Winter 2020

n Foundation Grant Helps Shine Light on Alzheimer’s

n Let’s Talk About Mental Health

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mpmfoundation From one generation to

the next, creating a legacy.

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#MPMHCFoundation #YourPhilanthropyMatters

#ThankYouDonors #MakingADifference

#GratefulForYourSupport #MortonPlantHospital

#MeaseCountrysideHospital #MeaseDunedinHospital

#MortonPlantNorthBay #BayCare

2019 Foundation Board of DirectorsMarion R. Rich, Chair William J. Fisher Jr., Vice Chairman Sydney E. Niewierski, Treasurer Darlene D. Ferenz, Secretary

Frederick Ahari Kathleen G. Allen, MD Ray Bouchard Jon M. Brethauer Jennifer B. Buck, MD Carole A. Christensen Earle S. Cooper Peter B. Dimmitt John G. Estock William R. Francisco Lou P. Galdieri Lindsey Crown Hardee Duane T. Houtz M. Scott Klavans, MD Thomas J. Kurey III Brad M. Meinck James J. Nichols Nancy S. Paikoff Benjamin C. Whited, DO Hal D. Ziecheck M. Javier Zuniga

EmeritusRoz J. Doyle Lisa O. Etheridge Shirley I. Long James A. Martin Jr. Paul L. Phillips, MD

Ex OfficiosNancy B. Croy Nicholas J. Grimaudo

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Mease Dunedin Hospital recently unveiled its beautifully renovated chapel, made possible due to the generosity of Melba W. Rilott, a longtime Dunedin resident and recognized as a member of the Foundation’s Towers of Philanthropy, thanks to her longstanding support of the not-for-profit hospitals of Morton Plant Mease.

To commemorate the opening of the new chapel, the Foundation hosted a special dedication to honor Melba and thank her for establishing

such an inspirational legacy. The renovated chapel features stained glass windows, new finishes, new furniture and kneelers – all designed to create a serene, soothing feeling for those who enter. “I’m very happy to do this,” Melba said. “If you need to come here, may you find serenity, in all religions, and peace. Sometimes we need other things to help with healing. We need a quiet space.”

Now Mease Dunedin has one and it’s beautiful.

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P.S. There are many ways to learn more about the Foundation and how you can become involved with the hospitals of Morton Plant Mease. Please join us at one of our upcoming events listed on the back of this newsletter.

Dear Supporters,

Thanks to you, we celebrated an unprecedented year in 2019 – granting nearly $10.5 million to the hospitals of Morton Plant Mease. The entire board of directors is focused on meeting the needs of our hospitals and improving the health of the community we serve.

n Mease Countryside Hospital is undergoing an extensive renovation and expansion project that will connect the hospital’s campus to create a more fluid line of care. The new, four-story Bilheimer Tower, featuring 104 private patient rooms, is scheduled to open in 2021.

n Thanks to a Foundation grant, Morton Plant North Bay Hospital recently unveiled a new MRI suite with a larger, more powerful magnet that produces higher quality, higher resolution images.

n Our Campaign for Nursing Excellence helped fund a variety of training equipment items at the Sally L. Bailey Nursing Education Center to help enhance the way our nurses learn and care for patients.

n The Morgan Heart Hospital Community Challenge raised $7 million to help renovate Morton Plant Hospital’s electrophysiology lab and cardiac catheterization lab, and will help build a future second hybrid operating suite.

We encourage you to remain involved as donors to our cause, and to bring your friends into the fold, letting them know not only about our superior physicians, nurses and health care services, but also the needs of a not-for-profit hospital.

I look forward to building on our success as I work hand-in-hand with the leadership that oversees our hospitals, along with our top-level physicians and team members, to ensure that high quality health care is available to all of us.

Sincerely,

Marion R. RichMorton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation Chair

Marion R. Rich

Dear Foundation Family,

Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

This was more evident than ever this year, as I’m honored to announce that, thanks to our community’s philanthropic support, we granted your not-for-profit hospitals of Morton Plant Mease nearly $10.5 million - the most in our over 40-year history! What a remarkable testament by you, our community of supporters, caring for the hospitals that care for your friends, your family and yourself.

