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By TONY HOLT

Published: August 24, 2008

Oak Hill announces its Associates of the Month

BROOKSVILLE Oak Hill Hospital recently announced its Star Associates of the Month for August. Each month hospital associates are chosen in a process that involves nominations and voting by their peers, patients, patient families and physicians. This month's Oak Hill Hospital "Stars" are William B. Terhune, Patricia Bon and James Hudson. Terhune is a mailroom clerk and has been employed at Oak Hill since July 1987. Before that, he was an original volunteer. Bon is a certified surgical technologist and has been with the hospital since January 2002. Hudson is a physical therapist. He was hired in May 2006. Oak Hill Hospital has been serving the Nature Coast since 1984. It is the largest medical facility in Hernando and Citrus counties (with 204 acute care beds) and offers Hernando's only comprehensive heart program including open heart surgery. It is located at 11375 Cortez Blvd.

Volunteer receptionist needed

BROOKSVILLE The Hernando County Airport Administration Office, located in the Airport Industrial Park, is in need of a volunteer receptionist. Anyone interested in helping out with answering the phone, greeting visitors and performing light clerical duties should contact the airport office at 754-4061 by Friday, Aug. 29.

Dawn Center launches online store

BROOKSVILLE Supporting the Dawn Center is now as simple as shopping online. The Dawn Center recently launched its new online store featuring T-shirts, mugs, stationary and more. At www.cafepress.com/DawnCenter, people can buy items featuring original artwork created by students along with other items that promote the Dawn Center's cause. Proceeds go directly to supporting the vital services offered by Hernando County's domestic and sexual violence center. Those who cannot find what they are looking for at the center's online store, users also may shop for the cause at GoodSearch.com. The GoodShop feature allows users to shop at an online mall featuring hundreds of stores with up to 37 percent of the sale benefiting the Dawn Center. For more information, call 352-684-7191.

AT&T launches enhanced eBill service for wireless customers

ORLANDO To make bill paying easier, AT&T Inc. recently announced an expanded relationship with CheckFree, now part of Fiserv – a leading provider of information technology services to the financial and insurance industries. Customers now have the option to receive and pay their AT&T wireless phone bills through more than 3,000 financial institution Web sites. AT&T's expanded relationship with CheckFree means customers can sign up through their banks' Web sites to receive eBills, or online statements, from AT&T. The AT&T eBill service lets customers access their current statements online, customize payment options and view archived account histories for their service. The company expects even more customers to pay their bills online in 2008. Consumers can learn more about how they can get started receiving and paying their bills online at www.ebillplace.com.

Verizon customers can easily report environmental crimes

TAMPA Verizon Wireless customers across Florida can now help protect the Sunshine State's natural resources by dialing #DEP from their wireless phones when they witness environmental crimes. The calls will be automatically directed to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and law enforcement personnel for immediate response and/or further investigation. Residents should call #DEP to report illegal dumping, burying or burning of prohibited materials, oil or chemical spills and other hazardous situations that could threaten Florida's sensitive environment or put others at risk. According to DEP officials, authorities last year responded to more than 2,100 incident reports, conducted almost 350 criminal investigations, and made 133 arrests for environmental crimes in Florida. Residents may also report environmental crimes by calling 877-272-8335 (877-2-SAVE-FL) from any landline phone. For tips on recognizing environmental crimes, visit DEP's Web site at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/law.

Local nurses pass oncology certification

BROOKSVILLE Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope recently announced three members of its nursing staff passed the Oncology Nurse Certification examination – on their first attempt.

Nursing supervisor Lisa Di Lascio, Amber McCarthy and Kathleen Nelson sat for the Oncology Nurse Certification exam Saturday, Aug. 9 in Tampa. The examination was administered by Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). It was founded by the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) in 1984 in response to a request from the membership for a certification program to further establish oncology nursing as a specialty and to recognize expertise in the field. Di Lascio, McCarthy and Nelson will be permitted to use the credentials "OCN" (Oncology Certified Nurse). Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope is affiliated with US Oncology, the nation's largest health care services network dedicated exclusively to cancer treatment and research.

