenex Labs LLC

In addition to the business awards, the Pasco EDC Policy Council chooses an person who has made an exceptional impact in economic development and the Pasco community to honor with the Leadership Award. 

This year, the policy council has chosen to honor Dewey Mitchell with Berkshire Hathaway Properties. Mitchell is an entrepreneur, real estate mogul, Olympian, servant community leader and family man.

“We are looking forward to honoring these Pasco County companies and Dewey Mitchell for their achievements at our upcoming event,” said Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC president/CEO. “Their contribution to the overall economic growth of the community deserves to be recognized.”

The Pasco EDC 37th Annual Awards will take place Sept. 4 at Saddlebrook Resort. The event includes dinner and a trade show, which was revived after a five-year pause. 

AdventHealth is the presenting sponsor. Greater Tampa Realtors is the finalist reception sponsor.

 

Health & Wellness (7/16/25): Bond Clinic now part of AdventHealth

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Bond Clinic is now part of AdventHealth

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS – Bond Clinic, a physician group of more than 90 providers encompassing 28 specialties serving Winter Haven and the surrounding Florida communities, has officially joined AdventHealth. 

AdventHealth has purchased Bond Clinic’s assets and care sites throughout Polk County.

“Bond Clinic has a 75-year legacy of personalized, community-based care,” said Jennifer Snider, president/CEO for AdventHealth Medical Group West Florida Division. “Together, we will continue to provide exceptional care to Polk County.”

 

American Lung Association releases educational series

FORT LAUDERDALE – A three-part series focused on the prevention of lung disease and advancements in lung health is now available on demand. 

The American Lung Association in Florida recognizes Memorial Healthcare System for its partnership on the South Florida Community Connections speaker series.

Each event featured a Memorial expert leading an interactive conversation on an in-demand subject, from the latest in lung cancer diagnostics and care to addressing teen vaping.

Two installments of South Florida Community Connections are available at https://www.youtube.com/@americanlungassociation.

 

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North offers babysitting class

LUTZ – St. Joseph’s Hospital-North is hosting a Safe Sitter With CPR class to help adolescents ages 11 and older learn the responsibilities of a babysitter. 

The $60 class takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 4 at the hospital, 4211 Van Dyke Road.

The class includes learning about minor to emergency situations, injury prevention, infant/child choking rescue, non-certifying CPR training, safety concerns, appropriate behaviors and activities for children of all ages and how to manage a babysitting business.

Register by visiting BayCareEvents.org or calling 855-314-8352.

The class is through the hospital’s partnership with the BayCare Kids Wellness and Safety Center and St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.

Call the BayCare Kids Wellness and Safety Center at 813-615-0589 for details on the class.

Business Digest (7/16/25): MyPasco.net wins award

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MyPasco.net wins award

NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco County received Gold-level recognition in the Horizon Interactive Awards.

MyPasco.net offers real-time updates, essential resources and emergency preparedness guidance.

The award submission highlighted several innovative features, including an interactive pop-up, which provides critical information during emergencies.

“This award reflects the dedication and innovation of our media relations and communications team,” said Media Relations & Communications Director Tambrey Laine. “We put a lot of thought into building a website with you in mind – designing MyPasco.net to be intuitive and to help you easily find the information you need, especially during emergencies.”

On the web: MyPasco.net

 

Hooters opens new location  

THE VILLAGES – The first Hooters location in The Villages celebrated its grand opening July 7 at the Lake Deaton Plaza (700 Kristine Way).  

More than 70 employees have been hired for the location, which is 4,500 square feet inside and includes an outdoor patio. The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“The residents of the Villages have asked for Hooters, and we are excited to open our doors,” HMC Hospitality Group CEO Neil Kiefer said. “We look forward to serving great food in a fun atmosphere and being a part of The Villages community.”

 In addition to The Villages restaurant, HMC Hospitality Group plans to expand with a Hooters location in Wesley Chapel with the anticipated opening this fall.

 

Greater Pasco events

NEW PORT RICHEY – Greater Pasco Chamber members will host a women’s networking opportunity and a brochure exchange.

