Business briefs

• Certified Public Accountant Laura Violante, a financial planner with Stone, Parker & Company, C.P.A., P.A., Port Richey, has received the Personal Financial Specialist Credential from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Violante met the requirements to earn the PFS Credential, which included passing a comprehensive technical exam covering personal financial planning topics, demonstrating more than 1,400 hours of business experience during the past five years and completing lifelong learning and education activities. The PFS Credential is granted exclusively to CPAs who are members in good standing of the AICPA, which binds them to the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.

•Paul Lallanilla has opened a West Pasco franchise of Right At Home, which offers in-home care and personal care assistance to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue living independently. Lallanilla has served in the health care field for 17 years. He is a member of the Better Business Bureau and is involved with several nonprofit health organizations, including the Pasco Aging Network, Pasco-Hernando Guardianship Council, the Community Service Council, St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Alzheimer's Family Organization. The West Pasco office of Right at Home serves New Port Richey, Port Richey, Trinity, Hudson, Holiday, Aripeka, Spring Hill and Tarpon Springs. For more information, call 727-844-3570.

•Gerald Sokol, M.D., of Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope, New Port Richey and Spring Hill, presented two papers at the 10th meeting of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology held recently in Berlin. Sokol is a frequent participant in the society's annual meetings, which feature a complete educational program, intended for basic scientists, surgeons, geriatricianists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, psychologists, sociologists, nurses, nurse practitioners, and other health care professionals and active clinical practices interested in and/or involved in the management of elderly cancer patients. For more information about Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope, call 1-888-206-0054 or visit http://www.fcinewhope.com.

•Brian Day, financial advisor for Edward Jones, 4761 U.S. 19, New Port Richey, is supporting the local Toys for Tots program by using his office as a drop-off location for this year's toy drive. Local residents may help needy children in the area by bringing new, unwrapped toys to the office during business hours beginning Monday, Nov. 23. 727-817-1783.

Post to our Web site, suncoastnews.com.; mail to 6214 U.S. 19, New Port Richey 34652; fax (727-815-1010), or e-mail to community@suncoastnews.com.