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AdventHealth Dade City

How local hospitals have responded to COVID-19

November 3, 2020 By Kevin Weiss

Just like COVID-19 has done with so many other industries, hospital and medical care systems also have needed to bob and weave, since the entire world changed around March.

AdventHealth Zephyrhills and AdventHealth Dade City president/CEO Amanda Maggard outlined the medical community’s COVID-10 response — and what the future may hold for the pair of East Pasco hospitals that are part of one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health care systems.

“It has definitely been an interesting year, hasn’t it? 2020 is a year I don’t think we’ll soon forget,” Maggard said, as the opening speaker at the Zephyrhills Economic Summit, held on Oct. 14.

Hospitals staffers have had to be utilized in different ways amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as elective surgeries and procedures were postponed for months. (Courtesy of AdventHealth Zephyrhills)

The hospital administrator detailed many of the initial challenges when COVID-19 cases spiked in March, during the event organized by the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, and convened at Zephyrhills City Hall.

A major issue involved procuring as much personal protective equipment (PPE) as possible.

“We have had a lot of PPE to serve, but COVID really escalated the amount and types of PPE that we needed,” the hospital executive said.

As a result, the hospital supply chain system has been forever altered. Now, it emphasizes partnerships on domestically produced PPE, while moving away from a just-in-time delivery model for such equipment and inventory, she explained.

In short, the pandemic offered “lessons learned” on how health care conglomerates handle and manage workforce, products, equipment and so on.

“We will never go back to operating our supply chain the way we did before COVID,” said Maggard, who’s had her role since 2017. “We have much more of an inventory across our system today than we did before, and that will stay.”

Since the pandemic touched down in the spring, hospitals have stopped many elective surgeries and procedures, including outpatient physical therapy.

Instead of laying  off those employees, workers were re-deployed in any and every way possible. Some tasks included handling temperature checks, child care services, cafeteria and nutritional services, and even organizing fun activities for other team members, Maggard said.

“I’m so proud of the work that our team has done during this time,” she added.

Local hospitals are “continuing to learn and apply the latest clinical, evidence-based best practices, so we’re taking lessons from all of AdventHealth and around the country, and trying to apply those to make sure that we’re giving the best possible care to patients with COVID,” the hospital CEO said.

For example, the hospital is using Remdesivir, convalescent plasma therapy and “a number of other treatments, as we continue to learn and evolve,” Maggard said.

Remdesivir is a broad-spectrum antiviral medication; convalescent plasma therapy involves using blood from people who’ve recovered from an illness to help others recover.

Best practices to attack and treat COVID-19 have likewise involved ongoing learning because it began and still remains a relative unknown virus to the medical industry, Maggard said.

“We’ve been learning new things every day, and every week and every month,” she said, adding  “guidance has changed, as the science has changed and evolved.”

The entire AdventHealth system actively monitors the volumes of COVID-19 cases throughout its various hospitals. The “biggest surge” of cases was seen in mid-July, Maggard said, adding: “It’s declined since then, (but) we saw a little bump up recently.”

Going forward, the hospital system is continuing its myriad health and safety protocols — such as markers on the floor to remind people to maintain six feet of social distance;  temperature checks and screening everyone who enters the facilities every day; requiring masks; and regular deep cleanings throughout entire facilities, as well as other measures.

All patients who are COVID-19 positive, or suspected of being positive, are kept in a separate space — away from other patients — “to try to keep everyone safe,” she said.

Long-term health care consequences
A noteworthy consequence of the pandemic, Maggard said, is how many people have delayed routine or more serious health care issues — largely out of fear of going out to a public hospital or medical facility.

Between March and April, emergency rooms saw a 30% to 40% reduction in visits pertaining to heart attacks and strokes, Maggard said.

Amanda Maggard is president/CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills and AdventHealth Dade City. She was a guest speaker at the annual Zephyrhills Economic Summit, organized each October by the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce. (File)

“The truth is, people were still having the same amount of heart attacks and strokes, but they were waiting and not coming to the ER,” Maggard said.

Because of those fear-driven consumer behavior changes, people who recently have been coming back to the hospital have more serious clinical issues, because they chose to delay care.

The same goes for routine screenings, primary care visits and procedures, such as colonoscopies, she added.

“My concern long-term with COVID is not just the immediate impact of COVID, but what is going to be the impact of health of folks around our country and around the world over the next few years, when we may have started to put off that routine care because we’re afraid to go be seen,” said Maggard.

“Don’t put your health care on hold. We want to continue to be here and not see your long-term health suffer because of not getting some of the screenings or preventative care that you may need today.

“If you’re experiencing any of those symptoms, you want to get into the hospital. We want to assure people that we are a safe place to be, we have a number of precautions in place to keep you safe, and we don’t want you to delay that care.”

Another related question is how newly jobless people will get their needed preventative services if they’ve been laid off and therefore lose their employer-sponsored health insurance.

“With the impact to the economy and the number of jobs being lost, what impact will that have in the coming 12 to 24 to 26 months?,” Maggard said.

Another looming question is how the hospital system’s financial losses amid the pandemic — due to postponing elective surgeries and decreased emergency room visits — will impact available capital in coming years. As a nonprofit, Maggard explained such capital would otherwise would be reinvested into the facilities for operating room expansions and technology and equipment upgrades to adequately serve in a growing community, such as East Pasco.

“There have been a number of financial losses,” Maggard said, “and that is something that we’re struggling with right now, is (how) our financial impact due to COVID is going to restrict the amount of capital we have available in these coming years,” she said.

