Yolo 2015

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TOOLBOX, March-April 2012, Page 21

| YOLO 2015 |

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Saturday, January 24, 2015

When it comes to your heart,

the clock is ticking

Saturday, January 24, 2015

table of contents: Page 4 — An effort linking regional farmers with food entrepreneurs has found a home in Norco, and organizers hope to use those connections to jump start new farming enterprises and tap into the growing interest in local food.

Page 6 — With open enrollment for the federal health care exchange underway, here are five tips for the thousands of Louisianans shopping for individual and family health insurance coverage for 2015.

Page 7 — It has been shown over time with dental practices, research and epidemiological studies that regular dental care can reduce the risk of some systemic diseases and increase life expectancy.

Need a faster appointment?

Your heart is too important to wait.

St. James Parish Hospital has a clinical affiliation with Ochsner, a nationally recognized leader in cardiovascular care.

Faster Appointments Team of Experienced Experts Local Convenience 24/7 cardiology coverage for Inpatients/ER consults Seamless transfer options Increased outpatient clinic days The hospital is extremely excited to welcome Dr. Nakash Grant, Clinical Cardiologist, to the team of skilled cardiologists supporting the hospital. Dr. Grant is a Board-Certified Internist and BoardCertified with the National Board of Echocardiography. Dr. Grant, who joins fellow Interventional Cardiologists Doctors Lewis Siegel, Zola N’Dandu and David Liff, brings an impression

Nakash Grant, MD Clinical Cardiologist

Ochsner Medical Center–Kenner

resume to the skilled group of physicians from Ochsner Medical Center–Kenner.

225.258.2037

Cardiology Appointments Now Available

Cardiology Clinic conveniently located in the new medical plaza on the same campus as St. James Parish Hospital.

225.869.5512 | 1645 Lutcher Ave. | Lutcher, LA | www.sjph.org

Follow Us on Facebook This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

2 ~ c’est la vie

| YOLO 2015 |

Page 8 — Make 2015 the year you decide to get healthy and take control of your health. Ideal Protein, started by Dr. Tran Tien Chanh, is a functional way to get there.

Page 10 — St. James Parish West Bank residents now have a department of St. James Parish Hospital operating within Vacherie city limits, as a general practice and primary care partnership began this month.

Page 12 — Jacob’s Andouille, serving the River Parishes since 1928, offers its health-conscious patrons meat products that are 95 percent fat-free.

Page 13 — The staff at St. Joseph Medical Clinic endeavors to provide the highest quality of care to their patients in a relentless pursuit of perfection.

Page 14 — Affinity Care Providers, Inc. is dedicated to empowering its clients to attain their full health potential, thereby enhancing their quality of life.

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Saturday, January 24, 2015

Saturday, January 24, 2015

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Norco cooking up connections for regional farmers, food entrepreneurs

By Stephen Hemelt L’Observateur

NORCO — An effort linking regional farmers with food entrepreneurs has found a home in Norco.

Using those connections to jump start new farming enterprises while also tapping into the growing interest in local food in the region led to a partnership between the New Orleans Food & Farm Network and St. Charles Parish to develop a food hub — Food & Farm Works @ Edible Enterprises.

“We are grateful and extremely excited with the decision of NOFFN to launch its Food & Farm Works initiative in St. Charles Parish,” St. Charles Parish President V.J. St. Pierre Jr. said.

First announced in mid-December, the initiative allows Food & Farm Works to expand the resources available to food entrepreneurs and grow the base of potential users of the Metro New Orleans area’s only licensed food technology incubator facility, located in Norco.

According to New Orleans Food and Farm Network Executive Director Sanjay Kharod, success will come in different forms for those involved: “For Food Entrepreneurs, that would be strong markets for their products. Our hope is that the food entrepreneurs outgrow our facility and transition to co-packing facilities.

“For Farmers, that would be strong demand from food producers for their produce. Also, it would be some farmers deciding to include value added processing as one of their money-making enterprises.

