Inside LSU Health Shreveport - Volume 2, 2022

Inside LSU Health Shreveport is published by the Office of Communications and Public Affairs and funded by the LSU Health Sciences Foundation Shreveport.

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

THANK YOU to our basic science and clinical faculty who spend countless hours mentoring students and encouraging a love of science.

Letter from the Interim Chancellor

Greetings from LSU Health Shreveport where our largest class of new students, residents and fellows are now actively engaged in achieving their educational goals. These learners, like LSU Health Shreveport, have recognized that LIFE IS ABOUT TIMING and that our desired timing is not always the best timing. I’m seeing the impact of timing firsthand as the opening of our new Center for Medical Education will coincide with the 50th anniversary of our first class of medical students. Would we have welcomed having this building sooner? Absolutely. Do I think it is a coincidence that we will open this transformative educational building as we hit the 50 year anniversary of our first medical school class? No, I do not. Now, not only will we be celebrating the opening of the Center of Medical Education, but we will also be celebrating the milestone of 50 years of providing healthcare professionals to our community, state and nation.

While challenges will always abound for academic medical centers, LSU Health Shreveport is fortunate to have so many positive indicators for an increasingly bright future to include:

■ Attracting increasing numbers of extremely high performing students, residents, fellows, and faculty.

■ Incredible growth in extramural research funding.

■ Expanded educational offerings such as nursing programs which will not only positively impact patient care throughout north Louisiana but the economy.

■ Pending execution of the RAISE grant received by SPORTRAN which will provide funding for major transit and infrastructure upgrades to Shreveport’s medical district. These enhancements will undoubtedly create a more appealing LSU Health Shreveport campus.

■ Expansion of our diversity outreach efforts which will bolster firsthand understanding of our inclusive and welcoming campus around the U.S.

■ Strengthened support from LSU leading to current planning for a new research building on our campus.

■ Supportive and effective clinical partner. The amount of progress made since October 1, 2018, when Ochsner became a partner to LSU Health Shreveport, in the delivery of clinical care has been nothing short of outstanding, and there are plans in place to continue making top tier medical care accessible to all.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to support or learn more about LSU Health Shreveport, I urge you to take that first step now. Visit our website at www.lsuhs.edu or reach out to the LSU Health Sciences Foundation at 318-861-0855 or kflood@ lsuhsfoundation.org. We have countless opportunities for you to play a role in the success of LSU Health Shreveport.

■ First and foremost, consider funding a scholarship for a deserving student.

■ Select an area of interest and fund an endowment that will provide never ending support to our brightest and best teachers, clinicians, and scientists. Endowed professorships and chairs are coveted tools for recruitment and retaining top tier faculty members.

■ Naming opportunities remain for spaces in the Center for Medical Education and will soon become available in our new research building. Memorialize your family or someone you hold dear through a naming opportunity. Varying price points are available.

As you read about the stories, outreach and accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff in this issue of Inside LSU Health Shreveport, I trust you will be inspired just as I am.

David Lewis, MD, MBA Interim Chancellor

LSU

Health Shreveport

LIFE is about TIMIN

The path to advanced education looks different for everyone which is why it is so important to share the inspiring journeys of students in each of our three schools: School of Medicine, School of Allied Health Professions, and School of Graduate Studies. Each of these students began their advanced degrees at an age older than their peers, bringing with them a diverse and unplanned set of life experiences that have uniquely prepared them to achieve their professional goals.

For Kali Kingsley, 32, becoming a doctor was a career goal from an early age. She vividly recalls as a little girl wanting to help people when she grew up. When the time came for her to pick a university, Kali chose to enroll at United States Air Force Academy based on it being a highly competitive university and offering an esteemed education. Kali’s plan was to get her degree and immediately enter medical school.

“When I got to the Air Force Academy, I just quit on myself. I talked myself out of pursuing medicine thinking I didn’t have to be a doctor to help people.” Kali remembers thinking at the time that she could fulfill her drive to serve through her time in the Air Force. So her plan fell to the back-burner. After graduation in 2011, Kali was commissioned as an Intelligence Officer in the Air Force. She went on to receive her master’s degree in criminal intelligence two years later. “It was not me. I was not fulfilled in that career. I did well; I hit the marks you are supposed to but I knew that it was not what I was supposed to be doing.”

Around this time, Kali and her husband, Shai, who is also in the Air Force, were presented an opportunity to be stationed in Europe. They embraced this once in a lifetime opportunity with Kali loving her time there as she worked to complete a portion of the science prerequisites needed to apply to medical school. When they returned to the States in 2019, Kali was pregnant with her daughter and unsure that her online science credits would be accepted. She was preparing to become a mom and a full-time student again when her daughter, and the pandemic, entered her life in March of 2020. Fate worked in Kali’s favor as the pandemic led numerous medical schools to begin accepting online science credits.

Excited and encouraged by news of her science credits being accepted, Kali took the MCAT for the first time in June of 2020 when her daughter was just 3 months old. She recalls the test and test environment being physically demanding as it was compressed due to the pandemic. Test takers were given just ten-minute breaks throughout the sessions. “Every ten-minute break I had, I would run out, chug a bottle of water, eat a granola bar, pump and run back in to take the test. It was brutal.” Kali didn’t get the score she wanted but wasn’t deterred. She transferred from Active Duty to the Reserves allowing her to enroll in classes to boost her resume and prepare to take the MCAT again. In 2021, she received a qualifying score and acceptance into the School of Medicine. Kali’s first day as a medical student was on July 29, 2022, as the oldest student in her class.

When asked how she balances medical school, her work, raising a child and prioritizing time with her family,

Kali lists a specific timeline of her days noting that she doesn’t feel an extra level of stress. “I can’t compare my experience since this is my first time to balance school with raising a child [Galia, now age 2]. I’m blessed that she is a very easy child.” She says that success for her while in school is doing well in her courses and being fully present with her family.

Medical school not only looks different for Kali from her peers in the day-to-day, but in the experiences she brings to her studies and patient interactions. Kali says

For Nicky Hall, 47, a third-year graduate student in the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, there were many twists and turns along the way to her graduate education, a destination she didn’t even know existed when she graduated college, recalling that women in science were not prominently known.

As a child, Nicky wanted to be a veterinarian. At RandolphMacon Woman’s College, she majored in biology with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine. However, upon graduation in 1997, Nicky decided that she wasn’t interested in attending school for an additional 4 years and instead returned to being a veterinary technician, which she worked as through college. Soon Nicky wanted more from her career. With her love of animals still serving as her driving force, she applied for a job changing mouse cages at UT Southwestern. However, her experience as a veterinary technician allowed her to instead be hired as the Chief Animal Technician. In this role, she worked to breed mice in the lab of Tom Südhof, who later won a Nobel Prize. Nicky worked in Dr. Südhof’s lab for 6 years in an effort to learn as much as she could in the field of neuroscience. She spent a significant amount of time cutting brain slices, yielding a skill that would serve her well in the future.

During her time working in Dr. Südhof’s lab, she married and had a child. Due to a change in her husband’s job, their family moved to Virginia in 2006. Nicky was able to work in a variety of labs at the University of Virginia finishing her time there in a lab doing nicotine addiction research which she really enjoyed. “That’s where I began co-authoring papers, and where I really found myself as a scientist.” Even so, she still did not plan to go to graduate school. By the end of her time in Virginia, Nicky found herself a single mom with a busy schedule leading her to want to move closer to her home, Baton Rouge, LA. In this stage of life, Nicky had no time to even think about returning to school.

that she can’t speak to her fellow students’ experiences but knows that her career and life experiences will make her a better physician than she would have been without them. She values the perspective that her life has given her to this point, which allows her to stay focused and steady. When asked what her advice for people who have regrets or wish they were in a different career, Kali said, “My advice would be to take a look at yourself and what is going to make you happy…and if getting that next degree or changing your career is it, then do it! I don’t think there’s an age limit on achieving your goals.”

In 2013, Nicky’s now-husband, a high-school classmate she had reconnected with, was working at a local hospital in Shreveport when she decided to make the move to the community. Nicky began working with former faculty member Ed Glasscock as his first lab manager for the Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy. She worked for 7 years in the department under two principal investigators (PI). Nicky remembers being asked why she hadn’t become a student yet, and for a long time it was simple: “I love my job, so I don’t have any reason to make a change.” But the idea slowly took hold, and she began taking classes in the School of Graduate Studies as a non-matriculated student. After her first PI left, Nicky decided she wanted to be in control of her own lab. “After seeing other graduate students, I just knew. I can do this.”

Nicky became the first student in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Admissions Portal (IGP) in the fall of 2020, a two-semester program designed for students with broad interests who have not yet focused their research interests on a single area. She ultimately declared Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience after her first two semesters, with her interest in animals still

playing an important role. Nicky is engaged in research studying animal models of diseases and working with mice and rats to study the neurovascular aspects of addiction.

During her time working and pursuing her PhD at LSU Health Shreveport, Nicky and her husband had a child, (Leah) who is now 6. They also have two adult children, Christopher Jr. and Bre. When asked how she balances her busy life, Nicky responded, “It’s kind of like juggling on a unicycle…I don’t know, I just have to.”

She credits her ability to be a mom and full-time student to her supportive husband and teammate. “We make it work.” Nicky says that for her, success is doing her best in the program. Her mantra is “PhD by 50”, and if she maintains her estimated graduation date in 2025, she will indeed have her PhD by 50. For those who are thinking about coming into graduate education later in life, Nicky has some advice. “It’s never too late. And nothing is easy. Don’t be afraid—just try it. I started with one class; I hadn’t taken a class in 20 years.”

