ReportWire

Tag: Erin Murray

  • High-risk cardiac study shows promise at HCA Largo Florida Hospital

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    LARGO, Fla. — A clinical trial currently underway at HCA Florida Largo Hospital is helping people suffering from tricuspid regurgitation, a heart valve disease.

    What You Need To Know

    • HCA Healthcare Research Institute has been chosen to participate in the TRICAV-I clinical study, aimed at enhancing outcomes for patients suffering from severe tricuspid regurgitation

    • Tricuspid valve regurgitation is a heart valve disease, where the valve between the two right heart chambers doesn’t close as it should, according to the Mayo Clinic. It says blood flows backward through the valve into the upper right chamber, creating less blood flow to the lungs. The heart has to work harder then to pump blood

    • Jim Byers was living with swelling in his belly and legs, and had shortness of breath. After the procedure, he felt normal once again


    It affects more than 1.6 million people, according to the National Health Institute. 

    One of the first patients to participate in the trial was Jim Byers. 

    “Back then, well, one of my doctors at the VA said that I’d be dead within six months to a year,” said Byers, describing life before the procedure. 

    Just months ago he had fluid in his stomach and legs, and had shortness of breath. It was all a result of tricuspid regurgitation. 

    “You worked a miracle,” Byers said to Dr. Saurabh Sanon. 

    Sanon is the lead structural cardiologist at HCA Florida Largo Hospital and the regional director for structural heart therapies for the West Florida Division. 

    “Mr. Byers’ case is not your run-of-the-mill case. This is actually as complex as it gets,” said Sanon. 

    A scan of Byers’ chest showed a lot of past procedures. 

    “I have almost died so many times. I quit counting,” said Byers. The Army vet said he has had 13 strokes and heart attacks. 

    Because of his history and current health, this meant Byers was out of options. 

    “He was not a candidate for open-heart surgery, was not a candidate for commercially available transcatheter tricuspid therapies. And this (new study) seemed to be the best option for him,” said Sanon. 

    Sanon had Byers enrolled in the TRICAV-I Clinical Study.

    “The TRIC valve consists of two separate valves. There’s one valve that is implanted in the SVC and a second valve that’s implanted in the IVC,” Sanon said.

    The TRICAV-I study trial evaluates the TricValve Transcatheter Bicaval Valve System, a bicaval transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement technology. 

    For Byers, the minimally invasive surgery changed everything.

    “It’s pure quality of life. That’s what he gave me. Pure quality of life,” said Byers. 

    The TRICAV-I study is in its early stages. 

    HCA Florida Largo Hospital said the trial will follow patients for up to five years to collect long-term safety and efficacy data to advance the future of cardiac intervention. 

    Patients should speak to their doctors if they think they would make a good candidate. 

    Doctors can email researchinstitute@hcahealthcare.com

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    Erin Murray

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  • Medical foster mom in Tampa reopens her home after adopting four foster kids

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Kadesha Stewart knew one thing her whole life.

    “I always wanted five children,” said Stewart.

    She had a son, LaShawn. But that was it. In her heart and in her home in Tampa, she never stopped yearning for more little feet.

    What You Need To Know

    • Kadesha Stewart is an adoptive mom of 4 kids that she previously fostered, and three of them have special medical needs

    • She is a specialized medical foster parent through Children’s Home Network, and has received training and a special license to care for kids at their most vulnerable, whose birth parents cannot care for them

    • After helping over 30 kids, Kadesha closed her foster home to new fosters when she adopted her fourth child, but is now getting re-licensed through CHN and is reopening her home for more medical foster children

    • Medical foster parent(s) are needed. To learn how to become one, join a virtual information session with the Children’s Home Network


    She decided to become a foster parent, and through her training decided she would be a medical foster parent.

    “These babies, they need more than just medication. They need love. They need stability,” said Stewart. “And they just need someone who can have the patience to care for them.”

    She went through training and opened her home. It quickly began to fill.

    With foster care, reunification with the child’s biological family is always the goal. But in some cases, that doesn’t work out.

    So Stewart became mother to more than one, adopting Teryonna first. Then, she adopted Lucas. Then Emma.

    “Then the opportunity comes for you to adopt now your fourth child, and your answer is?” asked Spectrum Bay News 9 anchor Erin Murray.

    “Yes,” said Stewart with a huge smile.

    Graciyanna became adoption number four.

    In total, Stewart has fostered more than 30 kids — most with medical needs.

    With LaShawn, Teryonna, Lucas, Emma and Graciyanna, Stewart’s dream is now complete. She is the mother of five children.

    “So five is enough for me because, you know, it’s just me,” said Stewart with a smile.

    Or that is what she thought.

    “If I have the space and the help, which is my mom, to do it, you know, I just want to continue to be a blessing to a child,” said Stewart.

    Fostering is part of her purpose, she said.

    The Children’s Home Network hopes more people will consider becoming medical foster families.

    “In Hillsborough County, there’s only about 15 medical foster homes,” said Paul Penhale, Out-of-Home Care Senior Director, Children’s Home Network in Tampa. “It’s never enough, right? We’re actively recruiting.”

    Penhale said while they are making it work with those 15 families in Hillsborough, Children’s Home Network is always looking for the next generation of foster moms and dads.

    “We believe that regardless of the child’s medical condition, they still deserve to be in a family-like setting. They don’t need to be in the hospital if they’re medically ready for discharge. But they do need more than a traditional foster parent can provide care,” said Penhale.

    Stewart hopes others will see her family and give fostering a chance.

    “These children need a home, and it would be a blessing for more families to open their home to medical children,” said Stewart.

    A full home that always has room for one more foster child.

    “I’m not going to say no,” said Stewart.

    Children’s Home Network said all medical foster parents are given medical training and they have a team of resources available to help them 24/7.

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    Erin Murray

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  • BayCare launches free CancerIQ survey for cancer risk assessment

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Desnee Ebner-Rivers and the word ‘cancer’ do not get along.

    What You Need To Know

    • BayCare is now offering a free Cancer Risk Assessment, powered by CancerIQ

    • This survey helps people get an understanding of their personal and family health history, and how it might influence their risk for certain cancers

    • The program can identify those at elevated risk for several cancers, including breast, colon, lung and more

    • Take the free CancerIQ survey

    Not because she has cancer, but because of what it has taken from her.

    “I did. I lost all of them,” said Ebner-Rivers.

    She lost her father to prostate cancer, and her grandmother and mother to breast cancer.

    She remembers the day a doctor gave her mom the diagnosis. Ebner-Rivers was 19 years old.

    “He came in and he was like, ‘Kat, it’s cancer,’” said Ebner-Rivers, thinking back. “I just remember breaking down and my mom was like, ‘Why are you crying?’ I was like, ‘You have cancer.’ And she’s like, ‘It’s not a death sentence.’ And she said, ‘Me and my God are going to beat it.’”

