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Sun Coast Hospital marks half century of service
By DAVE SHELTON
Article published on Thursday, April 12, 2007 |
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![[Image]](/content_images/041207_lle-01.jpg) |
| Sun Coast Hospital doctor Tom Castillenti greets Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Alstott at Doctors’ Day at the hospital on March 30. |
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LARGO – A unique hospital, one where surgery and medications are only last resorts, is celebrating its 50th year. Tampa Bay Buccaneer running back Mike Alstott and his wife, Nicole, are scheduled to greet those attending a black-tie anniversary party at the St. Petersburg Hilton, Carillon Park in Clearwater for Sun Coast Hospital on April 14.
In a proclamation, Mayor Pat Gerard and the City Commission on April 4 lauded the hospital’s 50 years of providing “affordable and accessible healthcare services and community outreach” to Largo residents.
A foundation was created in 1985 to help raise donations. After the proclamation was read, Lois Miller, the executive director of the hospital’s foundation introduced the hospital’s new Chief Operating Officer Dave Tournade. Heading the hospital’s new leadership team is CEO Darrell M. Lentz, who joined the hospital after leaving his position as chief operating officer at a Maine hospital. The hospital was founded in 1957 by a surgeon, Dr. Alan Snider.
“One evening we saw a beautiful nursing home on a little hill, surrounded by pine trees, overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway,” Snider wrote in his book “The Life Story of Dr. Alan J. Snider.”
“We dropped in and met two nurses who owned the facility,” he wrote. “We told the nurses of our quest for 10 acres of land to build a hospital.”
His vision, he said, was a teaching hospital that provided its patients with whole-life medical attention featuring osteopathic regimes. That vision became Sun Coast Hospital.
In 1964 the hospital was chartered as a nonprofit organization and in 1972 expanded to 200 beds. In 1977 the hospital completed a $3.5 million expansion that included a three-story central core, an enlarged surgical wing and addition of pharmacy and nuclear medicine departments.
Snider retired in 1994 but continues making rounds in the hospital during winter months. In 2001 the hospital was affiliated with University Community Health, a relationship that continued until last year. In 2003 the hospital received its first five-star ratings for its stroke, community-acquired pneumonia programs.
Sun Coast was recognized in 2004 by the American Health Care Association for having one of the lowest hospital infection rates in Pinellas County.
And in 2005, the hospital opened a renovated 20-bed comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation unit, established a six-bed Bariatric Surgery Unit, began its emergency room renovations and was recognized by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as the first accredited sleep lab in Pinellas County.
Also in 2005, Sun Coast was feted for its pulmonary care, partial hip replacement, stroke and pneumonia programs.
Snider’s dream has grown to the 200-bed acute care facility on Indian Rocks Road. It offers a broad range of services from screening and diagnostic care through treatment, therapy rehabilitation and home care.
Last year the hospital opened its renovated emergency room and initiated computerized radiography and record-keeping. And, it was designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the state.
Sun Coast has nearly 350 physicians on-staff including osteopathic and medical doctors offering more than 44 specialties and subspecialties. There are also osteopathic teaching programs that rank among the highest-rated in the nation, according to Lentz.
Lentz said the hospital provides post-doctoral training for more than 50 interns, residents and fellows and pre-doctoral training for more than 100 medical students every year.
Sun Coast’s medical education program offers residency programs in internal medicine, family practice, general surgery, anesthesiology and dermatology and fellowship programs in cardiology, rheumatology and gastroenterology.
This week’s Star 2007 black-tie fund-raising event is geared to mark Sun Coast’s first 50 years. The $250 a person event will feature a silent auction at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7:45 p.m.
Snider and his wife will be honored guests. Some donors will join the Alstotts at a pre-gala reception.
“We are honored to have such incredible community supporters like Mike and Nicole Alstott participating in Sun Coast’s anniversary celebration,” said Dr. Richard Eicher, co-chairman of the party.
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Article published on Thursday, April 12, 2007
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