“For consumers, that would be increased availability of local products.”

Kharod said building a local food economy requires local farmers

The New Orleans Food & Farm Network and St. Charles Parish are developing a food hub so local farmers and food entrepreneurs can find professional and financial success through a regional food movement built on local products.

growing food and the food manufacturers making products from this local food.

“Food and Farm Works makes this important critical connec-

tion, because we believe that New Orleanians should eat great food that is grown and produced by New Orleanians,” Kharod said.

According to Kharod, for years

farmers, agriculture extension agents, non-profits and food manufacturers have been frustrated with finding ways for farmers to sell more of what they grow beyond farmers markets and roadside stands.

“The result is produce that is often left to rot in the field, excess composted on-site, and farmers not earning what they could in proportion to their full potential,” he said. “If the local food movement is to grow, we need to provide more markets for this local produce by helping local people make locally-sourced food products.”

St. Charles Parish Director of Economic Development and Tourism Corey Faucheux said Food & Farm Works offers resources that were previously unknown to a community of entrepreneurs in Greater New Orleans, resulting in a higher utilization of the Norco facility.

Kharod said it is his hope to reach out to the surrounding community to encourage their participation.

“We will be holding open houses to introduce what is possible at the facility,” he said. “We are directing folks to the resources provided by the Louisiana Small Business Development Center and Good Work Network to help folks think through the business development steps they need to begin their start-ups.

“We hope that we will find additional markets for local farmers and fishers — fruit, vegetables, seafood — either through their own enterprises or by selling to food entrepreneurs using our facility.”

Food & Farm Works hopes to lower the risk threshold for opening a food business and simplify the procedures required for new and existing food manufacturers and farmers to grow, become sustainable and See FOOD, Page 5

PAGE 5

Quality Healthcare For The Entire Family

FOOD: Program offers training From Page 4

provide quality food to consumers.

Food & Farm Works is offering technical assistance and training in food industry techniques and business operations, along with assistance in sourcing ingredients from local farmers.

“This licensed food manufacturing incubator kitchen facility is a great resource for food manufacturers to safely produce their products, deliver consistent quality to both small and large customers and, with the support and tools of the Food & Farm Works team, to understand the business side of this business for the best chance for success,” said Dianne Sclafani, Propeller’s Food and Restaurant consultant to the initiative.

In addition, the Food & Farm Network will help underserved communities by raising funds to offer partial subsidization of the licensing, permitting and kitchen rental for start-up food entrepreneurs from low-income and marginalized backgrounds.

Food & Farm Works @ Edible Enterprises offers two government approved shared-use commercial kitchens available 24-7, packaging equipment, storage space for tenants (freezer, cooler and dry pallet storage), a location to provide to obtain an occupational license, education and help sourcing from local farmers.

Kharod told L’OBSERVATEUR since the movement’s initial announcement last month, the response has been great, adding they identified numerous entrepreneurs searching for a place to begin their businesses that had no idea the help in Norco was available.

“There’s a growing movement afoot in folks looking to make food products from local sources,” he said.

“We strongly believe that local producers can both feed our community and be the driving force behind culinary ingenuity and new food movements in the region.”

For more information, log onto noffn.org, email info@noffn.org or call 888-966-0829.

(1/2) St. Joseph Raja Talluri, MD Board Certified in Internal Medicine

M. Dirk Ory, MD Board Certified in Family Practice

Quality does not happen by chance. It is a relentless pursuit of perfection. Each one of us at St. Joseph Medical Clinic will endeavor to provide the highest quality of care to our patients. Beyond the wonderful ambience, advanced technology and professional expertise, there is something more….St. Joseph Medical Clinic is where personalized care meets modern technology and where the cream of specialists come together to fulfill a wide range of medical requirements.

