Going above and beyond
The NAMI Pasco County affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness hosted the 10th annual MIAW (Mental Illness Awareness Week) banquet and presented awards to those in the community that have gone above and beyond to help those with mental illness. From left: Kayla Kuni, NAMI Pasco; Congressman Gus Bilirakis, legislator of the year; Terry Thompson, provider of the year; Vickey Polanis, advocate of the year; Elizabeth Rhodes, Humanitarian HOPE Award; Grace Mascelli, president NAMI Pasco; and Lt. Toni Roach, CIT officer of the year.
Nursing director to serve on board
Daryle Wane, nursing program director for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Pasco-Hernando State College, is now a peer reviewer for the American Journal of Nursing.
The nursing profession’s premier journal promotes excellence in nursing and health care through the dissemination of evidence-based, peer-reviewed clinical information and original research.
Wane is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who developed the college’s BSN program, launched in 2014, and spearheaded the recent accreditation effort that resulted in a five-year full accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Wane also was appointed to the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of Nursing Education and Practice.
Brendan Barrett joins New Tampa Foot & Ankle
New Tampa Foot & Ankle, 26827 Foggy Creek Road, Suite 104, in Wesley Chapel, has announced the addition of Dr. Brendan Barrett to its practice.
Barrett graduated from Youngstown State University in 2008 with a bachelor of science in biology, followed by podiatry school in 2009 at Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, both in Ohio.
Barrett has experience in both forefoot and rear foot complexities and surgeries, and is accepting new patients. For information, call (813) 973-3535.
Employee of the month
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has recognized Nicole Konof as its most recent Employee of the Month. Konof is a critical care nurse in the surgical intensive care unit.
As Employee of the Month, Konof received a pin, a selected blanket gift, a reception with refreshments and colleagues, a front-row parking spot of her choosing for a month, a gift card, and a “You Make a Difference” starfish key chain personifying a well-known story of the young man and the starfish.
Health insurance assistance
Bayfront Health Dade City is once again offering free assistance during open enrollment, through Jan. 31, to help compare plans and fill out applications on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Appointments can be made with the hospital’s certified assistants by calling (352) 521-1552, or booked online at GetCoveredAmerica.org/connector.