Vanessa Nganga, 39, endured a 20 year uphill battle to earn her associates degree. She enrolled in college right out of high school, but financial circumstances caused her to struggle to be able to stay in school and complete her degree. However, she was determined. Over this period, she tried to go back to college several times but ultimately was unable to finish. For Vanessa, beginning her current program, Medical Laboratory Sciences, at the age of 38 was a matter of circumstance and not at all a lack of talent or drive to succeed.

“We [Vanessa, her husband, and five children] lived, still live, in extreme poverty. We’ve experienced periodic homelessness, food insecurity, and even though we are still struggling massively, I know that I am working towards an attainable goal. My future career will set the foundation for us to dig ourselves out of this.”

Vanessa and her family moved to Ringgold, LA in 2018 to care for her ailing father and grandmother. During this time, Vanessa never missed a beat working in a phlebotomy lab to help make ends meet, caring for her father and grandmother, and driving two hours a day to and from Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) to finally earn her associates degree. “It was really stressful and really difficult.”

While earning her associates degree, a professor mentioned a friend who had a career in laboratory science, and Vanessa’s interest was piqued. She had not been exposed to laboratory sciences as a career option previously. “I knew that’s what I wanted to be, and I’ve been working towards it ever since.” She began the steps toward applying to the Medical Laboratory Sciences program at LSU Health Shreveport by increasing her GPA, taking the required prerequisite courses, and finishing her associates degree at BPCC. “I was able to move from not being eligible to being able to apply and winning an interview. It took a while.”

Vanessa is now in her second semester of the program, with two to go. She mentions studying on her lunch break and during downtime at work to help keep up with her studies. Her goal is to understand the concepts she is learning and understand them confidently. Vanessa is finding a way to handle a rigorous program schedule, her job and her family. “Prayer… when it comes to balancing, I’m still learning. Thankfully, LSU Health Shreveport offers mental health services, so I utilize those as well.” Vanessa shared that it has taken a lot of internal work to get herself to the strong mental and emotional position she is in now.

Her belief is that if you want something, you just have to step out on a limb and do what it takes to make it happen. “I’m counting down the days to August 2023. There is no other option but success for me. I know what is on the other side… so I will succeed. Not only am I doing this for myself, but for everything that I do, there are six other people dependent on my success, Alfred [husband], Isaiah, Wincate, Alexander, Elijah and Zariah. When I succeed, we all succeed. And that’s not a burden that I carry, it is a privilege in my eyes.”

G M E

RADUATE EDICAL DUCATION

Did you realize that after graduating from medical school that newly minted doctors are not eligible to begin seeing patients? This is due in large part to doctors of the 1900s expressing the need for more medical training, and so Graduate Medical Education was born.

Graduate Medical Education (GME) as defined by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), is “the period of didactic and clinical education in a medical specialty or subspecialty which follows the completion of undergraduate medical education, and which prepares physicians for the independent practice of medicine in that specialty or subspecialty.”

During the 18th century and into the 19th century, most physicians in the United States received their training as apprentices to practicing physicians. After the Civil War (1861-1865), numerous medical schools were established due to the charge of apprentice fees. Medical societies began to call for reform of medical education with the New York Medical Society coordinating the first national meeting in May of 1846 resulting in the formation of the American Medical Association (AMA). Minimal standards were then set to address the issue of many medical schools being focused on financial gain without admission criteria or uniformity in their curriculums. These financially motivated institutions were awarding MDs after less than six months of instruction.

By the 1900’s, a four-year course of at least six months each year was required to obtain a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, which provided the right to take a licensure exam not to practice medicine. Admission into medical school required a high school diploma or two years of college. In 1905, the newly created Council on Medical Education and Hospitals recommended an “ideal standard.” Universities began to provide a five-year medical course with the first year devoted to physics, chemistry, and biology, and the next two years to laboratory sciences of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. The final two years were spent in clinical settings with close contact with patients, and a sixth year was spent as an intern, what is now known more commonly as a resident.

By 1912, the Council on Medical Education began identifying hospitals as sites for hosting internship programs. The first list of such hospitals, published in 1914, identified 603 hospitals offering 3,095 positions. In 1927, the Shreveport Charity Hospital was approved for 10 internships; interns were paid $10.00 per month and lived at the facility.

Fast forward almost 100 years and LSU Health Shreveport now has over 600 residents and fellows engaged in graduate medical education. These individuals train in 51 clinical sites throughout north and central Louisiana and are engaged in one of 45 accredited medical programs or 3 accredited dental programs.

What is it and why is it so IMPORTANT?

AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER AHEC

The purpose and mission of Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is to improve health status, increase access to care, and assure that the future and current health care workforce is properly trained and practice in medically under-served communities. This is done through community-based training, recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals and workers, developing and implementing continuing education programs to meet the needs of healthcare professionals in rural and medically under-served areas, and to plan and respond to community health needs through population-based health system development and public education.

The Federal AHEC Program began in the early 70’s and the Louisiana AHEC was activated in 1988 through a grant written by Louisiana State University Medical Center in North Louisiana. The Louisiana AHEC system began operation in 1988 through the efforts of the LSU School of Medicine which petitioned the federal government for funding. Four centers across the state were opened on a staggered basis. The Louisiana Centers have all completed their five year cycles of federal funding and are now supported through cooperative agreements with the LSU Schools of Medicine in Shreveport and New Orleans. LSU Health Shreveport provides significant funding in support of Bayou North AHEC and Central Louisiana AHEC. Bayou North AHEC serves 21 parishes in North Louisiana and Central Louisiana AHEC serves 17 parishes in central and south-central Louisiana.

LSU Health Shreveport offers a variety of AHEC programs for students:

■ THREE high-school programs, that encourage high school students to pursue a career in healthcare

■ TWO undergraduate programs

■ FOUR professional student programs

Day with Doctors is available to eligible high school juniors and seniors. This one-day, interactive program provides students with an opportunity to experience and observe a day’s activities on a medical school campus. Students interact with faculty and medical students, discuss health careers and medical school, as well as learn basic medical diagnostic skills. Hands-on training includes: exploring the anatomy lab, learning suturing techniques, learning to listen for breath and heart sounds, taking a radial pulse and blood pressure, and improving communication and listening skills in working with patients.

LSU Health Shreveport faculty members and staff are available to answer questions regarding educational prerequisites, medical school admissions, medical school costs, and personal preparation for the commitment of a health career.

A-HEC of a Summer is a 15-day summer program for eligible high school students in north and central Louisiana. Students participate in a structured, hands-on learning environment led by trained educators and healthcare program supervisors. Participants explore career opportunities using interactive workshops, field trips, lectures and speakers while applying their science knowledge to everyday scenarios experienced in the healthcare industry.

Rural Scholars program targets undergraduate students from rural areas who represent a potential pool of medical school recruits that could significantly increase the number of rural physicians in Louisiana. The Scholars program provides students an opportunity to gain a competitive edge in their medical school applications through retreats hosted twice a year by LSU Health Shreveport where students receive information on admissions, early decision, MCAT, resumes and personal statements and are provided interview tips, mock interviews, and a hands-on workshop to boost their application.

AHEC Scholars is a program for students interested in supplementing their education by gaining additional experience in rural and medically under-served settings. This is a two-year program with one year post tracking. Interdisciplinary teamwork is a complex process in which different types of medical professionals work together to share expertise, knowledge, and skills to impact positively, patient care. This includes but is not limited to students in medical, dental, pharmacy, nurse practitioner, nursing, physician assistant, social work, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and public/population health programs.

Primary Care Rural Preceptorship Program

is a hands-on primary care experience designed to expose medical students to the professional, business and social aspects of practicing primary medicine in rural and/or medically underserved areas of Louisiana. Preceptorships are arranged with solo practitioners, group practices and clinics that provide primary care in Louisiana. The program is offered to medical students the summer after their first year of medical school.

AHEC provides program opportunities for students pursuing a career in the healthcare industry, starting at the high school level. These programs are critical as rural healthcare professionals are needed throughout Louisiana. According to the USDA, 15.65% of Louisiana residents live in rural areas. The Louisiana Department of Health has designated 60 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes as majority Health Professional Shortage Areas for primary care based on geography (not enough practitioners) or low-income population (lack of access to existing care).1 Our Area Health Education (AHEC) programs provide students in rural areas the opportunities to gain experience in rural healthcare before graduating high school, to have an edge on their medical school applications, and to receive a focused education on serving rural and medically under-served communities while pursuing graduate education.

LSU Health Shreveport has long been an investor in AHEC as they jointly work to improve health status, increase access to healthcare, and ensure that the future and current healthcare workforce is properly trained and practice in rural and medically under-served communities. The LSUHS School of Medicine ranks in the top 8% in the nation for graduates practicing in under-served communities.

The AHEC Program Office is a part of the LSU Health Pediatrics Department. Faculty include Dr. Maroun Mhanna, Pediatric Chairman; Jacob Chambers, Business Manager; Shirley Wilson, Project Manager and Dr. Wanda H. Thomas serves as the Program Director.

1https://wellaheadla.com/healthcare-access/health-professional-shortage-areas/

Campus & Community

Caddo Career & Technology Students Visit LSUHS

Fifty students from Caddo Career & Technology Center Health Sciences Career Cluster visited our campus on Wednesday, September 28 to learn about allied health professions. The group of students attended an “Allied Health Fair” where they were able to visit booths from each of our LSU Health Shreveport School of Allied Health Professions programs. School of Allied Health Professions staff and students visited with the high school students about their degree programs and what a career in allied health could look like for them.

