AdventHealth Event Introduces Its Newest Innovation In Stroke Treatment

The members of the neurology team at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel pose with the hospital’s new biplane neurointerventional suite. 

“When strokes happen, minutes matter,” said AdventHealth Wesley Chapel (AHWC) president & CEO Ryan Quattlebaum during the hospital’s packed “Advanced Stroke Intervention Suite” demonstration on Aug. 17. “We know that time equals tissue, brain tissue. That means it’s incredibly important for people to have access to care quickly — and not just any care, but world-class equipment in the hands of world-class, trained physicians and specialists.” 

(Above, l.-r.) Dr. Guilherme Agnoletto, Dr. Nure Khoury, Dr. Jason Maljaar & AHWC president & CEO Ryan Quattlebaum. 

He added, “So today, we’re excited to showcase an advanced look at what stroke care capabilities are available right here in Pasco County. Stroke remains one of the leading causes of both death and disabilities in the United States. Having access to that quality care close to home means that people don’t have to leave [our area] to get that care, so you don’t have to transfer to another hospital to get this specialized stroke care.” 

Quattlebaum was joined by three AHWC neurologists — Dr. Jason Maljaar, the medical director of neurology at the hospital, plus Dr. Guilherme Agnoletto and Dr. Nure Khoury, who demonstrated the hospital’s new biplane neurointerventional suite. 

AHWC is the first hospital anywhere in Pasco County to be home to this purpose-built machine designed to perform a range of minimally invasive procedures, including mechanical thrombectomies (a procedure that allows physicians to actually remove blood clots from the brain and restore blood flow for patients experiencing the most severe types of ischemic strokes). When this procedure is done quickly, it can improve recovery and reduce the risk of long-term disability, versus relying on clot-busting medications alone. 

“That means you can come to AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, and we’ll be able to take care of you,” Quattlebaum said. “Our commitment to excellence was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report, which named [AHWC] a high-performing hospital for stroke care. This designation reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, clinical teams and support staff who work tirelessly every day to fulfill our mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ.” 

He added, “As a primary stroke center, [AHWC] continues to strengthen its stroke program through investments in advanced technology, specialized, world-class physicians and evidence-based care.” 

Dr. Maljaars said, “This is an exciting day for us here. It’s my privilege to be the stroke medical director here at this hospital. It takes a lot of people to have a program like this and to be able to provide the care that we have and plan to continue to do so.” 

He added, “This machine can do a lot of things. One of the things that’s most impactful is reducing the amount of time it takes to treat a patient with a large stroke blood clot stuck in a big area of the brain. If we determine that this is a good case to attempt to pull the blood clot out with catheters, normally that patient would have to transfer to another hospital somewhere that has this technology and staff and everything in place to make that happen. 

“But now that we can do that here, we can take these types of patients and take care of them right here, rather than having to transfer them, which cuts down on time — which is the biggest thing in any stroke situation. 

“If you take another 30-60 minutes or longer to transfer that patient to another hospital to get that procedure, that can be the difference, quite honestly, between someone who goes home two days later or someone who ends up in a nursing home for the rest of their life.” 

Dr. Maljaars also mentioned that the new machine, “also can perform diagnostics and look at arteries in the neck and the brain. We can put stents in, we can fix aneurysms…so, there are a lot of things we can do with this machine.” 

He then turned it over to Dr. Khoury and Dr. Agnoletto, the hospital’s neurointerventionalists, to demonstrate how the biplane interventional suite works. 

Dr. Khoury, who described himself as a vascular neurologist, said, “I don’t think we can emphasize enough how impactful this procedure is and how it’s changed lives across the globe. We’re lucky to have access to this kind of procedure, to this treatment here, because large strokes in the past were such a large cause of death and disability and now, we really have the opportunity to make those changes and impact more lives.” 

Then, Dr. Agnoletto, who also described himself as a vascular neurologist, said, “We think this is a very big day for Pasco County and the families here because we can now offer this top-tier stroke care without them having to leave the community at all.” 

He added, “I also wanted to mention that this type of procedure is truly a team effort. More than anything else, I would say it really takes a village — the nurses, techs, anesthesia physicians, technicians, therapists, the institution and the community that support us — today is a celebration of all of you and all of them, just as much as the technology we’re demonstrating here today.” 

