At LSU Health Shreveport’s Center for Medical Education Unveiling, the LSU Health Sciences Foundation in Shreveport celebrated their largest private gift to the building, a $2.6 million gift from W. Clinton “Bubba” Rasberry (PICTURED BELOW)
Learn more about the substantial gift on page 4.
DEAN, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
David F. Lewis, MD, MBA
DEAN, SCHOOL OF ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS
Sharon Dunn, PT, PhD, OCS
DEAN, SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
Chris Kevil, PhD
Inside LSU Health Shreveport is published by the Office of Communications and Public Affairs and funded by the LSU Health Sciences Foundation Shreveport.
Letter from the CHANCELLOR
With a full year of service as Chancellor under my belt as of January 9, I am even more enthused about the opportunities that lie ahead for both LSU Health Shreveport and Ochsner LSU Health System of North Louisiana, the 50:50 joint venture formed in 2018 that now manages three hospitals and more than 20 outpatient clinics spread throughout north Louisiana.
I first want to commend our students and faculty who have embraced the new medical school curriculum, which represents a pivotal change that is already yielding outstanding results based student and faculty enthusiasm and engagement and on recent student test scores. As with most largescale changes, the new curriculum brought apprehension but through open-mindedness and dedication by our faculty and incredible leadership by Dr. Kelly Pagidas, Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education and Administration, the implementation of the new curriculum is going well and better positions students for current and long-term success.
Also of great importance is the addition of three nursing programs with the School of Allied Health Professions, which is serving as an off-campus instructional site for these LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing degree programs. Every hospital in our community needs more nurses, and we are grateful for the opportunity to address this critical workplace shortage.
Research faculty continue to compete successfully for grants from the National Institutes of Health and other funding agencies, bringing new dollars and faculty into our community. You can expect to hear more soon on the expanded Center of Excellence for Emerging Viral Threats as the new Biosafety Level 3 Research Facility director will arrive March 1 with completion of the new lab scheduled for April.
A joint strategic plan between LSU Health Shreveport and Ochsner LSU Health System of North Louisiana is also underway as this is imperative to achieving our potential and in proving that “Together Stronger” is more than just a marketing slogan.
I offer my deepest thanks to our faculty, staff, students, legislators, donors, alums and funders as it is your support and engagement that will ensure LSU Health Shreveport continues to be a beacon in educating the next generation of clinicians and scientists, discovering the cures and treatments of the future and in serving as an irreplaceable contributor to the economy and intellectual capital of North Louisiana.
Aiming High,
David S. Guzick, MD, PhD Chancellor, LSU Health Shreveport
LSU HEALTH SHREVEPORT
Celebrates Celebrates
Unveiling of CENTER FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION
On December 11, 2023 Governor John Bel Edwards joined LSU Health Shreveport to unveil the transformative
CENTER FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION,
the first new building on the university’s campus since 2008.
After two and half years of construction, a crowd of more than 400 donors and public officials came together to celebrate the completion of the four-story, 155,000-square-foot, $79 million structure. Dr. David Guzick, LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor, shared his excitement for the Center for Medical Education which will enhance the educational experience and interdisciplinary collaboration for students and faculty across the Schools of Allied Health Professions, Graduate Studies and Medicine. The building is strategically located adjacent to the three professional schools, making it a hub for training the next generation of healthcare and research professionals.
“As someone who has been at LSU Health Shreveport for just short of a year, I realize I’m very fortunate to have so many others who came before me who had the vision and tenacity to bring this project to fruition. On behalf of our 1,700 students and residents, 2,600 faculty and staff, and the citizens of North Louisiana, I offer our deepest gratitude to each of you who worked so hard to make the Center for Medical Education a reality,” stated Dr. David Guzick. Speaking to his mantra of “Aiming High,” he expressed, “In opening the Center for Medical Education, we can aim higher in delivering a modern education program to our students who will find the cures of the future and who will improve the health and quality
1 Dr. William F. Tate, IV, LSU President
2 Senator Greg Tarver
3 Governor John Bel Edwards
4 Tyler Tran, MSIII and Dr. David Guzick, LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor
Dr. David Guzick, LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor, addresses 400+ attendees at the Center for Medical Education Unveiling Ceremony.
of life of patients in the years and decades ahead. Because the building also has highly specialized research space, we can also aim higher in the impact of scientific discoveries we make, in the amount of extramural dollars we can bring to LSU Health Shreveport, and to the economic development we can drive.”
Governor Edwards shared his excitement to unveil the building as a part of his last visit to North Louisiana while in office. “This is going to make a transformational difference for our state for generations to come. We don’t get many opportunities, even in the best of times, to make the kind of investment that is the Center for Medical Education. That’s what this building is. It’s an investment in our young people. It’s an investment in increasing opportunity and prosperity but doing so in a way that is going to lift up so many people around our state. I am just incredibly excited about this and what it means for Louisianians. Good health is essential to a quality of life, and you can’t have good health without healthcare professionals. We want to inspire the very best in Louisiana to stay in Louisiana and to make that profound difference. That’s what this building represents.”
Dr. William F. Tate IV, LSU President, also attended the momentous occasion and invited the audience to imagine the heights that the LSU System can reach throughout its universities. “Today is a day of imagery. I have said that I want LSU to be a place where you can win the Heisman trophy and a Nobel prize. We’ve got the Heisman trophy. With respect to the Nobel Prize, I want you to imagine with me today; I want you to imagine that in this building, there will be a clinician scientist trained and educated in Shreveport, who will win the Nobel Prize,” stated Dr. Tate.
The Center for Medical Education Unveiling was an opportunity to thank community donors for their investments in the future of LSU Health Shreveport and its students. “This celebration is a culmination of years of hard work and dedication by so many people, many of which are here with us today,” stated LSU Health Sciences Foundation Shreveport President, Kevin Flood. “Over 400 donors contributed to the Center of Medical Education in addition to the public funding we received. As a part of our fundraising efforts, we sold bricks for this building, located outside the dining hall in the outdoor plaza. As I was looking over the bricks earlier today, there was one brick that caught my attention because it simply said, ‘You Matter.’ At first it perplexed me, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense, particularly for this audience, because whether you bought a brick, named a classroom, or helped secure public funding, you matter. You understand what LSU Health Shreveport means to the community and the health and wellbeing of our community members. Thank you.”
The LSU Health Sciences Foundation in Shreveport also celebrated their largest private gift to the building, a $2.6 million gift from W. Clinton “Bubba” Rasberry, which was announced at the unveiling. Bubba recognized that the building would need funding for the programs within it, therefore his gift will establish the Rasberry Family Endowed Lecture Series to support bringing Nobel Laurate guest speakers to LSU Health Shreveport to share the latest medical knowledge, science and technology with students and faculty. The lectures will be hosted in the building’s 500-seat auditorium. In recognition of this gift, it was announced that the auditorium would be named the W. Clinton Rasberry Jr. Auditorium.
School of Graduate Studies students
Ashley Wilkins and Ashton Jorgensen and School of Medicine student
Abigail Poe, greet and hand out event programs to attendees.
1 Roy O. Martin, III, LSUHS Center for Medical Education donor; Ray Lasseigne, LSUHS Foundation Board of Directors Member
2 Kevin Flood, LSUHS Foundation President, speaks with donors.
3 Kevin Flood interviews with local CBS affiliate.
4 Bubba Rasberry, LSUHS Foundation Board of Directors Member; Dr. David Lewis, LSUHS School of Medicine Dean; Armand Roos, LSUHS Foundation Past-President and Board Member
”I and my family are following in the footsteps of other individuals and families who have supported LSU Health Shreveport. Our belief is that LSU Health Shreveport is the most significant asset to our community and all of North Louisiana. The care provided here and the research performed here is essential. It’s my hope that others will consider following and supporting this noble enterprise. The risk and effort necessary for an elevated education must be honored. Life comes from what you give in my opinion; the giving we see today by you, myself and others is for the future.” — W. Clinton “Bubba” Rasberry
An undeniable sentiment of gratitude was shared from all present at the event, but especially towards the elected officials who supported LSU Health Shreveport by securing $59 million for the project, which was 74% of the total funding. Senator Greg Tarver echoed this sentiment in his remarks, “It was not an easy battle to get to this point, but I want to say that because of Gov. John Bel Edwards, it was much easier because he worked with us. He is committed to North Louisiana and LSU Health Shreveport. It takes all of us from North Louisiana to get things done for the university. Years ago, it took the community working together to get LSU Health Shreveport’s name and autonomy changed. We must keep working together to grow Shreveport and this institution, because it is the biggest plum in our community and we want it to be the greatest school not just in Louisiana, but in America.”
Following the event program, attendees were invited to tour the four-story facility. Donors and officials admired the expansive wellness and educational components of the building and enjoyed finding their sponsored spaces, chairs in the auditorium and brick pavers in the outdoor plaza area. The beautiful, celebratory day was a true reflection of this momentous milestone in the history of LSU Health Shreveport.
1 LSUHS Center of Medical Education Unveiling attendees listen intently to comments by Gov. Edwards.
2 Attendees applaud LSU President, William Tate’s aspirational comments.
3 Drs. Fleurette and Kenneth Abreo, LSUHS Center for Medical Education donors
4 Valencia Sarpy Jones, LSU Board of Supervisors; Governor John Bel Edwards; Rémy Voisin, LSU Board of Supervisors
5 Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux and wife, Elizabeth Arceneaux
6 Dr. David Lewis, Dean of LSUHS School of Medicine and Kathy Lewis, LSUHS Center for Medical Education donors
7 Caddo Parish Commission members and staff: Assistant Administrator Clay Walker, Administrator Erica Bryant, Commissioner Roy Burrell, Commissioner Grace Anne Blake, Former Commissioner Steven Jackson
8 LSUHS Center for Medical Education donors, George and Sandra Bakowski, with LSUHS School of Medicine students
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY
LSU HEALTH SHREVEPORT Hosts 130 Students in Summer Programs
LSU Health Shreveport is proud to partner with local high schools and universities throughout the U.S. to promote careers in healthcare, science and healthcare administration to top-tier students. The institution hosted 130 high school, undergraduate and medical school students in June and July for summer learning, leadership and research opportunities. Each of the opportunities encompassed its own celebrations or milestones: a discovery program, hosted by the School of Allied Health Professions, marked its third year of program; students
Summer Student Leadership Program
participating in the Office for Administration and Finance’s leadership program were recognized by the Shreveport City Council; research programs touted 46 mentors who devoted their time and expertise as well as a diverse group of students from high school to medical school who discovered or deepened their passions for research.
Learn more about the summer programs at: lsuhs.edu/summer-programs
The Summer Student Leadership Program (SSLP) is an eight-week internship program designed to expose undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in business and administration disciplines to the daily business operations of a higher education institution. The interns work in different administrative and finance departments at LSU Health Shreveport such as human resources, information technology, departmental business management and more.
This year’s SSLP cohort consisted of 10 students from eight universities: Grambling State University, Centenary College, Dillard University, LSU Shreveport, Northwestern State University, LSU, Southern Arkansas University and University of Arkansas.
As a culmination of this year’s program, the SSLP students attended a Shreveport City Council Meeting on July 25 to gain understanding of informed citizenship and local government. The Council recognized the students at the meeting and commended their hard work and leadership. The group also completed a community service project, volunteering in the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier’s Red Apron Pantry, which provides healthy food to local families.
