A $75 million expansion for St. Joseph's Women's Hospital in Tampa broke ground in May. The 125,000-square-foot building will house the new neonatal intensive care unit, the Hinks and Elaine Shimberg Breast Center and other women's services. Read the complete story.
The University of South Florida was awarded a $701,173 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to research targeted back exercises and their effectiveness on preventing back injuries in firefighters. The university will conduct a 2-year study with the City of Tampa Fire Rescue.The grant is the largest amount awarded in the state and the only "Research and Prevention" award in Florida.Read the complete release.
The new Science and Technology Building at USF St. Petersburg has earned a gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council for its energy-efficient design and construction by Creative Contractors of Clearwater. The LEED-certified building, completed in February, has much to offer the community as well as students, says Josh Bomstein, vice president of Creative Contractors, More than half of the materials used to build the facility were locally extracted and manufactured. Eighty-five percent of the waste generated by the building's construction was recycled rather than sent to the landfill, which is equal to 1,159 tons of waste. Crews used the tilt-wall method to erect its walls.The 35,000-square-foot, two-story building, with a gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, will save nearly $80,000 in energy costs due to its reflective and insulated roof and low-emissivity glass that decreases heat, thus lowering air conditioning in summer and heating costs in winter. In addition, water-efficient fixtures lower water usage by 50 percent, which translates to 94,000 gallons of water saved annually. Florida-friendly landscaping and reclaimed water help keep water usage to a minimum as well.USF St. Petersburg's Harborwalk pedestrian mall unifies what was once a disjointed campus by providing a gathering place in front of a fountain donated by the Sembler family and ample open areas for recreation. Not only is the new mall conducive to walking and biking, but it is conveniently located to bus and trolley lines. Its garage offers preferred parking to energy-efficient vehicles.The Science and Technology Building houses eight classrooms and 13 labs. Lecterns are equipped with smart monitors, and tiered classrooms can be reconfigured to meet the needs of occupants. The building will host classes for the College of Arts & Sciences and labs for marine science research. Writer: Missy Kavanaugh Source: Josh Bomstein, Creative Contractors
Community Health Centers of Pinellas (CHCP) has opened a Women's Health Center at the Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center in St. Petersburg."Staff will be able to focus on the needs of women," says Dr. Marilyn Fudge, assistant medical director of Women's Services. "The Women's Health Center will offer preventive care and education specific to women's issues in a safe and caring environment. Center staff will offer care before, during and after pregnancy."The women's center is funded in part by $1.1 million in federal funding awarded by the American Recovery Reinvestment Act. A 3,800-square-foot addition adds six exam rooms to the existing facility at 1344 22nd St. S., which will be used for family planning, obstetric and gynecological care to the St. Petersburg community."I am pleased to see our federal tax dollars at work," says St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster. "Designed to address the health care needs specific to women in our community, this new clinic will lead to additional health and wellness services available to our Midtown residents."There are five locations in the Community Health Centers network of care across Pinellas County, including Pinellas Park, Clearwater, Largo and Tarpon Springs in addition to the St. Petersburg facility. The $1.1 million in federal funding also will allow the network to upgrade its medical records system.The Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center is located on the site where Mercy Hospital once stood. It was the first in the CHCP network of health centers opened and has been serving the community for more than 25 years.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Dr. Marilyn Fudge, Community Health Centers of Pinellas
Providing high-quality access to healthcare treatment and services to people who need it greatly but have no insurance and little money to pay is a challenge that has become more common in recent times. Premier Community Healthcare Group, Inc., a Pasco County medical practice, embraces that challenge as a business model and is growing as a result of it. Premier was founded in 1979 and operates as community family healthcare centers in Zephyrhills, Dade City and a recently opened clinic in New Port Richey. A full range of services are provided, including adult and pediatric care, OB GYN, dental and behavioral health. Premier CEO Kim Schuknecht says finding solutions that will improve patients' lives is part of the joy in doing the work she and her staff perform. "Working in a community health center is very challenging and somewhat frustrating at times, but also extremely rewarding. The majority of our patients are uninsured so the challenge comes in finding the resources to meet their oftentimes complicated medical issues." Susan Hutson, Premier's director of marketing and development, says part of the answer is in how health is viewed at Premier. "Because of the nonprofit "higher calling," our approach is more holistic," she says.Some of the openings Premier is hoping to staff with professionals who are motivated by a sense of community service include a pediatrician, medical office manager, ARNP and office and housekeeping positions. These are salaried positions, but Schuknecht says there's a non-monetary bonus as well. "The reward? Knowing at the end of the day that we have done something to improve the health and well-being of those who would otherwise go without quality care. That's a good day at Premier!"Writer: Brad StagerSource: Susan Hutson, Premier Community Healthcare Group
Dr. Michael Meriwether, a 61-year-old Sarasota neurologist, shared his emotional 10-day trip to assist Haiti's earthquake relief effort in a recent article for the Bradenton Herald. Meriwether joined the effort through Lumiere Medical Ministries, a Christian mission group in North Carolina, after hearing about it from his office manager. Read the complete story.
