Officer is Woman of the Year
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) announced that Capt. Toni Roach, who oversees PSO’s Behavioral Health Intervention Team (BHIT), was selected as Tampa Bay Business and Wealth Magazine’s Tampa Bay Business Woman of the Year for 2023 in the Military and First Responder category.
The BHIT works to connect individuals who are frequent users of emergency services due to mental health or substance-use conditions with community-based services.
Capt. Roach also oversees Crisis Intervention Training for PSO deputies, which provides the officers with skills they can use on a call for service to help those experiencing a crisis.
Read more about the award, at tinyurl.com/y5bv87uv.
Nurses Week
AdventHealth celebrated Nurses Week (May 6 to May 12) with a variety of events and activities to recognize nurses’ roles in health care, and to give them an opportunity to relax, rejuvenate and feel appreciated. This year, the theme was “Nurses Make a Difference: Anytime, Anywhere – Always.”
Events included educational seminars, appreciation luncheons, massages, ice cream socials, pet therapy, games, food trucks, and more.
AdventHealth is committed to investing in its nurses and providing them with the resources and support they need to fulfill their professional and personal goals, including opportunities with AdventHealth University. Nurses are encouraged to continue their education and pursue advanced degrees, certifications, and other professional development programs.
For more information, visit AdventHealth.com.
Mental Health Month
NAMI Pasco County (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month with these events:
- NAMI Walks Pasco is scheduled for May 20 at Safety Town in Shady Hills, to help break the stigma, raise funds and spread awareness. NAMI Heroes of Hope award winners will be announced and honored at the event. There also will be a kids’ area, stories of hope, games and more. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. Registration is required at NamiWalks.org/pasco.
- Empowered Well-Being takes participants on a yearlong, whole-bodied, wellness journey that includes one-on-one coaching and four group meetings a month. Topics include nutrition, exercise, community, savings, coping skills and more. The next group starts in June. For more information, email .
Upcoming awareness weeks/days include:
- Mental Health Action Day, May 18
- National EMS Awareness Week, May 21 to May 27
- World Schizophrenia Awareness Day, May 24
For more information, follow NAMI Pasco on Facebook, or visit NAMIPasco.org.
Hospitals earn an A
Two area hospitals have earned an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, according to a news release.
This national distinction recognizes a hospital’s achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error in the hospital.
The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.
Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
HCA Florida Trinity Hospital, 9330 State Road 54 in Trinity, received the top safety grade.
“We are grateful to again receive this recognition,” said Mike Irvin, CEO of HCA Florida Trinity Hospital, in a news release.
“This recognizes all of the efforts our physicians and caregivers do every day to provide a safe environment for our patients,” said Irvin.
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, 4211 Van Dyke Road, Lutz, also was awarded an A.
The hospital’s president, Sara Dodds, stated in a news release, “…Patient safety is the highest of our priorities and goals. Each team member and medical staff member takes ownership of their patient care responsibilities as it relates to safety. Patients and visitors to our hospital can be assured we have taken exhaustive measures to provide quality and safe care. These consecutive grades of ‘A’ are indicators of that.”
To see the hospital’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.
