Life Sciences

Morton Plant’s New Pavillion Offers One-Stop Breast Care In Clearwater

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June 15, 2010

Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater has started construction on a building dedicated to breast health. When finished, patients will find one-stop care for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Construction is slated to be complete in May 2011.The 103,500-square-foot, four-story Axelrod Pavillion will house the Susan Cheek Needler Breast Center, the Carlisle Imaging Center and the Comprehensive Breast Care Center of Tampa Bay. An oncology resource library and Cancer Patient Support Services will also be housed in the new building. "By creating a new outpatient center on the Morton Plant Hospital campus, we will be able to better centralize certain imaging and diagnostic procedures while providing more space for our comprehensive breast health services," says Hal Ziecheck, the hospital's chief operating officer. "It will give patients more convenient access to imaging services in a centralized location."The imaging center provides a full range of imaging services, including X-ray, MRI, PET/CT, ultrasound, DEXA and mammography. The Breast Care Center offers the services of Dr. Peter Blumencranz and Dr. Kathleen Allen, both of whom specialize in treating breast cancer.Creative Contractors of Clearwater is handling the construction. According to Josh Bomstein, Creative Contractor's VP of business development, the Axelrod Pavilion will be Pinellas County's newest and greenest medical office building. "Following the first rule of medicine, this building will 'do no harm.' It will be energy and water efficient with healthful materials to provide a superior indoor environment for patients and doctors alike."The Axelrod Pavillion is named for Shirley and Harvey Axelrod, supporters of the Morton Plant Mease Foundation.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Hal Ziecheck, Morton Plant; Josh Bomstein, Creative Contractors

Latest in Life Sciences

Hot Ideas Make Creative Minds Sizzle At Tampa Bay’s coolTECH 2010

By Heidi Kempf

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Environment

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June 8, 2010

Scattered all across the Tampa Bay region -- in office parks, on college campuses, in home workshops and garages, perhaps even next door to you -- some of the world's coolest new technology is being envisioned, developed through trial and error, and adapted for practical use in business and industry as well as for personal assistance and play. Many examples were on display June 4 at the Tampa Bay Technology Forum's coolTECH 2010.

Manatee Manufacturer Rolls Out New Orthodontic Product

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Development News

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June 8, 2010

DENTSPLY International, Inc. has come out with an orthodontic product that corrects minor tooth misalignments almost invisibly in as little as three to six months. Clear-Aligner is clear, lightweight and removable aligners that are custom made for each patient.The publicly traded company has manufacturing and distribution operations in Manatee County through its acquisition of Glencoe Technologies of Bradenton and Raintree Essix of Metarie, LA. The conglomerate does business in Manatee as DENTSPLY Raintree Essix Glencoe. According to Brad Clatt, general manager of the Manatee location, the acquisitions took place over several years and added 41 new jobs and capital investments of over $1.2 million. Its expansion increased the business' footprint when it leased a 16,000-square-foot space in Manatee County. "From a raw material, labor, and resource perspective, Manatee was an attractive location to integrate the two businesses at the manufacturing facility here," says Clatt.He also praises the county's EDC for its work on behalf of businesses like his. "They are targeting key industries, investing significant resources, and putting forth legislative efforts to not only make this an attractive area for international businesses, but also to support their local industries to thrive. Counties that are investing into our future are those that are worth investing into."According to the EDC, Florida is home to the nation's second-largest medical device sector with more than 470 device manufacturers and hundreds more component manufacturers. And Clatt likes the quality of life the Tampa Bay area provides. "The area offers a tremendous balance of the beach, contemporary dining, the arts, and being just a short drive away from the mainstream urban life in Tampa," he says. "There's nothing better than spending the day at the beach and catching a Ray's game later than night."Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Brad Clatt, DENTSPLY Raintree Essix Glenco

