Physicians Rock Out at Local Event Benefiting Skin Cancer Prevention Efforts

Second Annual Doctor Idol Tampa Bay Draws Hundreds of Area Residents and Thousands of Online Votes

Doctor Idol Tampa Bay 2013 Winner, Dr. Michael B. Longley holds daughter Leilea as he accepts his trophy from Charley Belcher, feature reporter for Fox 13’s Good Day Tampa Bay (photo courtesy of Florida Hospital North Pinellas)

Tarpon Springs, Fla. – The Doctor Idol Tampa Bay event recently hosted more than 400 local residents, generated thousands of online votes and raised funds in support of Operation Sunshine, a skin cancer awareness and mobile screening initiative. Florida Hospital North Pinellas and the Helen Ellis Memorial Foundation held the event that featured local physicians rocking out for this great cause.

Throughout the night, seven bands, each featuring one local physician, took the stage for 15 minutes with hopes of winning the title of Doctor Idol Tampa Bay. Judges included include WTSP’s news anchor Charles Billi, Florida Hospital North Pinellas’ Director of Surgery Julie McCullough and Florida Hospital North Pinellas’ Dr. Alan Graves. Local Fox 13 reporter Charley Belcher kept the event lively as the celebrity emcee.

Doctor Idol was held to benefit Operation Sunshine, a program for early detection of melanoma and other skin cancers. Because of the generosity of Sun Toyota, a mobile unit named The Mole Patrol will provide screening and information to residents throughout northern Pinellas and western Pasco counties.

“This event means so much to our foundation, the hospital and to our entire community,” said Terry Smither, Helen Ellis Memorial Foundation Director. “Operation Sunshine has already helped hundreds of people detect early signs of skin cancer, and we are proud to say that this year’s Doctor Idol event will help fund even more mobile screening events.”

Florida Hospital North Pinellas:

Florida Hospital North Pinellas, located in Tarpon Springs, is a member of The Florida Hospital network of the Adventist Health System, the largest

Rosemary Giuliano (left) event chair,  joins Dr. Douglas Reintgen, surgical oncologist and Christine Sparks, Operation Sunshine coordinator to celebrate the event success (photo courtesy of Florida Hospital North Pinellas)

health care provider in the state. The Florida Hospital network cares for nearly one million residents and visitors each year. As a 168-bed, full-service hospital, Florida Hospital North Pinellas serves both the Pinellas and Pasco communities of west central Florida. For more information, please visit our website: FHNorthPinellas.com

 The Helen Ellis Memorial Foundation:
The Helen Ellis Memorial Foundation was established in 2000 to address the needs of Florida Hospital North Pinellas and the community through fundraising programs. The mission of the Foundation is to strengthen the relationship between the community and carry out the hospital’s stated mission of providing faith-based, compassionate, quality health care to the community. Visit hemhfoundation.org to learn more.