This year, more than 7,000 of you leveraged your contributions to enable us to grant a record high to the hospitals of Morton Plant Mease. Every dollar counts and every donor makes a difference. Here are a few of the ways your philanthropy was invested back into our hospitals:

Health care continues to transform. Your contributions allow you to leave a legacy as we upgrade our facilities, invest in new technologies and hire the best medical team to treat you and your families. Please join us in celebrating this record-breaking year - we couldn’t have done it without you.

Thank you for your continued support of our work advancing exceptional health care.

Sincerely,

Ernestine Morgan, CFREPresident and CEO Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation P.S. Your philanthropy matters!

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After a short program, Melba cut a ribbon and her portrait was unveiled with a plaque that says, “Chapel - A gift of Melba W. Rilott.”

Longtime Dunedin resident Melba W. Rilott made the renovation of the chapel possible.

n Atlas of Retinal Imaging in Alzheimer’s Study (ARIAS) is a multisite longitudinal study of retinal imaging biomarkers of disease risk, disease burden and disease progression in Alzheimer’s disease.

n The Varian Edge Radiosurgery System will allow oncologists at Morton Plant Hospital to pinpoint cancerous tumors more accurately and deliver more targeted radiation treatments, ultimately shortening the number of treatments required.

n Nursing scholarships were funded to help recruit, reward, recognize and retain our talented nurses. Because of these scholarships, our nurses have the opportunity to advance their knowledge through professional development programs, certification courses and research projects.

n Through heartfelt community support, grant funding impacted nearly 10 programs aimed at shining a renewed sense of possibility to cancer survivors and their loved ones. These initiatives encompass every moment that cancer touches people’s lives, from prevention and diagnosis through treatment and survivorship.

Ernestine Morgan

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2019 Distinguished Physician Leadership Awards

Earle Cooper presents the Golden Flame Philanthropy Award to Lisa O. and George W. Etheridge Jr.

Many friends and family were on hand to celebrate with Lisa and George, including their children, Carla and George Etheridge V (the two furthest on the left).

Van Q. Nguyen, MD, FACC, Stephen J. Shields, MD, Joseph F. Staffetti, MD, and John S. Fisher, MD

Our Annual Meeting celebrates donors of all levels and shares the impact that our community’s investments have at the hospitals of Morton Plant Mease. In 2019, nearly 500 guests joined us at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort on Clearwater Beach as we honored members of our Foundation family for their commitment to improving the health of our community.

We proudly presented Lisa O. and George W. Etheridge Jr. with the Golden Flame Philanthropy Award, the highest honor given by Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation. The award honors individuals whose contributions have demonstrated exceptional commitment to Morton Plant Mease Health Care’s mission, vision and values.

“Lisa and George made their first gift to Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation in 1988 and, over three decades, they’ve been constant with their philanthropy to our Foundation by supporting nearly every campaign and special project we’ve embarked on,” said Ernestine Morgan, Foundation president and CEO. “They wrote the script for paying it forward.”

Lisa and George truly lead by example and it was a privilege to recognize them for their generosity.

Mease HospitalsDr. Bernard A. Macik Jr. Distinguished Physician Leadership AwardVan Q. Nguyen, MD, FACC – Cardiology

Morton Plant HospitalDr. Leslie L. Weiss Distinguished Physician Leadership AwardStephen J. Shields, MD – Internal Medicine

Morton Plant HospitalDr. Mitchell M. Weiss Distinguished Physician Leadership AwardJohn S. Fisher, MD – Radiology

Morton Plant North Bay HospitalJoseph F. Staffetti, MD – Gastroenterology

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Earlier this year, Mease Countryside Hospital team members and distinguished guests celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Bilheimer Tower, scheduled to open in 2021, and named in honor of Foundation Benefactors Nancy and David Bilheimer for their extraordinary gift.

