Excellence in Nursing awards
The Medical Center of Trinity has recognized two nurses who demonstrate excellence in professional mentoring and compassionate care.
Michelle Sparks, RN, received the Excellence in Nursing Professional Mentoring Award. Sparks has been employed at the hospital for four years, and has taken on the role of mentor and preceptor for 5 West Oncology.
Gregory Kennedy, RN, received the Excellence in Nursing Compassionate Care Award. Kennedy has been employed at the hospital for four years, and is the nursing manager for 2 West. His attention to detail, ability to empathize and genuine concern for those in his care are inherent to him.
New vice president of operations
Oak Hill Hospital has appointed Cathy Edmisten as its new vice president of operations, replacing Alejandro Romero, who has transferred to the Medical Center of Trinity.
Edmisten has a background in emergency services, nursing operations, nursing administration and nursing finance.
She has lived in Spring Hill for 30 years and has had a wide range of health care management positions, including assistant chief nursing officer at Oak Hill Hospital; chief nursing officer/director of clinical services at University Community Health Long Term Acute Care Hospital in Connerton; director of nursing support operations at University Community Hospital in Tampa; director of operations at Woodruff & Company in Brooksville; charge nurse at Oak Hill Hospital’s emergency department; and, 2010-2011 Kiwanis Club of Nature Coast president.
LifeLink board appointment
The LifeLink Legacy Fund, a nonprofit community service organization dedicated to the mission of the LifeLink Foundation, has announced Dr. Thomas C. Pearson as a new member to its Board of Directors.
Pearson, an Atlanta-based physician, is currently director of the Emory Transplant Center’s Kidney Transplant Program. He also is a professor of surgery for Emory University and an affiliate scientist at the Yerkes Division of Pathobiology and Immunobiology, both in Atlanta.
Pearson steps into the board position previously held by Dr. John Whelchel, who served with the Fund for five years.
Frist Humanitarian award
The Medical Center of Trinity has honored Lizette Otero, director of nursing for the Progressive Care Unit/Cardiovascular Care Unit, with the Frist Humanitarian Employee Award.
Otero has served at the hospital for more than a decade, and has been a member of the Women’s Orthopedic Global Outreach for four years. Otero also uses her vacation time for medical trips.
The Frist award, created in 1971, honors outstanding individuals for humanitarian and volunteer service. The award is named for Dr. Thomas Frist Sr., founder of HCA and renowned humanitarian.
Battle of the Belts award
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has awarded a $500 prize to the students at Ridgewood High School for the “most improved safety belt use” while driving in the “Battle of the Belts.”
The program, with partner Safe Kids of Pasco County, was initiated in an effort to change the statistics and increase seatbelt use.
There were several award categories such as highest seatbelt use, most improved seatbelt use, best school campaign, best public service announcement, best poster and best essay.
Nonprofit of the Year
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has been recognized as the 2017 Nonprofit of the Year in the crisis resources category, by the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
The Nonprofit of the Year awards recognize Tampa Bay nonprofit organizations in a number of categories, including arts, culture and humanities; crisis resources; education; and, environment and animals.
NAMI support meetings
The Pasco County Chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers two types of support group meetings every month.
The NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a structured closed group, open only to those with a mental illness diagnosis. The group is for individuals age 18 and older, who are interested in the recovery process, sharing coping skills and being with others who understand the daily challenges of living with a mental illness. The group is facilitated by trained peers.
The NAMI Family Support Group is for family members and caregivers of an adult with a mental illness diagnosis.
The support meetings cover all brain disorders including, but not limited to, OCD, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, multiple personalities and more.
For information, call (727) 992-9653, or visit NamiPasco.org.
