Ochsner Magazine April/May 2023

A New Generation of Donors

Honoring Damon Carraby, the first fi ve-year member of the Alton Ochsner Society and one of Ochsner’s youngest donors

Also In This Issue:

• The legacy of an ICU-nurse-turned-chef who devoted her life to others (page 4)

• How Ochsner’s intentional design is transforming patient care across facilities (page 6)

• Why one young patient’s inspiring legacy is improving care for future generations of children (page 12)

• How cutting-edge technology in Ochsner’s m3D lab is reimagining healthcare possibilities (page 14)

Dear Friends ,

March 20 marked the start of spring and the return of many of my favorite traditions. The sights and sounds of festivals, the electric energy of basketball games and the smell of boiled crawfi sh that fi lls our schedules and our hearts. These moments have a unique ability to bring people together. Those standing beside you in the bleachers and singing along to your favorite songs always feel like family in those shared experiences.

This spirit of fellowship is especially apparent at crawfi sh boils. The seasoning and ingredients come together to make an extraordinary and unforgettable fl avor, but the real magic is in the experience. Standing side-byside, people young and old happily roll up their sleeves and peel for the payoff of the perfect bite. It’s not the recipe–it’s the community.

The patients, supporters and healers featured in this issue show the power of community. I’m humbled to see stories of parents turning loss into purpose, and creating a family for others on the same diffi cult journey. It’s inspiring to read about the dedication of physicians, researchers and caregivers whose work will change and save lives for generations to come.

Thank you for rolling up your sleeves and standing alongside us. Your generosity turns hardship into hope, and ideas into impact. The work we do is made possible by coming together as a community. We cannot thank you enough for being a part of ours.

Gratefully,

Pete November CEO, Ochsner Health

Foundation Board

Gayle Benson

Robert Boh

Miles P. Clements

Tommy Coleman

Joseph R. Dalovisio, MD

Frank C. Dudenhefer, Jr.

William B. Emory

Calvin Fayard, Jr.

Gregory D. Flores

Paul H. Flower

Tommy Fonseca

Sarah G. Freeman

Wilmer “Bill” Freiberg

Marcel Garsaud

Lee L. Giorgio, Jr.

John M. Hairston

Desiree R. Harrison

Tara C. Hernandez

Todd B. Johnson

John Kennedy

Cliffe Laborde

Margaret L. Laborde

Chadwick Landry

Michael J. Maenza

Steve Nathanson

Lori K. Ochsner

Sue Roy

Karen T. Stall

Pamela Steeg

Catherine Burns Tremaine

Norris Williams

To see more stories like these, please follow us on Facebook We’d like to hear from you ! Please send comments to philanthropy@ochsner.org

Ochsner Executive Leadership

Pete November

Chief Executive Officer, Ochsner Health

Robert I. Hart, MD, FAAP, FACP

Chief Physician Executive and President, Ochsner Clinic

Michael Hulefeld

President and Chief Operating Officer

Tracey Schiro

Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Administrative Officer

Scott J. Posecai

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Denise Basow, MD

Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Health Officer

Leonardo Seoane, MD

Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer

Associate Vice-Chancellor of Academics, LSU Health Shreveport

Professor of Medicine, University of Queensland

David M. Gaines

Executive Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer

Corwin Harper

Senior Vice President, Chief Growth Officer

Jeffrey Fernandez

Senior Vice President, Population Health and Chief Executive Officer, Ochsner Health Plan

Deborah Grimes

System Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

Ochsner Magazine

Lea Witkowski-Purl

Maida Jones

Editors

MarketSmiths Content Strategists, LLC

Victoria Cooper

Custom Publishing Editor

Amy Schraub

Art Director

In This Issue

Caring and Cooking for Others

The husband of late Ochsner nurse

Brenda Floyd recounts his wife’s journey from the ICU to culinary school.

Promoting Health and Wellness Through Design

Using research-backed principles, Ochsner’s interior design team builds beautiful spaces that heal.

Cover Story: Damon Carraby

One of Ochsner’s youngest donors shares his passion for uplifting others and giving back.

WiBo McGregor’s Lasting Impact

A young patient imparts lessons of love, faith, strength and generosity on family and friends.

Extended Reality in Medicine

Ochsner’s m3D lab pushes the boundaries of clinical care and education with cutting-edge technologies.

Scholarship Recipients

Selected Ochsner awards student achievement and carries on the legacies of those who came before.

A Mother and Daughter’s Perseverance

Emily Wahl reflects on the life of her daughter, Renée, and the Ochsner community’s support.

Cover Photo: Daymon Gardner

This photo was taken in Damon’s home in New Orleans in front of some of his art collection.

The Legacy of a Nurse-Chef

The Ochsner ICU nurse who devoted her life to caring and cooking for others

By Gary Michael Smith | Photos: Courtesy of Gary Michael Smith

After 17 years as an ICU nurse, my wife, Brenda Joy Floyd, decided to pursue an additional passion: Chef! During her research into culinary programs, she discovered that one of the only seven universities in the country at the time offering a fouryear degree was just 60 miles away. Nicholls State University in the Cajun town of Thibodaux, Louisiana offered a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts. As this was my undergraduate alma mater, I was excited that she would be spending time here since, even though it is only an hour from New Orleans, it’s a different world.

As a Bachelor of Science Registered Nurse, she already had all the required math and science prerequisites, so an entire year was waived. After earning her BSCA and working in a few highend restaurants such as Brigtsen’s, Sporting House Café and the Chef John Folse Test Kitchen, she realized that this is a young person’s vocation. Seventeen hours in a commercial kitchen filled with hot liquids and sharp objects demonstrated that it would take as many years as she’d already spent in critical care nursing to reach a similar pinnacle of expertise.

Brenda had already gained respect as a creative and talented chef among her peers and instructors, with wins in

multiple competitions and representing the university’s culinary school by giving cooking demonstrations at various events in and out of town. She had even penned a recipe book titled Southern Baking for an independent study for the new baking instructor who recently had relocated from a northern state and knew little about the nuances of baking with southern flour in an extraordinarily humid environment. Nonetheless, after graduation, she moved from part-time nursing back to full-time, but kept cooking for the two of us as well as for some epic parties for which our friends lavished accolades for years—the most wonderfully imaginative and inspired gourmet meals conceivable.