Featuring the addition of 104 private inpatient rooms, a 30-bed observation unit and the Entel Education Center, the Bilheimer Tower is focused on enhancing patient-centered care and the family experience. Patient and visitor comfort is also part of the new design, featuring an outdoor courtyard with dining and seating areas, a children’s play space and a water feature offering visitors a respite area that incorporates natural elements. For more information on how to get involved through our Mease Countryside Hospital campaign, contact Alicia Coppley, development director, at (727) 461-8626.

As a board-certified urologist for Advanced Urology Institute and the current president of the Mease Hospitals Medical Executive Committee, Dr. Michael Szostak knows a thing or two about caring for his patients. However, earlier this year, he experienced firsthand the exceptional care offered at our hospitals.

On the very first night of his family’s 11-day European cruise, Dr. Szostak’s son, Evan, told his parents, “I’ve never been in pain like this … something’s wrong.” Evan hadn’t participated in the day’s activities due to abdominal pain, but now it was time to see the ship’s doctor for an examination.

Evan’s bloodwork revealed he was suffering from an obstructed gallstone. And though the ship’s doctor couldn’t say if they should return home, he did instruct Evan to follow a liquid diet for the next 10 days. At the next port in Germany, Dr. Szostak and Evan consulted a general surgeon who couldn’t address their questions.

Unsatisfied, Dr. Szostak called Dr. Ted Small, a general surgeon at Mease Countryside Hospital, who recommended performing another round of bloodwork. The second round uncovered an increase in Evan’s pancreatic enzymes. Alarmed, the ship’s doctor said that Evan couldn’t return to the ship and needed to be admitted to the hospital. Dr. Szostak decided it was time to go home.

After a painful, 24-hour journey back to Florida, Evan and Dr. Szostak went directly to the Emergency Room at Mease Countryside Hospital. Evan was admitted and prepared for an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Gastroenterologist Dr. Richard LaCamera said it was one of the most difficult procedures he has performed, but he successfully opened the blocked bile duct and removed the gallstones.

Unfortunately, Evan developed pancreatitis and the removal of his gallbladder had to be postponed for several days. After a short recovery, Evan was finally able to go home.

Dr. Szostak joked, “It was a great experience! Well, as great as it can be when your child is sick.” “I hear stories like this every day of the great care my patients get, but I’m used to being on the other side of it,” said Dr. Szostak. “I can’t thank the team enough for the excellent care they provided my son.”

From left, Becky Schulkowski, director of operations for Mease Hospitals, Matt Novak, president of Mease Hospitals, Lou Galdieri, president of Morton Plant Hospital, Gay Lancaster, MPM board chair, Nancy and David Bilheimer, and Marion Rich, Foundation board chair.

Benefactors Nancy and David Bilheimer were recognized at a special groundbreaking ceremony.

Ernestine Morgan, president and CEO of Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation, with Nancy and David Bilheimer.

Photo taken on their family trip while in Warsaw, Poland. From left to right, Evan, Dr. Szostak, Christian, Ileen and Evan’s twin sister Gabriela.

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Tom and Kim Kurey are members of the Foundation’s Donald Roebling Society.

Tom and Kim Kurey’s gift helped fund the purchase of outdoor furniture for the BayCare Behavioral Health Unit at Morton Plant Hospital.

An estimated 26 percent of Americans age 18 and older - about one in four adults - suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. For many families, dealing with mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar, anxiety and addictions is more common than facing cancer, diabetes or heart disease.

Tom and Kim Kurey, longtime advocates of Morton Plant Hospital, felt compelled to help end the stigma associated with mental illness and substance use. Tom, a new Foundation board member, and his wife Kim, who volunteers at the hospital, hosted a private event in their home last year with BayCare leaders to help better understand today’s mental health crisis in our community.

Wanting to do more, they took a tour of BayCare Behavioral Health at Morton Plant Hospital, an inpatient psychiatric unit that offers 24-hour nursing care for adults dealing with

behavioral disorders and addictions. While on the tour, they were impressed by the hospital’s caring team members, but noticed the unit’s empty outdoor space. They learned this space, which had no furniture, had recently re-opened after being closed for four years due to hospital construction. Patients were improvising seating with dining room chairs for leisure and group activities.