MENTORS Make a Difference
For Harterica Hines,
a student in an Office for Diversity Affairs summer program, mentors have been pivotal in her journey to become a practicing physician. Harterica grew up in Mansfield, Louisiana, a small, rural town with a population of 4,500. Growing up, Harterica recalls her family and community often traveling to Shreveport for healthcare. When Harterica and her family did see their local doctors, she didn’t see herself represented in them. The first time Harterica remembers encountering a Black, female physician was when she was given the opportunity to shadow Dr. Gretchen Petterway, a Shreveport pediatrician and LSUHS School of Medicine alumnus who is also from Mansfield. Harterica shadowed Dr. Petterway while studying Biological Sciences at LSU Shreveport with the goal of becoming a doctor. “When I saw Dr. Petterway and how she interacted with and reassured her patients and their parents, I knew that was the type of doctor I wanted to be.”
After finishing her undergraduate degree at LSU Shreveport, Harterica did not initially get accepted to medical school. She went on to earn her Master of Public Health and Master in Biological Sciences from her alma mater and in 2017 began her first semester of medical school at Ross University School of Medicine, an international medical school in the Caribbean. While in her first semester, category-5 Hurricane Maria, left a wake of destruction on the Island of Dominica and Ross University. Harterica and her classmates spent the remainder of the semester on a cruise ship docked or at sea near St. Kitts before being transferred to the Lincoln Memorial University campus in Knoxville, TN for two semesters and then to Barbados, where Ross University School of Medicine relocated following the hurricane, for two semesters. Harterica finished her medical education and clinical rotations during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
After a tumultuous few years, Harterica recognized that she could not bring her best self to a residency program immediately following her medical education. She turned to her trusted mentor, Dr. Petterway, as well as family friends who encouraged her and supported her decision to take a “gap year” before applying for residency programs. They connected her with LSU Health Shreveport’s Assistant Vice Chancellor for Diversity Affairs, Dr. Toni Thibeaux, who invited her to apply to participate in one of her summer research programs. Once accepted, Dr. Thibeaux recognized a unique situation and molded Harterica’s experience in the program around her greatest need: to stay medically relevant while waiting to apply for the 2024 Match cycle.
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY
Allied Health Education and Discovery Program
The Allied Health Education and Discovery Program (AHEAD) completed its third year of the program in July. AHEAD is a week-long immersive experience designed for high school students, providing them with the opportunity to explore eight different health fields, including respiratory therapy, medical laboratory science, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, public health and speech-language pathology.
This year, 45 students from 14 local high schools participated in the program during two sessions, one in June and one in July. Since its inception, a total of 111 students have participated in the AHEAD program.
“The AHEAD Program offers a unique opportunity for students to delve into the vast spectrum of healthcare careers. It allows them to explore different roles, enabling them to identify the paths that resonate best with their personalities and align with their educational and professional goals. What truly distinguishes this program is its commitment to not only exploring careers but also providing valuable insights into the necessary pathways for pursuing these fields. Students receive guidance on how to become competitive applicants for these highly sought-after health programs,” stated AHEAD Program Director and School of Allied Professions faculty member, Madeline Barclay. AHEAD also focuses on recruiting students who are underrepresented in the allied health fields. In 2023, 68% of the participants were a part of an underrepresented group.
Dr. Thibeaux paired Harterica with an LSU Health Shreveport faculty member who specializes in pediatric sports medicine, Dr. Ruikang Liu. During the program, Harterica spent eight weeks working full-time alongside Dr. Liu at the Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – Viking Drive Multispecialty Center. Harterica shared that working with Dr. Liu has made her a better clinician. “It has been so helpful. God is so funny, because when I was in medical school, I struggled with sports medicine-related exams. But now I get the chance to refine my skills working with Dr. Liu,” she says. She goes on about her experience, “I’ve been able to stay medically relevant and continue to work on my physical exams, my diagnoses and how I treat my patients.” Harterica remarks that Dr. Liu has been a spectacular mentor to her. She praises his patience, love for teaching and ability to give helpful feedback. “He is so patient, not only with me as his mentee, but with his patients. He takes time to listen and care for each patient with no rush, and that has been so encouraging for me to watch and be a part of. It’s been amazing to have a mentor who is invested in me
and who will challenge me.” Harterica says Dr. Liu has been a true model of what she wants to exemplify as a doctor.
The mentorship with Dr. Liu has been a unique, but gratifying experience for Dr. Liu and Harterica. Dr. Liu recalls meeting with Harterica at the beginning of the program and having an honest conversation about what their mentorship would be like, discussing goals and expectations. Dr. Lui subsequently tailored the experience to Harterica as an individual. “She gave me permission to push her. And that was a helpful conversation to have because I was able to treat her like an intern or resident rather than giving her an experience more on the med-student level.” He says that this proved to be very positive for her as she gained confidence over the eight weeks of mentorship. Not only did the mentorship help her stay medically relevant, but Dr. Liu expressed that the experience would prove to help her not only with matching to a residency, but in residency itself. “Harterica was able to help with distinctive sports medicine experiences that will strengthen her CV and Match application. And while no one
can truly be prepared for residency, I believe the additional clinical experience she’s been able to gain will give her confidence and a head start.” Dr. Liu plans to continue to mentor Harterica as she approaches the Match cycle through helping her with her personal statement, CV, etc., committed to going beyond the original structure of their mentorship.
Harterica’s goal is to earn a pediatric residency match in the 2024 Match cycle and then to return to North Louisiana to practice. On the possibility of returning to her hometown of Mansfield, she says “I love the idea of creating a place in my community that anyone, especially the locals, would want to bring their kids to receive the same, quality care as the next town 30 miles away.” Harterica is anxious and excited for her future as a practicing physician. She attributes her success to the support of her family and mentors and is grateful to have their continued support along the way. “Having a mentor and knowing I can go to them for help, even after my designated mentorship has finished, means the world to me.”
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY
Summer Research at LSU Health Shreveport
LSU Health Shreveport is proud to have hosted seven research programs comprised of 75 students throughout the summer. High school, undergraduate and medical school students participating in the programs were mentored by 46 mentors that represented 16 departments in the Schools of Medicine and Graduate Studies and the Library. During their five to eight weeks of research, students worked alongside their mentors and laboratory staff conducting research as well as attending extracurricular activities such as guest lectures, journal clubs, lab coat tie-dye events and research program socials. At the end of the summer, each of the program participants had the opportunity to present their research to peers and LSU Health Shreveport faculty and students and share their findings from the summer.
The Summer Research Programs are hosted by the Office for Diversity Affairs, the Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences, the Departments of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Neuroscience and the Department of Microbiology & Immunology.
Curiosity leads to CURIOUS Program
Tiffiny Longstratt has lived in the Shreveport-Bossier City area since high school but considers herself being from everywhere as she spent time in various places throughout her life while her parents were actively serving in the United States Navy. When asked about her education and career journey so far, Tiffiny shared that it hasn’t been linear in the traditional sense.
While many people are familiar with students who take a gap year, Tiffiny took a gap decade after high school and completed a degree in journalism before deciding to pursue a career in the medical field and her nursing degree. Her first job in healthcare was working as a medical scribe at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport. Tiffiny has always kept her eye out for scholarship and award programs to support her education journey. It was during her employee orientation that she learned about how many opportunities and programs were available for students to participate in. She started looking into various options and landed on the LSU Health Shreveport summer student research program website, which prompted her to reach out to Dr. Karen Stokes, Professor of Molecular and Cellular Physiology.
“When journalism or writing meets science, I see research. I wanted to get some more information about the programs and [Dr. Stokes] offered me a chance to come over and meet her and to take a tour of the labs, and that’s how it got started,” shared Tiffiny.
Through her conversation and subsequent visits with Dr. Stokes, Tiffiny learned about the Cardiovascular Undergraduate Research Initiative fOr Underrepresented Students (CURIOUS) program at LSU Health Shreveport, of which Dr. Stokes is the director and principal investigator. Funded by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R25 Research Education Program grant,
CURIOUS is a summer research program for underrepresented minority undergraduate students interested in pursuing research as part of their scientific or clinical career goals. Each year, ten outstanding students are selected from across the United States to spend the summer in Shreveport and participate in the eightweek intensive cardiovascular research program. Each student is assigned a faculty mentor and conducts research in their lab. Students also participate in weekly enrichment and skills training activities and are invited to present a poster on their research project at CURIOUS Research Day at the conclusion of the program.
Tiffiny applied for and was accepted as a CURIOUS program student for 2023, which marked the fourth year for CURIOUS at LSU Health Shreveport. “I feel like I’ve come here with a set of skills, life experience and a perspective that I really do think healthcare could benefit from and that could be valuable. With my background in mass communications, I really want to know what that message is when it comes to science and cardiovascular diseases, and how to change patient outcomes and use my grant writing abilities and experiences,” shared Tiffiny.
During her time in the CURIOUS program, Tiffiny found the enrichment activities particularly beneficial and made a point to reach out to presenters to share her appreciation for their time and the information they shared. “I may not be able to use it in the next eight weeks or while in the program, but on my journey through applying to graduate school and medical school I may need this information,” she said.
Following her summer as a CURIOUS student, Tiffiny joined the inaugural cohort of the Bachelor of Sciences (BSN) Career Alternative RN Education (CARE) Program hosted at LSU Health Shreveport’s School of Allied Health Professions in partnership with LSU Health New Orleans. She will continue to work in her mentor’s lab and one day plans to apply to the MD-PhD program at LSU Health Shreveport.
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY
School of Medicine Hosts 22nd Camp Tiger
For 22 years, School of Medicine students have hosted a free, five-day camp for children with disabilities such as cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, autism and other disabilities. The 2023 Camp Tiger was held from June 5 to June 9 with 66 campers and over 150 medical student volunteers.
Camp Tiger provides an exciting and fun-filled opportunity for children to experience new activities and social interaction with their peers. Campers receive individual attention from camp counselors to ensure this event is safe and engaging for every participant. Throughout the week of camp, this year’s campers participated in a variety of activities in the Shreveport-Bossier community such as trips to Hot Wheels of Wonder Skating Rink, Sci-Port Discovery Center, Gators and Friends, Holiday Lanes Bowling, Party Central Family Fun Center and more. Camp Tiger concluded with its annual Family Day allowing campers, their families and counselors to share in active and celebratory activities as a memorable way to close the week.
“As the director, planning Camp Tiger has been rewarding as I saw how much of an impact we had on the campers. Hearing from parents about a child - who normally does not dress himself - being fully dressed and ready to attend camp each morning warms my heart. Similarly, the dedication of the medical students involved shows a genuine interest in serving the community and creating the best possible experience for these campers every summer. The counselors and campers truly form a lifelong friendship that will not only serve as a lasting memory for the camper but also an experience that will shape us into better physicians,” stated the 2023 Camp Tiger Director and secondyear medical student, Trevor Blackstock.
Pars for Peds Raises $42,000 — Largest Total in Event History
On Saturday, August 26, LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine students held the third annual Pars for Peds Golf Tournament fundraiser at Huntington Park Golf Course, raising over $42,000. Community supporters, along with LSU Health Shreveport faculty, residents and students, came together to golf for good. Proceeds from this year’s event, the largest total since the event’s inception, are being combined with the 2022 tournament’s proceeds of $25,000 to renovate the atrium at Ochsner LSU Health – St. Mary Medical Center into a teen-friendly space for patients, complete with grass turf, a lounge space and a movie screen.
Medical Students Begin Preparations for Camp Tiger 2024
On Saturday, October 14, 2023 the School of Medicine began preparing for 2024’s Camp Tiger event. Medical students held Clays for Camp Tiger, an annual clay-shooting tournament benefiting Camp Tiger at the Shreveport Gun Club. Over 75 participants and other community supporters helped raise over $42,000 for a great cause!
Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery Departments Make a Difference for Junior Olympic Competitor
The LSU Health Shreveport Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery fellows, residents and faculty provided services for the International Junior Olympics Judo Competition in Shreveport, LA in June. After a competitor, Emma Alservado, suffered a shoulder injury, the Sports Medicine team referred her to the orthopaedic department for further treatment. She described her experience in an Instagram post:
“I had a little hiccup this weekend at the International Jr. Olympics. In my fight for gold, I ended up dislocating my shoulder and completely fracturing my humerus head. Thankfully with the expertise of the Orthopaedic Surgery team at LSU Health Shreveport, my shoulder was repositioned without pins and a plate. This is just another obstacle in my journey. I will continue to improve myself and fix this kink in my armor so I can be a better and stronger version of myself.”
Emma placed first for the United States team and placed second in the international competition.
LSU Health Shreveport’s
35-YEAR IMPACT
on the
SUZANNE WILSON family
What started as a regular day on November 14, 1989, for Suzanne Wilson, a 15-year-old sophomore at Haughton High School, turned out to be a day that would change her life forever.
Two months after getting her driver’s license, Suzanne had just dropped off some friends after cheering at a basketball game when she missed a curve and hit a tree. Her injury was critical, requiring her to be airlifted to Schumpert Medical Center (SMC) in Shreveport. Once stabilized, Suzanne and her family learned that she had a T6 spinal cord injury leaving her paralyzed from the chest down. Devastated but not defeated, Suzanne’s mom, Irene Sullivan, quickly inquired if her daughter could have a normal life, and the answer was yes, which provided immediate hope that some aspects of Suzanne’s life would follow a normal trajectory.
Another Suzanne, physical therapist Dr. Suzanne Tinsley, entered the picture soon after the accident and connected quickly with this highly motivated patient. Dr. Tinsley, then a physical therapist at SMC, offered acute physical therapy (PT) while Suzanne was hospitalized. A few months later, in March of 1990, Dr. Tinsley accepted a faculty position at the School of Allied Health Professions at LSU Health Shreveport, and Suzanne elected to follow Dr. Tinsley to LSU Health Shreveport to continue her initial rehabilitation. Suzanne was one of the first patients treated in the School of Allied Health Professions faculty practice clinic as well as the first participant in a clinical research project initiated by Dr. Tinsley to evaluate the use of
functional electrical stimulation and bracing for cardiovascular conditioning for individuals with spinal cord injury.
Even as the reality of life being paralyzed from the chest down set in, Suzanne was insistent that she do everything possible for herself. Those tasks started out small with learning how to dress herself and maneuver in and out of her wheelchair, followed by successfully navigating curbs and ramps. That fierce spirit of independence only grew stronger as time went by with Suzanne returning to her beloved sports of water and snow skiing. Attending college had been a goal before the accident, and that did not change due to her paralysis. The only thing that did change was where Suzanne wanted to go to college. After a visit to East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) just before graduation, Suzanne changed her original plan of joining friends at Northwestern State University to earn a degree in education. Suzanne realized that attending a college with ADA-compliant dorms would allow her to retain her independence, which was critical to her. This decision, like others, turned out to be life changing as she met her future husband, Clint, during her freshman year. Clint, a junior at ETBU, fell in love with Suzanne, somehow convincing her and her parents for them to wed a year later when Suzanne was a sophomore. The following year, Suzanne became pregnant
with a girl. Her OBGYN, Dr. E. B. Robinson, was the first of several LSU Health Shreveport graduates to impact her life post-accident. Dr. Robinson referred Suzanne to a perinatal specialist, having never delivered a baby from a mother paralyzed from the chest down. It turned out that the perinatal specialist, Dr. David Lewis, was yet another graduate of the LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine. Dr. Lewis gave Suzanne very unexpected news when he shared that she did not need a perinatal specialist as he anticipated that everything would run smoothly with her pregnancy and delivery. This was fantastic news for Suzanne and Dr. Robinson who was very eager to deliver Suzanne’s child. The pregnancy went well with inducement occurring at 37 weeks. Suzanne was over the moon when achieving her goal of delivering a beautiful healthy seven-pound baby girl named Micahla without any complications. Just two years later another LSU Health Shreveport physician who was on call while Dr. Robinson was on vacation delivered her son Reid, again without surgical intervention. Suzanne remains thankful to this day to those doctors and the nurses who guided her through the pushing phase of both her deliveries as she was unable to feel the contractions or push. Those “angels on earth” guided her babies from the womb into the world making Suzanne and Clint the happiest of parents.
After having children, Suzanne began teaching fourth and fifth grades at Princeton Elementary. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Suzanne taught PE and served as the cheerleader sponsor for eight years before moving to middle school which was physically less demanding. She retired in 2012 when her children were in the ninth and twelfth grades, feeling blessed to have to have worked 12 years in Bossier Parish school system achieving her dream of being a teacher.
By this time, Suzanne noticed her strength and stamina had dwindled and committed herself to investing more time in her health now that her children were older. As someone who always gives 110%, Suzanne did too much too quickly, leading to very common overuse injuries to her shoulders and wrist. This led to a re-evaluation of her daily activities allowing her to regain her energy and strength. Despite this setback, Suzanne’s retirement from teaching didn’t last long as she quickly rejoined the workforce opening a home décor store in Bossier City. She enjoyed this new venture immensely but gladly sold three
years later when her daughter made her a grandmother with the birth of baby girl June.
In 2020, Suzanne Wilson reconnected with Dr. Tinsley after pondering what new technology might be available to assist with her goal of improving her heart health as traditional methods for cardiovascular improvement weren’t possible due to her paralysis. Dr. Tinsley, realizing Suzanne had been somewhat less active over the last 20 years, which increased her risk factors for insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, reached out to Suzanne’s primary care physician, Dr. Leslie Sewell, another School of Medicine graduate, to start the medical assessments that were needed before starting a physical therapy program. Suzanne’s primary complaints were feeling tired and out of shape. She knew she needed to move more but wasn’t sure how to without overusing her shoulders and elbows. Her new fitness journey started with getting a standing frame in her home to start weight bearing into her legs and building up tolerance to standing, improving bone strength. Soon after, she began a twice a week outpatient session involving a 12-lead functional electrical stimulation cycle programmed to deliver muscle stimulation to her legs to improve her cardiovascular conditioning. Within six months, Suzanne noticed a major difference in her abdominal and leg muscles and the overall muscle tone in her legs. Additionally, her energy level soared along with enhanced cardiovascular and muscular skeletal health. This advanced technology that led to significant improvement for Suzanne was acquired through a generous gift by Jeff Springmeyer to the LSU Health Shreveport Foundation.
Suzanne is grateful for LSU Health Shreveport’s decades of impact on her quality of life, allowing her not only to thrive despite an unfortunate accident in her youth, but in facilitating her greatest gift of all – her children. Speaking of children, Suzanne’s son Reid added another LSU Health Shreveport healthcare provider to the list of those impacting their family by marrying medical student Hannah Logan who is now Dr. Hannah Logan-Wilson, a first-year med-peds resident. With this development and Suzanne’s focus of maintaining the energy and strength achieved over the past few years, LSU Health Shreveport seems destined to continue impacting the Suzanne Wilson family for decades to come.
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY
Resident Council Donates 450+ Gifts to Local Caddo Parish School
On Monday, December 18, members of the LSU Health Shreveport Resident Council delivered over 450 gifts to students at Caddo Heights Math/Science Elementary School (CHMSE). Prior to the delivery, the resident council organized a toy drive with the School of Medicine departments and students collecting gifts, ensuring that each child at the school received a present.
At the holiday event, staff at CHMSE brought each class to the school gymnasium for their holiday surprise. There they found Santa waiting, organized by Principal Cleveland Mouton. As they were led to their seats, whispers of excitement bubbled into audible giggles as each student was handed a gift by an LSU Health Shreveport resident. After a countdown, the room exploded with cheer as the students opened their gifts. Our residents received countless hugs and left the event filled with holiday spirit.
Otolaryngology Faculty and Resident Provide Educational Outreach to High School Students
While attending the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngologists and Head and Neck Surgeons, Dr. Gauri Mankekar, Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (HNS), and Dr. Mark Knackstedt, thirdyear Otolaryngology HNS resident, volunteered with the American Neurotology Society at a local high school in Nashville, TN, where the conference was held. They, along with other members of the ANS, spoke with students about a variety of topics such as what otolaryngology is, risks of vaping, middle ear surgery and cochlear implantation.
Allied Health Student Government Association Leads Campus Beautification Day
On Saturday, November 4, School of Allied Health Professions students and faculty came together for a campus beautification day for the LSU Health Shreveport and Mollie E. Webb Speech and Hearing Center (Mollie Webb) campuses. The Student Government Association led the event in which 55 individuals participated. Those present were split into two teams with one volunteering at the main campus and one at Mollie Webb Speech and Hearing Center. Those at the LSU Health Shreveport campus worked to clean up litter around our properties and the campus’s perimeter, while the other was tasked with moving five tons of pea gravel from Mollie Webb’s parking lot to their patient playground as well as painting the pavers that lead to the playground entrance. We are grateful to those who volunteered and served our campus and patients served at Mollie Webb as well as the event sponsors Lynch’s Lawn and Fence, Rambin Construction and Shreveport Green.
Students, Faculty & Residents Partner with Local Hispanic Health Fair
LSU Health Shreveport was proud to participate in a health fair hosted by RASA (Resource Access Service Association) at the Highland Center in August. Fifty-two faculty, students and residents participated and provided health screenings for hypertension, glucose and lipid testing, and BMI as well as back-to-school physicals for children. The health fair served 118 adults and 48 children.
Office for Diversity Affairs Holds 5th Annual HBCU Educational Conference
Sixty students representing 13 Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) visited the LSU Health Shreveport campus from November 9-11 to discover pathways to medicine, allied health professions and research. Students were able to hear from LSU Health Shreveport leadership, faculty, residents and students about topics such as becoming competitive program applicants, admissions, navigating medical school as a person of color and other offerings from the Office for Diversity Affairs.
A new aspect of this year’s conference included students participating in mock clinics and a suturing workshop hosted by School of Medicine, a reverse poster presentation from the School of Graduate Studies introducing participants to PhD and MD/PhD offerings, and a career fair at the School of Allied Health Professions to discover allied health career options that are available at the university.
“We work diligently to create an environment where all students feel welcome and are provided with the support required to ensure their success. The opportunity for these prospective students to meet our current learners, faculty and leadership is an ideal way for them to recognize the depth of our investment and interest in student success,” stated Toni Thibeaux, ED, MPH, CLS, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Diversity Affairs.
Medical Student Research Program
Yields Its Largest Cohort
On Wednesday, October 18, the School of Medicine’s Medical Student Research Program (MSRP) held a poster presentation competition to celebrate the hard work of the seventy students who participated in the program. Over the summer of 2023, students spent 10-12 hours a week for five weeks working on research projects with a faculty mentor. The Medical Student Research Program aims to foster research activity, inspire students to learn more about the research process and contribute to students building a highly competitive residency resume.
Congratulations to the winners of the basic science and clinical research categories!
Project Title: “Establishing the efficacy of MTORi as adjuvant therapy alone or in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor in TP53 mutant Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)”
Project Title: “Inhibition of NOD agnoist induced cytopathy by reservatrol”
2nd Place (tie): Sylvia Mullen, MSII
Mentor: Terry Lairmore, MD Department: Surgery
Project Title: “Patient-specific modeling for parathyroid adenomas using 3-D printing”
8th Annual Redstone Residency Poster Competition
LSU Health Shreveport’s Graduate Medical Education program held its 8th Annual Regional Poster Presentation in May, where residents and fellows are invited to present their research and compete for prizes sponsored by Redstone Agency. This year’s theme was “Meeting the Health Needs of Patients: Keeping Patients Safe.”