    She did beat it, at first. Her cancer went into remission, but it kept coming back.

    On the third bout, it had spread to her bones. Ebner-Rivers’ mom died shortly after.

    Knowing her familial history is one reason Ebner-Rivers came to BayCare’s Cancer Institute.

    She is one of the first to be part of a new pilot program for people wondering if they have an increased risk of getting cancer in their lifetime.

    “Rather than waiting for them to get sick, get their cancer, and sometimes have advanced stage,” said Dr. Peter Blumencranz, medical director of BayCare Cancer Institute. “What if you harbor a risk that we could identify early, catch you at a younger age, and mitigate that risk? Or maybe even take it away?”

    While genetic testing in some cases is an option, Blumencranz said the CancerIQ survey is way less invasive and free.

    “That’s where this new software called Cancer IQ comes in,” said Blumencranz.

    “So this is the landing page for our new cancer IQ risk assessment,” said Erika Oschmann, advanced practice nurse practitioner at BayCare’s High Risk Clinic.

    It is a simple five-minute survey that can tell if a person has an increased risk for nine of the most common types of cancer.

    “The best thing about this program is it’s tailored to that patient. And so it’s very individualized,” said Oschmann.

    The survey looks at familial, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

    Once completed, the results break down a person’s risks and include next steps. Those results are also sent to BayCare’s High Risk Clinic, and advanced nurse practitioners like Oschmann process them. 

    “And the goal of this is to screen these people outside of the standard screening age, right?” said Oschmann. 

    For example, most women don’t get mammograms until 40. 

    But if the CancerIQ survey shows a person is high risk for breast cancer, the High Risk Clinic connects the person with doctors who may recommend they get a mammogram at a younger age. 

    “If you have a high risk of breast cancer, you may need a breast exam every six months, not once a year, rather mammogram once a year. You get a mammogram alternating every six months with MRI,” said Blumencranz. 

    For the individual, it is all about putting a preventative care plan in place. 

    Blumencranz says on a larger scale, they have hopes this could move the needle on overall cancer diagnosis. 

    “For each of these cancers that we can assess what stage of disease will patients come into the health system before we implement this? And do we lower the stage disease? Think about it,” said Blumencranz. “If we could see in a few years that we’re getting more stage ones and twos and less threes and fours, we’ve moved the curve, right?”

    That is why people between 25 and 45 are really encouraged to take the survey, though people can do it at any age. 

    For Ebner-Rivers, it confirmed what she suspected — that she needs to keep up her yearly mammograms, even at the age of 37. 

    “I feel like the IQ test takes a guessing out of that,” said Ebner-Rivers. “It’s like, here’s the information, here’s your background, and here’s what we’re going to do next.”

    What is next is important to her, because while cancer has taken so much already, she is determined to stop that part of her family history from continuing. 

    “As a mom of three little girls, it is my job to protect them, and I can’t do that if I don’t protect myself,” said Ebner-Rivers. 

    She plans to be around for a long, long time. 

    Blumencranz adds that for those who are worried about what preventative treatments will cost, if the survey comes back saying they are high risk. He says not to worry; BayCare has financial assistance available.

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    Erin Murray

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  • Nursing care hours cut for medically fragile Bay area child

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    HOLIDAY, Fla. — Inside Daina Rogers’ home, a lot can be heard.

    What You Need To Know

    • Daina Rogers’ son, Mayik Vallejos, has tubular sclerosis. He is considered a medically fragile child in Florida

    • In February, Rogers said her son’s nursing hours were cut from 136 to 84. She appealed, but was told the care was not medically necessary 

    • Sunshine Health did not respond to Spectrum News’ requests for comment or provide a statement as to why care hours were cut


    Mayik Vallejos, her son, likes to watch movies on the TV, play on an iPad and watch a show on a phone — all at the same time.

    The combination of noises would overwhelm most, but it soothes this nonverbal 10-year-old.

    Daina said Mayik has developmental delays, uses a G-tube for medications and hydration and has tubular sclerosis.

    “That is where benign tumors form on the organs. He has got 32 on his brain,” said Rogers.

    Mayik is considered a medically fragile child, and he receives care through the state because of this status.

    “So here are the seizure logs. These are — the nurses obviously take their own notes — but we need these for neurology,” said Rogers.

    For a few years, Rogers has gotten in-home nursing care for Mayik through Sunshine Health.

    “It was 136 hours a week,” said Rogers.

    But now, it is 84 hours. Earlier this year, Rogers received a denial letter when she went to recertify Mayik’s coverage.

    Rogers says she had to recertify every 60 days.

    “So they come back and say, ‘OK, well, while he does qualify for the 84 hours a week, 12 hours a day, seven days a week, we’re not seeing a medical necessity for overnights,’” said Rogers.

    “So when I went ahead and appealed that, they went and said, ‘OK, he doesn’t qualify for no hours.’ So they took every hour I had away.”

    Rogers went into panic mode. In the appeals process, Rogers said a lapse in continuation of care happened.

    “I was really freaking out, you know, I was, I was crying at work. My kids, I was crying at home. My kids like, ‘Mom, you’re crying all the time. You’re so upset,’” said Rogers. “And I’m like, because you guys, they’re so young, they don’t understand.”

    Rogers is still fighting with Sunshine Health over the 84 hours, trying to get it back to 136.

    Rogers said she is not alone, that she knows several other parents facing the same issue.

    Spectrum News reached out to Sunshine Health about the cases being denied, and they never shared a statement as to why.

    Spectrum News also reached out to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. They also did not respond with a statement.

    Rogers said the last eight months have been a nightmare.

    “I function and I do everything I’m supposed to do with a smile. But inside I’m like dying,” said Rogers. “Why is it only Sunshine? Why only them? That is the big question. Why? I want to know why.”

    For now though, that means living with the 84 hours.

    Rogers hopes she can one day get into the state’s Paid Caregiver Program, so she can be paid as Mayik’s caregiver.

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  • Transplant recipient reflects on impact of HCA facility expansion

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    LARGO, Fla. — With a quick smile and compliment, Nicole Buckingham may just be the happiest person to be in a hospital. 

    “Hi, are you Kim?” she says, walking into Kim Gill’s room at HCA Florida Largo Hospital.

    What You Need To Know

    • Nicole Buckingham was on her deathbed in January. Turned down by other hospitals, HCA Florida Largo’s Transplant Institute performed a liver transplant and saved her life

    • In August, Buckingham applied to be a physical therapist and the hospital and was hired. She now helps many patients, including patients preparing for their own transplants

    • HCA Florida Largo Hospital is the only transplant hospital in Pinellas County. It recently tripled its transplant ICU capacity

    • The hospital can do liver, kidney and heart transplants


    “I am,” said Gill.

