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Little Hospital Big On Care

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By MICHELE SAGER

msager@tampatrib.com

Published: December 31, 2008

CARROLLWOOD - Patients who feel like they are just a number when admitted to large hospitals in the area might be surprised to find they can get health care with a personal touch close to home.

Staff at University Community Hospital Carrollwood said they offer some of the area's top medical services but in a small hospital environment. The hospital is celebrating its 15th anniversary affiliated with UCH.

Surgeon Sharad Patel is one of the founding doctors of the affiliation and has seen the hospital grow over the past 15 years.

"We've expanded our emergency and operating rooms and added our medical arts building," he said. "We've become a top center for orthopedics and spinal care."

Surgeon Steven Lyons said he prefers to practice at UCH Carrollwood over some of the larger hospitals.

"I don't have to walk down one long hall to the operating room and then go all the way to administration and then all the way over to recovery," he said. "It's small, yet we use the latest technology. You'll get the same care here that you would get at the Mayo Clinic."

Lyons prides himself on the extra measures he takes wearing a special suit in the operating room to prevent infection. In the past 10 years, only one patient developed infection during surgery.

Sandra Rodriguez, the surgery scheduling coordinator, said she enjoys the family atmosphere.

"Because we are a smaller hospital, the staff knows each other so we work well together," she said. "We know we can depend on each other and that kind of environment is going to translate to the patient."

Larry Hanan, chief executive office for UCH Carrollwood, said the small, close staff makes a difference.

"I know it's cliche to say it's a family environment, but that's really what we offer here," he said. "You're not just a number when you stay here."
Hanan said the hospital has used its affiliation with University Community to attract and expand its services but kept the small hospital atmosphere.

"You're getting a boutique hospital with top services that compliment UCH's Fletcher campus," he said. "It's the best of all worlds."

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-1523.

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