For more information, visit www.FloridaCancerInstitute-NewHope.com or call toll free at 1-888-206-0054.

Ribbon cuttings are scheduled for this week

The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have the following ribbon-cutting ceremonies this week:

Pizza Villa – 11:30 a.m. today at 13150 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville. For more information, call Danny Leporino at 596-8956.

The Lion Heart Company – 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 9 N. Georgia Ave., in Brooksville. For more information, call Pamela McKinney at 544-5544.

GM's Bistro – 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 4 N. Broad St., in Brooksville. For more information, call Udi and Hope Mekler at 345-4802.

VBY Cashflows - 11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at the Brooksville Chamber Office, located at 101 E. Fort Dade Ave. For more information, call Virginia Young at 592-7127.

Jazzercise will host free open house today and Tuesday

SPRING HILL Local Jazzercise instructors Becky Mooneyham and Tracie Morse will offer a countywide free-for-all Jazzercise Open House Monday, Aug. 25 and Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Spring Hill Jazzercise, located at 1283 Kass Circle, and Brooksville Jazzercise Center, located at 422 S. Broad St. Open house festivities will include information on the Jazzercise program and a free workout. Admission is free to everyone and participants should dress to exercise. Refreshments will be served. Special registration discounts will be offered during Open House. For more information, call Mooneyham at 442- 8595 for Spring Hill times or Morse at 796-4796 for Brooksville times. The 60-minute Jazzercise class includes a warm-up, high-energy aerobic routines, muscle-toning and cool-down stretch segment. Jazzercise combines elements of dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, kickboxing and more to create programs for people of every age and fitness level. Benefits include increased cardiovascular endurance, strength and flexibility. For worldwide class information, visit www.jazzercise.com or call 1-800-FIT-IS-IT.

Chamber's August Membership Meeting will be held Wednesday

BROOKSVILLE The August Membership Meeting for the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will begin at 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at the Silverthorn Country Club, located at 4550 Golf Club Lane. The cost is $12 for members and $20 for nonmembers. Genworth Financial will be the sponsors. The speaker will be Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville.

Next "For Your Health" Community Seminar is Wednesday

BROOKSVILLE Oak Hill Hospital will continue its For Your Health Community Education Series at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27. Dr. Frank S. Bono will present You and Your Back at the Heritage Pines Country Club, located at 11524 Scenic Hills Blvd. in Spring Hill. Bono is a minimally invasive spine surgeon. Hor d'oeuvres will be served. Seating is limited and reservations are required. For more information, call 597-6333.

Look Good Feel Better Support Group will meet Wednesday

SPRING HILL The Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope will hold its Look Good Feel Better Support Group at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27. The Group meets the third Wednesday of every month at the Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope's Spring Hill Center, located at 10441 Quality Drive, Suite 203 in the Medical Arts Building next to Spring Hill Hospital. For more information, call Peggy Dome at 352-688-7744.

Texas Roadhouse will accept Bennigan's cards this week

WESLEY CHAPEL Those Bennigan's and Steak and Ale gift cards still have some value. Starting last week, all Florida Texas Roadhouse restaurants will exchange Bennigan's and Steak and Ale gift cards for a free entrée certificate. Guests can take the gift cards to any of the nine Florida Texas Roadhouse restaurants, including the Wesley Chapel location, and it will be exchanged for a free entrée certificate. There is no limit on which menu item a customer can choose, but there is a maximum of one card per table. The offer expires Saturday, Aug. 30. The restaurant also will exchange the cards through the mail by calling guest relations at 1-800-TEX-ROAD. The chain has restaurants in Gainesville, Lake City, Milton, Orlando, Ocoee, Orange Park, Wesley Chapel, Melbourne, and Palm Bay. The Brooksville location at the corner of Mariner Boulevard and State Road 50 will open next year.