Treating Newborns to Geriatrics Services Provided In: Accepting: •Family Practice •Intenal Medicine MEDICAID •Occupational Medicine •Hospital Care MEDICARE •Nursing Home Care • KIDMED • Immunizations

And Most Major Insurances

Office Hours

22080 LA Hwy 20 Vacherie, LA 70090 225-265-3061

Monday - Thursday 8 am to 5 pm Friday 8 am - 3 pm

‘It’s Our Pleasure To Keep You Healthy!’ www.stjosephmedicalclinic.com

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Saturday, January 24, 2015

5 tips for health insurance during open enrollment

W

ith open enrollment for the federal health care exchange underway, thousands of Louisianans are shopping for individual and family health insurance coverage for 2015.

GLEN UnitedHealthcare offers GOLEMI tips to help people select the best coverage options GUEST and to make the application COLUMNIST process a little easier: 1. Learn the Lingo: Do you know the difference between co-payment and co-insurance? Don’t worry, most people don’t. Fortunately, there are a number of tools online, including UnitedHealthcare’s justplainclear.com glossary (in English and Spanish), to help you learn and understand the terms.

2. Find Out What Your Coverage Costs:

No matter which health insurance plan you choose, you’ll pay a monthly payment, or “premium,” for your coverage. In addition, there will likely be other costs that you’ll be responsible for paying for your health care and prescriptions.

It’s important to know that you and your family may qualify for a “subsidy” to help pay for the cost of your monthly premium and these other out-of-pocket expenses.

3. Look for Ways to Save: Choose a health insurance plan that has a strong network of quality doctors, clinics and hospitals you can use.

Network discounts can help you save on your health care costs even before you meet your annual deductible. Also, some health plans offer wellness programs, health cost estimator tools and other services that can help your family save on health care costs and stay healthier.

4. Be Prepared: Applying for health insurance usually takes 60 to 90 minutes or longer. You can save time by being prepared in

Make this the Year you Successfully

 

advance with the information that you will need.

This includes Social Security numbers for all applicants; proof of legal residency, such as a driver’s license; employment and income information (recent tax returns and pay stubs); policy numbers for any current health insurance; and information about any employerprovided insurance that may be available to your family.

5. Know the Deadlines: There are a number of important deadlines that affect when coverage starts.

The final day to apply for coverage for 2015 through the exchange to avoid tax penalties is Feb. 15.

For more information about finding health insurance coverage for you and your family, call 1-844-JOIN-UHC, or visit uhc.com/join or healthcare.gov where you can sign up online or get help.

Glen Golemi is CEO of UnitedHealthcare-Gulf States Region.

Are You a Resident of Louisiana?

Did You Start Smoking Cigarettes before September 1, 1988?

If you answered “yes” to both questions, then you are eligible for the FREE program.

To register visit www.cardio.com/quitsmoking or call

(985) 308-1604.

Free Smoking Cessation Medications & Free Counseling Sessions that aid in Quitting Smoking are Available to You!

1057 Paul Maillard Rd. • Ste. D 1900 • Luling, LA 70070 • www.cardio.com

Saturday, January 24, 2015

I

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Dental visits can enhance your quality of life

t has been shown over time with dental practices, research and epidemiological studies that regular dental care can reduce the risk of some systemic diseases and increase life expectancy.

Research has shown that gum tissue/dental bone REID M. (periodontal) disease is OWENS associated with several other disease entities.

GUEST This periodontal inflamCOLUMNIST mation may be the driving contributory factor involved with the association of diabetes, heart diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

There is also evidence linking this association with osteoporosis, respiratory diseases and cancer. More information can be found at perio.org.

Dental Caries (Cavitation) is another disease

entity of concern for the dental profession.

There has been a dramatic increase in the dental caries incidence and oral infections over the past five years especially affecting children and the elderly.

For children, dental caries is ranked at the disease entity affecting the highest case numbers in the U.S. Pediatric dentists recommend seeing children at the age of 1 for their first visit to help with prevention and counseling Mom and Dad on healthy nutrition.

More information can be seen at aapd.org.

