St. Joseph's Hospital-South

09/22/2025

🌟 Happy APP Week 2025! 🌟

We’re celebrating 🎉our Advanced Practice Providers and their vital role in delivering high-quality care at BayCare! This year’s theme is Racing Toward the Future—and we’re proud to honor our APPs for bringing expertise, compassion and dedication to every patient they serve. Their impact is felt across our communities because of the meaningful difference they make in patients’ lives every day. 💙

👏 Join us in thanking our APPs for their commitment to excellence and for being a cornerstone of our extraordinary team.

09/21/2025

Dr. Jennifer Forbes, board certified in internal medicine and nuclear cardiology and specializing in general cardiology, is with the BayCare Medical Group cardiology practice at the BayCare Outpatient Center adjacent to our campus. She is affiliated with our hospital. Her office address is 10141 Big Bend Road, Suite 206, Riverview.

Dr. Forbes sees patients age 18 and older and accepts most major insurance plans. Her office phone number is (813) 397-1274.

She specializes in clinical cardiology, nuclear cardiology, stress tests, echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiogram, heart rhythm monitoring, implantable loop recorders and cardiomyopathy/congestive heart failure management. Dr. Forbes’ clinical areas of interest include arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, coronary artery disease, pericardial diseases, pulmonary hypertension and structural heart disease, including valvular heart disease.

She earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia, and completed an internal medicine residency at Largo Medical Center in Largo, Florida, and a fellowship program in cardiovascular disease at Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Forbes is a member of the American Society of Echocardiography, the Heart Failure Society of America, the American College of Cardiology and the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association.

Her profile on the BayCare website: https://baycare.org/doctors/jennifer-forbes-1952834756

09/19/2025

Congratulations to Taveun, a registar in our admitting/registration department, as the recipient of a BEE Award, an acronym for “Being Excellent Every Day." BEEs celebrate non-nursing team members supporting patient care. BEEs honor team members for the skilled and dedicated support they provide contributing to extraordinary patient care.

As a registrar, Taveun often sees patients who are nervous, scared or distraught about being admitted to the hospital. Taveun is great at turning this experience around into a positive through his welcoming and calming demeanor. He puts patients at ease and tries to get to know them.

For returning patients, he remembers things from previous conversations and he interjects those anecdotes into the new conversation. Taveun makes connections with patients.

Comments about Taveun from patients: “….made the process easy…friendly while remaining professional…excellent customer service…”

Here’s an example from Taveun’s BEE nomination documents that illustrates his modus operandi:

A patient in tears came in and was having rough day. Taveun attended to the patient and escorted the patient to a treatment area. He then went to the gift shop purchased some flowers and a card for the patient as a way of encouragement. He went the extra mile to let the patient know he was in their corner. This is just one example of how Taveun goes above and beyond for patients.

Congratulations on the BEE and thank you Taveun for the special way you relate, communicate and help patients coming to our admitting/registration department.

From left, Tytun, Taveun's son; Geri, BayCare director of admitting and financial assistance; Taveun and Michelle, St. Joseph's Hospital-South operations director.

09/17/2025

Our Environmental Services (EVS) team keeps our hospital clean, sanitized and safe for patients, visitors and team members. In recognition of National Health Care EVS Week (September 14-20) we show our appreciation and celebrate our EVS team members!

They use teamwork and expertise in the meticulous work they do maintaining our hospital environment. The EVS team is also friendly faces and sources of comfort for our patients and guests. They are courteous, approachable, always willing to provide assistance, caring and responsive to needs and requests.

The gallery includes group photos of some of our EVS team members and some individual photos in the workplace.

09/16/2025

As we kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, BayCare is proud to recognize the vibrant cultures, traditions and impact of our Hispanic and Latino(a) team members. Our Hispanic American team members play a crucial role in delivering high-quality clinical care with compassion. Gracias for your extraordinary contribution to BayCare and the communities we serve.

09/15/2025

It's National Rehabilitation Awareness Week and we recognize the efforts of our rehab team in trying to help patients reach their goals on the road to recovery! Read more about rehabilitation at our hospital in physical, occupational and speech therapy:
https://bit.ly/485UfdJ. The gallery includes some tools of the trade with descriptions.

The gallery also includes a photo and description of our specialty outpatient service in pelvic floor therapy.

