Janet Link is Frist Humanitarian award winner
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has honored volunteer Janet Link with the Frist Humanitarian Award. Link has been a volunteer at RMCBP for more than 15 years. She leads the art group, and works with volunteers, food service staff and a schedule that is planned a year in advance. Link began her volunteer career more than 50 years ago in northern New Jersey in her children’s elementary, middle and high schools.
Prevent heat-related car deaths
Each year in the United States, an average of 38 children and hundreds of dogs die from hyperthermia (heatstroke) in hot cars.
At 70 degrees on a sunny day, a car can reach 100 degrees within 15 minutes. Body temperatures for children and dogs rise three to five times faster than an adult’s, and brain damage can occur in a matter of minutes.
Reduce the risk through A.C.T.:
- AVOID heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in the car, not even for a minute. Be sure to keep your car locked when you are not in it, so kids don’t climb in on their own.
- CREATE a reminder by putting something in the back of your car next to your child, such as a briefcase, a purse or a cellphone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you are not following your normal routine.
- TAKE ACTION. If you see a child or dog alone in a car, call 911 and stay with the victim. If help does not arrive quickly and you note signs of immediate distress such as lethargy, poor coloring or heavy breathing, engage witnesses and do what is necessary to ensure the victim’s safety.
NAMI support groups
The Pasco County Chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers two types of support group meetings every month.
NAMI Connections is a structured closed-group, open only to those with a mental illness diagnosis, for ages 18 and older, interested in the recovery process, sharing coping skills, and being with others who understand the daily challenges. This group is facilitated by trained peers. Meetings are as follows:
- every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., WellCare Office, Southgate Shopping Center, 5113 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey.
- the second and fourth Friday of every month from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel
- NAMI on campus, Pasco-Hernando State College students, Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., PHSC Building M, Room 176A, Stairwell
Family & Friends support meetings are for family and friends of those with mental illness. Meetings are as follows:
- the second and fourth Monday of each month from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54
- the first and third Thursday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, Shoreline Café, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson
- first and third Tuesday of every month from 7 p.m.to 8:30 p.m., at Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel.
For information on any of the support groups, call (727) 992-9653 or visit NamiPasco.org.
Preregister for maternity suites
Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville, is now accepting preregistrations to deliver at its new Maternity Suites at Oak Hill Hospital.
The suites include six labor and delivery suites, 10 postpartum recovery suites, two ante-partum labor suites, a Cesarean surgical suite, and a 12-position holding nursery for babies who need special monitoring or continuous observation.
To preregister, visit OakHillHospital.com/service/pre-register.
Seniors needed for memory performance classes
The University of South Florida Research Study PRO#19415 is looking for adults ages 60 to 80 for a study on the impact of piano training on cognitive performance and psychosocial well-being in older adults. USF has received support from the National Endowment for the Arts to provide seniors with free piano lessons or computer brain training to examine the effects on memory performance.
Classes meet twice a week for 90 minutes. The next training session will start Aug. 1. All materials, training and parking are free to participants.
Summer piano sessions also are open to adults ages 50 to 80 with a formal diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. To see if you qualify, contact Jennifer Bugos at (813) 517-9625 or .
Free neuropathy clinic
A free, volunteer-run clinic is open for the education and support of people who have been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy.
CARE TampaBay provides education and support in the following areas: coping with neuropathy, dealing with physical limitations, home safety, and symptom management. The clinic is available by appointment only, and is now taking appointments for June and July.
For more information and appointments, contact Cindy Tofthagen at (813) 396-9441 or .
Christmas in July donation drive
St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital’s “Christmas in July” donation drive will help provide entertainment and comfort to pediatric patients throughout the year.
To help make a difference:
- Brighten the spirits of hospitalized kids by donating a patient experience, activity or distraction item online at StJosephsChristmas.org. Monetary donations can be made in any denomination.
- Become an event sponsor. Sponsorships are available starting at $1,000.
- Start or join a “Christmas in July” team. Host an online fundraiser and enlist friends, family and coworkers to meet a goal. Fundraising ideas include bake sales, raffles, jeans day and walk/run/bike activities.
- Become a community partner by getting your customers involved through a donation of a percentage of sales, register campaigns and spirit nights.
- Drop off toys and donations in the circular drive in front of St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital during the “Christmas in July” event July 29 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For information, visit StJosephsChristmas.org, or call (813) 872-0979.
Hospital needs volunteers
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills needs volunteers to help its staff and doctors provide services. Volunteer positions cover a variety of disciplines, helping participants build unique skills and gain experience in a state-of-the-art health care facility.
Volunteer areas include clerical/administrative services escorting, kitchen duties, gift shop and patient services.
Time commitments begin at one four-hour shift per week, and volunteers must be 16 years of age and older.
Those interested can pick up an application at the hospital’s volunteer office or main desk, or go online to FloridaHospital.com/Zephyrhills/volunteer.
For information, call (813) 779-6256.