Oak Hill announces Ethics Inspired Award recipients

BROOKSVILLE Oak Hill Hospital recently announced Jackie Fagan, senior clinical systems analyst, and Chuck Fribbley, technical analyst at Oak Hill Hospital, were recently awarded the quarterly Ethics Inspired Award of Excellence by the HCA West Florida Division for the Pasco-Hernando Market. The honor places both of them in nomination for the annual Ethics Inspired Award of Excellence, the highest honor an employee can receive within the West Florida Division. The Ethics Inspired Award of Excellence was created to recognize employees who go above and beyond in acting with absolute honesty, integrity and fairness in the conduct of business and the delivery of high-quality health care. The awards are given quarterly in recognition of those who demonstrate outstanding performance and lasting contribution in ethics, compliance and corporate responsibility. One winner in each of the five West Florida Division markets is selected each quarter. Quarterly winners receive a West Florida Division certificate and a $100 award. All quarterly winners are eligible for the annual recognition which includes a $1,000 award. HCA West Florida is a division of HCA, the nation's leading provider of healthcare.

Oak Hill vols retire after nearly a quarter century of service

SPRING HILL Oak Hill Hospital announced the retirement of Emmanuel and Miriam Hirsch as volunteers. They are members of the original volunteers and were on duty the day the hospital opened. But their involvement with the hospital began before its opening. Media accounts show the couple's active involvement in "Citizens for West Hernando Hospital, Inc." – the citizens group that lobbied for a hospital on the west side of Hernando County in the early 1980s. The Hirsches served three- and four-hour shifts per week until recently, when they reduced their time to one or two shifts per week. Manny Hirsch was extremely active in the hospital's executive committee during his entire tenure and served as a chairman of a department and several volunteer projects. The Volunteer Association recently honored the couple with a celebration.

Photo #1: Mimi and Manny Hirsch stand behind their retirement cake.

Photo #2: Manny and Mimi Hirsch were recently honored on their retirement as volunteers. Seated left to right are Bob Dixon, vice president of the Volunteer Association; Miriam "Mimi" Hirsch; and Manny Hirsch. Standing behind them are Pat Trent, secretary; and Dorothy Kaelin, president.

Author Martin to be guest speaker at Sept. 2 meeting

BROOKSVILLE Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope recently announced that author and management and training consultant Gaye Martin will be the guest speaker at its Sept. 2 breast cancer support group meeting. Martin is a management and training consultant and the owner of Resources Unlimited. She has taught at Central Florida Community College for more than 20 years and is a former member of the school's Women's Advisory Board. Martin conducts programs on communication and life skills. Florida Cancer Institute–New Hope hosts a monthly women's breast cancer support group meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. The group meets at its center at 7154 Medical Center Drive. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call Tambra Randazzo at 592-8128.

Bayonet Point will offer free prostate screenings Sept. 3

HUDSON Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point will be offering a free prostate screening from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3. Screenings consist of a PSA (prostate specific antigen) and DRE (digital rectal exam) performed by board certified physicians. Appointments are required. To make your appointment, call 727-869-5498 or 1-888-741-5119, 24 hours a day. Prostate Cancer is one of the most common cancers among men. Regular prostate check-ups are recommended for men beginning at age 50. Yearly check-ups are recommended for men 40 and older who have either a family history of prostate cancer or for African-American men who are more likely to develop prostate cancer. Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point is a 290-bed acute care facility located in Hudson. Home of the nationally acclaimed Heart Institute, more than 335 physicians, 950 employees and 500 volunteers comprise the integrated healthcare delivery team. Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has been designated a 100 Top Hospital seven years by Thomson 100 Top Hospital (formerly Solucient), and has been named twice (1999 and 2002) by U.S. News & World Report as one of America's Best Hospitals in heart surgery. Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has received national certification as a Primary Stroke Center from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO); Approved Community Cancer Program by the College of Surgeons and has the only Accredited Chest Pain Center in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. For more information, visit www.rmchealth.com or www.heartoftampa.com.