Perhaps one of the positive developments in result of the pandemic is the increased accessibility and availability of telehealth services for physicians, primary care and even specialists.

Telehealth is the distribution of health-related services and information via electronic information and telecommunication technologies, allowing for long-distance patient and clinician contact, care, advice, reminders, education, intervention, monitoring, and remote admissions.

Simply, it allows patients to virtually see a physician or specialists without having to physically visit a hospital or medical office.

Telehealth, Maggard said, is “really, truly a positive thing in health care that could increase access for a number of folks.”

“That’s actually one of the really great things that has come out of COVID,” Maggard said. “The number of guidelines and allowances that came out from CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) are allowing more telehealth than we were able to do before, and we get reimbursed for that. I hope that’s something that stays out of COVID.”

Published November 04, 2020

Filed Under: Health, Local News Tagged With: AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth Zephyrhills, Amanda Maggard, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, COVID-19, Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, Remdesivir, Zephyrhills City Hall, Zephyrhills Economic Summit

Serving up food — to sustain, comfort

May 12, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Concerns about the potential spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has flattened the economy, causing many to seek out help for the first time to put food on their tables.

Here is a look at some efforts, to help feed others, across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Collecting food to feed the hungry
The woman pulls up and pops open her trunk, so volunteers could gather the bags of food that she had brought to donate.

Among those volunteering at a weekend food drive were Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning, Pasco School Board member Allen Altman and State Rep. Ardian Zika. They took their masks off for the photo, and kept socially distanced. (B.C. Manion)

As they unloaded her donations, she became emotional — thanking the volunteers for what they are doing to help people struggling through the pandemic.

She was obviously touched by the effort.

Pasco County leaders have held food drives for the past two weekends to collect donations. The first drive was in the parking lot of the former Super Target store, off State Road 54, west of the Suncoast Expressway, and the second at Sam’s Club of Wesley Chapel, off State Road 56, in Wesley Chapel.

State Rep. Ardian Zika carries a box of donations to tables, where they are sorted

High-ranking officials from Pasco County Schools, the Pasco Tax Collector’s Office, the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office, state legislators, and candidates for office, were there to help. Pasco Fire Rescue employees, Pasco Sheriff’s Office employees and others volunteered, too.

The community responded, bringing bags and boxes of food — loaded with pasta, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, soups, rice, canned goods and more.

Monetary donations are still welcome and can be made through the Pasco Education Foundation at PascoEducationFoundation.org. Checks can be made payable to Pasco Education Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 1248, Land O’ Lakes, Florida, 34639.

Farm-Fresh Pop-ups
When Pasco County Schools receives donated fruits or vegetables, it holds Farm Fresh Pop-ups, and the free fresh produce goes fast.

At its first Pop-Up, the district gave away more than 30,000 ears of corn in about 2 hours.

It took less than 45 minutes to give away a truck filled with 10-pound variety boxes of vegetables, during a Farm Fresh Pop-up at the school district headquarters in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Stephen P. Hegarty)

At its second one, on May 8, it handed out 10-pound variety boxes of vegetables containing such veggies as cucumbers, potatoes, radishes, collards, broccoli, peppers, squash, and eggplant.

Those were gone in 45 minutes.

At the pop-ups, which are held in different locations, school district officials are practicing safe social distancing and wearing masks.

Those picking up the free foods are asked to stay in their vehicles and to pop their trunks, so the food can be placed in their trunks.

Feeding Florida and L&M donated the variety boxes.

The district also continues to provide five breakfasts and five lunches, once a week, to students 18 and under, at specific locations. As of May, it had served more than 820,000 meals.

To find out more about the district’s meal program, and to keep abreast of future Farm Fresh Pop-Ups, check the district’s website, Pasco.k12.fl.us.

Outdoor dining allowed to expand
Pasco County officials are providing more flexibility to restaurants to expand their outdoor dining space by allowing them to set up tables in parking areas and other outdoor areas — without a county permit.

The move was made to give restaurant operators more options, as they contend with decreased business due to COVID-19.

Leslie Gruber, of Land O’ Lakes, receives her meal from Savannah Walker, manager of The Box Kitchen Restaurant, at 6464 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. in Land O’ Lakes. The restaurant placed several tables in its parking lot to accommodate more diners, taking advantage of relaxed rules in Pasco County. (Randy Underhill)

Under phase one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ reopening plan, restaurants were allowed to operate indoor dining rooms at 25% capacity and to have dining outdoors, with the proviso that tables be kept 6 feet apart from each other.

To help expand restaurant capacity, Tampa officials have closed streets in some areas, so restaurants could set up tables there.

In Pasco, officials allowed restaurateurs to expand outdoor dining on their own properties.

The expanded seating may be used during the restaurant’s normal business hours, and the allowance will expire when full-capacity indoor dining returns, according to a county news release.

The Box Kitchen Restaurant in Land O’ Lakes appeared to be one of the few restaurants within The Laker/Lutz coverage area taking advantage of the county’s relaxed rules.

Providing hot meals in hard times
Three initiatives in Pasco County are aimed at providing hot meals, while supporting restaurants at the same time.

In the “Dining Out at Home” program, Pasco County has partnered with the Area Agency on Aging to have restaurant meals delivered to eligible senior citizens.

In “Operation Feed Pasco,” local restaurants are helping to supply meals at local food pantries and soup kitchens. The county is partnering with United Way of Pasco County on that effort.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey and State Rep. Ardian Zika were on hand when meals were delivered to workers at the Medical Center of Trinity. (Courtesy of Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey’s office)

Restaurants that would like to participate in Operation Feed Pasco should call United Way at (727) 359-7999, to see if there are any slots left.

