St. Joseph's Hospital-South

11/10/2025

Vanessa, our emergency department nurse manager, earned distinction as recipient of a prestigious DAISY Foundation award! DAISY is a national recognition program for nurses and among the highest accolades in the profession. DAISYs honor the “super-human” work nurses do for patients and their families

Vanessa’s DAISY is a Nurse Leader Award. Nurse Leader DAISYs recognize nursing directors and managers in supervisory and administrative roles.

Her DAISY nomination documents give an outstanding example of her leadership. The ED was experiencing a challenging night with an extremely high number of patients. The staff was stretched thin.

In the midst of this tough night, Vanessa was a steady, calming and pillar of strength presence. She took it upon herself to perform extra duties. Her leadership enabled the department to run smoothly. She did all she could to keep spirits up during an exhausting night and made sure each nurse was acknowledged and appreciated during that difficult, stressful time.

Vanessa is a mentor and advocate to nurses, many of whom have advanced into management and leadership roles themselves.

From Vanessa’s DAISY nomination documents: “This person has shown me firsthand how to lead by example, truly exemplifying what it means to spread the BayCare Effect. (She) leads with integrity, empathy and dedication, always ensuring that the team feels empowered and supported to do their best. This person’s commitment to both patient care and staff development makes them an invaluable asset to the department and the organization as a whole.”

Congratulations Vanessa on the DAISY Nurse Leader award. The perfect and consummate honoree for this award!

11/08/2025

Dr. Juanita Elizabeth Farfan is board certified in family medicine and with the BayCare Medical Group primary care practice at 131 S. Pebble Beach Boulevard, Sun City Center.

She sees patients age 18 and older. Dr. Farfan accepts most major insurance plans. Her office phone number is (813) 535-6441.

Dr. Farfan performs routine checkups, annual physicals and diagnoses and treats acute and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, allergies, depression and anxiety.

Dr. Farfan earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Lincoln Memorial University, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate, Tennessee, and completed a family medicine internship and residency at the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, California. She’s a United States Navy veteran.

Dr. Farfan is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Florida Medical Association. She is fluent in Spanish.

Her profile on the BayCare website: Learn https://baycare.org/doctors/juanita-farfan-1548600406

11/07/2025

11/05/2025

Meet some of our patient transporters! Patient transporters are team members piling up the steps and miles and wearing out footwear while moving patients by wheelchair and stretcher to their procedures and tests throughout our hospital. These health care heroes are instrumental in making sure our patients get from point A to point B safely in our hospital.

We're giving them a shout out for National Patient Transport Week, November 2 to 8!

Transporters have a tremendous amount of patient contact. For example, for imaging exams, transporters are often the first people that a patient will see as transporters take them to and from exam rooms. Transporters also need good interpersonal skills and a comforting and caring disposition. Patients are often wary when they’re being moved from their rooms and unsure where they are going. The transporter is taking them to the unknown. The transporter explains where they are going in a way the patient understands.

We thank these "perpetual motion" team members during their week!

11/04/2025

This Native American Heritage Month, we recognize the strength, stories and healing traditions of Indigenous communities. We’re grateful for the Native communities and team members who enrich our mission of improving the health of all we serve.

11/03/2025

We’re celebrating National Radiologic Technology Week (November 2-8) recognizing the work of our radiology technologists and medical imaging team. The celebration takes place each year during the week that commemorates the discovery of the X-ray by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen on November 8, 1895.

Our imaging team safely uses powerful technology and innovative medical equipment to create critical diagnostic images. They have an important role in identifying pathologies and helping to plan and administer treatment and restore patient health. Imaging services provided at our hospital include breast imaging, CT (computed tomography), cardiac interventional procedures, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), nuclear medicine, ultrasound and general diagnostic radiology.

Scroll through the gallery to see some of our imaging team with the tools of their trade.

Learn more about about BayCare imaging services: bit.ly/49Bd8pB

11/01/2025

Dr. Soumya Judson Ben is board certified in pediatrics and with the BayCare Medical Group pediatrics practice at the BayCare Outpatient Center, Suite 200, adjacent to our campus.

She sees patients from birth to age 18. Dr. Judson Ben accepts most major insurance plans. Her office phone number is (813) 302-8740.

Dr. Judson Ben provides preventive care, manages acute and chronic pediatric conditions, performs routine exams, administers vaccines, does developmental assessments and works closely with patients and families to create personalized treatment plans. She is committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care and building lasting relationships with children and families. Dr. Judson Ben values connecting with diverse backgrounds and ensuring every child has access to the care they need to thrive.

