Briefly
HOSPITAL RECEIVES WOMEN'S CHOICE AWARD: Oak Hill Hospital has been named a recipient of the Women's Choice Award as one of America's best hospitals in emergency care.
The award signifies Oak Hill's commitment to a quality health care experience for women and all other patients. The award is the lone recognition program that measures against the needs and preferences of women.
DENTIST ACCEPTING NEW INSURANCE: Spring Hill Dental Associates, 11025 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, is now a provider for Cigna PPO, Florida Combined Life and Delta Dental Premier insurance.
For more information, call (352) 683-1838.
WOMEN-N-CHARGE GRANT PROGRAM: Women-n-Charge, whose mission, in part, is to support and assist professional women in managing their businesses more effectively, is offering two $1,000 grants this spring. The business advancement grant is for business-related equipment or services; the career advancement grant is for continuing education.
Learn more at women-n-charge.com/Grants.html. Applications are available online and are due March 15. For more information, contact Judy Nicolosi, president, at (813) 600-9848 or info@women-n-charge.com.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: SCORE Chapter 439 is looking for volunteers, especially those who live on the east side of Pasco County, to mentor small businesses. For more information, visit score439.org and click on "Volunteer."
Bulletin board
FREE BUSINESS CONSULTATIONS: The Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida and the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce provide free consultations to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the county.
A business consultant is available at the chamber office to provide access to all of the center's services. The center's Hernando office is at the chamber office, 15588 Aviation Loop Drive, south of Brooksville. To schedule a session, call Jerry Karp at (352) 796-0697.
Who's news
HOSPITAL STARS: Oak Hill Hospital in Spring Hill has announced its "stars" — associates of the month — for January. They are Diane Pisnar, Michele Pitka and Jacquelyn Evans.
Pisnar, a registered nurse, began her career at the hospital in 2002. She is a charge nurse on the night shift.
Pitka works in the ortho/spine department.
Evans, the hospital's lead ultrasound technician, began working at Oak Hill in October 2006.
BUSINESS PRESIDENT ATTENDS CONSULTING CONFERENCE: Chuck Wilson, president and founder of Wilson Technology Group, 24332 Dorsey Smith Road, east of Brooksville, attended the Building Industry Consulting Services International winter conference and exhibition in Orlando.
Wilson is serving his second four-year term on the group's board and has been a member since 1995.
The international association supports the information technology systems industry with information, education and knowledge assessment for individuals and companies.
RN PROMOTED TO CRITICAL CARE MANAGER: Trina Bosco, a registered nurse at Oak Hill Hospital in Spring Hill, was recently promoted to critical care manager.
Bosco started at the hospital in 1991 and worked her way through nursing school as a patient care assistant/nursing technician. She left in 1994 to do home care but returned in 2000. Her experience includes telemetry, intensive care, cardiac catheterization recovery and the emergency department. She has served as interim/relief house supervisor for three years.
CPA BECOMES PARTNER: Accountant Jim Wilhelm recently rejoined Campbell & Co. CPAs, 7211 Hiawatha Parkway, Spring Hill, as a partner.
Wilhelm earned his bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree in accounting from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. He has more than 12 years of experience in private-sector and public accounting and is an enrolled agent with the Internal Revenue Service.
For more information, call (352) 683-7365.
RN PROMOTED TO CHARGE NURSE: Registered nurse Jennifer Maginness was recently appointed charge nurse in the endoscopy department at Oak Hill Hospital in Spring Hill.
Maginness comes to the hospital from Brandon Regional Hospital, another HCA facility. She has experience in medical telemetry, progressive care, neurology, gynecology and endoscopy.
Events
CHAMBER RIBBON-CUTTINGS: The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have three ribbon-cuttings this week:
• Palm Tree Cafe, 13162 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, 11 a.m. Tuesday. Call Debbie Press, (352) 596-7179.
• Candleglow Apartments, 1071 Candlelight Blvd., Brooksville, noon, Thursday. Call Tatiana Lopez, (352) 799-7958.
• Sears Outlet, 19490 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, noon, Friday. Call Patrick Analore, (352) 799-6498.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS SOUGHT: The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Committee meets at 11 a.m. Friday at Beef 'O' Brady's, 14387 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Individuals interested in becoming part of the group are invited. For more information, call Phil Undestad at (352) 796-1451 or Lindsey Hack at (352) 796-6000.