Congratulations to the following winners!
1st PLACE
Dr. Saudamini Lele
PGY-4, Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
“Role of Circulating Tumor DNA in Head and Neck Cancer Surveillance”
2nd PLACE
Dr. Paul Ndunda
PGY-5, Cardiology
“Development and Validation of B2AND2SVWASc Score for Predicting Risk of Stroke One Year After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement”
3rd PLACE (tie)
Dr. Kristie Searcy
PGY-4, Internal Medicine-Pediatrics
“Advanced Care Planning in the Outpatient Setting”
Dr. KayeLinda Heiner
PGY-3, Family Medicine-Alexandria
“Give Mom a Chance: Reducing Primary Cesarean Sections” not pictured
MEDICINE, POLICY AND ENGINEERING
An Unlikely Medical School Candidate Finds Purpose in an Uncommon Intersection
Heidi Ventresca is not your average medical student. Heidi was homeschooled as a child, transitioning to work at the age of 12 and continuing to work full-time in lieu of high school. Hoping for more, she took the ACT, applied to college and began her first formal education at Oklahoma City University (OCU) as a classical music major in 2011. Given the opportunity to fully flesh out her interests for the first time, Heidi took classes she was interested in and soon added a minor in entrepreneurship business. After becoming involved in sports, she expanded her studies even further. With no thoughts of going to medical school, Heidi ultimately received her Bachelor of Arts in Clarinet Performance in May of 2015 and Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Medicine in May of 2016.
While in college, Heidi also explored extracurricular interests and found joy in rowing. She joined the OCU rowing team and competed for three years. The sport unexpectedly became a catalyst for Heidi’s journey to medical school. From 2012 to 2016, Heidi coached elite and Paralympic rowing teams. While coaching, many of her athletes were amputees, and Heidi noticed that the prosthetics they used were not functional for the physical activity they were engaging in. She subsequently began working at a prosthetics and orthotics office, where she became a Certified Prosthetist Orthotics Assistant through the American Board for Certification. While working in prosthetics, Heidi was able to study and understand more about the field and came to a personal conclusion that many surgeons are not amputating limbs with orthotics and prosthetics in mind. Heidi was passionate about changing that… so she set her sights on medical school.
Heidi returned to university to complete the pre-requisite courses she would need to apply for medical school. She eventually applied to LSU Health Shreveport and began her MDjourney in the fall of 2020. She is set to graduate in May of 2024.
While in medical school, Heidi was introduced to the LSU Health Shreveport Student Chapter of the American Medical Association (AMA). Drawn to organized medicine, Heidi immediately began to get involved. She attended her first conferences virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and by the spring of 2021, Heidi joined the Medical Education Standing Committee in the AMA Medical Student Section and was elected as the Region Three Executive Council Secretary. She quickly moved up the ranks
in the Student Section of the AMA, becoming the regional delegate to the AMA House of Delegates in the fall of 2021 and then was elected as Speaker of the AMA Student Section in June 2022 as she was entering her third, and arguably busiest, year of medical school.
According to Heidi, “Being the Speaker could have been its own full-time job. I didn’t entirely realize the scope of the job when I ran for election because I had never been to an in-person meeting.” As the Speaker, Heidi was responsible for conducting the Medical Student Section business and events on the national level. This included planning, developing resources for and executing two national meetings with 400-600 attendees each, overseeing 16 year-round committees as well as nine short-term event committees prior to each meeting, conducting the national elections for the next term, overseeing the policy cycle prior to each meeting, and facilitating the policy debate on the floor at each meeting.
The American Medical Association (AMA), has a membership of 270,000 members. Its governing body, the House of Delegates, is a body of the 12 sections which comes together twice per year to establish policy on health, medical and professional governance matters. The largest of these is the Medical Student Section. Each section is made up of specific groups that develop and debate policies to bring forward to the House of Delegates.
In addition to the regular Speaker duties, Heidi set the bar even higher for her time in the role. She executed the AMA’s first ever hybrid meeting in June 2023, which increased attendance by roughly 200 participants. Additionally, Heidi realized that barriers to attending meetings were often financial. Because there was no research or presentation component, medical schools would not typically sponsor their students’ attendance. Students would instead raise money through their local AMA chapters or self-fund their trips to attend the meetings which were often in higher-cost cities such as Chicago or Honolulu. To help combat this issue, Heidi and her Vice Speaker implemented the first “poster showcase” for the Medical Student Section meeting, an effort that is continuing after her departure. The opportunity for students to present a poster or attend virtually thanks to the hybrid option resulted in an increase of attendees and relieved some of the financial burden for attendees.
When asked how she managed the workload of being a fulltime third-year medical student and Speaker, Heidi recalled a plethora of late, or sleepless, nights and meetings at all hours of the day (and sometimes night). “I thrive when I am busy, and
I don’t enjoy downtime, so this definitely helped with that. It took every ounce of time and energy I had, but I have no regrets.”
What began as an unlikely route to medical school quickly became something much bigger for Heidi: a passion for organized medicine. In her time working with amputees in the Paralympics and while practicing prosthetics, Heidi noticed inequalities in healthcare and health insurance, and her experience with the AMA and exposure to organized medicine showed her a path to help combat those issues. “The AMA is the biggest and most robust way to discover and learn organized medicine. This experience prepared me to work on policy at any level from any point in my career,” Heidi shares. “Holding the position of Speaker was an outstanding training in working with people who you may not always agree with, who are equally in control as you. I learned how to handle so many situations and developed a whole skillset I wouldn’t have had without the experience.”
As Heidi prepares for the 2024 Match, she is trying to enjoy the added downtime she has gained since her tenure as Speaker ended in June. Her hope is to match with an orthopaedic surgery residency and then pursue a more specialized fellowship. Eventually, Heidi plans to become an expert in limb salvage, reconstruction and amputation, hoping to use her experience in prosthetics and orthotics to provide a wrap-around experience from surgery to recovery while improving patient long-term care. Over the years, Heidi has maintained her certification and continued to practice prosthetics and has submitted for a patent on a device to improve amputee outcomes, along with several other prosthetic patents in the works. Heidi knows she’ll continue to use this expertise to help her as a physician and hopeful surgeon, as well as any other opportunities that come her way. Always ambitious, Heidi can only do one thing for so long…after her experience with the AMA, she’s added a law degree to her bucket list.
Faculty and Students Serve as Delegates for Louisiana State Medical Society
Dr. Christina Notarianni, Professor of Neurosurgery, second-year medical student Kali Kingsley, and third-year medical student
Maria Kerrigan Haupt served as Delegates for the Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS) House of Delegates meeting in August. The LSMS House of Delegates meets annually in August to debate and vote on submitted resolutions, which ultimately become official policy, a directive or a part of the organization’s governing bylaws.
School of Medicine
Students Present on International Stage
Third-year medical students
Claudia Rodriguez, Ivan Alvarez, and Liam Ordoyne, presented at the American Head & Neck Society’s International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer in Montreal, Canada in July. Mentored by Dr. John Pang, Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery and Dr. Cherie-Ann Nathan, Chair and Professor of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery.
Rodriguez and Alvarez each presented their research as a platform presentation, and Ordoyne participated in a poster session at the conference. This opportunity promoted LSU Health Shreveport on an international level as well as provided an asset to the three student’s residency applications as they approach their final year of medical school.
Four Physician Assistant Students
Selected as Well-Ahead Rural Scholars
Casey McGarraugh, Ashley Stojkov, Blaire Williams and Kristen Wood, second-year Physician Assistant (PA) students, were selected by the Well-Ahead Louisiana Rural Health Scholars Program for 2023-2024. The Rural Health Scholars Program is a competitive program that encourages healthcare professional students to practice in Louisiana’s health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) by building partnerships between rural and underserved healthcare facilities and colleges and universities. Each grant year, accepted students participate in a short-term rotation to gain experience in a rural healthcare setting.
School of Allied Health Professions Summer Commencement
On Saturday, August 12, 75 graduates walked across the stage to receive their degrees from the School of Allied Health Professions. Graduates attained a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences or a Master’s degree in Communication Disorders, Public Health, Occupational Therapy or Physician Assistant. LSU Board of Supervisors member, Wayne Brown, conferred the degrees.
“It is an honor to lead the dedicated faculty, staff and students in the School of Allied Health Professions. This 2023 commencement is special for several reasons, most of which is the celebration of our graduates’ successes and their future contributions to the continuum of health care across Louisiana, but also because this is the last graduating class of Masters in Occupational Therapy as that program transitions to offering a doctoral degree, and the youngest graduate in the history of LSU Health Shreveport walked across the stage as Isak Schmidley received his degree in Medical Laboratory Science!”, stated Sharon Dunn, PT, PhD, Dean of the School of Allied Health Professions.
ISAK SCHMIDLEY
Makes History as LSU Health Shreveport’s Youngest Graduate
Isak Schmidley, now 16-years-old, began his college education in eighth grade after his micro-Montessori school was unable to continue challenging him in mathematics. He enrolled in a college-level math class at Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) at the age of 12 and soon decided to pursue his associate degree. Isak ultimately earned his associate degree in general science from BPCC, alongside his high school diploma, in May of 2022.
As a teen with a hobby of reading math textbooks in his free time, Isak was surprised to find his love for science while taking a chemistry course in his time at BPCC. It was in this classroom that he not only found a new passion, but discovered a program that would become the next step in his educational journey. Isak saw a flyer for the LSU Health Shreveport School of Allied Health Professions’ Medical Laboratory Science program. Isak knew he loved being in a laboratory setting, so he began to research the
profession and, more importantly, the certification and licensure requirements for the ability to work. “When I was talking to this potential student about an age limit for the program and profession, I had no idea I was talking to a fourteen-year-old,” states Medical Laboratory Science program director, Stephanie Blackburn, EdD, MLS, ASCP. Dr. Blackburn goes on to say, “I didn’t want him to go through this program, graduate and not be able to get a job, or even go through clinicals while in school because of his age. I called local clinical partners to see if they could accommodate him, and thankfully Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport did. I also contacted ASCP, which gives the board certification exams, and the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners to ensure he could sit for his board exams and get his license. I wanted to make sure we did everything ahead of time so when he graduated, he could get a job. Working with him and teaching him has really been a pleasure.”
Once Isak began the program, he did exceptionally well. Dr. Blackburn shared that Isak set the bar high for his peers and anyone who follows him in the program. Isak admits there was a learning curve when entering this new learning environment but felt that the support of the school made all the difference. “I thought it would be a challenge to get acclimated to this environment, but all my classmates and faculty here were so welcoming. I don’t think I could have made it without their support. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to interact with so many different people from different backgrounds. I was able to learn
and experience a lot, and grow from my peers’ experiences, too.” Isak graduated from the School of Allied Health Professions with his Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science on August 12.
His family played a large role in Isak’s success, too. As the oldest of nine siblings, Isak’s parents certainly have more on their plates than the average person. However, they are committed to Isak’s success and education. Isak’s mom, Traci, remarks that it is surprising to have a sixteen-year-old with two college degrees. Their family knew from an early age that Isak had higher-level abilities, but his brilliance was unexpected. As a young mom, she imagined that by middle school, she would be attending things like baseball games or other extracurricular activities for Isak, but instead she is still wowed that for him, education was his main interest. “I think every parent wants to support their children as they discover passions, so we did the same for Isak. His interests just happened to be math and science.”
In addition to their emotional support, Traci and her husband, Adam, provided an immense amount of physical support, too, as Isak only received his driver’s license a few weeks before graduating. Between the two of them, they drove Isak to and from school every day, including during his time at BPCC. Isak’s dad actually spent so much time at BPCC with Isak that he enrolled in classes himself and became a registered nurse.
