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Health News 02/24/2021

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Hospice donation exceeds $9,000
The Bay Area Bassmasters, a B.A.S.S. Nation “Buddy” Team Tournament Trail Bass Fishing Club, set a new record with its annual donation to Gulfside Hospice for $9,129.21.

From left: Tom Craigshead, Carla Armstrong, Pamela Hardy, Carol Mahoney and Tom Mahoney. (Courtesy of Gulfside Healthcare Services)

The funds were raised during the group’s 2020 fishing season through the Ina Mahoney Hospice Challenge, an annual tradition that began when Ina Mahoney passed away on Gulfside’s services in October 2009.

Afterward, the fishing club members rallied around Ina’s husband, Tom, president of the Bay Area Bassmasters, to start the challenge to raise money for Gulfside, as a way to say thank you for the care provided to Ina and the family.

To date, the Ina Mahoney Hospice Challenge donated more than $51,250 to Gulfside.

The club also hosts an annual fundraiser at its meeting each year in November, to raise additional funds through prize drawings.

For information about donating to Gulfside Hospice or the Bay Area Bassmasters, contact Carla Armstrong, director of philanthropy, at 727-845-5707.

 Resiliency Clinic
Veterans and active-duty military members who receive care from SOF (Shield of Faith) Missions’ Resiliency Project recently attended a Resiliency Clinic Program at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel.

The five-day clinic focused on the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of each of the military warriors in attendance.

The participants also receive a one-week telemedicine follow-up, a 30-day re-evaluation, and a 90-day follow-up with SOF Missions Medical Director Dr. Marissa McCarthy.

Dr. McCarthy said in a news release that addressing the suicide epidemic within the veteran and active-duty community requires an intradisciplinary whole-health approach.

The warriors receive care from an array of medical experts, including cognitive, mental health, recreational, strength and conditioning, and spiritual fitness, as well as massage therapists, social reintegration coaches, a nutritionist and an acupuncturist.

The program also focuses on sleep hygiene and nutrition to improve overall brain health.

For more information on SOF and the Resiliency Project, visit SOFMissions.org.

Celebrating one life, saving another

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The day began with a festive feel.

Christine O’Connor, her husband Paul and their son Sean, of Lutz, had gone to an 80th birthday party for Christine’s mom.

Great care had been taken to ensure that Connie Kubiak’s milestone celebration on July 26 would be special.

A dozen people — mostly immediate family — were at the birthday gathering at Connie and Carl Kubiak’s home, in Tampa’s Dana Shores.

Paul O’Connor stands next to his brother-in-law, Chuck Kubiak. When Kubiak went into sudden cardiac arrest, O’Connor, an Eagle Scout, performed CPR — saving his brother-in-law’s life. (Courtesy of Christine O’ Connor)

The house was decked out with 80th birthday balloons, Christine and her sister-in-law Kelly Kubiak had catered the meal, and there were special cupcakes, too.

Christine had spent hours painstakingly putting together a power point presentation — showcasing her mom’s life —timed to a soundtrack of Jimmy Buffet tunes.

“That was really moving for my mom,” Christine said.

It had been a great day, and the party was wrapping up — with immediate family members saying their goodbyes.

Christine was chatting with her brother, Chuck Kubiak, when suddenly he said he felt lightheaded, and he fell into a recliner.

She thought he’d passed out. She tried to get a response, but couldn’t stir him.

“Then, all of a sudden, his color changed. I turned to Paul and I said, ‘He is not breathing.’”

When Paul heard that, he said, “I said to myself, ‘It’s go time.’

“I yelled over to my niece (Brooke Kubiak) to call 911,” Paul said.

He asked his nephew, Brian Kubiak, to go get his keychain. That’s where Paul always keeps a CPR face shield.

“I went to the other side of Chuck,” Paul said. ““I checked his carotid (artery) for a pulse. No pulse.”

Paul, Christine and her brother Craig Kubiak laid Chuck out on the floor.