Office

for Diversity Affairs

Holds Annual HBCU Conference

The 2022 HBCU Education Conference was held November 4-6 at LSU Health Shreveport. The event, put on by the LSU Health Shreveport Office for Diversity Affairs, had 67 students in attendance representing 12 universities. The conference provides an opportunity for LSU Health Shreveport administrators, faculty, and staff to engage with students who are enrolled at a 4-year HBCU and discuss the pathway to become a medical doctor, allied health professional or researcher. The event provides insight on medical curriculum, learning environment, admissions processes, financial aid, student groups, summer research, mentoring programs, campus culture and climate, and student experiences.

A Week of Wellness

Tennis Interest Group Gives Back

The LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine Tennis Interest Group students have become “coaches” to many students at Stoner Hill Elementary School. Once a month, our medical school students host a tennis clinic, thanks to Caddo Magnet High School volunteering their courts. Each clinic allows participants to learn and improve tennis skills, and the clinics are well attended at 40-90 participants for each event!

Additionally, the Tennis Interest Group has small fundraisers throughout the year to provide Gatorade and snacks for students. These clinics encourage Stoner Hill students to stay engaged and have good attendance in school (a criteria to attend) and provide an opportunity for the Tennis Interest Group to give back to their community in a fun, meaningful way.

Community Connections

The LSU Health Shreveport Internal Residency Program established a new committee, Community Connections, to foster philanthropic work in the community. Their first project was to provide supplies for one residential room at Providence House. Money was raised to purchase sheets, bedding, pillows, bed-side tables, décor, lamps, a mirror, cleaning supplies, a fan, and personal care items. Providence House is a residential treatment facility for homeless families with children, providing comprehensive support services for improving the family structure.

The Office for Institutional Wellness held an engaging, educational Wellness Week for students, faculty, and staff in August. The week promoted the health and wellness of our LSUHS community through education and efforts that encourage habits of wellness and inspire and empower individuals to take responsibility for their own health. Each day had a different wellness concentration:

MINDFUL MONDAY taught participants to be mindful of their internal and external senses and to remain present in the moment.

TAKE CHARGE TUESDAY was a masterclass led by Office for Institutional Advancement Program Coordinator, M’Lissa Smith. She emphasized the importance of having a healthy work-life balance and gave attainable tips on how to do so.

WHOOP IT UP WEDNESDAY was an afternoon of physical health inspired fun. A local DJ kept spirits up while participants visited vendors such as LSU Ag Center for a smoothie tasting, Title Boxing Club to get their sweat on, and Run Wild for an athletic shoe fitting.

THINKING FINANCIALLY THURSDAY was all about tips for creating and managing one’s budget presented by Campus Federal Credit Union.

FULFILLED FRIDAY emphasized the importance of digital wellness at work, on the go, and at home. Dr. Johnette Magner gave a great, informative presentation.

Sophia Nelson visits LSUHS

LSU Health Shreveport was thrilled to have Sophia Nelson at our campus on Monday, July 18. Sophia Nelson gave a presentation on the importance of self-care to staff and students and held a book signing of her newest nonfiction book, Be the One You Need, which was selected as People magazine’s Best Self-Help Book.

Sophia Nelson is a noted TV and radio personality, highly soughtafter motivational speaker and a corporate leadership trainer for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits and major universities. Nelson also contributes as a legal analyst regularly on MSNBC, CNN, and PBS. She is a former investigative counsel to the US House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform, and senior counsel with the international law firm of Holland & Knight, LLP.

Girls Puberty Workshop

Over 60 young girls participated in a Girls Puberty Workshop on Saturday, October 8 presented by the LSU Health Shreveport American Medical Women’s Association Chapter. Participants were provided breakfast followed by an engaging lineup of rotations about Body, Self-Care and Mind. For those who opted in, a special presentation on sexual education was provided. Approximately 30 local schools were represented by participants.

Promoting Wellness in Local Neighborhoods

Students in the School of Allied Health Professions Physical Therapy program and School of Medicine Growing for Good student interest group participated in a wellness event located in the Stoner Hill neighborhood in Shreveport on Sunday, October 16. The community festival provided health information and screenings to the Stoner Hill community. Physical Therapy students performed blood pressure, leg strength, and balance checks as well as BMI screenings for participants. Growing for Good provided nutrition information and assisted with planting and providing education for the community garden. The Stoner Hill Community Festival was a great opportunity to promote wellness in our community.

Pars for Peds Invests in Pediatric Spaces

The LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine Pediatric Interest Group is committed to making the Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport—St. Mary Medical Center a pediatric and teen friendly space. The group spent one Saturday in July painting what is now the “Teen Room”. Funds from the first Pars for Peds equipped the space.

A successful second annual Pars for Peds Golf Tournament on Saturday, August 13. The student-led philanthropy project raised more than $30,000 to transform a vacant atrium at St. Mary Medical Center into a multi-purpose space that will give pediatric patients a more enjoyable stay. Over 100 community members “Golfed for Good” in support of the cause.

Campus & Community

Clays for Camp Tiger

Community members and LSU Health Shreveport faculty, residents, staff and students came together on Saturday, October 1 to raise money for Camp Tiger, a free, week-long day camp for children with disabilities. Eighteen teams with 90 individuals total participated in a clay shoot contest, raising over $45,600.

Shreveport Leadership Class Campus Visit

LSU Health Shreveport hosted Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Greater Shreveport Leadership Class of 2022 as a part of their community healthcare tour. The class was given a chance to hear from Interim Chancellor, Dr. David Lewis and Dr. Chris Kevil, Vice Chair of Research, about LSU Health Shreveport and research happening on our campus. The group toured Center for Emerging Viral Threats (CEVT) labs and learned more about viral sequencing, testing and more thanks to Dr. Krista Queen, Director of Viral Genomics and Surveillance and Dr. Jennifer Carroll, Associate Director of EVT Lab.

Women in Healthcare & Science

Women in Healthcare and Science hosted a movie night at Robinson Film Center on Thursday, September 29. Attendees watched Picture a Scientist followed by refreshments and discussion among the participants.

Guise Medical LLC Enters SEC Student Pitch Competition

LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine students and cofounders of Guise Medical LLC, Evan Falgoust and Ross Rieger, competed in the 2022 SEC Student Pitch Competition. Guise Medical LLC was one of 12 entries into the competition that was held at LSU on Tuesday, October 4. Rieger, Falgoust, and another co-founder, Zachary Connelly, previously won first place in the 2022 J Terrell Brown Venture Challenge.

Three New Nursing Programs

COMING TO SHREVEPORT

LSU Health Shreveport will become home to an LSU Health New Orleans (LSUHNO) off-campus instructional site in the Spring of 2023. The LSUHNO School of Nursing’s Career Alternative RN Education (CARE) Program, which will be replicated at LSUHS in the School of Allied Health Professions, is designed for individuals looking to make a career change into nursing. It allows students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another concentration to earn their BSN in less than two years. The highly competitive program requires rigorous dedication from its students with classes meeting five days a week and select clinicals taking place in the evenings.

The expansion program will use existing resources and collaborate with other schools at LSUHS. The Shreveport and New Orleans programs will share faculty, allowing students to benefit from expertise from both locations, and Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport will provide the clinical setting. Students will graduate prepared for the National Council Licensure Exam in Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN) and will be qualified to work in a variety of clinical settings, allowing them the flexibility to choose from a multitude of fields for their career trajectory.

In addition to the CARE program, two additional concentrations will be offered at the School of Nursing off-campus instructional site at LSU Health Shreveport. These concentrations are a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Educator and RNBSN. The MSN Nurse Educator concentration targets and prepares registered nurses (RN) to become nurse educators and encourages them to accomplish their career goals in academic,

Medical Student Poster Presentations

The LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine’s Medical Student Research Program (MSRP) had its largest number of participants in 2022 with over one-third of the first-year class participating. Fifty-three students showcased their research project findings at a competitive poster presentation on October 26. Students worked directly with a faculty mentor on their projects for 1012 hours a week for five weeks over the summer. In addition to being able to share their work, students compete to receive an award in either basic science or clinical research. Over 30 judges participated in evaluating the projects. Sponsored by the School of Medicine’s Dean’s Office, the Medical Student Research Program fosters research activity, inspires students to learn more about the research process, and generates quality research evidence, while also contributing to building of highly competitive resumes for the students when they apply for a residency program in their fourth year of medical school.

practice, and service settings. This concentration is meaningful in addressing the shortage of nurse educators in Louisiana.

The RN-BSN program is hybrid and designed specifically for RNs with associate degrees or diplomas in Nursing. This program is based on principles of adult education and focused on the skills and experiences nurses bring to an educational setting. The RN-BSN coursework includes required general education and nursing courses designed for students with nursing experience.

The timing of these new nursing programs is critical as north Louisiana is currently in the midst of nursing and nurse educator shortages. Shortages related to burnout and stress existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic but have been exacerbated over the past two years. Many health care workers are resigning due to exhaustion, stress and trauma after working in COVID-19 care settings. However, voluntary resignations are not the only cause for the current lack of nursing candidates. A survey conducted in 2018 by the Health Resources and Services Administration found that the average age for an RN is 50 years old, predicting a large wave of nursing positions to be filled over the next 15 years. We have already begun to see the effects of this not only in our community and state, but nationwide.

The CARE, MSN Nurse Educator, and RN-BSN programs not only provide a new and unique opportunity for students and existing nurses to receive or further their education in nursing but will enrich the local nursing workforce.