Although at first, Traci and Adam were apprehensive about Isak’s eligibility for the program due to his age as well as the impact his age gap would have on his social interactions, she says that
once he started his research, “In every step of the path, he was met with open doors. Who were we to close them on him at that point?” She goes on to say that his interactions with his peers were filled with encouragement and support for his unique path. “As a parent, I feel very confident that every young person is going to be influenced from the sphere of their peers, and here at LSU Health Shreveport, the caliber of his peers is so high I can see the way that they have influenced his development as well. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Traci remarks of Isak’s future, “I don’t think there is anything he can’t do. The joy and the beauty will be watching him discover what he wants to do.”
When asked what he would tell other students like him, Isak shared, “I hope I can be an inspiration to other students who want to pursue a career in healthcare. We need more people in the healthcare fields. My advice for other students is to stay true to yourself. It is so easy for people, especially young people, to get caught up in what other people want them to do, but I think the best thing is to do what you’re truly passionate about. I think that would be my advice to anyone.”
Isak is now working as a licensed Medical Laboratory Scientist and is enjoying the profession. “We play quite an essential role in the healthcare field. I didn’t realize quite how important that role was until I started my degree program.” Isak currently works at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport and is already enrolled in his next educational pursuit, a Master of Public Health from LSU Health Shreveport and LSU Shreveport.
Dr. Pamela McPherson Receives Mentorship Award to Enhance Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship
Pamela McPherson, MD, FAPA, Vice Chair and Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program Director, received the 2023 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s Psychodynamic Faculty Initiative Mentorship Award. The goals of the award are to bring recognition and a faculty development opportunity to AACAP members who are teaching psychodynamic theory and therapy in child and adolescent psychiatry fellowships. Dr. McPherson will collaborate with an assigned mentor to create a project designed to enhance the psychodynamic training experience at LSU Health Shreveport.
Dr. Jamie Toms Performs First Robotic Brain Surgery in North Louisiana
Jamie Toms, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, performed the first robotic brain surgery in North Louisiana on September 29. Dr. Toms was also the first doctor in the state to use the Globus ExcelsiusGPS Robotic Navigation Platform for brain surgery. The Platform is designed to improve accuracy and patient care optimization through robotics and navigation.
2023 Allen A. Copping Excellence in Teaching Award Recipient
The Allen A. Copping Excellence in Teaching Award is given each year to selected individuals who are “uniquely gifted in imparting knowledge, possess a lifelong quest for discovery, lead by example, foster a sense of caring and compassion and inspire the young men and women in whose capable hands will rest the health and well-being of the people of Louisiana.” Recipients are nominated by students and peers and are chosen by a committee of their leaders, colleagues and students based strictly on their academic teaching. The Allen A. Copping Excellence in Teaching Award is given at both LSU system health science center campuses in Shreveport and New Orleans and is the highest teaching award. The award is named in honor of the late Dr. Allen A. Copping, former Chancellor of LSU Medical Center and President of the LSU system.
for Allied Health Professions:
Physical Therapy Program Hosts First Faculty Practice Clinic Experience
LSU Health Shreveport third-year Physical Therapy students received “real-world” preparation through a class called “Business Administration and Marketing” this summer. Dr. Amanda Bernard, Director of Clinical Education and Instructor for Physical Therapy, and Dr. Amanda Mahoney, Clinical Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy, developed a three-part series as a part of the class instruction where students crafted cover letters and resumes, completed mock interviews with School of Allied Health Professions faculty members and finally, attended a Faculty Practice Clinic, or job fair, on July 27. Drs. Bernard and Mahoney invited health systems and private practice physical therapy clinics to attend the clinic, which provided students the opportunity to professionally interact with local and regional clinical partners and potential future employers.
Physician Assistant Student Named 2023 Future Educator Fellow
Second-year Physician Assistant (PA) student Casey McGarraugh was selected by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) as a 2023 Future Educator Fellow. Only 15 PA students were selected for this prestigious honor nationwide. Casey will participate in a year-long training program. The Future Educator Fellowship is designed to help PA students develop foundational and functional educator competencies and demonstrate their learning through modules, teach-backs, and scholarly presentations. The Fellows will kick off the Fellowship by attending the annual PAEA Education Forum, followed by a year of monthly modules, leading them to work through educational programming designed to enhance their understanding of the components needed to be a successful PA educator, preceptor, and mentor.
University Police Department Unveils New Headquarters
LSU Health Shreveport’s University Police Department (UPD) recently moved into a newly renovated and expanded office space on campus. Now centrally located on the ground floor of the BRI, the move was well timed as the university opens the new Center for Medical Education. UPD’s new headquarters includes offices for UPD leadership and support staff, surveillance rooms and training areas such as a virtual shooting range. The dynamic space will allow for more student and staff-interaction and on-campus trainings for the UPD workforce.
As a part of National Campus Safety Awareness Month, UPD held a campus-wide open house for visitors to meet UPD leadership, tour their new headquarters and learn more about safety measures and events on campus. You can view their 2023 Annual Security Report at: https://www.lsuhs.edu/about/university-police/annual-security-report.
2023 Allen A. Copping Excellence in Teaching Award
Dr. Robin Steed, LOTR, PhD
Honors & Appointments
Ijeoma Amaze, MD, PGY-1, Family Medicine – Monroe, was elected as the Resident Delegate to the Association of Family Residency Directors (AFMRD) Board of Directors at the National Congress of Family Medicine Residents in Kansas City, MO in July. The AFMRD’s goal is to help achieve excellence in family medicine residency training.
Mohammad A. N. Bhuiyan, PhD, was named LSU Health Shreveport’s first Director of Biostatistics and Computational Biology. Dr. Bhuiyan is responsible for coordinating research activities related to biostatistics and computational biology across all three of our professional schools and represent our institution in matters pertaining to any LSU-wide artificial intelligence and bioinformatics initiatives. Dr. Bhuiyan also serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine.
Hugo Cuellar, MD, PhD, MBA, DABR, FAHA, Chair of Radiology, Professor of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Director of Neurointerventional Surgery, has become the only physician in Louisiana to achieve Recognition of Focused Practice in CNS Endovascular Surgery by the American Board of Neurological Surgery.
Sharon L. Dunn, PT, PhD, Dean of School of Allied Health Professions, was named Vice Chancellor for Academic Administration for the LSU Health Shreveport campus. A new position, Dr. Dunn will streamline key academic functions that support each professional school such as Financial Aid, Institutional Planning, Effectiveness and Accreditation, the Library and the Registrar’s Office.
Megan Flavin, PT, DPT, was named Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs for the School of Allied Health Professions. Dr. Flavin assumed the role after serving as the Director of Clinical Operations for two years where she worked to ensure a smooth clinical infrastructure transition for the school’s providers and staff, monitored provider credentials, negotiated new contracts and enhanced communications with clinical faculty and staff. Dr. Flavin also serves as an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy.
Lauren Gentile, a recent graduate of the School of Allied Health Professions Physician Assistant program, was awarded a PAs STEP Up Grant from the nccPA Health Foundation. Lauren submitted her proposal, “Advocating the PA Profession to Louisiana High School Students to Increase Representation of Black or African American PAs in Louisiana” during her time as a student, and the grant will be implemented by the current program students.
Kenneth McMartin, PhD, Professor of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Neuroscience, received the Career Achievement Award from the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology at the North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology meeting in Montreal, Canada on September 28. In addition to receiving the award, Dr. McMartin was invited to give the Career Achievement lecture at the meeting.
Honors & Appointments
Cherie-Ann Nathan, MD, FACS, Chair and Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, was reappointed to the American College of Surgeons’ Board of Governors. Dr. Nathan was appointed as a Specialty Society Governor representing the Fellows in the Triological Society for the next three years. She will serve as a direct communications link between the Fellows of the College and the members of the Board of Governors.
Kelly Pagidas, MD, MA, FACOG, FRCS, was promoted to Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education and Administration for the School of Medicine. Dr. Pagidas has dutifully focused on aligning academic processes of the medical education program to ensure the highest educational standards, meet LCME accreditation compliance and position our medical students for success.
Michael “Mike” Sewell, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Hospital Medicine Division, was named Interim Chair of Internal Medicine. Dr. Sewell has served on the faculty at LSU Health Shreveport since 2019, where he is actively engaged in teaching students and residents.
Wanda Thomas, MD, FAAP, Associate Dean for Admissions for School of Medicine, Professor of Pediatrics, was named the 2023-2024 President-Elect for the National Area Education Health Centers (AHEC) Organization. Dr. Thomas also serves as the LSU Health Shreveport AHEC Program Director.
John Vanchiere, MD, PhD, was named Associate Vice Chancellor for Clinical Research. Dr. Vanchiere is responsible for growing clinical research on the LSU Health Shreveport campus by supporting research excellence initiatives and being a liaison for the Office of Research and clinical departments to best determine support and resources needed, fostering collaboration between clinical, allied health and basic science faculty members as well as external collaborations with clinical research sponsors, and facilitating research planning and training for clinical faculty. He continues to serve as a Professor of Pediatrics and Infectious Disease.
Andrew Yurochko, PhD, Professor of Microbiology & Immunology, Director of Center for Applied Immunology and Pathological Processes (CAIPP), Associate Director of Research for Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, was chosen as a Distinguished Lecturer for the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Distinguished Lecturers are invited to speak at ASM meetings across the country to promote the discipline of microbiology and serve two-year terms.
Qihui “Jim” Zhai, MD, FACP, was named Chair of Pathology & Translational Pathobiology and began his tenure at LSU Health Shreveport on August 1. Dr. Zhai previously served as Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology as well as Founder and Medical Director of the FISH and Molecular Laboratory in the same department at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Jacksonville, Florida. He is a Fellow and President-elect of the College of American Pathologists.
2023 Employee Excellence Awards
The LSU Health Sciences Foundation was pleased to join LSU Health Shreveport in recognizing the 2023 Employee Excellence Award winners. These remarkable employees raise the standard of excellence for our institution and community. Recipients were chosen based on their dedication, excellence in attitude, skills and work ethic. Each recipient received a $500 award and recognition at the Employee Excellence and Service Dinner at East Ridge Country Club on November 9, 2023.
Thank You to Campus Federal Credit Union for their partnership to help recognize these dedicated employees!
Christina Dominique Neurosurgery
Dr. Mary Edens
Emergency Medicine
Caitlin Garner
Internal Medicine/ Gastroenterology
Madis George
SAHP Dean’s Office
Dominique Griffin
Computer Services
Bridget Hall
Feist-Weiller Cancer Center
Trey Lankford
Medical & Strategic Communications
Ty Martinez
Pharmacology, Toxicology, & Neuroscience
Brooke McGaugh
Family Medicine
Jessica Paul
Clinical Trials Office
Employee Service Award Honorees
Congratulations to the 166 Employee Service Award Honorees for 2023. These individuals have contributed 2,475 years of service to our institution. Their efforts and unwavering dedication support LSU Health Shreveport’s mission to teach, heal and discover.