“I started CPR on him, between CPR compressions and mouth-to-mouth, went back and forth about three times,” Paul said.

As he was doing mouth-to-mouth, he turned Chuck’s head and could hear gurgling.

“He started aspirating a little bit,” Paul said.

“I just flipped him up on the side. He was breathing, but it was very labored,” Paul said.

“Probably the whole scenario was around 5 minutes or so, 5-7 minutes,” Paul added, referring to when he began CPR and when emergency responders arrived.

Chuck was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital’s main campus in Tampa, where he received care and a defibrillator was installed in his chest. He was discharged nearly a week later.

Since then, Chuck has had visits with his cardiologist and had a return trip to the hospital because of blood clots. He remains on medication and said his prognosis is good.

Paul, who is an Eagle Scout, said his Scout training prepared him to do what needed to be done.

He recently received a Medal of Merit award from Boy Scouts of America.

“When it happens, it happens really, really quickly. You have to be prepared for it,” Paul said, in a video taken during the medal presentation in a Lutz Troop 12 ceremony.

“As that gurney went out the front door, he was breathing. I did my job,” Paul said.

“It’s an honor, but then again, I’m an Eagle Scout. I was doing what I was trained to do,” Paul added, after receiving the award from Troop 12 Scoutmaster Paul Evans.

Paul and Christine are both leaders in Troop 12 and their son, Sean, is a Life Scout — preparing to seek the rank of Eagle Scout — in the same troop.

Christine’s family is both deeply impressed and enormously grateful for Paul’s actions.

“It was very surreal, very surreal,” Christine said.

Chuck, who lives in Wesley Chapel, was at the party with his 20-year-old twins, Spencer and Mackenzie. His wife, Lavon, couldn’t attend because the family’s dog was not doing well.

Paul O’Connor, left, stands with Troop 12 Scoutmaster Paul Evans, after an awards ceremony where O’Connor was honored for using CPR skills he learned in scouting to save the life of his brother-in-law, Chuck Kubiak.

Chuck knows how lucky he is to be alive.

“I had what’s called a sudden cardiac arrest. It’s 95% fatal, from what I understand,” he said.

“I was fortunate to be in the right place, at the right time, when it happened, that’s for sure,” Chuck added, because Paul was there and knew what to do.

“It’s important that people not only know CPR, but that they do it correctly, because it makes a big difference, I think, in the outcome,” said Chuck, who learned his cardiac arrest was caused by an enlarged heart, possibly the result of a virus.

In the right place, at the right time
After nearly dying, Chuck said, he’s more aware of the fragile nature of life.

“It just shows you how quick life can come and go,” Chuck said. “Once I went down, it was like the off-switch was hit.”

The experience has made him reflect about how he spends time.

“Life goes by so fast — try to slow down a little,” Chuck said, noting that his brush with death has served to remind him “not be so driven to just work, work, work.”

Christine said she’s happy that they were still at the party when Chuck needed help.

“Why did it happen that way? There’s a reason for everything.

“We could have been gone. We typically leave early on Sunday nights. And we could have left already. Or, Chuck could have been in the car with the kids.

“I’m just grateful that everybody was in the right place at the right moment, and my brother is here with us today,” Christine said.

For his part, Paul hopes more people will receive training to become certified in CPR.

“I’ve been through CPR training a number of times,” Paul said.

“Now, I’m a big proponent for the troop. Even the folks that I work with.

“It can really hit close to home,” Paul said.

Published February 17, 2021

Efforts continue to speed, simplify vaccine rollout

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National and local news reports show images of long lines of vehicles waiting to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations, as efforts continue to improve the process for signing up for the shots, and to speed the production and distribution of the vaccines.

President Joe Biden last week announced that the United States signed a final contract for 100 million more Moderna and 100 million more Pfizer vaccines. The news came during a Feb. 11 speech at the National Institutes of Health.

Biden also said that 100 million doses that were promised by the end of June now will be delivered by the end of May, and that the country is on track to have enough supply for 300 million shots by the end of July.

