Riverview/Apollo Beach
7
February 2022
Volume 20, Issue 2
Ph: 657-2418
SEE ARTICLE ON PAGE 5
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
ADVENTHEALTH’S NEW RIVERVIEW HOSPITAL TARGETS 2023 OPENING
SHIELDS TEACHER MR. LOPEZ IS 2022 IDA S. BAKER DIVERSITY EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
The current vice president and administrator of AdventHealth Dade City, Jerry Newmyer, will continue in his current position as he takes Dump trucks and bulldozers are buzzing around the 23-acre tract north of the the helm as Boyette Rd. and U.S. Hwy. 301 intersection as the land is being cleared for president and Riverview’s newest hospital set to open in a little more than a year from now. CEO at the The dirt is turning, new hospital in Rivand land clearing is in erview. full swing on the 23Once the hospiacre property on the tal opens, Newmyer east side of U.S. Hwy. will provide execu301 between Balm tive leadership and Riverview and Boyette oversee the dayRds. as AdventHealth begins with the con- to-day operations of the hospital, working struction of a new 209,000 sq. ft., 4-story, alongside his leadership teams to ensure 80-bed hospital. the delivery of high-quality care throughout With a current price tag of $216 million, the area. “We are committed to serving and AdventHealth West Florida Division, antici- growing with the people of Riverview and pates a completion date in Spring of 2023 reimagining the future of what health care as the company expands its geographical is in this community,” he said. footprint in west central Florida. The project is anticipated to have a $300 “We are excited to continue our growth million economic impact, bringing nearly strategy to meet the fast-growing needs of 2,000 new jobs to Riverview once it is fully Southern Hillsborough County,” said Mike built out. Schultz, president and CEO of AdventHealth “It is a huge economic impact for the West Florida Division. Greater Riverview area,” commented “This location was chosen with input Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce from the community,” he said. “We want to Janet Noah at the groundbreaking. make it easy for people to have convenient AdventHealth prides itself as being more access to the expert care they need, when than hospitals. Schultz commented, “This they need it, and help close the gap in health hospital is another addition to our robust care services in our community,” he added. network of connected care that we’re proThe 80 beds at opening are part of the viding in this area, including primary care, first planned phase. The full-service hospi- specialty care, emergency services, outpatal will provide emergency; cardiology; ob- tient imaging and more.” stetrics and gynecology, including labor and For more information, visit www.addelivery; orthopedic; gastroenterology; and venthealth.com. Future job postings can urology services. Additional space allows be found on AdventHealth Riverview’s for expansion up to 200 beds as the com- Facebook page at facebook.com/Adventmunity’s need for health care grows. HealthRiverview.
tional leadership, has worked for HCPS for 18 years. He is currently Shields’ success coach and science teacher. He has a passion for serving the community by advocating for resources for underserved students. He has developed free sports programs, outreach resources and mentoring initiatives through his nonprofit, Life Coach 180. At the awards cereShields Middle School mony, hosted teacher Benigno Lopez by Hillsborwas named the 2022 Ida ough Education S. Baker Diversity EduFo u n d a t i o n , cator of the Year at the 675 nominees ‘Let’s Glow Crazy’-themed from schools awards ceremony held at across Hillsthe Straz Center for the borough CounPerforming Arts in Janty—including uary. Lopez received the 13 finalists— award, named for Ida S. were recogBaker, the first African nized, with American to serve as depone winner uty superintendent in the revealed for Florida Department of each of three Education, from Hills- Shields Middle School teacher Benigno categories: Ida borough County Public Lopez was named the 2022 Ida S. Baker S. Baker DiverSchools (HCPS) SuperinDiversity Educator of the Year. sity Educator tendent Addison Davis. of the Year, InAs his name was announced as the structional Support Employee of the Year winner, the theme of Rocky played in the and Teacher of the Year. background while he made his way to the “We are incredibly proud to recognize microphone. our educators and support staff and the “It’s not just one person who makes a impactful work they’ve been able to acdifference, it’s the whole entire village,” complish, especially this year while facsaid a grateful Lopez. ing many pandemic-related challenges, He shared a story about his mother, to ensure all students have the support who always told him to never be caught they need to succeed academically and without his broom. “What she meant is personally,” said Hillsborough County Edto always be working diligently,” he said. ucation Foundation CEO Kim Jowell. “It’s the small acts that you do that make For more information about Hillsbora difference.” ough Education Foundation, visit www. Former student Keila Rose was on hand educationfoundation.com. to share her thoughts about Lopez. “Mr. Lopez is the kind of teacher they make movies about,” she said. Born in Philadelphia, Lopez, a gradu- WOMEN’S CLUB......................................PG 3 ate of Southeastern University and Nova STRAWBERRY FEST ............................ PG 5 Southeastern University with a bachelor’s EYE ON BUSINESS...................PGS 25-26 degree in general science and secondary SPORTS ....................................................PG 38 biology and a master’s degree in educa-
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By Sharon Still
Finn’s Dockside Bar & Grill, at the vacant waterfront parcel of land at 1112 Apollo Beach Blvd. between Circles Waterfront Restaurant and the Bella Sol condominium complex is looking towards an April Grand Opening. Visit finnsappollobeach.com to submit their application to work at the Tampa Bay area’s newest waterfront destination. Follow the restaurant on Instagram at www.instagram.com/finnsapollobeach/ for updates.
By Michelle Caceres
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