    “I love your hair,” said Buckingham. “Are you wanting to do some therapy today?”

    Buckingham is a physical therapist. She has been working at HCA Florida Largo Hospital for one month.

    But it is not her time employed that makes her more familiar with this hospital than most. It is her time spent in a patient bed.

    “I first came to HCA Largo for a liver transplant,” said Buckingham.

    She was on her deathbed last December, in full liver failure.

    The hospital can do liver, kidney and heart transplants. (Hospital photo)

    HCA Florida Largo Hospital was the only transplant facility in the area willing to give this wife and mother of two a liver transplant. She was that sick.

    “This place saved my life. The people here saved my life,” said Buckingham.

    So when she started to feel better, she decided she would apply for an open role as a physical therapist. Prior to getting sick, she had worked as a physical therapist in home health care for 16 years.

    “It’s a dream come true,” said Buckingham.

    This year, the hospital expanded the Transplant ICU, tripling its capacity. Today, all 12 of the beds were full.

    “We have done 11 transplants in the last eight days, so it’s been a really busy week,” said Dr. James Eason, Director, HCA Florida Largo Transplant Institute.

    HCA Florida Largo Hospital is the only transplant hospital in Pinellas County. (Hospital photo)

    HCA Florida Largo Hospital is the only transplant hospital in Pinellas County. (Hospital photo)

    Eason said prior to this expansion being built, the demand was really becoming an issue.

    “We didn’t have enough critical care space for all of our transplant patients, both patients coming in for a transplant and patients who had already been transplanted,” said Eason.

    HCA Florida Largo Hospital is the only transplant hospital in Pinellas County.

    Eason said the facility is on record pace for liver transplants this year.

    “I will be officially listed on the National Registry next Thursday,” said Gill, excitedly to Buckingham.

    “Congratulations! I remember when Dr. Bodin told me when I was listed,” said Buckingham.

    Buckingham didn’t know when she walked in to help Gill she needed a liver. It is just a coincidence the two can bond over going forward.

    “Are you ready?” asked Buckingham.

    “Holy cow. I think I am,” said Gill, with a smile.

    “Well, you are in really good hands,” said Buckingham. “I’m so excited for you.”

    HCA Florida Largo Hospital does kidney, liver and heart transplants.

    Eason said that in the coming months, the facility will begin doing live liver donor transplants.

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    Erin Murray

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  • Seasafe Homes Two Build Site Model Cuts Down on Construction Time

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    Indian Rocks Beach, Fla. — Rebuilding a home following a hurricane is far from enjoyable. But it is a choice thousands have made in Florida following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.  

    What You Need To Know

    • Seasafe Homes in Pinellas County has been helping residents rebuild their homes back stronger following Hurricane Helene

    • Chad Lubke and Mike Zehnder are the owners and say Seasafe Homes uses a dual site process. While living sections are built in Georgia in a protected build center, foundations and pilings are built on site

    • Lubke said this cuts build time by more than 75% compared to traditional coastal builds

    • Currently, Seasafe Homes has 14 homes in progress between St. Pete Beach and Clearwater


    In Pinellas County, there has been a continual buzz for over a year. The buzzing is from the numerous construction projects happening up and down the coastline. 

    Many of the coastal homes are retirement homes. 

    “We were very content,” said Maryalice Walsh. “We had a little one-story, three-bedroom, two-bath home.”

    She and her husband, Patrick Walsh, moved to Indian Rocks Beach in 2019. Their home is in walking distance from the beach, as they are backed up to a canal where their boat sits, and their small pool was crystal clear blue.

    “Life was good,” said Maryalice Walsh. Until it wasn’t. 

    When Hurricane Helene moved through the Gulf, passing by Pinellas County, it brought a storm surge that shocked even the most hurricane-experienced Floridian. 

    “Then 4:30 p.m., the power went out. 8:30 p.m., we had water gushing in, we didn’t evacuate,” said the couple. 

    By midnight, they knew they had to flee their ground-level home. Water was at 4 feet and rising. 

    So, they grabbed their Go Bag and waded in waist-deep water toward a neighbor’s home that was built 12 feet off the ground. 

    They were safe themselves, but Hurricane Helene left its mark. When they returned home, they knew they had lost just about everything. 

    For Maryalice Walsh, she had also lost the will to stay. 

    “I’m done living on the water,” she said thinking back. “I’m out of here. And I just gave everything away.”

    But after about three days of cleaning up, praying, and talking to neighbors, friends and family, the Walshes decided they didn’t want to leave. This was their dream home, in a dream location. 

    So, they made the difficult decision to rebuild. 

    But that decision got easier when they realized a neighbor had just begun a new construction company called Seasafe Homes. 

    “So, our first two houses are going to be within six months from the time that we, you know, basically have a shovel in the ground to when we’re handing the keys over. So that’s kind of unheard of here on the beaches,” said Mike Zehnder, co-owner of Seasafe Homes. 

    He and Chad Lubke started the company. They are both Pinellas County locals and they had an idea on how to build back homes in a faster, stronger way. 

    “So, we call it a dual site process,” said Lubke. “It’s typical construction. We do, we do a piling foundation, we do a big concrete grade beam and then we build the masonry walls and then these big like reinforced columns.” 

    But then, while the foundation is going in, up in Georgia, the living part of the home is being built too. 

    Lubke has been building coastal homes for 20 years. He said by splitting the build locations into two sites, they cut down on the time it takes to rebuild a home by 75%. 

    Typically, when someone rebuilds, it often takes 12 to 18 months. 

    When the interior of the home is completed in Georgia, it is then trucked into Florida. 

    “We have these delivered to the site, they’re about 85% complete,” said Lubke. “So the counter tops are in, the plumbing fixtures are in, a lot of the lighting and things like that are in.”

    With a big crane, they set the main part of the house right on top of the foundation and reinforced columns. 

    Lubke said this process helps cut down the time in one big area of building. 

    “There’s a lot of inspections that are able to be done at our build center, which speeds things up,” said Lubke. 

    The pair say the homes they have built can withstand 180 mph winds and are raised off the ground, usually by 11 feet or more. This design allows for storm surge to flow under the interior of the home. 

    “When everybody was gone and there’s just piles of everybody’s life on the streets. That was really, those were hard times. Those were sad times. All you could wish for was just being normal and hoping that the next time that we’re better prepared,” said Zehnder, when asked if the homes will stand up in the next hurricane. 

    The Walshes are certainly sad about the year they have lost hosting family and friends at their home. 

