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Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites

BY SALLIE JAMES and clean pet water bowls twice a week
• Check your house for torn window screens and
Youíre trying to fall asleep when you hear that bare- keep windows and doors closed to prevent mosquitoes
ly-audible, high-pitched buzz that tells you a blood- from coming inside
thirsty mosquito is waiting to take a bite. • Use air conditioning
It can be annoying, but mosquitoes are more than • Cover cribs, strollers and baby carriers with mos-
just annoying. They can carry serious diseases like quito netting
encephalitis (West Nile, St. Louis and Eastern Equine), “Mosquitoes typically breed in very shallow water, a
yellow fever, dengue and malaria and Zika. Mosquitoes capful of water or a puddle behind a bush,” explained
bite in the day AND the night, and their bites can be Anthony Vomero, Environmental Health Administrator
itchy and painful. for the Florida Department of Health in Broward avoid being bitten.”
As mosquito season rolls into full swing, itís time to County. “The average homeowner should make sure if Mosquito eggs that are laid in shallow water can
take preventative measures to safeguard yourself and they have potted plants they dump any water that col- hatch in a day or two. The larvae grow fast, turning into
your home. lects and check anything that could hold water.” a pupa that quickly develops into a full-grown mosqui-
The bug to watch for is the Aedes aegypi mosquito, a Aedes aegypi can even breed inside the home, in to. The life cycle, from egg to adult mosquito, takes
small, black one with white markings on its legs and spots where water drips and collects. eight to 10 days. The pupae become flying mosquitoes
one in the form of a lyre on the upper surface of its tho- Remember, as the weather gets warmer, mosquito in two to three days.
rax. These mosquitoes live close to people, right out- activity increases. If you go outdoors on a buggy night, Stop mosquitoes from breeding by draining standing
side or inside your house. They specialize in biting wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves. Spray water, and stay healthy!
humans, and stay active all day. your skin and clothing with an insect repellent that
Preventing bites is the best way to stay safe and there contains DEET or other approved ingredients. Request information on mosquito control by calling the
are lots of easy ways to accomplish this. Most impor- Draining standing water is the most effective way to Florida Department of Health in Broward County
tantly, drain standing water in and around the house. stop them from reproducing. at (954) 213-0607.
• Keep flower pots and saucers free of standing water “Mosquitoes multiply quickly, but you can stop them
• Check old tires, buckets, toys, and birdbaths for in their tracks,” said Dr. Paula Thaqi, Director of the In Broward County, Mosquito Control will consider
pooled water Florida Department of Health in Broward County. spraying your neighborhood if you have a large number of
• Flush out water-holding plants like bromeliads “Practice ëdrain and cover.” When you dump standing mosquitoes. Call (954) 765-4062 or visit
with a hose every week water, you eliminate the breeding ground for mosquito www.broward.org/Mosquito/Pages/
• Discard items where rain or sprinkler water collects larvae and getting rid of the source is the best way to MosquitoServiceRequest.aspx

Accolades Accolades Accolades Accolades

Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center Honors West Palm VA Awarded

Employees for Their Commitment to Care for Sustainability Efforts

A national nonprofit organization
focused on environmental stewardship has
recently awarded the West Palm Beach VA
Medical Center for their efforts to create a
greener workplace. Practice Greenhealth
recognized the West Palm Beach VA
Medical Center for its achievements in Green Environmental Management
waste and energy use reduction with the System Program Manager Raphael Ciano
2019 Practice Greenhealth Partner (center) pictured holding the Practice
Recognition Award. The award is one of Greenhealth Partner for Change Award
the Environmental Excellence Awards for 2018 alongside Assistant Director
(l-r) Brian Mayhue, Director of Pharmacy, (l-r) Michael Cadoret, Chief Nursing given each year to honor environmental Maria Nguyen (left) and Director Donna
Chris Bishop, MVP of the Quarter, Kim Officer, Melanie Holley, Daisy Award achievements in the health care sector. Katen-Bahensky.
Pacewicz, Nursing Director, Teresa Winner, Teresa Urquhart,
Urquhart, Chief Executive Officer Chief Executive Officer Boca Raton Regional Hospital Physicians
Recognized As Top Doctors
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center recently recog-
nized the following employees for their dedication to
serving and treating patients at the hospital. For the seventh year in a row, Boca Raton Regional Hospital has had the most pri-
MVP of the Quarter – mary-affiliated physicians of any hospital in Palm Beach County recognized as “Top
Employee of the first quarter Doctors” by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. and surpassed all other institutions com-
Chris Bishop is a patient care technician who is bined. The research firm specializes in providing consumers with information about
described as honest, friendly and focuses on patient expe- the nation’s best doctors and hospitals. “While Boca Regional’s entire medical staff is
rience. One patient said of Chris, "He helped me through known for its clinical excellence and commitment to improving the lives of our
a rough day. His attitude is so positive that it brought my patients, we salute these particular physicians on such a notable accolade,” said Jerry
mood up." (l-r) Dr. Arthur Katz, Fedele, President and CEO of Boca Raton Regional Hospital.

Physician of the Quarter – Q1
Dr. Arthur Katz is a cardiothoracic surgeon who is Cardiothoracic Surgeon, St. Mary’s Medical Center and Palm Beach
noted by colleagues and staff alike as someone who sin- Teresa Urquhart,
cerely cares about his patients and always has their best Chief Executive Officer Children’s Hospital Earn Three-Year
interest at heart. Dr. Katz is known as a wonderful edu-
cator and takes the time to invest in the nursing staff. He is also known as the “rock CARF Accreditation
doctor” because he gives his patients heart shaped rocks.
Daisy Award – Q1 CARF International (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities)
Nurse Melanie Holley is recognized as skillful, and compassionate. Melanie was awards St. Mary’s Medical Center and the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital accredita-
nominated by a patient for having a positive attitude, being attentive and anticipating tion for a period of three years for its comprehensive integrated inpatient rehabilita-
the patient’s needs. The patient claimed it is Melanie’s little acts of kindness that made tion program for adults, comprehensive integrated inpatient rehabilitation program
her care above and beyond. The Daisy Award was established by the family of J. for children and adolescents, brain injury specialty program and stroke specialty pro-
Patrick Barnes after he died from complications of an auto-immune disease in 1999. gram. “This accreditation represents the highest level that can be given to an organ-
Since then his family wanted to recognize nurses for their hard work and care towards ization, and shows our hospital’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards,”
patients. said St. Mary’s Medical Center & Palm Beach Children’s Hospital CEO, Gabrielle
Finley-Hazle.

South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com June 2019 31