Article published in The Palm Harbor Beacon,
March 2013

By KERRY SCHOFIELD

PALM HARBOR – Area residents will have a chance to query medical professionals on a variety of topics when Florida Hospital North Pinellas conducts its first Ask the Experts event Thursday, March 28, at Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort.

Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. in Inverness Hall followed by a free sit-down dinner and dessert. Blood pressure and foot and ankle screenings also will be available at no charge.

Florida Hospital is a faith-based, not-for-profit organization that offers many seminars, lectures and screenings to residents of north Pinellas and west Pasco counties. Local residents may know the hospital from its former name, Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, which began as a 20-bed cottage in Central Florida more than 100 years ago.

Today, Florida Hospital represents a statewide system of 22 hospitals in 12 Florida counties. The hospital and its parent organization, Adventist Health System (AHS), have invested more than $46 million to ensure the facility delivers the highest-quality patient experience.

“Adventist is a primary stroke center and we became accredited for that,” said Christine Longley, manager of community outreach and volunteer services. “We went paper free … and we renovated our rooms and lobby.”

Longley was recruited to Florida Hospital last January from Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where she worked for 12 years in community outreach. Cleveland Clinic is one of the largest and most respected hospitals in the country and is recognized for its premier cardiac care.

Emergency medicine physician Michael Longley will moderate the event Thursday evening. Michael is Christine Longley’s son and is another reason she relocated to Florida. “It’s beautiful here and I love it,” she said.

“It’s the best thing I did.”

Event dinner tables will seat between 8 and 10 people and those attending can choose their table. A doctor will sit at each table and will represent his or her practice. Attendees can talk to the doctor of their choice while eating.

After dinner, a panel of seven physicians will answer and discuss health questions from the audience ranging from general surgery to emergency medicine. Panelists include Drs. Norman Abbott, cardiology; Paul Arnold, urology; Louis Astra, cardiothoracic and vascular general surgery; David Fine, podiatric medicine and surgery; Rajneesh Mathur, emergency medicine; Edward Norman, anesthesiology; and Cynthia Roever, internal medicine and geriatrics.

Types of questions asked may include inquiries about surgery, medical procedures, side effects of medication and pain such as a hurting foot. Longley said the evening will be informal. She said the panelists are excellent and have a good sense of humor.

“Some of the questions are very serious,” Longley said. “A lot of the (questions) are funny and you think, ‘how did they have the nerve to ask that?’”

Longley said the event is being held to make people and the community aware of services offered by Florida Hospital. People new to the area may want a new doctor. Some may be in need of a specialist or have an illness or injury that needs to be treated while others may prefer a female doctor.

Over 25 vendors will be available in the lobby area from 4:30 to 6 p.m. A selection of vendors includes area businesses in home health, insurance, medical equipment and attorney services. Table sponsors are available for $125.

Reservations are required to attend the event and space is limited. Call 943-3600 to reserve space. Gift card prizes are available.

On Friday, April 26, 11 a.m. to noon, Florida Hospital will hold a free luncheon, Ask the Pharmacist. Two pharmacists will be available to answer questions about medications. Those attending can bring in new prescriptions and old medications to be discarded. The event will be held at Florida Hospital, 1395 South Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs, in conference rooms A and B on the second floor. Call 943-3600 for reservations.

A three-part “Managing Your Diabetes” lecture will be presented by Florida Hospital: Understanding Diabetes, Tuesday, April 9, 10 a.m.; Healthy Eating for a Healthy Heart, Tuesday, May 14, 2 p.m.; and I Have EXERCISE: The Absolute Best, Tuesday, June 4, 10 a.m. Call 943-3600 for details and reservations.