    “That’s what makes me sad that I’ve lost, I’ve been robbed of a year,” said Maryalice Walsh. “But it’s all going to be better. It’s going to be good.”

    But when in their newly rebuilt home, they can’t help but smile as they show off all the new and sturdier features.

    “Yeah, ten out of ten,” said Maryalice Walsh. 

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  • Manufacturing leaders praise new SPC soldering program, more workers needed

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    TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — There is a huge push to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. and local Tampa Bay companies are growing their workforces to meet that goal. 

    What You Need To Know

    • St. Petersburg College (SPC) recently launched a new soldering program. The college partnered with companies like Jabil to make this new class happen

    • All 12 students in the first class were hired immediately upon completion of the program

    • Mariah O’Neal was one of those graduates and she began a job with Jabil as a solder technician assembler in September

    • View upcoming soldering certification courses through Workforce Education


    Jabil, a multinational manufacturing company headquartered in St. Pete, is doing this. 

    “To make manufacturing more accessible in the U.S., we have to reteach the skills that we’ve lost,” Frederic McCoy said. McCoy is the Jabil Executive Vice President of Global Operations. “You know, there’s been a 20 years of migration of manufacturing out of this country and we really need to rebuild the manufacturing skills around planning and purchasing and soldering, and all the other skills that are required to to run a world class manufacturing operation.”

    Recently, St. Petersburg College launched a new soldering course, with all 12 students being hired upon completion of the course. 

    Mariah O’Neal was one of them and loves soldering. 

    “It’s hands on. That is what my favorite thing is,” O’Neal said. 

    She just got a job at Jabil as a solder technician assembler, working for aerospace and defense. 

    “Once I get to solder, I just immersed myself into it,” O’Neal said. 

    O’Neal graduated from SPC’s Tarpon Springs campus. 

    “This class is important because it lays the foundation for anyone to just get their foot in the door in these major manufacturing companies,” Keith Walker said. Walker is a St. Petersburg College Tarpon Springs Campus Master IPC Trainer. 

    Walker taught the class and works for Honeywell. He said the soldering program is necessary right now. 

    “We’re going to be able to essentially help close the gap. A gap that’s been developing in our area in manufacturing for years,” Walker said. 

    “Finding skilled workers today has been quite difficult,” McCoy said. “You know, the economy has shifted here in the U.S. and, it’s now shifting back towards more manufacturing from services. We’re excited to enable that.” 

    Jabil, for example, said it will be doubling the size of its business in Pinellas County from a manufacturing standpoint over the next 12 to 18 months. They will be having a big focus on renewable energies, defense and aerospace and energy storage markets. 

    “Bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. has presented a lot of challenges,” McCoy said. “We just don’t have the expertise, the supply chain and the management understanding of how to manufacture at scale, like we used to do. So rebuilding those skills is critical for us and for our customers and for, I think, the U.S. economy.” 

    This is something O’Neal will be on the forefront of in her new role. 

    “It’s very rewarding coming from a program that you can finish within six months and be able to come out and do something that you love,” O’Neal said. 

    McCoy added that the partnership with SPC is the first step. They are working with SPC on automation and technical training courses as well. 

    SPC said there are scholarships available for the soldering program.

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  • School-to-Work: Kids learn first-hand life at a hospital

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For kids in their final years of high school, the pressure starts to build about what they plan to do following graduation. Some have no idea what they will do. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital staff are now mentors to 25 kids in the Big Brothers Big Sisters School-To-Work program

    • The School-to-Work program gives students exposure to workplace environments, and matches them with mentors who can encourage them to stay in school and make an empowered transition to the work world

    • Bigs and Littles will be paired for two years, with the option of being paired for a third year. Students can maintain relationships with their Big until the age of 26

    • Carly Gerdes is a sepsis clinical coordinator at Orlando Health Bayfront. She is mentoring 16-year-old Dorine Banyeretse


    To help, Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa Bay created the School-To-Work program, connecting at-risk kids with professionals in the workplace. 

    “We’re here to help them navigate that transition from high school to life after and to make sure that they have that plan in place to be successful,” said Laura Petitt, the program director. 

    A new partnership this year was made with Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg. 

    Carly Gerdes is the sepsis clinical coordinator at the hospital, but now she also has an additional title: Big Sister. 

    Her “Little” is Dorine Banyeretse, 16.

    “We were looking at stroke alert sepsis, and we see how the doctors treat the patients and also common procedures that she goes through,” said Banyeretse.

    The two have been paired since the spring semester.

    “It’s a nice experience,” said Banyeretse. “Overall, you get to make new friends, and they feel like meeting your big is just a wonderful connection to have.”

    She is one of 25 students paired up with medical staff at Orlando Health Bayfront.

    They spend two hours, once a month, for two school years together. That length of time allows for strong bonds to form.

    “So we’ll continue together until she graduates and leaves me,” said Gerdes with a sad laugh.

    The pair are very close, though Banyeretse admits she does not want to be an ER nurse. 

    “After high school, I’m looking forward to going into neurology. Or like, majoring in neuroscience,” said Banyeretse. 

    Gerdes fully supports her dream and works to make sure Banyeretse is exposed to situations a neurologist would be called in for. 

    “It can help them decide what path they might want to take,” said Gerdes. “She’s interested in the neuro paths. So even though I do sepsis and then in the E.R., we still we have stroke alerts and stuff that I’m exposing her to so she can see all different sides of the E.R.” 

    They also set yearly goals together. Banyeretse’s goal is to keep straight As and to bump her GPA by .1. 

    “Currently I have a 4.49,” Banyeretse said with a laugh. 

    Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital is one of many workplaces students are visiting. 

    Big Brothers Big Sisters said in total there are 400 kids in the program, spread out between Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Pasco counties. 

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  • Robots at St. Anthony’s Hospital help the nursing staff in big way

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It may feel futuristic to see robots rove around St. Anthony’s Hospital every day, but Beaker and Hygeia are more than just mechanical marvels — they serve an important function.

    Nurse Manager Kristen Lefkimiotis says Beaker helps nurses in the ICU and on the dialysis floors by delivering specimens to the hospital lab. Hygeia is part of a pilot program and makes deliveries for the pharmacy.

    What You Need To Know

    • Two robots, Beaker and Hygeia, help staff at BayCare’s St. Anthony’s Hospital

    • Beaker moves between the first-floor laboratory and the ICU, cardiovascular ICU and dialysis floors, making pickups and deliveries to the lab, and Hygeia goes to and from the pharmacy

    • St. Anthony’s Hospital is a 94-year-old facility and does not have a pneumatic tube systems on some floors
    • Prior to the robots, staff members would act as runners, sometimes making between 40 to 60 trips to the laboratory each day 

    • Beaker was funded by the St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation, which donated $119,000 for his purchase


    The robots are made by Relay Robotics. 