POSTER PRESENTATIONS WINNERS

BASIC SCIENCE: Chizoba “Ama” Mosieri, MSI Mentor: Dr. Cherie-Ann Nathan Department: Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Project Title: “The effect of FGFR2 inhibition on immune cell infiltration in skin cancer”

CLINICAL SCIENCE: Kaitlyn Tholen, MSI Mentor: Dr. Gauri Mankekar Department: Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Project Title: “Evaluating the efficacy and value of drilling 3D-printed temporal bone models”

SAHP Summer Graduation

On Saturday, August 13, 65 LSU Health Shreveport School of Allied Health Professions students walked across the stage to accept their well-earned diplomas. This summer’s graduation included students receiving their bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Dr. Sharon Dunn, P.T. PhD., Dean of the School of Allied Health Professions, said of the class, “It is an honor to lead the dedicated faculty, staff, and students in the School of Allied Health Professions. I applaud the resilience and dedication required of each of them to meet their academic and professional goals during these unprecedented times. These graduates will have an immediate impact on the health of Louisiana citizens and the well-being of our society, across the continuum of care.”

Louisiana native and LSUHS Alumni, Daytheon Sturges, PhD, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, CHES, gave the commencement address. See page 22 for more on Dr. Sturges.

Inaugural Fall Faculty Retreat

The Office for Faculty Development held its inaugural Fall Faculty Retreat Friday, October 7 through Saturday, October 8, 2022 at East Ridge Country Club. Faculty attended a development session with speakers including Dr. Shane Barton, Assistant Dean for Faculty Development and Chairman of Orthopaedic Surgery; M’Lissa Smith, Program Coordinator for Faculty Development; Dr. Mark Cogburn, Director of LSUHS Student Counseling Center and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine; Dr. Marie Vazquez, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Institutional Wellness and Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Therapy; and Dr. Sue Seiler-Smith, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Director of Patient Experience. The Fall Faculty Retreat focused on the importance of connecting with colleagues, communication styles in healthcare, patient care experiences and the future of Faculty Development at LSU Health Shreveport. To round out the weekend, faculty and their plus ones were invited to attend a cocktail reception to relax and build on new connections.

Campus Safety Awareness Month

This September, LSU Health Shreveport Office of Safety, University Police Department, and SAVE partnered together for the first Campus Safety Awareness Month. An event was held each week to promote safety awareness on our campus. A breakfast and safety fair kicked off the month with information about safety and support tools available to our staff and students. The second and final events were a two-part ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training, an active shooter training. The third event of the month was a self-defense presentation where staff and students were taught how to effectively use pepper-spray devices and confidently respond to multiple types of attacks. Over 150 individuals attended these interactive and educational events.

Dr. Jamie Toms performs FIRST RNS Implantation in Shreveport

LSU Health Shreveport Neurosurgeon and Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Dr. Jamie Toms performed the first implantation of a responsive neurostimulation (RNS) device at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport. In July, the NeuroPace RNS device was implanted on a 23-year-old woman who had suffered from daily epileptic seizures for the last five years. Since the implantation, the young woman has not suffered a single seizure. This collaboration between Dr. Jamie Toms and his team will allow patients to remain in or travel to Shreveport instead of cities such as New Orleans or Dallas to have this type of procedure.

Office of Diversity Affairs receves INSIGHT into Diversity Award

LSU Health Shreveport is proud to be one of the selected recipients of the 2022 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award given by INSIGHT to Diversity magazine. Each year, INSIGHT Into Diversity recognizes colleges, universities and organizations devoted to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM through cutting-edge programs, events and initiatives.

LSU Health Shreveport’s Office of Diversity Affairs has implemented a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) initiative to address the lack of African American physicians in the U.S. workforce. The initiative uses a team-building model to strengthen relationships with pre-med and STEM advisers at HBCUs and features a host of pipeline research programs aimed at increasing representation. Other offerings include American Medical College Application Service workshops to assist hopeful students with developing competitive medical school applications.

STEM careers, or careers in science, technology, engineering and math, are projected to grow more than twice as fast as other occupations by 2029 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With demands in these fields on the rise, there is also an increasing need to ensure that diverse students have access to academic, financial, and social resources and support needed to pursue successful careers in these industries.

LSUHS Library Receives Health Information Outreach Award

The LSU Health Shreveport Library received a $25,000 Health Information Outreach Award from the Network of the National Library of Medicine. This award will help the Library sponsor a six-hour symposium called Meeting the Community Information Needs to Reduce Maternal Morbidity and Mortality. The symposium will provide free continuing medical education (CME) for 350 physicians and free continuing education (CE) for 350 nurses and 50 librarians across Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. In addition, the Library will help educate consumers with infographic sheets on seven topics important to maternal morbidity and mortality.

The mission of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) is to advance the progress of medicine and improve the public’s health by providing U.S. researchers, healthcare professionals, public health workforce, educators, and the public with equal access to biomedical and health information resources and data. The purpose of the NNLM’s Health Information Outreach Award is to ensure that healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public are introduced to authoritative health information. The Library had support in application for the award from the State of Louisiana, Department of Health, Office of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health, the LSUHS Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Psychiatry, and federally qualified health centers from the states noted above.

2022 White Out Cancer Gala Honorees

Dr. Jane Sugar, Assistant Professor of Surgery; Dr. Samip Master, Associate Clinical Professor of Hematology and Oncology; and David Dupree, who has been an oncology nurse at the Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport hospital for over 20 years, were honored at the American Cancer Society’s White Out Cancer Gala as Champions of Hope. Their impact on cancer patients and survivors in our community is invaluable, and we are so grateful for the work they each do at Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, who was the presenting sponsor at the event.

Sleep Medicine Clinic

Named in Honor of Dr. Andrew Chesson

The Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Sleep Medicine Center was named in honor of former LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine Dean and Professor, Dr. Andrew L. Chesson, Jr. on Friday, September 30. Dr. Chesson was a leader in sleep medicine in our region and established the area’s first sleep clinic in the 1980’s.

LSU Health Shreveport also recognized Dr. Chesson’s contributions through establishment of the Dr. Andrew Chesson, Jr. Neurology Resident/Fellow Educational Conference Room.

Investiture

Elizabeth Disbrow, PhD Kevin Lin, PhD

Elizabeth Disbrow, PhD, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Center for Brain Health (CBH), was awarded the inaugural Noel Foundation, Inc. Endowed Professorship Honoring Dr. Robert C. Leitz, III in Parkinson’s Disease Research. This professorship represents the first endowed funding in support of the Center for Brain Health. It will expand the study of agerelated neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia and fund neurological training equipment for graduate and medical students studying at LSU Health Shreveport. The endowed professorship honors the Noel Foundation’s former president, Dr. Robert C. Leitz III, who has courageously battled Parkinson’s disease for many years. Dr. Leitz is a Professor Emeritus of English at Louisiana State University in Shreveport and served the Noel Foundation for over 20 years.

Elizabeth Disbrow received her PhD in 1996 from University of California, Davis in neuroscience. She then obtained a postdoctoral fellowship from the University of California, San Francisco in the Department of Radiology to study brain imaging.

Dr. Disbrow has been at LSU Health Shreveport for nine years and, in that time, has led the effort to establish the CBH and “The Bridge,” a community resource for patients and families struggling with dementia. Her work in Parkinson’s disease helped identify cognitive deficits in motor planning and cognitive flexibility as major contributors to the symptoms of the disease, over and above the traditional definition of Parkinson’s as a motor disorder.

On October 7, the LSU Health Sciences Foundation held the formal investiture of Hung Wen (Kevin) Lin, PhD as the Joanna Gunning Magale Endowed Professor of Neurology. An endowed professorship is among the highest honors that can be bestowed on a faculty member. The professorship’s purpose is 2-fold: to provide recognition of our best and brightest and to provide crucial funding of the holder’s work or to support an academic department’s specific needs. Mrs. Magale was a life-long philanthropist, and this professorship was established through gift from her estate in 1995. The purpose of the Magale Endowed Professorship is to support research within the Department of Neurology.

Dr. Lin earned his Bachelors of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Biochemistry. He went on to earn his PhD from Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine in Pharmacology in 2007. He

completed his Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine in Neurology in 2012.

Dr. Lin’s research focus is on cerebral vascular innervations and involves the characterization of novel signaling agents. The importance of identifying novel factors that influence cerebral blood flow autoregulation and innovative neuroprotective agents in the context of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and stroke are his long-term research goals. He previously discovered, a new vasotone regulatory agent (Lin HW et al., PNAS, 2008), namely the release of palmitic acid methyl ester (a vasodilator and neuroprotective agent that is more potent than some nitric oxide donors) and stearic acid methyl ester (a neuroprotective agent). His overall research interests include: general neurology, stroke, cerebral ischemia, neuroprotection, angiogenesis, and cerebral blood flow.

Sharon Dunn, PT, PhD, Dean of LSU Health Shreveport School of Allied Health Professions was inducted into the Louisiana Chapter of American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 27. This distinction is awarded to physical therapists who have an enduring record of service that advances the profession for the citizens of Louisiana and is only given to two individuals per year.

E.J. Mayeaux, Jr., MD, Associate Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs, Senior Associate Dean for Education and Administration, Professor of Family Medicine, has been named the Interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. A graduate of LSU Health Shreveport, Dr. Mayeaux previously worked at LSUHS in numerous roles for over 23 years before his return to campus in 2020.

Rosario Maria S. Riel-Romero, MD, Clinical Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, became a member of the American Board of Clinical Neurophysiology Epilepsy Monitoring Exam Review Panel. The American Board of Clinical Neurophysiology, Inc. was founded in 1946 and is one of the oldest free-standing Boards for medical certification. The purpose of the Board is to establish and improve standards of knowledge and proficiency in the professional practice of Clinical Neurophysiology.

