Local responder takes Homeland Security training
Vicki Buchanan, emergency responder and a registered nurse with Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, completed training offering by the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama.
The CDP is operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and is the only federally chartered Weapons of Mass Destruction training facility in the nation.
Buchanan is a 23-year employee with the hospital and currently serves as a nursing supervisor. She has served as the hospital’s liaison with the Pasco County ESF No. 8 Healthcare Coalition, and is a member of the Medical Reserve Corps. Buchanan also leads the hospital’s Emergency Response Team.
Gulfside looking for volunteers
Gulfside Hospital is looking for volunteers. Opportunities include sitting with patients, providing spiritual care and counseling, assisting with the Pet Peace of Mind program, and helping in the administrative offices.
Thrift shop volunteers also are needed for shifts at all five stores to help with accepting and sorting donations, organizing shelves and window displays, greeting customers and running the cash register. Volunteers also are needed at Gulfside’s Centers for Hospice Care to serve meals, answer phones and greet guests.
Orientation sessions are scheduled throughout the month for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old.
For information, call (800) 561-4883.
Chamber gets ‘healthy’ at breakfast meeting
More than 80 people attended the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce breakfast in November hosted by Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. The program took place in the hospital’s CREATION Café.
Casio Jones, the hospital’s director of wellness, spoke on what it means to live CREATION healthfully. The acronym stands for choice, rest, environment, activity, trust, interpersonal relationships, outlook and nutrition. Jones touched on the fitness, spa, cooking and educational programs offered at FHZ’s Wellness Center.
To learn more about CREATION healthfully, or to get employees involved, call Jones at (813) 779-6277.
Access welcomes new doctor
Access Health Care LLC announced the addition of Dr. Anil Bhatia to its medical staff.
Bhatia is board certified in internal medicine. He received his medical degree from Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital Medical College in Indore, India.
Bhatia completed his residency in internal medicine and an internship at Flushing Hospital in New York, New York. He is the former president of Good Shepherd Medical Clinic.
Jennifer Laman gets recognition for patient care
Jennifer Laman, doctor of osteopathic medicine with Access Health Care Physicians, was recognized as a Level 2 for its Patient Centered Medical Home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
The recognition uses evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term participative relationships. The National Center for Quality Assurance will list Dr. Laman’s practice on its website with a recognition seal.
Her office is located at 13235 State Road 52 in Hudson.
Oak Hill appoints new director of emergency
Oak Hill Hospital has appointed Kimberly Loucks as director of its Emergency Care Center. This is a promotion from Loucks’ current position as ER manager.
Loucks has been a member of the Oak Hill Hospital team since 2001, working in the Emergency Care Center as a charge nurse. She also has worked deploying Meditech (information systems for health care organizations) in emergency departments throughout the country.
Loucks obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Troy University. She is nationally certified in emergency nursing, and holds certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support and completed the Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course, Trauma Nurse Core Course, Neonatal Resuscitation Program, and Advanced Certified Life Support.