5-year
Dr. Fawaz Alotaibi
Dr. Hosne Ara
Dr. Ameya Asarkar
Dr. Pooja Basnet
Dr. Karl Bilderback
Keisha Bonyfield
Donald Brice
Aysia Brown
April Brown
Dr. Kayla Burkhardt
Dr. David Chambers
Dr. Brad Chauvin
Wendy Chriss
Sandra Darby
Vanessa Davis
Hannah Ditt
Christina Dominique
Ashley Dunn
Dr. Jonathan Eaton
Lawenica Evans
Sonya French
Dr. Naomi Ghildiyal
KaKayla Golden
Elizabeth GreggsChristaw
Trenton Hall
Anita Harris
Julie Harrison
Danielle Hartman
Joshua Hollis
Terri Holtby
Dr. Anusha Kallurkar
Dr. Steven Kautz
Dr. Nazih Khater
Dr. Shreedhar
Kulkarni
Bridget Lee
Dr. Charles Lobrano
Dr. Sylvester Yari
Mapoh
Toree Mason
Dr. Edward Morgan
Dr. Vinh Nguyen
Henry Nwokolo
Krystal Pearce
Bridget Powell
Dr. Lauren Rachal
Dr. Sarah Rainwater
Mary Salter-Menard
Marvin Seets
Dr. Amos Sit
Tracey Small
Dr. Justine Tripp
Dr. Rachel Voss
Dr. Dongdong Wang
Dr. Robert White
Rebecca Wilder
Perry Yanez
10-year
Carmen Artison
Latravious Brown
Mary Cook-Butler
Dr. Elizabeth Disbrow
David Foster
Dr. Charles Fox
Brian Gardner
Sharon Grubbs
Alysa Irving
Nina Jones
Kellie JonesVan Domelen
Julia Knight
Megan Lerchie
Dr. Vinh Nguyen
William Olmstadt
Dr. Manikandan
Panchatcharam
Cindy Rives
Justin Roy
Laura Seachord
Fred Sullivan
Dr. Randolph Taylor
Dr. Sridhar Tirumala
Angelia Turner
Dr. John Wagner
Sha Williams
Dr. Michelle YetmanKatz
Dr. Peimin Zhu
15-year
Kim Atkins
Angela Benedetto
Dr. Kevin Carter
Christine Cheney
Tamra Cochran
Debbie Crafts
Alberteen Davenport
Annie Douglas
Julia Esparza
Gabriel Evans
Ashley Fort
Dominique Griffin
Bridget Hall
Quartina Henderson
Dr. Long Jin
Eboni Lacour
Dr. Dana Mays
Dr. Anthony Orr
Dr. Celso Palmieri
Dr. Adrian Sequeira
Dr. Anthony Sin
Debra Valentine
Megan Watts
20-year
Towanno Alexander
Wendi Barnette
Dr. Pat Bass
Kathleen Bloomingdale
Jonathan Brewer
Dr. Marlene Broussard
Russell Crews
Susan Galambos
Christopher Hardjasudarma
Dr. Shile Huang
Monica Johnson
Courtney Keller
Dr. Dongsoo Kim
Michael Leon
Dr. Gary Menefee
Jennifer Nicholson
Dr. Christi Rinaudo
Dr. Guillermo Sangster
Carmen SutherlinFaulk – deceased
Mary Templeton
Dr. Wanda Thomas
Cynthia Whitten
Dr. Christopher Wolcott
25-year
Lesley Arnott
Dr. Marc Colon
Linda Doucet
George Fobbs
Dr. Derrel Graham
Jennifer Harper
Debbie Henderson
Kimberley Hutchinson
Kent Judkins
Lisa Mason
Candace Posey
Dr. Thomas Redens
Stacey Stringer
30-year
Dr. Thomas Arnold
Jacinda Dupuy
Dr. Donard Dwyer
Lea Green
Dr. William Grimes
Dr. Samina Hayat
Barbara Jenkins
Queenie Jones
Dr. Nancy Leidenheimer
Ronald Maloney
Dr. Martin
Muggeridge
Leisa Oglesby
Marion Plummer
Chris Winner
Dr. Stephan Witt
35-year
Cynthia Brewer
Dr. Leonard Prouty
Dr. David Scarborough
40-year
Dr. William Byrd
45-year
Kathleen Ballard
Sheila Lofton
ALUMNI
Haley Arceneaux
School of Allied Health Professions, Class of 2016
After beating childhood osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, at age 10, Haley went on to graduate from the School of Allied Health Professions in 2016 as a Physician’s Assistant (PA). After graduation, Haley moved to Memphis, Tennessee to work as a PA at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where she was treated as a child. At age 29, Haley was invited to be a part of the first private-citizen orbital mission, Inspiration4, which launched from Kennedy Space Center and raised over $200M for St. Jude research. Most recently, Haley and her co-passengers were featured in the 2023 Guinness Book of World Records.
Alana Gray
School of Graduate Studies, Class of 2015
Dr. Alana Gray graduated from the School of Graduate Studies in 2015 with a PhD in Microbiology & Immunology. Following her graduation, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at FeistWeiller Cancer Center and went on to become a Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Segue Science Labs, LLC and Segue Science Management, LLC. She is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Oleolive, Inc. and is a USPTO Registered Patent Agent. Dr. Gray was the alumni speaker for the 2023 Graduate Student Research Day.
Jaffar Khan
School of Medicine, Class of 1993
Dr. Jaffar Khan graduated from the School of Medicine in 1993 and completed his neurology residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in 1997. He then completed a fellowship in clinical neurophysiology at Emory University School of Medicine and joined their faculty in 1988, serving in multiple leadership roles during his tenure. In March 2023, Dr. Khan was appointed Chair of the Department of Neurology in the Emory University School of Medicine after leading the department as Interim Chair since May 2021.
Michael Bagley Johnston
School of Allied Health Professions, Class of 2018
Michael graduated from the School of Allied Health Professions in 2018 with her master’s degree in speech-language pathology. During her professional career, Michael has worked with a wide variety of populations and disorders. She has gained experience working as a speech-language pathologist in private practice, elementary schools and pediatric day health care centers for medically fragile children, as well as providing early intervention in homes and daycares. Michael has had the opportunity to evaluate and treat children with receptive and
notes
expressive language disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays, feeding/oral motor and swallowing disorders, down syndrome, childhood apraxia of speech, and other genetic and medically complex disorders. She recently received the American SpeechLanguage-Hearing Association’s ACE award for demonstrating her commitment to lifelong learning. In 2022, Michael opened a multidisciplinary clinic in Stonewall, LA, FUNdamental Pediatric Therapy which offers speech therapy, occupational therapy, feeding therapy, and physical therapy, and the clinic currently employs multiple LSU Health Shreveport alumni.
Bailey Mosher
School of Graduate Studies, Class of 2021
Dr. Bailey Mosher earned her PhD in Microbiology & Immunology from the School of Graduate Studies in 2021 after also serving as a research assistant for five years in the department. Dr. Mosher stayed at LSU Health Shreveport for an additional year and a half as a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Andrew Yurochko’s laboratory before being recruited to the University of Rochester Medical Center. In July, Dr. Mosher began her fellowship at URMC as a Medical and Public Health Microbiology Fellow.
Emily Rampmaier
School of Allied Health Professions, Class of 2007
Emily Rampmaier earned her Master of Science in Communications Disorders in 2007. She worked as a Speech Language Pathologists and Speech Therapist at various agencies until she became a Compliance Auditor and Educator at Reliant Rehabilitation in Bossier City, Louisiana. In 2019 Emily was promoted to Vice President of Clinical services. In addition to her work, Emily was the State Advocate for Medicare Policy for Louisiana for the American Speech-LanguageHearing Association (ASHA) and the President of the Louisiana Speech Language Hearing Association. She was most recently appointed as a Member of the Gerontology Professional Development Committee for ASHA.
Robert York
School of Medicine, Class of 2004
Dr. Robert York graduated from the School of Medicine in 2004 and went on to complete his general surgery residency at Wright State University Medical School in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. York recently joined Iberia Medical Center in Louisiana as a general surgeon. He was previously Chief of Surgery at Cabrini Surgery Center in Alexandria, Louisiana where he also served on the Center’s Medical Executive Committee.
Dr. Yang Gu passed away in May 2023.
Dr. Gu graduated in 1980 from Harbin Medical University, China. He immigrated to the United States in 1988, first working at Duke University and then Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Gu had been employed at LSU Health Shreveport for the past 25 years, first in the Department of Immunology & Microbiology and later in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dr. Gu had been a very productive researcher. He has 67 peer review publications in prestigious journals, being the first or the second author in 42. He also has authorships in more than 90 abstracts, which were presented in national and international scientific conferences.
Dr. Samuel “Sam” Hall passed away in October 2023 unexpectedly. He was a School of Medicine Class of 2019 graduate as well as a 2022 graduate from LSU Health Shreveport’s Pediatric Residency Program. Dr. Hall had recently completed a sleep medicine fellowship at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He is survived by his wife and fellow LSU Health Shreveport alumnus, Catherine “Catie” Owens Hall.
Dr. Donald Haynes passed away peacefully on August 2, 2023 surrounded by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dr. Haynes completed his residency intern year at then Confederate Memorial Hospital from 19581959 in Shreveport and remained involved with the institution in the years since. Dr. Haynes mentored physicians throughout his career and served as a Clinical Instructor in the Comprehensive Care Clinic at LSU Health Shreveport for nearly 40 years. Upon his retirement, he was granted Professor Emeritus.
John W. Maloy, JD who passed away unexpectedly on December 27, 2023. During his career, John worked for the Social Security Administration, in private practice and as the Assistant District Attorney for Winn Parish. John Maloy came to LSU Health Shreveport in 2017 and worked in the Office for Research, serving as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Management.
Dr. Bettina Hilman-Mattson passed away on August 17, 2023. In her long career of medicine, she was a pioneer in the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, asthma and immunodeficiencies. Dr. Hilman was a full professor at all three allopathic medical schools in Louisiana and trained countless pediatric pulmonary and allergy fellows. She also established cystic fibrosis centers in multiple locations: the Cystic Fibrosis Center in Shreveport in 1966 and the CF Center in Tyler, TX in 2003 at the age of 75. Dr. Hilman served as the Chief of the Pediatric Pulmonary and Allergy division at LSU Health Shreveport from 1966-2000.
Dr. Sandy McCall passed away on October 28, 2023 at the age of 80 after a battle with cancer. Dr. McCall was Chief of Staff for Shriners Hospital for 31 years and also served as a gratis faculty member and interim chair of Orthopaedics for LSU Health Shreveport. He thoroughly loved working with the children and the challenges that came with the job to improve their lives. He particularly enjoyed treating scoliosis. He was often the first in the State of Louisiana to perform the newest procedures at the time. Dr. McCall also enjoyed teaching the many residents that crossed his path.
Dr. Tandy McElwee, Jr. passed away in November 2023. Dr. McElwee was a member of the first class of the School of Medicine, graduating in 1973. Following medical school and residency, he started a private OBGYN practice in Bossier City with Class of 1973 classmate and business partner Dr. Timothy Hart. He retired after 30 years of practice, delivering thousands of newborns in the ShreveportBossier community.
Dr. Charles Norwood passed away on August 26, 2023 at the age of 85. Dr. Norwood completed his internship at what was then Confederate Memorial Hospital and went on to serve in the military, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal. He spent 14 years as a missionary physician and went on to serve LSU Health Shreveport’s Family Medicine – Alexandria Residency Program until his passing. He worked with over 150 residents over his years and was known for departing each senior resident with one of his oil paintings.
Dr. Laura Richey Parnell passed away on November 8, 2023 at the age of 50. She was a member of the School of Medicine Class of 1997. After completing a residency at Earl K. Long Medical Center, she went on to become an emergency room physician for over 25 years, while also serving as the Continuing Medical Director of Central and Eastside Fire Protection Districts for over 20 years.