Peter Seidenberg, MD, MA, Professor and Chair of Family Medicine, Interim Director of Medical Student Research and Teri O’Neal, MD, Program Director of the Family Medicine Residency Monroe, Associate Professor of Family Medicine in Monroe were selected to serve on the Health Disparities in Rural Areas Task Force, a subcommittee of the Statewide Health Equity Consortium.

Samuel (Sammy) Wyatt, PhD, MBA was named Chief Compliance and Investigation Officer. Dr. Wyatt served as Director of Investigations in the LSU Office of Internal Audit for the past ten years. Prior to joining LSU, Dr. Wyatt worked at the Bossier City Police Department and served in the United States Navy. Dr. Wyatt holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human Resource Education from LSU, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Centenary College of Louisiana, a Bachelor of Criminal Justice from Louisiana State University at Shreveport, and an Associate of Criminal Justice from Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC). Dr. Wyatt also holds certifications as a Certified Fraud Examiner by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional by the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE), and an EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE) by Guidance Software.

Sarah Thayer, MD, PhD, FACS, Director of FeistWeiller Cancer Center, has been elected to the board of directors for the Association of American Cancer Institutes. The AACI represents 106 premier academic and freestanding cancer centers in the United States and Canada and is accelerating progress against cancer by enhancing the impact of academic cancer centers and promoting cancer health equity.

Daniel “Dani” G. Zoorob, MD, MBA, MHA, MHI, was named the new Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Zoorob comes to LSU Health Shreveport from the University of Toledo where he was Vice Chairperson of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Residency Director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Program at University of Toledo and Pro Medica Metro Hospitals, and Director of Medical Operations for the Women’s Service Line at ProMedica Metro Hospitals. In addition, Dr. Zoorob was the Vice Chairperson of Education and the Lead of Institutional Resident Robotic Training & Curriculum. He previously served as Director, Division of Urogynecology and Female Reconstructive Surgeon at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Dr. Zoorob will lead Obstetric and Gynecologic patient care at Ochsner LSU Health clinics and hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe.

2022 Employee Excellence Award

WINNERS

The LSU Health Sciences Foundation is pleased to join LSU Health Shreveport in recognizing the 2022 Employee Excellence Award winners. These outstanding 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 1, 2022.

Thank you to Campus Federal Credit Union for their partnership to help recognize these dedicated employees!

Congratulations

Lisa Babin – Communications and Public Affairs

Darrell Cooley – Pharmacology, Toxicology & Neuroscience

Tammy Duchenne – Computer Services

Julia Foley Bey – Medical and Strategic Communications

Tonya Frotz – Registrar’s Office

Mark Jordan – Physical Plant

Jessica Lee – Pediatrics Residency

Amanda Mahoney – School of Allied Health Professions Faculty Rehabilitation Clinic

Melvin Willis – Auxiliary Services

Elizabeth Young – Clinical Skills Center

Alpha Omega Alpha Society is a national medical honor society comprised of over 200,00 students, residents, fellows, faculty and alumni. The criterion for nomination is based on scholastic achievement which refers to excellence in physicianship, demonstrated professionalism, leadership capabilities, adherence to ethical standards, fairness in dealing with colleagues, achievement in medicine and/or research, and a record of service to school and community.

Ahmad Kasabali

Evan Falgoust

Fatima Iqbal

Catherine Loehr

Kevin Malone

Grace McCurdy

Meredith Nelson

Rachel Parks

Avery Bryan

Jessica Rodriguez Hillary Savage Alyse Soileau

Bennett Thomas Alexandra Zeringue

EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARD

Congratulations to the 169 Employee Service Award Honorees for 2022!

Honorees

These individuals have contributed more than 2,400 years of service to our institution. Their dedication and efforts support the successes of LSU Health Shreveport and help sustain our mission to teach, heal and discover.

5 YEAR

Brooke Baucom

Allison Brossett

Megan Burr

Kristin Butler

Jonathan Carter David Custis

Jillian Danzy Demarcus Evans

Dr. Megan Flavin

Tonya Frotz Marcus Hall

Amanda Hall Cody Hanna Hillary Harrell Winston Hooker Dr. Ammar Husan

Angela Jackson Dr. John Jacob Heather Jacobson

Dr. Vijayakumar Javalkar

Princetta Johnson Dr. Umashankar Kandasamy

Belinda Kennedy Dr. Gopi Kolluru

Stephanie Ledoux Dr, John Maloy Dr. Patrick Massey Dr. Samip Master

Jasmine McCall Dr. Erin McCallister Dr. Rusella Mirza

Patrick Morris

Suzanne Morrison Dr. Cara Permenter

Sandra Philyaw

Dr. Keerthiga Raveendran

Ania Robinson

Dr. Jayson Rodriguez

Dr. Mila Shah-Bruce

Caleb Smith

Dr. Giovanni Solitro

Stephanie Stevens

Laura Steward

Jack Taylor Dr. Katarzyna Zwolinska

10 YEAR

Tomekia Armstrong

Dr. Charles Baxter

Laura Breedlove

Bradford Burl Jolinda Carlton

Jessica Cote

Annie Douglas Dr. Ruping Fan Dr. John Felty Kevin Fentress Dr. Daniel Flowers LaTonyia Franklin Pamela Gales Lori Garcia Lisa Glidewell Gwendolyn Hoppe Mark Jordan Dr. Arthur Kavanaugh Lauren Lafitte Jessica Lee Dr. Amanda Mahoney John Norris Natalie Oliver Dr. Christopher Pattillo Dr. Navdeep Samra Stephanie Saunders Dr. Britn Sternard

Laura Sullivan Nicola Sullivan Dr. LaTashia Upton Dr. Nitin Walyat Tamara Wardell Sherman Weir Dr. Lacey Whited

David Wray

15 YEAR

Jennifer Anderson

Willie Andress Dr. Papireddy Bollam

Sherry Bowie Dr. Mark Cogburn Dr. Caiping Dong

Stephanie Eason Kathy Fagan Lindsay Ferrington

Vick Gallagher Madis George Dr. Bharat Guthikonda Dr. Edwin Herron Sandra Holloway

Sarah Jackson

Harriet Johnson

Rondalyn Kirkpatrick Dr. Brian Martin

Theresa McAnn Dr. Patrick McGauly Anita Otoole

Richard Pannell Dr. Shilpadevi Patil Dr. Carlos Previgliano Dr. Vyas Rao

Nancy Stinchcomb Joyce Storrs Dr. Gulshan Sunavala-Dossabhoy Carey Tew

Dr. John Vanchiere Dr. Robert Walter Dr. Philip Warren Elizabeth Young

20 YEAR

Dr. Sami Bahna Anthony Black Jennifer Boyd Lionel Brown Darlene Caesar Darrell Cooley Pamela Curry Montie Dobbins Deborah Fausto Tonerical Gardner Sheanny Hardjasudarma

Teresa Harris Jacqueline Hayes Dr. Christopher Kevil Dr. Nadejda Korneeva Dr. Edward Mahoney Vivi McCranie Dr. Jerry McLarty

Richard Nunnery Dedrie Plette

Michael Rash Haley Rath

Stephanie Reliford Dr. Kathryn Richardson Dr. Rona Scott Dr. Fredric Siskron Virginia Smith Amy Spring

Susan Steen Dr. Karen Stokes Shirley Wilson Dr. Howard Wright

25 YEAR

Ruth Black

Dr. Lynn Clary Dr. James Cotelingam Veronica Ivy Dr. Lester Johnson Deborah McCarthy Dr. Kevin McCarthy Dr. Robert Moore Dr. Cherie-Ann Nathan Annella Nelson

Victor Phillips Crystal Piper Allean Pratt Dr. Khaled Rabie Cynthia Singletary Dr. Donald Smith Sonia Tindel Dr. Yuping Wang

30 YEAR

Dr. Connie Arnold

Kimberly Carmen Dr. Tammy Davis Dr. Arrigo De Benedetti David Duggar Dr. Laurie Grier Melissa Johnson Tonya Winans

35 YEAR

Dr. Gary Burton Christopher Duggan Jennifer Evans Antoinette Gardner

40

YEAR

Dr. David Bryan Gwendolyn Reliford Jessie Whitaker

More than 50 high school and undergraduate students participated in summer research programs at LSU Health Shreveport hosted by the Office of Diversity Affairs, the Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences, the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, & Neuroscience. These programs are designed to provide students interested in science and healthcare with real-world experience to help advance their future academic and career goals. LSU Health Shreveport has provided summer research program opportunities to students for more than 20 years, and these programs continue to grow each year. Many students who have participated in summer programs at LSU Health Shreveport have gone on to obtain a science-based bachelor’s degree, and numerous students have returned to campus as graduate, allied health or medical students.

Applications for Summer 2023 will open in early 2023! If you know a student who would be interested in participating in a summer research program at LSU Health Shreveport, visit www.lsuhs.edu/research/student-research-programs.

2022 marked the third year for the Cardiovascular Undergraduate Research Initiative fOr Underrepresented Students (CURIOUS) program at LSUHS. Ten outstanding students are selected to participate in this 8-week intensive cardiovascular research program. CURIOUS is supported by a National Institutes of Health R25 Research Education Program grant and provides mentored research opportunities for underrepresented minority undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing research as part of their scientific or clinical career goals.

The Jumpstart Summer Enrichment Program (JSEP) and the Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (UGRAP) are summer enrichment programs led by the Office of Diversity Affairs at LSU Health Shreveport. JSEP is a program for Caddo and Bossier Parish high school students and UGRAP is a program for undergraduate college students who have an interest in pursuing biomedical research, medicine or allied health professions as a career. During these 8-week summer programs, students are mentored by an LSUHS faculty member, work alongside scientists, doctors and laboratory personnel in research labs and work on a project that is presented at a poster session.