09/14/2025

Dr. Shabnam Zahedi, board certified in family medicine, is with the BayCare Medical Group primary care practice at the BayCare Outpatient Center adjacent to our hospital campus. Her office address is 10141 Big Bend Road, Suite 101, Riverview.

Dr. Zahedi sees patients age 18 and older and accepts most major insurance plans. Her office phone number is (813) 397-1270.

Dr. Zahedi’s focus is on preventative care with an emphasis on promoting long-term health and preventing chronic conditions. She’s passionate about educating patients to make informed lifestyle choices that enhance their well-being. Dr. Zahedi values building strong, trusting relationships with her patients, serving as their dedicated community doctor throughout all stages of life.

She earned a Doctor of Medicine from Xavier University School of Medicine in Oranjestad, Aruba, and completed a family medicine residency at Oak Hill Hospital in Brooksville, Florida. Dr. Zahedi is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Florida Academy of Family Physicians.

Her profile on the BayCare website: https://baycare.org/doctors/shabnam-zahedi-1861951808.

09/12/2025

BayCare has been ranked No. 22 on the 2025 Fortune Best Workplaces in Health Care™ list — the highest ranked health system in our region! 🎉 This marks our ninth consecutive year being nationally recognized by Great Place To Work and Fortune for our incredible team culture, compassion and commitment to care. 🏥🌟 We’re proud to be one of the best places to work in health care! Read more: https://bit.ly/4mb1ZP2

Learn more about what makes BayCare a nationally recognized leader in workplace culture and team member excellence.

09/11/2025

Today, we pause to honor the memory of those we lost on September 11, 2001. On this day of remembrance, we stand united in honoring the cherished lives taken and those who gave everything to help others. Their bravery and sacrifice continue to inspire us and their legacy lives on in our hearts.

09/09/2025

At BayCare, we're celebrating 🎉 the hard work and dedication of our physicians and entire clinical teams in Vital Impact, our new BayCare Physician and Provider Annual Report! These are the people who ensure BayCare’s North Star – clinical excellence – continues to shine alongside our renowned compassionate care. Read more: https://bit.ly/3I4GWzS

BayCare's continued growth enables the health system to attract world-class doctors, create access to new medical interventions and provide exceptional care, ensuring that patients across West Central Florida have access to the care they need.

09/07/2025

Dr. Michael Retino, board certified in orthopedic surgery, is with the BayCare Medical Group orthopedic surgery practice at the BayCare Outpatient Center adjacent to our campus. His office address is 10141 Big Bend Road, Suite 201, Riverview.

He sees patients age 18 and older and accepts most major insurance plans. Dr. Retino’s office phone number is (813) 302-8880.

He provides innovative personalized care and his clinical expertise includes joint injections and replacement, fracture management, hand surgery and sports medicine care.

Dr. Retino earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Downers Grove, Illinois, completed an internship at Brentwood Hospital in Warrensville Heights, Ohio. His orthopedic residency was at Meridia South Pointe Hospital in Warrensville, Ohio.

Dr. Retino’s profile on the BayCare website: https://baycare.org/doctors/michael-retino-1154390532

09/05/2025

Congratulations to Tracey, a patient support technician (PST) in our ER, as the recipient of a BEE Award, an acronym for “Being Excellent Every Day." BEEs celebrate non-nursing team members supporting patient care. BEEs honor team members for the skilled and dedicated support they provide contributing to extraordinary patient care.

As a PST, Tracey provides patient care under the direct supervision of a nurse. Tracey was nominated by a team member observing her interactions with a patient and the patient’s family member. The patient was nervous about some upcoming medical services. Tracey exhibited tremendouous empathy including praying with the patient and family member.

The patient later confided to the team member that Tracey’s presence and thoughtfulness was especially comforting. In Tracey’s BEE nomination documents, the team member summarized what the patient said: “…this person’s (Tracey) prayer, extra time and advocacy and heartfelt moments solidified that not only had they chosen the right hospital, but that God had meant for them to meet this person.”

The strong closing statement from Tracey’s BEE nomination documents: “This person (Tracey) is appreciated, valued and a blessing to our patients every single day!”

Congratulations Tracey on the BEE and for the impact you made with this patient and with every patient you provide care!