Spreading love through food

Recognizing my lack of kitchen competence and culinary proficiency, I wisely stayed out of her way as I would be more a hindrance than a help as she darted here and there, seasoned this, stirred that, set multiple timers, took temperatures, and removed something from the oven to turn it before returning it. One thing I did learn from watching her is that much of cooking is about timing and mise en place—“putting in place” everything in preparation to cook. But the kitchen, like the ICU, was her domain, and so I was relegated to sous chef, whipping and stirring, and cleaning and

chopping—the latter at a glacial pace with pathetically slow knife skills.

We’d had dreams of opening a bed and breakfast—not one where the second “b” is silent—a real one where Brenda would do what she loved most: cook for others. We even had our eye on a beautifully maintained antebellum riverfront Victorian mansion in her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, but it eventually was bought and used for something similar. So her culinary creations stayed in our home for numerous elaborate dinner parties fit for royalty.

Brenda J. Floyd, BS RN, BSCA

A Unique Collection of Surprisingly Simple Recipes!

Brenda had catered some events, but these proved more labors of love than revenue generating as, being the culinary perfectionist, she used high-quality ingredients for extravagant multi-course endeavors, so it was impossible to make a profit, if not actually breaking even. Nonetheless, she would make the sacrifice for her art, and she glowed when those lucky few diners would rave years later as they pined for more of her smoked tomato salsa, dry rub ribs, and large selection of cakes, pies, cobblers and multi-fruit ice creams. When we bought our first home in 2003, she planted blackjack fig, lime, Meyer lemon and blood orange trees—all of which I’m still harvesting today.

pre-college youth. But as she was soon to learn, I was more

bituminous rock than a diamond in the rough; that Thanksgiving she guided me through the steps of baking a rosemary chicken, complete with garlic infused under the skin. It was beautiful, but as dry as warm sawdust. She praised me, as always, but I knew it was more from hopeless pity.

Forty months later in the spring of 2013, Brenda succumbed to the disease she had fought to the end. She never gave up hope, an attitude that I think was more for my benefit, and as a tribute to her, I published Southern Baking soon after her passing. I donate 100 percent of profits to Ochsner’s breast cancer oncology research and patient assistance for the hospital where she worked for more than three decades.

I think Brenda would be pleased.

Southern Baking

Floyd

Baked goods have been a staple of the Southern home for as long as there have been flour, sugar, and butter. From tea cakes to cat head biscuits, baking in the South is as ubiquitous as heat, humidity, and mosquitoes–but a lot more enjoyable! This unique collection of cookies, breads, cornbread, pies, biscuits, cakes, and rolls is sure to please all who are lucky enough to be around when they come fresh out of the oven. The recipes are simple, using readily available ingredients, so let’s get started!

Brenda Joy Floyd earned her Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts from the renowned Chef John Folse Culinary Institute in the southeastern Louisiana Acadian town of Thibodaux. This book is a culmination of her past experiences in cooking, as well as her formal education and training in this wonderfully creative art. It presents a distinctive collection of select recipes–all focused on the craft of southern baking. When not cooking, Ms. Floyd enjoyed the joie de vivre in New Orleans with her husband, Gary, and their three cats, Emory, Elton, and Hambone.

Southern Baking by Brenda Joy Floyd

Brenda at a cooking demonstration at a Nicholls State University sponsored event in Houma, Louisiana.

Inside Ochsner’s Healing Environments

Intentional architecture and environmental design are transforming Ochsner facilities and elevating the patient experience

By Olivia Watson

We know that setting plays a significant role in mental and physical well-being, so the hospital environment is one of the first strategies to healing for hospitalized patients. Research shows that simply having a window in a hospital room post-surgery can significantly improve a patient’s recovery. It’s why the hallways and patient rooms across Ochsner Health are flooded with natural light from large windows, and the lobbies feature calming color palettes.

Like Ochsner’s healing gardens and exterior community spaces, the hospital’s

interior design is very intentional. The design and architectural team is guided by one philosophy: “To advocate for an environment that references nature in color, imagery and texture provides a well-balanced environment for healing,” said Annette Messina, the Furnishings, Fixtures and Equipment Planner at the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center.

“In 2016, we started making a big push to evolve our architectural and interior standards to better meet patient needs, standardize our buildings and create a more cohesive experience across our

organization,” said Jaime Johnston, Assistant Vice President of Facilities Planning. “Patients and members of our community should walk into any one of our facilities and know they’re at Ochsner.” Now when people walk into The Grove Medical Complex, Benson Cancer Center or Clearview Clinic, there’s no question that they are.

Embracing biophilic design

For the facilities planning and design teams, cultivating these healing environments began with a strategy

The Pediatric super clinic on the fifth floor of Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove in Baton Rouge with intentional designs for children.

Photo: Elizabeth Burris

centered around biophilic design. Biophilic design seeks to connect people to nature in the built environment, featuring elements like natural light, soft color tones and artwork rooted in nature.

The department was particularly interested in research by Roger S. Ulrich, an architect and internationally recognized researcher in evidencebased healthcare design. His research focuses on the effects of art and the built environment on health outcomes. He argues that the presence of nature

Other decision-makers shared Annette’s sentiment, and decided to relocate Cancer Infusion from the first floor atrium of the clinic to the fifth floor Research Building in 2010. The atrium had limited

six-story building for cancer services— one that was brighter and better suited to patient needs. The 115,000 square foot expansion was made possible by a $20 million gift from Gayle Benson and her late husband, Tom Benson, in 2017.

The new Benson Cancer Center includes the following cancer services and floors: Tansey Breast Center and Imaging, Urology, GI and Colon Rectal Clinics, Alternative Therapy, Infusion, BMT Infusion and Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic and the Paulette and Frank Stewart Riverview Terrace.

and environmental art can lessen pain, stress and even healthcare costs. And the interior design team at Ochsner couldn’t agree more. “I am a firm believer that the environment we receive care in helps us heal,” Annette said.

light and space for patient chairs, while the fifth floor offered natural light and expansive views of the Mississippi River. This renovation came first, and was followed by the decision to build a new,

SOME OF THE LOCAL ARTISTS FEATURED:

Annette played a significant role in the interior design and planning for this new building. One of the first intentional design choices the team made was working within the biophilic palette to create spaces with calming, neutral colors.