The Demonstration Itself 

Dr. Agnoletto (photo), noted that “Obviously, we aren’t showing you a real patient, but it is a life-size model of the vessels inside the human body. It’s a large construct of different types of catheters, smaller and larger, and wires that we use to access the brain (through the femoral artery).” 

Thanks to the large monitor in this photo, we could all see the large blood clot and watch Dr. Agnoletto guide the catheter to the point of the clot and pull the clot out. 

“It looks like a straw,” he said, “but a lot of time, research and technology has gone into these catheters, so we don’t have any issues — they don’t collapse on themselves.” 

It was obvious that the demonstration was completely successful, so the hope here is that this is just the first of many successful procedures to clear large blood clot strokes right here in our Wesley Chapel community. 

For more information about AdventHealth Wesley Chapel (2600 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.), visit AdventHealth.com, or call (813) 929-5000. 

A Very Successful ‘Taste Of N’Awlins’ In Arbor Greene!

The Culinary Fund Raiser Hosted By Pam & Dr. Elliot Cazes Raised $11,000 For ‘Faces Of Courage!’ 

(Holding meat platters) Pam (left) & Dr. Elliot Cazes and their amazing team helped raise nearly $11,000 for the New Tampa-based cancer nonprofit Faces of Courage by providing a delicious “Taste of N’Awlins” to nearly 200 people on a rain-soaked Sunday afternoon. Not only did the team cook a ton of andouille sausage for Dr. Cazes’ chicken & andouille gumbo but also red beans & rice and a variety of “Po’ Boy” sandwiches. (Photos by Charmaine George)

 Mother Nature’s best efforts couldn’t keep nearly 200 people from getting “A Taste of N’Awlins” — the Cajun culinary experience hosted by long-time New Tampa residents Pam and Dr. Elliot Cazes at the Arbor Greene Community Club on Aug. 23 that raised nearly $11,000 for the New Tampa-based nonprofit called Faces of Courage. 

Fellow New Tampa resident Peggie Sherry, who founded the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Faces of Courage in 2004 to provide day outings, educational workshops and medically supervised overnight camps for women, children and families touched by all types of cancer and blood disorders — all at no cost — was thrilled with the event. 

“Apparently, Mother Nature decided ‘A Taste of N’Awlins’ needed a little extra Louisiana weather,” Peggie said, “but despite the torrential downpour, the local community showed up, umbrellas in hand and ready to eat, laugh, bid, buy raffle tickets and support Faces of Courage. We cannot begin to thank Dr./Chef Elliot Cazes and his hardworking wife Pam enough for this fund raiser.” 

Elliot, Pam and their team of volunteers (top photo) provided some of the most delicious chicken & andouille sausage gumbo this reporter has had (and I’ve spent some time in New Orleans), plus equally authentic Cajun-style red beans & rice and three different Po’ Boy sandwiches — roast beef, turkey and andouille sausage. 

Elliot has been cooking food for Faces of Courage’s camps “for about 20 years now,” he said, “and Peggie and her team are serving such an important role for people struggling with cancer and their families. But, the reason Pam and I put together this fund raiser was because Peggie said she didn’t have enough money to fund her upcoming Women’s Cancer Camp (being held Sept. 18-20 at Rotary’s Camp Florida in Brandon).” 

“This wasn’t just a fund raiser,” Peggie added. “It was a community coming together for one very important reason: to help raise the final $10,000 we needed to fund that Women’s Camp.” 

She added, “Elliot and Pam really took this on. They corralled just about everyone they knew — and probably a few they didn’t — to help make this event happen. They collected more than 80 donated gift cards, secured an amazing assortment of silent auction and raffle items, recruited volunteers and then, rolled up their sleeves and worked right alongside everyone else. 

“And, what a team they put together! People chopped, grilled, cooked, carried, decorated, set up, cleaned up, served food, sold water, sold raffle tickets, worked registration, managed auction items and did whatever else needed to be done!” 

And, by the end of the day, the “Taste of N’Awlins” not only met that $10,000 goal, it exceeded it. 