A commentary published in The Tampa Tribune discusses the growth of a bicycle movement in the Tampa Bay region. Alan Snel, director of South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers, shares how to facilitate a more open discussion on the positive impact of bicycling with the "three E's:" educating the public through the media, enforcement of bike laws and road engineering with regards to bicyclists.Read the complete commentary.
USF Health is planning a state-of-the-art training and research facility for medical professionals.Michael Hoad, vice president of communications at the University of South Florida, says the core draw for medical professionals who will attend training at the new center is the center itself."It's like the pilot training centers that airlines have," says Hoad. "We know there is national pressure for skills testing and certification. We know surgeons are interested in new ways to be safe and high quality. All of that will draw them."According to Hoad, the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) will be a special facility. "Right now it will be one of the few in the country -- certainly the only one in the region." But Hoad warns that USF needs to jump quickly at the opportunity. "Other universities will develop these, which is why there is urgency to get going quickly."The CAMLS will provide training in surgical skills, simulation and virtual hospital, a lecture auditorium and a research and innovation laboratory that will develop and test prototype devices and techniques.If a proposed location in downtown Tampa is approved, it will increase business for the Hyatt, the Marriott Waterside and other downtown hotels. In addition, Disney World, Busch Gardens and Sea World are within a two-hours' drive, a plus for those medical professionals traveling with family.Hoad also adds that the chance to work with USF faculty is another major draw. "USF is excited about exploring the downtown Tampa location. We believe we can be an anchor tenant for business in Tampa by drawing people to the region," says Hoad.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Michael Hoad, USF Communications
Providing services to senior citizens is one area of the economy that has withstood the test of the current recession. An example of that resilience is the opening later this month of Brentwood Senior Living Community in St. Petersburg.The $25 million facility will have 200 apartments, resident care and recreation facilities, and has space for medical offices and retail outlets. Particular emphasis is given to accommodating the needs of residents sufferering from Alzheimer's Disease and dementia as well as their caregivers. Staffing needs include hiring an executive chef, nurses, resident care coordinators, community relations coordinator and housekeeping and maintenance staff and supervisors.Monique Spruill, Brentwood's executive director, says she and her staff want to provide something special. "This is so much more than a place to live. We are building a community with amazing resources and lifestyle options, from our resident rooms to amenities such as a wellness center, café, billiards parlor, spa with hydro tub, library, ice cream parlor and a private dining room. This is truly a leader in senior care."Many of Brentwood's resources are available to non-residents and their caregivers. There is a day program that provides social opportunities and overnight accommodations for seniors with sleep disturbances, confusion, Alzheimer's or wandering habits. Transportation to and from the program is available for local seniors within 10 miles of Brentwood. Local companies are involved in the project from the ground up. Swanholm Central, LLC is the developer and Karns Enterprises is the builder. Brentwood is managed by Senior Management Advisors, a Clearwater-based operator of full service independent living, assisted living and Alzheimer's care residential communities in Florida and Georgia.Visit Brentwood's website or call (727) 536-9900 for more information.Writer: Brad StagerSource: Alisha do Santos, RFB Communications
Pinellas County Economic Development has released a new report on property conversions and new construction throughout the county. Here's a quick snapshot of projects that can be found on Yahoo's flickr and are presented in the report:Largo's Airco golf course and St. Petersburg's Toytown landfill are undergoing transformations in May. The former golf course will become a mixed-use aviation and business park. Toytown is to become a retail, office and residential space. SRI is moving into a 30,000-square-foot St. Petersburg facility and cigar maker Oettinger Davidoff is moving into the former Hunter Douglas facility in Pinellas Park. Palm Harbor's Geographic Solutions is moving downtown and Suncoast Hospice added a Community Service Center to its location on Tampa Road in Oldsmar. Tourists can chose between the Hotel Zamora on St. Pete beach, a Holiday Inn in Largo or the Hyattt Regency on Clearwater Beach. Medical businesses are expanding as well. St. Pete's All Children's Hospital, Largo Medical Center, and Gulfcoast Cancer Center have expanded their facilities recently, and Morton Plant Mease is adding a breast health facility. Bay Pines Veterans Administration is adding an eye treatment and surgery center, and new medical centers are now open at the Curlew Medical Center in Oldsmar along with the Trilogy Medical Center on McMullen Booth Road. "Pinellas County is very fortunate to have begun planning aggressively for redevelopment several years ago," says Cindy Margiotta, senior manager of operations at Pinellas County Economic Development. "Listening to the needs of our growing businesses, discussing land use best practices with our builders and working collaboratively with our citizens has allowed Pinellas to persevere with improvements." Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Stacey Swank, Pinellas County EDC
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