ALUMNI NOTES Hemangani Dhaibar, PhD
School of Graduate Studies, Class of 2020 Dr. Hemangani Dhaibar is currently a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology. Dr. Dhaibar’s recent publication in the Journal of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, “Kv1.1 subunits localize to cardiorespiratory brain networks in mice where their absence induces astrogliosis and microgliosis,” clearly proved the importance of channels in the respiratory controlling regions One of the images from Dr. Darbar’s submission was also featured on the cover of the journal (Volume 113, June 2021).
James Kleinedler, PhD
School of Graduate Studies, Class of 2012 Dr. James Kleinedler graduated from LSU Health Shreveport in 2012 with a PhD in Toxicology. Presently, Dr. Kleinedler is a Fellow in Regulatory Affairs at Boston Scientific (BSC), where he develops and implements global regulatory strategies for emerging interventional cardiology technology. Prior to joining BSC, Dr. Kleinedler was a reviewer in the FDA’s Office of Device Evaluation, where he managed the premarket review of Class II/ III cardiovascular devices. Dr. Kleinedler is the author of 10 peerreviewed publications and an inventor on six patents related to medical devices. Dr. Kleinedler was invited to speak to LSUHS post-doctoral fellows and graduate students and presented a talk, “Putting the ‘PhD’ to Work: Sharing my Experience across Industry and Government,” on June 4, 2021 via Zoom.
Heather Fulkerson, PhD and Sadie Rice, PhD
School of Graduate Studies, Class of 2021 Dr. Heather Fulkerson and Dr. Sadie Rice, both recent PhD graduates of the LSUHS Department of Microbiology and Immunology, chose to make science fun and accessible for all ages. The two scientists wrote, illustrated and published the children’s book: Microbiology for Kids: From A to Z. The microbiology-themed alphabet book is designed to introduce young learners to the fascinating world of microbes. The book uses kid-friendly sentences and engaging illustrations to help children of all ages foster a greater understanding of scientific concepts. The children’s book is available for purchase and review on Amazon. For questions and comments regarding the book, the authors can be reached by email at fulkersonandrice@gmail.com.
Randy Richter, MD
School of Medicine, Class of 1984 Dr. Randy Richter was recognized as the first “Everyday Hero” of 2021. KTBS and its sponsors decided to surprise Dr. Richter and presented him with the award at his home on February 10, 2021. Dr. Richter built a distinguished career in the medical field spanning over 37 years. He has saved countless lives and educated many of the top physicians coming out of the LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine. “I have been able to play a part in the lives of a lot of people in a lot of different venues and really it’s been a blessing to be able to do that,” Richter said. Sadly, Dr. Richter succumbed to his battle with terminal cancer on May 3, 2021. Despite the sad news of his passing, LSUHS continues to celebrate his passion for medicine and the legacy that he leaves behind.
Lindsay S. Ferrington, EdD, MS, PA-C
School of Allied Health Professions, Class of 2005 Dr. Lindsay Ferrington, originally from Sicily Island, La. earned a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from LSU Health Shreveport School of Allied Health Professions in 2005. Most recently, she earned a Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies in 2019 from LSU Shreveport. Dr. Ferrington joined the PA Program faculty at LSUHS in 2010 and has served as the Clinical Coordinator since 2014. In her current position, she works with healthcare providers across the state to place students on clinical rotations in areas of medicine such as primary care, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and OBGYN, among many others. Prior to entering academia, Lindsay practiced as a Physician Assistant in urology and primary care. Lindsay has more than ten years of experience in addiction medicine. Lindsay particularly enjoys organizing and engaging with the PA students in community service activities in the Shreveport area.
Benjamin Brown, MD
Neurosurgery Residency Program, Class of 2013 D r. B e n j a m i n B ro w n c o m p l e te d t h e L S U H e a l t h S h r e v e p o r t N e u r o s u r g e r y R e s i d e n c y Tr a i n i n g Program in 2013. Af ter graduation, he complete d a cerebrovascular and endovascular fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. Today, he practices neurosurgery at Ochsner Health Neuroscience Institute in Covington, Louisiana.
Jai Deep Thakur, MD
Neurosurgery Residency Program, Class of 2019 Dr. Jai Deep Thakur, completed the LSU Health Shreveport Neurosurgery Residency Training Program in 2019. After his residency, he went on to complete a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Cranial and Skull Base Neurosurgery at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute - John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California. Today, he is an attending physician at USA Health University Hospital in Mobile, Alabama.
Rebecca Durr Butler, MCD, CCC-SLP
School of Allied Health Professions, Class of 2018 Rebecca Durr Butler is a Shreveport native who received her Master of Communication Disorders degree from LSU Health Shreveport in 2018. Rebecca was an inpatient and outpatient speech therapist at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport before transitioning to join the faculty at LSU Health Shreveport in April of 2020. She now works in the Children’s Center and Rehab Faculty Clinic at the LSUHS School of Allied Health Professions to provide evaluations and treatments for children and adults with speech, language, cognition, and swallowing disorders. Her primary areas of focus include providing treatment to children with autism spectrum disorder, cleft palate, and feeding disorders. She also works as a speech therapist for Early Steps of Louisiana, where she provides speech therapy for children ages 0-3 in the child’s natural environment. Her favorite thing about being a speech therapist is helping children learn how to communicate their wants and needs, whether through words, signs, or augmentative and alternative communication methods.
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