The Summer Undergraduate Pharmacology Experience in Research (SUPER) program is a summer internship program in the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, & Neuroscience that provides opportunities in pharmacology, toxicology, carcinogenesis, chemoprevention, neuropharmacology, and neuroscience graduate

HEART HEALTH Day

research. Four students were selected from colleges across the country to participate in SUPER this summer and spent eight weeks interning in a research laboratory alongside their LSUHS faculty mentor.

The Pathogen-Host Interactions and Immunology Research and Education (PHIIRE) Program run by the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Center for Applied Immunology and Pathological Processes helps meet the need for talented new scientists. Through this competitive summer program, students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experiences in cutting-edge biomedical research laboratories at LSUHS under the mentorship of nationally recognized leaders in microbiology and immunology research. They work with their mentors to create a scientific question to serve as the focus of their project and spend their time in the program to find experimental answers to their question.

2022 marked the second year of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology’s collaboration with the Fundación Barrié in La Coruna, Spain. The collaboration offers Fellowships to Spanish national students to participate in the department’s summer undergraduate research program, establishing an international outreach of this highly competitive summer program. These students are fully integrated into the PHIIRE program and present their research projects during a special departmental seminar series at the end of the summer.

Heart Health Day returned for its second annual health fair on Saturday, October 1 at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport - St. Mary Medical Center. This event was led by the LSU Health Shreveport Center of Excellence for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences (CCDS) and hosted by Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport. Heart Health Day serves the Shreveport-Bossier community by encouraging individuals to improve their overall cardiovascular health. The family-friendly event helps participants understand healthier lifestyle habits through educational videos and activities about heart health, and engagement with Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport healthcare professionals. Heart Health Day welcome more than 150 attendees and provided free health screenings to more than 120 people. Screening included EKG, cholesterol, glucose, BMI, ABI and blood pressure. Other event highlights included information on clinical trials and how heart health relates to brain health from the LSUHS Center for Brain Health, group exercise classes, one-on-one physician consultations, nutrition guidance, children’s activities, American Heart Association Hands-Only CPR training, free lunches, and door prizes.

LSU HEALTH SHREVEPORT RESEARCH CENTERS

The Louisiana Board of Regents has supported full five-year approval for the Louisiana Addiction Research Center (LARC) and Center for Emerging Viral Threats (CEVT), with the CEVT continuing to be a designated Center of Research Excellence. The Board of Regents approval follows unanimous approval of both centers by the LSU Board of Supervisors earlier this year.

“We are humbled by this vote of confidence by the Louisiana Board of Regents and the LSU Board of Supervisors in the work being done the Louisiana Addiction Research Center and the Center for Emerging Viral Threats. I commend the directors, Dr. Nicholas Goeders and Dr. Andrew Yurochko, and the faculty and staff of both centers who have worked incredibly hard to achieve these designations,” said Chris Kevil, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Research at LSU Health Shreveport. “Both the LARC and CEVT are dedicated to fulfilling their missions and working to improve health outcomes for Louisiana citizens. This recognition also strengthens our position to compete for grant funding and further advance research in our region and state.”

Louisiana Addiction Research Center MISSION

To provide addiction research and education in an integrated environment pursuing the latest in innovative approaches and learning.

Center of Excellence for Emerging Viral Threats MISSION

To engage in multidisciplinary, basic, and translational research on infectious agents, provide surveillance and detection for current and future viral threats, provide cutting edge diagnostics and access to national clinical trials, and educate physicians, scientists and the community about prevention, treatment and the science of viral diseases.

To learn more about all of the research centers at LSU Health Shreveport, visit www.lsuhs.edu/centers.

LSU HEALTH SHREVEPORT Initiated Clinical Trial Shows Promising Therapy for Head & Neck Cancer Patients

Research from the Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery led by Chair Dr. Cherie-Ann Nathan was recently published in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. The publication, “A Randomized Multi-Institutional Phase II Trial of Everolimus as Adjuvant Therapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck,” is the result of an investigator-initiated trial at LSU Health Shreveport in conjunction with University of Chicago.

Advanced stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients are at a high risk of recurrent disease. Due to dismal 5-year survival rates, such patients are in dire need of effective adjuvant therapy. Everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, has documented activity in HNSCC and is well tolerated with minimal long-term toxicity. Everolimus is a targeted cancer drug that blocks cancer growth and is also known by its brand name Afinitor. This placebo-controlled phase II trial is the first to show promising results using Everolimus as adjuvant therapy after response to definitive treatment in a subset of HPV-

negative patients with advanced stage disease. HPV-negative TP53 mutated tumors appear to yield the best benefit. The molecular studies were supported by an NCI grant awarded to Dr. Nathan. Thus, subsequent trials using Everolimus in this patient population have proven to be warranted.

“It is exciting to see such promising results for a subset of our head and neck cancer patients and for the investigation to have moved from the bench to the bedside at LSU Health Shreveport. HPV negative, p53 mutated advanced stage head and neck cancer patients are in need of additional therapy to improve survival.” stated Dr. Cherie-Ann Nathan.

This multi-institutional investigation included Feist-Weiller Cancer Center in Shreveport and University of Chicago as well as other institutions, namely Moores Cancer Center at University of California San Diego, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Illinois Cancer Center, and Yale University School of Medicine.

The 2022 annual meeting of the South Central Branch of the American Society for Microbiology was hosted by LSU Health Shreveport’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Shreveport Convention Center October 27-29. The program consisted of keynote talks, oral and poster sessions, and social opportunities. The American Society for

Microbiology (ASM) is the oldest and largest single life science membership organization in the world. The ASM South Central Branch was founded in 1947 and has a long history of providing opportunities for microbiologists, immunologists, and virologists from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas to share their work, network, and collaborate.

The Center for Redox Biology and Cardiovascular Disease CoBRE at LSU Health Shreveport, led by Principal Investigator Chris Kevil, PhD, was awarded a $730,000 supplement award from the NIH’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) for “SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Surveillance in North Louisiana.” Viral genomic surveillance is critical for identification of SARS-CoV-2 variants that exhibit biological characteristics of concern for public health, such as escape from humoral immunity, enhanced transmissibility, and/or increased pathogenic potential. The Center for Redox Biology and Cardiovascular Disease will collaborate with the Center for Applied Immunology and Pathological Processes CoBRE at LSUHS and leverage established institutional programs including the Center for Emerging Viral Threats’ (CEVT) CLIA/CAP certified reference laboratory, ongoing COVID-19 clinical research, community mass vaccination and testing services, and LSU Health Shreveport’s highly productive viral genome sequencing program, all of which have served North and Central Louisiana throughout the pandemic. LSUHS is also an active partner with the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) in these efforts and has a strong foundation for translation of viral genomic surveillance data into favorable public health outcomes, such as protection of vulnerable communities and targeted mitigation steps against variants of concern. There are two specific aims of this project: establish rapid SARS-CoV-2 viral genome sequencing and data sharing prioritized by re-infections and infections of vaccine recipients; and perform SARS-CoV-2 viral genome sequencing and data sharing of moderate to severe COVID-19 patients with predisposing risk factors and/ or cardiopulmonary complications. Genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 for unique variants is essential to help mitigate massive negative impacts and aid in facilitating vaccination efforts to control the virus. This grant award will enhance genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Louisiana, East Texas, and Southern Arkansas to benefit U.S. public health and advance research regarding SARSCoV-2 and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brenna Pearson-Gallion, School of Graduate Studies student, was awarded a F31 Pre-Doctoral Fellowship from the NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) for her project “EphA2 in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease” which will study the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, characterized by abnormal hepatic lipid accumulation, hepatocyte ballooning, inflammation, and fibrosis, is the leading cause of liver failure in the world, affecting 25% of the global population. Previous research has uncovered a novel role for the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 in NAFLD, with potential implications in late-stage NASH. This project may identify a new therapeutic target for the treatment of NAFLD. Brenna is a student in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and her mentor is Dr. A. Wayne Orr.

Nirav Dhanesha, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, received a 5-year, $2.24 million R01 grant from the NIH’s National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute for his project “Mechanisms for Deep Vein Thrombosis following Stroke.” Patients with stroke are at a significant risk for developing life-threatening venous thromboembolic (VTE) events including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Compelling evidence has emerged that implicates neutrophils in the initiation and pathogenesis of DVT. Using experimental models, Dr. Dhanesha’s project will investigate the mechanistic role of neutrophil integrin α9 in modulation of poststroke DVT and test whether targeting integrin α9 reduces DVT incidence following stroke.

Oren Rom, PhD, RD, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, has been awarded a 5-year, $1.6 million R01 grant from the NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) for his project, “Lipidated Amino Acids in Cardiometabolic Diseases.” This research will study the role of N-acyl amino acids and underlying metabolic mechanisms and will evaluate an intervention based on N-acyl amino acids with the ultimate objective of accelerating development of a novel therapy for the simultaneous treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis, prominent diseases that often manifest together.

Reggie Lee, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, has been awarded $1.83 million for a total of five years of funding from the National Institutes of Health to study SGK1 signaling in the brain after cardiopulmonary arrest. Cardiac arrest is a major cause of death/disability in the US affecting more than 325,000 people per year with only a 10% survival rate. Dr. Lee’s long-term goal is to decrease brain damage by reviving cerebral blood flow, thus diminishing subsequent neurological deficits. Additionally, Dr. Lee would like to modulate SGK1 signaling, a major player in the brain thought to be involved in metabolism, aging, and diabetes to afford better outcomes after brain ischemia.