She earned a Doctor of Medicine at Government Medical College, University of Kerala in Trivandrum, India and did dual residencies in pediatrics from Government Medical College, University of Kerala in Trivandrum and Case Western Reserve University, MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Judson Ben is certified in basic life support and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics. She speaks Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Spanish.

Her profile on the BayCare website: https://baycare.org/doctors/soumya-judson-ben-1740634518

10/31/2025

We used a Halloween theme and decorations last month in patient care training and continuing education sessions to make the learning fun, engaging and different.

The sessions were named “Mocktober.” Nurses and patient care technicians simulated skills on a manikin who mock “coded.” Coded is a medical term for when a patient’s heart stops, also known as cardiac arrest, or is in a rhythm that needs to be electrically shocked to reset the heart.

The team members practiced how to rescue the patient by doing effective Basic Life Support compressions and by using an AED (automated external defibrillator).

The training, in addition to Halloween decorations, used an escape room concept where team members had to answer questions to progress in the exercise.

The training is part of our continuing education and learning to keep our teams up-to-date and give them an opportunity to refresh skills and practice techniques.

10/29/2025

Our Team Member of the Month (TMOM) award celebrates the dedication and exceptional work of a team member and is a way to say a special “Thanks” for a job well done. It’s a way to acknowledge a super team member both internally inside our hospital and to the community.

Today’s TMOM honoree is Kay, our hospital’s spiritual care coordinator and a board-certified hospital chaplain. Kay leads and organizes spiritual care services, offers compassionate spiritual care to patients, families and staff of all faiths. She provides services that include room visits, crisis support, religious rituals and grief counseling.

Kay is described as selfless, kind and compassionate and provides unwavering support to patients and their families. She builds meaningful relationships with patients that sometimes extend beyond our hospital. She’s made such an impact that she’s been asked to officiate at weddings, funerals and baptisms.

Her commitment to personal and professional growth is inspiring as she is studying for her doctorate in theology.

From Kay’s TMOM nomination documents: “As a hospital chaplain, she exemplifies the true essence of servant leadership and what the ‘BayCare Effect’ is all about. Kay’s selfless actions and compassionate nature have made a profound impact on our team here at St. Joseph’s Hospital-South. She embodies the spirit of care and empathy that we strive to uphold and her contributions are invaluable. She always fills up the cups of others long before she fills her own. She is often the unsung hero of the day. Her dedication and kindness are a beacon of hope and comfort to all who have the privilege of knowing her.”

You can’t say it much better than that!

Congratulations and thank you, Kay!

10/28/2025

Dr. Christina Layton, pictured below, a BayCare Medical Group breast surgeon affiliated with our hospital and with an office in the Medical Office Building on our campus, was interviewed last Saturday by FOX 13 News - Tampa Bay during the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Raymond James Stadium.

Click the link below to see the news story. Click the arrow to play the video which begins after an advertisement. Dr. Layton’s interview begins at 1:48 of the report. You can also read Dr. Layton's quotes about the importance of early detection and mammograms in paragraphs eight and nine of the digital article.

https://www.fox13news.com/news/more-than-30000-attend-making-strides-against-breast-cancer-walk-tampa

For more breast health information and scheduling a mammogram: https://bit.ly/46rFJMi

10/27/2025

October, the "pink" month for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, comes to a close this week. But don’t let this be the end, let it be the beginning. We encourage you to make an appointment for a mammogram. Getting a screening mammogram should be in the forefront of our minds any time of the year.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women. Getting a mammogram screening is the best way to detect breast cancer early. For more breast health information and scheduling a mammogram: https://bit.ly/46rFJMi

Pink photos include:
-- Our campus exterior lit up in pink at night for all of October for CREW Tampa Bay's 2025 "City in Pink" initiative to drench local buildings in pink for breast cancer awareness.
--Team members and medical staff sitting in the "Big Pink Chair" during a hospital event promoting participation in an American Cancer Society "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk.
--Team members wearing pink attire during October.

10/25/2025

Check out our new orthopedics web page! The page highlights our total joint replacement, robotic surgical technology, sports medicine and additional services. There is also a FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) section and tools on the page to find an orthopedic doctor or specialist. Pictured displaying the new page is Jen, our orthopedics nurse navigator. She guides patients on every step of their orthopedic journey from preparing for surgery to getting you back on your feet. She's with you throughout the entire process to coordinate your care, answer your questions and make sure you and your family feel confident, informed and supported. Visit the new page! :
https://bit.ly/4gYKdgV