Breathing Clear Imports Salty Air From European Caves To South Tampa

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Development News

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June 1, 2010

Breathing Clear, a speleotherapy salt-room center, is now open for business in South Tampa.Speleotherapy, often called cave therapy, originated in Eastern Europe, where salt mines in mountainous areas attract people suffering from the troublesome symptoms of allergies, asthma, bronchitis, COPD and other chronic respiratory ailments. Although not a clinically proven therapy, speleotherapy centers are common in Europe.Breathing Clear opened May 18 at 3838 Neptune Ave., Suite D-2. The business is owned by Amir Glogau, who emigrated from Eastern Europe and now lives in Tampa. "We did a demographic review of larger Tampa Bay area and discovered south Tampa would be most open to alternative therapies," says Robert McDermott, Breathing Clear's director of operations.Twenty tons of salt were shipped from the Ukraine, reputed to have the best therapeutic salt in the world. The center is equipped with two rooms in which guests can lounge and enjoy the benefits of salt therapy."Inside the room we monitor and control temperature and humidity, creating a climate similar to the salt caves of Europe," explains Melissa Weeks, a therapist at Breathing Clear. "The salt is drawn out of the bricks and into the room, where the patient inhales the microscopic particles, which goes into the lungs and has therapeutic effect. It decreases inflammation, releases mucus and has antibacterial benefits."Weeks warns that the treatment is meant to complement traditional therapies such as medication, not replace it. "It's not a cure. But it will make you feel better."Breathing Clear is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.Writer: Missy Kavanaugh Sources: Robert McDermott and Melissa Weeks, Breathing Clear

LakewooD-AmedeX In Sarasota Plans To Fight Infectious Disease, Add Jobs

By Brad Stager

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Innovation News

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May 25, 2010

LakewooD-AmedeX, Inc. is in the process of acquiring funding so it can develop and market drugs that will be effective against a variety of infectious diseases. According to a company press release, LakewooD-AmedeX is "developing a unique portfolio of anti-bacterial and anti-viral products including NuBioics, a novel family of synthetic anti-bacterial compounds, and antiviral products against hepatitis, HIV and influenza.'' Company plans call for acclerating development of its broad spectrum anti-influenza product into clinical studies.The company has acquired $1.35 million in funding from the federal government to set up a research facility in Sarasota County and hopes to start putting people to work soon."We're looking to set up right now a small pilot manufacturing facility and we'd like to get started on that within the next six months," says CEO and President Steve Parkinson. Parkinson adds that those jobs would be well-paying, skilled positions. Plans call for expanding from the current staff of four people to as many as 20 employees in the next year.If LakewooD-AmedeX is successful, the company could become a major employer in the region. According to Dan Stewart, who is vice-president for corporate development, they're ready to put some of their ideas to the test."We have three products that are ready for clinical trials and that's the next big step in the business," he says.Writer: Brad StagerSource: Steve Parkinson, LakewooD-AmedeX

Sarasota Neurologist Shares His Humanitarian Mission In Haiti

By Matt Spencer

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Buzz

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May 18, 2010

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.

USF St. Petersburg Boasts LEED-Certified Science And Technology Building

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Development News

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May 18, 2010

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

USF Health Eyes Downtown Tampa For New Training Facility

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Development News

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May 11, 2010

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

New Report Details Economic Growth in Pinellas County

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Development News

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May 4, 2010

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

Magnetic Research Facility Moves To Clearwater

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Development News

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April 20, 2010

Pico-Tesla Magnetic Therapies opened a Clearwater office in April to facilitate its research for Parkinson's and Type II Diabetes. The location, at 4500 140th Ave. N., was chosen for some interesting reasons. "Certainly demographics played a part," explains Allen Braswell, Pico's CEO. "The St. Petersburg Clearwater Airport puts us in the middle of those demographics. If you want to pull people from Tampa as well as Clearwater and St. Pete, this location is perfect for that." Once the geographic location was settled, a building that fit the company's unique requirements needed to be found. Because the company houses magnetic equipment, the building's position was critical. Hallmark Development of Florida stepped in to help. Paul Engelhardt, Hallmark VP, describes how interesting the experience was for him. "When I was first contacted by Allen, he said his treatment rooms needed to be positioned so they run north to south. He was originally interested in another property, but it was diagonally positioned, so I knew that wouldn't work. But this property I knew would work. " However, Braswell makes it clear demographics and building position weren't the only deciding factors. Braswell grew up in Clearwater. "I grew up here and am familiar with the area and the people," he says. "In some ways I feel like I never left. My father and I started a business that is now part of Jabil Circuit, which was the Tampa Bay Chamber's Business of the Year in 1993." Braswell is also happy to be back for other reasons. His favorite hangout is Capogna's Dugout, just down the street from his alma mater, Clearwater High School. When asked why Capogna's, he replies, "You've never had their pizza if you have to ask that question."Writer: Missy KavanaughSources: Allen Braswell, Pico-Tesla; Paul Engelhardt, Hallmark Development of Florida.