A public-private partnership has been launched, as well, with vaccinations being distributed through 21 national pharmacy partners and networks of independent pharmacies representing over 40,000 pharmacy locations across the country. The effort is part of a national strategy to expand equitable access to the vaccines. (More information is available at CDC.gov/covid19)

Participating chains nationwide include Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Publix, Costco and Winn-Dixie. To find participating local pharmacies, check those companies’ websites.

The retail pharmacy efforts are in addition to ongoing distributions coordinated through local public health departments.

So far, based on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ order, COVID-19 vaccinations are limited to long-term care facility residents and staff; individuals age 65 and older; and, health care personnel with direct patient contact.

Hospital providers also may vaccinate persons deemed extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.

Pasco County seniors can register through the Pasco County health department’s portal.

They also can register through participating private pharmacies.

In Hillsborough County, seniors can pre-register for the state’s portal and reserve their space in line. The state will contact them once it is their turn for a vaccine. Additionally, they can register through participating private pharmacies.

Florida has no county residency requirement, so individuals can attempt to secure an appointment through any of these options.

Despite increased supplies and more vaccination options, Pasco County commissioners said they continue to hear from constituents who are frustrated about not being able to get registered for a shot.

At their Feb. 9 meeting, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey told her colleagues: “I am concerned and want to be sure that we’re doing all we can, that our senior citizens who don’t have access to computers and aren’t computer savvy, are able to figure out how to get on. I’m hearing this over and over again.”

She thinks the county needs to do more to help.

Commissioner Jack Mariano agreed. He’d like to see a system that would allow people to sign up and be put on a waiting list, and then to be notified when a vaccine becomes available.

That would be better, he said, “even if you’re going to be (number) 135,000 — as opposed to not getting in the system.”

Starkey reiterated her concerns: “The queue is the queue. I’m just saying, some people don’t know how to get in the queue.”

County Administrator Dan Biles noted there is a telephone number that people can call to make appointments.

Starkey responded: “I know, but it’s really hard to get through.

Biles observed: “You have 100,000 people trying to get 1,000 shots. It’s going to be hard to get through right now.”

Meanwhile, across the country, 52.9 million COVID-19 vaccines have been distributed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of COVID-19 cases nationally stood at more than 27.4 million, as of Feb. 14, and there has been a downward trend in cases for the past 30 days. The death toll for COVID-19 related cases stood at 482,536.

In Florida, the total number of positive cases exceeded 1.82 million, and there were 28,779 resident deaths, as of Feb. 14, according to data recorded on the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 dashboard.

The figures stood at 31,348 positive resident cases in Pasco County, and 642 deaths; and at 105,531 positive resident cases and 1,397 deaths in Hillsborough County.

COVID-19 vaccinations
To register:

In Pasco County: Go to PatientPortalFl.com to complete an account with CDR Maguire Health & Medical for upcoming appointments, or call 1-844-770-8548. New appointments open up every Sunday at 2 p.m., for the following week, and are typically filled within minutes.

In Hillsborough County: Call 866-200-3896, TTY 844-251-5532, or visit MyVaccine.fl.gov.

National Retail Pharmacy Program: Some retail pharmacies also are participating in a public-private partnership to administer COVID-19 vaccinations. Check the website of  individual retail pharmacies to find out more.

For the most recent COVID-19 vaccination information, check with your local health department websites.

Published February 17, 2021

Hospital adds another noteworthy award

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Hospitalists (doctors caring for hospitalized patients) at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North celebrate the Florida Stroke Registry honor. (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has earned an award from the Florida Stroke Registry for its ability to rapidly determine the severity and possible location of a stroke.

The hospital received the Stroke Registry’s Certificate of Achievement “for the successful achievement of Most Completeness for NIHSS,” according to a news release.

The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is an assessment tool and quantitative measure used in stroke care.

The Stroke Registry also notified the hospital that it ranked as the best among 121 Florida Stroke Registry hospitals that submitted “Most Completeness” data. The data was compared from 2018 to 2019.

