Vaccines for seniors
At this time, AdventHealth is not providing vaccines to the general public, including those age 65 and older, at any hospital, AdventHealth Centra Care or AdventHealth Medical Group practices, according to a Dec. 30 news release.
AdventHealth has vaccinated more than 4,000 West Florida team members to date. Vaccinations for frontline AdventHealth team members are underway at the hospital locations in Carrollwood, Connerton, Dade City, Lake Placid, North Pinellas, Ocala, Sebring, Tampa, Wauchula, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills.
All information on vaccine distribution for the public will be posted online at CoronavirusVaccineFacts.com.
Those interested can go to CoronavirusVaccineAlerts.com, to sign up for email updates on when vaccines will be available from AdventHealth.
Credit union donation
Suncoast Credit Union will donate $550,000 to hunger and mental health organizations throughout Florida that have seen increased needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release.
Food organizations across the state have been severely impacted by COVID-19. Organizations that will benefit from this round of funding include Meals of Hopes, United Food Bank of Plant City and the Harry Chapin Food Bank, all three of which have seen a 50% increase in demand this year.
The credit union will donate $385,000 to food organizations to combat the needs. The funds will enable the organizations to purchase food, help reduce operational costs, support in-school programs (hot breakfast and lunches, weekend meals), and fill emergency food pantries.
Mental health also has been significantly impacted by COVID-19 and Suncoast will contribute $165,000 to 11 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) affiliates throughout Florida.
The donation is the second of its kind this year for Suncoast, following its $1 million donation to hunger, health care and educational organizations for COVID-19 relief efforts this past May.
Nurse manager honored
Kimberly Demers, nurse manager of the Emergency Department at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz, has been honored with the Patriot Award from the Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program.
The award recognizes Demers’ support of her employee’s participation in the National Guard and Reserve.
According to the ESGR website and a news release, the Patriot Award reflects an employer’s “….efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures, including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed.”
Health and safety plan
Amalie Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, unveiled a comprehensive, world-class health and safety management plan, which features extensive measures aimed at reopening the facility in a responsible manner.
In recognition of the organization’s work, it has become one of the first in professional sports to earn dual certification from both the International WELL Building Institute and the Global Biorisk Advisory Council for excellence in COVID-19 safety preparedness and protocols, according to a news release.
Amalie has addressed several key areas, including cleaning and sanitization processes and procedures; emergency preparedness programs; health service resources; and, air and water quality management, technology and innovation.
The efforts have been part of a comprehensive overall plan, devised in conjunction with local health care and government officials, to ensure a safe and healthy reopening of the facility for fans and staff.
Following a controlled query entry into the arena, fans will notice increased measures to promote physical distancing, including at all gates, concessions and restrooms.
Concession and retail stands will be cashless and contactless, with plexiglass barriers.
A total of 220 wall and freestanding hand sanitizing stations have been installed throughout the facility, and team members will increase the frequency of cleaning and sanitation in all areas being used, with an emphasis on seats, handrails and bathrooms.
Other safety measures include:
- Extensive signage
- Physical distancing measures
- Ultraviolet disinfectant lights above handrails at escalator locations
- Elevator occupancy limit
- Mobile ticketing
- Cashless, contactless parking lots
- Face covering (over the nose and mouth) requirement in all the areas of the arena, except when eating or drinking
Two campaigns, “Wear Your Mask” and “How We Play It Safe” have been established to help protect fans.
Gulfside fundraisers
Due to the current pandemic, the third annual Charity Casino Night to benefit Gulfside Hospice has been rescheduled to Jan. 30, at the Heritage Springs Golf & Country Club in Trinity.
All proceeds will provide patient care and bereavement support in Pasco County through Gulfside.
For tickets and sponsorship information, visit CharityCasinoNight.org.
Also, due to the ongoing health and safety challenges, Gulfside postponed The Candace Glewen Charity Fashion Show, originally scheduled for Dec. 3.
The fundraiser was to bring people together in honor of Candace Glewen, a longtime board member of Gulfside Hospice until her recent passing, and to support the patients and families served by Gulfside.
Instead of a winter-themed fashion show, the event will now feature the latest 2021 spring looks on May 4, at Spartan Manor in New Port Richey.