In Pasco FLAG2020, meals are being purchased from local restaurants and then provided to people working on the front lines of the pandemic.

The program is being championed by Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who was inspired after seeing coverage of two women in New Jersey who launched the national program.

So far, 64 meals have been delivered through that program to AdventHealth Dade City, 41 have been delivered to BayCare’s North Bay Hospital in New Port Richey and 106 meals to Medical Center of Trinity.

In addition to Starkey, other local elected leaders who have been involved in raising money, include Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning, Pasco County School Board member Allen Altman, former Pasco Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’Neil and State Rep. Ardian Zika.

To help, send donations to:

Venmo: @FLAG2020Pasco; PayPal: PayPal.me/FLAG2020Pasco

Published May 13, 2020

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: AdventHealth Dade City, Allen Altman, Ardian Zika, Area Agency on Aging, COVID-19, Farm Fresh Pop-Ups, Feeding Florida, Kathryn Starkey, Kurt Browning, L&M, Land O' Lakes, Medical Center of Trinity, North Bay Hospital, Operation Feed Pasco, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller, Pasco County Schools, Pasco Education Foundation, Pasco Fire Rescue, Pasco FLAG2020, Pasco Sheriff's Office, Pasco Tax Collector's Office, Paula O' Neil, Ron DeSantis, Ron Oakley, Sam's Club of Wesley Chapel, State Road 54, State Road 56, Suncoast Expressway, Super Target, The Box Kitchen, United Way of Pasco County

Lifting spirits in all sorts of ways

April 28, 2020 By B.C. Manion

(Courtesy of Blaise Ryndes)

Spreading joy through bubbles
Blaise Ryndes, of Land O’ Lakes, attracted national attention when he took his bubble-making skills to America’s Got Talent.

Now, during a time of a global pandemic, the performer decided to take to his neighborhood streets, to help spread joy during a time of social isolation.

He recently put on a one-car bubble parade for his neighbors.

“To abide by social distancing, everyone stayed in their own yards and we went house to house spreading fun bubbles around, or as I like to call them, little orbs of happiness and cleanliness,” Ryndes reports, in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

He described his act as “an effort to relieve the angst of quarantine.”

And, based on the photos, it looks like his mobile “Spheres Bubble Show,” was a hit.

AdventHealth staff is joined by volunteers, including Pasco County School Board member Allen Altman, after the meals are delivered to the Dade City hospital. (Courtesy of Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey)

Helping two groups, at the same time
When Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey heard about an effort to show appreciation to front-line workers during the global pandemic, she latched onto it — immediately.

The initiative — launched by Liz Bernich, of Chatham, New Jersey, and Gina McGuire, of Madison, New Jersey – is called the Frontline Appreciation Group (FLAG) 2020.

They wanted to show appreciation to front-line workers, and help restaurants at the same time.

So, they began raising money that they spent to help feed front-line workers.

When Starkey heard about the initiative she launched a Pasco chapter, which is known as FLAG2020Pasco.

As of last week, a total of 105 meals had been delivered, with 64 going to AdventHealth Dade City, and 41 to BayCare’s North Bay Hospital in New Port Richey. Another delivery was planned for the evening of April 24 at AdventHealth Zephyrhills.

So far, restaurants that have participated include Boulevard Beef & Ale and Rose’s Bistro Off Main, both in downtown New Port Richey, which provided meals for North Bay Hospital; and, Green Door on 8th, which provided meals for AdventHealth Dade City.

Donations supporting the efforts so far have come from citizens, as well as county officials including Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, Pasco County School Board member Allen Altman, Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning and former Pasco Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’Neil.

When she saw the initiative on the news, Starkey said she wanted to get involved because it is innovative and smart.

To help, send donations to:

Venmo: @FLAG2020Pasco

PayPal: PayPal.me/FLAG2020Pasco

Those donating $100 or more will get a sign to place in their yard, which Starkey has purchased as a show of appreciation to contributors.

Make a veteran’s day brighter!
As nursing homes remain off-limits to visitors, the Friends of the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home have launched a project aimed at brightening veterans’ days.

The project is called Operation FAV (For Any Veteran) and it seeks to enlist the help of anyone who wants to get involved to help overcome social distancing requirements by writing a note or sending a card to residents at the nursing home.

Organizers of the effort note, “this Land O’ Lakes nursing home has, like nursing homes throughout the world, been closed for visitors, leaving the residents there somewhat isolated.”

The great thing about this project is that anyone, of any age, can get involved.

All you have to do to is make up a card, note or letter, and address them:

For Any Veteran

Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home

6919 Parkway Blvd.

Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639

The staff will make sure your cards and notes are distributed to the veterans there who haven’t had visitors in a while. Cards also can be sent in bulk to the same address.

A unique way of reaching out
While acknowledging that a swimming pool is not the most important necessity in life, Glenn Simpson, of GPS Pool, is offering a free chemical pool service to those age 60 and older. For many people, swimming in their pool is the only activity they have during this time of pandemic, Simpson says, in a blurb about his offer. Call (813) 948-9091 for details.