Tom said that he and Kim felt passionate about making a generous gift to support the furnishing of the space because it seemed like it would be therapeutic for patients to enjoy the sun and fresh air. Their gift supported a grant to buy tables, chairs and loungers, and to paint a mural for the unit’s space.

Tom and Kim are hopeful that this gift can help start the conversation about mental health in the community and work toward breaking down the negative stigma that shrouds mental illness.

The Varian Edge Radiosurgery System will be offered at the Lykes Cancer Pavilion located at Morton Plant Hospital in early 2020.

Carole Christensen and Betsy Schweitzer at Rock the Ribbon, which benefits the prostate and breast health programs at our hospitals.

The unexpected diagnosis. Life changes immediately for everyone: patient, family and friends. When we think about cancer, we think about people we know. Whether it’s a parent, a spouse, a colleague or a friend, someone you know has been, or will be, diagnosed with cancer. To capitalize on promising new opportunities toward winning the battle against cancer, we’re committed to raising $2 million as part of our Transforming Cancer Care Campaign. The following are a few of the programs and technologies dedicated to impacting every stage in which cancer touches people’s lives:

n Cancer Patient Support Services (CaPSS): Provides a myriad of support services to cancer patients so they can learn about the latest treatment advances, find ways to heal the mind, body and spirit, and gain solace from others who have cancer.

n Mammography Voucher Program (MVP): Early detection is critical to women being able to survive breast cancer. MVP provides comprehensive mammograms and clinical breast exams to low-income women at no cost.

n Oncology Nurse Navigator: Individualized, disease-focused oncology teams assemble around every patient early in the course of diagnosis and treatment.

n POWER Program: This program for our breast cancer patients helps to guide each patient through their journey by teaching them how to integrate physical activity, proper nutrition and emotional support into one’s lifestyle.

n Prostate Cancer Program: A combination of community education and counseling focused on improving the health of men in our minority community by providing prostate education, diagnosis, treatment and counseling services.

n Varian Edge Radiosurgery System: An advanced linear accelerator coupled with real-time motion management ensures fast and accurate radiation treatments for tumors of the brain, breast, prostate, lungs and other areas of the body.

Today, unlike any other time in history, advances in cancer prevention, detection and care are increasing survival rates and quality of life for people and families affected by this disease. For more information about the Transforming Cancer Care Campaign, contact Cathy Bence, development director, at (727) 461-8641.

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Brandon May was recently named president of Morton Plant North Bay Hospital. He comes from Tenet Healthcare Corporation, where he most recently served as CEO of Doctors Hospital of Manteca in Manteca, California. Prior to that, Mr. May served as chief financial officer and then chief operating officer of Hospitals of Providence East Campus in El Paso, Texas. Earlier, he served as chief financial officer of Bartow Regional Medical Center, giving him familiarity with our service area.

Not only does Mr. May bring extensive operational and financial management experience to Morton Plant North Bay Hospital, he also brings a history of community involvement and leadership with organizations such as the Second Harvest Food Bank and the Ronald McDonald House, as well as local chambers of commerce.

There aren’t many people who have experienced the growth of New Port Richey more than the Williams family. Rich Williams, an attorney who works in downtown New Port Richey, grew up locally and has seen the city transform over several decades.

While New Port Richey offers a rich history of culture, parades, nature and riverfront landscapes, Mr. Williams admits that the main piece missing was a quality hospital. While growing up, the community’s hospital was essentially a small doctor’s office.

Mr. Williams goes on to admit that one of the most important things to happen to his community was when Morton Plant Hospital acquired West Pasco Hospital in 1999. Since then, more than $100 million has been invested into Morton Plant North Bay Hospital, including a new Emergency Department, Mitchell Rehabilitation Hospital, Medical Arts Building and Starkey Medical Tower.

While Mr. Williams was an active board member for many years, what stands out the most was the care that the hospital and its nurses showed his 87-year-old mother, Martha, in her final days.