Peggie was clearly moved by the enormity of what was accomplished in just a few short hours on a day when the skies opened up, but the members of the local community opened up their hearts — and wallets — even more. She provided us with a list of all 20 of the event’s volunteers and every one of the nearly 90 businesses that provided anything for “A Taste of N’Awlins.” I’m just sorry I didn’t have room here to print those lists. 

Peggie also thanked, “every single person who walked through those doors. You could have looked at that rain and stayed home. Instead, you showed up. You ate. You bid. You bought raffle tickets. You volunteered. You donated. You laughed. And most important, you helped make sure women facing cancer can come to camp completely FREE of charge! 

“Rain couldn’t stop this crowd — and cancer won’t stop us either. From all of us at Faces of Courage, THANK YOU!” 

For more information about (or to donate to) Faces of Courage, visit FacesofCourage.org. 

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 đ˜đšđźđ« đ…đšđŻđšđ«đąđ­đž 𝐏𝐱𝐳𝐳𝐚 & Latin Restaurant 𝐈𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐰 đ“đšđŠđ©đš (𝐍𝐓) đŽđ« đ–đžđŹđ„đžđČ đ‚đĄđšđ©đžđ„ (𝐖𝐂)?

So, this year’s Dining Survey & Contest is all new! For another chance to win, tell us your Favorite Pizza Place AND your Favorite Latin (but NOT Mexican) Restaurant in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel HERE. 

Submit a correctly filled-out form HERE and you’ll be entered into a random drawing to win up to $200 in FREE dining at the restaurant of your choice located ANYWHERE in the Tampa Bay area! 

Here is what you need to know to enter this year’s Survey & Contest: 

In order to be considered to win any of this year’s five dining prizes, you must write the names of both your favorite Pizza and Latin restaurants in the entry form HERE! 

HERE ARE OUR OTHER RULES! 

1) Please look up the restaurant zip code or location to see if it qualifies as a Wesley Chapel or New Tampa restaurant. 

2) In order for your votes to count and help your favorite restaurants, you must include your real first AND last name, the community you live in (Lexington Oaks, Epperson, etc.), your daytime phone number where I can reach you (which I will only do if your name is selected to win a prize) and your valid email address. 

3) This year’s prizes are again FREE dining at any restaurant YOU choose anywhere in the Tampa Bay area, including the Grand Prize of $200, as well as prizes of $100, $75, $50 & $25. 

4) Fill out the entry form HERE! Good Luck! — GN 

Fire Station No. 2’s Grand Opening Brings Government & Community Closer Together

Although we told you all about the new Pasco County Fire Rescue Station No. 2 last issue, we had to visit the new station on Wesley Chapel Blvd. again for its official Grand Opening, which was held on Aug. 14. 

The event, which also attracted more than 100 local residents, many of whom expressed their appreciation for the station, also featured speeches by assistant county administrator for public safety Joanna Cheshire (in yellow, right), Pasco Fire Chief Ryan Guynn (holding large Ajax scissors), Pasco County District 2 Commissioner & Board vice-chair Seth Weightman (to Chief Guynn’s right) and Board chair Jack Mariano (to Weightman’s right). Also in attendance were dozens of other county fire officials, firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs). 

Other highlights included tours of the beautiful, modern new facility, a sudden torrential downpour that forced the ribbon-cutting ceremony inside with the doors closed, as well as a call for service that had those in attendance watching Ladder Truck 2 exiting the building. 

“What a great day for Pasco County and the people of Wesley Chapel,” Commissioner Mariano said. “It’s very important for Pasco County to protect its citizens and this station was badly needed to reduce our response times. I want to thank our fire and EMS team for being out here every single day, saving lives. This station is built to meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s growth.” 

District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman.

Commissioner Weightman added, “The GO (General Obligation) bond for this station was approved by the voters in 2019 because you said, ‘Hey, we need this.’ So, all the thanks goes to you and we can’t express how grateful we are.” 

He added, “This facility represents the very best Pasco County has to offer, not just in service, but with the people who live and work out of this facility. This station will not only reduce response times. It also will help your homeowners insurance to go down and that’s [one reason] why we’re working expeditiously to build new fire stations across this county.” 

Up next was Cheshire, who spoke on behalf of county administrator Mike Carballa. “This really takes a village,” Cheshire said, also thanking the county attorney’s office for its help, and the adjacent Calvary Baptist Church, “for allowing us to use their parking lot today. We’re becoming good, close neighbors.” 

