Hospital honored for stroke care
LUTZ – St. Joseph’s Hospital-North received the American Heart Association’s and American Stroke Association’s “Get With The Guidelines Stroke 2025 Bronze” quality achievement award.
The recognition is for the Lutz hospital ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer hospital readmissions.
Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.
BayCare surgeon to discuss breast health
LUTZ – Dr. Diane Durgan, a BayCare Medical Group breast surgeon, will give a free presentation on “Breast Health 101”
The presentation starts at noon Sept. 3 at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, 4211 Van Dyke Road, Lutz.
The lecture will include breast cancer warning signs, diagnostic tools, treatment options and possible surgical management strategies. The event will include a question-and-answer session. A light lunch will be served.
The event is free but St. Joseph’s Hospital-North asks attendees to please register. Register by visiting BayCareEvents.org and choosing “St. Joseph’s Hospital-North” in the “Facility/Location” filter and scrolling to the September 3 listing. Or call 855-314-8352 and press the number “2” at the prompt.
Call 855-269-4777 for more information about Durgan’s talk.
Bilirakis tries to make Medicare less confusing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and others introduced the BENES 2.0 Act to protect Americans approaching Medicare eligibility from costly and confusing enrollment penalties.
“I’ve heard from many constituents who were confused by their Medicare options and ended up paying significant penalties due to simple misunderstandings about how the program works,” Bilirakis said. “We addressed some of those challenges with the original BENES Act, which is now law.”
The BENES 2.0 Act requires the federal government to send Medicare eligibility and enrollment details in Social Security statements, giving individuals ages 60 to 65 clear and early guidance.
Hospital opens Family Medicine Residency Clinic
OCALA – AdventHealth Ocala has opened a Family Medicine Residency Practice, expanding access to care and training future physicians.
The clinic at 221 SW 11th Street includes 20 exam rooms, two procedure rooms, a lab, a classroom, and 15 offices.
Eight graduate medical residents will train alongside experienced physicians as part of AdventHealth Ocala’s inaugural residency class.
Leaders, faculty, residents and community members celebrated the opening with a ribbon-cutting on Aug. 14.
The new program emphasizes outpatient family medicine and AdventHealth’s whole-person care model, preparing residents to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to patients.
Three sets of twins born days apart
OCALA – AdventHealth reported three sets of twins born days apart at The Baby Place at AdventHealth Ocala.
Team members at The Baby Place have been providing around-the-clock care for three sets of twins in AdventHealth Ocala’s Level II NICU. The group included a set of twin girls born on July 27, a twin boy and girl born on July 29, and another set of twin girls on July 31.
“Welcoming a new member of the family is always a special moment,” said Lacey Null, nurse manager. “The arrival of these children is a true blessing for their families and for our team. We are honored to provide the best possible care for them.”
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.
They’ll answer questions at the following Medicare Basics programs:
- Sept. 4 at 10 a.m. at the New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey. 727-853-1279
- Sept. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hugh Embry Library, 14215 4th St., Dade City. 352-567-3576
- Sept. 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the New River Library, 34043 FL-54, Wesley Chapel. 813-788-6375
- Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes. 813-929-1214
- Sept. 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the Centennial Park Library, 5740 Moog Road, Holiday. 727-834-3204.
SHINE services are free, unbiased and confidential. Counselors do not sell anything. They can be reached by calling 1-800-963-5337 or 727-217-8111.