The registry’s aim is to improve quality of care and health outcomes in stroke through partnerships, research, intervention and policy advocacy.

The Stroke Registry award was St. Joseph’s Hospital-North’s second award in 2020 for the treatment of strokes and heart attacks.

Last year, the hospital received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline STEMI Receiving Award for meeting and exceeding specific standards of performance for quick and appropriate treatment of patients suffering heart attacks.

Beware of COVID-19 vaccine scammers

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Hillsborough County officials are warning people to be aware of scammers trying to prey on people’s desire to get vaccinated for the coronavirus.

Scammers often gravitate toward products and services in high demand, and COVID-19 vaccines are no exception, a county news release says.

In recent weeks, scammers have been using the phone, the internet and social media to try to obtain money or financial or personal information, offering a coveted appointment for a vaccination as bait.

Sometimes the aim is access to a Social Security or credit card number; other scams download malware if the victim clicks on a link. Sometimes, the scam is so effective the victim shows up for a vaccination appointment that doesn’t exist, the release adds.

Hillsborough County’s Office of Emergency Management reminds people that vaccinations are free and those making vaccination appointments will never ask for payment, credit card information or a Social Security number.

A COVID-19 Consumer Alert issued by the Florida Attorney General’s Office offers information and tips for people who are approached by someone seeking to take advantage of them.

See something suspicious? Report possible scams to the Florida Attorney General’s Office at 1-866-9NO-SCAM or by visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.

You also can contact Hillsborough County Consumer & Veterans Services.

Published February 10, 2021

Health News 02/10/2021

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New appointment
Premier Community HealthCare has announced that Jennifer Lineburg has joined its executive team as chief human resources officer.

Jennifer Lineburg

Lineburg joins Premier from Raymond James in St. Petersburg, where she served as a human resources director, a position in which she supported internal client groups and coached leaders on organizational design and effectiveness.

As the new chief officer, Lineburg has extensive experience with selection processes, employee relations, conflict resolution, training and development, coaching teams and individuals for success, and improving human resources processes.

She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of North Florida, and a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from Walden University.

“I was instantly drawn to the mission and dedication of this organization,” said Lineburg, in a news release. “I look forward to continuing the good work of talent acquisition and creating a culture of excellence and engagement for all Premier employees.”

Premier Community HealthCare opened its doors in 1979, and now has more than 200 employees among 12 locations in Pasco and Hernando counties.

The employees care for approximately 37,000 patients each year.

For information, visit PremierHC.org.

Oncology staff moves
Advanced Cancer Treatment Centers has announced that its radiation oncology staff has moved to 15211 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville, just east of the Suncoast Parkway on State Road 50.

These providers are seeing and treating all patients at the new location:

  • Dr. Clayton Alonso, radiation oncology
  • Dr. Peter Zavitsanos, radiation oncology
  • Dr. Aaron Denson, hematology oncology

For information, visit ACTCHealth.com.

Drug overdoses increasing in Pasco County

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During the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, there’s another alarming issue surging in Pasco County  — rising fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office has reported 1,491 overdoses (and 268 deaths) from January 2020 to December 2020 — representing a 71% increase from 2019.

This includes a single-month high of 168 overdoses (39 fatal) in May, agency data shows.

Most recently, the month of December proved one of the most troublesome months in the past year — with 135 reported overdoses and two deaths. The trend continued in 2021, as the first weekend in January recorded 19 overdoses, with three deaths, according to the sheriff’s office.

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco says the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the county’s substance abuse and mental health problems because more people are dealing with job and financial losses, loneliness, homelessness and other personal struggles.

“We’re definitely seeing an extremely high spike since COVID hit with mental health and substance abuse, and especially the overdoses. There is an absolute correlation there,” Nocco recently told The Laker/Lutz News.

Overdose survivors have told deputies that “they feel like they’ve lost human connection with people,” Nocco said.