Gerry Ackley and Yvonne Wassman stand on one side of the truck loaded with food, while Steve Graves and Sandy Graves stand on the other. The food goes to help the hungry and is being supported through a donation by the seniors at Sunlake High School. (Courtesy of Lisa Kamps)

Sunlake High seniors step up
When Pasco 2020 Grad Bash was canceled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, seniors from Sunlake High School decided they wanted to do something worthwhile with the money they’d raised to pay for the event’s buses. They decided to make a big donation to Keystone Community Church’s Second Serving program. That program provides food for the homeless, operates a food pantry and helps people with other essentials, during their time of need.

The church is immensely grateful, said Lisa Kamps, of the Second Serving program.

“The most important thing, I think, for the senior class was to reach out in the Lutz, Land O’ Lakes area, because we don’t have as many opportunities here to assist families in need.

“They wanted to be sure that we were reaching people in this area,” Kamps said, noting that not all of the money will go for food. “We have to see what the need is, and meet it.”

Monica Isle, assistant superintendent of high schools for Pasco County Schools, gave kudos to the Sunlake seniors during the April 21 school board meeting.

“I think it just speaks to our graduating class that we have — of how much they’re thinking of how they can give back to the community,” Isle said.

Coty Darmoth is one of the chefs at Nabruzzi Trattoria. (Courtesy of Dana Nabruzzi)

Serving meals, in show of gratitude
It’s not uncommon for a restaurant to have a special, but Nabruzzi Trattoria has taken its Wednesday night specials to an entirely new level.

It is delivering free hot meals to people who serve the community.

“Every Wednesday we’re going to pick somebody in the area that has put themselves at risk, that are out there every day,” said Massimo Sabetti, the chef/owner of Nabruzzi Trattoria at 6062 Van Dyke Road in Lutz.

The restaurant was closed for about two weeks, before deciding to reopen for take-out and curbside, only.

When it reopened, Sabetti and his wife decided: “We have to do something for the community during this time,” he said.

After all, the community support is the reason the restaurant has done well.

So, on April 8, a meal was delivered to support the workers at Publix, and then another delivery was made that night to support the emergency room staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North.

On April 15, the restaurant delivered a meal to Hillsborough County Rescue Station 34, on Van Dyke Road, and then, on April 22, it delivered a meal for workers at Magnolia Manor Assisted Living Facility.

“We pick a place every week, I call, coordinate, what time is good for them? I get my chefs to make it and we bring it to them,” said Sabetti said.

He’s giving back to a community that has been very good to him, he said.

“The neighborhood has been very, very supportive. I’m very fortunate.”

Tell us about acts of kindness
If you know people who are going out of their way to make life easier for others during this time of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, please let us know by emailing .

Published April 29, 2020

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth Zephyrhills, Allen Altman, America's Got Talent, Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home, Blaise Ryndes, Boulevard Beef & Ale, COVID-19, FLAG2020Pasco, Frontline Appreciation Group 2020, Gina McGuire, Glenn Simpson, GPS Pools, Green Door on 8th, Hillsborough County Rescue Station 34, Kathryn Starkey, Keystone Community Church, Kurt Browning, Land O' Lakes, Lisa Kamps, Liz Bernich, Magnolia Manor Assisted Living Facility, Massimo Sabetti, Nabruzzi Tattoria, North Bay Hospital, Operation FAV, Pasco County Schools, Paula O'Neil, Publix, Ron Oakley, Rose's Bistro Off Main, St. Joseph's Hospital-North, Sunlake High School, Van Dyke Road

Hospital visitation limited, elective surgeries canceled

March 24, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Hospitals across the region are limiting visitors and canceling elective surgeries, as they ramp up preparations to treat increasing cases of people infected by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

As of 11 a.m. on March 23, The Florida Department of Health reported 1,096 confirmed cases of Florida residents and 75 cases of non-Florida residents, for a total of 1,171.

Of those, 73 involved Hillsborough cases and 13 cases in Pasco.

Statewide, there have been 14 deaths.

In response to the evolving threat, BayCare Health System, AdventHealth West Florida Division, and HCA Healthcare West Florida have announced changes in their visitation policies.

BayCare Health System said its changes would take effect on March 21.

“Only in certain, specific instances, will visitors be allowed into facilities,” according to a BayCare news release, issued on March 20.

“We regret this is necessary, but for the protection of our patients, team members, physicians and our community, it is imperative that we limit the number of people in our facilities,” said Dr. Nishant Anand, chief medical officer for BayCare Health System.

“The few visitors who will be allowed into hospitals will be screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, the disease resulting from novel coronavirus. Those who are deemed a risk will be restricted from entering the facility and may be referred to an Emergency Department.”

Visitors may still be allowed, if approved by the hospital administrator on duty, in these circumstances:

  • Inpatient: Labor and delivery, postpartum, pediatrics and Neonatal Intensive Care
  • End of life situations
  • Behavioral Health Unit
  • Emergency Room: Waiting room only
  • Outpatient procedures: Waiting room only when accompanying a patient receiving sedation

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz and Morton B. Plant North Bay in New Port Richey are BayCare hospitals within or near The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

AdventHealth hospitals in and near The Laker/Lutz coverage area are AdventHealth Carrollwood, AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth Tampa, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Zephyrhills.

“This is an unprecedented time in health care, and our priority is to keep our patients, team members and ultimately our greater community safe, while we continue to treat those who need our care,” Mike Schultz, president and CEO, of AdventHealth West Florida Division, said in a news release.

Hospitals across the region are limiting visitors. To be sure you have the latest information, check the website.