“The bottom floors of the building feature neutral, earthy tones and as

on page 22)

“ It’s a privilege to do right by this community. Everyone is wowed by these spaces and the impact they have on every person who walks through our doors. ”

— Jaime Johnston, Assistant Vice President of Facilities Planning

A private infusion suite in the Benson Cancer Center with copper infused sheets, calming colors and a view of the Mississippi River. Photo courtesy of Ochsner Marketing and Communications

Boyd Kris Muntan Nicholas Pechon Tinroom Connor McManus Vincent Weber

A New Generation of Donors, Led By Damon Carraby

Celebrating one of Ochsner Health’s youngest donors, Damon Carraby, as the first five year member of the Alton Ochsner Society

By Olivia Watson | Photos: Daymon Gardner

Damon Carraby has always been a giver—he just didn’t know he could make a career out of it.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Damon’s unexpected path to fundraising began at home, with the wisdom of his grandmothers. “‘Pour into others what was poured into you’ was instilled in me from a young age,” Damon said. “Both my grandmothers were very intentional about encouraging us to give, whether that meant volunteering or donating.”

While giving was an important part of his upbringing, Damon never considered it his vocation. His grandmothers were educators, and he too was drawn to the classroom—specifically providing classroom management and interventions to students achieving below grade level.

His work at ReNEW Schools Charter Management Organization and later City Year revealed a recurring theme: Damon was a skilled leader and communicator. He had a knack for uplifting the people around him. “A mentor of mine asked me if I had ever considered philanthropy or fundraising,” he said. “They said I would be good at it—I truly fell right into it.”

Eager to pursue this new trajectory, Damon applied to Ochsner Health and landed a job as philanthropy and foundations coordinator. In the process, he fell in love with the organization and its deep commitment to the Gulf South community.

Damon Carraby in his home in New Orleans.

Aligning with the Alton Ochsner Society

Damon’s experience at Ochsner was the ideal entrypoint into the fundraising world. In this role, he became steeped in all facets of philanthropy, from prospect research and cultivation to stewardship and documentation.

“Working at Ochsner, I experienced firsthand the many moving parts that make this incredible organization operate smoothly,” he shared. “For me, it reinforced the importance of taking care of one another and safeguarding the health of our community.”

It also meant he became familiar with the story of Alton Ochsner, one of the five founding members of the hospital. Alton’s impact is best encapsulated in his empathetic catch phrase: “In this hospital,” he said, “the patients and the patient’s families come first.”

In 1982, the Alton Ochsner Society was established to pay tribute to Alton Ochsner and his “Patients First” focus. Alton Ochsner Society members pay annual membership dues that support the Excellence Fund, an unrestricted fund supporting initiatives that improve patient care. Any employee of Ochsner— from doctors and nurses to business professionals—can submit proposals to obtain financial support for innovative projects that will improve patient care and delivery.

This year, Damon became one of the youngest members of the Alton Ochsner Society and the first to make a five year membership pledge. His multi-year commitment guarantees his support for

the Excellence Fund through 2027. His gift is a multi-year commitment, which he will contribute to annually.

“I loved Alton Ochsner’s story—it’s what drew me to join the Alton Ochsner Society and support the Excellence Fund,” Damon shared. “This fund touches on a milieu of different needs, it flows

to an exciting opportunity as Director of National Corporate Partnerships at Teach for America. Today, he combines his experience in education and philanthropy to challenge educational inequities and inspire a new generation of changemakers.

“I get to marry two of my biggest

where it’s most needed.” This could mean helping a patient afford an Uber ride to and from their oncology appointment, pay for a meal or get access to medical equipment they need.

As a valued member of this society, Damon has opportunities to tour Ochsner facilities and have candid conversations with patients and staff about what exactly their needs are—and how those needs inevitably change.

Giving, in this sense, is about more than his financial contribution: it’s an emotional investment in the health and wellness of this community. “I hold Ochsner really near and dear to my heart,” he shared.

Empowering a new generation of donors

Damon’s passion for community engagement and fundraising led him

passions: fundraising and ultimately supporting communities I really care about,” he explained. “I want to show young Black and Brown boys that there are exciting career paths for them— you can make a sustainable lifestyle working in fundraising and giving back to your community.”

Damon encourages his friends and fellow young professionals to think creatively about opportunities to donate. “I want to show people that it’s attainable to steward communities and be a part of something bigger than yourself,” he said. “Giving doesn’t have to mean monetary contributions either, it can be reading to students, spending time with seniors, volunteering at a hospital like Ochsner.”

Damon’s engagement with the greater

“ I want to show young Black and Brown boys that there are exciting career paths for them—you can make a sustainable lifestyle working in fundraising and giving back to your community. ”

— Damon Carraby

A New Generation of Donors

(continued from previous page)

Gulf South community extends beyond Ochsner’s walls. He is currently a board member at Clover, formerly Kingsley House, a health-adjacent organization on a mission to educate children, strengthen families and build community. He is also a board member on the Young Leadership Council, a nonprofit organization created to support young professionals and empower them to create social change in their communities.

A proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., and recently named by Nola Adore Magazine as one of the 25 Most Influential New Orleanians, Damon’s success uplifting the people around him speaks for itself. But in the true spirit of giving, he humbly thanks the people around him.

“I am surrounded by an amazing group of friends and young philanthropists here in New Orleans,” Damon said. “We lift each other up.”

Pouring into others— and yourself

As the first five year member of the Alton Ochsner Society, Damon sets a powerful example for what sustainable giving can look like. “I want young professionals to know there is a way to give while living comfortably within your means,” he said. But he acknowledges that “pouring into others” shouldn’t mean depleting yourself— financially or emotionally.

“I have learned what overextending yourself looks like,” he explained. “It is so important to find the balance between giving 100% to what you care about while still practicing self-care and knowing when to say no.”

In Damon’s personal life, giving back to himself means traveling to new places, reading or enjoying lively, themed lunches with his friends. “Living in New Orleans, there’s always a lunch, a party, a gala— something to celebrate,” he laughed.

Creating a legacy of giving

Among the most exciting parts of Damon’s five year pledge is not yet knowing the innovative ways his gift to the Excellence Fund will transform patient care. As patient needs evolve in the years to come, his gift will continue to create impact across the organization, filling in the gaps where patients need it most.

As one of Ochsner Health’s youngest donors and the first five year member of the Alton Ochsner Society, Damon is

trailblazing a new path forward for young professionals and philanthropists.

But the most important gift Damon hopes to give is compassion and love.

“My grandmother Vicky was such a jovial person, her energy radiated out of her,” he shared. “I hope my smile, my laugh and my compassion encourages others to find opportunities to give back in any way that makes sense for them.” One small commitment can amount to transformative change—just ask Damon.