“My mother suffered from dementia for a number of years,” recalls Mr. Williams. “After noticing a significant change in her skin color, we rushed her right to the Emergency Department where the doctor shared the devastating news that she had a large mass on her pancreas that had spread to her liver.”

Martha Williams, a teacher in the local community for more than 30 years, was admitted to the hospital and passed away two weeks later. Although her stay in the hospital was brief, Rich and Connie Williams get emotional when recalling the compassionate care that the hospital’s nurses showed to Martha.

“Since she had dementia, Martha would ask the same questions over and over to the nurses, and they were always so kind and caring, always taking the time to treat her with respect,” says Connie Williams. “Her care from the nurses and doctors over those few days was outstanding. They went out of their way to make sure she was comfortable, and we’re forever grateful for it.”

Morton Plant North Bay Hospital is West Pasco County’s only not-for-profit hospital and is committed to caring for its community for generations to come.

Connie and Rich Williams at Morton Plant North Bay Hospital’s Annual Gala.

Rich Williams has been active on the Morton Plant North Bay Board of Directors for nearly a decade.

Martha H. Williams

Brandon May

7 T H E C I R C L E N E W S L E T T E R

APG Electric, Inc. APG Engineering A.T. Communications, Inc. Abe’s Place Tap & Grill Advanced Urology Institute American Medical Response Arden Courts BCH Mechanical, Inc. BNY Mellon Wealth Management Bank of America The Bank of Tampa Banquet Masters, Inc. Bay Area Emergency Physicians, LLC Bay to Bay Properties, LLC BayCare Medical Group BayCare Health System Belleair Country Club Belleview Place-Condominium, LLC Bin There Dump That Blume Mechanical, LLC Bon Appetit Group Boos Development Group, Inc. Boston Scientific Corporation Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, PC CBIZ, Inc. CVS Pharmacy Cantonis Companies Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Carr, Riggs & lngram, LLC Center State Bank Chick-fil-A Tampa Bay City of New Port Richey Classic Automotive Products Clearwater Cardiovascular Consultants Clearwater Gas System Clearwater Marine Aquarium Clearwater Pathology Associates, PA Clearwater Surgical Associates Clearwater Threshers Coastal Properties Group International Harold J. Colbassani, MD, and Dean J. Gobo, MD Commercial Fire & Communications, Inc.

The Copperheads Creative Contractors, Inc. Crooked Thumb Brewery Crown & Company, CPAs, PA Crown Automotive Group Cypress Run Women’s Golf Association Danka Office Imaging Company DEX Imaging, Inc. DRP Company of Alabama, Inc. D-Mar General Contracting & Development, Inc. Dan’s Fan City David W. Mayer Chiropractor, Inc. Dealers Auction Xchange, LLC Decks & Docks Lumber Company Delzer, Coulter & Bell, PA Dimmitt Automotive Group Dobies Funeral Home Doran, Beam & Farrell, PA Doyle Foundation, Inc. Duke Energy duPont Registry of Tampa Bay East Lake Woodlands Country Club East Lake Woodlands Country Club Women’s Golf Association Easy Living, Inc. eClarifire, Inc. Engel & Volkers English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation Envision Physician Services Ernst & Young, LLP Fairwinds Treatment Center FiCare Federal Credit Union Fidelity Investments Fifth Third Bank FLöK by Bekim G & S Fitness Holdings, Inc. The Graham Group Gresham Smith Gulfside Hospice and Pasco Palliative Care Hancock Whitney Bank Haskell The Heart & Vascular Institute of Florida