Before allowing a visitor to enter, according to a news release, HCA Healthcare West Florida said its staff will be asking these questions:

  • Have you had a fever and signs/symptoms of respiratory illness (cough, flu-like symptoms or shortness of breath)?
  • Have you traveled outside the country within the last 14 days (including a cruise)?
  • Have you been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 without wearing the proper protective equipment?
  • Are you currently being tested for COVID-19?

If a potential visitor answers yes to any question, he or she will not be allowed to enter the facility, except to seek emergency medical assistance.

Medical Center of Trinity and Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point are both HCA Healthcare West Florida hospitals.

On another front, hospitals are holding off on elective surgeries, as per an order by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

AdventHealth West Florida Division announced in a March 20 news release, that it will immediately:

  • Postpone all inpatient surgeries that are not time-sensitive
  • Postpone outpatient surgeries that are not time-sensitive
  • Postpone all outpatient procedures in diagnostic centers that are not time-sensitive

“AdventHealth will provide surgery only to patients whose needs are imminently life-threatening, with malignance that could progress, or with active symptoms that require urgent and immediate care” the release says. “This decision allows us to further plan for the increased need for hospital beds, resources, and advocate for patient and team safety.”

Similar policies are in effect at other hospitals in the region.

Also, efforts continue to expand testing for COVID-19.

BayCare Health System, which initially operated seven testing sites, announced it had screened more than 6,100 people and collected specimens for testing from nearly 3,500 during five days of testing.

The hospital chain recently announced that on March 23 it would be consolidating its COVID-19 test collection sites to high volume locations and to provide geographic access.

It now is operating its testing sites at one location each in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties.

The Hillsborough location is at BayCare Urgent Care, 3440 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 100, in Tampa. The Pasco location is at BayCare Urgent Care, 4821 U.S. 19, in New Port Richey.

BayCare is concentrating on using its limited test supplies to identify patients who have the virus. Patients should be referred by a physician and should have current symptoms — cough, fever, shortness of breath — and meet other criteria recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, according to a BayCare news release.

Patients should bring documentation from a physician that they have been referred for testing.

Tips for helping to prevent COVID-19:

  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Keep frequently touched surfaces and objects clean.

Source: Florida Department of Health

Published March 25, 2020

Filed Under: Health, Local News Tagged With: AdventHealth Carrollwood, AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth Tampa, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, AdventHealth West Florida Division, AdventHealth Zephyrhills, BayCare Health System, BayCare Urgent Care, Centers for Disease Control, COVID-19, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Florida Department of Health, HCA Healthcare West Florida, Medical Center of Trinity, Mike Schultz, Morton B. Plant North Bay, Nishant Anand, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, Ron DeSantis, St. Joseph's Hospital-North, U.S. 19

Mayor delivers ‘State of Dade City’ address

October 23, 2019 By Kevin Weiss

A newly passed budget and some corresponding reorganization in city hall was a forefront topic for Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez in her annual “State of the City” address at The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce October breakfast meeting, at AdventHealth Dade City.

Dade City Commissioners last month passed a $19.3 million budget by 4-1 vote.

The 2019-2020 budget is based upon a 7.14 millage rate and represents a 17% increase ($2.8 million) from last fiscal year ($16.4 million).

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez covered a lot of talking points during her ‘State of the City’ address. (Kevin Weiss)

The budget covers 83 full-time staffers, including several newly funded positions — community and economic development director, associate planner, GIS analyst, another building inspector, and others.

Addressing a roomful of chamber members, Hernandez said this year’s budgetary process “was one of the most difficult for me, as a city commissioner, as a mayor.”

“It was tough, guys,” Hernandez said. “We’re heading in the right direction, but we had to make some tough choices for not only the city and the services, but also position us in a great place to move forward and to all of those people that are coming in, all those transportation (issues), all those businesses, to be able to accomplish that.

“It wasn’t unanimous, but I think the majority of the commission agreed that we had to prepare ourselves for challenges and opportunities moving forward, and how are we going to make Dade City the best it can be.”

With that, the mayor noted the city last year received 658 building permits for private construction and now has over 4,000 residential unit entitlements (either under construction or review).

That underscores the necessity, she said, for the city to create a new community and economic development department that encompasses community redevelopment, current and long-range planning, online permitting and customer service, and building and safety services.

“We have a bunch of homes that are on the books, and they’re going to start to be built sometime next year,” the mayor said. “There’s a lot of work being done by staff, so this is the reason we needed to reorganize, we needed to make those tough decisions to hire some staff to get those folks help, to continue to move us forward.”

In addition to the budget as a whole, Hernandez offered updates on various capital improvements projects.

She noted that paving has begun on the second phase of the Hardy Trail northern extension, from Church Avenue to Lock Street, and is expected to be complete around next spring. The extension is part of a larger trail network planned for the U.S. 301 corridor extending from south of Zephyrhills to north of Dade City. It ultimately will extend to the Withlacoochee State Trail trailhead.

“We’re really excited about that,” Hernandez said. “We’ll be getting into some healthy initiatives, hopefully working with the banks and hospitals, and other organizations.”

Hernandez also mentioned improvements are “finally” underway to the city’s downtown stormwater management system, which is slated to be finished by sometime next summer.

Hernandez quipped: “For those that have businesses in town, for those of you that love your shoes like me, you won’t have to take them off anymore and go into 6 inches of water on any stormy afternoon.”

Other forthcoming projects include Tank Hill water facility renovations (finalizing request for proposal documents) and Dade Oaks stormwater improvements (finalizing funding and bid documents); the city also has allocated $200,000 toward paving or repaving city maintained roads. “There’s a lot of dirt moving around. I always say that’s progress, and I kind of like having the dirt picked out,” Hernandez said.