Dr. Stanley Smith passed away peacefully on May 22, 2023 surrounded by his loved ones. A Shreveport native, Dr. Smith graduated from LSU Health Shreveport as a member of the second School of Medicine class in 1974. After completing an internship at Methodist Hospital in Dallas, Texas, he went on to complete his urology residency at LSU Health Shreveport. Stanley dedicated his life to healing and helping the community for over forty-four years as a founding member of Regional Urology. At the time of his passing, Dr. Stanley was a Clinical Assistant Professor of Urology for the School of Medicine.
Researchers Publish Playbook for Equitable Viral Genomic Sequencing
Researchers from three southern U.S. states have published a playbook, “Building a Collaborative and Equitable Viral Genomic Surveillance Program: A Playbook for Researchers, Clinicians, Administrators, and Allies,” pioneering a framework for establishing collaborative, communitycentered infectious diseases surveillance programs. With support from The Rockefeller Foundation, collaborators from academic institutions in Louisiana, Mississippi and Georgia have refined a method to expand viral genomic surveillance and ensure that historically marginalized groups are represented in community health data.
“Genomic surveillance helps track infectious diseases, clarifies who is most at risk and takes action to limit the spread and protect people’s health. But historic disparities in healthcare access have meant that – for far too long –genomic surveillance has excluded medically underserved communities,” said Dr. Jamie Newman, Associate Professor, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, College of Applied and Natural Sciences at Louisiana Tech University. “Establishing an equity-focused, collaborative genomic surveillance program is possible, and this new Playbook breaks down the process we followed.”
The Playbook includes a suite of resources to support researchers and health officials committed to improving equity in genomic sequencing and global infectious disease surveillance. The results of the partnership are also detailed in an article recently published in PLOS Global Public Health, “A collaborative approach to improve representation in viral genomic surveillance.”
“Tools like viral sampling and sequencing are essential for tracking emerging threats to human health and mobilizing the resources to contain them — but such tools have historically excluded some of the most vulnerable people,” said Dr. Bruce Gellin, Chief of Global Public Health Strategy at The Rockefeller Foundation. “The Rockefeller Foundation remains committed to improving equity and community representation in pathogen surveillance, and we commend these leaders for creating a playbook that will help other researchers put these principles into practice.”
Genome sequencing has been vital for understanding SARSCoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and is essential for detecting and tracking new variants of the virus. Traditional methods rely on samples from clinics or hospitals, but many rural and medically underserved communities lack access to COVID-19 testing, leaving cases uncounted and communities unaware of the current health risks. In 2021, The Rockefeller Foundation awarded a grant to LSU Health Shreveport, Grambling State University, and Louisiana Tech
University to enhance, expand and diversify regional SARSCoV-2 surveillance efforts.
“Without resources to gather samples, equipment to process them, or networks to share sequences, it can be difficult to run an effective genomic sequencing program in medically underserved communities – and that ultimately leads to gaps in local health guidance and care,” said Dr. Paul Kim, Assistant Professor, Cell Biology at Grambling State University. “By partnering with sample donors and clinicians, we were able to improve the diversity of people represented in genomic sequencing data. Over time, we believe these methods will build trust in the sampling and testing process, strengthen public health guidance and create opportunities for the next generation of health researchers and leaders to continue building these models for equity.”
Within the region, efforts have increased representation of underserved groups in viral genomic surveillance while also providing research opportunities for students at participating academic institutions. The partners in Louisiana also expanded their network to include teams at Mercer University in Georgia and Jackson State University in Mississippi.
“This genomic surveillance project provided an opportunity for us as scientists to find a fairer, more inclusive way to detect diseases affecting a population – and not just the people with easy access to doctors,” said Dr. Ifedayo Victor Ogungbe, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Jackson State University.
Through collaboration and leveraging their respective research backgrounds, more than 1,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from COVID-19 test samples, including samples from underserved communities, gathered with informed consent, have been sequenced to date and made publicly available.
“Publishing viral genomes gives the world an up to date read on how a virus is changing and can help develop better tools to fight it and keep people healthy,” said Jeremy Kamil, PhD, Associate Professor of Microbiology & Immunology at LSU Health Shreveport. “That’s why genome sequencing should be available to every community, so that local health officials have the data necessary to make informed recommendations. We designed the playbook to help research teams across the country and the world build on our model and learn from our experiences.”
Oren Rom, PhD, RD,
Assistant Professor of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, was awarded a $1.7 million, 4-year R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) for his project, “Dysregulated Oxalate Metabolism in Cardiometabolic Diseases”.
Dr. Rom has two active R01 grants and a R41 subaward grant sponsored by the NIH’s NIDDK. He is the Principal Investigator for a 5-year, $1.6M R01 grant, “Lipidated Amino Acids in Cardiometabolic Diseases,” and in collaboration with FURANICA, INC., Drs. Francisco Schopfer and Fei Chang, the Rom Lab was awarded an STTR grant to study “Structurally engineered N-acyl amino acids for the treatment of NASH.”
Dr. Rom’s long-term goal is to improve human health by elucidating mechanisms of cardiometabolic diseases and identifying new therapeutic targets. For the last 15 years, Dr. Rom has engaged in a steady path to accumulating expertise in basic and clinical aspects of metabolism, nutrition, biochemistry, molecular biology, genomics, translational and cardiometabolic research. He earned his BSc in Nutrition
SPOTLIGHT
OREN ROM, PHD, RD
Sciences with Honors from Tel-Hai College in Israel in 2009 and completed his clinical training as a Registered Dietitian (RD) by the Israeli Ministry of Health in 2012. In 2015, Dr. Rom earned his PhD in Medical Sciences from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, followed by post-doctoral training in the Technion’s Lipid Research Laboratory, where he acquired unique skills in lipid metabolism andww atherosclerosis research. In 2021, Dr. Rom completed his post-doctoral training in the Cardiovascular Center at the University of Michigan, where he acquired experience with state-of-the-art techniques for developing animal models and therapeutics for cardiometabolic research.
As an assistant professor in the Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Dr. Rom applies a multidisciplinary approach in cardiometabolic research, combining data from human samples, genome-wide association studies and advanced animal models with metabolomics, transcriptomics, animal pathophysiology, cellular and molecular biology. This approach highlighted the importance of dysregulated amino acid metabolism, particularly glycine, in cardiometabolic and liver diseases, which is the focus of his NIH-funded research program. Through this multidisciplinary approach, Dr. Rom identified novel potential strategies to treat cardiometabolic and liver diseases that led to high-impact publications and patent applications.
GRANT AWARDS
Krista Rodgers, PhD, Assistant Professor of Cellular Biology & Anatomy, was awarded a five-year, $1.825M R01 grant from the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for her project “Mechanisms of Juvenile Neurogenesis and Post-Stroke Recovery: Determining the Role of Age-Associated Neuroimmune Interactions.”
Art Yurdagul, Jr., PhD, Assistant Professor of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, was awarded a five-year, $2.8M R01 grant from the NIH National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute for his project “Dysregulations in Polyamine Metabolism During Atherosclerosis.”
Baojin Ding, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology was awarded a $365,000 R56 grant from the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for his project “Modeling DYT1 Dystonia in Patient-derived Neurons.”
The Center for Redox Biology and Cardiovascular Disease led by Chris Kevil, PhD, was awarded a $10.7M Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase 2 grant from the NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) for five additional years of support for the center.
Omar Franco Coronel, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, FWCC-Research, was awarded a $555,389 R01 transfer grant for the remaining two years of his project “Functional Consequences of Racially Associated Ephrin Alterations on the Prostate Tumor Microenvironment.”
Jeremy Kamil, PhD, was awarded a five-year, $2M R01 grant from the NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for his project “Roles of the UL148 Glycoprotein in Human Cytomegalovirus Infection.”
Armando Salinas, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Neuroscience, was awarded a $146,000 R03 grant from the NIH National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism for his project “Impact of Chronic Alcohol on Neuronal Cholinergic Signaling.”
Hong Sun, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Cellular Biology & Anatomy, was awarded a $1.8M competing continuation for his R01 grant from the NIH National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism for his project “Light Alcohol Consumption and Ischemic Stroke.”
Matthew Woolard, PhD, Professor of Microbiology & Immunology and O’Callaghan Family Endowed Professor of Microbiology, was awarded a four-year, $2.2M R01 grant from the NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for his project “Lipin-1 Transcriptional Coregulatory Activity Promotes Macrophage Pro-Resolving Response.”
Norman Harris, PhD, Chairman of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, and Cherie-Ann Nathan, MD, FACS, Chairman and Professor of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, were selected as the inaugural recipients of the Chancellor’s Aim High Research Award. This intramural grant funding was made possible by generous unrestricted giving from donors to LSU Health Shreveport’s Chancellor’s Fund for Excellence. LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor Dr. David Guzick established this award to support faculty members who have an active R01 grant from the NIH and need to generate data to submit a new grant application. Faculty members can receive up to $100,000 for one year of support. Funding such as this for our faculty members ensures LSUHS remains a leader in research for years to come. Dr. Harris’ research project title is “Neurovascular Effects of Methamphetamine on the Retina,” and Dr. Nathan’s is “Targeting Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor-2b in Prevention and Treatment of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma”.
HONORS AND APPOINTMENTS
Giovanni Solitro, PhD, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, was named an Associate Editor for the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research and a mentor for the Journal of Arthroplasty Review mentorship program.
Mohammad A.N. Bhuiyan, PhD, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, was selected as a statistical editor for the Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology Journal.
Stephan Witt, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, joined the editorial board of the Nature journal, Scientific Reports, and was a reviewer for the NIH Center for Scientific Review Special Emphasis Panel for ZRG1 BN-T (02).
Mabruka Alfaidi, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, received the Young Investigator Award at the 2023 Gordon Research Conference on Biomechanics in Vascular Biology & Disease.
CCDS Cardiometabolism & NAFLD Focus Group Celebrates 2 Years of Achievements
The Cardiometabolism & Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Focus Group was established within the Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences (CCDS) in July 2021. Since then, the group has held monthly meetings where labs rotate to present their progress in NAFLD-related projects or discuss important advances and publications in the field. Over the past two years, the group has grown to include 10 Principal Investigators (Drs. Orr, Yurdagul, Cruz, Dhanesha, Bhuiyan, Kevil, Woolard, Magdy, Pattillo, and Rom) and their teams. Collectively they have submitted 11 grants, more than half of which are already funded for a total of $5.5 million and have had papers published in or accepted to several prestigious journals. Members of the group have been finalists for or received awards for their work on cardiometabolism research and have been invited to present oral talks and posters at local, national, and international conferences.
COMING SOON to the NEW Center for Medical Education
An important component of the new Center for Medical Education building is the 11,780-square-foot Center for Emerging Viral Threats (CEVT) research, education and training facility. The research space will act as a training ground for students, physicians and scientists and will consist of a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory and a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory with an additional lab space enabling both advanced research on viral pathogens and molecular testing for different viruses serving public health needs. Senator Bill Cassidy spearheaded the effort that led to a $7 million Health Resources and Services Administration grant that contributed to the construction of the CEVT research facility. The BSL-3 Lab will be the first of this magnitude on the LSU Health Shreveport campus and in North Louisiana, enabling the institution’s world-class researchers to further study important emerging human pathogens and fortify the university’s position to address future pandemics quickly.
INVESTITURECeremonies
LSU Health Shreveport is fortunate to have 15 endowed chairs and 51 endowed professorships across 24 academic departments and programs. An endowed chair or professorship is among the highest honors that can be bestowed on a faculty member. An endowment’s purpose is two-fold: to provide recognition for LSU Health Shreveport’s best and brightest and to provide crucial funding for the holder’s work or to support an academic department’s specific needs. The LSU Health Sciences Foundation was honored to celebrate five outstanding faculty members at their formal investiture ceremonies throughout the fall of 2023, while also honoring the generous donors who made the endowments possible.