    Prior to Beaker’s arrival, nurses would have to do the deliveries themselves. For most, that would mean walking to an entirely different floor in the hospital. 

    Lefkimiotis said it was a bit of a hassle.

    “It can be a challenge,” she said. “We are, you know, a 90-year-old-plus hospital. We do have newer towers that have been built. Not every tower has a tube system. We don’t have a tube system in the ICU and dialysis, so this has really it’s been huge.”

    When nurses need something delivered to the lab, they just summon Beaker. 

    “It’s as easy as tap your badge, his lid opens, drop in your sample, and off he will go,” Lefkimiotis said.

    While running to the lab to make a delivery seems like a small task, Lefkimiotis said it has a big impact on the nurses’ day — sometimes they would make that trip between 40 to 60 times each day. 

    “Adding this type of technology helps our care teams. It cuts down on the miles they have to travel on foot,” said Craig Anderson, vice president of Innovation at BayCare’s St. Anthony’s Hospital. “This year alone, we’ve saved over 1,100 miles between the two robots — and that equals thousands of hours of nursing time that they can spend with their patients.” 

    Less time making deliveries means more time with patients and better care, health care providers say. 

    Anderson said Beaker and Hygeia may just be the beginning for BayCare Hospitals. 

    “There could be more robots where it makes sense, where it drives value for our teams, for baby care,” Anderson said. “That’s where we want to deploy the technology. And that’s a focus for everything we do in innovation, is make sure we’re putting the technology in the right places.”

    St. Anthony’s Hospital was able to purchase Beaker — who cost $119,000 — thanks to a donation from the St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation.

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  • Bone-anchored hearing aids help Pasco couple strengthen relationship

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    ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. — If the most important thing in a relationship is communication, problems are bound to arise if a couple can’t hear one another. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Dennis and Susan O’Neil just had a bone-anchored hearing aid implanted to help with their hearing

    • They had the Cochlear Osia implanted. It uses unparalleled digital piezoelectric stimulation to bypass non-functional areas of the natural hearing system and send sound directly to the cochlea

    • It is designed to improve hearing outcomes for adults and children as young as five years old with conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss and single-sided deafness (SSD)

    • The O’Neils had their surgery done at Advent Health Dade City by Dr. Joseph Derbyshire


    This was the case for Dennis and Susan O’Neil. Both of them were losing their hearing. 

    “You don’t really realize initially, I don’t think, that you have hearing loss. So you know it just gets worse and worse where you’re constantly saying, ‘What, what, what did you say?’” said Susan O’Neil. 

    Hearing loss often comes with age, but in their 70s, the O’Neil’s firmly felt there was too much life left to ignore this hearing problem. 

    Through Advent Health Dade City, they were connected to Dr. Joseph Derbyshire of Vitale Ear, Nose and Throat. He has dealt with many cases like the O’Neil’s. 

    “There have been a plethora of great studies that have come out that shown hearing loss being associated with early onset dementia. So keeping, you know, your ears running and functional is crucial for our brain health as we get older,” said Derbyshire.

    “Both of our mothers died of Alzheimer’s, and we watched the slow progression of Alzheimer’s. And here we were having the same kind of hearing loss,” said Dennis. 

    The O’Neil’s decided to fix their hearing together. On the same day, together. 

    They both had an Osia Cochlear device surgically put in at Advent Health Dade City.

    Derbyshire did the surgeries and said this device is not a traditional hearing aid. It is a bone anchored hearing aid. 

    “We put a device directly into the skull behind the ear, and this transmits sound directly to the nerve. So the patient can hear,” said Derbyshire. 

    “It was like going from black and white to Technicolor. It was astounding,” said Dennis. 

    But just getting the one ear fixed was not enough for the O’Neil’s. 

    “I am just anxious to get the other side done now,” said Dennis with a smile. 

    Their second surgery is coming up this summer at Advent Health Dade City. They will both once again get it done together on the same day. 

    The surgery takes 30 to 40 minutes.

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  • Morton Plant Hospital furthers research into aortic stenosis treatments

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Ron Yurkus has become a familiar face at BayCare’s Morton Plant Hospital.

    What You Need To Know

    • BayCare’s Morton Plant Hospital recently completed the world’s first transcatheter aortic valve–in–transcatheter aortic valve procedure as part of a study called RESTORE

    • TAV-in-TAV is for people who have undergone a prior valve replacement procedure, but the implanted valve is coming to the end of its life cycle and needs to be replaced

    • Experts say TAVR is a minimally invasive heart valve replacement procedure used to treat severe aortic stenosis, or narrowing of the aortic valve, which increases the workload and strain on the heart

    • Ron Yurkus, 82, was the first patient in the worldwide study to have the TAV-in-TAV done, and it was a success


    “Hey Mr. Yurkus,” said BayCare’s Morton Plant Hospital Cardiovascular Surgeon Dr. Joshua Rovin. “Tell us how are you feeling?”

    “I am feeling real well, thank you,” Yurkus responded.

    Yurkus feels good now, but back in January that was not the case — he had shortness of breath, was tired, and his legs were swollen. These were all symptoms Yurkus said he knew might be coming, because close to a decade ago, he had a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) surgery, and at the time, he had similar symptoms. 

    “It was time for it,” Yurkus said, noting that he was told the replacement would probably only last about 10 years.

    The TAVR procedure was done in 2016, and now in 2025, he said the valve in his heart was at the end of its lifespan. 

    The timing worked out for Yurkus, in a way, because Rovin and his team had just joined a worldwide research study called RESTORE. 

    “To look at and help us as a community across the world, who is looking to treat patients now with their valves that are worn out,” Rovin said of the study. “Is it safe to be able to put in a new transcatheter aortic valve inside of their old transcatheter aortic valve?”

    Rovin and his team are researching the transcatheter aortic valve–in–transcatheter aortic valve procedure, or TAV-in-TAV, which is done when a TAVR valve is starting to fail. During the procedure, a new valve is then placed inside of the old one. 

    Yurkus was the first in the worldwide trial to go through the TAV-in-TAV — which was a success. 

    “He has just been, he’s got lovely anatomy, and his new valve is working great,” Rovin said. “And, as evidenced by our get together, is feeling like a million bucks. And this is a wonderful first patient for us and a wonderful first patient for the trial.”

    Yurkus will now be monitored for at least the next five years, maybe even 10 if the study gets extended. 

    Yurkus said he is proud he volunteered to participate. 

    “I said, ‘Well, as long as I can help somebody, that would be fine with me,’” he said. “Because surgery, it is something that they can learn by.”

    The new valve in his chest also comes with an estimated 10-year lifespan, so he said he may be back when he is 92. 

    “Knock on wood,” he joked. 