Instead of finding solace in faith, Nocco thinks many turn to substance abuse, and that, he said, is creating major issues.

During the midst of a pandemic, there are mental health issues occurring that won’t be healed with a vaccination, he said.

“People right now, they’re constantly on edge,” Nocco said.

These overdoses, Nocco said, are mostly related to heroin and other drugs laced with fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic similar to morphine but believed to be 50 times to 100 times more potent.

Said Nocco: “Heroin and fentanyl are the main two killers. When you’re seeing overdoses, it’s fentanyl. It’s sad. When you have an overdose and people pass away, it’s probably more likely than not that it’s fentanyl.”

Nocco noted the agency has even witnessed instances of carfentanil — an analogue 100 times stronger than fentanyl and most commonly used as an elephant tranquilizer.

Aside from its users, fentanyl and carfentanil offshoots pose a threat to the public and to first responders, as they can be absorbed through the skin or through accidental inhalation of airborne powder.

These substances are coming in from overseas, with stronger and stronger variations being discovered on the streets, Nocco said, adding, “It’s a very dangerous situation we’re dealing with.”

The overdoses predominantly are occurring in the western part of Pasco County, along the U.S. 19 corridor, Nocco said, but there are also pockets of activity in Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills.

A nationwide problem
Rising drug overdoses are trending across the nation.

Over 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in the 12 months ending in May 2020. That’s the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period, according to recent provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

While overdose deaths already were on the rise in the months preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, the latest numbers suggest an acceleration of overdose deaths during the pandemic, the CDC reports.

This graphic shows fatal and non-fatal overdoses in Pasco County for each month in 2020. Absent is the month of December, which yielded 135 overdoses and two deaths. (Courtesy of Pasco Sheriff’s Office)

“The disruption to daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic has hit those with substance use disorder hard,” CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield said, in a December news release. “As we continue the fight to end this pandemic, it’s important to not lose sight of different groups being affected in other ways. We need to take care of people suffering from unintended consequences.”

According to the CDC, synthetic opioids (primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl) appear to be the primary driver of the increases in overdose deaths, increasing 38.4% from the 12-month period leading up to June 2019 compared with the 12-month period leading up to May 2020. During this time period:

  • 37 of the 38 U.S. jurisdictions with available synthetic opioid data reported increases in synthetic opioid-involved overdose deaths
  • 18 of these jurisdictions reported increases greater than 50%
  • 10 western states reported over a 98% increase in synthetic opioid-involved deaths

More troubling trends
While overdose figures were substantially higher in 2020 compared to 2019 and some previous years in Pasco, the sheriff’s office’s intelligence-led policing unit likewise found a steady increase each year since 2017, which, of course, predates the pandemic.

This may result from lasting effects of Florida’s opioid prescription pill epidemic, Nocco said, with many users who initially got hooked on prescription pills turning to heroin, meth and other substances to get their fix.

“We’re still dealing with it. It’s not over,” the sheriff said of the statewide pill crisis. “You’re looking at individuals that would’ve never used hard drugs such as meth or heroin, but because they were prescribed Roxys (Roxicodone), Oxys (Oxycodone), Xanax for minor things like a minor surgery, a tooth issue, something like that, they then became addicts, and so those people with those addictions, they’re still suffering right now.”

Seeking solutions
To tackle these various substance abuse and related mental health issues, the local law enforcement agency is continuing to leverage its community-based health partners such as BayCare, Chrysallis Health and Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse and Prevention, and others.

The sheriff’s office has a rolodex of health care agencies that can provide help with a range of issues, including mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, youth and family services, autism, suicide, and veterans and post-traumatic stress. More details on resources can be found on PascoSheriff.com/MENTALHEALTH.html.

“We want to get to people before they get to that crisis stage,” Nocco said, adding, “and if people are starting to feel depressed, if they’re starting to feel issues and concerns, please reach out to those resources immediately.

“If those health care issues are dealt with very early on, they don’t turn into criminal justice issues,” he said.

