St. Joseph’s Hospital-North hosts Girl Scouts
LUTZ – Girl Scout Troop 24402 from Spring Hill recently visited St. Joseph’s Hospital-North to learn about the use of robotics in surgery.
The troop donned surgical gear, toured a St. Joseph’s Hospital-North operating room and got hands-on experience with a surgical robot. The classic table game, “Operation,” was used in their learning.
Jennifer Downing, the hospital’s surgical services director, and surgical team members Lisa Lockhart, Louis Garcia and Lauren Hale led the demonstration. They described the various roles of team members assisting the surgeon during procedures.
Marissa Davis, a representative from the robot’s manufacturer, also participated and provided insight.
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has three robots that are guided by specially-trained surgeons.
Robotic surgeries are minimally invasive and can provide patients with smaller incisions, less pain and faster recoveries. The robots provide St. Joseph’s Hospital-North surgeons with improved dexterity, vision and surgical access compared to conventional minimally invasive surgery or traditional open surgery.
Hospital leader tapped to lead Polk market
DAVENPORT – AdventHealth named veteran health care leader Mike Murrill president and CEO of AdventHealth Polk Market, which includes AdventHealth Heart of Florida and AdventHealth Lake Wales.
Murrill previously served as president and CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills and AdventHealth Connerton in Pasco County and provided executive oversight and support for AdventHealth Dade City. Since joining AdventHealth’s West Florida Division, he has led strategic growth initiatives, operational improvements and team member engagement efforts while advancing AdventHealth’s mission throughout the region.
Murrill succeeds Tim Clark, who has accepted a new role as regional CEO for the Tampa Bay Metro Region within AdventHealth’s West Florida Division.
BayCare named among Companies That Care
CLEARWATER – Great Place To Work and PEOPLE magazine have named BayCare Health System to the 2026 PEOPLE Companies That Care list.
BayCare ranked No. 21 nationally, marking its sixth appearance on the list.
“This recognition belongs to BayCare’s team members, who are our greatest asset,” said Stephanie Conners, BayCare president and CEO. “Every day, they make a difference in the way they care for our patients, support one another and strengthen our communities.”
The rankings were based on employee survey responses and company data. Companies also submit essays about their efforts to support employees, communities and the environment.
Organizations must be Great Place To Work Certified and have at least 10 U.S. employees to be considered.
BayCare names CFO for physician, ambulatory division
CLEARWATER – BayCare has named Erin Gerner the vice president and chief financial officer of its physician and ambulatory division.
Gerner is a certified public accountant with more than 20 years of health care finance experience. She previously spent eight years as chief financial officer of PeaceHealth Ambulatory Services in Vancouver, Washington.
She also spent 13 years at INTEGRIS Health in Oklahoma City.
“Erin brings years of health care industry experience, with expertise in the ambulatory care setting,” said Janice Polo, BayCare’s chief financial officer. “Her strong work ethic, collaborative approach and commitment to our values make her a great addition to the finance team.”
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North offers support for mothers
LUTZ – St. Joseph’s Hospital-North will offer free support groups and classes for mothers during September.
The programs focus on breastfeeding and newborn care and are open to participants regardless of where they delivered or plan to deliver their babies. Events will be held in classrooms at the hospital, 4211 Van Dyke Road.
The schedule includes:
- Breastfeeding Support Group – Breastfeeding mothers can receive guidance from certified breastfeeding consultants and support from other mothers. Babies and an optional support person are welcome. The group meets Thursdays in September from 11 a.m. to noon.
- Understanding Breastfeeding – Expectant mothers and an optional support person can learn about breastfeeding basics, skin-to-skin contact, returning to work and when to contact a health care provider or lactation consultant. The class meets Sept. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m.
- Understanding Your Newborn – Expectant mothers and an optional support person can learn about feeding, diapering, bathing, signs of illness, cues and communication. The class meets Sept. 17 from 2 to 5 p.m.
Quick Hits
- NeckWise Land O’ Lakes recorded 2,328 patient visits and 154 new patients during its first year, according to co-founder Dr. Matt Morris. The upper cervical chiropractic clinic serves patients from Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Lutz and the northern Tampa Bay area.
- AdventHealth Heart of Florida collected more than 100 backpacks and more than 2,500 school-supply items for students at Loughman Oaks Elementary School in Davenport.