    The goal of the RESTORE study is to give doctors more evidence-based medical options when helping people with aortic stenosis. 

    Anyone interested in participating in this study can visit the BayCare Cardiovascular Clinical Trials website.

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  • St. Pete mother opens up about colon cancer diagnosis

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Meagan May, 39, does not rush the moment any more. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Colon cancer diagnoses are rising sharply in people 35 to 50, most of whom are years away from getting their first colonoscopy screening. Doctors recommend people get a colonoscopy at 45 to check for colon cancer

    • Doctors do not know why people under 50 are being diagnosed at a higher rate

    • Family history does play a role in colon cancer. Doctors recommend people with a familial history get checked to see if they inherited the genetic mutation

    • Meagan May was diagnosed at 38 with stage four colon cancer after having stomach pains and noticing a change in bowel movements; she does not carry the genetic mutation


    As her twin boys take their time walking into the house from school, she patiently waits for them to make their way to the kitchen so she can help make them a snack.

    Her boys are both 18 and could easily make themselves a snack, but this ritual is about spending time together.

    “I’m thankful to be here,” said May. “Last October, last December, last year. Anyway, we didn’t really think I was going to make it through.”

    In October 2023, May began feeling severe pain in her stomach. She also had noticed changes in her bowel movements.

    At the time, she tried to ignore it, not wanting to go to the hospital for something small. But the pain grew to be too great to ignore.

    “They found a massive tumor on my ovary and a tumor in my colon and in my liver,” said May.

    She spent ten days in the hospital as doctors collected biopsies, did scans and performed a colonoscopy.

    A collection of photos provided by Meagan May during her treatment at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital.

    “My doctor was is one of the most amazing people and doctors I’ve ever come across. Dr. Williams,” said May. “He was the one that sat down and told us…”

    May’s voice begins to crack as tears slowly trail down her face. Even now it is hard to retell how she found out she had stage four colon cancer.

    She looks at the positive now, thankful for the hospital and doctors she turned to.

    “I was grateful because at Orlando Health Bayfront, where I met Dr. Williams, they have a tumor board, so all of my doctors were meeting and discussing my case specifically all together at the same time,” said May.

    Dr. J. Ryan Williams is a colon and rectal surgeon at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Pete.

    “She had a large tumor here over on that right side of the colon,” said Dr. Williams when remembering May’s case.

    Williams and other physicians had May go through chemotherapy prior to surgery to remove the tumor in her colon. May also needed a hysterectomy because of the severity of the tumor on her ovary.

    After those procedures, she then did more chemo and radiation to remove the tumor in her liver.

    Williams says May has responded well to treatment.

    “Yeah, this is best case scenario, this is just absolutely just best care scenario that we just wished for her the whole time,” said Williams.

    May, however, is part of a growing population of younger adults getting colon cancer, ages 35 to 50.

    “I wish we knew what it was. I wish we could say this is the thing that’s causing it, but we don’t,” said Dr. Williams.

    It is now recommended that people at the age of 45 get a colonoscopy screening. Then continued to get screened every ten years.

    “Yeah, get it done,” said Dr. Williams. “If you have symptoms, don’t ignore them. Don’t ignore them. If you’re bleeding … if you’re having abdominal discomfort, that doesn’t seem to go away. Just go talk to your primary care doctor.”

    “I take every day as a blessing,” said May.

    March is colorectal cancer awareness month.

    Colorectal cancer can run in families. If a family member has the disease, doctors recommend getting tested for the gene mutation.

    May did not have the inheritable gene.

    Symptoms for colorectal cancer include rectal bleeding with or without pain, blood in stool, a change in bowel pattern, anemia, bloating or cramping, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue or reduced stamina.

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  • Shamrocks and Shenanigans: Bay Area Renaissance Festival returns to Dade City

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    DADE CITY, Fla. — Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, the Bay Area Renaissance Festival is getting into the spirit of Shamrocks and Shenanigans. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The 2025 Bay Area Renaissance Festival is underway and this weekend will be focused on “Shamrocks and Shenanigans.”

    • Since its debut in Largo, the Bay Area Renaissance Festival has grown into one of Florida’s most beloved annual traditions. 

    • Set in the heart of Dade City, the vibrant festival invites guests to step into a 16th Century European village with 15 stages of entertainment, over 100 talented artisans, and immersive historical experiences.

    • This is the 47th year for the festival.


    “Oh, Shamrocks and Shenanigans,” said Buttercup, the Washer Well Wench. “Listen – no pants required. What I mean is, you can wear a kilt!”

    She giggles in costume, ready to invite one and all to the festival. 

    “I do all the villages laundry, the village laundress, me and my cousin – she would be here, but she got drunk at the pub,” said Buttercup, jokingly. 

    No worries about her cousin, because there are many other performers ready to entertain at the festival — over 100 different artisans. 

    “It’s a whole village, imagine a town that was just transported back in time,” said Buttercup. “There’s beer, there’s turkey legs, there are things for kids too, that are not beer or turkey legs. There are all sorts of petting zoos, oh and lots of shows. And more beer, yeah!”

    A theme going into St. Patrick’s Day weekend might be beer, but the family friendly festival also includes food, live entertainment and fun. 

    The festival will take place rain or shine, each weekend until the end of March from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

    For ticket information click here.

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  • Long COVID plagues many 5 years after pandemic declaration

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    PORT RICHEY, Fla. — For some who get sick with COVID-19, they can experience symptoms for months and even years following. This is called long-COVID, and Julie Talamo sadly knows it well.

    “It’s a little unnerving yes, this is what started my journey,” said Talamo, holding medical paperwork. “These are the CTs I’ve had done. Just some of them, not all of them.”

    She says she has a cluster of nodules on her lungs, and chronic scarring. 

    Talamo got sick with COVID in 2022. A year later, a pulmonologist came to the conclusion that she had long COVID following her continual shortness of breath. 

    “He said he’s seen some really weird things since COVID, but I have lung scarring, and that’s due to COVID. It’s long COVID,” Talamo said. 

    She now takes a maintenance inhaler daily, and carries around a rescue inhaler. 

    Even with those medical struggles, Talamo’s outlook is positive. 

    “There are so many people that have it worse than me. They are, you know, I mean, when my husband got COVID, he had it really, really bad. It was pretty bad. He almost died. And I’ve had friends that have actually died from COVID,” said Talamo. 

    She now sees her pulmonologist every three months. She says he hopes to eventually get her off the inhalers, but is not sure when that will be. 