Building skills
PESTICIDE LICENSE EXAM REVIEW: The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension will offer a pesticide license exam review for ornamental and turf applications from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Hernando County Cooperative Extension Service, 1653 Blaise Drive, Brooksville.
The ornamental and turf category is for public or commercial applications of restricted-use pesticides to golf courses, athletic fields, parks and cemeteries. Two continuing education units will be given.
The cost is $15 and covers printed materials. Participants wanting to complete the exam must have a valid photo ID with their current address. To RSVP, visit https://feb2014otexamreview.eventbrite.com. For more information, call Stacy Strickland at (352) 754-4433.
SMALL BUSINESS SEMINARS: SCORE Chapter 439 will present a series of free business seminars.
• "Creating a Business Plan," 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills.
• "Focused Selling Skills," noon to 1:30 p.m. March 3, Dade City Business Center, 15000 Citrus County Drive, Suite 103, Dade City.
• "E-Marketing Concepts," 5 to 6:45 p.m. March 4, Lykes Memorial Library, main branch, 238 Howell Ave., Brooksville.
• "Using the Internet in Your Business," 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 11, Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Road, Hudson.
• "How to Really Start Your Business," 5:25 to 730 p.m. March 12, South Holiday Library, 4649 Mile Stretch Road, Holiday.
• "How to Apply for a Business Loan," 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 12, Hugh Embry Branch Library, 14215 Fourth St., Dade City.
• "Creating a Business Plan," 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 13, Regency Park Library, 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey.
• "How to Apply for a Business Loan," 5:25 to 7:30 p.m. March 18, Centennial Park Library, 5740 Moog Road, Holiday.
• "Using the Internet in Your Business," 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 18, New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey.
• "Marketing to Grow Your Business," 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 25, Land O'Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O'Lakes.
• "How to Really Start Your Business," 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 27, New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel.
To register, visit score439.org and click on the "Local Workshops" tab or call the SCORE office at (727) 842-4638.
BOOKKEEPING BASICS: The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will offer a workshop, "Bookkeeping Basics," from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the chamber's office, 15588 Aviation Loop Drive, south of Brooksville.
Presented by Jim Taylor, the workshop will explore how to classify and record basic business transactions, the use of basic accounting terms, how to stay tax compliant and software that can make bookkeeping easier.
The cost is $45 per person. To register, visit hernandochamber.com/events.
BUSINESS BRIEF: The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will offer a Business Brief session from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the chamber's office, 15588 Aviation Loop Drive, south of Brooksville.
The complimentary training will be presented by Royce Decker and is hosted after each monthly membership meeting. Seating is limited to 30. To register, visit hernandochamber.com/events.
If you have business announcements to share with our readers, mail the details to Jean Hayes, Business Digest, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613-6174. You may also email them to jhayes@tampabay.com or fax them to (352) 754-6133. Items may be edited for length and clarity. Photos are published as space permits; they will not be returned.
Networking and mixers
BNI Winning Edge: 7:15 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, Regency Oaks Clubhouse, 4445 Breakwater Blvd., Spring Hill. The cost is $10 and includes breakfast. Call Lisa Cornett at (352) 345-1377.
America's Wellness Network: 6:15 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Boston Cooker Restaurant and Oyster Bar, 5375 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The network is open to all wellness-related businesses and practitioners. Informal networking to follow from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dinner with short program; free admission. Order from the menu. To RSVP, call Dr. Nancy Philips, (352) 678-5155.
Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce Monthly Membership Meeting: 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, south of Brooksville. This month's sponsor is Hernando Today. Special presentation by Dale Brill. Cost: $15 if prepaid online or $20 at the door; includes breakfast. To RSVP, visit hernandochamber.com/events. For more information, call (352) 796-0697.
BNI Leaders by Design: 7:15 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Marine Corps League Detachment 708, 8405 Sunshine Grove Road, west of Brooksville. The cost is $9 and includes breakfast; no cost for first-time visitors. Call Marianne Zirk at (352) 340-4456.
Nature Coast Business Professionals: 8 a.m. Friday, IHOP restaurant, 3636 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. Guests are welcome. Those attending may order from the menu. Call Dana Cutlip at (352) 293-4317.