The CDC also has made recommendations that can help curb drug overdose epidemic in local communities:

  • Expand distribution and use of naloxone and overdose prevention education
  • Increase awareness about and access to and availability of treatment for substance use disorders
  • Intervene early with individuals at highest risk for overdose
  • Improve detection of overdose outbreaks to facilitate more effective response

On a related note, the sheriff’s office is working to make positive lasting impressions on the younger people, to help get a grip of at-risk mental health and substance use issues.

The agency has partnered with the Pasco County Council Parent Teacher Association (PTA) on a mental health initiative titled, “You Matter,” which mainly focuses on suicide prevention among juveniles. Part of the effort involves distributing magnets with upbeat reminders that can be attached to cellphones and wallets, and other places.

The sheriff said his agency is trying to get this message out to teenagers and young adults: “You matter in life.”

The fact is that many of these kids are isolated, Nocco said.

“They’re on their phones and they don’t feel like they’re engaged with what’s going on.
“I understand a lot of people go on social media and walk away depressed thinking about what they read or if somebody put a negative comment on there,” he said.

He wants to spread the word, to help people realize their value.

“It doesn’t matter what somebody wrote about you, you matter to somebody else, and your life is important.

“We don’t want to see people harm themselves or get an addiction over a comment made on social media by somebody who could live a couple of thousand miles away,” Nocco said.

Published February 03, 2021

Moffitt in Pasco: ‘Transformational’

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A deal approved last week by the Pasco County Commission is expected to have consequences far beyond the county’s borders, government and economic development leaders said.

County commissioners approved more than $25 million in incentives in an agreement with H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Hospital Inc.

The Pasco County Commission, county staff and representatives of the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., and H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Hospital Inc. celebrate a deal that is expected to have long-term consequences for Pasco County, and the region. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.)

The county has agreed to make infrastructure improvements necessary to access the site, at an estimated cost of $24,913,012.

It also has agreed to waive, or pay, certain county permitting and impact fees related to supporting the initial phase of building construction, at an estimated cost of $786,988.

The cancer center owns a 775-acre site, near the southeast corner of the future intersection of Suncoast Parkway and the Ridge Road extension, which is currently under construction.

In the 24-page agreement, approved unanimously by the county board, Pasco County details and justifies the partnership with Moffitt.

In part, the agreement states: “The county has concluded that providing economic incentives to Moffitt will serve as one of the most significant catalysts in the county’s history for future economic growth, by creating the potential for new employment opportunities in Pasco County, reducing reliance on regional commuting to work by citizens, significantly diversifying the tax base, and introducing smart growth and service technologies to the area.”

County staff has determined that construction of the public and non-public infrastructure outlined in the approved agreement is essential to support the overall corporate business park development of the property.

In presenting the incentive package to the county board, Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., emphasized the significance of Moffitt’s decision to locate in Pasco.

“Words cannot fully express the magnitude of this project, or the potential of this project,” Cronin said.

In the first phase, Moffitt has agreed to construct a minimum of 128,000 square feet for corporate business park uses.

That phase is expected to generate 432 full-time jobs, according to the Pasco County Office of Economic Growth.

The multi-year, multi-phase Moffit project, however, is expected to include over 1.4 million square feet of research lab/office, light industrial/manufacturing, general office, and clinical building space.

“The overall, large project, is estimated to create at least 14,000 jobs — indirect and direct jobs for our community,” Cronin said.

Moffitt operates an internationally recognized immunotherapy program in Tampa, and is seeking to branch out because of space constraints on that campus.

David de la Parte, executive vice president and general in-house counsel for Moffitt, told commissioners: “This is a big deal. It’s a complicated transaction. It’s been a number of years in the making.

“It’s certainly important from an economic impact standpoint, but it’s even more important to the citizens of the state and to the citizens of this community,” de la Parte said.

“Cancer is a terrible thing,” he added, noting that Moffitt’s role is to be a research engine, an innovator, a place of discovery.