There has been the development of several disturbing trends over the past few years with diet and nutrition with regard to people of all ages.

Some of these trends include the replacement of water with juices (15 tsp. sugar in each cup), soft drinks, sports drinks, and energy drinks.

There has also been an increased trend concerning the replacement of fast food meals over the home-cooked meals in past years.

Concerning the elderly, there has been a

phenomenal increase in the multitude of medications which have the direct side effects of lowering the oral salivary pH and causing dry mouth (xerostomia) resulting in reduced salivary flow.

This greatly increases the incidence of dental caries, fungal infections, sore dentures, and periodontal disease.

I would encourage people of all ages to find a dental home that is convenient and comfortable for them.

Most dental offices today, especially small solo and small two- to three-doctor private dentist owned practices, provide the highest quality of care and concern for their patients for their lifetime.

These practices are care driven. They provide solutions and aids to help their patients achieve the highest level of oral health, which may greatly reduce the risk of other systemic diseases over their lifetime.

Reid M. Owens D.D.S. is a doctor at Owens Family Dental Care.

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Saturday, January 24, 2015

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Take control by losing weight, getting healthy

From Page 8

Special to

sugar to provide flavor.

There have been many independent studies, including evidence presented to the Cleveland Clinic, suggesting too many carbohydrates is the main culprit causing ill health and obesity.

Katie Couric produced a documentary called “Fed Up,” which talks about what is really in our food supply and how additive carbohydrates (sugars) are. They showed similarities in the brain with sugar addiction and cocaine addiction.

So what is the solution? What foods and what amounts are healthy?

We know fruits and

LAPLACE — Take control of your health.

Would you like to lose weight and get healthy? Do you know even where to begin? Have you tried before and failed?

There is so much information on infomercials, magazines, commercials and the Internet. Almost all claim to know the answer. Calories consumed verses calories burned equal weight loss.

It sounds so simple. Calories are only one part of the equation.

Since the 1980s, the U.S. government has poured much research into proving fat makes you fat and ignored implications sugar is a major cause in inflammation and weight gain.

Many products that cut the fat add Chef Daniel Verati, Holly Faucheaux, Dr. Antoine Faucheaux and Dr. Tran Tien Chanh are seen at a recent Ideal Protein Convention.

(1/2) P.O.S.M.

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Control: Daily videos, guidance will help

L’Observateur

See control, Page 9

| YOLO 2015 |

(2/10) Cypress pediatric

Ideal Protein coach Holly Faucheaux and Ideal Protein founder Dr. Tran Tien Chanh are shown.

vegetables are healthy.

We know we need protein. We know whole grains are good.

But it’s hard to know how much and how to fit it into our lifestyle, especially here in South Louisiana. We have great food and we are always having a festival or something to celebrate.

Right now it’s Mardi Gras season, and before you know it, it will be the French Quarter Festival, Strawberry Festival, Jazz Fest and all those festivals in between.

There is always a reason to put off getting healthy.

Make 2015 the year you decided to get

healthy and not look back. Take control of your health.

You only have one life.

Mindset is one part of the solution to getting healthier. You still need the tools.

Ideal Protein was started by Dr. Tran Tien Chanh over 25 years ago in Paris and has made its way into 15 countries.

It has been in the U.S. since 2008 and has been offered in LaPlace at the Rue de Sante Women’s Center since January 2012.

Drs. Schultz, Faucheaux and Bezdek brought it (called Simply Ideal Weight Loss Center) to their office, as it uses no pills or shots, is naturally an appetite suppressant due to the protocol, and could be used for most of their patients and other men and women who wanted to lose weight in a short amount of time.

The best part: it is educational with daily videos and guidance from coach Holly Faucheaux, who has been in the medical profession and into health and fitness for over 25 years.

With the day and night support, daily videos and weekly weigh-ins, she gives you the tools to lose weight and learn a new healthy way to eat and how to keep it off.

You can text or call Holly at 504-533-4952 if you are ready to take control of you health (please see ad in this publication).

