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HONORS & APPOINTMENTS
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.
2022
INSPIRING PROGRAMS IN STEM AWARD
FROM
MAGAZINE
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
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.
Kevin Lin, PhD
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.
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. 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.
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
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.
Class of 2023 FALL INDUCTEES
Avery Bryan Evan Falgoust Fatima Iqbal Ahmad Kasabali Catherine Loehr Kevin Malone Grace McCurdy Meredith Nelson Rachel Parks Jessica Rodriguez Hillary Savage Alyse Soileau Bennett Thomas Alexandra Zeringue
HonoreesEMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARD Congratulations to the 169 Employee Service Award Honorees for 2022!
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
