USF Dean: New Focus Required For Med Schools
Training the next generation of doctors will require stronger focus on creativity and communication, rather than emphasis on test scores and grades. That’s the advice expressed by Dr. Stephen Klasko, […]
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Clearwater Mental Health Center Expands, Adds Docs
We're happy that you've chosen us and we're going to walk beside you as you embrace this journey. You are our first priority. We will protect your privacy, restore your hope and focus on your strengths.These are the promises a new fountain in the lobby of Clearwater's Directions for Mental Health makes to clients entering the building for services. April Lott, Directions' new president & CEO, has revitalized both the services Directions provides and the buildings that house those services. Improvements include moving its children's services to a family-friendly Largo location, installing a welcoming lobby with a trickling fountain, adding two in-house physicians and using tele-medicine to reach those who need mental health services but have no transportation.Lott says that the investments were worth it, given the economic impact Directions has on the community."Our economic impact is exponential," says Lott. "We serve over 9,000 clients every year. Those 9,000 individuals are a part of families and businesses. Our services allow them to be productive members of the community and prevent them from becoming homeless or placed in jail."Lott says the installation of the lobby fountain and the message inscribed on it, were especially poignant for her, given that a family member struggles with mental illness. "She said every time she went for help, she felt unwelcome. They didn't even look at her. I didn't want people who walk in here to feel that way,'' says Lott. "When I started working with the architect, Shoreline Designs Group, I told them that I wanted the lobby to be welcoming; that I wanted a water feature that communicates our promises to our clients. "After the fountain was built I shared the promises with my family member. I asked her, 'Would this make you feel welcome?' And she said 'Yes. That would do it.' "Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: April Lott, Directions for Mental Health
AIPS Seeks Donations To Provide Meds For Needy
The American Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (AIPS), a nonprofit organization in Tampa, is focused on helping those in financial distress get the medications they need. "One substantial challenge that our team is focused on is the issue of uninsured and under-insured patients who are not able to afford their life-sustaining medications," says Mike Thiel, VP of marketing and business development at AIPS."When patients cannot obtain their medications or services, they end up flooding into emergency departments with the taxpayers having to cover the expenses."AIPS developed a program to help called "Prescription Support.''"The reality is that we could all find ourselves in similar circumstances related to changes in employment, financial position or even the occurrence of an unanticipated medical crisis," says Thiel. AIPS assists those who are uninsured, under-insured, have high deductibles, high out-of-pocket expenses, are diagnosed with a catastrophic condition or have exceeded their policy limits, he says. Since its inception in 2007, according to Thiel, AIPS has provided more than $30 million in free medications and is seeking support from the community. "We are at a critical level of financial needs at this juncture based on the tremendous needs for the services across our community," says Thiel. "Any and all donations are appreciated and will make an immediate positive impact."Writer: Kimberly PattersonSource: Mike Thiel, The American Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
13 Ugly Men Pay For Playground At TGH Clinic
Thanks to a group of self-proclaimed ugly men, children visiting Tampa General's Pediatric Clinic Healthpark have a new place to play.The 13 Ugly Men Foundation, a nonprofit charity "party" group comprised of doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs, donated $18,000 from the proceeds of its last Halloween party to the Tampa General Hospital Foundation to fund a playground for children visiting the hospital for medical care.The new fenced-in playground is between the hospital's Pediatric Clinic and Genesis buildings at 5802 N. 30th Street. The area, which is set under a group of big trees, includes benches and a brightly colored piece of playground equipment with slides. A loudspeaker will be installed soon to page families when it's time for their appointment. Robin DeLaVergne, executive director of the Tampa General Hospital Foundation, says the playground meets a need created by recent expansion at the clinic."We had expanded the clinical space," explains DeLaVergne, "And the only way we could do that was to take the children's waiting room away. So we built the playground for the kids. Now visiting children and their families can go outside and play while they wait for their appointments."About 900 children are treated at the Pediatric Clinic each month. The 13 Ugly Men Foundation hosts special events and parties in the Tampa Bay region. Proceeds go toward a variety of organizations that benefit the community. Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Robin DeLaVergne, Tampa General Hospital Foundation
