Mease Countryside Hospital

02/20/2026

Building confident big siblings — and supporting families every step of the way. 💙

At Mease Countryside Hospital, caring for families means caring for everyone — including soon-to-be big brothers and big sisters.

Our free Sibling Class is one of the many ways we support families in our community as they prepare to welcome a new baby. Designed for children ages 3–8, this interactive experience helps future siblings feel included, prepared and excited about their important new role.

During this month’s class, our newest "Super Siblings" practiced holding a baby, helped buckle a “baby” into a car seat (a definite favorite!), sorted toys for big kids and little kids, watched a special Super Sibling video, and toured a mother-baby room. Each child received a Super Sibling cape, mask and coloring book — because becoming a big sibling truly is a superpower. ✨

With hands-on activities, kid-friendly learning, snacks and meaningful conversations alongside their parents, the class helps ease worries and build confidence before baby arrives.

We’re proud to offer educational programs like this — at no cost — as part of our commitment to supporting families at every stage of life.

🔗 Learn more about maternity services and educational classes at Mease Countryside Hospital: bit.ly/4ckqzsu

02/14/2026

Love was in the air (and the cafeteria!) at Mease Countryside Hospital this week. 💌

Our team members, physicians and volunteers have been signing Valentine’s Day cards so our food and nutrition team can place them on patients’ meal trays for those spending the holiday with us. It’s one small way we share a little extra compassion and care when it matters most.

Adding to the celebration, beautiful Valentine’s flower arrangements decorated the tables — thoughtfully delivered by the Medical Club students at Countryside High. 💐 Thank you for helping us brighten the day for our patients and team members alike.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Valentine’s Day! 💘

02/13/2026

This week at Mease Countryside Hospital, we’re celebrating our incredible cardiovascular professionals who pour their hearts into keeping yours beating strong. ❤️

From prevention and diagnostics to advanced treatment and recovery, their skill, dedication and compassion make a difference for our patients and families every single day.

Thank you for continuing to pursue excellence while caring for the hearts of our community. 🫶

02/11/2026

Gastroenterology at Palm Harbor

BayCare Medical Group has opened a new gastroenterology practice at 34041 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite A, in Palm Harbor, Florida, and is accepting new patients age 18 and older.

Formally Advanced Gastroenterology Associates, the new practice is affiliated with Mease Countryside and Mease Dunedin Hospitals. The office is comprised of Sanjiv Amin, DO, Kevin Humphreys, MD, Mirela Onea, MD and Jawahar Taunk, MD. They treat all aspects of clinical gastroenterology, specializing in the management of inflammatory bowel disease, chronic liver disease and colorectal cancer prevention.

Dr. Sanjiv Amin is board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine. He earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens, Ohio, completed an internal medicine residency at Grandview Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, and completed a gastroenterology fellowship at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

Dr. Kevin Humphreys is board certified in gastroenterology. He earned a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, completed an internal medicine residency at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and finished a gastroenterology fellowship at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Dr. Mirela Onea is board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine. She earned a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, Romania, completed an internal medicine residency at Long Island Jewish Hospital in New Hyde Park, New York, and completed a gastroenterology fellowship at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Dr. Jawahar Taunk is board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine. He earned a medical degree from S.M.S. Medical College in Jaipur, India, completed an internal medicine residency from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University at Harlem Hospital in New York, New York, and finished a fellowship in gastroenterology from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

The gastroenterology office phone number in Palm Harbor is (727) 786-0017. Most major insurance plans are accepted.

Learn More: BayCare.org/Locations/B/BayCare-Medical-Group-Gastroenterology-Palm-Harbor

02/06/2026

As the region’s largest academic health system, we continue to grow, without losing the heart of who we are. 💙 You can lean on us to take care of you when you need us most. Watch our inspiring commercial and see what makes BayCare special: people who lift one another up and care guided by compassion and integrity.

02/05/2026

White coats, big smiles and a whole lot of gratitude. ✨

BayCare's White Coat Roadshow stopped at Mease Countryside Hospital yesterday for its second White Coat Wednesday — and the very first one on our campus (yes, “finding the right fit” included 😉).

We’re so grateful for our incredible physician community, whose compassion and clinical excellence make a difference for our patients every single day. These new white coats are a small but meaningful token of appreciation for the physicians who continue to lead with expertise, dedication and heart. 💙

02/01/2026

At BayCare, we honor the lived experience, profound legacy, and ongoing contributions of our Black team members this Black History Month. We are thankful for our team members who play a vital role in shaping our community's health. We recognize their stories, achievements and the value they bring to BayCare.

01/28/2026

We love looking back at this special moment for our Internal Medicine residents as they received their white coats from Dr. Frunzi. 🤍🩺 We’re excited for Match Day and can’t wait to welcome the next class to Mease Countryside Hospital!

Looking back at our Mease Countryside Hospital Internal Medicine residents receiving their white coats from their program director, Dr. Frunzi 🤍🩺We’re counting down the days until Match Day and can’t wait to welcome our incoming residents at Orientation! 🎉✨

01/19/2026

This week, honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by dreaming big and serving others. 🌍🗣️❤️

01/13/2026

At Mease Countryside Hospital, it’s the people — and the little moments — that make all the difference. Proud to welcome future physicians during interview season as part of BayCare Graduate Medical Education. 💙🧁

Interview season tip: bring your A-game… and maybe a cupcake. 🧁

01/09/2026

Last month at Mease Countryside Hospital, Melissa Monforte received something she never thought possible: the chance to live without pain again.

Through BayCare's Orthopedic Institute and our partnership with Operation Walk USA, Clearwater Free Clinic and St. Petersburg Free Clinic, four uninsured local residents received free joint replacements — including Melissa, who had been living with debilitating hip pain.

Before surgery, Melissa couldn’t walk more than 200 feet without excruciating pain and missed moments that mattered most — like going trick-or-treating with her 4-year-old granddaughter. When she learned the surgery was really happening, both she and her daughter cried.

Now, Melissa is looking forward to walking pain-free, spending time with her grandchildren, and returning to work. “I just want to live,” she said.

💙 Learn more about this life-changing program: https://bit.ly/4pYsF89

01/06/2026

We’re excited to share the new rendering of the future Pagidipati Children’s Hospital at St. Joseph’s, opening in 2030. Every detail of the new facility has been intentionally designed with children and families at the heart. From its bold, multicolor exterior with dynamic lighting to playful, family-centered interior spaces, intuitive wayfinding and welcoming common areas, the environment aims to uplift, reassure and inspire hope the moment families arrive. Learn more about the new hospital and design plans: https://bit.ly/4pv8OwL

The future Pagidipati Children’s Hospital at St. Joseph’s, a freestanding, state-of-the-art facility opening in 2030, will advance pediatric health care across West Central Florida.