  • The Professional Women in Business group meets for networking from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 16 at HCA Florida Hospital Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, Trinity. Members pay $12. Others pay $15. Register in advance.
  • Members exchange company literature during Trinity Brochure Exchange from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 17 at Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd., Trinity. Register in advance. 

Visit greaterpasco.com for details about the chamber and events. 

 

East Pasco events

DADE CITY – East Pasco Chamber members will host Coffee & Networking events.

  • Members meet up for Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. July 18 at the chamber’s Zephyrhills location, 38550 5th Ave., or 8 to 9 a.m. July 22 at the chamber’s Dade City location, 14112 8th St. Register in advance. 

Visit eastpascochamber.org for details about the chamber and events. 

 

Chalk Talk (7/16/25): Pasco Education Foundation makes an impact

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Pasco Education Foundation makes an impact

LAND O’ LAKES – School board member Al Hernandez shared some highlights of how the Pasco Education Foundation is working on behalf of students and the community.

Hernandez expressed gratitude for these recent accomplishments: 

  • The foundation provided nearly $25,000 this year to support the Energy & Marine Center, helping more than 540 Title I students attend PEACE Camp this summer. 
  • The foundation’s Wise Supplies center gave out free supplies, impacting 1,600 teachers and 32,000 students at 97 schools during the 2024-25 school year.
  • The foundation awarded $428,000 in scholarships to nearly 200 graduating seniors.

 

Tax offices accept supplies

TAMPA – The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office is supporting the Hillsborough Education Foundation by hosting a school supply drive throughout July. 

All Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s offices will serve as donation drop-off locations, collecting school supplies that will be distributed through the foundation’s Teaching Tools Store. The store provides free supplies to teachers. 

“Every student deserves to walk into their classroom on the first day of school feeling prepared and confident,” said Nancy Millan, tax collector. 

Last year’s drive resulted in over 27,000 donated items.

Most needed items include pencils, pens, crayons, markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, scissors, hand sanitizer, tissues, notebooks, composition books, folders, binders and backpacks.

Visit hillstaxfl.gov for locations. 

 

36 excel on Cambridge exam

LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco County Schools recognized 36 students July 8 from Anclote, Hudson and Pasco high schools that received Cambridge Learner Awards from Cambridge International Education and Cambridge University Press and Assessment.

Students earned the honor for how well they did in the June 2024 Cambridge exams, according to Sarah Dufresne, supervisor of magnet schools and programs 

Natalia Mouton, of Hudson High School, scored an A on three Cambridge exams to earn the Cambridge Scholar Award for Distinction. 

Another seven students earned the Cambridge Scholar Award with Merit by scoring a B or higher on three exams. Twenty-eight students won the Cambridge Scholar Award by scoring a C or higher on three exams.

 

Tutors receive kudos

LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco County Schools recognized high school tutors from the RAISE High School Tutoring Program.

Heather Rulison, coordinator for advanced and enriched programs, said RAISE “pairs high school juniors and seniors with kindergarten through third grade students to improve literacy skills and foster a love for reading.”

Tutors not only earn high school credits but also earn a paycheck. 

The district recognized several students July 8 for earning New World Scholar designation for dedicating at least 75 hours to tutoring. Rulison said many of them exceed 200 hours. 

 

USEP boss: ‘We are united’

LAND O’ LAKES – Instructional employees voted to continue having the United School Employees of Pasco represent their interests as a bargaining agent.

Votes were tallied June 27, revealing 98.2% favored USEP, according to President Jeff Larsen. 

“We are certainly pleased but honestly not that surprised by this result,” Larsen said. “We are united. This result simply means that we’ll continue to do what we do. As a united group, we will continue to collectively advocate for better working conditions, benefits and compensation.”

School-related personnel will go through their own voting process.

 

Student achievements

  • David Alejandro Jr., of Land O’ Lakes, made the spring dean’s list at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, for earning a 3.5 GPA or higher. This is the second consecutive semester that the football player has made the list. 
  • Kalani Martin, of Wesley Chapel, graduated with a Doctor of Medical Science degree from the College of Health Professions at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.
  • Jett Ellen Odom, of Land O’ Lakes,  earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas.