Hill Ward Henderson The Hillis Family Foundation Inc. The Hook Law Group Hooters Management Corporation Horne Construction, Inc. Jacobsen Manufacturing, Inc. Joe C. Burdette, Inc KBA Engineering, Inc. Lancaster Insurance, Inc. Lokey Motor Company Lucky 13, LLC MEDNAX Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen, PA Master Title Service, Inc. May Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors Mease Medical Staff Metal Industries Foundation, Inc. Metro Development Group, LLC Meyer Chiropractic Mid-Atlantic Finance Company, Inc. MidFlorida Credit Union Morgan Auto Group Morton Plant Hospital Medical Staff Morton Plant North Bay Hospital Morton Plant North Bay Medical Staff Moss Feaster Funeral Home & Cremation Services Nichols Foundation, Inc. Northeast Firestopping Solutions Northern Trust Bank of Florida, NA PDQ Palm Pavilion, Inc. Paradise Development Group Pasco County Emergency Physicians, LLC Pepito Masterpiece Portraits Pinch-A-Penny ProVise Management Group, LLC Psetas, Moore & Tetlow, PA Quality Boats of Clearwater, Inc. Radiology Associates of Clearwater Raymond James Financial, Inc. Regions Bank

Rotary Club of Belleair Rotary Club of New Port Richey S&D Dance Enterprises, Inc. Safriel House Wine SeaCoast Bank Seasons Assisted Living & Memory Care Sheraton Sand Key Resort Barry L. Shevlin Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. Simpson Environmental Services, Inc. St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute SunTrust Bank Superior Group of Companies Surgical Associates of West Florida Synovus Bank of Tampa Bay Tab Glass & Window Tag Agency of Pinellas, Inc. Tampa Bay Lightning Tampa Bay Trane Tampa Bay Trust Company The Terbo Construction Group Transamerica U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management Valley National Bank Vology Data Systems W.H. Simon & Co., PA Warehouse Point Family Foundation Wayne Purdy European Motors, Inc. Wehr Constructors, Inc. Wells Fargo Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA West Coast Medical Resources, Inc. Western Reserve Life Assurance Company of Ohio Work Tools International, Inc. ZJF Brands 2, LLC

Corporate Associates of Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation represent business and community leaders who invest their time, talent and financial resources to promote superior health care in our community.

The Clearwater Threshers have helped “strike out” breast cancer at their annual breast cancer awareness event and fund-raiser, Pitch for Pink. Since it began 14 years ago, the Threshers have raised more than $300,000 in support of breast health programs and services at the hospitals of Morton Plant Mease.

Prior to the start of the game each year, Threshers players invite breast cancer survivors to walk the bases and players wear pink jerseys in the evening’s game. “Pitch for Pink is a great opportunity to raise money for breast cancer research, treatment and survivor’s resources,” said Threshers Community Engagement and Media Manager Robert Stretch. “It’s also a chance for the Clearwater community to come together for a night of awareness, remembrance and celebration.”

Membership in Corporate Associates begins at $1,000 annually and provides a variety of marketing and wellness benefits for your organization. For more information on Corporate Associates, contact Diana Morande, manager of Corporate Giving, at (727) 461-8655 or diana.morande@baycare.org.

*T his list is current as of January 6, 2020. We’ve made every effort to ensure its accuracy.

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Dr. Stuart Sinoff,

Medical Director, BayCare

neuroscience service line

Dr. Sinoff at the Adler Tea Reception with Foundation board chair Marion Rich, and Development Director Michele Schneidenbach.

Dr. Sinoff presented ARIAS to the Foundation’s Planned Giving Advisory Committee.

Rotary Club of Belleair Rotary Club of New Port Richey S&D Dance Enterprises, Inc. Safriel House Wine SeaCoast Bank Seasons Assisted Living & Memory Care Sheraton Sand Key Resort Barry L. Shevlin Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. Simpson Environmental Services, Inc. St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute SunTrust Bank Superior Group of Companies Surgical Associates of West Florida Synovus Bank of Tampa Bay Tab Glass & Window Tag Agency of Pinellas, Inc. Tampa Bay Lightning Tampa Bay Trane Tampa Bay Trust Company The Terbo Construction Group Transamerica U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management Valley National Bank Vology Data Systems W.H. Simon & Co., PA Warehouse Point Family Foundation Wayne Purdy European Motors, Inc. Wehr Constructors, Inc. Wells Fargo Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA West Coast Medical Resources, Inc. Western Reserve Life Assurance Company of Ohio Work Tools International, Inc. ZJF Brands 2, LLC

Anyone who’s been touched by Alzheimer’s disease knows how heartbreaking and difficult it can be. More than 45,000 people just in Pinellas and Pasco counties are living with the disease, and tens of thousands of family members and caregivers also are affected.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a general term for the loss of memory and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. While researchers and physicians have learned a great deal about Alzheimer’s since it was first studied more than a century ago, it continues to be a progressive and fatal brain disorder.