Hugo Cuellar, MD, PhD, MBA, DABR, FAHA Medical Center Clinics Endowed Professorship in Radiology
Dr. Hugo Cuellar was honored with the Medical Center Clinics Endowed Professorship in Radiology. Dr. Cuellar serves as the Chair of Radiology at LSU Health Shreveport and is a Professor of Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Radiology, Director of Neurointerventional Surgery and Director of Neuroradiology. He is also Co-Director of the Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, which is one of only 10 American Heart Association Stroke Certified Thrombectomy Centers in the U.S.
The Medical Center Clinics have supported LSU Health Shreveport’s residency training programs since 1968. This professorship aims to elevate the quality of the Radiology residency training program and attract exceptional residents by offering them educational and research opportunities.
Dr. Cuellar completed his training and studies in various institutions, including the University of Nuevo Leon, LSU Health New Orleans, Hospital Nuestra Senora del Rosario in Spain, and John Hopkins Hospital. His clinical interests cover a wide range of neurological and radiological areas, and he is an active member of multiple national and international societies, including the Radiological Society of North America, the European Society of Neuroradiology and the World Federation of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology.
Juliana Fort, MD, MPH, MBA
Brad and Kay McPherson Professorship in Child Psychiatry
Dr. Juliana Fort was honored as the holder of the Brad and Kay McPherson Professorship in Child Psychiatry. Established in 2007, the professorship brings renowned psychiatrists to LSU Health Shreveport as part of a visiting professor program, enriching the education of psychiatry residents.
This endowment was funded by Brad and Kay McPherson’s daughter, Dr. Pamela Kay McPherson, and her husband, Dr. Scott Cassingham, and honors the McPherson’s dedication to enhancing psychiatric healthcare for children. Dr. Pamela McPherson and Dr. Scott Cassingham are both LSU Health Shreveport alumni. Dr. McPherson is an Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine.
Dr. Juliana Fort, a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine at LSU Health Shreveport, is a board-certified child and adolescent, geriatric, forensic and addictions psychiatrist. She’s known for her work in expressive arts therapies and has an extensive psychiatry background.
Terry Lairmore, MD, FACS
Donnie and Gail Juneau Chair in Surgical Oncology
Dr. Terry Lairmore was honored as the inaugural holder of the Donnie and Gail Juneau Chair in Surgical Oncology. Gail and Donnie Juneau, grateful for Mr. Juneau’s life-saving liver transplant at LSU Health Shreveport in 2002, established this endowed chair.
Dr. Lairmore is the son-in-law of the late Dr. John McDonald, the former Chair of Surgery and the inaugural Chancellor of LSU Health Shreveport. Dr. Lairmore graduated as Valedictorian from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, completed his internship and residency in general surgery at Washington University in St. Louis, and then did a threeyear research fellowship in genetics, studying the familial endocrine neoplasia syndromes. He contributed to work that ultimately identified the mutations that cause multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A. He was appointed as Professor and Research Director of Surgery at LSU Health Shreveport in 2019 after previous faculty positions at Washington University School of Medicine and Texas A&M Health Science Center.
His current research specializes in the genetics of endocrine tumors, tumor suppressor genes in liver diseases, and cholangiocarcinoma. His contributions to the field and clinical expertise have earned him national and international recognition, including roles in academic surgery associations.
Xin Gu, MD
W.R. Mathews, MD Endowed Professorship in Anatomic Pathology
Dr. Xiu Gu, Professor of Pathology & Translational Pathobiology, was honored with the William R. Mathews Endowed Professorship. The endowment enhances the academic mission and image of the Anatomic Pathology Division of the Department of Pathology through this annual lecture and increased funding for residents and fellows.
Dr. Gu completed his pathology residency training and renal pathology fellowship at LSU Health Shreveport. He was involved in basic research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). At UAB, his research work focused on cellular second messenger pathways and disease development. At LSU Health Shreveport, his research is focused on renal pathology and surgical pathology. His areas of specialty include Electron Microscopy, Endocrine Pathology, Immunopathology and Tumor Markers (kidney), Male GU Pathology, OB/GYN Pathology, Renal Pathology, Surgical Pathology and Urologic Pathology.
Qihui “Jim” Zhai, MD, FACP
Albert
G. and Harriet G. Smith Endowed Professorship
Dr. Jim Zhai was honored with the Albert G. and Harriet G. Smith Endowed Professorship in Pathology. This endowment was established by the late Dr. and Mrs. Smith to enhance the academic mission and image of the department.
Dr. Zhai serves as Chairman of the Department of Pathology & Translational Pathobiology and President-Elect of the College of American Pathologists. He comes to LSU Health Shreveport from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Jacksonville, Florida, where he served as a Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. He brings a wealth of experience as a consultant pathologist, Director of Research, and Founder and Medical Director of the FISH and Molecular Laboratory in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic Florida. Dr. Zhai has also contributed to various institutional committees during his tenure there.
THE MARION LECTURE What the Humanities Can Teach Us About Humanism and Medicine
LSU Health Shreveport faculty and students, along with many community members, gathered at the RiverView Theater for a special lecture by Dr. Jay Marion on September 24. Featuring the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Marion’s lecture focused on how the humanities are interwoven with humanism and the practice of medicine. Using patient stories from his time as a medical oncologist and palliative care specialist, Dr. Marion highlighted the important role of healthcare providers as they engage with their patients facing their greatest challenges in life. The Shreveport Symphony Orchestra played excerpts from Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Beethoven Symphonies No. 5 & 7, and Barber’s Adagio for Strings to complement Dr. Marion’s lecture. Dr. Jay Marion is a Professor Emeritus of Internal Medicine at LSU Health Shreveport.
The LSU Health Shreveport Foundation held its annual fundraising event, An Evening for Healers, on Thursday, August 31. For the past 12 years, the event has served as a platform to honor and celebrate our community’s first responders and healthcare professionals who were instrumental in saving the lives of their patients at Ochsner LSU Health while raising mission-critical funding for LSU Health Shreveport.
Presented by Ochsner H ealth
This year’s event celebrated record-breaking fundraising, with $570,230 in sponsorships and donations. Funds raised through An Evening for Healers help LSUHS recruit and retain top faculty, acquire cutting-edge technology and equipment and support programs for students at all three LSUHS schools. For the first time in Healer’s history, those in attendance helped raise more than $25,000 to purchase an ICU temperature regulator for OLHS’s Level 1 Trauma Center. This life-saving device will greatly assist the care team in maintaining comatose patients’ body temperatures.
An Evening for Healers’ featured patients were Lynette Moye, a Longview, TX resident who experienced complete hearing loss after a case of meningitis and sought highly specialized care at OLHS, and Evie Hilburn, a West Monroe teenager who suffered a spinal cord injury after an ATV accident. While An Evening for Healers historically focuses on patients who were given a second chance at life, this year, the event also honored the healthcare professionals who cared for Kerrington Jones, a high school student who tragically took her own life. Kerrington’s mother, Shanna, who works in the LSUHS Department of Radiology, wanted to share her story to thank the incredible team who cared for Kerrington with unwavering dedication and shine a light on the mental health crisis facing teens.
The LSU Health Shreveport Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who supported this year’s event. Please save the date for An Evening for Healers 2024 on September 12.
DEAN SPONSORS
Thank You
to Our Sponsors
UNDERWRITERS
PRESENTING: Ochsner Health
HEALER HONOREES: Dr. and Mrs. Lacy H. Williams
WELCOME RECEPTION: CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier
FLORALS: Rose-Neath Flower Shop, Funeral Homes, Crematorium, and Cemeteries
VALET: In Memory of Fred and Willetta Moffitt
INVITATION: Dr. Peggy and Mr. David Murphy
PROGRAM: Brentwood Hospital
WINE: Cuban Liquor
HEALERS MEDALS: Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry
The Hand and Wrist Institute
Dr. David Guzick and Dr. Donna Giles
Liz and David Means
Metro Aviation
Willis-Knighton Health System
Dani Zoorob, MD, MHA, MBA, MHI
CHAIRMAN SPONSORS
Michael T. Acurio, MD
Lindsay and John Atkins
Frances and Bill Comegys
Dewey and Gigi Corley
LSU Health Shreveport Department of Anesthesiology
Katie White and Dr. Keith White
PROFESSOR SPONSOR
LSU Health Shreveport Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
LIFETIME SPONSORS
The Kinsey Family
The Moffitt Family, Moffitt Volkswagen-Mazda-Porsche-Audi Shreveport
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
SPONSORS
Boudreaux’s Specialty Compounding Pharmacy
Dr. and Mrs. William A. Byrd
Coleman Partners Architects, LLC & Perkins + Will
Crestview Woods
W. Clinton Rasberry, Jr.
W. Clinton Rasberry, III”
Sharon L. Dunn, PT, PhD, Dean, School of Allied Health
Professions
Fibrebond Corp
FitzGerald Contractors, LLC
Gastrointestinal Specialists, AMC
Drs. Glenda Johnson and Chris Kevil
Dr. David and Kathy Lewis
LSU Health Shreveport
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Tom and Sheryl Ostendorff/ Southern Research Co., Inc.
Lynn and Armand Roos
Connie and Donald Posner
Sid Potts, Inc.
Snell’s Orthotics and Prosthetics
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
SPONSORS
Adkins Seale Capital Management, LLC
AEP Foundation
Aillet, Fenner, Jolly, and McClelland
Amramp of Louisiana
Argent Trust
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
BRF
Brown Builders, Inc.
Mike and Caitlin Busada
Campus Federal Credit Union
Cardinaux Wealth Advisors
Debbie Chandler, MD, MBA
Chizoba Mosieri, MD, FFARCSI, MMedSci
Cintas
Marianne and Stafford Comegys
Community Bank of Louisiana
El Compadre Mexican Restaurant
Cross Keys Bank
Dement Construction
Dermatology & Skin Surgery
Dr. Jonathan and Kasey Eaton
Dr. John and Meredith Evans
First Horizon Bank
Martha H. Fitzgerald
Leigh and Kevin Flood
Garden Park Nursing & Rehab Center LLC
Patty and Mark Garrett
Graphic Packaging
Heard, McElroy & Vestal, LLC
Betty Henderson
Hummingbird, King, & Butler
John Pickens Clothiers
jweinland Group Benefits
Keith D. Peterson & Co., Inc.
LAMMICO
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Lasseigne
LSU Health Shreveport
Department of Neurosurgery
LSU Health Shreveport
Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
LSU Health Shreveport
Department of OtolaryngologyHead & Neck Surgery
LSU Health Shreveport
Department of Radiology
LSU Health Shreveport
School of Medicine Class of 1973
LSUS Foundation
Medtroninc
Drs. Anna and Justin Moore
Pafford Air One
Pafford EMS
Paragon Press
Parish of Caddo
Dr. and Mrs. James Patterson
Powers Foundation
Mark W. Prevot
Ashley and John Prince
Dirk Rainwater, MD
Regina and Robert Redstone
Romph & Pou Agency
RoseStone Wealth Advisors
Dr. Navdeep Samra and Dr. Brett Chapman
Drs. Peter and Jennifer Seidenberg
Jessica and Patrick Temple
WK Spine & Pain Specialists
School of Medicine
School of Graduate Studies
School of Allied Health Professions
Graduate Medical Education
Research 1501 Kings Highway PO Box 33932
Shreveport, LA 71130-3932 If
Shreveport, Louisiana Permit No. 4
Join LSU Health Shreveport as we partner with our flagship campus for 24 hours of impactful philanthropy. Choose your area of impact across all three schools – the Schools of Allied Health, Graduate Studies, and Medicine – and make a difference for our future healthcare leaders and scientists.
