Pasco County business notes

Briefly

The future Medical Center of Trinity, currently Community Hospital, was recently recognized by the Joint Commission.

Community Hospital has 12 chronic care management programs that have earned the Gold Seal of Approval for health care quality. Five are the first for Florida, and one is the first in the nation. Only one other hospital in Florida has earned 12 certifications.

The following were awarded: advanced certification in stroke (Primary Stroke Center), kidney cancer (first in the nation), lung cancer, colon/rectal cancer, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (all first in the state); cervical surgical spine, lumbar surgical spine (both second in the state); heart failure (third in the state); and acute myocardial infarction, joint hip replacement and joint knee replacement (fourth in the state).

To earn this distinction, a disease management program undergoes an extensive, unannounced on-site evaluation by a team of Joint Commission reviewers every two years.

The Joint Commission launched its Disease-Specific Care Certification program in 2002. It is the first program of its kind in the country to certify disease management programs.

Community Hospital in New Port Richey will be replaced by the Medical Center of Trinity, which is under construction, in late 2011. The new center is at the corner of State Road 54 and Little Road.

• • •

The Pasco Sleep Center, 5453 Gulf Drive, New Port Richey, has received program accreditation for five years from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

To receive a five-year accreditation, a sleep center must meet or exceed all standards for professional health care as designated by the academy. The accreditation process involves detailed inspection of a center's facility and staff, including an evaluation of testing procedures, patient contacts, and physician training.

For information, call Dr. Alok Kumar at (727) 845-0459.

Who's news

Dr. Isaac S. Vergara, an ophthalmologist, has joined the recently expanded business of the Perich Eye Center/Zephyrhills Eye Institute, 38921 Market Square Drive, Zephyrhills. Vergara completed his graduate work at the University of Texas at San Antonio and finished medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. For information, call (813) 960-8412.

Events

The West Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its quarterly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at Fox Hollow Golf Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway, New Port Richey.

The cost is $11 per person, which includes beverage, tax and gratuity. To RSVP, call the chamber at (727) 842-7651.

• • •

The West Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have the following ribbon-cuttings this week.

• Allstate Insurance, 2517 Seven Springs Blvd., Trinity, 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. For information, call the chamber at (727) 842-7651.

• Pappas Ranch, 11345 State Road 54, Odessa, 6 p.m. Thursday. For information, call (727) 376-3336.

• • •

The BNI Revenue Source, a referral-based networking group, will meet from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Heritage Springs Country Club, 11345 Robert Trent Jones Parkway, Trinity. Visitors are welcome. The meeting cost, which includes breakfast, is $10. Call David Randall, president, at (727) 842-7744.

• • •

Beazer Homes will host a gala Casino Night for Tampa Bay area Realtors from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Dupree Lakes, 6153 Everlasting Place, off Ehren Cutoff and U.S. 41, Land O'Lakes.

Admission to the event is free. Casino Night will feature games including blackjack, craps and Texas hold'em. Realtors can use their winnings to earn the top three prizes of American Express gift cards.

For information, call Kareyann Rhodes, sales manager, at (813) 663-9002.

• • •

Service Corps of Retired Executives Pasco-Hernando Chapter 439 will present a free small business seminar, "Introduction to QuickBooks," from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., Dade City.

Mike Kouremetis, a SCORE counselor, will present the seminar. No registration is required. For information, call the SCORE office at (727) 842-4638.

• • •

The West Pasco Chamber of Commerce's Applebee's Networking Group will have its Business Card and Brochure Exchange from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Applebee's, 8537 Little Road, New Port Richey.

The event is sponsored by Tampa Bay Property Management.

The cost is $12 per person. To RSVP, call the chamber at (727) 842-7651 by Wednesday.

• • •

BNI Eagles will hold a networking event at 7:30 a.m. Thursday in the Palm Room at Springs Golf and Country Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd. (off Little Road, north of State Road 54). RSVP at (727) 967-1418.

• • •

The West Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its After 5 Mixer from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Pappas Ranch, 11345 State Road 54, Odessa. The event, hosted by Pappas Ranch, will offer hors d'oeuvres and libations.

• • •

The Young Professionals Networking Group of the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Fox Hollow Golf & Country Club, 10050 Robert Trent Parkway, Trinity. The event is sponsored by Shelton, Thompson and VonSick cosmetic and family dentistry. The cost is $11 per person. To reserve a seat, call the chamber at (727) 842-7651.

• • •

The 2010 Chasco Fiesta will be held March 18-28 along the downtown banks of the Pithlachascotee River, New Port Richey.

Cami Austin will serve as chairwoman of the event for the eighth consecutive year, and Craig McCart will serve as vice chairman and will oversee the kayak race and children's pageant.

Members of the steering committee include Roger Michels, who will chair the street parade; Michael Cox, who will assist with the parade; Ken Huber, who will oversee the carnival and softball tournament; Chuck Grey, who will coordinate the entertainment; and Kelly Maki, who will oversee the American Indian activities, press releases and transportation.

Sean McCart will oversee the golf tournament, flea market and the car/truck/bike show; Sandy Brown will handle hospitality and volunteers; Gary Gann will assist with entertainment; and Rich Ojeda and Shane Stambaugh will co-chair logistics.

The steering committee will work closely with Joe Alpine, president of the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, and Wendy Brenner, executive director of Chasco Fiesta.

The event is sponsored by B.E.T.-ER Mix; Covanta Energy; Lucas, Green & Magazine; Metro PCS; Morton Plant North Bay Hospital; Pasco County; Publix; the St. Petersburg Times and Synovus Bank.

The 25th annual Chasco Coronation Ball will begin at 6 p.m. March 19 at Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey. The coronation ball is an evening of elegance highlighted by the crowning of this year's King Pithla and Queen Chasco.

King Pithla and Queen Chasco are chosen for their dedication and commitment to the community. Nominations are submitted to recognize those who continually donate their time and give back to the West Pasco area.

Tickets are $100 per person. Net proceeds from the ball will benefit the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind. For information, call Jamie Mick, coronation ball chairman, at (727) 817-1415 or at (727) 642-8041.

If you have business announcements you would like to share with our readers, mail the details to Jean Hayes, Business Digest, Pasco Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668. You may also e-mail items to pasco@sptimes.com or fax them to (727) 869-6233. Items may be edited for length and clarity. Photos are published as space permits; they will not be returned.