OCHSNER SOCIETY 2023 MEMBERSHIP ROSTER

STAKEHOLDERS ($10,000-$24,999)

Louis and Sally Roussel

LEADERS ($5,000-$9,999)

Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Boh

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Freeman

Mrs. Ann B. Bailey

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sonnier

PARTNERS ($1,000-$4,999)

Ms. Mary Theresa Benson

Mr. Damon Carraby

Ms. Gwendolyn C. Carter

Mr. and Mrs. James Dagnon

Mr. and Mrs. James Gundlach

Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Kearney

Mr. William J. Kearney IV

Mr. David Kelly

Dr. Abdul M. Khan

Mr. and Mrs. John McLean

Mrs. Gilda H. Moore

Mr. and Mrs. Lee F. Nettles

Dr. Pat O’Brien, PhD

Ms. Crescentia Pennock

Mrs. Bonnie Rault

Tom Snedeker & Emery Clark

Ms. Susan Ann Swanner

Mr. Oveal Watkins

SUPPORTERS ($500-$999)

Mr. L. Robert Batterman

Mr. Paul L. Benenati

Mr. Emanuel V. Benjamin III

Mr. John C. Blitch

Mrs. Sally T. Duplantier

Dr. and Mrs. John Ollie Edmunds

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Hiers

Mr. and Mrs. Ward A. Howard

Ms. Stephanie L. Jacobs

Mr. Jacob W. Kaul, Jr.

Mrs. Sylvia P. Laborde

Mr. and Mrs. Robert T. Lajaunie

Dr. Joseph L. Lindsay III

Mrs. Arlene J. Manguno

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen D. Manshel

Dr. and Mrs. Robert J. Marino

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Meinert

Mrs. Louise B. Moore

Mr. Arthur Ostheimer

Mr. William R. Picard II

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Rotolo, Sr.

Dr. Mohammad Suleman

Mr. and Mrs. William E. Thibodeaux

Mr. C. Russell Wagner

Mr. Milton & Mrs. Beverly Webre

The Honorable and Mrs. Jacques L. Wiener, Jr.

Partnership in Prevention: OXIHER and the Excellence Fund

By Lea Witkowski-Purl | Photos: Steven Crimaldi

Ochsner-Xavier Institute for Health Equity and Research (OXIHER) is a community partnership committed to improving the overall health of all our communities, reducing health inequities, developing innovative healthcare delivery models and modeling equitable and respectful care. One of the pillars of the OXIHER Community Engagement framework is a faith-based approach to health outreach. On Sunday, November 6, 2022, we kicked off our pilot project at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church in the Tremé. The goal was to provide easy access to free flu shots as well as information about disease prevention and healthy lifestyles.

Yvens Laborde, MD, Medical Director of Global Health Education, serves as the physician lead of OXIHER’s community engagement pillar. This project was made possible in part by a grant from the Excellence Fund, Ochsner’s unrestricted source of support from donations. Over the past decade, your support of the Excellence Fund has enabled projects that would not be possible

otherwise, like this Faith-Based Community Network project.

“Ochsner is committed to partnering with faithbased leaders to inspire healthier lives and stronger communities through the lens of equity,” said Dr. Laborde. “These community-centered activities exemplify that.”

The team administered more than 60 shots to a diverse group of community members throughout the afternoon and provided health and disease prevention information.

“This was a partnership among Ochsner, Xavier and the City of New Orleans,” said Steven Crimaldi, Manager of Strategy for the Healthy State program at Ochsner. “Truly a demonstration of the power of one.”

To learn more about the Excellence Fund, please visit ochsner.org/excellencefund

Dr. Yvens Laborde received the first flu shot at the flu shot fair at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church on November 6, 2022.

The team administered more than 60 free flu shots and gave out free snowballs on November 6, 2022, at St. Anna’s Espiscopal Church.

A Loaned Angel, Unsung Heroes and Extraordinary Generosity: WiBo’s Impact

After experiencing the support of Ochsner’s Child Life team, the McGregors give back in their extraordinary son’s memory

By Lea Witkowski-Purl | Photos courtesy of the McGregor family

Everett Mark “WiBo” McGregor was a loaned angel, according to his parents, Brittany and George. He was known as WiBo because Everett means “wild boar” and he changed the world in seven months.

“From the get go, our little boy made his own rules and exceeded everyone’s expectations,” said Brittany McGregor, WiBo’s mom. “He was the personification

family. Certified Child Life Specialists are clinically trained to provide support for those experiencing illness or injury during developmental stages. According to the Association of Child Life Professionals, the role of a Child Life Specialist improves patient and family care, satisfaction and overall experience. Child Life Specialists are crucial to the care and healing of children at Ochsner Hospital for Children.

“So many - even those we hadn’t heard from in years - reached out,” Brittany said. “We felt community and love. We felt it at Ochsner, too. The Child Life team cared not only for WiBo but also for us and Brock.”

The McGregors hope to share the joy, faith and love that Everett brought to them through their generosity to others.

of love, joy and perseverance, all wrapped up in big blue eyes and constant giggles.”

The McGregors learned at the 20week ultrasound that Everett had a heart defect. Shortly after, Down syndrome was discovered. Then, WiBo was born en caul or still inside an unbroken amniotic sac. Everett was scheduled for surgery to fix his heart when he and his big brother Brock both got RSV. WiBo spent two months in the Cardiac PICU fighting the virus.

“This was his time to shine,” Brittany said. “From one complication to another, our little warrior taught us all about strength, family and unconditional love, and faith.”

Healing with help from Child Life

During Everett’s time in the PICU, the Child Life team was there for the whole

“Child Life went out of their way for us,” Brittany said. “They created a picture book for Brock, made a mobile out of construction paper and made family keepsakes. When it was time to say goodbye to Everett, they were there to answer all questions about how to explain this to Brock and made that last visit possible.”

As a result, Brittany and her husband George have decided to go out of their way for the Child Life program at Ochsner. Last November, they held the inaugural WiBo-Giving event to benefit the program in loving memory of their son who changed so many lives. The McGregors raised more than $62,000 for Child Life so far, proving that Everett is still changing lives.

“We are not done,” George said. “The second WiBo-Giving is already planned for November 2023.”

The McGregors credit community, love and Child Life for helping to ease the anxieties of their hospital stay.

“WiBo impacted all who encountered him,” George said. “He taught us so much about faith and proved that miracles happen.”