 

Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club helps celebrate July 4

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From patriotic floats and neighborhood pride, the 4th of July Celebration and Parade continues to be a cherished event that reflects the spirit and unity of Lutz. Pictured are Linda Urban, Georgiann Frey, Becky Jenkins and Jennifer Rankin. Photos courtesy of Pennee Bowen

LUTZ – The Lutz community came together in patriotic spirit to celebrate another 4th of July Celebration and Parade, sponsored by the Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club and supported by the Lutz Civic Association, Boy Scout Troop 12, Civil Air Patrol, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Lutz Fire Department.

The day started with the annual 5k and 1 mile Fun Run prior to the parade. The Results of the annual Lutz Guv’na race were announced with Becky Jenkins winning the title by collecting the most donations. The three candidates broke the record for the highest dollar amount in Guv’na race history to make the Lutz community the real winner of the day. All the money goes to nonprofits serving Lutz.

Linda Mitchell, Sue Chase, Shirley Wilhite, Pennee Bowen, Aniko Solomson and Dee Knerr

The event also included vendors, food trucks and a food tent run by Boy Scout Troop 12.

The day ended with the annual cake auction. The cakes were donated by community members and were judged in several categories and age groups. After the awards were given, the cakes were auctioned to the highest bidder.

On the web: lutzlandolakeswomansclub.org 

 

New NICU will feature couplet care rooms

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LUTZ – St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz will open a $2 million, 5,431-square-foot, eight-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on July 15 with “couplet care” rooms. 

The NICU will have two private couplet care rooms, each measuring 525 square feet, where mothers and babies are cared for together. Normally, mothers and babies are separated when babies need to go to the NICU. 

Clearwater’s Morton Plant Hospital recently started couplet care in its NICU.

“Morton Plant Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital-North are the first in the Tampa Bay area to have NICU couplet rooms, and to the best of my knowledge, the first in the state of Florida,”  said Charles Ennis, a BayCare patient services director overseeing several of the health system’s NICUs.  

Ennis noted staffing and physical facility logistics are reasons why NICU couplet rooms are not common.

“Speaking as both a mom and a doctor, it’s a stressful situation for your new baby to require intensive care, but even harder to deal with while you yourself are trying to recover from giving birth,” said Dr. Alisa Pierce-Kee, a BayCare Medical Group pediatrician in Lutz. “It’s emotionally challenging to have your baby out of your sight when you know they are sick. Couplet rooms are so important, to allow the parents respite, and to allow the mother to heal, while seeing with her own eyes that her newborn is getting the best care possible. I’m really proud that our hospital is such a pioneer in this kind of forward-thinking care.”

The NICU will provide specialized 24/7 care for babies born prematurely, underweight or with special health needs and requirements such as IVs, respiratory therapy or other therapies. The Level II NICU will be staffed by neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners and experienced neonatal nurses. The NICU will supplement St. Joseph’s Hospital-North’s existing labor and delivery and Mom & Baby maternity services. St. Joseph’s Hospital-North’s NICU location is adjacent to the hospital’s Mom & Baby unit and is converted from a space that formerly housed adult medical and surgical patient rooms.

The other NICU rooms that are not couplet care are private for one baby. The private NICU rooms, measuring 280 square feet each, include sleeping accommodations, a bathroom and shower for a parent or another loved one to stay overnight with the baby.

“We’ve seen nationally that birth rates are going down but the needs for NICU beds are increasing,” said Sara Dodds, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North president. “We know that some of that is due to women having babies later in life and women also dealing with more medical issues. We are giving local moms an option to deliver close to home with the availability of a NICU.”

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North’s Level II NICU can stabilize a baby’s condition and arrange for transport to Tampa’s St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Level IV NICU if a higher level of care is needed. A Level IV NICU provides the highest level of care.

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North will have BayCare’s sixth NICU.  In addition to St. Joseph’s Hospital-North and previously mentioned St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, BayCare has NICUs at Safety Harbor’s Mease Countryside Hospital (Level III), Clearwater’s Morton Plant Hospital (Level II), Riverview’s St. Joseph’s Hospital-South (Level II) and Winter Haven Women’s Hospital (Level II).  Plant City’s South Florida Baptist Hospital is also adding a Level II NICU later this year.

The addition of the NICU at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North is part of the BayCare Kids continuum of care from infancy to adolescence.