Muscular Dystrophy fundraiser
The offices of Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano will feature Pasco Fire Rescue’s annual “Fill the Boot” Drive as its charitable organization during the month of August. All proceeds from the campaign will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, a key organization supported by Pasco Fire Rescue/Pasco Firefighters Charities. Donations (“filling the boot”) can be made at any of the five tax collector locations in Pasco County or can be made online through Pasco TC Gives, at GovHub.com/fl-pasco/tc-gives/donate.
Zephyrhills hospital recognized
AdventHealth Zephyrhills has been recognized as a Maternal Levels of Care verified hospital by The Joint Commission through its collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and support from the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative, according to a news release.
The national verification is awarded to hospitals that meet comprehensive maternal standards of care based on guidelines established by ACOG that work to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.
To achieve the verification, AdventHealth Zephyrhills voluntarily went through a rigorous independent review to verify that it has the right staff, equipment, resources and processes in place to provide risk-appropriate maternal care. The process also includes a comprehensive on-site assessment, evaluation of maternal care capabilities and a policy compliance review, the release says.
The verification designated the Zephyrhills hospital as a Level I facility, which means it has demonstrated it can care for low to moderate-risk pregnancies, and detect, stabilize and initiate management of unanticipated maternal-fetal or neonatal challenges that occur throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period until the patient can be transferred to a facility where specialized maternity care is available.
New health institute on the horizon
Pasco-Hernando State College received $1.5 million in state appropriations to fund the establishment of the new Nursing and Allied Health Advancement Institute. The innovative and collaborative institute will address the well-documented allied health and nursing shortage in the state of Florida and can be used as a model nationwide, according to a news release.
“Well-trained nurses and medical staff are needed over the next several decades not only for our community, but for our entire state,” said Rep. Randy Maggard, in the release. “I was honored to sponsor this funding request for my alma mater, so that we can ensure our best and brightest have the opportunity to study nursing right here in our community. Through this program, these future nurses and medical professionals will have the tools they need to prevent a crisis level nursing shortage in the future.”
The institute will be housed at the college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel.
For more information on the Nursing and Allied Health Advancement Institute, call Lisa Richardson, vice president of advancement, innovation and strategic partnerships, at 727-816-3404.
Merger for families and kids
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and Success 4 Kids & Families announced the two organizations will merge operations. The projected date for the transition is Jan. 1 and programs run by Success 4 Kids & Families will be run by the Crisis Center as a core service area, according to a news release.
The Success nonprofit organization provides support and services for individuals and families coping with behavioral, emotional or mental health challenges.
The nonprofit Crisis Center operates a telephone contact center that answers seven crisis and community information lines; provides trauma counseling at three locations through teletherapy; serves as Hillsborough County’s certified rape crisis center; and operates TransCare Medical Transportation.
“I am thrilled that the quality programs that Success 4 Kids & Families has operated for years are going to continue to flourish with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. This merger complements the strengths of both agencies. Our clients and stakeholders can expect a seamless transition so they can continue to receive the same care and service they have received in the past,” said Pam Jeffre, executive director, Success 4 Kids & Families, in the release.