“ From one complication to another, our little warrior taught us all about strength, family, unconditional love and faith. ”

— Brittany McGregor

To learn more about WiBo, please visit ochsner.org/Everett

Above left: Everett Mark “WiBo” McGregor changed the world in his seven months on Earth. Above right: The McGregors during their stay at Ochsner Hospital for Children. Below: George, Brock and Brittany McGregor presenting a check for the Child Life Department fund from the proceeds donated in memory of WiBo. Photo: Elizabeth Burris

Bringing 2D Medical Data to Life in 3D

Ochsner’s m3D lab uses cutting-edge technologies to help patients, students, residents and clinicians understand complex medical concepts

By Anne Paglia

About 10 years ago, when Korak Sarkar, MD, was in neurology training at Northwestern University, he treated a patient with aphasia. Dr. Sarkar noticed that she struggled to follow auditory explanations of her condition. At the time, the medical field was just starting to adopt technologies like 3D printing, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). He believed a visual 3D model might help the patient understand what was happening in her brain.

“I thought I’d just go on YouTube and figure out how to 3D print,” Dr. Sarkar said. “Needless to say, that was naive. It was not that simple.”

A few years later, in 2015, Dr. Sarkar brought his knowledge of 3D printing and advanced visualization to Ochsner Health. With help from the Ochsner Excellence Fund, he secured a 3D printer and 3D modeling software for his office. The work that followed would eventually evolve into the Ochsner Medical 3D (m3D) lab.

“Our mission is to use innovative technologies in validated ways to improve patient education and engagement, medical training and clinical care delivery,” said Dr. Sarkar, Clinical Director of the m3D lab. “Being able to educate individuals and let them see in 3D is incredibly helpful. Our primate visual systems are designed to consume 3D data.”

While a majority of the lab’s work involves anatomical modeling, particularly through web-based 3D models, its capabilities extend to other technologies, as well. It can 3D print

those models, build AR and VR programs and even create holographic displays. The lab works with clinicians across the Ochsner system—including orthopedists, cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and neurologists—to educate patients and optimize approaches to complex cases.

For instance, the Ochsner neurovascular team may have a patient with an aneurysm who is reluctant to undergo treatment. “Often they’re like silent ticking time bombs, and found incidentally,” Dr. Sarkar said. Without obvious symptoms, patients can be resistant to the condition’s risky but necessary interventions. For patients grappling with

this diagnosis, a 3D model can be more intuitive and convincing than an MRI— prompting them to get the treatment they need.

Sustainably scaling the m3D lab

Since its start in Dr. Sarkar’s office at Ochsner Baptist, the m3D lab has grown significantly. In 2018, it hired Jack McGee, its first biomedical engineer, followed by Colin Curtis, another biomedical engineer, in 2020. The lab now has an operations leader, Kimberly Hughes, and a lab manager, Matthew Hales. The team even tapped into the talent of the New Orleans gaming industry and brought on

Korak Sarkar, MD, uses virtual reality tools with a patient. Photo by Daymon Gardner

Alec Sladen, a developer who helped create the lab’s viewer and applications for distraction therapy, a technique that aims to reduce patient anxiety and pain through VR.

The lab has also held multiple residencies over the years, first at innovationOchsner with guidance from Richard Milani, MD, and then in the Information Technology department alongside Louis Jeansonne IV, MD, Chief Medical Informatics Officer, Leonardo Seoane, MD, Chief Academic Officer, Cuong “CJ” Bui, MD, System Chair of Neurosurgery, Richard Zweifler, MD, System Associate Medical Director of Neurology and Steve LeBlond, Vice President of Information Services.

Key team members helped Dr. Sarkar and his team move their workflows into the electronic medical record (EMR) system. Clinicians can now order models through the EMR, and the team gets notified electronically. “That’s the beauty of being internal,” Dr. Sarkar said. “As opposed to a startup or vendor that’s contracted to work with us, we’re embedded and can leverage Ochsner’s digital infrastructure. It reduces a lot of friction.”

Now, the lab can collaborate with staff and clinicians across specialties. “There’s something special about having a biomedical engineer right next to a neurovascular surgeon,” Dr. Sarkar said.

“That’s very unique in the Gulf South, and even the nation.”

Rapid engineering during the pandemic

One key advantage of the m3D lab is the rapid design, engineering and prototyping available in the lab. In 2020, the lab used this advantage to begin 3D printing personal protective equipment

fabricate medical tools closer to the site of care.

“The pandemic opened my eyes to a lot of things, including how dependent traditional healthcare was on nonresilient, 20th-century supply chains,” Dr. Sarkar said. “The biodesign lab will give us an opportunity to design, develop and validate medical extended reality tools, then integrate them into a large delivery network and get this technology to people.”

— Dr. Korak Sarkar

(PPE) like face shields and medical barriers at scale. This was critical to overcome supply chain failures caused by the pandemic and won a Spirit of Leadership award for the best non-clinical project that year. With the new biodesign space, they can find novel ways to engineer and

Dr. Sarkar looks forward to continuing to ask big questions about these emerging technologies and their applications, like whether VR can be used for pain therapy or AR for physical rehabilitation.

“It’s really amazing that Ochsner has adopted these innovations and is doing so at such a scale,” he said. “We’re grateful for the Ochsner Excellence Fund and the system at large for supporting this. It was bold and brave, but it’s really paid off and will continue to do so.”

“ There’s something special about having a biomedical engineer right next to a neurovascular surgeon. That’s very unique in the Gulf South, and even the nation. ”

Colin Curtis works with Fawad Khan, MD, in the m3D lab. Photo by Mark Williams

Scholarship Recipients

By George Menz

John Lockwood Ochsner, Sr. Surgical Award

A giant in the field of cardiac medicine, John Lockwood Ochsner, Sr. lent his skill and expertise to Ochsner Health for nearly 60 years. In addition to pioneering valve and coronary surgery, he performed the first ever heart transplant in the Gulf South and the first pacemaker implantation on a newborn. With over 12,000 surgeries and more than 300 medical publications to his name, he stands as a sterling example of the excellence towards which all doctors and practitioners strive.

Today, the John Lockwood Ochsner, Sr. Surgical Award honors students whose achievements in medical school indicate their readiness to continue Dr. Ochsner’s legacy of surgical excellence. This year, the recipient of the award was James O’Leary.

“I was incredibly honored,” said James. “To receive an award attributed to a legendary innovator and leader in cardiovascular surgery may be the greatest honor I’ve been given in my life.”

James offered advice to other medical students interested in working in surgery. “Developing mentors in surgery as a medical student is challenging but essential,” he said. “Even Dr. John Lockwood Ochsner, Sr. was a medical student once, and his journey to becoming a world-renowned surgeon could not have been accomplished without the help of some great mentors along the way. I know his name and this award will continue to inspire medical students to be curious and resilient.”