Prostate Cancer Support Group will meet Sept. 8

BROOKSVILLE The Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope will hold its regular "Man to Man" prostate cancer support group at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8. Co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society, "Man to Man" meets on the first Monday of every month at the Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope's Brooksville Center, located at 7154 Medical Center Drive. Topics frequently discussed include the importance of early detection, signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, prognosis, disease stages, incontinence, impotence, the various treatment options including hormone therapy and medications and especially the latest research and treatment modalities. Speakers include physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, social workers and others. For more information, call Betty Lawrence at 596-1926. Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope is affiliated with US Oncology, the nation's largest health care services network dedicated exclusively to cancer treatment and research. US Oncology provides extensive services and support to its affiliated cancer care sites nationwide to help them expand their offering of the most advanced treatments, build integrated cancer care centers, improve their therapeutic drug management programs and participate in many of the new cancer-related clinical research studies. Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope has six locations throughout Pasco and Hernando counties. For more information call 1-888-206-0054 or visit www.FloridaCancerInstitute-NewHope.com.

Institute-New Hope's Caregiver Support Group is Sept. 11

SPRING HILL Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope will hold its Caregiver Support Group at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11. The Group meets the second Thursday of every month at the Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope's Spring Hill Center, located at 10441 Quality Drive, Suite 203 in the Medical Arts Building next to Spring Hill Regional Hospital. For more information call Dorothy Hiller at 688-7744.

Summit for Youth scheduled for Sept. 30

SPRING HILL The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee and other community service partners are sponsoring the first-ever Summit for Youth. The event will take place Tuesday, Sept. 30. This Summit is a think-tank opportunity for key community partners, social service agencies and the school district to come together to brainstorm solutions to improve key indicators for our youth in the areas of graduation rate, substance use/abuse, teen pregnancy and violence/abuse/neglect. Anyone interested in participating in one of the working committees is encouraged to contact Tracy Echols at success@theabundanceadvantage.com or 352-277-3322. There are $250 and $100 sponsorship opportunities available.

Presentation on managing medication will take place Sept. 30

HUDSON Dr. Troy Jarvi will be the featured speaker for an upcoming lecture on "Understanding and Managing your Medication." Jarvi will talk briefly about knowing when and how to take your medication, the safest practices in drug storage and purchasing, learning how medications work and how to monitor their effectiveness, what to do with your medications after a hospital stay and what to do when your medications change. This presentation is sponsored by Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point and will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at CARES Hudson Bayonet Point Enrichment Center, located at 12417 Clock Tower Parkway. The event is free to the public. Due to limited seating, reservations are required and can be made by calling 727-869-5498 or 1-888-741-5119.

Oak Hill will offer free prostate cancer screenings in September

BROOKSVILLE Oak Hill Hospital announced it will once again offer complimentary prostate cancer screenings in September of 2008. The screening consists of two parts. The first part consists of a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood draw offered the weeks of September 2 through September 15 at the hospital's ExpressLab, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 2 PM (closed 12 – 1 PM). The second part of the screening is a physician digital rectal exam (DRE). In order to participate in the screening both the PSA and the DRE are required. The physician DRE is by appointment only on Thursday, September 25, 2008. DRE appointments may be scheduled now through September 1, 2008 by calling 352-597-6333 in Hernando or 352-628-6060 in Citrus. Anyone registered for DRE appointments may have their PSA blood test drawn between September 2 and September 15 according to the hours provided above. Exact locations and directions for the DRE exam will be provided based on the registration. There is limited availability. Early appointments are encouraged.

Beach Bash will take place Oct. 3

HERNANDO BEACH Tickets are on sale for the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce Annual Beach Bash. The event will take place at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at the Hernando Beach Club, located at 3145 Flamingo Blvd. Tickets are $15 per person. This year's theme is Surfin' FLA. For sponsorships and tickets, call 796-0697, Ext. 15.

