Pasco observes Hospital Week
PASCO COUNTY – County commissioners proclaimed May 11 to 17, 2025, as Hospital Week in Pasco County.
This declaration recognizes the service of the more than 3,000 physicians, nurses and staff across AdventHealth Connerton, AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Zephyrhills.
AdventHealth’s ongoing community investment, which surpassed $200 million in 2024, includes charity care, public health programs and contributions to community organizations.
As part of National Hospital Week, commissioners encourage residents to take a moment to thank local healthcare workers for their compassion, resilience and role in protecting and advancing public health.
“We are honored to work with the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners during Hospital Week, to recognize the healthcare heroes of AdventHealth who serve our community with exceptional care and unwavering compassion,” said Mike Murrill, president and CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills and AdventHealth Connerton. “Every day, our team of doctors, nurses, and support staff go above and beyond to ensure that our patients receive the highest quality of care. Their commitment to health and wellness is truly inspiring.”
Patels give $3M to hospital
TAMPA – Vik and Sneha Patel made a $3 million gift to name the future Healing Garden at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, according to the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation.
The Patels’ gift will be part of the hospital’s new, freestanding pediatric facility, which will be named Pagidipati Children’s Hospital at St. Joseph’s. The facility is scheduled to open by 2030.
The Patels are longtime supporters of St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation. They chaired the 2024 Heroes Ball, raising $1.45 million to support the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.
“From handing out donuts to team members, to bringing smiles to families, to leading our largest community event, to giving this incredible gift – their mindset has always been about sharing extraordinary generosity,” said Kate Sawa, president of the foundation. “Their gift will help create a truly special space that brings peace, comfort and joy to families during some of their most challenging moments, which is so fitting because they are all about family.”
On the web: Give2StJoesKids.org
Health kits help heart patients
LAKE WALES – Heart failure patients at AdventHealth Lake Wales are taking control of their health and recovery outside of the hospital, with the help of free health supply kits.
The kits are used to monitor patients’ progress after they are discharged from the hospital. They include a weight scale, automatic blood pressure device, instructions for home blood pressure measurements, fluid measuring bottle, pill organizer and pulse oximeters.
Before they are discharged, patients are given detailed heart failure education by the registered nurses and the heart failure team. They also get frequent calls from the heart failure team who monitor patients in the program.
Hospitals earn A’s
TAMPA – AdventHealth hospitals in Pasco County, which include AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills, have been awarded an “A” Hospital Safety Grade by The Leapfrog Group.
The Leapfrog Group assigns grades based on over 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.
“We are thrilled and honored to have all our hospitals in Pasco County receive A grades for the second year in a row, with Wesley Chapel receiving its 20th consecutive A rating,” said Dr. Rajan Wadhawan, chief clinical officer for AdventHealth West Florida Division. “This award is a testament to the exceptional work AdventHealth physicians and team members do every day to keep our patients safe and how they continue to provide exceptional whole-person care to a growing community.”
Get answers on Medicare
ST. PETERSBURG – SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco & Pinellas.
Specially trained volunteers can assist with Medicare, Medicaid, and Health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information.
SHINE services are free, unbiased, and confidential. SHINE Counselors do not sell anything.
SHINE Counselors can be reached by calling 1-800-963-5337 or 727-217-8111.
Here are some upcoming programs:
Medicare Basics
A SHINE Volunteer will be available to answer Medicare questions at the following times:
- June 5 at 10 a.m. at the New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main St, New Port Richey. 727-853-1279.
- June 12 at noon at the Hugh Embry Library, 14215 4th St., Dade City. 352-567-3576.
- June 21 at 10 a.m. at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Pkwy, Land O’ Lakes. 813-929-1214.
Medicare 101
A SHINE Volunteer will be available to answer Medicare questions.
- June 4 at noon at the Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Drive, Largo. 727-587-6715 ext. 2508.
- June 18 at 11 a.m. at Pinellas Park Library, 7770 52nd St. N., Pinellas Park. 727-369-0669.
- June 18 at 1 p.m. at Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S., Gulfport. 727-893-1073.
- June 19 at 10:30 a.m. at the New River Library, 34043 FL-54, Wesley Chapel. 813-788-6375.
