New leader named
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz has named Dr. Christopher Bucciarelli its new vice president (VP) and chief medical officer (CMO).
Dr. Bucciarelli also has been the CMO at St. Joseph’s Hospital-South in Riverview since August, and will continue in that role.
He succeeds Dr. Mark Vaaler, who has been the Lutz hospital’s VP/CMO since its opening in February 2010 and who currently is the first CMO of BayCare Hospital-Wesley Chapel, scheduled to open in 2023.
Dr. Bucciarelli will assist St. Joseph’s Hospital-North doctors in providing safe, effective medical care.
His responsibilities include training new physicians on the hospital’s policies and keeping staff current on health regulations. He also will provide clinical oversight to physicians, ensure regulatory compliance and evaluate quality of services.
Dr. Bucciarelli in addition will represent the hospital at BayCare and community meetings.
Medicare celebrates 57 years
July marks the 57th anniversary of Medicare, when Congress created Medicare in 1965 as Title XVIII of the Social Security Act under then President Lyndon Johnson, according to a news release.
Medicare became effective July 1, 1966, and is the nation’s most extensive health insurance program covering nearly 50 million Americans, the release said.
If you are eligible for Medicare at age 65, your initial enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after that birthday.
The SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) program of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, operated through the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, offers specially trained volunteers to assist with Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance questions.
SHINE also provides one-on-one counseling and information.
The program’s Senior Medicare Patrols empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers, to prevent, detect and report health care fraud, errors and abuse, through outreach, counseling and education.
Individuals can schedule appointments at designated SHINE counseling sites or arrange to speak with a trained counselor by calling 800-963-5337.
For a list of SHINE counseling sites and upcoming enrollment events, visit FloridaShine.org.