Florida Farm Bureau annual meeting will be held Oct. 8-10

ORLANDO Hundreds of farmers and ranchers from across the state will convene Oct. 8-10 at the Peabody Hotel in Orlando for the Florida Farm Bureau Federation's 67th annual meeting. Organized around the theme "Growing for Tomorrow," the meeting will offer events centered on Florida Farm Bureau Women, Young Farmers and Ranchers and legislative action and education. Voting delegates will elect the president and vice president and adopt the policies that will guide the organization during the next 12 months. For more information on the annual meeting, contact Rachel Kudelko at 352-378-8100, Ext. 1030, or e-mail her at Rachel.kudelko@ffbf.org. Information may also be found at http://floridafarmbureau.org/annual_meeting. The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is the state's largest general-interest agricultural association with more than 140,000 member-families statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, the federation is an independent, nonprofit agricultural organization.

Sponsorships, booths still available for Oct. 18 Health Fair

BROOKSVILLE Sponsorships and booths are still available for the fourth Annual Hernando County Health Fair, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 18. The annual event has drawn as many as 2,000 visitors. Various sponsorship packages are available starting at $500. The Health Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Brooksville Elks Lodge 2582, located at 14494 Cortez Blvd. More than 65 local health care businesses share information, give demonstrations and provide free health screenings for the community. Interior booths are available for $135 and a limited number of outside booths also will be available for $110. Complimentary samples from local food establishments will be available as well as live music and entertainment. Flu shots will be offered for $25 each (Medicare and most insurances will be accepted). Current presenting sponsors include Oak Hill Hospital, Brooksville and Spring Hill Regional Hospitals, the Nature Coast Community Health Center, Elks Brooksville Lodge 2582 and Hernando County Health Department. Media sponsors include Hernando Today, WWJB AM Radio, TBO.com and News Channel 8 On Your Side. Additional major sponsors include THE Bus, Hernando Orthopedic and Spinal Surgery, Medicare Health Options LLC and Wellcare. For more information, call Denise Nohejl at 352-544-5206.

New Residents Reception is scheduled for Oct. 30

WEEKI WACHEE The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will hold its New Residents Reception at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at Weeki Wachee Springs Attraction. There are indoor and outdoor tables still available for chamber members. A $20 discount is being offered for those who book for both the October and March events. The deadline is Sept. 25. For more information, call 796-0697, Ext. 15.

Rotary Club of Spring Hill Central meets every Thursday

SPRING HILL The Rotary Club of Spring Hill Central meets every Thursday throughout the year at the Wellington Clubhouse, located at 400 Wexford Road. Past Rotarians always are welcome to visit. Those interested in becoming a member are encouraged to have lunch with group members at 11:45 a.m. every Thursday. For more information, call Brooks Edwards at 666-4107 or Josh Kelly at 666-0068. The Web site is located at www.shcrotary.com.

Chamber offers marketing opportunity

SPRING HILL The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce is offering its members the opportunity to market their business with table top space at any of the upcoming monthly membership meetings. The cost for the table top is $50. For more information, call the chamber at 796-0697.

Dawn Center offers free speaker's bureau

SPRING HILL The Dawn Center, Hernando County's domestic and sexual violence shelter, has a free speaker's bureau available to organizations that are interested. Advocates at the center can offer seminars on domestic and sexual abuse and keys to prevention. For more information, call Morgan Moeller at 592-1288.

Local women's business network meets twice per month

SPRING HILL The Hernando County Home Business Women's Network group meets twice a month. The Spring Hill Chapter meets on the first and third Wednesday and the Brooksville Chapter meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. This is a non-compete group for women who are home-based, own their own store or office and are entrepreneurs. The members network to help one another promote products and services as well as helping in the community. For more information on meeting times and locations, visit www.hchomebusinesswomensnetwork.com.

Business Briefcase, compiled by Tony Holt, is published each Monday. News releases must be received by the Wednesday before the desired publication date. Items of interest include employee promotions, company openings, closings, expansions and relocations, business celebrations, classes, lectures and special events. Send news to Hernando Today, 15299 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, Fla. 34613, or e-mail them to wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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