Institute completes 1,000th WATCHMAN procedure
TAMPA – AdventHealth Tampa’s Pepin Heart Institute has completed 1,000 WATCHMAN procedures, a minimally invasive treatment that helps prevent strokes in AFib patients.
Dr. Paul Gerczuk performed the milestone surgery, which involves implanting a small device in the heart to block clot-causing areas.
“The WATCHMAN allows us to reduce our patients’ stroke risk and help them come off blood thinners over time, significantly improving their quality of life,” said Dr. Kenneth Yamamura, a board-certified electrophysiologist at the Pepin Heart Institute.
Patient Gregory Kingery credits the procedure with saving his life.
“There are a lot of people who don’t get a second lease on life,” Kingery said. “I’m grateful I did.”
Doctor performs 200th TCAR procedure
SEBRING – Dr. Myron St. Louis recently performed his 200th Transcarotid Artery Revascularization procedure at AdventHealth Sebring.
TCAR is a minimally invasive surgery to treat carotid artery disease and help prevent strokes.
The 200th patient, Patricia Peer, 74, praised Dr. St. Louis and his team.
“The only person I would go to is Dr. St. Louis because I trust him.” Peer said.
The longtime Sebring resident is now back to enjoying gardening, traveling and family time.
Legislation attempts to restore health program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and others introduced legislation June 11 in the House and Senate to restore an initiative of the health care law that helps American families navigate the ACA marketplace and connect them with high quality, affordable health care plans.
The Expand Navigators’ Resources for Outreach, Learning and Longevity (ENROLL) Act would ensure the Navigator program, established under the ACA to help Americans navigate, shop and enroll in affordable health care plans, will continue despite federal cuts.
“Robust outreach and assistance by Navigators is vital to families so they can evaluate options and choose a health plan that is right for them,” Castor said.
AdventHealth opens heart Care clinic
LAKES WALES – AdventHealth has expanded its services in Polk County with a new heart care clinic in Lake Wales.
The clinic opened June 10 at 1255 State Road 60 E., Suite 600. It features three exam rooms, a procedure room and advanced equipment.
Dr. Saiyed Mohib, the first cardiologist at AdventHealth Lake Wales, brings over 20 years of experience assessing and preventing heart attacks and other heart-related diseases. The new clinic allows Mohib to serve more patients.
Hospital offers Infant and Child CPR class
LUTZ – St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz is offering an Infant and Child CPR class that can help parents and caregivers save a child in an emergency.
The class includes learning choking rescue methods, CPR and home safety based on American Heart Association guidelines.
The Infant and Child CPR class will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 1 in a St. Joseph’s Hospital-North classroom, 4211 Van Dyke Road.
The class is offered in partnership between the hospital and the BayCare Kids Wellness and Safety Center. There is a fee of $25.
Register at BayCareEvents.org (choose “St. Joseph’s Hospital-North” in the “Facility/Location” filter and scroll to the July 1 listing) or by calling 855-314-8352 and pressing the number “2” at the prompt. Call the BayCare Kids Wellness and Safety Center at 813-615-0589 for class details.
Get answers on Medicare
- 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. Counselors do not sell anything.
Counselors can be reached by calling 1-800-963-5337 or 727-217-8111.
Here are some upcoming programs:
Medicare Basics
- July 3 at 10 a.m. at New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey. 727-853-1279.
- July 19 at 10 a.m. at Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes. 813-929-1214.
- July 24 at noon at Hugh Embry Library, 14215 4th St., Dade City. 352-567-3576
Medicare Fraud Prevention
- July 8 at 1 p.m. at New River Library, 34043 FL-54, Wesley Chapel. 813-788-6375.
- July 31 at 1 p.m. at Seminole Community Library, 9200 113th St. N., Seminole. 727-394-6922.
Medicare 101
- July 2 at noon at Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Drive, Largo. 727-587-6715 ext. 2508.
- July 3 at 10:30 a.m. at New River Library, 34043 FL-54, Wesley Chapel. 813-788-6375.
- July 16 at 11 a.m. at Pinellas Park Library, 7770 52nd St. N., Pinellas Park. 727-369-0669.
- July 16 at 1 p.m. at Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S. Gulfport. 727-893-1073.