Kevin Lin, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurology and Assistant Director of the Center for Brain Health, was awarded $300,000 for a total of three years of funding from the American Heart Association to study neurovascular function in Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Lin’s long-term goal is to decrease brain damage by reviving cerebral blood flow thus diminishing subsequent neurological deficits. The goal of this funded project is to investigate protein arginine methyltransferase 4, an enzyme that is elevated in Alzheimer’s disease patients. Regulation of this enzyme can provide novel insights into the therapeutic opportunities of Alzheimer’s disease.

Brings Scientists and Students Together

2022 BRAID AWARD WINNERS

1st PLACE High School Student: Katherine Michael (LSUHS, SMART Program)

1st PLACE Undergraduate Student: Connor Haskins (LA Tech)

2nd PLACE Undergraduate Student: Audrey Lashley (LSUS)

1st PLACE Graduate Student: Utsab Subedi (LSUHS)

2nd PLACE Graduate Student: Jiyu Li (LSUHS)

3rd PLACE Graduate Student: Luisa Delgadillo (LSUHS)

1st PLACE Postdoctoral Fellow: Alex Finney, PhD (LSUHS)

2nd PLACE Postdoctoral Fellow: Randa Eshaq, PhD (LSUHS)

1st PLACE Medical Student: Ross Dies (LSUHS)

2nd PLACE Medical Student: Jay Manuel (LSUHS)

1st PLACE Clinical Fellow: Matthew Martin, PT, DPT (LSUHS)

After being held virtually the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Biomedical Research and Industry Day (BRaID) was held in person on Thursday, October 20 and welcomed more than 170 registrants from academic institutions across North Louisiana. Biomedical Research and Industry Day is focused on bringing together students, trainees, and scientists conducting biomedical research to learn more about the interface between the research laboratory and commercial sector. The theme for this year’s conference was “Translational Science: Collaborative Innovation to Improve Health”. Research and industry experts from the Springfield Clinic, Abiomed, Inc., Pfizer, Inc. and the University of South Florida presented keynote presentations and participated in a panel question and answer session. The event also featured talks from students and postdoctoral fellows, a poster session, and networking opportunities. The 2022 BRaID conference was hosted by Louisiana State University Shreveport in collaboration with LSU Health Shreveport, University of Louisiana Monroe, and Louisiana Tech University. Special thank you to event sponsors Louisiana Startup Prize, LSUHS Center for Brain Health, LSUHS Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences, LSUHS Louisiana Addiction Research Center, and the Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Sciences at Louisiana Tech University.

TEAM SCIENCE

Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice

LSU Health Shreveport is committed to improving patient outcomes through the development of outstanding research and scholarship programs, research education, preservation, and adoption of evidence-based practice that considers patient values and preferences. The Department of Surgery’s successful academic scholarship program revision is achieved through discovery pathways promoting a spirit of inquiry and innovation, offering students and residents an opportunity to explore the breadth of their intellectual curiosity, the rigor of purposeful scholarship, and creative practice for improving patient outcomes and community health. Faculty mentorship and the formation of research collaboration teams has built connections with others around the LSUHS campus, our community, and a diverse patient population. Through research discovery pathways, we aim to enhance research engagement, encourage innovative ideas and forward-thinking to promote evidence-based practice solutions that will improve patient’s lives, and inspire and educate others worldwide through dissemination.

TEAM SCIENCE is led by Dr. Keith White, Chairman of the Department of Surgery; Dr. Terry Lairmore, Director of Surgical Research; Dr. Chris Kevil, Vice Chancellor for Research; Dr. J. Steve Alexander, Professor of Physiology; Wendy Chriss, Surgical Research Project Manager; and Dr. Zachary Connelly, Surgical Research Associate.

A Tradition Continues FAMILY DAY

Family Day is a beloved annual tradition at LSU Health Shreveport. Each year, students proudly show their friends and family around campus and experience an array of engaging, educational sessions such as a tour of the human anatomy lab, giving these friends and family a sneak peak into the life of our students. This fall, students’ friends and family members showed their support with 500 attendees at the School of Medicine Family Day held on Saturday, September 24 and with 400 attendees at the School of Allied Health Professions Family Day held on Saturday, October 1. Both events were given a warm welcome by Interim Chancellor, Dr. David Lewis, and an opportunity to learn more about campus safety with Director of University Police, Chief Vaughn Burris.

School of Medicine students, friends and families also heard from additional leadership including Dr. Debbie Chandler, Associate Dean of Student Affairs; Dr. Peggy Murphy, Director of Student Affairs; Dr. Mark Cogburn, Director of Student Counseling Center; and Marc Gibson, Executive Director of Campus Operations. A tour of the human anatomy lab, clinical skills demonstrations, visit to the library, and more followed to wrap up the celebratory day.

At the School of Allied Health Professions Family Day, Dean, Sharon Dunn, Ernesto Peña, SAHP Student Government Association President, and Valorie Lurry, Director of Student Life also welcomed everyone to campus. Self-guided tours followed with opportunities to experience presentations in the Anatomage/Brain and Cadaver Lab and in the Simulation Lab, and to play SAHP Family Feud. School of Allied Health Professions Family Day ended with a unique session for each allied health program.

ALUMNI NOTES

Daytheon Sturges, PhD, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, CHES®

School of Allied Health Professions, Class of 2008

Dr. Daytheon Sturges received his Master of Physician Assistant Studies from LSU Health Shreveport in 2008. He now practices family medicine at the University of Washington Primary Care – Northgate in Seattle, Washington. He is an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine; Associate Program Director for Regional Affairs, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI); and Interim Associate Program Director of Academic Affairs at MEDEX Northwest PA Program. He also serves as Vice Chair for JEDI for the Department of Family Medicine. Most recently, Dr. Sturges returned to LSU Health Shreveport as the 2022 School of Allied Health Professions Summer Graduation commencement speaker and was awarded the 2022 Physician Assistant Alumni of the Year Award.

Ashely Brummett, PhD

School of Graduate Studies, Class of 2015

Dr. Ashley Brummett received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona where she majored in Microbiology. She then moved to Shreveport, LA and joined the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at LSU Health Shreveport School of Graduate Studies. She worked in Dr. Matthew Woolard’s lab and graduated with her doctorate degree in 2015. While in Dr. Woolard’s lab, she published one first-author paper and was the recipient of the Ike Muslow Fellowship. Remaining in Shreveport, Dr. Brummett transitioned into a post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Physiology at LSUHS and went on to become a DNA Analyst at the North Louisiana Crime Lab where she has worked since July 2016. She recently returned to campus as the keynote speaker for the School of Graduate Studies 2022 Fall Welcome Day.

Keith Elbourne, MD

School

of Medicine, Class of 2002

After graduation, Keith opened Bayou Regional Women’s Clinic in Zachary, LA. The clinic was acquired by Lane Regional Medical Center in 2017 and employs 4 physicians. All four physicians are LSU trained, with two coming from LSU Health Shreveport. Keith and Wendy have been married for 24 years and have 2 children. Wendy is a high school math teacher at Silliman Institute in Clinton, LA. Their oldest, Julia, is a senior Elementary Education major at LSU in Baton Rouge. Jonathan is a freshman majoring in Kineseology/Sports Management and is a member of the Mississippi College Choctaw baseball team. They reside in Ethel, LA.

Katie Price, MD

School of Medicine, Class of 2012

After graduating from the School of Medicine in 2012, Dr. Katie Price completed her residency training in pediatrics at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. She practiced in New Orleans for three years before her and her husband, Thomas, moved to her hometown of Lake Charles in 2018. She currently works part time for a private practice in Lake Charles. She has two girls, Calli (4) and Riley (18 months) whom keep her busy in her time away from work.

A Baton Rouge native, Dr. Azeem Khan graduated from LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport in 2002 and completed his general surgery residency at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. He completed a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta and a pediatric cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine/Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He also completed advanced training at The Arizona Heart Institute and The Heart Center in Leipzig, Germany. He also serves a national proctor for the DaVinci Intuitive Surgical Robotic platform.

Dr. Azeem Khan’s brother, Dr. Imtiaz Khan graduated from LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport in 2011 and completed his general surgery residency at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. He completed a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at Weil Cornell Medicine and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, as well as a heart/lung transplantation and advanced heart failure/mechanical circulatory support fellowship at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He serves as a national proctor for the DaVinci Intuitive Surgical Robotic platform as well.

Brothers Dr. Azeem Khan and Dr. Imtiaz Khan

Joined Baton Rouge General Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery Associates

ALUMNI NOTES

SCHOOL OF ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS REUNION

The LSU Health Shreveport School of Allied Health Professions held a reunion on Saturday, July 30, for the Classes of 2012, 2002, and 1992, who celebrated 10, 20 and even 30 years in their professions. Over 40 classmates from all over Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas were in attendace. The day started with a campus tour to showcase the “new” Allied Health building and state of the art Rehabilitation Clinic, along with a tour of the cadaver lab, thanks to tour leaders Dr. Sharon Dunn, Dr. Suzanne Tinsley, and Dr. Kevin McCarthy. After the tour, more alumni joined in for lunch provided by Silver Star Smokehouse and local brews at Seventh Tap Brewing Project. With PT, OT, and CPS alum, the day was filled with reminiscent stories, laughter, and even a few tears as they perused yearbooks, photos, and memory videos. Later that evening, classes hosted their own reunions and continued the celebration at local eateries.