The city’s demographic profile was another one of the mayor’s talking points.

Hernandez said of the city’s 7,240 residents, the median age is 35.5 years old, with a growing number of first-time householders, newer marriages and families.

The average household size is 2.51, median household income is about $40,000 and median home value is about $145,000.

That in mind, the mayor stressed the need for the municipality to “maintain youthful interests in style and fun, with lots of things to do.”

She noted several community events — namely the Dade City Heritage & Cultural Museum’s Masquerade Ball, Monarch Butterfly Festival, Scarecrow Festival and Dade City Symphony — all happened within a weekend of each other.

“We are a fun place with fun things happening, and we are going to continue to do that as we move forward,” Hernandez said. “We’re not a town that’s going to roll up.”

Elsewhere, the mayor made it a point to commend the Dade City Police Department’s ongoing efforts to boost its community outreach and advocacy programs, especially with local youth.

Some of the agency’s regular initiatives include Shop with a Cop, Cop-sicle Days, Back to School Bash, Explorer Scouts, Special Olympics, and Habitat for Humanity, among others.

Hernandez put it like this: “It’s not only about having these guys show up and protecting them or leading someone off in handcuffs, but it’s showing them that they are an integral part of our community. They are human, they go home to a family, and you couldn’t imagine the change in some of these children when they realize, ‘Hey, these aren’t bad guys, these are actually good guys that are here to help me.’”

She added: “You don’t know how wonderful of a group of guys we have in our community.”

Published October 23, 2019

Filed Under: Local News, Zephyrhills/East Pasco News Tagged With: AdventHealth Dade City, Camille Hernandez, Church Avenue, Dade City, Dade City Heritage & Cultural Museum, Dade City Police Department, Dade City Symphony, Dade Oaks, Explorer Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, Hardy Trail, Lock Street, Monarch Butterfly Festival, Special Olympics, Tank Hill, The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, U.S. 301, Withlacoochee State Trail

Dade City Christmas parade seeks applicants

October 16, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

Dade City’s 2019 Christmas Parade is just around the corner, and those who want to be a part of it are invited to apply.

The parade will be in downtown Dade City on Dec. 6 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., where spectators can enjoy decorated floats, bands or walking units.

Those wanting to take part in Dade City’s 2019 Christmas Parade can entertain spectators, along with Santa Claus himself. Applicants need to register by Nov. 11 at 5 p.m., at the latest. (Courtesy of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce)

“It’s very much a community event run by wonderful volunteers,” said John Moors, executive director of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce. The chamber will once again host the parade, which also will be sponsored by AdventHealth Dade City.

Those wanting to take part in the parade must register online.

Registration is nonrefundable, and is set at $40 for individuals and businesses.

Nonprofit organizations can register for $25 with photo proof uploaded in the application process.

Deadline for applications is Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. Applications can be obtained at DadeCItyChristmasParade.com.

For additional information, contact the chamber at (352) 567-3769 or online at DadeCityChamber.org.

Dade City 2019 Christmas Parade registration
When: Deadline for applications is Nov. 11 at 5 p.m.
Cost: $40 for individuals and businesses; $25 for nonprofit organizations with photo proof uploaded on application
Details: Those wanting to participate in the upcoming parade can still apply online.
Info: For parade applications, visit DadeCityChristmasParade.com. For additional information, contact The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce at (352) 567-3769 or online at DadeCityChamber.org.

Published October 16, 2019

Filed Under: Local News, Zephyrhills/East Pasco News Tagged With: AdventHealth Dade City, Christmas parade, Dade City, John Moors, The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce

Funding moves Morningside extension forward

July 10, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

A $5 million allocation from the state is bringing the extension of Morningside Drive — to connect U.S. 301 to Fort King Road in Dade City — a step closer to becoming reality.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ approval of the allocation in this year’s budget came as reassuring news to Dade City and Pasco County.

Officials believe the extension will yield numerous benefits.

“We’re anticipating it will reduce traffic volume on the roadways that are parallel,” said Leslie Porter, city manager of Dade City. “We’re also anticipating that [it] will drive our economic development by providing that connector.”

The extension also provides direct access to AdventHealth Dade City, on Fort King Road, which was considered as a top priority for the road’s extension.

“In addition to the hospital serving the citizens, we’re seeing that it will greatly improve public safety access for our police and fire rescue services,” Porter said.

DeSantis’ approval also was seen as a victory for Dade City because former Gov. Rick Scott vetoed the proposed funding last year.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez also advocated for the county’s Metropolitan Planning Organization to put the project on its funding list.

The county’s Long Range Transportation Plan has the road designed as two lanes, but it may be widened to four lanes by 2040, according to Porter.

An alignment study has been done, but additional studies to collect current data must be done before a construction time frame can be set.

Published July 10, 2019

Filed Under: Local News, Zephyrhills/East Pasco News Tagged With: AdventHealth Dade City, Camille Hernandez, Dade City, Fort King Road, Leslie Porter, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Morningside Drive, Rick Scott, Ron DeSantis, U.S. 301

Moffitt Cancer to open Wesley Chapel treatment center

May 29, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Moffitt Cancer Center and AdventHealth have announced they are working together to open an outpatient cancer center on the campus of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, located next to the hospital on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. The outpatient center is expected to open in the fall of 2020.