Dr. E. Edward Martin, Jr. Family Medicine Award

The Dr. E. Edward Martin, Jr. Family Medicine Award is given to a graduating student of Ochsner Clinical School who is entering a residency in family medicine, demonstrates commitment to the principles of family medicine, and has shown high levels of student leadership and academic achievement. Dr. Martin was a beloved family medicine physician

who we lost in 2017. He served at Ochsner for over 30 years in increasing levels of responsibility. His colleagues established this award in his honor.

Having previously been awarded the Dr. and Mrs. Roy Gregory Scholarship for Family Medicine, Rana Mehdizadeh has now also been awarded the Dr. E. Edward Martin, Jr. Family Medicine Award. Rana is

also currently working as one of Ochsner’s research fellows for the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Project (GWEP).

“I was admittedly surprised and a bit emotional to learn I had received this year’s family medicine award. Emotions were already heightened on graduation day, knowing that it was not only the culmination of years of hard work, but that my father who had always been my biggest cheerleader wouldn’t be there as he had passed away the year before,” Rana said. In spite of all the struggles she faced, she felt proud to have discovered the right field for her and to be recognized for her dedication.

“I would encourage every medical student, including those who may not have previously considered family medicine, to make the most of their rotation in family medicine,” Rana said. “You can make a great impact as a medical student, while further fostering your interests.”

Rana Mehdizaheh

Photo courtesy of Rana Mehdizaheh Edward Martin, MD

Photo: Stephen Legendre

James O’Leary

Photo courtesy of James O’Leary

Where are they now? Charles Williams Sr., MD

By Melissa G. Landry | Photo: Courtesy of Charles Williams

Charles Williams Sr., MD, has a unique history with Ochsner. He was referred to Ochsner for care while managing congestive heart failure and participated in the first multiorgan domino transplant at the Ochsner Transplant Institute. Now, in the fifth year of his posttransplant care, he is enjoying life with his kids, grandkids and wife, Gwen.

Besides enjoying their retirement with the family, Dr. Williams and Gwen are on a personal mission to help patients and families, particularly those facing the daunting challenges of post-transplant care.

Dr. Williams praises Gwen for her devotion and support. She went to every clinic visit, engaged with doctors, nurses and other medical staff about his care and learned what he would need to do after his surgery. Gwen recorded vital signs every day, watched over medications and reported back to nurse managers at every outpatient visit.

“My therapy and medication regimens were overwhelming immediately post surgery,” Dr. Williams said. “She took on the task of learning everything from the therapists and nurses and, in turn, teaching it to me.”

The experience showed them how overwhelming post-transplant care can be, and they felt guided to

relieve that burden for others through the Cardiology Caregiver Support Fund. Their generosity provides educational and emotional support to assist patients and caregivers with their everyday, post-transplant needs.

For 20 Years, Research Day Shines a Light on Ochsner Scientists

Research is one of the pillars of Ochsner Health’s mission to continually improve healthcare for the Gulf South. Each May, Ochsner provides a platform to show the cutting-edge work its researchers do within biomedicine—from students in The University of Queensland - Ochsner Health Doctor of Medicine Program to postdoctoral fellows and clinical residents. This year’s variety of research topics showcase the vast curiosity of the extended Ochsner family.

Events like Ochsner’s Research Day give Ochsner’s scholars the chance to shine and engage in in-depth discussions of their ongoing work with like-minded scholars. Ochsner’s staff isn’t just devoted to providing the best care available to patients: they’re also actively working to expand the possibilities of care. Abstract submissions and podium presentations enable scientists to make their findings known in a public forum and receive recognition from the Ochsner community.

The programming includes plenary sessions, a keynote

address, a poster display and an evening networking session with food and refreshments in the Benson Cancer Center.

We invite the Ochsner community to attend the awards ceremony and poster presentation, to be held on Thursday, May 25th.

To learn more, please visit research.ochsner.org/opportunities/research-day

Charles and Gwen celebrating his retirement from the Air Force in 2012.

Presenters discuss their work at the 2022 Ochsner Research Day Poster Session. Photo: Terry Thibeau

Music Therapy Brings Melody and Motivation to Patients

By Patricia Boehm | Photo: Patricia Boehm

On June 19, 2021, Jennifer Hazelwood’s life took a dramatic turn as she suffered a severe stroke. A year and a half later, her family credits the success in her recovery to family support, determination and the music therapy program at Ochsner.

Freddy Yoder, Jennifer’s father, recounted those early days in her recovery when he was bringing Jennifer to her therapy appointments. “Every day they would ask her the same questions, what is your name and date of birth, and it would just tear my heart out knowing she can’t answer those questions,“ he said.

This continued for a few months until Jennifer entered the music therapy program. Meredith Sharpe, Board-Certified Neurologic Music Therapist, and leader of the Music Therapy Program, which is available free to neuroscience patients because of donor support of the Legier Creative Therapies Fund, began working with Jennifer and today, she can say her name and birthday at request.

Jennifer called this program “a blessing” when asked what the program meant to her. Now that she as mastered saying her name, she has moved onto vocal and structured singing exercises to improve her ability to say certain sounds, retrieve words, and create sentences for functional communication. Her mother, Ann Yoder, said “The program has given Jennifer confidence.”

Because of your generous support patients like Jennifer are able to attend music therapy sessions and experience similar life changing milestones. Through the music therapy program, Jennifer has not only regained the ability to say her name but also regained a greater sense of purpose. She continues to find hope in her recovery and has resumed activities she enjoyed before her stroke, like teaching in her ballet studio and working with pre-k students.

Links to a Healthier Future

By Patricia Boehm | Photo courtesy of Ochsner Marketing and Communications

Erica Broussard, MD, Senior Physician and Site Lead for Radiology at Ochsner Baptist, has a passion for women’s health and giving back. Through her role at Ochsner Baptist and her membership in The Pontchartrain Chapter of The Links, Inc., she was able to organize the Links in Pink event and fulfill her dream of reaching women through personalized breast cancer screenings.

The biannual event provides free mammograms with same day results to underserved, uninsured women who do not have access to care. Supported by donors through the Attack Breast Cancer Early Fund, the most recent Links in Pink event held on October 22, 2022, provided 20 mammograms to women in our community.

“The Links in Pink free screening mammogram event serves women who lack resources or means by providing them an opportunity to detect breast cancer early. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Without this program, these women would not have lifesaving access to early

detection,” said Dr. Broussard.