Thanks to the generosity of the late Wil and Madonna Ptak over a decade ago, the Foundation is proud to be a part of a revolutionary breakthrough in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Led by Dr. Stuart Sinoff, medical director of the BayCare neuroscience service line, the Atlas of Retinal Imaging in Alzheimer’s Study (ARIAS) is set to launch early next year, which combines Dr. Sinoff’s clinical interests in the optic nerve and retina, with biomarker research in Alzheimer’s disease.

Designed as a five-year study involving Morton Plant Hospital’s Madonna Ptak Center for Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Clinic, St. Anthony’s Hospital and Butler Hospital in Rhode Island, the goal of the study is to develop a more accessible screening tool for older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Sinoff and colleagues point out that many mid-life and older adults already receive periodic eye exams so it would be easy to screen for Alzheimer’s. The study would build a 3-D map of the retina that shows changes to the retina over the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. This map allows for the patient’s data to be plotted and measured against the markers of normal retinas. The secondary goal is to create a database of willing participants for clinical trials for Alzheimer’s.

Currently, the gold standard for diagnosing Alzheimer’s is a very expensive PET scan, and a patient must be displaying symptoms for a physician to even order the test. The build-up of amyloid in the brain happens before the symptoms are present and the brain tissue starts to decline before the patient or family are even aware that Alzheimer’s disease is a possibility. In order to identify a successful drug, Dr. Sinoff believes that intervention must start before the patient begins displaying symptoms, thus protecting healthy brain tissue and improving the quality of life for the patient and his or her family.

The late Wil Ptak initially made a transformational gift in support of his wife of 66 years who bravely fought Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly a decade later, both Wil and Madonna would be proud of Dr. Sinoff’s work and the game changing potential of ARIAS.

The late Wil and Madonna Ptak, Foundation Benefactors, are responsible for funding ARIAS.

This year, Skip Cline Society celebrates 15 years of raising funds to support pediatric programs at the hospitals of Morton Plant Mease. Skip Cline Society was founded in 2004 in honor of Harry “Skip” Sykes Cline Jr., 18 years after his untimely death. To his friends, he embodied the ideals of a young leader – charismatic, enthusiastic and energetic – and was raised near Morton Plant Hospital, in a family long devoted to charitable ideals.

Skip Cline Society members gather several times a year at their annual family-friendly Fishing Tournament, happy hours, hospital updates or social and community service events; always with a common goal of advancing the future of health care. Since its founding, Skip Cline Society has provided a legacy of young leadership by raising more than $400,000 and provided an avenue

for the next generation to support the Foundation and the hospitals of Morton Plant Mease.

Our many donor societies provide unique opportunities to make a difference by supporting a cause or hospital that’s important to you, and will continue to positively impact our hospitals for years to come. For more information about our donor societies, contact Lindsey Daniel, annual giving manager, at (727) 461-8636.

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Men's Giving Circle

Planters

Women in Philanthropy

Members of our esteemed giving societies play an active role in our mission to improve the health and wellness of our community by investing in high-quality, compassionate care. Each year, gifts from our members collectively represent more than $1.5 million in unrestricted support to our not-for-profit hospitals.