Rendering of Moffitt Cancer’s planned treatment facility in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

“We strive to provide world-class cancer care close to where people live and work,” said Alan F. List, MD, president and chief executive officer of Moffitt Cancer Center. “Expanding Moffitt’s brand of oncology care, treatment and research in Pasco County helps us accomplish this goal. Moffitt also is responding to the growing incidence of cancer in Florida, as the state’s population continues to grow and age.”

The new Moffitt outpatient center at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel will provide medical and radiation oncology service. It is being designed to accommodate 20 exam rooms, 22 infusion stations and two linear accelerators. Cancer screenings and survivorship programs geared toward patients who are post-treatment and in remission will also be available.

“This is just the beginning of our partnership with Moffitt Cancer Center and our joint commitment to finding new ways to bring innovative cancer care to the Pasco community,”  said Mike Schultz, president and chief executive officer of AdventHealth West Florida Division.

“Our partnership allows us to strengthen our network of care by expanding the type of health care services we can provide to our communities, and gives cancer patients greater access to the country’s leading-edge research, clinical trials and cancer treatments at Moffitt,” he said.

Moffitt Cancer Center is a Tampa-based facility and is one of only 50 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s scientific excellence, multidisciplinary research, and robust training and education.

AdventHealth is a faith-based, nonprofit health care system that uses leading edge technology and innovation to deliver its brand of whole-person care. Pasco facilities include AdventHealth Connerton, AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Central Pasco ER.

Published  May 29, 2019

Filed Under: Health, Local News, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: AdventHealth Central Pasco ER, AdventHealth Connerton, AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, AdventHealth West Florida Division, Alan List, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Moffitt Cancer Center

Upgrades on tap for AdventHealth Dade City hospital

May 1, 2019 By Kevin Weiss

With construction ramping up at AdventHealth Dade City, patients and staffers will soon have access to some of the new amenities and upgrades as part of $22 million in capital improvements headed to the health care facility.

An update on the various upgrades was shared in a presentation by Dr. Rodrigo Torres, chief medical officer for AdventHealth Dade City, at The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce April breakfast meeting.

AdventHealth Dade City is getting a $22 million makeover in the way of new care units, technology and services. (Courtesy of AdventHealth Dade City)

The latest addition to the health care facility is a 45-bed transitional care unit, which launches on May 1.

It’s one of the many enhanced facilities the hospital will see throughout 2019.

Torres described the unit as “a rehab center, but with higher capability.”

Patients discharged from in-patient stay will be able to be at the rehab center, but still have access to hospital services, surgeons, orthopedics and other medical staff. They’ll go to the rehab center because of medical necessity, to finish medications, to work on strength and balancing, and so on.

The unit projects to have a patient volume of 300 this year, and a patient volume of 1,000 in subsequent years.

“This is going to be something great that we look forward to,” Torres said.

Across from the transitional care unit is another wing that will house post-operative patients along with patients requiring a higher level of care, Torres said.

The interior of the wing is currently being retrofitted with a fresh paint job, new flooring, new bathrooms and more.

“Everything is brand new, literally from the floor all the way up,” Torres said. “The bathrooms look better than the ones at my house.”

Other aesthetic upgrades throughout the 100,000-square-foot facility include a new lobby and overhauled cafeteria, and even a chapel.

It’s all about providing patients at the 120-bed facility the best care possible, Torres said.

“We are tearing down the walls,” Torres said, “to make sure this facility can be the best that it can be.”

Several medical equipment upgrades also are on tap at the hospital, at 13100 Fort King Road in Dade City.

That includes an outpatient X-ray machine and an on-site MRI machine that Torres called “the latest and the greatest.”

AdventHealth Dade City’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rodrigo Torres was the featured speaker The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce April breakfast meeting. Torres discussed many of the new upgrades coming to the 120-bed, 100,000-square-foot health care facility. (Kevin Weiss)

Additionally, the hospital has since implemented a robotic surgery program with the da Vinci Si Surgical System.

Torres explained the robotic system — controlled by a surgeon from a console — is used by general surgeons, urologists and gynecologists for complex minimally invasive procedures, including hernia repairs and gall bladder removals.

He noted the da Vinci machine becomes useful for surgeries that may take several hours, where physician fatigue can sometimes come into play.

Other new features have come to the health care facility of late, too.

That includes an electronic medical records system, Cerner, which has eliminated the need for paper charts.

Torres noted the paperless technology offers “clarity and transparency when providing medical care.”

“It’s a better way of keeping medical records, especially in the age of identity theft,” he said.

The hospital also has installed an around-the-clock, telemonitoring system to its intensive care unit.

The system, Advanced ICU Care, allows patients and nurses to communicate virtually with on-call physicians in cases where an intensivist is not immediately available in person at the hospital.

Torres said the technology was originally brought to AdventHealth Zephyrhills about a year ago “with great results.”

Another new service to the hospital is online scheduling capabilities for emergency room visits — allowing patients to reserve a treatment time and avoid long waits in the waiting room.

The service, accessed through GetInQuicker.com, is recommended for patients with non-life or limb-threatening emergencies.

Since its launch in February, Torres said the check-in program “is one of the best things that has happened” to the health care facility.

“We have 100 percent recommendation rate for all the patients that have used this service,” he said.

Aside from facility and technological upgrades, the hospital has added five new physicians to its staff: Dr. Olga Villa (obstetrician-gynecologist), Dr. Jennifer Roller (gynecologist), Dr. Forrest Rubenstein (thoracic vascular surgeon), Dr. Armen Duekmedjian (neurosurgeon) and Dr. Amir Ahmadian (neurosurgeon).