Clearwater Mental Health Center Expands, Adds Docs
We're happy that you've chosen us and we're going to walk beside you as you embrace this journey. You are our first priority. We will protect your privacy, restore your hope and focus on your strengths.These are the promises a new fountain in the lobby of Clearwater's Directions for Mental Health makes to clients entering the building for services. April Lott, Directions' new president & CEO, has revitalized both the services Directions provides and the buildings that house those services. Improvements include moving its children's services to a family-friendly Largo location, installing a welcoming lobby with a trickling fountain, adding two in-house physicians and using tele-medicine to reach those who need mental health services but have no transportation.Lott says that the investments were worth it, given the economic impact Directions has on the community."Our economic impact is exponential," says Lott. "We serve over 9,000 clients every year. Those 9,000 individuals are a part of families and businesses. Our services allow them to be productive members of the community and prevent them from becoming homeless or placed in jail."Lott says the installation of the lobby fountain and the message inscribed on it, were especially poignant for her, given that a family member struggles with mental illness. "She said every time she went for help, she felt unwelcome. They didn't even look at her. I didn't want people who walk in here to feel that way,'' says Lott. "When I started working with the architect, Shoreline Designs Group, I told them that I wanted the lobby to be welcoming; that I wanted a water feature that communicates our promises to our clients. "After the fountain was built I shared the promises with my family member. I asked her, 'Would this make you feel welcome?' And she said 'Yes. That would do it.' "Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: April Lott, Directions for Mental Health
AIPS Seeks Donations To Provide Meds For Needy
The American Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (AIPS), a nonprofit organization in Tampa, is focused on helping those in financial distress get the medications they need. "One substantial challenge that our team is focused on is the issue of uninsured and under-insured patients who are not able to afford their life-sustaining medications," says Mike Thiel, VP of marketing and business development at AIPS."When patients cannot obtain their medications or services, they end up flooding into emergency departments with the taxpayers having to cover the expenses."AIPS developed a program to help called "Prescription Support.''"The reality is that we could all find ourselves in similar circumstances related to changes in employment, financial position or even the occurrence of an unanticipated medical crisis," says Thiel. AIPS assists those who are uninsured, under-insured, have high deductibles, high out-of-pocket expenses, are diagnosed with a catastrophic condition or have exceeded their policy limits, he says. Since its inception in 2007, according to Thiel, AIPS has provided more than $30 million in free medications and is seeking support from the community. "We are at a critical level of financial needs at this juncture based on the tremendous needs for the services across our community," says Thiel. "Any and all donations are appreciated and will make an immediate positive impact."Writer: Kimberly PattersonSource: Mike Thiel, The American Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
13 Ugly Men Pay For Playground At TGH Clinic
Thanks to a group of self-proclaimed ugly men, children visiting Tampa General's Pediatric Clinic Healthpark have a new place to play.The 13 Ugly Men Foundation, a nonprofit charity "party" group comprised of doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs, donated $18,000 from the proceeds of its last Halloween party to the Tampa General Hospital Foundation to fund a playground for children visiting the hospital for medical care.The new fenced-in playground is between the hospital's Pediatric Clinic and Genesis buildings at 5802 N. 30th Street. The area, which is set under a group of big trees, includes benches and a brightly colored piece of playground equipment with slides. A loudspeaker will be installed soon to page families when it's time for their appointment. Robin DeLaVergne, executive director of the Tampa General Hospital Foundation, says the playground meets a need created by recent expansion at the clinic."We had expanded the clinical space," explains DeLaVergne, "And the only way we could do that was to take the children's waiting room away. So we built the playground for the kids. Now visiting children and their families can go outside and play while they wait for their appointments."About 900 children are treated at the Pediatric Clinic each month. The 13 Ugly Men Foundation hosts special events and parties in the Tampa Bay region. Proceeds go toward a variety of organizations that benefit the community. Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Robin DeLaVergne, Tampa General Hospital Foundation