This is the site where H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Hospital Inc., plans to expand its work on a campus in Pasco County.

“We have been constrained, frankly, in that role, given the campus constraints that we have and have had. This will give us an opportunity to further accelerate the discovery,” he said.

The attorney anticipates the Pasco campus will become “a life sciences destination for the world.”

Besides approving the economic incentive agreement, the board took a separate action to direct staff to secure funding to pay for the extension of Sunlake Boulevard to the Moffitt site.

Curing cancer, creating opportunities
Pasco commissioners are delighted by Moffitt’s decision to open a Pasco campus.

“Yes, there’s the economic benefits that our citizens of Pasco County will have because of this facility being here,” County Commissioner Mike Moore said. But Moffitt’s work, he said, has impacts throughout the world.

“Each and every one of us has been touched by either somebody that’s gone through cancer or is going through cancer now,” Moore said.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said: “This is so great for your organization. It’s great for our county, but this is magnificent for the Tampa Bay region and Florida, as well.”

Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick weighed in, too: “This will not only be an economic asset for our community, but it’s going to create jobs and it will save lives.

“You guys are going to be bringing the best of the best right here to Pasco County, and I’m very excited,” she said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano and Commission Chairman Ron Oakley were enthused, too.

Oakley told de la Parte: “We support you all of the way, and we’re here to help you.”

Along those lines, the agreement with Moffitt calls for a designated county liaison to help streamline governmental processes, and an assigned rapid response team to handle any issues that arise.

Moffitt has agreed to handle the design, permitting, installation and construction of the public and non-public infrastructure outlined in the agreement.

But before that occurs, these conditions must be met:

  • Completion of the Suncoast Parkway Interchange at Ridge Road
  • Completion of the Ridge Road extension in an easterly direction from the Suncoast Parkway Interchange to Sunlake Boulevard
  • Completion of two lanes of Sunlake Boulevard in a southerly direction from State Road 52, south of the Ridge Road and Sunlake Boulevard intersection, to Moffitt’s spine road intersection at Sunlake Boulevard

Also, before Moffitt begins construction of the corporate business park building, the county and Moffitt will agree to a construction disbursement agreement that identifies specific sources of funds to satisfy the county’s obligations under the incentive agreement.

The conditions are expected to be met by the end of 2022.

Once they have been met, Moffitt has five years to complete the construction of the corporate business park building.

The agreement also gives the county administrator the authority to approve up to three years of extensions, if Moffitt has made good faith efforts to meet its deadline.

Published February 03, 2021

Health News 02/03/2021

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Bringing warmth and cheer
The residents of a local nursing home had a special and festive Christmas, thanks to the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club. Members of the club provided large gift bags filled with treats, along with requested and needed items, to bring cheer to or to keep the residents warm and comfortable. Twenty-five residents who may not have had friends or family able to visit over the holidays during the pandemic lockdown were provided for. Note: Residents agreed to photos, but their names and the facility’s name were not to be released.)

Blood drive yields 20+ pints
Ierna’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing in Lutz started the new year off with a curbside blood drive in partnership with OneBlood on Jan. 5, which yielded more than 20 pints of whole blood.

Each donor received a T-shirt, a restaurant voucher, a $20 gift card, and a wellness checkup that included a COVID-19 antibody test.

Ierna’s also handed out its own swag, including custom hand-sanitizer pens.

According to the American Red Cross, one blood donation can potentially save up to three lives. Less than 38% of the population is eligible to give blood or platelets, which makes volunteer donors important.

Donation appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are open to the public.

Follow Ierna’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing on social media to be notified about its next blood drive, scheduled for April 1.

Women’s Choice Award
AdventHealth Zephyrhills has been named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Heart Care by the Women’s Choice Award. The award signifies that AdventHealth Zephyrhills is in the top 1% of 4,542 hospitals in the United States offering heart care services.