Torres said doctors Ahmadian and Duekmedjian will be operating out of AdventHealth Zephyrhills, but will provide consultations and services to patients at AdventHealth Dade City, as well.

With the addition of gynecological physicians and services, Torres noted the hospital may consider adding labor and birth delivery services at some point: “In the near future, that’s one of the avenues that we’re looking at.”

Torres also mentioned that AdventHealth Dade City recently received its accredited recertification from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, designating the hospital “a center of excellence for bariatric surgery.”

Published May 01, 2019

Filed Under: Health, Local News, Zephyrhills/East Pasco News Tagged With: AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth Zephyrhills, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Amir Ahmadian, Armen Duekmedjian, Forrest Rubenstein, Fort King Road, Jennifer Roller, Olga Villa, Rodrigo Torres, The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce

Workshop focuses on East Pasco

April 10, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

Pasco County Commissioners met in a workshop session with local municipal leaders on the afternoon of April 2 to discuss a number of projects that are planned or under discussion in East Pasco County.

Projects that were discussed included:

  • A roundabout at the intersection of State Road 52, College Avenue and Pompanic Street
  • An extension of Morningside Drive in Dade City
  • A drainage fix in downtown Dade City
  • The extension of State Road 56 to Chancey Road
  • The widening of County Road 54, from U.S. 301 to 23rd Street

Discussion regarding the City of San Antonio focused on an intersection, where State Road 52 meets College Avenue to the west and Pompanic Road to the north.

Pasco Board of Commissioners and municipal officials met on April 2 in a workshop setting to discuss a number of current and proposed projects in East Pasco County. (Brian Fernandes)

Efforts have been taken to address the San Antonio intersection, which has been a place of confusion for motorists and an area that has been prone to accidents.

Those problems persist despite the installation of stop and yield signs, and caution lights.

To address the continuing problem, the Metropolitan Planning Organization has suggested installing a roundabout at the intersection.

“Essentially, we’re at a stage where some design has been undertaken,” said John Villeneuve, MPO director. “This is something that will assist in facilitating safety and more maneuverability.”

While the project has been well-received by the board, no start date has been given.

Meanwhile a number of proposed or active Dade City projects were discussed.

One of those projects involves extending Morningside Drive, from U.S. 301 to Fort King Road.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez has advocated for the MPO to put the project on a list for funding.

An alignment study has been conducted on the development, but funding needs to be in place to proceed to the next phase.

The potential benefits of the connection are already recognized locally.

It would boost economic development and would provide direct access off U.S. 301 to AdventHealth Dade City, said Mike Sherman, city planner for Dade City.

Joseph DeBono, Dade City’s director of public works, discussed Dade City’s downtown drainage issues.

Dade City, he said,  “has been plagued for years with a major drainage issue.”

He told those gathered that a stormwater retrofit project is the solution.

The project involves installing a new sewer system of more than 2,400 linear feet with various street drains. The collected water would run underground heading east to the U.S. 98 bypass, eventually being dumped into Irvin Pond.

That project, which may be completed during the summer of 2020, is receiving funding from the city, the state and the Florida Department of Transportation.

In Zephyrhills, there’s a proposal to extend State Road 56 to Chancey Road.

Construction already is underway to connect State Road 56, from Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wesley Chapel to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills.

But, Zephyrhills officials are looking into the possibility of later extending the state road further east to Chancey Road.

Todd Vande Berg, director of planning for Zephyrhills, brought schematics to the workshop and talked about the link’s potential to encourage increased industrial manufacturing, add jobs and boost the local economy.

The planning director also provided an update on plans to County Road 54 from U.S. 301 to 23rd Street.

The city had planned to widen that stretch of the road to four lanes, but those plans were halted because of conflicts with the local school district and efforts to obtain right of way, Vande Berg said.

The present plan keeps the road at two lanes, but adds turn lanes and pedestrian improvements, the director added.

The joint workshop between county commissioners and municipal officials was held at Pasco-Hernando State College’s East Campus.

Published April 10, 2019

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: 23rd Street, AdventHealth Dade City, Camille Hernandez, Chancey Road, City of San Antonio, College Avenue, County Road 54, Dade City, Florida Department of Transportation, Fort King Road, Irvin Pond, John Villeneuve, Joseph DeBono, Meadow Pointe Boulevard, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Mike Sherman, Morningside Drive, Pasco County Commission, Pasco-Hernando State College, Pompanic Street, State Road 52, State Road 56, Todd Vande Berg, U.S. 301

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The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer “Foodie Feast: Apple Pie Bombs” on March 5. Participants can learn how to make tasty, apple pie bombs. Watch the prerecorded video between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., online at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . … [Read More...] about 03/05/2021 – Apple Pie Bombs

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The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host a virtual poetry discussion group on “Female Power!” on March 9 at 6:30 p.m., for ages 16 and older, via Zoom. Participants can share a favorite poem or take part in discussions on poems about women or written by women poets. Themed poems will be sent out to help with the session. Registration is required. For information, contact Amaris Papadopoulos at 727-861-3020 or . … [Read More...] about 03/09/2021 – Poetry discussion

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The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer a Technology Tuesday: Robots & Machines on March 9, through a curbside pickup activity. The kit will help kids learn more about technology, from robots to coding, through online and hands-on activities. The pickup is limited to 35 participants and must be reserved ahead of time. A book bundle can be included. Kits must be picked up between March 9 at 10 a.m., and March 13 at 5 p.m. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 03/09/2021 – Technology Tuesday

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