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Premier Community HealthCare

Two reappointments to Pasco CSW

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The Pasco County Commission has reappointed Dr. Lisa Richardson and Cheryl Pollock to new three-year terms on the county’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

The county board took the actions during two separate meetings in September.

Richardson is Pasco-Hernando State College’s representative on the CSW, and she was recommended for reappointment by the state college. Her new term expires on Sept. 21, 2023.

Pollock is Premier Community HealthCare’s representative on the CSW, and was recommended for reappointment by Premier HealthCare. Her new term expires Sept. 8, 2023.

The CSW was established on Oct. 16, 1979, and was inaugurated to serve in an advisory capacity to the Pasco County Commission and county administrator, the community, and all agencies and the general public in Pasco County with respect to matters pertaining to the status of women, including, but not limited to, discrimination against women, employment of women, and the education of women, according to agenda backup materials.

On Sept. 13, 2016, commissioners voted to have 10 agencies provide nominees to serve on the CSW. County commissioners also each nominate one member, bringing the total membership on the CSW to 15.

The state college is one of the 10 nominating agencies. Richardson has been representing PHSC on the women’s commission since 2017.

Published October 07, 2020

Parenting in a pandemic is challenging, pediatrician says

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Are my kids safe? Is it OK for them to attend school or should they be kept home to learn virtually? What if they get sick? What if I get sick? What if they want a playdate? How can we cope if it seems overwhelming?

Parenting already seemed daunting, but parenting during a pandemic? It’s filled with starts and stops, rapidly changing information, anxiety, guilt and exhaustion.

Maribelis Perez, a pediatrician at Premier Community HealthCare’s Dade City office, offered guidance regarding parenting during a pandemic. (Courtesy of Premier Community HealthCare)

Does that sound familiar to you? You’re not alone.

Maribelis Perez, a pediatrician at Premier Community HealthCare’s Dade City office, said parents, teachers and caregivers must focus on their physical and emotional health during these challenging times of COVID-19.

“As parents, it’s important to get educated about everything that is going on,’’ Perez said during a recent Zoom video teleconference with the public. “Pandemics aren’t new. They have happened before. But, this one has brought everything to our doors.

“Prevention is always going to be the key. We have always known that infectious diseases can be prevented by simple measures such as hand-washing. Think about just six months ago, how careless we were. Now, we are washing our hands like our lives depend on it.’’

Hand-washing is a tangible answer.

Perez said many parents are searching for solutions when it comes to emotional losses. That is more difficult to define.

“We all have been stressed and anxious,’’ Perez said. “This is all very challenging. We need to remind our children they’re not alone with these feelings. We need to normalize that feeling and validate it. We can provide reassurance and tell them how to be safe, but we can’t control everything.’’

For kids who are employing virtual learning at home, there is some control that parents can utilize, though.

“It’s unrealistic to think the kids are going to stare at their screens for hour after hour,’’ Perez said. “There must be some breaks and pauses. They have to be engaged in some activity and movement. Let them dance. Let them stretch. It’s always hard, depending on the setup at home, but there must be some form of down time.’’

Preparation is also important for at-home learning, Perez said.

“We’ve all been forced to rethink our daily lives,’’ Perez said. “None of us were necessarily prepared to turn our homes into classrooms. But, if your children are staying home to learn, it really helps to have a stimulating environment, whether it’s a small space or a large space.

“They must have the necessary tools for schoolwork without the distraction of televisions and other things. Ideally, they are not in their bedroom or in bed. Those two spaces should be separated. There must be a way to emphasize and prioritize the schoolwork.’’

For children returning to the school campus, there are different issues.

“Obviously, people with various conditions, such as respiratory illnesses and diabetes, may be at higher risk, not just (to) corona, but (to) other viruses, as well,’’ Perez said. “Conversations need to take place with health care providers, and it’s how you feel as a parent, as well.

“Schools have been working on solutions for about six months now. They are keeping kids 6 feet apart in the areas where they congregate. A lot are making use of their outdoor spaces. Face coverings and face shields are going to be really important. The hand-washing and using hand sanitizer is also very big. Most schools have escalated their cleaning. I think the proper precautions are being taken. But, of course, it’s still an individual choice for each family, and it’s not an easy choice.’’

Regardless of the school choice, Perez said it’s imperative to have healthy routines.

“Daily habits and daily routines are so important,’’ Perez said. “Set up the alarm clock to get the child moving. Have an hour a day where they’re walking outside. Get to bed early and get eight to nine hours of sleep.

“Don’t forget the eating habits. When kids are at home, it’s important not to overeat. Try to work on portion control. Drink water most of the time because we often confuse being thirsty for being hungry. Just do all you can to model healthy habits because they are so important in these times. And, know that when you’re feeling anxious or stressed, those are common feelings for everyone. Take a deep breath and know that we will all get through this,” Perez said.