Cheshire also mentioned how much she appreciates the firefighters, “who don’t know a Friday. First responders are always on [duty]. We’re happy to have the ‘D’ shift but they still always work around the clock. This is a Grand Opening, but for them, it’s more of a housewarming. The firefighters and EMTs do everything together and they live here, so we always have to thank them.” 

Pasco County Fire Rescue Chief Ryan Guynn.

Last but not least was Chief Guynn. “The commissioners were right,” he aid. “The citizens made this happen and it really does take a village. There’s a lot of retired firefighters in the audience here. It was your dream, but we’re the ones getting to bring it together and move it forward.” 

Guynn also thanked the crews at the new station for being, “the ones doing the hard work.” He named quite a few members of his senior team by name (but didn’t give first and last names, so I don’t want to get any names wrong). “I know we’ve given the citizens the credit for passing the GO bond, and they deserve it, but I also want to thank our county commissioners. They really care about public safety…our citizens’ safety…and always keep fire rescue on the forefront and we can’t thank you guys enough for that.” 

He also talked about how needed the new station was, both geographically and to serve the “9,000 parcels and 20,000-25,000 residents in its zone. Since we opened on July 14 (one month before the event), we’ve run one confined space rescue, four structure fires, we’ve performed 18 advanced life support cardiac calls and various other rescues, so this station is already making a difference.” 


The crowd at the Aug.14 Grand Opening of PCFR Station No. 2.

Tell Us Your 5 Favorite Restaurants In Wesley Chapel To Win FREE Dining!

So, this year’s Dining Survey & Contest is all new! Below are pictures & descriptions of all of the mom-&-pop and small (10 units total or less) chain restaurants in or near Wesley Chapel (see location info below), with their addresses, phone numbers, websites and a picture of their exteriors and/or signage. 

All we’re asking you to do, as Wesley Chapel residents, in this issue is name your FIVE (5) Favorite Restaurants located in Wesley Chapel — in zip codes 33543, 33544 & 33545, plus locations on Wesley Chapel Blvd. & S.R. 54 in Lutz up to Oak Grove Blvd. 

Submit a correctly filled-out form HERE and you’ll be entered into a random drawing to win up to $200 in FREE dining at the restaurant of your choice located ANYWHERE in the Tampa Bay area! 

Please do not include ANY restaurants located in New Tampa’s 33647 zip code on the entry form HERE. You’ll have a chance to tell us your five Favorite Restaurants in New Tampa by filling out the form HERE! 

Here is what you need to know to enter this year’s Survey & Contest: 

(I hope) every brick-&-mortar restaurant that serves food and is located in & near Wesley Chapel (WC) that is either a true mom & pop or part of a “chain” — whether regional or national — that has fewer than ten (10) total locations, is listed in alphabetical order below. 

Please note that although the restaurant list doesn’t include any chain eateries with 10 or more locations in Wesley Chapel, you can still write the names of your favorite chains in any or all of the five spaces on the entry form HERE. 

But, whether you choose five places from the Wesley Chapel list of nearly 100 restaurants or five chains that don’t appear on the list or some combination thereof, in order to be considered to win any of this year’s five dining prizes, you must write the names of FIVE (5) WC-area restaurants in the five spaces on the entry form HERE! 

HERE ARE OUR OTHER RULES! 

1) DO NOT write the name of your one favorite place in more than one Top-5 space. Only its first-place vote will count. 

2) If the restaurant is on this list below, we consider it to be in Wesley Chapel. If you want to vote for a chain restaurant, please look up its zip code or location to see if it qualifies as a Wesley Chapel restaurant. 

3) In order for your votes to count and help your favorite restaurants, you must include your real first AND last name, the community you live in (Lexington Oaks, Epperson, etc.), your daytime phone number where I can reach you (which I will only do if your name is selected to win a prize) and your valid email address. 

4) This year’s prizes are again FREE dining at any restaurant YOU choose anywhere in the Tampa Bay area, including the Grand Prize of $200, as well as prizes of $100, $75, $50 & $25. 

5) See the Entry Forms HERE and HERE to find out how to have your votes counted & win prizes! Good Luck! — GNÂ