Arbor Vitae Society Dedicated to the continued growth of Mease Countryside and Mease Dunedin hospitals

Donald Roebling Society Dedicated to promoting and supporting Morton Plant Hospital

Gold Circle Society Providing a continuous circle of giving to support Morton Plant North Bay Hospital

Men’s Giving Circle Forward-thinking gentlemen who care deeply about improving the quality of health care in our community

Nurses Giving Society Giving back to pay it forward for the next generation of nurses

Planters Helping nurses alleviate the financial pressures of working and attending school

Women in Philanthropy Inspiring and empowering women to fulfill their philanthropic potential

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Fred AhariFounder, Biopsy SciencesFred Ahari is the founder, chief technology officer and chief scientific officer of Biopsy Sciences, based in Clearwater. A highly successful medical device entrepreneur, he has founded two medical device companies and held senior technical positions in both large and small size medical device corporations. Fred is either author or co-author on more than 20 issued and filed patent applications involving novel and unique technologies in medical device applications. His technical skills, management skills and leadership have been instrumental in successfully introducing novel technologies in medical devices. Fred held a senior technical position with Datascope Corporation before founding Biopsy Sciences. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Northeastern University.

Ray BouchardRetired, Bouchard Insurance, Inc.As a lifetime resident of Pinellas County, Ray Bouchard is a community leader who’s passionate about improving and volunteering in the community he resides in. Prior to his retirement in 2015, he served as chairman of the board and president of Bouchard Insurance, Inc. During his 33 years as an owner and officer of Bouchard Insurance, Ray was instrumental in growing the retail insurance brokerage company to one of the largest in the country. He has served as a board member of several organizations such as the Florida Association of Independent Agents, Clearwater Chamber of Commerce, Clothes to Kids Inc., and the Dunedin National Little League. Ray also served as an insurance division president of the Florida Bankers Association, chairman of the Board of Associated Builders and Contractors, and served on the Arc Tampa Bay Foundation Board. Currently, he’s also serving on the board of Ruth Eckerd Hall, Copperhead Charities and The National Alliance for Insurance Education.

Lou Galdieri RN, MHA, BSNPresident, Morton Plant HospitalSVP, Market Leader North Pinellas/West Pasco County HospitalsLou Galdieri was appointed president of Morton Plant Hospital and market leader for the West Region in November 2018. He had served as president of Mease Countryside and Mease Dunedin hospitals since 2009. Lou joined Morton Plant Mease in 2000 as a part-time nurse recruiter, advancing to director of planning and assistant administrator. He began his career as a nurse more than 30 years ago. Lou is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Florida Organization of Nurse Executives, serves on the Long Range Planning Committee for the Board of the Clearwater Free Clinic, is a past board member of the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce and past board chairman of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce.

Tom KureyCommissioner, Town of BelleairTom Kurey was elected the commissioner for the Town of Belleair in 2016. He graduated with distinction from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, majoring in accounting. Tom then graduated with honors from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Tom subsequently worked at a number of public and private investment firms as an analyst, portfolio manager, chief financial officer (CFO) and board member. He currently has his own investment firm in Belleair – Clearwater Advisors, LLC. Tom has served as commission advisor for the Historic Preservation Board and on the Town of Belleair Finance Board and Police Officer Pension Board. He is the Chairman of the UCEF Investment Advisory Committee, and is on the Finance and Legacy Giving Committees at his church.

Nancy S. PaikoffShareholder, Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullenNancy Paikoff joined Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen in 1990, and has represented hospitals, physicians, dentists and other entities. In addition to litigation, her representation has included work on major hospital mergers and acquisitions, the establishment of primary care networks, including tax-exempt entities, and work on employment issues. Nancy also spends a substantial amount of time on appellate matters, including appeals at the state and federal level. The appellate work has included work in the areas of professional liability and medical malpractice, discovery disputes, probate and zoning. She is also a Leadership Pinellas alumnus and currently serves on the Foundation’s Women in Philanthropy steering committee.

M. Javier ZunigaShareholder, PDR CPAs + AdvisorsM. Javier, a shareholder for PDR CPAs + Advisors, is a tax accounting professional with expertise in corporate and partnership tax compliance, international taxation, individual taxation and forensic accounting. He is also part of PDR CPAs + Advisors R&D tax credit and cost segregation practice areas. Javier has a BS degree in accounting from the State University of New York – College at Old Westbury. He also serves on the board of directors at the Clearwater Regional Chamber. Javier is a member of Vistage International and is also part of Tampa Bay Wave’s Mentorship program. He is fluent in Spanish.

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