The methodology used to select the hospital as one of America’s best involves evaluations of:

  • The number of cardiac/vascular services offered. Recognized hospitals must offer at least six of the following services: Cardiac Catheter Lab, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Cardiac Surgery, Carotid Stenting, Coronary Interventions, Electrophysiology, Vascular Interventions, Vascular Surgery and Coronary Intensive Care (CCU).
  • 30-day mortality and readmission rates for heart attack and heart failure
  • Patient recommendation ratings on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey
  • Primary research about women’s health care preferences

For information about America’s Best Hospitals for Heart Care, visit WomensChoiceAward.com/best-hospitals-for-heart-care.

New staff member
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute has welcomed Dr. Jessica Stine, oncologist, to its staff.

Dr. Stine will care for patients at Florida Cancer’s New Port Richey location, 8763 River Crossing Blvd., and in Wesley Chapel at 2391 Oak Myrtle Lane.

She earned her medical degree from the University of Miami, and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where she served as administrative chief resident. She was then awarded a fellowship in gynecologic oncology from the University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

Dr. Stine has worked as a proctor and speaker at da Vinci Surgery, and as an associate professor for the obstetrics and gynecology residency at Brandon Regional Hospital.

She is an advanced robotic surgeon, and has an interest in fertility sparing approaches. She also is one of the few physicians trained to perform a radical trachelectomy for young cervical cancer patients who wish to preserve their ability to conceive.

Parent questions school quarantine policy

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When Mike Kidd’s daughter was exposed to someone at Sunlake High who tested positive for COVID-19, the school called to inform the family that she would need to quarantine.

Kidd took it in stride.

After all, the district has been asking families to do their part to help stop the spread of the virus.

In fact, he told the school that there were two other girls in the family that attend the same school, so his family would keep them home, too.

Initially, the school official agreed.

But then, the family was notified that the two girls who had not been directly exposed were deemed as being absent from school.

When the family tried to explain they were keeping the girls at home because their sister had been exposed to COVID-19, they were told that wasn’t the district’s policy, Kidd said.

The district’s practice follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance, Steve Hegarty, a spokesman for Pasco County Schools, said via email.

The Department of Health — Pasco County also follows the CDC’s guidance, according to an email from Melissa Watts, spokeswoman for the health department.

But that doesn’t make sense to Kidd, who said if his daughter was exposed at school and came down with the virus, it was very likely that the virus would be spread to his other two daughters, since they are frequently in close contact with each other.

“Obviously if students wearing masks and “socially distanced” at school would need to quarantine, my other daughters who sleep in the same room, lay in the same bed/couch and watch movies, hug, etc., should also quarantine,” Kidd told The Laker/Lutz News, in a letter to the editor, he sent via  email.

It just seems practical to quarantine the student’s siblings, when another student in the family is required to quarantine, he said.

Hegarty explained the school district’s practice works like this: “The family would have received a call from the school, as well as an official letter from the Pasco Health Department informing them of the need to quarantine their daughter. That letter would not have instructed anyone else in the home to quarantine because there was no evidence that any other family members had been in close contact with a person who tested positive.”

Hegarty said the district requires quarantine only “for those students and staff members who were in close contact.”

He also noted: “What definitely would not be practical is requiring quarantine for anyone who came in close contact with a person who came in close contact with a person who tested positive.

The district has had thousands of students quarantining and the number would be much higher, if it followed the practice of quarantining all siblings, Hegarty wrote. In fact, that practice could result in entire school populations being sent home, in some cases.

A parent can decide to keep a student at home, Hegarty said.

“It will be marked as an absence. It could be an excused absence, but still an absence. It would be up to the school and the family to ensure that the students don’t fall behind academically – regardless of whether they are quarantined or simply absent,” the school district spokesman said.

Pasco County Schools, COVID numbers*
1,319 positive student cases; 16,999 students impacted
594 positive employee cases; 1,492 employees impacted
Impacted cases are those who were required to stay away from school due to a positive case that resulted in quarantine.

* As of Jan. 25

Source: Pasco County Schools

Published January 27, 2021