Vipond to cover Medicare at conference
Betsy Vipond will be a guest speaker at the HR Florida Annual Conference on Aug. 31 at Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando. Vipond has 40 years of insurance experience working with group health insurance and Medicare. The topic of ‘Medicare in 60 Minutes’ will give a look at how Medicare interacts with group insurance, and advice on how to handle various scenarios where group health and Medicare converge. For information, visit HRFlorida.org/2016 Conference, or call Vipond at (800) 603-0901.
Hospital launches ER pledge
Bayfront Health Dade City has launched a 30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge, to assure patients it is dedicated to offering quality care, and providing that care efficiently and quickly.
When a patient enters the emergency room, the arrival time is noted. The pledge begins the minute a patient checks into the ER desk — that a medical professional will work diligently to see the patient within 30 minutes or less of their arrival time to begin evaluation and treatment.
The hospital records and monitors many ER indicators as part of its ongoing quality improvement efforts.
Frist Humanitarian award winner
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has honored Dr. Christine Behan with this year’s Physician Frist Humanitarian Award.
Behan has served in the community as a primary care physician for more than 20 years.
As chief of staff, Behan has addressed physician health issues, and through her efforts, the medical staff has policies in place to deal with issues such as burnout and depression.
Behan also has served as president of the Pasco County Medical Society, and is committed to the Good Samaritan Clinic that serves the medically needy in the county.
Hospital delivers 100th baby
The Maternity Suites at Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville, delivered its 100th baby on Aug. 10 at 1:48 p.m. The Maternity Suites announced its opening at the third floor North Tower on June 7, and has now delivered 100 babies in its first 64 days.
For information on the hospital, visit OakHillHospital.com.
Lutz man receives state recognition
Ronald Thiltgen, of Lutz, received the West Central Council Ombudsman of the Year Award form the State’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Thiltgen was recognized for his advocacy of long-term care residents in surrounding counties.
He became a state-certified volunteer in July 2013. Fellow ombudsmen describe Thiltgen as an excellent advocate who is “extremely patient, caring, and puts in extra effort to help residents,” according to a release. Thiltgen also takes on additional work, including helping others complete assignments or volunteering to mentor trainees.
For information on the Florida Ombudsman Program, call (888) 831-0404, or visit Ombudsman.MyFlorida.com.
New CFO joins hospital
Ryan Willis has joined Florida Hospital Zephyrhills as its chief financial officer, bringing with him years of progressively responsible experience within the Adventist Health System. Willis has been the assistant vice president of finance for Florida Hospital Tampa and Florida Hospital Connerton in Land O’ Lakes since 2014. He also has served as controller for the Florida Hospital Heartland Division in Sebring and decision support analyst manager/director for AHS’s Heartland Division. Willis started his career at FHZ in 2004 as a staff accountant with the Heartland Division.