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  • 8-time cancer survivor shares journey, works at hospital that saved her life

    8-time cancer survivor shares journey, works at hospital that saved her life

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    SARASOTA, Fla. — Linda Davey is no stranger to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Linda Davey says she is an eight-time cancer survivor

    • She now works at the hospital that saved her life, Sarasota Memorial Hospital

    • Davey advocates for self-exams and regular doctor check ups 
    • She said those two things allowed her to catch the cancer early in all of her cases


    Along with working there, she became a patient during the pandemic after being diagnosed with breast cancer — again. 

    “Dr. Kimball was there for me. She held my hand throughout COVID. She checked on me before, and she checked me back. And she called me in my house to let me know they got everything. There would be no chemo,” said Davey with tears in her eyes. 

    The tears are ones of joy, knowing the cancer was gone following a double mastectomy. 

    “This month will be four years that I’m breast cancer free,” she said. 

    But that bout with cancer was not her first or her last. Discovering cancer for Davey spans decades for the 60-year-old. 

    “1991, endometrial cancer,” said Davey. “1993, melanoma on my nose. I got that, they got that, caught that in time. And then 1998, my left breast.”

    She said doctors also found cancer in 2012, 2020, and then two types of skin cancer in June of this year. Both were surgically removed. 

    Davey credits preventative checks and yearly primary care appointments. 

    “Cancer does not sleep. I lost my mom at 61. I’m 60,” she said. “You know, I have no family left. So that’s why I stressed this.”

    Those who deal with cancer every day at Sarasota Memorial Hospital agree. 

    “Screening and being persistent,” said Michelle Gould, a breast oncology nurse navigator at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

    Gould works as a resource to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Her best advice for people worried about breast cancer: get a mammogram starting at 40. 

    However, if you have other risk factors, speak up and share that information with your doctor. That is what Davey did. 

    “People that have breast densities, they have a family history. They have other indicative factors that maybe we need to look a little bit deeper. So just if you are concerned and you feel something, be persistent,” said Gould. 

    While Davey hopes her days of counting cancer battles are over, she won’t stop being persistent with her health check-ins. 

    “I want to live until I’m 100,” said Davey, laughing. “My mom died at 61, my brother died at 64. I want to pass all of that. My dad, I lost him at 72.”

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  • Hudson coastal community devastated by Idalia now coping with Helene

    Hudson coastal community devastated by Idalia now coping with Helene

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    HUDSON, Fla. — The coastal neighborhoods in Hudson have several things in common right now — piles of debris outside their homes, the smell of mold growing in flooded out homes and people feeling the financial strain of what is ahead.

    What You Need To Know

    • Hudson coastal communities struggling following Hurricane Helene

    • Kate Mullin lost everything during Hurricane Idalia, and once again lost everything in Helene

    • Mullin and her neighbors don’t want to leave and are considering raising their houses onto stilts, in fear of the next hurricane 


    “This is the water line,” said Kate Mullin, Hudson resident. “It came up this far, it ran in through the windows, it ran in through the doors.”

    Mullin has given the tour of hurricane damage at her home one too many times in recent years; Idalia, Debby and now Helene.

    Two days before Helene passed 100 miles off the coast of Pasco County, she stood on her dock explaining the small preparations she was taking ahead of the storm. It was mostly lessons she had learned from previous storms.

    “You remember my deck. And so the force of the storm pushed my deck all the way up,” she said, pointing at the crumpled pile of wood.

    Last week, she showed off her new floors she was forced to get following Hurricane Idalia in 2023.

    Today, those same floors are covered in storm debris, after sitting under storm surge waters for hours. Almost everything in her home was under water following Helene. 

    “It went over the counters. There’s a line I don’t know if you could see, it was just above here,” she said, pointing to a spot above the counters in her kitchen.

    Mullin stayed just a few miles inland at an Airbnb with her neighbors.

    She left her cat Robby in the home, truly believing the storm waters would not be as high as they were.

    When she returned two days later, she was sure she couldn’t have survived.

    “So I opened the door like an inch and…I start crying then because I didn’t want to cry, you know. Robby lost one of your lives,” said Mullin.

    Robby is now safe and sound, sleeping in the Airbnb. Mullin has spent the last several days removing items from her house, as she waits for FEMA to come out.

    She and her neighbors are leaning on one another through this extremely difficult time. One big discussion in the neighborhood continues to be about whether or not to raise each home onto stilts. But the thought of adding that potential cost to everything else is causing more stress.

    “It is daunting. It might not be daunting to somebody who’s rich, but for the average Joe, that is daunting,” said Mullin. “Plus you’re not only going to raise your house up. You’ve got to, you know, find a place to live meanwhile.”

    Mullin said she will meet with FEMA on Oct. 9.

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  • Hudson church helps homeless and those in need ahead of Helene

    Hudson church helps homeless and those in need ahead of Helene

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    HUDSON, Fla. — Going in and out of the former First Baptist Church of Hudson building off Old Dixie Highway, a steady stream of people visited the food pantry Wednesday.

    “Have a good weekend, stay out of the storm,” said a volunteer to Teresa Prowell.

    Prowell comes to the food pantry to receive a little extra help with groceries and daily supplies. With Hurricane Helene quickly approaching, these food items will be essential, especially if the power goes out for any extended amount of time.

    “To make sure I have food and water in case we actually get hit hard,” said Prowell. “Some days life has gotten hard. Prices have gone up.”

    She helped load up her car with assistance from a volunteer.

    “Water, drinks, canned goods, you know, tuna, stuff like that that you don’t have to cook. In case the electric goes out,” said Prowell.

    On a normal Wednesday, the church officials say they usually help around 200 people. With the storm closing in, they said those numbers are slightly down, but the need remains high.

    “It is going to be a rough 48 hours, and our pastor will probably open the doors of the other church if necessary,” said Dave Bryant, a retired pastor at First Baptist Church of Hudson.

    Bryan said they will make sure each person is taken care of before the end of the day.

    “We love doing it,” he said. “Sometimes we go home Wednesdays ready to collapse, but we’re happy and we see happy faces. We get a lot of hugs. We got a lot of thank yous. And so it’s worth it.”

    He said he feels blessed to help.

    For Prowell, she said having this bit of help alleviate a lot of worry. Her mind is on her home — wondering if it will hold up against the wind, rain and storm surge.

    “Just afraid of losing sentimental things, you know?” she said. “And my home needs a lot of work, so hoping my roof stays on.”

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  • HCA Florida Largo Hospital runs coronary artery disease trial

    HCA Florida Largo Hospital runs coronary artery disease trial

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    LARGO, Fla. — When it comes to coronary artery disease and blockages, often the treatment involves placing a stent into a person’s artery. 

    But HCA Florida Largo Hospital is studying a different way to treat patients involving drug-eluting balloons. 

    Doctor Merrill Krolick, Cath Lab & Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Director at HCA Florida Largo Hospital, is running this trial. 