By Joey Johnston

Published September 09, 2020

A home welcomes Zephyrhills’ impoverished

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There’s an open-door policy to whomever walks in the Samaritan Project of Zephyrhills Inc., with economic struggles weighing them down.

The organization has become a fixture in Zephyrhills to combat the continuing cycle of homelessness.

Established in 2008, the agency was in response to those already living on the streets, or on the verge.

The Samaritan Project works to get its name out to the community in helping the homeless. Pedro Molina and Roxxy Geisenheimer advocate on behalf of the organization at Zephyr Park. (Courtesy of the Samaritan Project of Zephyrhills Inc.)

Roxxy Geisenheimer is the executive director for the Samaritan Project and has been with the agency for the past two years.

“This organization was founded to stop the domino effect that happens when people experience traumas, tragedies or unforeseen circumstances,” she explained.

The director added that Zephyrhills saw a need for a “one-stop shop resource center.”

In turn, its office has a donation pantry where the less fortunate can come to collect food boxes, hygienic products and comb through racks of clothing.

The Samaritan Project staff also sits down with individuals to assess their situation and refer them to the proper resources.

Some may need things as simple as identification cards or bus passes, while others’ needs are more urgent.

In pinpointing the necessary resources, the agency works with the Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County, among other organizations, in what is known as the Continuum of Care.

Under this program, local institutions collaborate in collecting data to ultimately house the homeless and take preventive measures.

One such partnership the Samaritan Project has is with United Way of Pasco County.

Together they have established an agreement with Duke Energy to help clientele with past due electric bills.

Homeless veterans and their loved ones are referred to the Supportive Services for Veteran Families to help get on track to stable housing.

And, while the Samaritan Project has a psychologist on staff, there are those whose mental instability prevents them from properly articulating their needs.

In these cases, they may be sent for treatment to such places as Premier Community HealthCare, BayCare Behavioral Health or the North Tampa Behavioral Health Hospital.

Agency staff is also ready to drive people to their needed destinations, if necessary.

The collaborations go both ways as the Samaritan Project also receives referrals from local hospitals, law enforcement and churches, Geisenheimer said.

“We all try to share information and resources the best we can, and wrap around people who are struggling,” she added.

Job counselors help to get some on the road to employment, and disability attorneys advocate for those who cannot work.

Guardians ad Litem also support parents in the courtroom to reunite with their children when living conditions begin to improve.

However, not everyone who walks through the agency’s door comes from a cycle of poverty.

Samaritan Project staff members often go outdoors to befriend the homeless and help to get them on their feet. From left, front: Karen Greene, Carol Greene and Roxxy Geisenheimer; and, back: Paul Bathrick and Lawrence Vickstrom are several of the friendly faces found at the agency’s office.

“We work with people who, at one point, did very well for themselves,” the director said.

She noted that currently employed individuals, such as electricians, health care workers and teachers, also find themselves homeless.

From 2013 to 2017, the average household income in Zephyrhills was only an estimated $35,100 and the current poverty rate stands at 20 percent (of the population), according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

While some with jobs make a steady income, it may not be enough to keep them in their home – or even put down a security deposit.

In turn, the agency offers the Rent/Utility Assistance Program.

This initiative grants funds to help pay the rent or mortgage short-term, while trying to find a long-term solution.

“We try to help them figure out ‘how do we prevent this from being a problem next month,’” Geisenheimer explained.

With the Emergency Cold Weather Shelter program, staff will be on call 24 hours a day.

When the temperature drops below a certain level, displaced individuals are taken to safe shelters, whether a gymnasium or a hotel room.

To support its efforts, several grants are given from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Florida Department of Children and Families.

However, most of the agency’s funding comes from community donations, like businesses, churches or individuals, the director said.

Although Geisenheimer has seen various demographics seek help, she said she’s most surprised by the amount of elderly people who are homeless.

She recalled once helping a wheelchair-bound woman in her 80s make the transition from the woods to being placed in an assisted living facility.

That too, is what staff will do once closing up the office – street outreach. The agency sets out to find those in the woods or in abandoned buildings.

And, while they offer assistance to get people off the street, they will help set up tents for those not quite ready to leave the outdoors.

This is understandable to staff that volunteer, as they were, at one point, in the position as those they serve.

Geisenheimer, herself, was struggling years ago to find a stable home when she was pregnant.

She stated that staff members offer others not sympathy but empathy, noting:

“They know when they walk through the door, that they’re not being judged.”

What’s more, the agency does not operate in a plaza or off a main road, but within a residential area.

Its office is a renovated, two-bedroom house, which adds to a welcoming atmosphere, the director said.

She said that those who are displaced should remain hopeful that their situation is temporary.

And, by stepping through the front door of the office, that hope can become a reality.

For additional information or help, call (813) 810-8670, or visit Facebook.com/SamaritanProjectZephyrhills.

Published May 29, 2019