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(1/2) St. John Parish Council

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Saturday, January 24, 2015

Saturday, January 24, 2015

St. James West Bank Clinic’s opening begins expanded hospital outreach

Hospital: Call 225-265-3013 for appointment

By Monique Roth

dency at Metro Group Hospitals of the University of Illinois and at Fairview General Hospital in Ohio.

He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Louisiana State Medical Society.

Working alongside Donepudi has been and will continue to be Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Frannie Waguespack, who earned a degree as a registered nurse from Charity Hospital School of Nursing in New Orleans and a certificate as an Emergency Ambulatory Nurse Practitioner from the University of Texas in Houston.

Waguespack is a certified occupational health nurse/specialist.

To make an appointment at St. James West Bank Clinic, call 225-265-3013.

L’Observateur

VACHERIE — St. James Parish West Bank residents now have a department of St. James Parish Hospital operating within Vacherie city limits, as a general practice and primary care partnership began this month.

Aptly named the St. James West Bank Clinic, St. James Parish Hospital CEO Mary Ellen Pratt said the hospital bought the building, property and existing practice of Dr. Sarat Donepudi of Vacherie and is now supporting his operation.

Donepudi began his practice in “(Dr. Sarat Donepudi Vacherie in 1980. Pratt said his colis) very well-respected laboration with the hospital has and loved. Nothing been in the work for 18 months, as establishing a presence on the West will change for his Bank was a large goal established as existing patients.” part of the hospital’s 2013 strategic initiative.

Mary Ellen Pratt Saying the hospital “can’t fix what’s not broken,” Pratt said St. James Parish Hospital CEO Donepudi’s practice will in large part continue as normal.

“He’s very well-respected and loved,” Pratt said. “Nothing will change for his existing patients.”

Pratt said future opportunities made possible by the collaboration include specialists from St. James Hospital making rotations to the Vacherie clinic, which would provide the nearly 9,000 residents of St. James Parish’s West Bank more convenient services and increase hospital access for the entire community.

The St. James West Bank Clinic, open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, is located at 21420 Louisiana 20 in Vacherie. Pratt said the location on Highway 20 is as “centrally located as possible” for West Bank residents.

Pratt said a future open house for the clinic would be planned for residents to learn more about its services.

Having practiced medicine in St. James Parish for over 34 years, Donepudi received his undergraduate degree from Hindu College in India and attended medical school at Rangaraya Medical College/ Andhra University. He completed internships at Government General Hospital in India and Herotin Hospital in Chicago and resiSee hospital, Page 11

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From Page 10

(1/4) Blood Center

Dr. Sarat Donepudi, St. James Hospital Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors Wayne Waguespack and hospital CEO Mary Ellen Pratt are seen making St. James West Bank Clinic a reality.

(1/4) Simply Weight Loss

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Saturday, January 24, 2015

Saturday, January 24, 2015

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Jacob’s Andouille caters to customers’ health, specialty needs Special to L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Jacob’s Andouille has been serving the River Parishes since 1928.

For its health-conscious patrons, all of Jacob’s Andouille’s meat products are 95 percent fat-free.

The roux in Jacob’s Country Roux mix is oil-free, so there’s no need to skim oil from your gumbo at the end of your preparation.

For special health needs, Jacob’s Andouille will make specialized mixes of its products, leaving out elements that may cause reactions for specific customers.

For more information, call Jacob’s Andouille at 985652-9080 for any special needs.

Providing the best in specialized service to the physically and mentally challenged individual.

Patient demand, quality fueling St. Joseph Medical Clinic growth Special to L’Observateur

87

(1/4) Jacob’s Andouille Specializing in products made locally with no fillers or by-products.

VACHERIE — Quality does not happen by chance. It is a relentless pursuit of perfection.

The staff at St. Joseph Medical Clinic practices that approach, with officials saying each member at the Clinic endeavors to provide the highest quality of care to their patients.