Since the first event in 2020, 80 women have received free screenings. These screenings provide the chance to catch breast cancer in its early stages and thus provide a better outcome. In lieu of a spring event this year, the group will provide free screens for women through health fairs and our community partners. The next event is scheduled for October 28, 2023, and can provide screenings for up to 50 patients.

Jennifer and Meredith singing during a therapy session.

To hear Jennifer and her parents in their own words, please scan this code to watch a video.

Dr. Broussard and members of The Ponchartrain Chapter of the Links, Inc. at the Links in Pink event in October 2022.

Canine Comfort: Security and Emergency Preparedness

By Lea Witkowski-Purl | Photos courtesy of Ochsner Security

In 2022, the Security and Emergency Preparedness Fund primarily enhanced our canine security program. Your support provided training and equipment for the security teams across Ochsner Health.

Your generosity also allowed us to expand, providing additional security canine officers for our North Louisiana campuses. Canine officers are popular among patients and staff, adding an additional level of security and comfort.

The healthcare setting can be stressful as we are coping with appointments, sometimes illness and occasionally loss. Many people love animals, especially dogs, and our security team loves to bring a little joy to patients and their families with our canine officers.

“The presence of a security canine officer brings a feeling of being safe, a feeling of comfort and just makes your day a little bit better,” said Mark Dupuis, Vice President and Chief of Security and Emergency Preparedness.

This program continues to be one of our most successful security programs as it centers around one of our core values: compassion. Our security canine team is founded on compassion and safety, which they provide

to our patients and staff when they need it the most thanks to your support.

Physician Support Provides Education and Opportunities

By Lea Witkowski-Purl | Photo: Stephen Legendre

George Fuhrman, MD, Senior Physician in Surgery

With most gifts provided by Ochsner physicians, the Surgical Education Support Fund is used to provide financial sponsorship of needed continuing education of nurses, non-medical staff, residents and senior attending staff working within both the clinic and hospital departments of Surgery.

“The Surgical Education Fund is critical to the department’s ability to conduct adjunctive educational activity,” said George Fuhrman, MD, Senior Physician in Surgery at Ochsner.

Donor support provided access to educational resources such as membership dues for all eight first year Surgery residents for the American College of Surgeons Fundamentals of Surgery in March 2022.

In addition, the fund provided support for all women residents in the Department of Surgery to attend the Women in Surgery Reception at the 70th annual meeting of the Louisiana Chapter of the American College of Surgeons in March 2022. The annual meeting featured Deiadra Garrett, MD, PhD, FACS, pediatric general surgeon from Lafayette, who shared her story as the eighth Black woman pediatric surgeon trained in the United States.

The fund also provides resources for the Grand Rounds Visiting Professor in Surgery. Recent speakers include Richard E. Kirscher, MD, FACS, FAAP in February 2022, Carlos A. Galvani, MD, in June 2022, Ali Azizzadeh, MD, FACS in September 2022, Kelly M. McMasters, MD, in October 2022 and Suzanne Klimberg, MD, PhD in March 2023.

“The interaction with thought leaders in American surgery helps elevate the stature of the department and provides opportunities for advanced fellowship training for our residents,” Dr. Fuhrman said.

Hunter (top) and Pete (right) joined the security canine team thanks to your support.

Finding Hope in the Ochsner Community

As Emily Wahl and her baby Renée fought chronic health issues, they were met with an outpouring of support

By Anne Paglia | Photos courtesy of Emily Wahl

About 22 weeks into Emily Wahl’s pregnancy, she received news no mother wants to hear: her baby, Renée, had congenital heart block. Emily knew Renée had a slight risk of developing the condition due to her autoimmune disorder, but doctors were hopeful that medication could stave it off, and the regular echocardiograms would just be a precaution. “No one expected it,” Emily said. “I was following all of the preventative measures and it was already a rare occurrence. We were in shock.”

At the same time, Emily began experiencing symptoms related to her autoimmune disorder, which started to affect Renée. She took a leave from her work as a physical therapist at Ochsner Therapy and Wellness, and went on modified bed rest to focus on her and Renée’s health. A few weeks later, 26 weeks into her pregnancy, Emily received more bad news: Renée stopped growing. The placenta was no longer able to support her. There was no amniotic fluid left.

At the direction of her doctor, Emily checked into the obstetric emergency room at Ochsner Baptist, where doctors gave her the option to deliver immediately or let nature take its course. Despite the risk, the choice for Emily was obvious. “Without a doubt, I had to give her the chance to fight,” she said. The next morning, Emily had a C-section. On May 28, 2021, her daughter, Renée, was born. She weighed just one pound, one ounce.

Renée’s heart rate was extremely low as a result of the heart block, and required a pacemaker to function properly. But being so small came with its own set of

challenges. Renée was too little to have a pacemaker inserted, and needed another solution as soon as possible.

Fortunately, the pediatric cardiology team devised a plan to raise Renée’s heart rate with medications. “They put their heads together and figured it out, just like they did many other times in her life,” Emily said.

Three months later, Renée was finally big enough to receive a small

pacemaker the size of a quarter. The day of the surgery, members of the pediatric cardiology team traveled from Ochsner Medical Center to the Ochsner Baptist neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to insert Renée’s pacemaker.

“When Renée was born, we didn’t know if she would make it to even get a pacemaker,” Emily said. “Every day we were walking on eggshells with her until she got this pacemaker. That was the best day in the world. For them to come to the hospital and do that for her meant so much to us.”

Weathering storm after storm

Just as Emily and her husband, Chance, were celebrating Renée’s progress, they heard news of another disaster about to strike: Hurricane Ida. Then, just two days before the storm was expected to hit, Emily discovered she had a blood clot in her lung, and checked into Ochsner Baptist to be under the same roof as Renée.

With Emily in the hospital now, too, Chance shuffled between Emily’s room and the NICU. At one point during Emily’s stay, he came into her room in tears. “We lost our house in the storm,” Emily said. “A huge tree broke in our backyard, fell on top of our house and completely crushed it. It wasn’t salvageable at all.”

The emotional toll of the situation grew even heavier when Emily was transferred to the labor and delivery floor —on Renée’s original due date. Despite the difficulty of that day, Emily felt tremendous support from the staff at

Renée Wahl

“ We want her to be remembered and honored, and to support the people who supported us throughout her life. ”

— Emily Wahl

Ochsner, particularly Lauren Borgstede Vogels, RN, who was looking after her.

“She made me feel like I was still able to be with Renée,” Emily said. “She gave me the iPad to watch her from the NICU. She made me feel like I was doing the best that I could even though there was nothing I could do in the meantime.”