    What You Need To Know

    • HCA Florida Largo Hospital is participating in an innovative research study using drug-eluting balloons to treat coronary artery disease

    • The study is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an Investigative Device Exemption (IDE) trial

    • Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease and the most common cause of death. Currently, the standard treatment for patients with coronary artery lesions involves the use of drug-eluting stents

    • The ongoing study at HCA Florida Largo Hospital seeks to explore the efficacy of drug-eluting balloons, which are uniquely designed with a drug-coated surface that releases medication over time, eliminating the need for a stent


    “Hey sir. How are you doing?” Krolick said to Bruce Carlson, a patient in the trial. “You feel better after the procedure?” 

    Carlson smiles, and immediately answers yes. The 85-year-old had a stroke recently and was recommended by his cardiologist to participate in this study. 

    “If I could be of some help, I was willing to do that,” said Carlson. 

    This trial compares the use of a drug-eluting stent versus a drug-eluting balloon, to help patients with blocked arteries. 

    A small mark on Carlson’s wrist shows where one of these was placed. It is a blind study, so HCA was not able to release which one Carlson received. 

    “I’m feeling very good,” said Carlson. “I don’t get as tired. I can stand longer without getting tired than I used to and I just feel better.”

    Krolick said there are differences in the two options. 

    “The difference is you’re leaving stainless steel in the body,” said Krolick, when explaining one possible downside of a stent. “Whereas here there is no stainless steel and you just, it’s just on the balloon here.”

    A stent is a slotted tube that is placed into an artery improving blood supply and flow. 

    “In Japan, it’s around 30% of IV interventions are using just balloons. In the United States, we’ve been a little slow in adapting this,” said Krolick. 

    The balloon shown in the video portion of this story is just an example, and not the actual one being used in the study. Because of the early stages of the study, HCA Florida Largo Hospital was not able to show or release the name of the company or balloon being used. 

    “It’s a special balloon that you put in, that has a drug on it so that it will be more durable and keep the patient out of the hospital longer,” said Krolick, explaining generally how it works. 

    One of the biggest challenges is treating blockages in people with small veins and arteries. 

    “One of the drawbacks with stents is that when arteries become small, they don’t work as well,” said Krolick. 

    For Carlson, whose arteries were blocked 70 to 80 percent, this trial has already helped tremendously. 

    “Well, they said they’d reduce it to about 10%,” said Carlson. 

    A big difference that will hopefully add years to his life. 

    The trial is being done through the HCA Healthcare Research Institute. If you know someone interested in this trial or other clinical trials at HCA Healthcare Research Institute, reach out to researchinstitute@HCAHealthcare.com

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  • A rare glimpse at botanical prints at the Salvador Dalí Museum

    A rare glimpse at botanical prints at the Salvador Dalí Museum

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — When it comes to an artist as iconic as Salvador Dalí, it is rare to get to enjoy any firsts. 

    What You Need To Know

    • “Reimagining Nature: Dalí’s Floral Fantasies” includes some of Salvador Dalí’s best-loved botanical print suites sourced from The Dalí’ Museum’s collection

    • This exhibition features three rarely displayed suites of botanical prints made by Dalí between 1968 and 1972

    • The exhibition will be live at the Salvador Dalí Museum through Oct. 20 


    “This is a collection of three suites of floral transformations. Dalí did these is 1968, 69 and 72,” said Peter Tush, curator and senior interpreter of the Salvador Dalí Museum. 

    After two decades of being tucked away, the fruit and floral prints completed by Dalí between 1968 and 1972 are being displayed together for the first time. 

    “It is a different side of Dalí. It is definitely not heavy or scary, it is just like him impulsively responding immediately to what something suggests,” said Tush. “I think it just shows the creativity of Dalí’s imagination. His ability to look at something given and completely reimagine it.”

    Tush said the pieces highlight some of the most treasured works on paper in the museum’s permanent collection. 

    Mostly fruits and flowers, he said Dalí reimagines the images in a way true to his style. 

    “It is very much like he wants to take the world as given, and turn it into the world of Alice and Wonderland,” Tush said. “You know, he wants us to step through the wall into a new universe. That is what these kind of paintings, and certainly the prints, are all about.”

    The display will be available to view through Oct. 20, and is included in general admission.

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  • USF professor creates AI platform for classroom teachers

    USF professor creates AI platform for classroom teachers

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Something that cannot be ignored when it comes to education today is artificial intelligence. 

    What You Need To Know

    • TeacherServer provides AI tools to assist teachers with planning, assessment, preparation, research and more

    • There are currently more than 65,000 Florida teachers using the site. They are primarily K-12 teachers and college faculty members

    • The website currently provides over 700 tools for teachers, and that number grows every day as teachers share current ideas for new tools to be made by professior Zafer Unal

    • The use of the site is free. All content is created under current national and Florida education standards


    Longtime USF St. Petersburg professor Zafer Unal sent out a survey to K-12 teachers in Florida and Georgia asking three questions. 

    How do they feel about AI? Do they use it? If so, how do they use it? 

    Unal admits, he thought the responses would be negative. He thought he would hear things like students abuse AI, or that teachers would be afraid that AI would replace their jobs. 

    Instead, he said the responses were for the most part positive. 

    “We actually use AI in our daily lives, but we prefer not to use it in the classroom with the students for the classroom work because of the security and privacy,” said Unal, giving an example of a response. “We have a lack of training. We don’t even know how to use it efficiently.”

    After hearing those responses, Unal felt like he had the solution. He decided he would create a website that would provide AI tools that could help teachers in the classroom. 

    It is called TeacherServer. 

    “I was a teacher. I was a school principal. I know what they are going through. And the whole idea is to get them comfortable with the usage of AI. AI is just a tool, like a calculator,” said Unal. 

    He created it for people who are tech-savvy and for those who are not. On the website, teachers can create a variety of content, including lesson plans, do research, and more. 

    Currently, there are over 700 different tools for college and K-12 teachers. Already, more than 65,000 teachers in Florida are using the site said Unal. 

    The other perk for teachers is this is free. This is a passion project for Unal and just wants this to be something good in the world. 

    “We don’t make money,” said Unal. “We are in College of Education. The whole idea is to make sure that you provide. Some people write textbooks, some people write articles, some people, I do all of them. But in addition to that, because of the computer science background, I was able to do this and I will continue doing this, make sure that is provided free and to all the teachers.”

    To add to its appeal, the AI data generated on the site is not collected or stored, nor is the user data shared or sold. 

    Finally, all the tools created for teacher use are done so under the guidance of national and Florida education standards.

    Plans to expand happen daily. 

    “We actually have requests from faculty members adding more tools for the college professors, college students asking for college student tools for them to do work, and also high school students as well,” said Unal.

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    Erin Murray

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