Beyond the wonderful ambience, advanced technology and professional expertise, there is something more. St. Joseph Medical Clinic is where personalized care meets modern technology and where the cream of specialists come together to fulfill a wide range of medical requirements.

The clinic uses state-of-the-art technology, clinical excellence and appropriate facility models to provide world-class services. St. Joseph Medical Clinic is committed to quality, accessibility and innovation in health care services in line with the nation’s policies and priorities towards “health care for all” and aims to ensure all patients’ needs are met with speed, accuracy and efficiency.

The Clinic boasts an 8,000 square feet facility, consisting of 12 exam

rooms, an X-ray room and an emergency room.

All medical professionals in the clinic are board certified.

Dr. Raja joined the established medical practice of Dr. Dirk M. Ory in 2003.

In order to provide better service the medical needs of the community, Raja knew the facility needed to expand. In 2005, the clinic’s name was changed to St. Joseph Medical Clinic.

Because of its location, the clinic qualified as a Rural Health Clinic for the community, providing services to all ages, ranging from newborn to geriatrics.

A nurse practitioner was hired to treat patients and provide KIDMED screenings and immunizations to the undeserved population.

In 2007, because of increased patient volume, construction began on a new clinic.

In January 2008, the doors were opened to a new, state-of-the-art St. Joseph Medical Clinic at 22080 Louisiana 20 West in Vacherie.

Officials said the clinic has four physicians specializing in internal medicine, family practice, pediatrics and chiropractic, along with a physician assistant, two registered nurses and seven staff members.

Surpervised Independent Living-Ages 18 Years and Up *Elderly Care *Self-medication training *Self-advocacy *Community independent living skills Care Attendent - Ages 0 & up • Respite Care Services-Ages 3& up

Herbrena Gordon • Starlette Gordon • Rose G Jarrow Administration

PO Box 580 837 N Pine Suite 3 Gramercy, LA 70052

225-869-6005 affinitycare@bellsouth.net http://www.affinitycare.webs.com

a fist (1/4) Metro Women’s Clinic Metropolitan Center

For Women & Children

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Saturday, January 24, 2015

Affinity empowers clients through tailored home care Special to L’Observateur

GRAMERCY — Affinity Care Providers, Inc. is dedicated to empowering its clients to attain their full health potential, thereby enhancing their quality of life.

Affinity provides high-quality, tailored home care that preserves the independence and freedom of individuals to stay in their homes comfortably. The office is located at 837 North Pine St. in Gramercy and can be reached at 225-869-6005.

Affinity’s supported living services recognize the importance of compliance with state license-mandated policies and procedures. Its services include an individualized, detailed, person-centered planning that incorporates consultation with all medical professional which include: • Waiver Service (NOW) • Contract Services • Supervised Independent Living-Ages 18

(1/4) Chateau Deville

Years and Up • Services are offered to consumers 18 years and older who need the enhanced skills of independence within the community.

Services include, but are not limited to: • Elderly Care • Self-medication training • Self-advocacy • Community independent living skills Personal Care Attendant — Ages 0 & up Provided by an attendant who will be of assistance with daily living skills in addition to goals devised by the person center plan.

Respite Care Services — Ages 3 & up Enables the consumer to remain at his/ her residence, but provides RELIEF for the family.

(1/4) Reu deSante

Providing the highest quality health care for women of all ages.

Hands-on care in a comfortable home-like atmosphere

Antoine J. Faucheaux III, M.D. Stuart G. Schultz, M.D. Rachel D. Bezdek, M.D

• 24-Hour Skilled Nursing • State-of-the-Art Therapy Gym • Dietary Services • Social Services • Daily Activities • In-House X-ray & Lab Services • Medicare Skilled Services 401 Vatican Drive Donaldsonville, LA 70436 225.473.8614

301 Rue De Sante LaPlace, LA 70068 (985) 652-2441 www.ruedesante.com

Saturday, January 24, 2015

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