The NICU staff regularly called and sent pictures of Renée, while the Ochsner Employee Assistance Fund provided Emily with extra time off and funds for support. Aware that Emily and Chance lost their home, staff even pooled their own money together and wrote a check to help them find solid footing again. “The Ochsner family was helping us pick up the pieces,” Emily said. “It was catastrophic at the time, and they really supported us in all aspects—as an employee, a patient and parents.”

Never giving up on Renée

Renée made big strides after receiving her pacemaker, growing faster and even coming off her ventilator for a period of time. But at six months old, her medical issues resurfaced. She was transferred from the Ochsner Baptist NICU to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Ochsner Medical Center so the pediatric cardiology team could monitor her more closely. “The doctors and nursing staff spent hours talking to us, teaching us and giving us confidence to care for a child with such complex needs,” Emily said.

At eight months old, Renée was able to leave the hospital and join Emily and Chance at home. After several days, however, Renée’s condition worsened and she had to return to the hospital. Shortly after, despite the unrelenting efforts of her doctors and unwavering support of her family, Renée passed away on

February 19, 2022.

“Renée was very unique and special to a lot of people,” Emily said. “We want her to be remembered and honored, and to support the people who supported us throughout her life.”

Emily and Chance have continued to honor Renée and carry on her legacy with the Rally for Renée Children’s Foundation. Managed by the Catholic Community Foundation, the donor-advised fund seeks to help children with medically complex conditions and their families.

This year, the Foundation is making a gift to the Ochsner Baptist NICU. In addition to naming the NICU room in which Renée stayed in her memory, Emily hopes the gift will enable additional

patient assistance and the continuation of Ochsner’s clinical excellence. “The goal is when parents like us get devastating news that they never thought they would get, they know they have a good place close to home where they can bring their child.”

The gesture is also inspired by the dedicated care of the pediatric cardiology team and all the staff who cared for Renée during her life. “They put their heads together at different times to figure out what they were going to do with Renée because she was not textbook,” Emily said. “They always tried everything they possibly could to help her, and ultimately brought her home. That’s what mattered the most.”

The krewe of Renée’s graduation day.

Healing Environments

(continued from page 7)

you work your way up the floors, we worked from a blue palette, using softer hues and artwork dealing with the sky and water.” This concept models the movement from the ground up to the sky, overlooking the river. The palette across these floors intentionally avoids anxietyinducing colors like red and orange, which are often associated with emergency situations and can lead to increased heart rates and body temperatures.

Decisions about artwork were equally deliberate. “When you’re in the waiting areas or public corridors, artwork images can be more abstract,” Annette explained. “When you’re in the exam room waiting for a doctor, feeling anxious, the art should be more realistic and grounded in nature.”

From an architectural perspective, the design incorporates similar research about how people respond to their environment. For example, humans tend to feel calmer and respond better to curves as opposed to sharp edges.

These same design and architectural standards including similar exterior

canopies, flooring and finish materials carried over to The Grove, which opened in 2019, and the recently opened Clearview Clinic.

“Similar to the Benson Cancer Center, the Clearview Clinic features a neutral palette and organic feel, using warmer wood tones and accent colors,” said Emily Stewart, Furnishings, Fixtures and Equipment Manager and Interior Designer of the Clearview Clinic. “By keeping the colors neutral and upholsteries textural, with some pops of color, we allow the artwork to be the star of the show.”

A holistic approach to healing

In the spirit of patient-first, holistic care, the design and architecture team was invested in design and brand consistency

across The Grove, Benson Cancer Center and Clearview Clinic. It’s why the finishes, colors and artwork echo back to one another—creating a healing environment distinct to the Ochsner community. As always, this community extends beyond patients and staff.

“One of our top priorities was incorporating art by members of our Gulf South community,” Jaime said. “There is a really big philanthropic interest among local artists and all three of these facilities represent the people that help our community heal, in so many ways.”

“It is a privilege to do right by this community and give them a better environment to care for their patients in,” Jaime said. “Everyone is wowed by these spaces and the impact they have on every person who walks through our doors.”

Dr. Brittany Harvey and Dr. Edward McCoul walk through the new clinic at Clearview in Metairie.

Photo: Elizabeth Burris

“ I am a firm believer that the environment we receive care in helps us heal. ”

— Annette Messina, Furnishings, Fixtures and Equipment Planner

Commemorating strides in community healthcare access

Ochsner Health is committed to expanding healthcare access to communities across Louisiana. With the launch of two new healthcare facilities in the past year, that goal is being realized.

On February 3, 2023, Ochsner Lafayette General held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the one-year anniversary of its Community Health Center located at 1317 Jefferson Street. Since opening its doors on January 24, 2022, there have been more than 7,200 patient visits to the Ochsner Lafayette General Community Health Center, which has created an avenue for greater access to healthcare for the residents of Lafayette’s Downtown, Port Rico and Freetown communities—areas that were sorely lacking healthcare resources. Photo: Ryan Richard

On January 31, 2023, leaders from Ochsner Health and Jefferson Parish celebrated the opening of the Ochsner Medical Complex – Clearview in Metairie with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The new healthcare destination will expand patient access to primary and specialty healthcare services. In addition to offering state-of-the-art technology and comprehensive services, the facility features patient-friendly amenities like valet parking, a drivethrough pharmacy and a luxury cosmetic and wellness center. Photo: Elizabeth Burris

To learn more about any of the causes in this issue or to make a donation, please scan this code.

Remembering Dr. Pedro Cazabon

On January 1, 2023, Pedro Cazabon, MD, a dedicated practitioner at Ochsner Health who worked to expand the reach of community health initiatives, passed away following a heart attack. He was 57 years old.

Dr. Cazabon received his MD from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and completed an internship and residency at Ochsner Health, where he became a member of the staff in 1995. He quickly took on a greater role, becoming Associate Medical Director for Primary Care (Southshore region) and the System Service Line Leader for the department. He twice served on the Board of Directors of Ochsner Health.

Dr. Cazabon worked to expand Ochsner’s Primary Care Group Practice and played a key role in designing and developing the Ochsner Center for Primary Care and Wellness. He also took a leading role in several community health initiatives including vaccination efforts and widespread testing, and both became necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Cazabon leaves behind a remarkable legacy, both at Ochsner and in every other circle in which he traveled—most of all, his family. He is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years, Tiffany; his three children, Jack, Julia and George; by his mother Luisa and siblings Patricia and Juan and their children, as well as by his dog, Foster.

To learn more about Dr. Cazabon and his impact on healthcare, please scan this code.