Christopher Still, the well-known Tarpon Springs fine artist, has drawn
this image of the Anclote Key Lighthouse as a prelude to his next series of
paintings that will involve Tarpon Springs and its Greek heritage. Still was in
Greece this summer researching the origins of those who have made Tarpon
Continued on Page 68
LAARWT
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
LAWSUITS ARE
IMPORTANT
By Attorney Jack Gordon
As youngsters growing up in
America, we’ve watched a
host of television shows about
the medical profession. From
Marcus Welby, M.D., to St. Elsewhere, to
ER, to Grey’s Anatomy, we are presented
with lofty notions of American health
care. We are introduced to miracleworking
doctors, community-minded
hospitals, life-saving medical devices and
drugs. Much of what we see on television
is true, especially about the selfless
motives of many doctors and nurses.
But what’s also true is that American
health care is driven by profit and often
prone to error.
In 2018, Americans spent an estimated
$3.6 trillion on health care. That’s nearly
20% of the gross domestic product!
Pharmaceutical and medical companies
are reporting billions of dollars in annual
profits. Hospitals are being bought up
by corporations, getting even bigger,
and sprawling into new enterprises,
including supermarket or drug store
clinics and centers for specialty surgery.
As medicine becomes more corporate,
it struggles as never before with its
human factors: Medical errors claim the
lives of roughly 685 Americans per day.
This means medical errors rank as the
No. 3 U.S. cause of death behind only
heart disease and cancer. Preventable
hospital deaths kill more than 160,000
Americans annually – four times as
many lives as were lost to motor vehicle
accidents in 2017.
Medical malpractice lawsuits provide
an invaluable role – patients can get the
help they need to move forward with the
injuries they have suffered in medical
care. By holding medical defendants
accountable for errors, we can better
protect patients, accord them justice,
and improve the quality and safety of
medicine for everyone. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Jeffrey “Jack” Gordon,
a board certified civil trial lawyer in Tampa,
can be contacted at (813) 221-1366, or at
FightNegligence.com.
ADVERTORIAL
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 67
Springs a vibrant community.
are destinations for serious wine lovers,
as they show a deep commitment to
wine both in the cellar and through their
service team.
Restaurants receiving Awards of
Excellence included Bob Heilman’s
Beachcomber in Clearwater Beach,
400 Beach Seafood & Tap House
in St. Petersburg, Parkshore Grill in
St. Petersburg and Salt Rock Grill in
Indian Shores. They were recognized
for their well-chosen assortment of
quality producers, a thematic match to
the menu in both price and style, and
having wine lists that deliver sufficient
choice to satisfy discerning wine lovers.
Shane O’Hara, a certified financial
planner, has been promoted to
senior financial planner by ProVise
Management Group, a Clearwaterheadquartered
financial planning and
investment management firm. Eric
Ebbert, CFP, MBA, president of ProVise,
says that Shane’s relationship with his
clients is deep and meaningful at both
business and personal levels. For over
three decades, the ProVise culture has
been to put the client first while serving
more than 1,100 clients in over 30 states
who entrust ProVise with their financial
lives.
Cameron Campbell has directed a
documentary film called Rachel’s Law
about the 23-year-old student from Safety
Harbor who lost her life while working
with Florida Law enforcement. Because of
her, a law was created to bring awareness
to the use of confidential informants. The
movie was shown at the Safety Harbor
Spa’s Baranoff Ballroom in August and
will have its film festival premiere at the
Dunedin International Film Festival in
January 2020.
Lisa Schmidt of Wheelchairs 4
Kids is excited that the charity has
been selected to be on the ballot for the