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE ALUMNI REUNIONS

The Office of Alumni Relations welcomed five School of Medicine classes – 1977, 1982, 1992, 2002, and 2012 – back to LSU Health Shreveport for their 45, 40, 30, 20, and 10 year reunions in October. Our alumni caught up with each other over dinner at Superior’s Steakhouse and had the opportunity to tour the Center for Medical Education. They were thrilled to see the exciting changes happening on campus! We look forward to welcoming the classes of 1973, 1978, 1983, 1993, 2003, and 2013 back for their reunions next fall.

The Schools of Allied Health Professions and Medicine look forward to hosting alumni reunions each year. Stay connected and keep your alumni profile up-to-date at www.lsuhsfoundation.org/alumniupdate.

in memoriam

Gwendolyn Hogan, MD

Dr. Gwendolyn R. Hogan passed away earlier this year at the age of 93. She served as the Professor of Neurology and Director of Child Neurology from 1983 until her retirement in 1994. Dr. Hogan was also the Acting Chief of Neurology from 1989-1993. She authored over sixty manuscripts and was the first certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) in 1964. Dr. Hogan was known as an excellent child neurologist who put patient care at the forefront of her practice. Having no spouse or children, Gwendolyn Hogan, a present, loving sibling and aunt, is survived by two of her three siblings as well as seven nieces and nephews.

Lisa Locke

Lisa Locke passed away unexpectedly on July 14, 2022. She had been a part of the LSU Health family since May 2008. Lisa was an administrative coordinator for Jr/Sr Med-Clerkship for Internal Medicine who loved to assist medical students on their journey to become physicians. She leaves behind a husband, two sons, and several grandchildren. Lisa was an amazing person with

a huge heart. She was a poetry author with a published collection titled See Yourself. Lisa was very involved in her church and will be remembered as someone who always put the needs of others before her own.

John Staczek, MD

Dr. John Staczek passed away earlier this year at the age of 72. He is survived by his sister, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews, and girlfriend and her family.

Dr. Staczek was a professor at LSU Health Shreveport from 1984 until 2009 when he retired. He spent his professional career as a scientist, educator, and scholar. He was a beloved educator of students in the Schools of Medicine Graduate Studies. He was well established as a researcher in microbiology and published many scientific publications. He also mentored PhD students in microbiology. Dr. Staczek was well known as a kindred spirit among his colleagues and students. He earned the respect of his peers as a true scientist.

This

Patient

The LSU Health Sciences Foundation returned with its annual fundraising gala, An Evening for Healers, on Thursday, September 22. For 11 years, the event has served as a platform to honor and celebrate the ShreveportBossier community’s first responders, physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and other healthcare providers who each played a vital role in saving the lives of patients at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport (OLHS), North Louisiana’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, while raising mission-critical funding for LSU Health Shreveport.

Since the event’s inception, 24 moving patient stories have been shared, more than 800 dedicated first-responders and healthcare heroes have been honored, and more than $3 million has been raised for LSU Health Shreveport. This year the LSUHS Foundation celebrated record-breaking fundraising with more than $519,750 in sponsorships and donations. Funds raised through An Evening for Healers help LSU Health Shreveport recruit and retain top faculty, acquire cutting-edge technology and equipment, and support programs for students at all three LSUHS schools — the School of Medicine, School of Allied Health Professions, and the School of Graduate Studies.

Thank you to Destiny, Taylor, and Foundation Board Member, Valarie Jamison, for serving as event chairs!

More than 800 guests attended the event and were the first to see the CRM Studios produced documentaries retelling the inspiring stories of patients whose lives were saved thanks to their team of healers. This year’s featured patients were David Bates, a beloved local chef who suffered a stroke and had an incredible road to recovery thanks to the Comprehensive Stroke Center at OLHS; and Jamie Martin, the first COVID-19-positive mother to successfully deliver her baby while on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), who was transported from Lafayette to OLHS via Life Air Rescue to save both her life and her unborn son’s.

More than 70 physicians, nurses, first-responders, and allied health professionals were recognized during the event. Patients were given the opportunity to thank their team of healers at the conclustion of the event.

Ochsner Health was the presenting sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. Ochsner Health and LSU Health Shreveport began a partnership in October of 2018 with the goal of delivering exemplary patient care throughout the north Louisiana region.

to every sponsor who generously supported this important event.

Dr. Jonathan Eaton, Assistant Professor Clinical of Internal Medicine

Patient Jamie Martin with her family and members of her team of Healers

David Bates and his fiancé, Dr. Marjorie Chelly

Major Cordell Williams, Region 3 Command Inspector for the Louisiana State Police, was Emcee for the event.

year’s honored guest speaker was Kim Mulkey, head coach for LSU Women’s basketball and a Louisiana native.

2022 An Evening for Healers Sponsors Thank You to our

Underwriters:

Video Production: Metro Aviation

Healer Honorees: Dr. and Mrs. Lacy H. Williams

Welcome Reception: CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier

Valet: In Memory of Fred and Willetta Moffitt

Florals: Dr. Peggy and Mr. David Murphy

Invitation: Paragon Press

Program: Brentwood Hospital

Wine: Cuban Liquor Healers Medals: Lee Michaels

Chairman Sponsors

Dr. and Mrs. Steven Bailey

LSU Health Shreveport Department of Medicine Dr. and Mrs. Charles Fox, III

PROFESSOR SPONSORS

Dr. Chaitanya Ahuja and Dr. Hugo Cuellar Dr. and Mrs. R. Shane Barton Boudreaux’s Specialty Compounding Pharmacy Coleman Partners Architects LLC & Perkins + Wills

Lifetime sponsors: The Kinsey Family

The Moffitt Family, Moffitt Volkswagon-Mazda-Porsche-Audi Shreveport

Hand Construction, LLC Laveer Wealth Management, Kevin Murphy CFP Dr. David and Kathy Lewis

Frances and Bill Comegys Sharon L. Dunn, PT, PhD

FitzGerald Contractors, LLC Hope Pharmacy

LSU Health Shreveport Department of Neurosurgery LSU Health Shreveport

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SPONSORS

Argent Financial Caddo Parish Drs. Glenda Johnson and Chris Kevil Kilpatrick Life Insurance Company & Rose-Neath Funeral Homes

Assistant Professor Sponsors

AEP Foundation/SWEPCO

Aillet, Fenner, Jolly, & McClelland Dr. and Mrs. Robert Barish

BRF Blanchard Walker

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Wayne and Ellen Brown Mr. Michael & Dr. Caitlin Busada Dr. and Mrs. William A. Byrd

Campus Federal Credit Union Cardinaux Wealth Advisors

Carter Credit Union Christus Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery

Cintas Marianne and Stafford Comegys

jweiland Group Benefits

LSU Health Shreveport Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

LSU Health Shreveport Department of Anesthesiology Debbie Chandler, MD, MBA Chizoba Mosieri, MD

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Medic Pharmacy Services Kathy and Bubba Rasberry Regina and Robert Redstone

River Cities Interventional

LSU Health Shreveport Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Querbes and Nelson

Cross Keys Bank Dermatology and Skin Surgery Dr. John and Meredith Evans Garden Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Patty and Mark Garrett Griggs Enterprise Rand and Susan Falbaum Fat Calf Brasserie Fibrebond Corp Martha H. Fitzgerald Leigh and Kevin Flood Betty Henderson Heard, McElroy, and Vestal, LLC HRI Hospitality Dr. James and Marie-Alice Hobley Hummingbird, King, & Butler

Destiny and Taylor Jamison

JP Morgan Chase John Pickens Clothiers

Heidi and Gregory Kallenberg Keith D. Peterson & Co., Inc. LAMMICO Ray Lasseigne

Leonard & Betty Phillips Foundation

LSU Health Shreveport School of Allied Health Professions Clinical Faculty

LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine Class of 1973

LSU Health Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

LSU Health Shreveport Department of Urology

Shilpadevi Patil, MD & Harish Siddaiah MD, FASA Dr. and Mrs. Keith White

Pain Specialists

Lynn and Armand Roos/ Connie and Donald Posner RoseStone Wealth Advisors

Dr. Peter Seidenberg & Dr. EJ Mayeux

Snell’s Orthotics and Prosthetics Tom and Sheryl Ostendorff/ Southern Research Co., Inc.

LSUS Foundation Dr. and Mrs. James Patterson

Powers Foundation

Prevot Design Services, APAC

Progressive Bank

Raley & Associates, Inc.

Rapides Regional Medical Center

Red River Bank

Romph & Pou Agency

Shreveport Bossier

New Car Dealers Association

Hidehiro Takei, MD

Trinity Operating

The Walter and Poljak Families WK Spine & Pain Specialists

DR. TERRY DAVIS received the Community Hero award for her impact on public health literacy

Each year at An Evening for Healers, we honor an individual who has made a significant positive difference in our community, especially in the area of public health. This year’s Community Hero is Dr. Terry Davis. For the past 35 years, Dr. Davis has served LSU Health Shreveport as Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and as Division Chief of Healthcare Disparities. She has investigated the impact of patient literacy on health with nearly 180 journal articles and 11 book chapters related to health communication. Dr. Davis developed the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM), the gold standard for literacy testing in medical settings.

She has served on the health literacy boards for the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, as well as the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. She is a member of the National Academy’s Roundtable on Health Literacy. At the state level, she serves as the Health Literacy Director on the NIH sponsored Louisiana Clinical and Translational Science Centers where she trains investigators in 11 academic institutions.

Congratulations to Dr. Davis on this much deserved recognition.

Dean Sponsors Lindsay and John Atkins Mr. and Mrs. David Means Willis Knighton Health System

Presented By:

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 By supporting

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Shreveport, Louisiana Permit No. 4